SEVENTEEN
"right down there," Roux said to Abberline, pointing down at the dark water below them.
Abberline opened his eyes wider skimming over the water, and searching for the woman. Part of the water was different; it seemed to flow more smoothly than the rest. Abberline stared at the dark spot and he finally realized what it was: the woman's dark dress, and Abberline had found her.
Abberline slowly climbed his way down the rocks, to the edge of the water. The woman was still a few feet away and out of reach. He searched around and found a long tree branch. He stuck the branch into the water, on the right side of the woman. He adjusted his footing, pulling on the stick, and the woman slowly drifted over and began to pull her up the rocks.
Jack and Roux watched Abberline with dark eyes, and the woman slowly being dragged towards them. Roux hurried over to help, but Abberline held out a hand saying, "please, I can do it."
Roux backed away to Jack's side once more and Abberline pulled the body over to them. They looked down at the woman.
Her eyes were closed and her face was very pale and slightly blue. Her long brown hair sprawled out above her head and over her neck. Her lips were slightly parted, showing a small glimpse of her teeth.
Abberline crouched down next to the woman, sweeping away a piece of hair from her face, and lit up another cigarette. Roux bent down to look closer at the woman.
"RAAH!" Jack shouted in Roux's ear.
Roux leapt backwards, swinging his arms out in front of him and squealing.
Jack started laughing and Roux punched him in the arm.
"oh, you're no fun," Jack said grinning.
"ha ha ha, really funny Jack," Roux said sarcastically, with a sour look on his face.
"gentlemen, this is no time to play games," Abberline said, releasing a cloud of smoke.
Jack and Roux grinned at each other and returned their gaze to the corpse.
Abberline inspected the woman's body, lifting an arm here, or a leg there. He had lifted up her dress, and had inspected her torso. He inspected the bottom half of her as well, turning her over. After examining every detail, Abberline stood up.
"I've seen this before," Abberline said stroking his chin.
"what do you mean?" Roux asked.
"my dreams-premonitions some call them. I saw her," Abberline said.
"that's very nice, you have premonitions," Jack said raising his eyebrows. Jack pulled Roux close saying, "this guy is a little mental, let's scurry."
Roux leaned into him saying, "Jack, you think everyone is mental. Might I remind you Jack, that you sailed across the ocean for five days with one Willy Wonka. I think you can handle this guy for at least five minutes."
"good point," Jack said, smiling nervously at Abberline.
"there are no external injuries, but she may need to go in for a full inspection," Abberline continued.
"full? You mean that wasn't full enough? Lord help whoever has the examine my body. Although, they might enjoy it," Jack said with his gold toothed grin.
Roux smiled and elbowed him in the arm.
"you two wait here with the body while I go find Sergeant Godley," Abberline said standing up.
Jack and Roux nodded and Abberline started a slow walk down the street. A few minutes passed and Jack and Roux remained silent, looking around, averting their eyes from the cold dead corpse that lay very near to them.
"well, he's different," Roux said, staring after Abberline, who had disappeared around the corner.
"yeah, seems to me that he hasn't had any pleasurable company in a while eh?" Jack said grinning. It must have been all the rum he drank earlier, for Jack was being very, well, very much like himself for once.
Roux chuckled at that and stepped a little closer to the body. "how do we know she's dead?" he asked.
Jack looked at Roux saying, "roux, look at her, she's gone."
" I guess so, he sure is taking a long time," Roux said crossing his arms.
A few minutes later, a carriage came rolling down the deserted street. It moved very slow.
"er, Jack," Roux said tugging at Jack's sleeve.
"what? Just smile and wave," Jack said raising his hand to wave.
Roux slapped his arm down saying, "no, no, don't wave."
The carriage reached than and stopped. Jack and Roux drew close together in suspicion and fright. A set of stairs clinked down out of the carriage and the door opened. Jack and Roux were relieved to see Abberline and sergeant Godley sitting quietly inside.
"evening gentlemen," Godley said to them, stepping out of the carriage. The carriage rocked slightly form his weight and Abberline hopped swiftly out behind him.
"there she is," Abberline said to Godley.
Abberline followed him over to the body and lit yet another cigarette.
"wha' happened?" Godley asked.
"my guess is she drowned," Abberline said, blowing out a puff of smoke. "although, it could've been something else. We should take her to the morgue, have the doctor take a look."
"right you are, inspector," Godley said, itching his chin. "step aside please gentlemen," he said as he and Abberline moved closer to the woman.
Abberline stood at the head of the woman and Godley took place by her feet. Abberline crouched down and gripped the corpse's arms just below the shoulders. Godley held firm her ankles and they carried her to the back of the carriage. The corpse was set onside the 'trunk' and the door was closed.
"well thank you gents, this was very helpful of you," Abberline said to Roux and Jack. "If you ever need anything else, you know where to find me. G'night," Abberline said starting to walk away.
"you mean that's it?" Jack said crossing his arms.
Abberline turned back around, looking at Jack. He nodded.
"don't you think we deserve some sort of treat for finding you this here body?" Jack continued.
Abberline exhaled slowly, rubbing his eyes from lack of sleep and annoyance.
"I have nothing to give you. All that you may have in return is a drink at the station with sergeant Godley and I," Abberline said.
Jack grinned at that. "A drink eh?" he said, exchanging glances with Roux. "well mate, that's exactly what I had in mind."