chapter word count: 485

noir heart: eighteen

"Back to the witness: how'd you figure that, mate?" inquires Aster, frowning in bemusement as he passes the pad over to Captain Moors, who promptly cocks a 'this should be good' eyebrow of doubt.

Jack shrugs, and languidly paces a few steps before sighing. "I dunno. It's just a feeling. I've had it ever since you said she won't talk to anyone – you'd think if your husband's been murdered, you'd be chomping at the bit to tell the first detective everything you know. It's like she's…waiting."

"She's most likely still in shock." Captain Moors scoffs.

"Possibly. I reckon she's waiting for us to catch up, to come to the same conclusion she's already come to." Jack shrugs, and chances a glimpse of the witness-slash-suspect – and frowns in curiosity as he watches her pull off the sweater to reveal a stunning, black Bardot dress. His ex-partner just noticed it too, judging by the quiet wolf-whistle that graces his ears.

Well, that's new.

"Which is?" Aster inquires, his eyes lingering on Elsa.

Jack quirks his lips to the right, and gestures towards the window. "Well, firstly, who wears an evening dress to read? Don't get me wrong, she looks stunning…but I wonder if that's the point. It's like she's saying "look at me". I mean, what do women think when they see an evening dress? 'That is so beautiful'. Men, it's 'she looks hot in that'…and that's what she wants."

He thoughtfully scratches his jaw with his left finger as he continues, "Second, it's too convenient. Mr Black is brutally murdered and she doesn't see a thing – and so far, a complete lack of evidence other than what points us to the Ripper…and even that's all wrong. The Ripper is about control, domination, superiority. They wouldn't risk being seen by a potential witness, they wouldn't be drawn into a fight, wouldn't stab the victim and sure as hell wouldn't use a hacksaw. "

"Maybe the Ripper has changed their M.O. to screw with us." Aster muses openly.

Jack quirks his mouth to the left as he wipes across it with his palm, his eyes solely fixed upon his witness-slash-suspect as he sways back and forth on his heels. "Maybe," he exhales, "but I'm not sure. I think she did it, and she knows that's what I think. That's why her whole demeanour changed. She knows there's nothing we can pin on her, and everything we can pin on the Ripper. She's in complete control and is putting on a show. This is her affirmation, her grand performance, her design. This is her victory. She's waiting for us to conclude that she committed the perfect murder."

jpbake: Hope your eulogy is good, haha. One more chapter after this one, then it's back to Jack and Elsa.
hornedgoddess: She'll pop up here and there :P
miki fubuki: yep. He's damaged. Very much so.
e-teens: breadcrumbs. Glad you liked the snark :P
heartonfire: didn't expect it to be thought provoking, but I'm pleased it was. And you're right, we're all putting on a show one way or another.

early update 'cause I love y'all.