Chapter 4: Jack the Ripper?

November 23, 1888

A few days later, Coolsville was gripped with terror as a string of slayings hit the Docklands.

Most of the victims were female, but there were some male victims as well. One thing all of the victims had in common was the fact that they were properly dressed, as if there were from the city's middle and upper classes.

The sheriff's department was flooded with hard working detectives trying to work the cases. All of the victims were murdered in the same fashion, all of the murders took place in the Docklands, and they all seemed to be from the city's rich and powerful.

However, the sheriff's investigators were unable to pinpoint how and when will the killer strike. Soon, though, the latest development in the case came when Sheriff Hill received a telegram from Scotland Yard in England, where the police commissioner had indicated that London has been stuck by a series of similar slayings. Those slayings were attributed to a serial killer known as "Jack the Ripper".

Further examination of the nature of the killings soon led to the newspaper headline that morning.

"JACK THE RIPPER IN TOWN?

Sheriff Hill confirmed that infamous serial killer from London, England may be in Coolsville, citing similarities in killing methods"

Shaggy was reading the newspaper with Scooby. As soon as he finished reading the news article on the possibility of Jack the Ripper being in Coolsville, he slam the paper shut, saying, "Like, that Sheriff Hill is just trying to make himself look good, Scoob."

"Reah. Row ran rit re rossible for Rack re Ripper re rin Rondon rand Roolsvile rin re rame rime?" (Yeah. How can it be possible for Jack the Ripper to be in London and Coolsville in the same time?) Scooby agreed.

"That can't be possible, Scoob. Like, I have a hunch someone might be using the same method of murders to have these killings attributed to our 'friend' in London. We better check out the crime scenes."

Soon, the duo were at the scene of the latest discovery. There were sheriff's deputies at the scene already, and one of them scowled when he saw Shaggy and Scooby.

"Beat off, you meddlers." The deputy said. "This is police business."

"Like, since when did you become serious in fighting crime, Deputy Graham?" Shaggy retorted.

"Always, you blasted meddlers. Go somewhere else to play detective."

"Like, not until you let me see the victim."

"You're not seeing the body, Meddler Rogers."

At this moment, Scooby growled angrily. He hated hearing Shaggy being referred to that.

"Oh, you're going to have that dog bite me, huh? I'm scared." Deputy Graham said in a sarcastic tone.

"He may not bite you. But he sure will teach you a lesson you will never forget, deputy." Shaggy replied, his tone of voice dropping into sarcasm when he referred to Graham's title as a sheriff's deputy.

Before Graham can reply, a younger sheriff's deputy raced up to them. He was panting, looking like he had just ran across the city.

"Sergeant Graham, there has been another body found just a few blocks away." He said.

"Another one? Good lord." Shaggy remarked as he and Scooby quickly made their way to the scene before Graham had a chance to stop them.

Soon, Shaggy and Scooby arrived at the scene and keeled down to look at the body.

The woman was dressed finely with an orange dress that was covered in blood. Her glasses were also covered in blood splatter, and the sight almost reminded Shaggy and Scooby of Velma.

After the examination of the knife mark on the woman's chest, Shaggy remarked, "Looks like this poor lady was slashed by a pocket knife."

He and Scooby then proceeded to take down notes on their observations of the body and the scene.

As sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene to collect the body and send it over to the nearby morgue, Shaggy and Scooby exited the alleyway where the lady was found. "Like, for some reason, Scoob, this lady reminded me of Velma."

"Reah." (Yeah) Scooby replied.

They made their way to a nearby cafe, where, to their surprise, they found Daphne in there sipping tea. She immediately greeted the duo when the entered the cafe.

"Shaggy, Scooby. I'm glad to see you guys again." She said.

"Yeah. Like, there has been another one and Scoob and I were checking it out."

"Jeepers. Can you believe it? Jack the Ripper in Coolsville?" Daphne remarked.

"I won't say that I believe in that." Shaggy said. "The only thing I can say is that someone is using the exact same method in murder. I also can't help but think of Velma when Scoob and I were at the latest scene."

There was silence between the trio before Daphne said, "I got a feeling these murders may have some connection to what happened six years ago."

Shaggy nodded. He then decided to turn the conversation into a new channel.

"So Daphne, are you busy this Saturday?"

"No, I'm not. Do you want to go to the theater, Shag?"

"Like, sure. Perhaps if we can't make any progress on this case, then at least we should go see an opera to clear our minds a bit."

Daphne smiled. "Alright, then. Then, I'll see you and Scooby there Saturday the 26th at one o'clock, okay?"

"Okay." "Rokay." Shaggy and Scooby replied in the same time.

November 26, 1887

The performance of Rossini's opera The Barber of Seville was a splendid one, and Shaggy, Scooby and Daphne had spent a good time watching the opera.

Later, Shaggy and Scooby escorted Daphne back to her place, chatting about the opera. Soon, at the gate to her mansion, they stopped.

"Like, I guess we'll see you around, Daph. Perhaps tomorrow at the cafe?" Shaggy asked.

"Sure." Daphne replied. She then leaned over to Shaggy's face and planted a kiss, with Shaggy kissing her back.

The duo then broke contact as Daphne entered the gate, saying, "Good night, Shaggy."

"Like, good night, Daph." Shaggy smiled. He then turned to Scooby and said, "Well Scoob, I think I'm in love."

"Rawwww." (Awwww) Scooby replied. The duo then made their way home.

However, when Daphne entered her mansion, she was surprised to see sheriff's deputies at her place, waiting for her.

"What are you doing at my place?" She asked.

Deputy Graham immediately walked over to her. "Police business, Miss Blake."

One of the deputies then produced a bloody knife as Graham continued, "We received an anonymous tip on the location of the murder weapon. That tip led us here, where we then found this beauty hidden under your bed in your bedroom."

Daphne stared at the knife with fear in her eyes. Graham didn't notice and continued, "Miss Daphne Blake, you are under arrest for the Ripper murders."

"Wait, wait." Daphne exclaimed as two deputies moved in to handcuff her, "I didn't do it! I didn't know about this knife until now. You've got the wrong person!"

"Doesn't matter Miss Blake." Graham retorted. "You are under arrest." After the deputies handcuffed her, he ordered "Take her to the cells and have her booked for the murders."

Uh, oh. This doesn't look good. Wonder what will happen next?

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