Chapter 6: The investigation

February 1, 1889

It has been three days since Daphne was sentenced to be hanged after being convicted for murder. She has spent the past three days up in a cell at the Coolsville's Women's Prison, where she was to spend her remaining days in death row until March. Then, she will be sent to the main prison to be hanged.

Meanwhile, Shaggy and Scooby continued to work to find ways to help prove Daphne's innocence. However, in spite of their constant use of their detective minds, they felt that Daphne could maybe help find something that can get her out of prison.

That afternoon, as they made their way to the Women's Prison, they were approached by Deputy Irving, one of the deputies that had a particular dislike to both Sheriff Hill and Sergeant-Deputy Graham. He was also one of the investigators that worked the slayings.

"Mr. Rogers, Mr. Doo." The deputy said.

"Like, Deputy Irving." Shaggy said as he shook hands with the deputy. "What brings you here?"

"I've got the investigations reports here with me. You may want to take a look at them."

Shaggy took the files and glanced at a few pages, noting the photos that accompanied the report. He then nodded. "Good. Daphne will need these reports to prove her innocence. Good stuff, deputy."

"Thank you. I was wishing that I had done more to prevent Daphne from getting arrested, but that blasted Sergeant Graham refused to listen, even though I mentioned the holes they have with that theory were large enough to fit a new skyscraper and that the knife is circumstantial, even though it is our murder weapon."

"Like, thanks for your help, anyways."

Soon, Shaggy and Scooby arrived at the prison, and after a series of arrangements, they arrived at Daphne's cell.

"Like, Daph?" Shaggy asked, trying to get her attention.

Daphne turned to face the duo. Her eyes were red and Shaggy guessed that she has been crying for the past few days since her conviction. "Oh Shaggy, Scooby." She exclaimed as she slipped her hand through the cell bars to hold Shaggy's offered hand. "I am so glad to see you."

"Rame rere, Raphne." (Same here, Daphne) Scooby replied soberly.

"Like, we've got the investigation reports here, Daph. Scoob and I had looked through them before arriving at your cell, but like I've mentioned before, three heads are usually smarter than two heads." Shaggy noted as he passed the reports over to Daphne. "Perhaps you can find something that Scoob and I might have missed."

Daphne nodded. "I'll try to find my way out of here, guys. I promise."

Shaggy nodded. There was some hesitation before he let go of Daphne's hand. He then put on his bowler hat before he and Scooby took their leaves.

February 28, 1889

As the weeks went by, Daphne spent almost every day examining the files and reports Shaggy had given to her.

She had worked very hard, hoping to find something that could get her out of prison.

However, her month of hard work didn't turn up anything useful. And before she knew it, it was the day before she was scheduled to be hanged.

That night, after having her last supper, Daphne was in her cell, examining the reports one last time. Nothing useful turned up, and in frustration she threw the file to her cell wall, causing the report pages and the photos to scatter everywhere.

"Four weeks of nothing!" She thought angrily. "Now I'm really doomed."

She then sat on her bed with her hands on her head, staring into the moonlight shadow casted from the cell bars from outside.

However, just as she thought that everything is over for her, her eyes caught onto a photo that was under the moonlight.

It was the photo of the murder weapon.

Picking up the photo, Daphne examined the knife when she noticed a symbol on the handle of the knife.

"Why, it's Mystery Inc.'s logo." She thought. "What does it have to do with the knife?"

She then saw the photo of the group with Alice Masters with them, remembering that she had became a doctor and lawyer with Fred's help.

It was then that she remembered one of the documentations of the murders that had the description of the method of slaying, as written by Deputy Irving with help from Shaggy and Scooby.

Reading the document, Daphne took note of the description of the slaying, noting that it had bore resemblance to a surgeon's cut when preparing to do surgery.

She then remembered that Fred had gave Alice a gift several years ago, with the shape bearing resemblance to a box that fits a knife.

Putting two and two together, Daphne figured out who the Ripper really is.

At that moment, Shaggy and Scooby arrived at her cell. They had dark masks on their faces and Daphne didn't recognize them for a brief second.

"Like, Daph, are you ready?" Shaggy asked. He was wearing a black mask that concealed his eyes and part of his nose.

"Shaggy, Scooby!" Daphne exclaimed in a quiet voice. "You guys arrived just in time."

"Reah. Raggy ras ranning ron relping rou rescape rom rison." (Yeah. Shaggy was planning on helping you escape from prison). Scooby replied. He was wearing a dark blue mask that also concealed his eyes. He then proceeded to pick the cell door lock with his claws, allowing Daphne to get out.

"All right. Now that I'm out, how do we get out of here?" Daphne asked as she exited her cell.

"Like, Scoob and I just found a secret passage down the hallway. Oh, and put on this mask and costume." Shaggy replied, passing Daphne a bag with a purple mask and a dark-coloured costume.

"Oh Shaggy." Daphne said quietly as they quickly made their way down the hallway, avoiding the moonlights and running as quiet as they can. "I know you and Scooby would come here for me."

"Reah." (Yeah) Scooby replied. He was glad to help Daphne.

Soon, the trio made their way down the secret passageway, which turned out to be a hidden tunnel Scooby had managed to dug from the bottom of an unused desk at the prison entrance in the past month during the time in which only Shaggy had came by to visit Daphne at her cell. They eventually made their way out of the prison.

"A good thing you guys showed up to help me escape when I wanted." Daphne said as they hid in a dark alley. "I had actually figured out the identity of our killer."

"You had?" Shaggy asked surprisingly. "Like, how?"

Daphne quickly showed Shaggy the photos and documents that gave her the proof of the identity of the Ripper. Shaggy and Scooby's eyes had widened when they realized who the Ripper really is as they jumped to the same conclusion as Daphne.

"Like, we better head to the Docklands fast!" Shaggy declared.

Decided to finish this chapter with a cliffhanger in regards to the Ripper's identity.

Stay tuned to find out who the Ripper really is, and please read and review!