Ripper's London Chapter 5
Innocence, Accusations and Effects
13/09/1888-17/09/1888 Overview
Gibbs watched Tony sleep in the chair in the conference room. He actually wondered if the young man had any family to talk with. In the few days he had never mentioned anyone. Even though it was unsaid, Gibbs was almost a hundred percent certain that Tony's father was the same DiNozzo that ran the Gazette. Maybe that could come in handy.
PC McGee had mentioned a sister and a girlfriend on the odd occasion. Gordon Cale talked a lot about his wife and child, increasingly over the last few days. The Leather Apron Murders investigators had already alienated half of H-Division when they released suspect John Pizer. Tony and McGee dug up the neighbor's dead dog that was buried in the John's yard. And the bloodied knife that caused suspicion against him was covered in animal blood… But to be a hundred percent certain, McGee had double and triple checked the man's alibi.
On August 30, a fire broke out at the Shadwell Dry Dock. The fire had burned well past the time that Mary Nichols was murdered. Several witness recall seeing a man that resembled John Pizer beyond a doubt which proved his alibi of watching the dock fire.
If that was the only problem, things wouldn't be so bad. Another suspect… Jacob Issenchmid, a German immigrant who was arrested on the eleventh in suspicion of being the Leather Apron murderer because he was seen with bloodied hands and apron. Whether it was a pre-existing mental condition or maybe torture from other officers… Jacob went mad, it took three men to stop the burley Jacob from trying to hammer down a hall with his head. There seemed to be no one contributing factor pointing to the reason. Only today, did Gibbs inform the press that Suspect Jacob Issenchmid had been admitted to Fairfield Row Asylum.
An Edward McKenna was brought in by the so called Vigilance Committee for getting physical with a prostitute in the early morning of the thirteenth. McKenna had an alibi and therefore couldn't be the killer. Things in Commercial Street Station almost turned physical and there was an uproar from the Committee but eventually the noisy protests of one George Lusk was quashed.
The inquests weren't going anywhere… Annie Chapman was now in the ground and there was a major wedge between H-Division and the team investigating the Leather Apron Murders. Gibbs scoffed as he thought about matters. Things couldn't get worse.
He saw the younger man shiver a bit as his body tried to get warm. Gibbs quietly moved over to Tony and placed his large coat over his body. The leg work that needed to be done was unrivalled and there was no end in sight. They needed a bit of luck. Something had to go their way eventually. It was also fortunate that Ducky's testimony was able to draw a lot of press attention. But he was beginning to feel things weren't going right. Abby had given them some information about Chapman and Nichols but none others. She said she couldn't betray any of the others by talking about them to the police. But she told them in her own way that she'd keep her ears to the ground and watch for any suspicious men.
Gibbs thought about the team he had put together. It was mainly their reaction to the reward money being offered. And it was obvious that these guys worked as a team already. That seemed to put them above any other choice. Even though it had only been a week since they started, it was obvious they weren't the normal type of Police. DiNozzo, apparently had his connections to several groups. Gordon's words were a little inappropriate at times but it didn't stop him from doing the job. McGee knew where to get information and it wasn't unusual to catch him with his head in a book during breaks. Ducky was a different type of person altogether. He was something in between old school and a new breed. Anything could be traced back to a story in Edinburgh and the old Doctor wasn't shy about relaying the stories.
Gibbs took a drink of coffee. It wasn't Scotland Yard coffee but at least it wasn't the tea they served here. He frowned as he realized the hot beverage had turned cold and undrinkable.
18/09/1888
6 30 pm
Even though Whitechapel had been tainted with two gruesome murders within three weeks of each other didn't deter the prostitutes. For whatever reason, that hadn't changed. Outwardly appearance almost showed that complacency had taken over. That was further from the truth. The time was ripe for Men who knew how to fight to make a good living as Whore-guards. These are the men that wait in the shadows and keep an eye on proceedings. But of course, these caused even more problems as the accusations of the Leather Apron increased.
Alexander Freinberg walked around near the coffee stall. For the next hour, his fists were rented out as Elizabeth Burns' Whore-Guard. It was an unflattering term, but the whore handler was willing to pay to protect their goods. Alexander rubbed his freshly shaven face and pondered how the Whore business was almost good for everybody.
Alexander was a small man but was proficient in fighting. He kept an ear out on Elizabeth Burns and her client. He would only react if things sounded like they were getting out of hand. But it didn't take too much for someone to raise the alarm. That was what caused some things to be handled privately.
Charles Ludwig, the client, never had any problems with forking out a lot of money for services. Therefore believed that he was entitled to that bit extra. He never believed there was anything wrong with rough sex with a whore. After all, he paid for Elizabeth Burns.
"No," Elizabeth Burns almost yelled out as she smacked away the hand that had unbuttoned her top and his hands caressed her body, traveling downwards as his other hand attempted to pin her against the wall.
"Come on, you filthy whore. I paid for ya... What gives you the right to suddenly say no?" He said into her ear as he kissed her neck and thrust his lower body against hers with one jolt.
Elizabeth Burns understood that men could get violent if they felt any rejection from a Prostitute. She managed to get her hand free and slapped the man hard across the face. In one foul swoop, he produced a knife. "I'll cut you down where you stand, you filthy whore," he said.
Elizabeth screamed. "Leather Apron!" She managed to get out before the man ran off. She knew that screaming assault, rape or murder probably would've brought on no attention. But using the term Leather Apron, would bring in reward hunters.
Since the danger to Elizabeth had passed, Alexander was under no obligation to do anything further but the reward was too much of an opportunity to ignore. The mistake was drawing attention to him self before getting the chance to tackle Ludwig. Alexander was knocked to the ground hard and as soon as he climbed to his feet he could feel the point of a cold steel blade against his throat.
"Make one more move and I'll bleed you out like a pig," Charles warned him. "Good," he said and when he was satisfied that there was enough room to make a getaway. He ran away.
Alexander made sure to note where Charles Ludwig had run off to. He knew the streets well, especially during the night. After waiting for a suitable amount of time, he ran in the same direction. As did a couple of others that had heard the commotion going on.
Commercial Street Police Station
19/09/1888
Gibbs wasn't sure how it happened but the usually quiet Station was once again busy with activity. That happened a lot since there was a serial killer on the streets. It seemed everybody was bringing in a suspect to the police station. He secretly hoped that the public would somehow luck into finding the killer. Though he doubted it.
"What the hell's going on?" Gibbs asked the group of people hanging around the desk.
"Hey, Boss," Tony greeted cheerfully. "These people here...,"
"We've caught Leather Apron here for you," Alexander said as they shoved the bloodied man into the desk. His protests were drowned out by the exuberant cheers from his captors.
"What happened to his face?" Gibbs asked without hiding his accusing tone. The man known as Charles Ludwig had a cut beneath the eye, a bruised cheek and a busted lip.
"The man here fell down as he was trying to escape," someone unseen told them. "He went at a prostitute with a knife and then threatened Alex here with it," he continued on.
"Hand it over," Tony told them.
"What?" It was impossible to see who was talking amongst the ever growing crowd of people that had formed.
"The knife… We need the knife," Tony wanted to see if the knife could possibly be the same one that was used in the previous murders. It could clear him or convict him. Either way, any evidence was welcomed. There was even more murmuring around the crowd but there was no knife produced. "Without the knife or any evidence that he's the Leather Apron we can't do much. However, we'll look into it and question him," Tony said. He knew that most of the people were hungry for the reward.
"He was about to attack a woman… With a knife!" Alexander said. He made sure that the police understood what was going on.
"We'll question him," Tony raised his voice slightly. "But if we said that everybody who's been accused is guilty then we'll have half of Whitechapel locked up," Tony told them. He assumed that they'd be pointing the finger until eventually they found their scapegoat. That was all well and good if the murders didn't continue.
"If we…," someone tried to say.
"If you let us do our jobs we'll be able to catch the Leather Apron Murderer instead of questioning everybody that anybody brings in!" Gordon raised his voice further. "Now! Let us question him and let us do our jobs!" He said angrily.
"Fat lot of good that's done us so far you lot," Lusk's voice seemed to come out of nowhere. "Even the great Scotland Yard Inspector is baffled," Lusk said to everyone else.
"Now listen here," Gordon interrupted. "You think you could solve this case? How about I pin a badge on you and a uniform. Then we'll see what you're really made of. How about we see how far you can get?" Gordon asked him.
"I'd rather not be associated with you. The vigilance committee has done more for Whitechapel than the Metropolitan Police has ever done," Lusk said. He always believed that it was the common people who did the greater good. Not these jesters in uniform.
"Oh the vigilantes. Just what we need," Gordon smirked.
"We have done more to keep the streets safe," Lusk defended the committee and he'd keep on doing so.
"Have you caught the killer?" Gordon looked at Lusk's dark eyes.
"We're doing the…," Lusk began to say.
"HAVE YOU CAUGHT THE KILLER?!" Gordon's whole head shook as he screamed out the words. Those very words traveled through the station and brought it to a stand still. Gordon wasn't sure how the president of the Vigilance Committee managed to anger him so quickly. Basically, he just wanted to hurt somebody.
"No," Lusk answered simply. But he was sure that it'd be only a matter of time.
"Then get yourself and your group out of here before I drag you to a cell so fast your feet will catch fire," Gordon threatened. Fortunately, the crowd dispersed, but not before muttering a few choice words. There was no finessing out of this situation. The only thing the shouting match resolved was built up anger.
"Settle down," Gibbs said to Gordon who looked like he was going to blow up at anyone who crossed his path. "Take a walk and get your head on right," he took Charles Ludwig into the cell that he interrogated all the Leather Apron Murderer suspects. The list of suspects seemed to be getting nowhere.
Working Lad's Institute
Wild Accusations
Baxter looked at the people that had entered the hall. Due to the graphic testimony given by Doctor Mallard, attendance to the inquest had increased dramatically. It got to the point where they had to close the doors to turn people away. "Tell me Doctor Mallard… Was there anything missing from the body?" Baxter asked Ducky, who had just finished reading out the gruesome details of the injuries inflicted on Annie Chapman.
"The uterus was removed," Ducky answered flatly. He had seen many cut up bodies to not allow the details to phase him. "One school of thought is that the uterus had been removed to sell to Medical Institutions," Ducky said.
"Do you believe that this could only be achieved with extensive medical knowledge?" Baxter asked the Doctor.
"Maybe not surgical knowledge but definitely knowledgeable in anatomy," Ducky answered and waited for the next question.
"Could you have performed the mutilation on the body?" Baxter asked directly.
For a moment, Ducky thought about lying. Not to do so would make him self look guilty. But there were ethics to live up to. "Yes I could have," Ducky responded without showing anybody any emotion.
"Is there anything else you can tell us, Doctor Mallard?" Baxter asked Ducky. He would have had reason to question the Doctor if he had acted more defensively.
"Well the stabbing and cuts are predominantly performed with the left hand," Ducky answered. "However, there is sufficient evidence that the murderer is proficient with in using the left and right hand," Ducky explained.
"Thank you, Doctor Mallard," Baxter said. "Next… Is Anthony DiNozzo Junior here?" The name caused people to begin talking amongst themselves. Tony was no stranger to this kind of talk. Little did the public know that the father and son didn't talk at all. That charade was kept when the two were at public events. "State your name for the record," Baxter asked.
"Tony DiNozzo of the Metropolitan Police," Tony answered.
"State your full name," Baxter responded.
Tony sighed slightly. He should've known that in the first place. "Anthony DiPerna DiNozzo junior," Tony answered. He always wanted that little bit of fame, but not because of his last name. Otherwise he'd never have joined the police.
"You are with the officers who are in charge of catching 'Leather Apron' along with Police Constable Timothy McGee, Gordon Cale and Scotland Yard Inspector Leroy Jethro Gibbs aren't you?" Baxter adjusted his glasses as he read through the notes. Often during murder inquests the Police themselves are often scrutinized or even accused of committing the crimes. But again, they had to tread carefully… He had been informed about the DiNozzo-link. "What are your personal thoughts on them?" Baxter asked. The fact finding questions had all been asked.
"Gibbs is a thorough investigator who doesn't cut corners. He demands the best out of his men. PC McGee… Young, inexperience but eager to please. Talented at many aspects of finding people. Gordon Cale… Great member of the team. Dedicated to finding out the truth, friendly… Understanding," Tony answered without thinking.
"You have on occasion witnessed Gordon Cale's anger?" Baxter asked.
News always spread like fire in Whitechapel. "Yes… He has on occasion lashed out when provoked," Tony responded truthfully. He couldn't not tell the truth. He gave an apologetic look over to Gordon. It felt like betrayal.
"Over the past two to three months has Gordon Cale's demeanor changed?" Baxter asked.
"What do you mean?" Tony shot back quickly. He was under oath but needed to know what the Coroner wanted before volunteering unnecessary information.
"Has there been in dramatic change in Gordon's personality?" Baxter asked.
Tony stayed silent for a bit. "He's been a lot nicer to some people. But nothing dramatic as you're suggesting. Over time, he's become more family orientated," Tony said eventually.
"How about his anger?" Baxter asked him.
"He's always had a short fuse. Especially when people like Mister Lusk over there do their utmost to hinder an investigation," Tony pointed to the man standing at the back of the hall. It was apparent that the coroner was out to corroborate what he had heard.
"Have you been with him at the time of any of the murders? If not… Do you know of any alibis?" Baxter pressed on with the questions.
"I have not been with him at those times nor have I asked him for an alibi. I have no reason to suspect Gordon in any way," Tony said. He never thought about his friend being a suspect. The thought of the Leather Apron Murderer being part of the Police had never crossed his mind until now.
"How did Gordon Cale react when he saw the bodies?" Baxter asked as he wrote down some notes.
"He was nonchalant. But that's how he always is. He has a nonchalant attitude so he doesn't let things…," Tony was quickly cut off.
"Could he have performed the injuries found on the victims?" Baxter asked.
"No… No…," Tony shook his head. "He has no medical knowledge," he gave his reason.
Baxter checked through some of the papers on the desk. "You were away for two months at the beginning of the year… Is it possible that Gordon acquired medical knowledge in your absence?" He asked.
"It is possible but unlikely. Gordon tells me everything… From what he had for dinner to every person he sees on the street. He'd never keep that secret," Tony responded.
"So you do think that that's a possibility?" Baxter pressed once more.
"Yes," Tony bowed his head.
"That will be all," Baxter dismissed Tony once he had finished writing something down again. He to was finding that the investigation seemed to be going around in circles and the interested parties seemed to be tripping over themselves to solve the murders. Usually that would be a good thing, except they each wanted to catch the killer for their own personal gain... And that could be dangerous.