RIPPER'S LONDON
People were ready to hang anybody. They waited with baited breath for the confession that might be coming. It seemed that Inspector Gibbs was taking his time interrogating DiNozzo. They began to get impatient after an indeterminable amount of time. After what seemed like an eternity the door opened and Tony was unceremoniously dumped onto the floor in front of everyone.
"McGee, Gordon... Take him to cell two so he can rest his body," Gibbs pulled his sleeves back down. "Now... Is there someone else that you lot would like to accuse? Speak now so I can deal with them," he narrowed his eyes. "DiNozzo is not Jack The Ripper. So come on! There must be someone you suspect! I'm itching for another interrogation," Gibbs cracked his knuckles threateningly. "Any other suspects you want to name and I will deal with them," Gibbs told them.
McGee and Gordon half carried, half dragged Tony into the cell block and placed him on the bed. McGee looked at the unconscious man and then to Gordon. "I think Inspector Gibbs needs to be dealt with in a harsh way," McGee said.
Gordon nodded. "I agree. I can actually get in contact with some people that Tony and I know. Get that man roughed up a bit," Gordon said with a thin smile.
"Well how about that Lusk and his committee. Them and Gibbs don't get along," McGee agreed with the plan.
"Nice to know that you two care so much," Gordon and McGee's head turned to face Tony lying on the bed with their mouths dropped open. "I am fine," he sat up on the bed and chuckled at his colleagues' expression.
"What?" McGee asked.
"It was an act. Would've made Richard Mansfield jealous don't you think?" Tony laughed once again. "Gibbs wanted to make sure that H-division members didn't throw around accusations so we staged the little act. I think that they think if Gibbs would do that to someone on his own team, then what the hell will he do too someone outside the team?" Tony said. He was happy to play the part. Tony had been in many fights and knew how to look and act injured. Only time will tell if their plan worked.
CALE Lodgings
Penelope didn't say anything to Gordon right away. It was obvious that he wasn't in the mood to talk. He had been gone for three days without any messages whatsoever. It was worrying. "Are you alright?" Penelope asked him.
Gordon shook his head slowly but without saying anything. Life was short... Was a waste. Things needed to be done without worrying about the consequences. He had spoken to his wife about having more children. Penelope didn't say no so that was a yes. He rested his hands upon her shoulders and guided her backwards to the bed.
"What?" Penelope asked. She was taken aback by being kissed with such force. Gordon reached down with one hand and picked her up by the leg and supporting her back. She winced as she was unceremoniously dropped onto the bed. He ignored her futile struggles as he tore her dress off. "Relax," Gordon whispered into her ear. Her tears of silent begging rolled down her cheeks unnoticed by her husband. Though by then, she allowed it. Promising her self not to speak of this act again.
Diary Of Doctor Donald Mallard – October
The death of Catherine Eddowes and Elisabeth Stride shook Whitechapel even though there is some debate within the public about Stride being a victim of Jack The Ripper. Through all the years I've traveled, I have never seen a nickname catch on so quick. That's I think, due to the letters published in the papers.
America celebrates Halloween but one day a year... I must say, that Whitechapel has had a month full of Halloweens. Jack The Ripper has affected people in different ways. Unstable women escaped the threat of murder the only way they knew how, by taking their own lives. Nobody could've guessed that the violence level would've increased.
I have given evidence at many inquests but none more heart wrenching than that of Catherine Eddowes. She was horribly disfigured and like Chapman, had her intestines exposed but covered up. But the face was horribly disfigured by a knife to the point where even part of the nose fell off. Her abdomen was slice open, leaving a huge hole... The kidney was missing. It's sickening to think that this could be the work of a surgeon. George Lusk of the Vigilance Committee received a letter accompanied with a human kidney allegedly from Jack The Ripper.
It's a horrifying thought of what one human being could do to another. During these dark times, it is easy too forget that crime does continue. A headless, limbless torso turned up. The identity of that torso still remains a mystery. It seems that old Whitechapel is the mystery capital of the world.
In an attempt for a different approach to finding Jack, Sir Tom Morrow had brought in especially trained sniffer dogs. The dogs performed quite well in their first showing but unfortunately, they wouldn't leave him alone at the second test. He was basically laughed all the way back to his office. The dogs were never spoken of again.
Rewards... The last count had reached 1500 pounds. If someone knows who Jack is, surely they'd turn him in for the reward. But nobody had come forward with any information leading to the man's identity. The only promising lead came when a woman produced bloodstained clothes from one of her lodgers. But the lodger was never seen again.
As with any case that doesn't get solved right away... The trail ran cold. Dead end after dead end lead to frustration from the public especially. Jack The Ripper needed to be caught. Since the menace was not in custody, the killing was sure to continue. He had a thirst for blood and it seems as though nothing could quench it.
Stupidity of some people is almost as sickening as the murders themselves. I was shocked to hear about one store window displaying dummies that were painted and looked like the victims. The owners said they were did it so people wouldn't forget. It was almost Bloody Sunday all over again and fortunately the store owners eventually agreed to take the tasteless display down.
Also October has been filled with many power struggles unfortunately. Even though they're working towards the same end with the same goals, their methods and personalities are destined to clash. For example:
Inspector Gibbs vs George Lusk – Jethro is an old fashioned Inspector. Cut from a cloth that's probably long gone. Lusk may act power hungry but I think he has good intentions… Just doesn't go about things the right way. Lusk is dangerous because he can rally people to his side.
Anthony vs The Press – Anthony's father basically runs the news. Their relationship is terrible at best. It seems that since Anthony SR's son is part of the investigations that he should be given information and special consideration. Too which, young Anthony refuses to pass on any information at all.
H-Division vs Public Opinion – As time progresses, public opinion wavers. Nothing short of the apprehension of Jack The Ripper will appease the masses. But it seems that every trail has turned cold, even the more outlandish theories were being explored. It wasn't unusual for some drunk gentleman to enter Commercial Street Station and blame the first person they see.
Communication – Each and every day there seems to be more letters popping up. Most of these so called Ripper Letters were dismissed as hoaxes. However, the Dear Boss and the dubbed From Hell letter to Lusk are believed to be the genuine article. But still that is up for debate.
One riddle still remains. 'The Jewes are the men that will be blamed for nothing'. People think that it's referring to a secret organization or even just the Jews of the area. Many people believe that Jack decided to write this message to stir up trouble amongst the public. Guess it's a mystery that only the killer can clarify.
Reactions – In a surprising move… Sir Tom Morrow, the Police Commissioner issued a pardon for any of Jack The Ripper's accomplices. This way they can be free of any prosecution and turn in the murderer. Perhaps this should've been employed earlier. Anything that can bring this beast too justice.
Inspector Leroy Jethro Gibbs – As I have stated previously, Jethro is quite old fashioned. A dinosaur. But there's another well-hidden side. He cares deeply but doesn't express it in the normal way. Sometimes his no nonsense kindness could be misconstrued as gruff and mean. Even though he's old fashioned, he's never quick to dismiss anything. That was evident when he had dismissed the notion of Psychic Lees after listening too his story.
It's really interesting to watch Anthony, Gordon and Timothy grow during the course of the investigation. Occasionally, their antics are childish and unprofessional but they get the job done. They've grown a lot in such a short amount of time... I'm afraid that if this goes unsolved... They'd probably never be the same again. Not that I think the past month or so hasn't changed us already.
Doctor Donald Mallard
Excerpts from October
Saturday Night Theatre
Tony lead Gibbs backstage of the Theatre just as The Strange Case of Jekyll and Hyde was finishing up. Tony was beginning to act a little jittery as he heard the applause. It was hard to believe that he'd get so close to Richard Mansfield.
"I'm sorry… But Mister Mansfield refuses to see anybody after a performance," a man said to them.
"I think he'll see us," Tony said confidently. "Anthony DiNozzo JR… I don't think I need to tell you who my father is," he reasoned.
"Of course Mister DiNozzo sir. Wait there," the man told them.
"It appears being a DiNozzo has its advantages," Gibbs smiled.
"I use it when I need to," Tony responded.
Tony wasn't above using his last name at times even though he hated doing it. They came to question Richard Mansfield since someone had accused him of being the Ripper. The argument that only someone who was insane could play the dual role of Jekyll and Hyde had made some sense and therefore the angle had to be investigated.
"Right this way," the man came back.
Tony and Gibbs walked into Mansfield's dressing room. "Thank you for seeing us," Tony greeted.
"You can't really say no to a DiNozzo. Even if it is just a son," Mansfield responded. "You must be Scotland Yard Inspector Leroy Gibbs. Interesting name, short straight to the point. I like it," he said.
Tony chuckled slightly. That was Gibbs alright. "We need to ask you a couple of questions," Gibbs stated the reason for being there. "Can you account for your whereabouts on the nights of August 31st, September 8th and the 30th?" Gibbs asked.
It was now Mansfield's turn to chuckle but it was nervously. "The night of the murders? Am I too understand that I've come under suspicion?" He removed his glasses and wiped his sweaty face.
"A person of interest," Gibbs corrected. "Just answer the question."
"I'm not sure where I was on the 31st of August. September the 8th I was at a rehearsal and the 30th of September… I was visiting with Doctor Gull and Doctor Williams," Mansfield answered as best as he could.
"And what were you three doing?" Gibbs asked.
"They were coaching me on being Doctor Jekyll. Correcting me on mixing chemicals, posture and all that," Mansfield answered.
"I heard that performers study real people in order to play their roles better? Who is Jekyll and Hyde based on?" Tony asked.
"That… You'll have to ask Robert Louis Stevenson. How I see it… I don't base it on anyone but an idea. Here, you have Doctor Jekyll… A student, a creator a man who is interested in furthering science. But then you have the complete opposite. Hyde. Who is only interest is destruction. He is the evil side of humanity. Not… a real person," Mansfield brushed his brown hair. "That's what I think anyway," he added.
Tony adjusted his collar. "You know we'll have to check that out. Just don't change your lodgings until we do so," Gibbs responded and left the dressing room.
"Yes, Mister DiNozzo?" Mansfield asked.
"I was wondering," Tony shifted uncomfortably and heat blushed his face and found him self unable to continue straight away.
"You come into my dressing room, indirectly accuse me of being a murderer and then want me to give you an autograph?" Mansfield asked with raised eyebrows. Tony shrugged his shoulders slightly. "Give it here. I'm only doing this because you're Mister DiNozzo SR's son," he signed the program.
"Thank you Mister Mansfield," Tony responded.
"Can you tell your Father that I can't continue helping him out," Mansfield answered. "Those bastards have decided to cancel Jekyll and Hyde. They're afraid that the play encourages Jack The Ripper of something like that," Mansfield said angrily.
"Bloody hell that's ridiculous. Considering, long before the Jekyll and Hyde book, there was violence and murder in Whitechapel," Tony said.
"Try telling them that," Mansfield said as he turned to face the mirror.
"Thank you for your time, Mister Mansfield," Tony said as he joined Gibbs outside the dressing room.
"Right… In the morning we'll go pay Doctor Gull a visit," Gibbs said as they left the theatre.
"Who is he?" Tony asked as he patted his pocket.
"The Royal Surgeon," Gibbs answered flatly.
Tony almost choked. "That means…," he managed to get out and Gibbs only nodded in response. One thing about the Jack the Ripper case he was beginning too see a whole different area. But then again, it was a curse.
Chapter End Notes
I had to use Richard Mansfield commenting on liking the name 'Gibbs' since the Actor Richard Mansfield had a son and named him Richard 'Gibbs' Mansfield