McGee and Gordon looked thoroughly through the artist's studio. Walter Sickert's name had come up during the investigation and they needed to at least question the artist. McGee had voiced his opinion that the papers may be right. The police were playing a variation of blind man's bluff. Stick on a blind fold, twirl around a few times and point at the first person you see and that was their new suspect.
A relatively unknown artist and amateur actor Walter Sickert came under suspicion due to his morbid art. Gordon removed a sheet to reveal a simple black and white sketch of a woman sitting on a chair. Gordon's eyes widened.
"What is it?" McGee turned and saw the look on Gordon's face.
"Look at this," Gordon pointed to the shaded face of the skectch and cocked his head slightly. "Kinda looks like Eddowes' post-mortem face," he said flatly. It bore a striking resemblance of a bruised and damaged face.
"It's just shading," McGee responded. He was positive that Gordon was trying hard to see what wasn't really there.
"I see you're admiring some of my work. I'm Mister Sickert," Sickert introduced him self as he donned the round rimmed glasses. "But I'll appreciate it if you wouldn't take a look at my unfinished work," Sickert scolded as he quickly covered the sketch back up.
"We want you to come down to the Commercial Street Police Station and answer some of our queries," Gordon said strongly.
"Ah, Gordon," McGee got his attention by speaking in a low time. "Look at this," Gordon looked where he was staring. There was a large portrait of Missy A who had a red stroke across her throat and down her abdomen. Brown and red flecks were on the outside of the figure and her hair was a matted mess.
"That is some sick art, Sickert," Gordon said as his lips quivered.
"Sick?! It's art," Sickert responded to the criticism. He was positive that people just couldn't comprehend what he was portraying.
"Come with us," McGee snapped. It was an order that had to be obeyed.
Commercial Street Police Station
The others had waited for Doctor Mallard to conduct the Sickert interrogation. Ducky was a self-proclaimed student of psychology. He entered their makeshift office after the interrogation. The only thing that had changed in the office was the amount of photographs, sketches and names covering the chalkboards. To him, it looked like one huge mess.
"Well?" Gibbs was the first one to speak.
"Mister Sickert exhibits a severe distaste for the East End and its prostitutes, but he's no killer," Ducky explained.
"What about the paintings?" McGee protested.
"They seem to nothing more than just a morbid fascination. Sure it's disturbing. A lonely man who has wondered the streets or stared out his window at the streets will often paint or write what he observes. It appears that the only thing that Mister Sickert sees through his eyes is deterioration, violence and filth so that's all he paints," Ducky explained carefully. Surely, it was disturbing but there was nothing to suggest that he killed anybody. Unfortunately they had reached another dead end.
31 – 12 – 1889:
Tony still found it hard to fathom that Scotland Yard had withdrawn Inspector Gibbs from the Ripper investigation. They said he was needed elsewhere and since the Ripper case was going nowhere, they couldn't afford to leave their number one inspector in the East End. Tony took to working alone late at night. He was sure there was something they had missed.
"Tones," Gordon entered the office after dark.
"Don't tell me there's another one," Tony's stomach flipped.
No," Gordon responded. "We've been summoned to see the Police Commissioner right away. Apparently a body washed up in the Thames. Looks like Montague John Druitt," Gordon answered.
"The cricketer? What's that got to do with us?" Tony raised his eyebrows. Druitt was a well known sportsman and to hear that he had turned up dead was surprising.
Gordon shrugged his shoulders. "Don't know, but they specifically asked for us. We have PC McGee already tracking down the man's last movements or anything like that," Gordon told him what he was told.
"Better not keep the commissioner waiting," Tony said as he gradded the coat. It was strange and just felt wrong to be dragged away from the current case. Then again, perhaps a break from Jack was what was needed.
Police Commissioner Office
LONDON
Tony and Gordon walked into the office. They immediately laid their eyes upon the tanned man standing on the other side of the desk. "You boys must be Gordon Cale and Tony DiNozzo from H-Division. I am Police Commissioner Leon Vance," Vance introduced himself. Even though he had been commissioner for over a month, this was his first face to face contact with any of those working in H-Division.
"I'm sure you didn't summon us for a formal introduction," Tony eyed the commissioner warily. He usually didn't get along well with superiors especially if they were new to the position.
"Come with me," Vance ordered them as he walked out of the office and to part of the building that housed the mortuary. Tony was surprised to see Ducky with the body of a decomposing man suspended on a meat hook while a photographer took a couple of photographs. Then the body was painfully taken off the hook and placed on the table.
"What have you got for us, Doctor Mallard?" Vance asked.
"There are still facts that need to be verified," Ducky began washing his hands. "His older brother,William Druitt is due here any minute for a a positive identification," he continued speaking.
"After that I want you three in my office," Vance received a nod from Gordon and Tony as they watched him leave. There was an unusual sense of foreboding. The tone was too serious to be anything but.
The Commissioner's Office
01 - 01 – 1889
Vance stood behind his desk with his arms folded and looked at Ducky, Tony and Gordon. "Well," Vance prodded for them to speak. H-Division seemed like nothing more than a Division of bumbling fools to him. But this was the closest they ever were to closing Whitechapel's Jack The Ripper chapter.
"William Druitt positively identified Montague John Druitt. He was last seen bu his brother on the third of December. It's probably that the body has been in the Thames for that amount of time," Ducky gave the results of his examination.
"In your opinions... Could Jack the Ripper have just stopped killing?" Vance asked.
"No," they each answered. They were positive that there was an uncontrollable urge for Jack to keep killing. The murders would never stop until dead or captured.
"So you're saying that Druitt's death was just a few weeks after the Kelly murder?" Vance asked the Doctor.
"Yes," Ducky responded.
Well then. Montague John Druitt was more than likely Jack the Ripper. That is what you're going to say," Vance said.
"Now wait a minute," Tony argued. "Just could be a coincidence that the murders seemed to have ceased... For now," he added.
"Your work here is done for now Doctor Mallard," Vance waited for Ducky to leave the office before continuing. "I've heard about you two... You two are loose canons. Well that might have worked with Morrow but it doesn't with me. Even with Scotland Yard's Inspector Gibbs, H-Division had botched the investigation. You've lost the faith of the public you've sworn to protect. You HAVE failed. This is your chance to redeem yourselves," Vance concluded.
"By lying to the public? We won't do that," Tony stated.
"Then work it so, Druitt looks guilty," Vance responded.
"This is ridiculous," Tony snapped.
"I'm your superior. You'll do as I order," Vance retorted.
"Jack the Ripper is still out there and you're going to close the case on him just to save face?" Gordon asked. He couldn't remain quiet any longer.
"No... While you're saving face for the police... We'll continue the hunt until we catch the bastard. Leave and prove me wrong about H-Division," Vance stated as he watched Gordon and Tony turn on their heels and left to go back to Whitechapel and carry out the commissioner's bidding.
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Journal Of Doctor Donald Mallard
The Blackheath Cricketer, Montague John Druitt was labeled a number one suspects. Really just a suspect born of circumstance. Young Timothy, brought back information. Mister Druitt was a teacher at Elist Place. For reasons undisclosed, he was dismissed on 30th of November. His marriage failing. This added to his already present depression. He committed suicide by jumping off the London Bridge in early December. Statements have circulated that after the mutilation of Mary Kelly, John Druitt had accomplished what he had set out to do... Whatever that was...
Scotland Yard Inspector Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Jethro is a man of high integrity. He had no patience for incompetent police. He never rose above the rank of Inspector but like his career before Jack the Ripper, his career afterwards was filled with commendations and hard cases. But he never spoke about who he thought Jack the Ripper was... He stayed away from speculation and never publicly discussed the case with media.
H-Division Anthony DiNozzo
Anthony stated that Montague was a prime suspect. His relationship with his father was never patched up. In fact it worsened and it wasn't long until their relationship ties were severed since his father held him solely responsible for losing a star reporter and accused his son of botching the Ripper case. Anthony left Whitechapel in early 1890 to London and moved around from place to place. He became a Detective in London in 1892 but then disappeared from the public eye. I'm certain that he and young Anthony still work the case when they can.
H-Division PC Timothy McGee
Timothy... A man with a gift of tracing down movements was transferred to Missing Persons in late 1889. He stayed in H-Division. But he to put a blanket over Jack the Ripper case and never discussed it publicly. In early 1892 Timothy was one of the first constables to walk around with Kodak Cameras. This made photographing crime scenes much easier as well as post-mortem photographs. He is still working in H-Division and popular amongst his peers
H-Division Gordon Cale
It is believed that The Ripper killed anywhere from 3 to 8 victims. Gordon worked the case full time and alone if needed to. He was the one who discredited the Fairy Fey victim as a news hoax. A reporter was accused of disgracing H-Division further. He coined the term the Ripper 5. Meaning that he thought that the Ripper only killed 5 women. In early 1889 his wife died giving birth and he lived for work. In 1891 there was a report of a Ripper like victim in New Jersey America. Soon after, Gordon's body was discovered on the pavement outside the apartments where he lived. Death ruled as suicide.
Missy A (Abigail Scuito)
Abigail continued working as a Prostitute but became very selective. After the Kelly murder she petitioned for prostitution to become organized and contained for their safety. In late 1889 the petition was discontinued. Abigail became a spokeswoman for indoor prostitution. She still works at Ten Bells Pub and had a habit of taking new prostitutes under her wing. A group bought a building in Hanbury Street. In the New Year of 1890... Missy's House opened for business.
THE FUTURE
Unfortunately, Jack the Ripper case has never been solved. But I am positive that for years to come every amateur detective or sleuth will hunt down files and paperwork and testimonies about the events concerning 1888. Each one will probably come up with their own suspects and theories. However, it's depressing to think that now it's almost to the end of the century and still nobody seems close to solve the case. I'm afraid that this case will forever remain unsolved...
Doctor Donald Mallard
20 - 12 - 1899