It's been two weeks since Eliza sent "that" letter to William. Eliza is grateful that she has been busy getting her office in order, she couldn't have done it without Allie. Though the letter should have already arrived by now in New York, she knows a reply is another two weeks away. If her letter made it to William at all, she would be lying if there was not a small glimmer of hope it would never be received and was forever lost at sea. The same though could be said for the reply he might eventually send. It was too much to think about. Eliza with Allie's help had started following the news articles and wanted signs. Offering her services to ads in the paper for help finding missing belongings, loved ones, and even finding a family's beloved cat that had been mistaken for a stray and taken in by a neighbor.
It had been just a week since hearing anything from Detective Fitzroy regarding Allie's assailant though for the first time in Eliza's life she abided any sort of authorities advice and continued to stay out the investigation. Eliza knew that Scotland Yard was overwhelmed and that Allie's situation was more than likely not at the top of any detective's list. Allie didn't seem to be dwelling on it either until a message came while Eliza and Allie were eating lunch at the office. It was from Detective Fitzroy stating he had an update and would plan on stopping by the next day and would take them up on the offer to stay for dinner if the offer still stood. Eliza sent the messenger back with a response saying that the offer still stood, and then sent another message to Ivy letting her know about the plans for the detective to be joining them the next evening for dinner. "You think they caught them? Maybe they found some of my belongings and that is how they caught them?" Allie asked Eliza excitedly, no longer even considering herself to be a victim, or taking into consideration the possibility of the situation turning out worse than it had. Eliza left Allie to close the office while she went to interview a couple whose daughter had gone missing. This was the first real case Eliza had since opening her office again, and made sure that it was moved to the top of her case load.
Eliza knocked on the door of an address to an elegant home, she was met with a butler who led her into a grand sitting room. A well dressed older couple rose to meet her. "Miss Eliza Scarlet, Private Detective." The butler announced. Introductions were made and the couple shared the story of their only daughter who had not showed after spending a week with family in Paris. This was the first time for the daughter traveling alone. Miss Anne Doyle, the only child of Mr. And Mrs. Doyle. The 24 year old was described by her parents as always reliable and of good character. Eliza asked if there may be any reason their daughter might have ran away and does not want to be found they both responded in absolute disbelief and refused the possibility, as Anne was weary and cautious out of the comfort of her home. Anne had gone to visit a married cousin and their newborn. Anne wrote to her parents while in Paris that she enjoyed her trip but was eager to return home. When her father went to pick her up a the train station she was not there, when checking with the ticket office they had reported that all tickets and seats had been full and suggested that he check back at home as the train arrived earlier than anticipated and she may have called a coach to take her home. Mrs. Doyle gave Eliza a picture of Anne, who was elegant and beautiful. Eliza asked if Anne had any male suitors, to which her parents laughed and stated that there had been none that met Anne's expectations of what a husband should be. Anne now had been missing for twelve hours, Scotland Yard had been notified by Mr. Doyle but he was informed that due to the case load his daughter's investigation may be delayed. Mr. Doyle shared that Detective Fitzroy advised him to contact Eliza who per the detective was a capable private investigator who would make Miss Anne's case a priority. Eliza made a mental note to thank Fitzroy for advising the father to seek her services.
Eliza returned home and to review the case. Allie who was already at home was helping Ivy plan the dinner menu for the next evening when Detective Fitzroy would be joining them. Eliza sat down at the kitchen table and started to make a list of contacts that she would need to meet with, places that she would need to visit, and then formed a time line to help guide her while she investigated Miss Anne Doyle's disappearance. Eliza was lost in her own thoughts while writing in her notebook, and did not notice Allie looking through the notes she took of the interview with Miss Doyle's parents. "Eliza, she is the same age I am. What if the same men who attacked me, took her?" Allie asked in a quiet voice. Eliza looked up at Allie saying, "There is a very real possibility, I need to know if there are any other missing women of the same demographic to see if there is a pattern." Eliza stood up and went to grab her coat, Allie followed, "I think you should stay here," Eliza said. "What if you need my help?" Allie pleaded, "I will stay out of the way, and maybe it will help me remember something about my attacker as well." Eliza gave in.
It was late, Eliza and Allie walked in to Scotland Yard, and met Phelps walking down the hall. "There is nothing here for you Miss Scarlet" Phelps stated as he continued walking by. Eliza ignored him as usual and asked the reception officer if Detective Fitzroy was still on duty. The receptionist answered, "Miss, we are never off duty anymore, I will find him for you just take a seat over there." Allie and Eliza sat down on the only bench unoccupied. If she hadn't have known better she would have thought it was mid day with how busy it was. "Miss Scarlet, and Miss Scarlet what can I do for you this evening?" Detective Fitzroy asked hoping he didn't get his days mixed up and had missed the planned dinner forcing the ladies to come themselves to the dreadful station for an update on Miss Alexandra Scarlet's case. Eliza explained that she had met with the Doyle's earlier that day regarding their missing daughter Anne, and she was hoping to see if there were any other missing, or women who had been assaulted with the same demographic. Eliza gave credit to Allie who had recognized the similarities between Miss Anne and her own case.
Detective Fitzroy nodded and led both Eliza and Allie to an empty interrogation room. Fitzroy listened to Eliza and then left the room only to come back with several files that he left on the table. Each file, including Allie's were full of familiar details. Young Adult women 23-28 had been reported as missing or have been found misplaced unconscious. All appeared to have been or expected to be at the train station, or had been seen at the hotel near the train station. Fitzroy explained that this was what he had to share with Eliza and Allie that next night. No one at Scotland Yard was considering how these cases maybe linked to the same assailants. Women in neighboring jurisdictions were also missing and or being found in the same manner as Allie had been, and at least 3 of those missing in those jurisdictions were discovered deceased. When Mr. Doyle came in earlier to Scotland Yard, Fitzroy knew Eliza would find the connection and treat it with the importance it deserved. It couldn't wait until tomorrow.
Formulating a plan for the investigation of this size was going to be a struggle. Eliza did not have Moses, and without William she did not have the support of Scotland Yard. Eliza had Allie, and Detective Fitzroy who was trying to get his father to reallocate men to the case, but was not being heard. Fitzroy plead with Phelps to listen, after much deliberation and knowing that if it were in-fact related to the neighboring crimes it would look good for Phelps who was acting as Chief Inspector while William was in New York. A plan was formulated and Eliza would attempt to bait the assailants at the nearby hotel while Allie went to the train station. Phelps and Eliza left with a group of officers to stage the area near the hotel. Meanwhile Detective Fitzroy and Allie with another group of officers left for the train station.
Allie and Detective Fitzroy left in a coach. Repeatedly going over how the raid would be conducted should the suspects be present and take Allie as bait. "Miss Scarlet, are you sure you want to do this?" Detective Fitzroy asked full of concern, he added, "You can back out if you want, I don't want you to feel like you have a choice, but you can trust I won't let anything happen." Allie reassured, "Detective Fitzroy, I am ready. Let's do this. I trust you." "Please call me Oliver," Detective Fitzroy smiled. They arrived and Allie took her place waiting outside the train station, while Fitzroy kept a watchful eye on her a safe distance away as the officers got in to their positions. Though the hotel was near the station it was not visible and Fitzroy hoped everything was going to plan there. If not he would have to plenty of people including Inspector Wellington to answer to. He was certain the Inspectors wrath would be felt across the ocean should anything happen to either of the Miss Scarlets.