The Case of Hallingham Manor

Chapter two: Further investigations

The very next day, Detective Jones and Mr Raliegh went to the manor to find any evidence to find Melissa Hallingham. The two of them were riding in the latest model of the Santler ( a popular automobile in 1889 ) the detective had bought a few days ago. It was a brand new one with chestnut wood, and leather seats. They got out of the Santler and made there way towards the oak doors of the manor. The windows and velvet curtains covered in cobwebs. The candles burnt out and the floorboards dusty. Detective Jones took out a pack of match sticks and lit the candles that stood on the bottom banistar pillar. She used them as a light source as the windows were so tinted sunlight barely made it through. The two of them looked around. Detective Jones then said that they would start on the bottom floor and work there way up bit by bit. They entered the kitchen to find the silver cutlery and china plates left on the table from three weeks ago. The plates looked untouched and the cutlery sparkling in the vivid light of the candles the Detective was holding.' This place gives me the creeps' said Mycroft. The detective said nothing and continued to search for evidence. Out of the corner of her eye she saw something glinting in the vague sunlight by the back garden door. She went over to find it was a broach with the hallingham family crest on it. A robin and a kingfisher flying above a blue and red shield. The words 'Heroes fall down but are never defeated' engraved on the shield. She turned the broach around and there was a pin on the back and at the very tip was what she assumed to be blood.' Mycroft I have found something ' the detective almost shouted. Mycroft imediately ran over to her and very carefully took the broach out of her hand.' Remarkable ' said Mycroft excitedly. Detective Jones stood up and put the broach in her brown, coat pocket. She picked up the candles and turned towards the study. The bookshelves covered in cobwebs, the desk covered in dust. Mycroft took the candles from the detective and began reading the documents on Mr Hallinghams desk. The detective shook her head in disappointment as she knew that Mycroft couldn't resist peering into peoples bussiness. The desk light had been left on and under it was a letter. Mycroft picked up the letter and read it alloud:

Dear Mr Hallingham
I regret to inform you that your Land tax payment has not been paid in over two months.
If you do not pay within the next two weeks I will have no choice but to evict you
from the premisis.
Yours sincerely,

Thomas Harrington

Assistant manager at Davis Land Marketing

The detective and Mycroft looked at each other confused. They both knew the Hallingham familly were particularly wealthy but in debt never. Mycroft folded the letter and put it in his black blazer pocket. The two of them then began searching the desk for other doccuments or letters that could possibly relate to Melissa's disappearence. The detective opened one of the drawers and found another letter . She took it out and started to read it:

Dear Malcom,

I know it has been long since we have seen each other but we both know
that it is time for my daughter to know the truth about who her
real mother is. I don't know if your wife wants to see me because you have
probably told her about what happened that night and also I'm so so sorry
about that night. I did not mean any of those things I was just angry with you
and I blamed my daughter for what was going on between us. I have had time
to think and I have changed my ways so please can I see her because I havent seen her
in over ten years.
Yours Sincerely,

Catherine Eddowes

P.S. Incase you have forgotten my adress is 55 Flower and Dean Street.

The detective froze then handed the letter to Mycroft and stood there confused. They looked for a date but there wasn't one. The Detective left the study with the candles in her hand and headed for the living room. It was a very beautiful and posh room. The sofa's were covered in beautiful gold and white patterns and one side had a beautiful handmade quilt. There was an oak bookcase next to the sofa with several books on it including photo albums. And opposite the sofa was a white chaise lounge. It was simply a perfect living room. Detective Jones started to rummage around in her coat pocket and took out two pairs of pale, white rubber gloves and gave one pair to Mycroft.

'Put these on and whatever you do don't take them off ' the detective told Mycroft. He took the gloves from her hand and put them on, then began to search the room. The Detective placed the candles on the little table by the chaise lounge. She turned to the bookcase and took out a photo album and began looking through it. Mycroft was on the other side of the room searching the wooden cabinets just behind the bookshelf. As the detective was searching the photo albums a photo fell out of the back of the book and floated like a dainty swan feather onto the chaise lounge. ' What's this '? Mycroft asked.
' I don't know ' said the detective. ' I didn't see it in the album'. Mycroft picked it up and began examining it with his gold monacale. ' Did Mr Hallingham mention that he had any siblings' Mycroft asked again.
'No not that I know of ' the detective replied. They both stared at the black  and white  picture of the two little boys in school uniforms. Mycroft made his way upstairs and began to look in the children's room. It was pitch black and they could barely even see the dollhouse. The detective came up the stairs and began to light the candles in the room so they could see. The room began to glow and light up the room in a warm shade of amber. Both the girls beds were a mess and the China dolls were scattered beside the oak toy box. There was a very dim glow of light from the bathroom just opposite the beds. Mycroft went in to the bathroom to see where the glowing was coming from while Detective Jones searched the bedroom. She walked over two the beds and started moving the sheets. Amongst them was a small beige bag full of letters. She presumed it was a word game and began searching the toy box, then the wardrobe, their school satchels and under the beds. 'Detective you need to take a look at this ' Mycroft called from the bathroom.
'What is it Mycroft ' ? She asked. She walked into the bathroom and found Mycroft pointing to a silk cloth with an M embroidered on it. Mycroft picked it up and unfolded it and there in the center of the cloth was two droplets of blood. He gave the cloth to the detective and she began examining it. She touched the spot where the blood was and looked at her finger.

' It's fresh blood' she said after a long observation.' Looks like someone else was here before us'. The dying candle gave off just enough light for Mycroft to notice a knife covered in blood on the floor in the corner of the bathroom. He picked it up and the blood on the knife was also fresh. Who could have been here before them and why was there a knife covered in blood in the children's bedroom ?
They both looked at each other in confusion and stood there in the dying light of the candle and in silence. The detective again started to rummage around in her coat pocket and took out a plastic bag and the both of them put the knife and the cloth into it. In and out of the upstairs rooms they went until they had finished.
' Right I think we have what we need let's get back to the Hallingham family and tell them what we have found ' said the detective. And so they both walked down the stairs and out of the door. They sat back in the Santler  and drove back to London through the English countryside.