FROM: SCOTLAND YARD
WE HEARD ABOUT YOUR CASE. HAVE SOMETHING SIMILAR ON OUR HANDS. WOULD BE HAPPY TO WORK TOGETHER.
I was dumbstruck. Not only had the killer delivered on his promise, NOT only had he done so in ONE day, He did it in ENGLAND, Nearly 3400 miles away!
Jim took one look at the telegram, turned and glared at John, who looked smug.
"Told you."
Furious, he stormed out of the room, with me at his tail.
"Just when we thought we had him...."
"I understand, But lets keep moving. you forget, there is still a murderer at large."
"I know, But this is quite frustrating."
"Please.."
"Now listen to me, Lets talk to the boss."
We took the telegraph, took the note, took the case and went to the boss, Allan Waters. He was a man of about fifty, always dressed in a suit. He had big brown eyes and fringes of his hair had started to become grey, a sign of age. He was strict, yet kind to everyone, even the juniors. For his leniency he expected the best from every one of us.
We showed him everything we had on the case. His reply was slightly disappointing.
"I thought you had it in you to bring this murderer to justice"
"We do have it in us. Its just that we need more time and help."
He raised an eyebrow, and I saw the faint hints of a smile on his lips.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Mr Jones? Mr Stuart? Is this worth it? I don't want an international controversy in my hands... Are you sure you can do this?"
"But boss, if we don't, we might have a serial killer at large."
He kept quiet, weighing the arguments, deciding what to do. Finally, with a sigh, he said,
"Fine, I'll contact Scotland Yard. But, one of you must stay here, to take care of the American side of this business. That way, at least we can be careful."
Before I could react, Jim volunteered to stay. Mr. Walters gave consent, and in a day's time, I was in a steamer heading for London. The voyage was relatively calm, and if it were not for my paperback novel, I would have felt extremely bored.
The steamer made its way to the legendary city of London. In the great many stories I heard of the city, I've always imagined it as grand, a city of splendour. But what awaited me there was truly spectacular. Words cannot describe what I felt. The myriad structures, both ancient and modern gave the city a strange sense of importance which is difficult to achieve. The Big Ben, Westminster Palace, the London bridge and many other buildings were incredibly spectacular. It was as if the city was in the past and present at the same time.
As soon as I set foot in the city, I was immediately escorted by an escort to the Office of Scotland Yard. There, I was introduced to Inspector Jenkins for the first time. He was tall, heavily built, and reminded me of a bulldog in a uniform. His bright blue eyes and firm square jaw reflected his determination. His stare could unnerve almost anyone. He seemed to be around thirty years old.
Next to him stood another man, quite the opposite of Inspector Jenkins. Even though he was tall, he was quite lanky, and that seemed to make him even more taller. He was also older than Jenkins, around forty five or so. Everything about him seemed to indicate dullness, but his eyes were ablaze, with a strange fire kindled in them. There was something about him, which drew you to him, but at the same time, kept you away.
