Just Common

Orleans & Jacko

Folks, how ya been? Good ta see ya, just wanta say, thanks fer comin back. Hell every last one a ya, are special ta me. Ya keep comin back, just ta get my stories. That I more than appreciate. Now, this here Jacko one the names this here murderer, calls himself. Has got me befuddled, think even Doc ain't certain on what we gots.

Folks, the story opens after our check-in at Orleans City Ranger Main Station. Folks, this here a be another story.
Well I met Maggie, back durin this investigation. Maggie my what a lady, folks Beth is a combination a Tam Maggie few other ladies I met along the journey a life. Sorry folks, on track Common, we ain't talkin about Maggie taday, or we may not talk about her at all.

So folks we got checked in, talked over what needed done. Folks Orleans has six City Rangers, three a be on night walks, three on the day. They have twenty-four nightwalkers same amount a daywalkers. So we gots more ta work with here in Orleans. Folks the City Constable, has eight Districts ta oversee, those each have what they call a Deputy Constable.

Orleans an York City, has about the same set up. Of course Orleans is the second largest city, in the Lands. York bein the first, nough said on that, on track Common.

I know, I just rattled on about, nothin sorry folks. Orleans folks, is like steppin inta another world. Most cities have a nightlife, but Orleans has more Houses of Pleasure an Saloons than most cities dream of, why they have just as many Gamblin Houses. Prime targets fer this one, more like a playground a killin zone.

We checked in, place called Garden Inn. Weren't real nice nor real bad, just the average Inn. Better than some I stayed at, not any worse. Folks, already been one killin. Found her, just after we gots, settled in. Me an Doc arrived just after, they finished up the sketches of the crime scene. Folks, we could tell it was our murderer.

Just a quick look, she looked ta be sleepin, clothes folded neatly shoes just on top the clothes. No blood at the scene, just her an the clothes. Doc took ta lookin her over. I checked fer evidence. Folks, they found her just behind a small Tenement House. One way in an out, very small, weren't much wider than three feet maybe ten feet deep.

The killer had, ta bring her inta the alley from the main street. Folks, this is poorer section a the city. Most these folks, just get by. The poor girl we gots dead on cobblestones between two barrels. Well her clothes don't fit, ta where we found her. It weren't Miss Helen. Could tell that by the clothes. This one was upper class, not a wealth, but not just a normal workin class person.

Doc was kneelin next ta her, he hadn't moved the body yet. He just looked in thought. I asked Doc what he was thinkin on. He shook his head, looked around some then at me, an say this one, Common has no fear a bein caught. It seems like, he doesn't care. These poor girls are just left, where most a be found, easy enough.

They are just off, the street enough not ta be seen. How does he get thum back here, without bein seen? This is eatin at me, more ways than one. Then the time ta pose the body. This isn't Miss Helen, where is she? I say Doc, we gots, ta look the girl over. Miss Helen, fer some reason I think is still alive. Think maybe Jacko is savin her, fer a more disturbin thin. Maybe they is somethin about her, that he finds needed? Hell Doc, we gots a job ta do now.

Doc nodded, took ta gently movin her. Folks, Doc took a real long deep breath. Then he stood, Common best get a wagon here, or carriage! Get my bag! This one may just! Be alive! My bag! Its just by the wall! Behind ya! Wonders never cease folks!

Folks, ya could just see, her take short breaths. She was very pale, she didn't move nor talk. Folks she was close ta death, my mind knew, she wouldn't live long. Doc though had ta try an save her. Ifin he could, I knew that, an so did he. Doc rolled her on her back, guess ta help her get some air better. What I saw then, well that funny Y on her stomach, an he sewed it closed.

Doc stuck a bottle, ammonia under her nose. She didn't even move her head, folks her eyes, they looked blank. Doc blew some on her face towards her nose. Then inta her mouth, he looked ta be kissin her. He pull some air in blow inta her mouth. He pushed on her chest some.

Folks Doc, looked down shook his head, she is done! I can't do anymore, than let her go. Doc held her hand the other hand was on her neck. After about a minute, Doc took her arms laid thum on her chest. He looked up at me say, she is gone. Folks they put her on the wagon. Doc left with her. I found no evidence, I made a few door knocks. Folks nothin!

We did, get one break, weren't anythin great. Well, it was great fer the family. Folks that poor girl, she was Shield. Folks, a dead Shield Warrior! Folks this is where Maggie comes in. Oh, most ya know what a Shield is, but some places don't have any close by. Best explain some here, folks a Shield Warrior, well they is an Army a sorts.

Ladies, swore ta fight, defend they village town city. They are born inta this life, passed from Mother ta daughter. They can fight, like they have no fear a death. Sword an bow maybe a lance, is all they use. No guns just thum and they weapons mentioned.

Folks, these ladies, been known ta fight till they all are dead! They aren't ta be reckoned with! Just how he take this here Shield? That folks, well, I wouldn't want take one on. Least ways not up close, like our murderer done. Hell, don't mess with a Shield! Folks I know I wouldn't!

Folks, when I arrived Doc was outside the door, where the poor girl was. He say, a Shield is inside with the body.
Wanted ta give her time. When she walked out, she looked me in the eyes. Say was they dead body near her?
I say no they wasn't, this one has killed many times.

Folks, she say, we have no need of the body. This one died without honor. Folks, I tell her, best hear me out. Decide that after, Ranger Common Howard. Who might you be? She say Maggie, Daughter of Margaret. I say let's step over ta the Saloon, maybe have a drink talk this out.
Folks she pushed me aside, say ya comin or not.

Folks long story short, Maggie took that Shield, her friend she was. Her name Saree, Daughter a Sarna. Of course after Doc was finished. That took a couple days. One good thin came a this. The Shield took ta patrolin with the Nightwalkers. Folks we got more help, just what we needed. Best close up here, till next time. Sorry ifin this one seemed ta have no real point. Sometimes I just jabber on about nothin. Next time folks.

Thanks for your support. Vote please, maybe leave a comment. Sorry if his chapter did seem a bit out of wack. Sometimes Common can carry on a bit, but that is Common.