The Case of Hallingham Manor

Chapter three: Nothing but questions

Once they both arrived in London, Detective Jones parked the Santler just outside of the Hallinghams temporary accommodation. The house was covered in vines , the garden overgrown and the house itself was barely even able to stand any longer. The both of them very carefully proceeded up the worn down stairs to the front door. The Detective knocked on the door and a very panicked Mr Hallingham answered.
' Mr Hallingham is something wrong' Mycroft asked worried.
' Well- you see I- some-' Mr Hallingham stammered.
' Can we come in Mr Hallingham' Detective Jones asked.
' Yes of course come in' replied Mr Hallingham. He showed them both in and shut the door. He sat down and began to search through the documents frantically on the oak coffee table. He threw documents and newspapers all over the floor and the Detective and Mycroft sat there amazed and watched. He finally stopped and picked up a piece of paper and handed it to Mycroft.
' This came this morning' said Mr Hallingham. ' This is why I'm so panicked'. Mycroft turned the piece of paper around and it was a photograph of a young girl tied to a chair in a pitch black room. Just as they were looking at the picture Mrs Hallingham came down the stairs and headed for the kitchen.
' Mrs Hallingham could you come here please' called Detective Jones. Mr Hallingham gave the Detective a dirty look but she ignored it.
' Yes Detective is something wrong' replied Mrs Hallingham. She kept looking from Mr Hallingham to Mycroft, then the detective then back again.
' No nothing is wrong I just wanted to ask if you would be able to stay in the living room' the Detective asked her. ' I Just wanted to show you what we found'.
' Ok I suppose I could'.
Mycroft and Detective Jones both started to rummage in there coat pockets. Mycroft took out the broach , the letter from Thomas Harrington and the picture of the two little boys in school uniforms. And the Detective took out the letter from Catherine Eddowes and the plastic bag which contained the knife and the cloth.
'Good grief' cried Mr Hallingham. All four of them stared down at the five objects for the longest time until Malora came into the room and asked what was going on.
' Oh nothing sweetheart' said Mr Hallingham. ' It's grownup things nothing you need to worry about'.
' Well actually Miss Hallingham we were wondering if you could tell us more about your sister ' the detective suddenly said.' And about the scream you heard that night'.
' No...no please don't involve Malora in this' Mrs Hallingham almost shouted.
' Mother please I want to find Melissa just as much as you do ' Malora begged. Mrs Hallingham looked at her daughter and nodded. Mycroft first picked up the broach and held it up so that everyone could see.
' That's Melissas' broach where did you find that'?! Malora asked shocked.
'We found it by the back door Miss Hallingham' Detective Jones replied. ' Look at the tip of the pin what does this look like to you all'. Malora, Mr and Mrs Hallingham all looked very closely at the tip of the pin and at the red stain at the end of it.
'I don't know Detective I think it's rust' said Mr Hallingham
'And so do I ' Mrs Hallingham said. The detective looked at Malora who looked like she was about to throw up.
'Miss Hallingham are you alright' the detective asked. She looked up at the inspector,shook her head and rushed to the bathroom.
' She has a phobia of blood unfortunately' Mrs Hallingham said. ' Now let me see that broach please'. She took the broach from Mycroft and looked at it very carefully. Mrs Hallingham handed it to her husband and he to looked at it. ' Hmm..well yes it's Melissa's but why would it be by the back door' ? Mr Hallingham thought aloud . Malora walked back into the room and sat down her face as white as a sheet. ' Miss Hallingham would you come with me please I would like to speak to you in private' Detective Jones finally said. She and Malora both went upstairs to Malora's bedroom. They both sat on the bed in silence. ' Miss Hallingham how close are you and your sister'? The detective asked.
' I wouldn't say we were very close but we did get along' Malora replied .
' Did you share secrets'? the detective asked again.
' Hardly she never shared a thing with me but I do know where you could find them' Malora said. ' She kept a diary in her jewelry box mother gave her that she always kept in a place no one would find it'.
' Thank you for the information Miss Hallingham' the detective said as she left the room. ' You may come down when you are ready'. And with that the detective left Malora in her room. As detective Jones came downstairs Mr Hallingham and Mycroft were gone. Mrs Hallingham was sat there crying. ' Where is Mycroft and Mr Hallingham'? asked the detective.
' Malcom went out to find Melissa because he thought that you and Mr Raleigh were asking pointless questions' Mrs Hallingham sobbed. ' Mr Raleigh followed him outside then I heard a bang'. Detective Jones ran outside to the stairs to find the Santler gone and Mycrofts' lifeless body lying in a pool of blood on the stairs. The blood had dried slightly as it had been there for some time . The detective looked around panicked leaving only one question remaining . Who is the killer?