Catching Mr Ripper

September 2nd Morning

Elizabeth climbed out of the carriage with the help of her footman.
"Wait here" she instructed him before she walked into the alley where Edmund stood looking at where Mary's body had been found just a few days earlier.
"Good morning" he smiled.
"Good morning" she smiled back.
"I wanted to see the crime scene for myself. I thought you could help me piece everything together" he smiled.
"I don't think that there's much to piece together. No one saw anything. The murder was quick" she listed off.
"I always think better when your around though" he admitted.
"I thought I was always more of a distraction" she smiled.
"Not always" he smiled back making her smile.
"So have you discovered anything of use?" She asked, refocusing them on the task at hand.
"I'm afraid not" he said stuffing his hands into his pockets "What about you?" He asked.
"Nothing also I'm afraid. I think the only thing we can do is wait for him to strike again sadly" Elizabeth frowned looking over to him "I know it's not what you want to hear but it's the only thing we can do with the evidence we have"
"I know. It's just infuriating" he sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. Elizabeth reached out and took his arm in her hand.
"We may never catch him" he nodded, his eyes going to the ground as she dropped her hand from his arm "Some things are better left as they are, don't you agree?" She asked.
"Maybe not" he said quickly realising what she meant "Let me escort you back to your carriage. The city is very unsafe as of late" he held out her arm to her and she gladly took it, enjoying their small moment of intimacy in the chaos that was surrounding them. London was in fear of a murderer but Elizabeth Vance felt nothing but joy in the alley where a woman had been mutilated.

On the 6th of September 1888, Mary Ann Nicholas was laid to rest. Elizabeth and Edmund were in attendance to offer support to Mary's family.
"Thank you for paying your respects" Mary's father shook Edmunds hand.
"Of course, sir. No one deserves to die like that" Edmund frowned.
"I'm terribly sorry for your loss, Sir" Elizabeth shook the solemn man's hand.
"I guess that's just what happens to women who sell themselves to feed their children" he frowned deeply, his shoulders slumping as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders "I better get back to the children" he muttered, rejoining his grandchildren who were stood over their mother's grave.
"A sorry soul. He must be heartbroken, his grandchildren too" Elizabeth frowned, taking Edmund's arm.
"Of course. I couldn't imagine losing a child or my mother" Elizabeth cleared her throat, bringing her back into the moment.
"Yes of course. Loosing anyone close to you is heartbreaking"
"At least we both have someone to care for in the midst of all this madness" Edmund commented.
"Yes. I suppose we do" Elizabeth offered him a bright smile, before he helped her into her carriage.