Catching Mr Ripper

September 10th Morning

Edmund sat at his desk, letting out a deep sigh of anger. They hadn't found anything that could help them find the leather apron killer. Edmund picked up his telephone and called Elizabeth.
"Miss Vance residence" Mary's voice came down the line.
"Mary, it's Edmund. I'm looking for Lizzie, I could use some of optimism" he told her.
"Miss Elizabeth has gone out with her father sir. She won't return until later this evening" Mary explained.
"Do you have any idea where she went?"
"She's...she's courting someone. I'm sorry Edmund"
"I understand. Thank you Mary" Edmund offered a small smile down the line.
"Good day sir" Mary softly smiled, hanging up her end of the line. Edmund did the same, the phone hitting the holder loudly. He let another sigh, leaning back in his chair again before he ran his hands through his hair in frustration.
"Is everything alright sir?" John smiled kindly from the doorway.
"Yes, thank you John. I just usually think better with Elizabeth around" he shrugged lightly.
"If I may sir, you really do love her don't you?"
"I think obsessed is a better word" he chuckled at himself.
"Why didn't you marry her? If you don't mind me asking"
"I wanted to, believe me I wanted to. We both did. It was her father who had the differing opinion" John nodded "That's the only downside to love I guess"
"What is?"
"The heartbreak that follows it"

Elizabeth walked along the pathed road of the park, her parasol in her hand.
"You seem to be in a world of your own" The man next to her remarked.
"I'm sorry Alexander. I'm working on something and I can't seem to take it off my mind" she smiled kindly at him.
"I completely understand. Some things are hard to get off your mind"
"Especially with a killer on the loose"
"Especially then. Every woman across London is terrified of going out alone"
"It's not so scary. He's probably just a damaged man. Of course I'm not excusing his actions"
"Well of course. But nevertheless it must be tough for you, working in an environment like that"
"Sometimes. But I wouldn't change it for all the world. I love my job and my work is fulfilling. I am happy where I am" she smiled brightly.
"I'm glad. I wish I could say that I enjoy my work as much as you do yours. For the most part it is tiring, but I do enjoy it" he smiled. They fell into what felt like comfortable silence to Alexander and awkward silence to Elizabeth.
"I'm sorry that my father insisted on accompanying us"
"We are courting. It is proper to have a chaperone" he reminded her.
"Oh. Yes of course. I haven't been courted in a while" she smiled but she felt flustered.
"Neither have I but my mother said that a beautiful young lady's father had enquired about me"
"Did you just casually call me beautiful?" She smiled up at him.
"I did" he smiled back.
"Well you are quite the gentleman indeed" Elizabeth smiled taking his arm. Unaware of the smile stretched across her father's face. Elizabeth and Alexander came to stand on a bridge, looking at the water below.
"It's beautiful" she whispered, not meaning for her words to escape her thoughts.
"Yes. It is isn't it" Alexander said, as Elizabeth looked up she saw that his gaze was fixed on her and not the water below. She felt her cheeks reddening with every second she was under his gaze.
"I meant the water"
"I am aware" he smirked, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards. Elizabeth couldn't help think that his smirk was similar to Edmunds "You know my father always used to tell this joke about ducks" he remarked, turning back to the water below.
"And what was it?"
"I can't quacking remember it" he said and Elizabeth burst out laughing, her hand flying to her mouth to silence herself was unsuccessful.
"That was awful" she giggled, as her laughter died down.
"You have a beautiful smile, Miss Vance"
"Please call me Elizabeth" she smiled brightly.
"Of course" he smiled brightly back "But only if you call me Alexander"