The Hunt for Jack the Ripper (The Phantomhive Diaries #1)

16. Frederick Abberline

As the white sheet was removed, the lifeless body of Martha Tabram was exposed, resting on one of the gleaming metal tables in the morgue. Stripped of all her clothing, her chest bore a grotesquely stitched vertical scar that extended from the top down to her navel. The mere sight of it churned Abberline's stomach, intensified by the putrid oder of early decay that filled the air. Despite feeling the urge to retch multiple times, he knew he had to maintain his composure and appear professional at all time.

In the presence of Martha Tabram's grieving family, Henry Tabram discreetly held a handkerchief to his nose, shielding himself from the putrid stench that filled the air. Abberline knew that without that small piece of fabric, Henry would surely succumb to the nauseating odor, causing a scene and irritating the pathologist. Standing behind their father, Frederick and Charles Tabram wore expressions of confusion and sorrow on their pale faces. Abberline couldn't help but notice the resemblance between Charles and his late mother, with his curly brown hair and brown eyes. On the other hand, Frederick, coincidentally sharing Abberline's first name, took after his father, with his tall stature, blue eyes, and neatly combed hair.

Charles was the first to refuse the reality of his mother's passing, like many families in mourning.

"That's not her," he insisted.

"Have your eyes failed you, boy?" Henry retorted, his tone icy. "Of course it's her."

"Your eyes are failing you, old man," Charles shot back.

"Charlie," Frederick interjected.

"No!" Charles snapped at his brother. "You don't get it, Fred. That's not her. It just can't be." Tears streamed down his face. "She shouldn't appear like this."

Abberline dreaded this particular aspect. It always shattered his heart witnessing families crumble upon catching sight of their lifeless loved ones. It was even more devastating when the deceased were innocent children. Abberline had never felt such an aversion to being in the presence of a grieving parent, especially since he himself was about to become a parent. The mere thought was unbearable to him. No child should ever pass away before their parents.Losing a mother was equally agonizing for a child, especially when it occurred in such a cruel manner.

However, the part that Abberline detested the most was having to elucidate the circumstances of their demise while they were still grappling with the reality of their deaths.

"We found her at the bottom of the staircase early before dawn," he said. "She was stabbed multiple times in various parts of the body, including the neck."

Henry Tabram let out a weary sigh, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and resignation. "It doesn't come as a shock, considering the scandalous path she had chosen for herself," he remarked.

Charles, his son, shot a piercing glare at his father, his anger simmering just beneath the surface.

Frederick, always curious, couldn't help but ask, "Do you think it was one of her clients?"

Abberline responded cautiously, "There's a possibility, but we can't be certain just yet."

Commissioner Arthur Randall, who had been silently observing the conversation, finally spoke up. "We've already interrogated the client, a soldier. According to him, he and Martha Tabram were involved in an altercation. She suddenly became agitated and struck him in the face before storming off. He wanted to chase after her, but he was too intoxicated to even stand. They found him passed out in the morning."