Calumbra 23 - Book 1: The Maid

7 - To Catch A Thief

As the month ran on the reports of the killer in London began to surge and the murderer who had killed three unsuspecting female victims was being called Jack the Ripper. Delaware was into the reports more than anyone and she wanted to catch this guy more than anything.

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"What do you plan to do, Ms. Tate? You're a very pretty woman and he might just kill you." Sullivan asked as she paced to think of her plan.
"I don't know... I'm not quite sure I can do anything other than become a victim and see his face."
"But you wouldn't know who it was even if that were the case."
"Poppycock, I could remember his face and describe it to the inspectors."
"Before or after you are killed and gutted?"
"Ugh... Gutting... Um... Well, I guess I will have to just live with that."
"'I guess I'll just have to live with that'?! Are you bonkers, Ms. Tate?! Stark raving mad?"
"Yes."
Sullivan face palmed and ran his hand down his face. He knew that she wouldn't die like the other girls but how could she handle being gutted?
"Delaware, I understand that you feel you could do something by getting yourself in harm's way but is it worth it?"
"Sullivan, I've been alive for centuries and I haven't been able to change a thing in this world. To be able to catch a murderer would be the least of my worries."
"It's not the fact that he's a murderer, Ms. Tate; it's the fact that he guts his victims like they are fish. Can your body handle that sort of treatment?"
"I don't know... I've never been gutted before." She said a little too excitedly.
Sullivan sighed and started to walk out of the room.
"When you come up with a plausible plan, then I will do everything in my power to assist you."
"Right..."
Sullivan left as Delaware thought of the plan she had in action. Sure it would hurt like hell to be gutted out but if she had the right person to put her back together, she would be just fine.

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"I beg your pardon?!" the doctor said as he stood up. "You have gone mad, haven't you?"
"Listen, Arnold, you know I can't die. You're one of the very few who remember the tales of me from old. I know you're an amazing surgeon and I know you can put me back together again if need be."
"This is preposterous, Ms. Tate!" the middle aged man said, shaking his head fervently. "This is just too much of a risk."
"Arnold, all you have to do is stick it back in the right place. It will heal on its own."
"And what if he takes something completely? You will die."
"Then I would be most obliged to him."
"Ms. Tate, I know that you are wanting to help but I just don't think I could do that knowing that you would be in harm's way."
"Think of it as a way to contribute to those whose lives were lost due to the sick, perverted nature of this man. We could very well identify this guy and save England from more murders."
Arnold sighed, pinching the brim of his nose.
"Delaware, it's not that I don't want to help, I really do. It's just too risky to do anything like that."
Delaware narrowed her eyes at him and he stared back at her. She never took her eyes off of him and he finally shivered and turned away.
"You won't get me that easily, Ms. Tate."
"Hmm..." she said as she stared at him even more.
After a while he finally sighed and looked up at her determined stature and sighed again.
"If you can promise me you will try your damnedest not to get yourself cut up into pieces, then I will assist you."
Delaware squealed in happiness and hugged Arnold around the neck.
"Thank you!" she said ecstatically and he made a face. "I'll never forget this."
"Yeah, yeah..." he said with a roll of his eyes.
She smiled at him and left her friend alone.

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Sullivan was not pleased to hear what Delaware had done and was staunch against her going to London for the weekend to seek out Jack the Ripper.
"I will not allow myself to drive you to London knowing good and well that that man could get you and potentially get his hands 'round your neck and kill you."
"I'll just come back, Sullivan. It's not like I won't survive." Her violet eyes looking even more determined than ever. "I mean, I got my doctor friend's approval to put me back together if anything happens and all I need now is some transportation."
"You won't be getting' me to do it. That's for sure." Sullivan said, leaving the room to finalize his decision and Delaware cursed.
She sighed and looked around for a moment to gather her wits and figure out a way to get to London by the end of the week. She already had an excuse for missing work and everything for that weekend but not having anyone take her to London would make things very difficult.
Delaware sighed and grabbed the paper that showed the picture of the poor girl that had been killed by Jack the Ripper and it made her blood boil. She had to get to the bottom of this as quickly as she could and if Sullivan wasn't willing to help, she would do it herself.

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The weekend finally came and she decided to drive herself to London. She found the trip enjoyable even though it had been the first time she had ever gotten a hold on one of the new automatic vehicles that was starting to become popular in the country. She laughed as she went over the bumps in the road, bouncing up and down and the like. She wasn't amused extremely easy but the little act of riding made her laugh with delight to the confusion of others that were around in their own cars.
Delaware checked into an inn in London and decided to look around for a little while until darkness came and Jack the Ripper would be out. Of course she had no clue what this man looked like but from the places he went to to abuse those poor girls, she knew that she was in the right place.
A maid came to bring her some linens and make the bed.
"Gonna be chilly tonight, ma'am. Also, the owner of the inn says to make sure you be back inside before nightfall. With all the killings and the like, the owner don't want to be charged with neglectfulness, knowing that this be the last place ye have been in the midst of the day and all."
Delaware nodded and the girl finished her duty.
When she left, Delaware smiled to herself and donned a cloak. This will be too easy... she said with a grin to herself. Catching a killer never felt so right to her.