Rookie Detective

Chapter 10

I rub my temples and send Harry a glare. "It's 7 in the bloody morning yet your energy is at a hundred percent."

We're in a carriage heading to the London docks to investigate the cattle boats. The queen believes that the pattern of the murders indicates that the culprit was a butcher or cattle drover on one of the cattle boats that plied between mainland Europe and London. So that's what we're looking into today.

"I'm sorry Tommo. I forgot what a grumpy pants you are in the morning." He says shooting a glare back at me. "As I was saying he just starts yelling at me that I shouldn't be talking to a married woman. But I had no idea she was married when I asked her to go out with me."

"That's ludicrous she should have said she was married. It's not your fault." Detective Abberline says

"I know! But then he grabs my collar and tells me to get lost. Then I say I'm a detective and he freaks out and runs away." Harry says

The carriage stops and we arrive at the docks.

"Save the story telling for later we have work to do." I say

We walk around the docks and investigate the cattle boats and cargo. We talk with some of the crewman and nothing suspicious seems to be going on.

"What is the schedule for docking and departure?" I ask

"The cattle boats dock on Thursday or Friday and depart on Saturday or Sunday. Here are the times and full schedule for the last 6 months." One of the crewman says

Harry and I read through the documents.

"Thank you for your cooperation." I say. We walk to where Detective Abberline is and hand him the documents. He looks through them as well.

"Everything is fine with the cattle boats." Harry says

"None of the ripper murders coincide with a single boats movements." I say

"You're right. We can rule out the transfer of the crewman between a boats as well..." Detective Abberline says. "Dead end" He throws the papers on the floor clearly very upset. Harry picks them up and goes to return them.

"It's alright Detective Abberline. It's not over until it's over. Isn't that right?" I say putting my hand on his shoulder

"You're right. Whitechapel is close by let's go interview more People." Detective Abberline says

"Butchers and slaughters again." Harry says

We head to Whitechapel and interview butchers at their shops all day long.

"What?! You think I'm a murderer?!" The butcher says slamming his cleaver down on the chopping board.

"Easy now mate. We're not accusing you of anything. We just need your alibi for the nights of the murders. We are doing this with many butcherers around here." I say

"Fine" He says

Harry and Detective Abberline look around while I interview the butcher. He tells me where he was and who he was with those nights and I write everything down.

"You're in the clear. As long as the people with you can deem your statement true..." I say

"Of course." He says

We leave the shop and visit many more throughout the day.

"All of them have strong alibis with witness statements." Harry says "we'll have to go in a different direction at this point."

"I was highly doubtful the ripper was a butcher or cattle drover to begin with." I say

"Dead end once more." Detective Abberline says. "It's okay Boys we'll keep going no matter what."

"We've been out all day perhaps we should head home?" Harry suggests

"Yes but there's somewhere I want to stop by before then." I say

"Where?" Harry asks

"To see an Irish pub worker." I say

"I'm coming!" Harry says

"Well my fellow detectives, nice work today. I'll see you both after the weekend." Detective Abberline says

Harry and I walk to the pub and head inside. It's just as loud and chaotic as it was the first time we came here. We walk up to the counter and Niall is serving drinks.

"Detectives! What a pleasant surprise! Come back for a couple beers?" He says holding up 2 jugs of beer. With a big grin on his face. "Or maybe a potato dish? We're serving baked potato pie today"

"Actually I wanted to ask about Amelia." I say

"I'll take a pie!" Harry says

Niall puts the 2 beers in front of us and puts a baked potato pie and front of Harry. "Sorry she's taken. You can't have her." He says in a semi serious tone and the smile leaves his face.

"Oh no that's not what I meant!" I say holding my hands up. "I just wanted to know how I could find her. I was going to ask her father but I thought since I was here in WhiteChapel matter so ask you."

"Oh , then that's fine." He says. The smile returning to his face.

"Why? Do you fancy her Niall?" Harry asked while eating his pie.

"Perhaps." He says "do you harry?"

"M-maybe." He says his face getting red

Niall just smiles and says "she's at my flat right now."

"She's at your flat?!" Harry says

"Miss Amelia lives with me half the time so if you want to contact her I'm your telephone line." Niall says

"Just good friends you said?" Harry whispers to me. I shake my head at harry.

"Ah well we're having a picnic tomorrow and I was wondering if Amelia could attend. You should come too." I say

"You definitely should. Carolina makes the best food." Harry says chugging his beer

"I'd love to come. Eating good food sounds amazing. Amelia would love to come too. I'll tell her but I need the location." Niall says

"Right." I say. I write my address on a piece of paper and hand it to him. "That's my home address so just come at 9 in the morning and we'll walk to the park."

"Alright sounds good." Niall says "I'll bring my best potato dish to contribute. Oven baked potato stuffed with sour cream and onions along with some baked chips on the side."

"That would be great." I say chugging my beer . "We'll see you two tomorrow."