Whitechapel Vengeances

Night of a Double Murder

Gathering all the girls in a group in Kitty's room Jean and I decided to brief them in what we knew would happen the next night of the murder.

"Alright, mademoiselles, if you'd please pay attention to my wonderful and intelligente, partner she'll tell you all that we need to know to corner and trap this awful murderer." Jean looked at me and gave me a wink and it put me at ease enough to smile back. I looked at the girls sprawled gracefully on settees and daybeds what they so wanted to know.

"September 30 there will be a double murder in Whitechapel by our killer who on this night will give himself the moniker Jack the Ripper," I pulled out my tablet which I made them all swear to not tell any soul, and once I was satisfied with solemn oaths I allowed them to see the information I had. Lulu sat by Kitty who explained the words to her.

"The first victim is Elizabeth Stride. She'll be leaving a client with a bowler hat at 11:00 PM on Berner Street, by 11:45 PM she'll be with another client, and a PC will see her with a client across the street from the International Working Men's Club—"

"That's that place where all 'em Jews and socialists are," Vicky said knowingly to the other girls. "I had me a customer there—I forget 'is name—he paid me two guineas! For one night! I couldn't believe it, but I tell you those Jews are mighty generous right they are, and if I ever find myself on Berner Street I do go down and take a looksie—"

"Can we please get back to the point at hand, Vicky?" Kitty reminded her friend and the girl's mouth fell silent as she returned her attention to me.

"Anyway... er where was I?" I looked over my notes, "Right, at 1:00 AM Elizabeth's body will be found by a steward of the Worker's Club in the neighboring yard." I let a pause fill in because I wanted my next words to really strike home. "We have to be at Dutfield's Yard minutes before this. I say minutes because when Mrs. Stride's body was found, there was still blood pouring from the wound in her neck. It has been long assumed that the killer was interrupted and had to flee the scene."

"So that's our chance to catch him?" Lulu asked. I nodded and Lulu got a contemplative look over her face.

"We know what to do then don't we girls?" Kitty said addressing them. "Midnight we get ready and we'll be down at Berner Street no later than ten minutes to the hour." All of them nodded in agreement. It would've appeared it had been settled.

Kitty got up and Vicky left the room followed by Lulu who muttered something about getting her hand on some boy's clothes. Jean looked like he was about to speak to Kitty but suddenly she rushed out of the room. I saw him get all glum and I stomped out the room after Kitty.

"Kitty, wait! Can I speak to you a moment?" Kitty stopped and put a hand on her hip urging me to hurry and catch up. Standing next to Kitty I always felt like a gremlin of a girl. She was magnificently beautiful with flawless alabaster skin and lovely red hair. Meanwhile, my kinky curls were frizzing out at every second of the day. I could see why Jean had been so taken by her. Clearing my throat I decided to get to the point.

"Look, I'm sure you know that Jean really—well I believe the term you British say is he really fancies you." I hadn't realized until this moment that Kitty was much taller than me. She rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Look, Jean's a right sort of lad, but he's from the future, and I'm just me. Aside from all that I'm not the right sort of girl for him. What I do, this life isn't one I can ever get rid of. He should just move along and find some other filly to set his sights on. As I remember, it wasn't too long ago he was goin' after you I reckon." I frowned as I tried getting the conversation back to where I wanted it.