The Book of Common

Theys An Oddity

Folks Saint Louis way, theys an oddity near the Big Missasip River. What's left of an Arch! Made of some kind of steel. What kind, I am not sure. It doesn't rust about forth of it stands on one side, little less than half held up by concrete the other side. Parts of it lay about crushed and dented. Still has a shine to it on some of the pieces. Huge chunks big enough ta stand in. Lan sakes what this was used for, I have no idea.

I am lookin at sign Folks, has a picture. This is what we believe it looked like. Full Arch folks, it says tour half a straight copper. Climb to the top look out the openin. Lan sakes way to high for me, little pricy also. Two maybe half a straight. Best be ale involved or sausage. Nope won't be climbing that thing. Take two ale to even think about climbing that. I walks around a bit, marvel over it.

Just how in hell, they build it? Ya know folks, I am not the smartest nor the dumbest. My gosh, just how? Amazin to say the least. Well, I gets back on my horse. Station is set up in an Inn, just inside the town. According to my map about two blocks north of here. Inn is called Hanson Inn and Pub.

I gets to the Inn, a nice fella name of Sargent Masters is in charge. I hands him my my updates map and Station changes. Tells him I wants a few days off. Needs a bed, ifin he knew of place close ta stay at. He laughs, the Inn is full up, have ta stay over at Norma's House of Pleasantries. Nicer rooms at her place, gave me a voucher three days stay no charge. Folks normally only one night free.
I am set three days no work, hell I am set.

Nice place, room was off the main House. Away from the noise and such, nothin fancy just comfortable bed, soft chair and small table with a chair. Headed back down Bridge road, wanted ta see how that bridge faired. Well, folks, it wasn't standin. Collapsed like I thought it would. Haven't heard anythin on people bein killed on it.

Folks river still is goin up movin fast. Lan sakes don't want ta fall in, take ya under in a heartbeat.
Probably wouldn't find ya till ya gotta Orleans. Well, heads back up Bridge road. Warehouse district is still hustlin ta move stuff up on the second floor.  Fear the river just keep goin up! Folks I say don't blame them on dang bit. Rain started back up. As I climb up out of the warehouse and poorer section of Saint Louis.

Back towards my room and out of the rain. I grow more depressed, this much rain can make ya feel bad. I gets about Hill and Second street, I hear shouts! Constable, we need a Ranger! Crowd formin even in the rain! Two Constables are keepin the crowd back. I walks up, clear the way! Ranger Common here, clear the way! I looks at the Constables what is goin on here?

Older one, of the two, says young girl Ranger she is ripped to pieces. Like a Butcher got a hold of her.
Where I ask. He says down that ally behind some barrels. I says get the names of the crowd, move all of them in ta house twenty-three pointing at it. I wants ta talk ta all of them. Send for a doctor also.
Folks as I feared, it has started again. Poor girl just about twelve maybe thirteen. Throat ripped open head near off, gutted like an animal.

Womb stomach all her insides from the stomach and lower gut lay beside her. Left breast removed.
Mobile comes ta mind, that innocent young man. My gosh! I feel sick, worried and thinkin how many has this one killed. The Pattern fits lan sakes!
I gots ta find this madman!

                           The Investigation

Folks what I am about ta tell you well is a bit sickenin. After I tells ya about my interview of the crowd. Sixteen people all but one ladies. One young boy, about ten folks, he found her. This still angers me. Even after least fourteen years!

The young boy, ten years old. Not that I don't think a child could kill in such a way. The murders all match from the previous murders as this one. Young fella like that couldn't travel that amount by himself. Second, he was beyond scared Folks. He just stumbled on the body, just ran an errand for his Ma, between the rain and such. He took the shorter way home cause of the rain. If he would have took the normal route home. Who knows how long that poor girl would of been laying there.

The rest, well only one stood out as different, young girl, not more than twenty. Dressed better than the rest. Out of place in this lower living area Folks. She had a good reason though, even in the rain. She was out lookin for work at the warehouse of Plumb and Fitch as a clerk. So folks still a little strange. I'll check inta her story. Rest have all lived in the area all they lives. Square one Folks. Walked straight inta this, wanting time off and all. This though needs fixed, set that poor boys hanging I did right. For his Family. Well, Folks for myself too. Ya know get the real killer here.

Doctors report, scary Folks this here Doc. is right smart. Still, have the copy so what follows is his thoughts on what he sees.

Victim Female, age I place about thirteen to fourteen. Neck cut and ripped open probably by hand from tearing of the skin. Left breast was cut from her chest. Back to the head, face brutally beaten and cut. Cuts appear to be from the fist, not a knife, maybe fingernails?

Stomach removed intestinal tract removed uterus cut from the vagina at the cervix. Both Ovaries are gone removed from the fallopian tubes. Overall the cuts were clean on the lower body. Almost surgical a well-sharpened knife or knives were used. Least two distinct cutting styles one larger than the other cut.

Killer may have some medical or meat cutting and butcher knowledge. I would suspect a Butcher over a Doctor, of course, it could be one that didn't finish training. Some cuts were a little sloppy for a Doctor.

The Murder happened someplace else. Not enough blood at the scene. The opening of the stomach and organ removal was done at the scene. One thing found after moving the body to my office and cleaning it. A message was left on the right upper thigh and left.

I am death, I am fear. Right upper thigh, left side. You can't catch me. The Reaper. One other message on the back, All Women are Pleasantry workers.
I'll eat the Ovaries, fry them.

Folks, like I said, this one is sickenin. What was it the girl said, almost small for a man? I'll have ta check my notes on it. Doc couldn't tell if she was raped ta much damage down that way. Folks I am at a loss here. What kind of mind does this? Why have I stumbled on it now twice? Does this murderer know me? Only been in town a few hours at best. Needs ta check in at the Station and the Constables office.

Folks best stops here, long winded want ta finish up next time. Don't worry I won't go off track, I promise. Till next time.