Page 54 of Secrets in the Dark
“We will get him,” Mason said with determination. “And we’re set. Tomorrow, Sean, you and François will be talking to the theaters and any movie productions going on. And, of course, stores that sell professional grade makeup.”
“That is going to include getting around—”
“I can work with them,” Jeanne LaPierre offered. “That will leave three of you to research whatever archeological digs are going on in the area now. Trust me, there’s always something. Bits and pieces of old Roman waterworks, walls and more are sometimes discovered along with bits and pieces from medieval times.”
“Edmund, Della,” Mason said. “As Jeanne has suggested, we divide and conquer. In touch all the time, and for now—”
“We hit the pubs again. Two by two. Sean, this is your area. You tell us where we’re most likely to spot our suspect.”
“There’s always the Ten Bells—supposedly frequented by both Annie Chapman and Mary Kelly,” Sean said. “And there’s the Red Rose—it’s new, but the building was there during the Jack the Ripper spree of 1888, and it’s near the apartment where Mary Kelly was killed. I was thinking that might be an interesting place to enjoy a nightcap. And there’s a place right across from us that’s also gaining popularity because it, like us, is close to the prostitute’s church or St. Botolph’s.”
“All right, we’ll split up and get out there. Everyone on speed dial, ready to move at the drop of a hat,” Mason said.
“Or a pint,” Sean reminded him good-naturedly.
“Or pint!” Mason agreed. “Let’s do it.” He glanced at his watch. “Almost ten. Close to closing time for many of them once we get out there, and...”
“Wait, midnight tonight, for most, as we’re moving toward the weekend.”
“We have patrol personnel out on the streets, all aware of the chameleon we’re seeking—and all on the lookout for trouble of any kind,” Sean assured him.
“So!” Edmund said. “Let’s do this!”
Cups were set in the sink, trash was collected and dinner was done. They left the house, with both Mason and François Bisset checking the security of the lock as they left.
They should have been exhausted. Maybe they were.
But adrenaline had set in. And they knew that they were on a time limit. Their Ripper wanted to be perfect.
But he didn’t mind segueing in the least if it fit the picture of perfection in his own mind.
And they all knew that he might strike just about anyone.
At just about any time.
They were leaving.
Heading out for a night on the town, thinking that they would find him. They were clever but, of course, he was smarter than they imagined.
Smarter than they were, and eventually, they would know that. They would know it—right before they died. He had something extremely special intended forSpecialAgent Della Hamilton, but he had decided now that all of them had to die.
Not an easy task, but he was up to it.
Seeing the door open and the team heading out, he melded in with a group of about ten college boys—all too far gone into their gin and tonics to notice a newcomer.
The oh-so-special international team had gotten the man Ripper had met as Grey. But in Ripper’s mind, Grey had been an idiot. Yes, Grey had managed two kills, but only because Ripper had been with him and because Ripper had kept his phone on, receiving minute directions from the Vampire King all the while.
The third kill had been Ripper’s.
All Ripper’s.
And he had done it right without help from anyone.
Aye, they were all out and about now, searching for him in the pubs of the city. And, of course, Ripper did frequent the pubs, he watched. He needed to know who was alone and who was not, who was friendly and who was smart enough to be wary of strangers. A pub setting was a good setting. People tended to be friendly. Americans loved pubs—they loved to be in a “pub” rather than a “bar.” And because everyone spoke at least a semblance of the English language, American women were easy to spot and find.
And because they tended to be friendly...
They were easy prey.
