Page 57 of Secrets in the Dark
“Right.” Jessica smiled. “I come here because Joshua and I are mates and he sees to it that I get home safely. We live in the same building just across the bridge.”
“That’s great. I’m glad that you’re watching out for each other,” Della said.
“Jessica, we’re going to tell you the truth. We’re with the American FBI, but assigned here on a special task force,” Mason said.
Jessica narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“For real,” Della said.
“But this is England. You have no authority here.”
“We’re working with local detective inspectors,” Mason said, “through Interpol. And we have an interest in this case because we believe it’s associated with the vampire murders—”
“You have a fellow locked up in the US! That’s what the news says,” Jessica said.
“No. The man we have locked up is the main killer—or the killer who taught others. But we believe that this new Jack the Ripper is an acolyte of his. And like Stephan Dante, this man knows how to change his appearance. Would you mind looking at a few pictures for me?”
“Why?”
“We’re curious as to whether he’s gone on any of the Jack the Ripper tours,” Della said.
“There are many, you know,” Jessica reminded him.
“Yes, and many guides,” Mason said. “But maybe you can help us.”
Joshua and the other bartender were announcing last call. Jessica looked at them and shrugged. “Fine. Just... I go when Joshua goes!”
Della smiled. “Right. We will all be gone when the pub closes!”
Mason brought out his phone and flicked to the gallery of sketches Maisie had done for their group. He went through them once, and then again.
On the second go-around she frowned and stopped him.
“There—wait! Are these all the same person?” she asked.
Mason nodded. “The many ways he may look. He is a master of disguise.”
“I think he may have been on the tour about a week and a half ago. But...he looked something like this—this one, where the hair is dark and the face is furry. He...had a look like this, but his hair was a reddish-blond color. I can’t be sure. It may have been him.”
“It was before the Ripper murder?” Mason asked her.
She nodded. “A few days before. Oh, God!” she exclaimed. “I might have had this monster on my tour?”
“We can’t be sure. Do you remember anything about where he went after the tour?” Della asked her.
“Here. He came here, with several others. He chatted up a lot of the others, a very friendly man. He was...likeable!” Jessica said, horrified as she stared at them.
“Thank you, and we didn’t mean to upset you,” Della told her. “You’re doing the right thing, meeting Joshua and making sure you’re not alone.” She hesitated a minute. “Jessica, don’t drink anything that anyone buys you. Don’t have a pint or anything else unless you get it straight from Joshua.”
“He’s drugging women?” she asked.
“Yes. He’s adept at slipping drugs into drinks and making his targets pliable. We believe that he killed before he became a Ripper killer, and he’s practiced at it. I think you’re going to be fine because you’re smart and careful. Just keep that in mind because I’m sure that people on a tour want to buy you a drink.”
She nodded. “Thank you!” They all realized that Joshua and the other bartender were standing near them, waiting.
“We’ve got to lock up,” Joshua said. “This is Reginald, by the way. If I’m not around, he’s almost as good as I am,” he added, indicating the dark-haired bartender.
“Reginald, great to meet you.”
