Mystery Solved: Who was Jack the Ripper

   Mystery Solved: Who was Jack the Ripper?

Suzanne Marsh

“Professor Braden, the sensuous, computerized voice began:

“I have located the archives for September 1, 1888, that you requested. May I ask your

plans?”

“Yes, Rebekah, I promised to look into Mary Kelly, she was murdered November 11, 1888,

The first mention of her murder should have appeared in the London Times. I am going

to have you transport me to Bucks Row, so that I may investigate what happened.

Professor Harold Kelly, an old friend of mine has asked me to help him. I am

inserting a picture of Bucks Row which is where I wish you to transport me.”

Rebekah reluctantly did as she was asked, moments later Michael Braden found himself in London England’s White Chapel District, as a gas streetlight seemed in to blend in with the gray fog. He ran his long thin fingers through his dark brown hair; his broad shoulders filled out his tweed jacket. Rebekah had also placed a black bowler hat. He stood silently for several seconds as he attempted to discern his whereabouts. He checked his pocket watch the time was three thirty in the morning. He calculated the distance between the street corner and where the murder of Mary Kelly had taken place. He had followed Einstein's Theory of Relativity and built Rebekah as a time machine, he sincerely hoped that his calculations were correct otherwise Mary Kelly would be the next victim of Jack the Ripper.

Mary Kelly, her long fair hair was layered in filth, her dress was ripped at the shoulder. Her once lovely face was smudged with layers of grime, her front teeth were missing as she approached Michael Braden:

“Well Ducky, what brings a fine gentleman like you here? For a shilling I can

give you a trip around the world.”

Braden handed her a shilling, hoping she would vacate the area. He realized if he could not get her to leave she would indeed be the first murder victim. She gave him a grotesque smile, as she attempted to place her soiled hands on his tweed slacks.

“Oh, come on ducky you paid for your trip around the world; why not let me give it to you?

Braden, gingerly, removed her fingers from the top button of her his trousers. He attempted to beg off, this woman, need more help than he could give her.

Braden, traveled back to the twenty first century:

“Rebekah,” he once again summoned the computer: “check the London Times for a brief

description of Jack the Ripper’s first victim. I believe I encountered her a few moments before

Jack the Ripper took her life.”

It took Rebekah several seconds before she produced the September 1, 1888, London Times, he began to scan the articles on the front page, there in the left-hand corner he found what he was searching for.

Forty-three-year-old Mary Ann Nicholls was found with her throat slashed.

Michael, thought about the grizzly crime as he prepared to return once again to the scene of the crime. The question upper most in Michael was how to prevent Mary Kelly from being murdered. He had no real plan in mind. He would just have to see how the thing unfolded. Once again Rebekah returned him to Bucks Row, where he planned to stay until he discovered who Jack the Ripper was and put him behind bars.

After some deliberation Michael, went to the Commercial Street Police Station, there he spoke to Sergeant John Blackman and Bobby Hannibal Proctor:

“Good morning, Sergeant, my name is Michael Braden. I would like to aide you in capturing

the fellow who murdered Mary Nichols. I saw her around three in the morning soliciting.

She approached me as I stood on the street corner. I believe she is the first victim of

Jack the Ripper.”

Blackman stared at Proctor:

“Ah, yes Mr. Braden, you are correct can you give us any other information?” Michael, hesitated, then cautiously replied:

“I may have seen the culprit just before Miss Nichols was murdered.”

Blackman, never one to mince words.

“Mr. Braden, whatever you saw, we need to know.”

“All I saw was a shadowy figure, in the mist. It could have been anyone.”

“Very well sir, please be at our disposal until the murderer is caught.”

Michael had already made up his mind he was going to stay, he was going to stop Mary Kelly from being murdered. He had only seen a picture of her once at the home of John Kelly. The picture was of a very small elderly woman with white hair and a sweet smile. Michael, proceeded to Bucks Row, where he intended to question as many people as possible, find a good lead.

Several days later, another prostitute Annie Chapman was murdered. This murder was grizzlier than the first, her uterus was removed her body. She had been hacked up according to the newspaper account. Michael, had been there also, watching, waiting. Once again all he had seen was a shadowy figure. He needed a plan before more prostitutes met their end in the same fashion. Victims began to pile up; as the Ripper took his tole. Michael suspected that since all the victims were prostitutes there had to be some clue he was missing. He had no intention of leaving the White Hall area until had those answers.

Catherine Eddows, another victim was slashed about her face, her uterus and left kidney taken. The question upper most in Michael’s mind was what the common denominator with these women was, besides their profession. Michael returned the Commercial Street Police Station, once again Sergeant Blackman spoke:

“Yes, Catherine Eddows and Annie Chapman had their uterus's remove so what of it man?”

“That is the common denominator, Jack the Ripper is attempting to rid himself of these

women, could it be possible his mother was one?”

“Anything is possible, these murders are getting out of hand. We have been watching Bucks

Row for several weeks, all that anyone has seen is a shadowy figure poised with a knife.

“Have you any theories Mr. Braden?”

“I have several theories what if the Ripper is not a man but a woman?”

“That does not seem likely.”

Michael, waited until Blackman was out of earshot:

“Proctor, it’s more than a theory, would you care to accompany me to Bucks Row? I plan to

follow the shadow I have seen.”

“Oh, surely sir, I will if you wish.”

“Good, I will meet you on Bucks Row at two thirty tomorrow morning.”

Detective John Smythe overheard the conversation between the two men. He thought it was time he paid a visit to his friend Victoria Thackery. Blackman followed Smythe from a distance, he thought perhaps there was some connection to this whole affair between Smythe and Thackery. One way or the other the murders were close to being solved.

Proctor met Braden the misty gray fog hid a great deal from them. Blackman, cleared his throat from behind Braden:

“Mr. Braden, anything yet?”

“No, but I have seen several ladies picking up men.”

“I take Braden you have a theory?”

“Yes, I don’t think the ripper is male, I believe she is a female with a great deal to lose.”

There was a terrifying scream as the three men ran toward the sound. Mary Kelly stood gasping as she continued to scream. Her face was cut up badly, but she was still alive. Braden her a sound as if something were being dropped. He raced toward the sound with Blackman and Proctor. Proctor took Mary Kelly to the hospital while Blackman and Braden pursued the subject.

The shadowy figure lurched down an alley, then disappeared. They hid until they saw a gas light come on in a tenement house. Then something incredible happened, Detective Smythe, went straight up to the same room. Smythe, knocked hard on the door:

“Victoria, open the door immediately.” Smythe rushed in:

“Blackman and Proctor are wise to me. Did you get rid of that bloody knife as I instructed

you?”

Victoria, reached silently behind her, in the blink of an eye, she lunged toward Smythe with the butcher knife. He caught her hand, deflecting the knife. He struck her across the face. She shrunk away from him like a wounded animal. From out of nowhere, Blackman, Proctor and Braden appeared:

“Hold it right there detective Smythe, and Miss, whatever your name is.

“The name is Victoria Thackery.”

Unaware that they had cornered Jack the Ripper, they arrested Smythe. Victoria, grabbed the butcher knife, lunged for Blackman who shot her. Smythe cried in alarm. They were both placed under arrest. Was Victoria Thackery really Jack the Ripper? The evidence certainly pointed to her. They searched her room, finding not only the butcher knife but also a black suit, and bowler hat. Her disguise for murder.

“Why, Miss Thackery did you murder those women?”

“They were in my territory, they were stealing my customers.”

Victoria Thackery was hung after her trial. Smythe, was also hung. Michael Braden was about to leave, when word came that Mary Kelly survived the attack. The cost to Michael was way to much, he had saved Mary Kelly, but had rewritten a chapter in history by uncovering the true Jack the Ripper.