Echoes of the Ripper: The Long Shadow by Lee Brook

Author:Lee Brook [Brook, Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Middleton Park Press
Published: 2023-11-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

After the babysitter, who showed curiosity mingled with a hint of apprehension, stepped aside, allowing the detectives to enter, she led them into the living room, where toys were scattered across the floor, evidence of children’s play.

“What’s your name, and how old are you, love?” Smith asked.

“I’m Jenny, and I’m sixteen; why?”

With a sense of gravity hanging heavy in the air, Smith asked, “Can you call your parents and ask if they can come here, love?”

The young girl, clearly taken aback by the unexpected request, pulled out her mobile, and after a short moment, Smith could hear a concerned voice on the other end. “Everything OK, love?”

“I need you to come to Lauren’s, Mum, the police are here.”

“OK, love, I’ll be right round,” the voice replied.

The detectives, Smith and Atkinson, waited patiently, not that it took that long for Jenny’s mother, a short blonde woman with glasses, to arrive.

As they settled in the living room, Smith explained the situation. “I’m Detective Superintendent Jim Smith, and this is Detective Chief Inspector Alistair Atkinson. We’re here because something has happened to Lauren.”

The babysitter’s eyes widened with concern. “What’s happened? Is she OK?”

Atkinson took over, his voice gentle yet resolute. He looked at Jenny’s mother as he spoke. “Lauren had an incident earlier this evening. She was attacked. We’re naturally concerned and need to gather as much information as possible.”

The babysitter’s mother nodded, her worry deepening. “Oh my, that’s awful. Is she hurt?”

Smith continued, “Yes, she was badly injured, but we’re doing everything possible to find her attacker.”

The babysitter’s eyes widened further, and she clasped her hands together. The mother put her arm around her daughter and said, “Oh my goodness, I had no idea. Is she going to be OK?”

Smith assured her, “She’s on the way to Bradford Royal Infirmary with people doing their best to ensure her safety.” He turned to Jenny. “But we need your help. If you notice anything unusual or if you see anyone acting strangely tonight, I need you to let us know. Your cooperation is crucial to this investigation.”

The babysitter nodded, her resolve firm. “Of course, I’ll help in any way I can. But I’m sorry, I’ve been in with the kids all night. Lauren went out.”

“Did she have a boyfriend?” asked Atkinson.

Jenny shook her head.

“A partner?” asked Smith.

“No, nobody. She was single.”

“Where did she go out?” asked Smith.

“Into town,” Jenny explained. “Every other week, she goes into Bingley with her mate, Olive.” She shrugged. “Babysitting is a nice little earner for me, and the twins are really well-behaved.”

“We never have any trouble, and with us only living next door, I can always pop over if Jen needs any help,” said the mother.

“Do you have a contact for Olive?” Smith asked, but Jenny shook her head. “Does Lauren have any family?”

Again, Jenny shook her head. She was about to explain something when her mother interrupted her. “Lauren doesn’t have any family, Detective. Other than Olive, we’re about as close a family as she has.”

“Then I need to ask a favour of you,” Smith said, and the mother nodded.

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