The Shadow Princess by Mary Hart Perry

Author:Mary Hart Perry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION/Romance/Suspense
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 2013-12-18T00:00:00+00:00

21

Thomas used Clancy rather like the cowcatcher on the prow of a steam locomotive—clearing the way before them. The big man shouldered through the crush of bodies, shouting, “Police! Make way there. Step aside.”

Though the technique worked well enough, it also drew anger from the mob around them.

“Lotta good you’ll do!”

“Worthless coppers! Y’ain’t caught Jack yet, has you now?”

Clancy grabbed one man by the throat and gave him a fierce shake.

Thomas clapped his sergeant on the shoulder. “Not now, man! Leave him be.” And they plunged on.

Thomas felt the lingering sting of their accusations. After all, weren’t they true? Three brutal murders as of tonight, if this latest was indeed their man’s work. And they didn’t have a murder weapon, or a physical clue that would hold up in court, a motive, or a man. Just a bunch of theories and a score of lunatics, each one claiming they either were Jack, or knew who was.

It was easy to find the murder scene. Just follow the fast-moving crush of men and women—mostly men. Thomas followed Clancy into Berner Street and finally came up against a horse-drawn police wagon. He looked around. The chief wasn’t yet on the scene. Looked as if he was senior detective so far.

A line of officers stood shoulder to shoulder, blocking off the curious and the furious, shouting and cursing the police at the top of their lungs. Two of his own men immediately spotted him and waved him and Clancy through. Another H Division PC stepped up to him. “PC William Smith,” he identified himself. “She’s just inside Dutfield’s Yard, sir.” She, the victim.

“Did you find the body?” Thomas said.

“No, sir. That would be the steward of the Workers’ Club. He drove a cart into the yard and his horse shied at something. When he got down to investigate, he saw her slumped in the dark corner.”

“I see.” Just like the other two, in a back alleyway, outside where the killer might risk being seen but could make a fast escape by way of the snarl of streets he appeared to know so well. That was why he’d always believed Jack was local to the neighborhood, not a foreigner as the press sometimes claimed.

He moved quickly across the hard-packed dirt yard with Clancy and the other officer following. Enough time had passed that half of his division had gathered at the scene. He worried that this left streets uncovered. “Coroner been round yet?” he shouted over his shoulder, now at a trot.

“No, sir.” The PC lowered his voice. “The steward said the body was still warm when he found her. She was still bleeding. Slit throat.”

They’d missed their man by that little. It occurred to him that they might have passed him on their way here, although it was unlikely. What with the delay of Clancy finding him and then moving through the pedestrian-clogged streets. He hoped to God that Vicky had by now grown tired of waiting, or simply had the good sense to turn back toward the West End.

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