Stalking Jack: The Hunt Begins... (Madeline Donovan Mysteries Book 1) by Madison Kent Page B

thoughts?”
    “Perhaps if I can locate Phillip, he or his cousin Hugh can escort us here tonight?”
    “Phillip is a dear one. He probably would do it, but do you think we should burden him with such a personal matter?”
    “Anna, he is to be trusted. I can tell you that with all conscience. I think it is worth a try to ask him. I will take a Hansom and return with my answer. If he agrees, then we will meet at your residence around eleven or thereabouts.”
     
    It proved only to be a ten-minute carriage ride until she was at Phillip’s building. He lived on the first floor of a brick flat that was home to twenty or so residents and their individual rooms. Their place was large with two bedrooms and a sitting room, a small kitchen and bath.
    “Mrs. Donovan, come in. I had hoped you would visit, but weren’t certain you would want to come to this part of our city,” said Phillip.
    He looked even younger in his dark blue sweater and casual pants, but his warm smile was inviting as always.
    “Phillip, I’ve come with a request, and it is an urgent one. Anna and Helen’s niece, Polly, has the unfortunate circumstance to be about in Whitechapel making her way in the world by not the most gracious of means. They are worried to the bone about her now that the Ripper has chosen the same location to do these unspeakable deeds,” said Madeline.
    “What is it, Mrs. Donovan, I will certainly give my help if I am able.”
    “We have been told that she frequents the Ten Bells later in the evening, somewhere around the midnight hour. At least, we think it’s her. The barkeep there gave us the only positive information we received, and we searched all day for her in and around Commercial Street. We’d like to go there, but would not consider it without a male escort, and we hoped your or perhaps your cousin, Hugh, could accompany us there.”
    “That is an unexpected request. I don’t even like to go there myself. I tell my chums I’m not interested if they venture there, but I won’t disappoint you. Hugh should be returning within the hour; I will also enlist his help. I am not sure what he will think of it, but I will ask. I am just a young male, Mrs. Donovan, not much of a figure to scare the likes of someone like that or any other mugger.”
    “There is safety also in the numbers we will go in. There will be at least four of us. I think most predators prefer their victims to be influenced by some intoxication and look for them to be alone.”
    “If I may have the address then, I will be on your doorstep promptly at eleven tonight.”
    “Fine, fine—it is a great relief to have your company, for I think I would have attempted it even without your help.”
    “Oh, no, Mum, don’t ever do a thing like that. I know, Hugh, he’s pragmatic and sober. He would never leave a lady without aid in a situation like this. Please assure me you will ask his help.”
    “If he is as personable as you say, Phillip, and if he is anything like you, I should do so without hesitation. Thank you, and I will see you shortly.”
     
    When she returned to the Hotel George, she was physically drained, but mentally she was stirred and even though she attempted a quick nap, she could not rest. Her thoughts kept swirling around Mary Ann and all the other vulnerable ladies who would find themselves each night at the mercy of this dog who was terrorizing Whitechapel and all of London.
     
     

Chapter Four
    Into the Night
     
     
    August 18, 1888
    I have seen the squalor of Whitechapel. It is far worse than I could have imagined. The stench from gas, rotting corpses of rats and other diseased animals bites the nostrils and makes one wish to run from the area. The hopeless look on the faces of those I have seen there is distressing, and one cannot help but think about their forlorn eyes. The grieving of my fellow humans brings me even further sadness, but also a purpose that if I cannot alleviate my grief, perhaps I may still be of some use on