A few days later, his wife and daughter received a visit from two police officers. The men told the crying Marni and their ten year old daughter that the laboratory Jasper had been using exploded. Jasper was last seen inside and after the fire was contained, a body was found. The remains of the body were so damaged by the fire that identifying the body would be difficult without DNA testing.
The test was done (Jasper arranged for the records to reflect that it was indeed him) and Jasper was pronounced dead. He would regret later that his daughter had to experience the loss of her father but at that moment, he felt the decision he had made was done in the best interest of everyone.
His next step, he decided, was to find Jack. He would finish the job he had started in their kitchen – the job that was interrupted before the bullet had the opportunity to finish its task.
Then, who knew? Time was limitless.
CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN
London, England – August 1888
Jasper went to Whitechapel Road just before the moment Jack arrived the first time. In the shadows, Jasper observed Jack as he retched upon arrival. He almost laughed at the memory of Jack’s device originally causing extreme disorientation followed by nausea.
Jasper followed Jack for two hours as he wandered the streets of the East End. After some time, Jack disappeared, returning back to his own time to explain everything to an excited Jasper.
It was strange watching Jack. This was the Jack that he had once known, before Jack became the Ripper. He was intrigued with the prospect of watching that process.
Jasper went back to Jack’s second trip to London. He hung back and could feel the exhilaration of the moment. He knew this particular trip was the one in which Jack learned he was the Ripper. The thought of watching Jack transform into that legendary person was euphoric.
Jasper turned north and followed Jack down the street. They reached Buck’s Row where the first victim of Jack the Ripper would be found.
Jack reacted as if he heard something and turned sharply. Jasper knew he could not see him as he was tucked away neatly in the shadows. Jack opened the gateway and Jasper followed him slowly down the path towards the stables.
Jasper was elated. This was the moment: this is when Jack would become renowned.
Jasper watched Jack crouch down in the shadows between the house and the school near the gateway. He was absolutely still for a moment. Then, both Jasper and he heard the footsteps. Jasper knew who it was but Jack had not seen her yet.
The footsteps came closer, until they were right next to Jack. In the moonlight was a woman. Jasper was mesmerized at the surreal moment.
Jack rose and walked out from the shadows. The woman saw him and Jasper could tell he had startled her but then she relaxed and smiled. That’s when Jasper first heard the voice of Polly Nichols.
Jasper watched as the scene progressed and witnessed the crescendo – Polly’s murder. Through the act, Jasper gained a greater understanding of Jack, as well as a new respect for him.
Jasper changed his mind about killing Jack right away. His direction in life had changed. First, he would learn from Jack. Then, he would kill him – and replace him in history.
CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT
Washington, D.C. – November 1921
Vincent was lost. He had just seen Wilson killed in front of him – his throat slashed swiftly before he even had time to react. They had gone there to kill Phillips. Instead, Wilson was now dead, killed by a man whom Vincent did not know.
It was more than the causality paradox. It was more than coincidence. The man who appeared just after they did knew they were going to be there. He knew who they were. But how? Did he know why they were there? Why else would he have killed Wilson?
Vincent needed answers. Only he didn’t know where to get them. Not only that, he didn’t know where to go.
He had thought of Wilson’s home and had gone there but he knew he couldn’t stay. It was bad enough that the police were investigating Jack’s murder. How would he be able to explain that since he had begun living there that one man in the house had been murdered and the owner of the home had disappeared? Two men from one household would be way beyond coincidence. Wilson’s home wouldn’t be safe either. The man who was there with Phillips obviously knew who they were and so would know where Wilson lived.
He didn’t know where to go.
The man was a time traveler; that much was certain. The man had appeared which gave evidence enough. But as Wilson had told him – those who could travel were drawn to one another. He could feel the man’s presence. It was something Vincent could not put into words but that didn’t mean the natural connection between them didn’t exist.
Vincent had no idea from where or what time the man came. There was really nowhere safe. If the man knew they were coming to the police station what else did he know? Did he have a way of tracking them?
Vincent didn’t know what was real. He was a man without a time and without a place to call home. But one thing was sure: he had to leave. He would figure it out later.
If Jasper could have seen Vincent at that moment, how he would have laughed. The joke was that he was behind all of their discomfort. Jasper knew the exact moment when Jack would kill Libby Williams. At the moment of her death, Jasper turned
