Phillips looked at Jack. There was something about the way that Jack mentioned the slitting of women’s throats. It was almost as if the thought excited him.
Phillips studied Jack closer and observed that Jack was calm. He noted that Jack had been tranquil the entire time. It’s strange how his temperament never changes. He had no reason to be suspicious of Jack but he was used to investigating crimes and something about Jack generated apprehension.
Phillips decided to push Jack a little further to see if anything he said stood out. “What else do you know of the Ripper murders?”
Jack detected Phillips interest and decided to be coy. “Only what I read in the papers in America. They were ghastly. Several of the American papers showed pictures of the victims. Also, the papers printed letters from the Ripper. Imagine bragging of cutting off body parts before the murder and then doing so. The Ripper is a monster! The fact that he mailed the police one of the body parts shows what a monster he is.”
Phillips agreed. “He is indeed a monster.”
“Well,” Jack said changing the subject, “are we done here?”
Phillips indicated that they were.
“Well, then,” Jack said, “if the officers would take the body back to your station, you and I have an engagement at the Golden Goose.”
Phillips thanked Jack for his time and his valuable information. “You may be asked to attend court to present this evidence if we can prove that Chapman administered the compound.”
“Of course. I’m happy to assist.”
The two accompanying officers folded the bag around the body and loaded the body into the carriage. Jack and Phillips watched the carriage’s return to the East End until it disappeared around a bend in the road. When it was gone, Phillips looked at Jack. “Shall we?”
“Indeed, we shall.”
Both men pulled their cloaks tighter against the wind as they walked towards the Golden Goose. As they walked, Phillips kept thinking back to the feeling he had inside Jack’s office. He hadn’t noticed at first but as they walked he recalled how smoothly Jack had transitioned the conversation from Jack the Ripper to ending the inspection and then to the Golden Goose. Again, he had no reason to suspect Jack of anything but the feeling in his gut was still there.
The Golden Goose was three blocks from Jack’s office. At the entrance to the pub, Jack held the door for Phillips but Phillips insisted that Jack go first. Jack entered the doorway and had to duck to avoid hitting the upper doorframe with his head. For the first time, Phillips noticed how tall Jack was. He has to be the tallest person I have ever seen. He looked down in the snow at Jack’s footprints. The print was vast.
He followed Jack inside of the Golden Goose and the two approached the bar. It was obvious that Jack was a regular as many of the men inside knew him, including the bartender.
“Morning, Charles,” Jack said to the bartender.
“Good morning, Jack,” the bartender replied. “You’re in a little early today aren’t you?”
Jack smiled. “It’s never too early for ale, my good man.” Jack turned and looked back at Phillips. “Charles, may I present to you Dr. Bagster Phillips with Scotland Yard.”
Phillips removed his cap at the introduction and moved to the bar, shaking hands with Charles.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir,” Charles said to Phillips. “You do not have an envious job but I for one appreciate your willingness to take such employment. You are to be commended for the work that you undertake daily.”
Phillips bowed and thanked Charles for his kind compliment.
“Two warmed ales please, Charles.” Jack said to the bartender after the introductions were complete. Charles winked at Jack and then Jack led Phillips to the back of the pub near the roaring fireplace.
The Golden Goose was thinly populated that particular morning and Jack was able to find two chairs next to the fire. Between the chairs was a medium sized table upon which Charles set the warmed ales.
The two men sipped their ale in silence for a few minutes, enjoying the warmth of both the ale and the fire. “Nothing quite like fire and ale, eh?” Jack asked Phillips breaking the silence.
“Indeed not,” Phillips said. He took a moment to look around the room of the pub. “This is a fine pub. I have not had the pleasure of visiting before but I have heard others speak of this place.”
“To the Golden Goose,” Jack said, raising his glass in a toast.
“To the Golden Goose,” Phillips repeated raising his glass as well. Then, both men drained their glasses.
They set the empty mugs on the table and Jack looked at Phillips. “Would you like another? After all, it is your coin.”
Phillips shrugged indicating why not?
Jack called out to Charles and when he had Charles’ attention, he pounded on the table twice. Charles nodded and drew two more pints.
As they waited for the ale to arrive, Jack turned and looked into the fire. Jack had done nothing unusual but something about Jack caused Phillips to stop and take a better look. Jack’s profile caught his attention.
Jack didn’t notice the stare and Phillips took a good look. Something from his past came to him but then fled. It nearly came to him again but before it returned, Charles arrived with the ale.
“I assume you’re running a tab?” Charles asked directing his question at Jack. Jack smiled at what was apparently an inside joke and he nodded at Phillips.
“Yes, I would like to run a tab,” Phillips replied.
Charles pointed his finger mockingly at Jack, at which Jack laughed.
Jack took a sip of his ale and then turned his attention back to
