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

several days old, but they nibbled on them despite this. It gave their fingers something to do in this place so unfamiliar to all of them.
    A bedraggled girl with a stained apron and unkempt black curly hair approached, “Is that all, Mum?”
    “There is one more thing. We are looking for our niece Polly; we hear she sometimes calls herself Penny. Here is a picture of her. I am not sure if the likeness is accurate, but we believe she frequents this establishment with a man named, William. Do you think you might have seen her?”
    “It’s not a thing we like to speak of, Mum. It’s considered the code of silence. People they come here not to be found or talked about. It’s why they comes here.”
    “We understand that, but we are not seeking her for any purpose that would be unfavorable to her. Her aunts have come into some money, and they wish to share it with her. I’m sure you can understand that she might wish to show herself when she hears of this.”
    “That’s another thing entirely. I might know her. I’ll write an address down for you. I think she might have a room with another lady around Buck’s Row.”
    Anna stood and unexpectedly took the girls hands and squeezed them, thanking her over and over.
    “May I have another bourbon and soda, Miss?” asked Madeline.
    Then she turned to Anna and Helen and said, “I think we are making progress, ladies, don’t you?”
    Helen was about to speak when she gestured over towards the bar, “I do believe that might be Jonathan.”
    They turned and looked towards where she had pointed, Madeline hoping in her heart she was right.
    “I’m not going to sit here and wonder about it, I’ll go to see if it is,” said Helen.
    Helen was the most gregarious of all the ladies and the most forthright. The last few days had emboldened her even further, and she appeared to be at home with her new independence.
      Helen touched his arm, and Madeline watched as he smiled at Helen, the two then returning to their table.
    “Jonathan, what brings you to this place—your story about the Ripper?”
    “No, I was looking for you, well, all of you. I have left several messages at your hotel, and when I didn’t hear a response, I was concerned. I went again this morning, and Clinton told me where you had gone. I can tell you I was not completely shocked, but I became, even more, concerned and wanted to see all of you.”
    “I have not checked my hotel messages; it didn’t occur to me that anyone would leave me one. I apologize for that. I thought you would be too busy, with you news story, to be in touch with us.”
    “I have been working long hours, but I meant what I said about being a bodyguard of sorts, if I am able. I know you are all capable women, but still, this is a hostile environment even for men, let alone ladies.”
    “It hasn’t been pleasant, but we have some leads to our Polly. Do you have any to your Ripper?” asked Anna.
    “It seems just about everyone who has ever broken a law is suspect, and anyone who might have knowledge of how to dissect a carcass of some sort, human or animal. But as he has not struck again, there is some talk that he may have left London due to the extensive search for him.”
    “That would be the easy answer. If only that could be true, but after having spent a little time down here, it seems it is a place ripe for the taking place of a crime. Accessibility to women is easy, and comes cheap because there is so much desperation,” said Madeline.
    “May I join you in your search? I have to be down here, so perhaps we can try to achieve mutual needs,” said Jonathan.
    “That would be wonderful, I will feel so much better with you with us,” said Anna.
    “Yes, I think we all feel that way,” said Madeline at she smiled at Jonathan.
    She looked at him, as if for the first time, and thought she had never realized how ruggedly handsome he was. She supposed she had not allowed herself to think of him in that way, but now she was