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

noticing him, and a part of her felt an uneasy guilt about it. She was somewhat angry with herself as if she had somehow besmirched the memory of Russell. Still she had allowed herself the luxury of wondering what it might be like for him to hold her in his arms.   
    “Should we leave then and have a go at the Princess Alice and see what we can find out?” said Jonathan.
    “The clouds look like rain, so I do think we should go quickly if we are going to get anything accomplished today,” said Helen.
    Madeline and Jonathan had dropped back behind the ladies, and he said to her in a hushed tone, “I know you have a mind to become a sleuth, so I wondered if you would like to go by the place of Martha Tabram’s attack. I don’t imagine the ladies would like that, but I know you are conducting your investigation of this, aren’t you?”
    “It is a sensitive matter indeed. I think you are right, and it would not be appropriate to take them there, but yes, I would like to go. After knowing me for such a short time, you have made a quick and accurate assessment. I have to say, I have been thinking about Polly and the Ripper during every waking hour. Perhaps it is a necessary distraction or maybe something more; I don’t really know right now what is driving me, maybe it is Mr. Holmes,” she said smiling again at him.
    The Princess Alice was just a short walk from the Britannia and of all the pubs, it could easily claim the title of being the most run down and dirty of them all, despite its lovely name.
    Responding to Jonathan’s inquiry, a young man said he knew of a Polly that came in at least twice a week. He said he remembered her because she was rather loud when she took to the drink and had many men friends.
    Anna blushed and put her head down when he said this, and Helen started fidgeting with her gloves. Once again, they left an address and note in the hopes he would see Polly again soon and pass the information on to her.
    “Anna, Helen,” said Madeline. “Jonathan and I would like to go into some other areas that might be of such a nature, that it might upset you. May we take you home, and then we will return to see you later this afternoon?”
    Helen was about to speak when Anna said, “I know my sister, she would most likely go, but I have seen enough, enough that I am happy to return to the safety of our meager rooms. They no longer look as small as they did before, after seeing how these poor people live.”
    “All right, Anna. Let’s go home,” said Helen.
     
    It had begun to rain, a light rain that came upon them as they arrived at the aunts’ home. Madeline assured Jonathan she still wanted to go back into the heart of Whitechapel. Anna and Helen had invited them to supper upon their return, and they had accepted.
    “You know their niece may not wish to return and live with them, even if you do find her. It becomes a sort of addiction, the nightlife, the drinking. I believe it’s very difficult to leave that life once you have immersed yourself in it,” said Jonathan.
    “I hope that will not be true in Polly’s case. They will be offering her more than just a place to stay; they intend to give her part of their recent inheritance.”
    “That may help, but I have known people close to me who have fallen into the trap of addiction; it can prove almost impossible to return to a life without these influences.”
    “That is too hard a truth to think of right now; I can only hope that it won’t be so with Polly. But, tell me what of your findings about the Ripper?”
    “There is a rumor now that it might even be a member of the royal family that frequents these parts. It seems a prince has a penchant for the ladies. I don’t hold much to that way of thinking.”
    “I agree with you. He would have a carriage and driver. The idea that he would commit murder and then return to his carriage with a bloody knife and clothes seems preposterous.”
    “The mind of one like that is hard to