Author: Crimson Vampire Goddess
Rating: R to NC-17
Disclaimer: I, Crimson Vampire Goddess, being of unsound mind and a body of no-one's fricking business, hereby declare that though I play with the story and the characters they, unfortunately, in no way belong to me.

"I want every veterinarian, butcher, and furrier in the district interviewed." Tara gave orders to a room full of constables.

"Furrier? What'd he do skin her?" One of the younger constables joked.

"Pipe down, Harris. When the inspector is talking you are listening; do you understand?" Godley said harshly.

"Yes, sir." Harris responded quietly.

"He disemboweled her. After he cut her throat he stabbed her in the chest. Then he cut open her stomach and took out her intestines..."

"...at least one of her organs was removed." She finished turning to face the chief.

"I'm waiting for the police surgeon's report for more details." She added as she sat in one of the chairs facing his desk.

"I see. Well one thing's for certain, an Englishman didn't do it." The chief said lighting a cigarette.

"Maybe one of these..." He said picking up a paper with drawings of cowboys and a heading that read "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" from his desk and holding it up for Tara to see.

"...red Indians wondered into Whitechapel and indulged his natural inclinations."

"With all due respect, sir; I believe this was done by someone with at least a working knowledge of dissection. However an educated man such as a doctor or..."

"An educated man? That's preposterous. No well bred man would do this." The chief interrupted.

"Probably a tradesman or a butcher."

"A tradesman is a possibility, sir, yes. But there is a strong indication against it. There was a stem of grapes found under her body." Tara said.

"What are you getting at?" The Chief asked.

"No one in Whitechapel, no matter what their trade, could afford grapes. Obviously they were given to her by the killer and it follows that he must be someone with money." Tara said.

"What about the Jews? A Jew butcher, or a Jew tailor might have money. There are plenty of them in Whitechapel." The Chief suggested.

"Well, sir, for the sake of public safety in general; I'd like to be careful about spreading the rumors that it might be a Jew." Tara said quietly.

"Inspector, I know your reputation for making brilliant guesses that turn out to be right. Someone told me you claim to dream the answers. Frankly, I don't care what your methods are but be certain you don't proceed without proof. Is that clear? Personally, I don't care; the fewer nobodies on the streets the better. But the sooner you find this butcher or tailor, Inspector, the sooner we can all celebrate your promotion. Now, keep me informed." The chief said ending the conversation and dismissing Tara.

Over the next few days the news papers printed the story of the murders and the similarities suggesting the same killer. Speculations about who had carried out the gruesome murders spread through the streets causing mass hysteria and mobs searching for a murderer in every cellar and every stable to no avail.

Tara tried to relax by sitting in a hot bath for a while and having a drink. She poured some absinth and a few drops of laudanum into a glass topped with a sugar cube on a small metal strip on a small table next to her tub. Lighting a match she melted the sugar cube and mixed it into the liquid with the metal strip. After about three sips she was in her own world.

*Flash*

She was laying in bed next to a beautiful blond they looked deeply into each other's eyes. The blond reached out and caressed the side of Tara's face.

"I want us to be together forever. Promise me that? Promise me forever?" The woman asked.

"Your father will never approve." Tara said regretfully.

"We don't need his permission; we can run away. It would be an adventure." The blond said excitedly.

"Okay, Kate, I promise you forever and not a day less." Tara said leaning over to kiss Kate passionately.

*End Flash*