Detective Inspector Savage beckoned the young police constable to enter his office. ‘What is it, Sidmouth?’ he asked.
‘There’ve been two more, sir,’ replied the constable.
‘I’m not a mind reader, Sidmouth. Two more what?’
‘Two more murders like the one in the house off Fleet Street. That’s five in total.’
‘You mean, five street urchins killed?’
‘No, sir. Three children, a lady of ill repute and an elderly drunk.’
‘So in what way were they similar?’
‘All the bodies were dragged into residential buildings after they were killed.’
Constable Sidmouth had Inspector Savage’s full attention now.
‘Anything taken?’ asked Inspector Savage.
‘No.’
‘What was the method of death?’
‘The same. A throat slit by a sharp blade.’
‘That’s how Heale was killed,’ said Inspector Savage.
‘Heale wasn’t dragged anywhere, though, was he?’
‘No,’ he admitted. ‘But it makes you wonder if Jack Toop isn’t behind all this. Not content with killing one of our own he’s now gone on a killing spree. He’s mocking us with these murders. He’s challenging us.’ Inspector Savage banged his fist down on the desk.
‘That name, sir – Jack Toop,’ said Sidmouth.
‘What about it?’ snapped Inspector Savage.
‘I don’t understand where it came from. We’ve no records of a man of that name ever being arrested. There were no notes as far I can tell. How can you be so sure that’s the name of the man we’re looking for?’
‘I have a reliable source,’ said Inspector Savage irritably. ‘You’re a young man, Sidmouth. Don’t go thinking you know everything yet, because you don’t.’
‘Some of the lads are calling him the Kitchen Killer,’ said Sidmouth.
‘I’m sure the newspapers will appreciate their help, but it isn’t our job to name these people. It’s our job to catch them. It is up to us to find Jack Toop and put a stop to this trail of murder.’
‘You think he’ll strike again, sir?’
‘I have no doubt, Sidmouth. If Jack Toop has declared war on all of us, it’s time for us to retaliate.’
‘But we don’t even know what he looks like.’
‘There’ll be plenty out there who do. I’ll see Jack Toop swing for this if it’s the last thing I do.’
‘If he is the Kitchen Killer, sir.’
‘Stop using that name, Sidmouth. We start giving these animals titles and they’ll start believing they’re important.’
‘Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.’