Jack the Ripper - Scene 103
WARNING: Mortuary scene!
(Scene 103 - Walford General Hospital - Mortuary. DCI Marsden congratulates herself silently, since the murders began, her stomach has become stronger and she can now keep marvellous composure even when faced with something as gruesome as a torso that has been in the canal for approximately a week).
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Pathologist: I would say, she was murdered sometimes early October.
DCI Marsden: Any idea why only now you saw her Gem?
Gem N: No. I hadn’t expected another murder so soon. But then he only claimed one victim didn’t he at Angie’s Den. I feared he would strike again, but I felt none of the warning sensations. It has something to do with her mobile phone. A mistake, the murderer has made a mistake this time!
(The mobile phone, batteries now flat and in need of recharging is packed in a plastic bag awaiting forensics. Gem N closes her eyes to concentrate).
Gem N: She was talking to the murderer…in this hospital…she knew the murderer…somehow…and yet, this murder is different somehow. More personal…perhaps…? Tell me can you definitely confirm that the same man killed this woman as the previous ones?
Pathologist: Well the deep cut from groin to chest echoes that which we’re previously seen with the other victims. Of course we know he’d been trying to decapitate at least two of the other victims…
Gem N: But he’s gone beyond decapitating this one? Legs and arms gone too.
Pathologist: Possibly to avoid the body being identified. If it hadn’t been for the discovery of the mobile phone on the bank of the canal…he might’ve gotten away with this one not being discovered.
Gem N: That’s what I saw then, the mobile phone being found. And the name Nina Harris.
DCI Marsden: I’ve looked into her background. Ex-prostitute, helped the police to nail her pimp. Came to Walford to live with relations who’ve now left and became involved whilst working at The Vic with Grant Mitchell. Only Grant discovered what Nina had been working as previously, and he publicly humiliated her. Rumour has it that Nina attempted to blackmail Grant. He fled to Rio during all the trouble with loan sharks and whilst his brother was in hospital….
Pathologist: This Grant Mitchell. Pretty strong, fit bloke?
DCI Marsden: My sources inform me he works out in the gym regularly, lifts weights and jogs every morning.
(The pathologist nods).
Pathologist: Whoever did this, is very strong. It takes quite a lot of strength to remove the limbs and head in this fashion. He’s confident and he knows what he’s doing, such precision with the amputations…like he’s done something like this before…but how?
(Marsden looks at Gem N, then it suddenly dawns on Marsden).
DCI Marsden: A slaughterhouse! Grant Mitchell, correct me if I’m wrong, worked in a slaughterhouse! He’d know how to chop things up wouldn’t he…?
(For the first time since she’s started on this case she smiles. She scarcely listens to the Pathologist as he sums up his report regarding the removal of kidneys, the spleen and heart. Gem N shudders as she looks upon the remains. This murder is different she thinks, personal…and….again she asks).
Gem N: Did the same man commit this murder as the others?
Pathologist: Like I’ve said the incision__
Gem N: Forget about the incision. You must be able to tell me whether you believe the same person responsible for this crime.
DCI Marsden: You think we might have a copy cat on our hands?
Pathologist: I wouldn’t say it’s a copy cat. This person is experienced at killing. Same slit to the throat, same knife used…
DCI Marsden: Then I think we’ve just got our man!