Murders in London

Zack Bishop sipped from a tea cup as he read the day’s newspaper.

“Sir?” a kind voice asked, and Zack glanced up from his paper. Standing there was a lovely looking young woman, with blond hair, blue eyes, and an attractive slimness to her.

“Yes, ma’am?” Zack asked courteously in his British accent.

“Are you Detective Bishop, the renowned genius who’s never left a case unsolved?” the blue eyed girl asked in a similar accent.

“Indeed I am. What can I do for you?” Zack asked, gesturing to the seat across from him. He was sitting in a little cafe, merely enjoying some tea.

“Sir... there’s been murders. Three of them. I was hoping you could figure out who’s behind this. Some of my friends are dead at this cruel, cruel man’s hand, Detective.” the woman said sadly.

“What’s your name, love?” Zack asked.

“Lady Ashley Woodsen of Azure Heights.” the girl said politely.

“The Heights? I used to live there. Have you met a Lady Monica Bishop? She’s my mother, you see.” Zack asked.

“Oh, Lady Bishop? She’s lovely. A bit sad her two eldest children left, but she spends her days happy with her new child. Only three or so years old, I’d guess.” Ashley said.

“Yes, that sounds about right.” Zack nodded.

“So... will you look into the murders, Detective?” Ashley asked hopefully.

“Of course, ma’am. Did you know all the victims?” Zack asked.

“Yes, sir, but only two of them were my friends.” Ashley answered.

“What are the names of the deceased?” Zack asked, grabbing a pen and paper.

“Well, there’s Sharon Miller, the prostitute, there’s Lady Bianca Zuccaro, who’s quite well-known, though not well liked, and Lady Madison Cole, who’s the opposite of Lady Bianca.” Ashley reported.

“Thank you. Now, where did the murders take place?” Zack asked.

“No clue, sir. The police found the... the bodies down by the waterfront.” Ashley said shakily.

“I see. Thank you, madam.” Zack nodded, and headed towards his flat, where he discovered Chloe McRose, his partner, already there.

“Detective. Anything?” Chloe asked in her lilting British accent.

“Yes, actually. A trio of murders, I’m afraid. Two of the victims were noble ladies, the third a common prostitute. My current theory is that the ladies were the targets, and the prostitute discovered the murder taking place, and was killed as a consequence.” Zack deducted.

“Where did the murders take place?” Chloe inquired.

“I’m not sure. The bodies were recovered at the waterfront, but my informant made no mention of evidence saying the crime happened there.” Zack mused.

“Who is your informant?” Chloe asked.

“Lady Ashley Woodsen. Lives up in Azure Heights, near my mum’s place.” Zack answered.

“I do hope your mother’s alright. She and her new baby don’t deserve to die.” Chloe said.

“In my experience, McRose, very few people deserve to die, but many die anyway.” Zack said, a shadow crossing his face as he headed out of the flat, setting off towards the waterfront.

———

Zack, with Chloe on his heels, arrived at the waterfront quickly. Police were still swarming the area, and Zack nodded towards Chloe surreptitiously. She nodded back, and walked right up to the chief of police. Zack watched in mild amusement as his partner pretended to freak out at the sight of blood. The police chief took his partner towards the medics, and Zack seized the opportunity to slip past the police.

He would find out what happened to those girls.

———

Zack met up with McRose at the local tavern.

“Anything?” she asked as he sat down at the bar.

“Want some bourbon?” the bartender asked.

“Water’s fine.” Zack shook his head. The bartender nodded and went to get Zack a water.

“There was this at the waterfront.” Zack said, and placed on the bar a cigar box for a local, exclusive club: the Raven Moon.

The place was ran by business mogul Robert Ravers officially, but everyone knew that his daughter, the esteemed Lady Heather Ravers, ran it while Robert dealt with his companies.

“The Raven Moon, huh? Think you can get us entrance?” Chloe asked.

“Yes. We’ll need finer clothes, though. They respect wealth in that viper nest, and we need to look the part.” Zack explained, and McRose nodded.

———

That night, Zack, in a formal suit, met Chloe at the Raven Moon. She looked unusually stunning in a corseted emerald gown that complimented her flame red hair, which was up in an elegant bun.

“Welcome to the Raven Moon.” the security said, and looked the two young adults over.

“Names?” he asked.

“I am Lord Zachary Bishop, and this is my wife, Lady Chloe Bishop.” Zack said smoothly.

“Bishops? How interesting. The Lady Paris Bishop is also in attendance tonight.” the guard said, watching Zack carefully.

“Excellent! I haven’t seen my cousin in a long while.” Zack said, and offered his arm to his newfound wife, who took it and gave him a very convincing, loving smile. What a good actress McRose was.

Zack and Chloe continued into the club arm in arm, for they seemed to have wandered into a den of sin. Women in promiscuous outfits danced along platforms that had support poles sticking out from them. How odd.

Across the room, on a raised platform, sat Lady Heather Ravers. Her well-known breasts were being shown off in a promiscuous black dress which showed off much of Heather’s chest and a lot of cleavage. Zack forced his gaze away from the lady of this place, and his gaze landed on his cousin, Lady Paris Bishop. She wore a silver dress that she looked radiant in, and she spoke happily with an unfamiliar man.

He was not somebody from Azure Heights, that’s for sure. Something stirred in the back of Zack’s mind, but it slipped away before he could recall it.

“Split up and look for clues.” Zack murmured in Chloe’s ear, and the ginger girl nodded at Zack, before plunging into the crowd.

Seeing no better options, Zack headed towards Lady Heather Ravers. She gave him an appraising look as he approached her little dais.

“Detective. Welcome to Raven Moon. I don’t suppose you’d like a drink?” Heather offered. Zack shook his head.

“Bad for business, drinking. I need my head clear to solve cases. Lady Ravers, I’m looking into the murders of Sharon Miller, Bianca Zuccaro, and Madison Cole. A matchbox with your club’s logo on it was found where the bodies were dumped. I was curious if you knew where I could find some information regarding that.” Zack explained. Heather tilted her head.

“I’m afraid most people don’t gossip about successfully pulling off a crime. If you’re looking for information, you should go see the Heights Happenings. The newspaper place. Their reporters are good.” Heather suggested.

“Thank you. I’ll go check that out. My partner is here, Chloe McRose. Red hair, emerald green dress? Could you ensure she remains safe? And pass along my location if she asks, but not before then.” Zack said, and strolled out of the crowded club, heading towards Azure Heights, where hopefully, answers awaited.

———

When Zack knocked on the door of the Heights Happenings publishing office, it was opened by a pretty young woman about Zack’s age.

She had long, wavy dark brown hair and green eyes. Her medium sized breasts were prominent in the tight dress she wore, and she was quite beautiful.

“Hello, sir. I’m Ms. Alice Phillips. How can I help you?” she asked politely.

“I’m Detective Zack Bishop, and I was wondering what you can tell me about the murders of Sharon Miller, Bianca Zuccaro, and Madison Cole.” Zack explained.

“Not much, I’m afraid, Detective. The murders of high-born women are causing some unrest in the Heights specifically. Things could go sour quickly. Another reporter, Ms. Walker, is off trying to collect information on the chaos.” Alice explained.

“I see. Thank you.” Zack nodded.

Just as Zack was about to head back to the Raven Moon, he heard a voice say his name.

“Zack.”

“Zack.

“Zack!”

———

“Time to get up, honey.” Monica said, and gave Zack a light kiss on the lips.

“Alright, alright. Gotta go see that waterfall, I know.” Zack sighed. He glanced at the sunlight streaming through the material of the tent, and groaned at how early it was.