1 The Letters of Missy Shelling
Dear Mr Roberts,
There have been recent concerns from among the staff members regarding the new string of murders, plaguing the town. It would be highly appreciated if a statement was issued, from your home, that the current situation has been acknowledged and that changes will be made to ensure the safety of all the employees at the Winter Garden Community Medical Surgery.
I strongly advise the use of action and a new work timetable to either close the Surgery early, by either reducing work hours, or opening the building earlier in the morning. Know very well that this is your choice, and your action to take.
Yours Sincerely,
Missy Shelling
4th August 1884
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Dear Mr Roberts,
I regret to inform you of the recent death of our newest nurse, Mrs Mary Briggins. I am sure that you have already have had the displeasure of gleaming the gruesome details in the paper, but I feel a personal obligation, as your Head Nurse, to keep you informed of the situation.
Mrs Briggins was unfortunately another victim of the Lakeside Ripper, and was first caught, according to police, by the infamous serial killer, at approximately 11:00 pm, at night time, specifically against police recommendation, and during her journey home from the Surgery. She was killed swiftly by a blow to the head, before her body was desecrated with several slits made in her abdomen and her intestines removed, noted by Inspector Henley to be made with surgical precision.
Whether you appreciate my actions or not, these women are my responsibility, and I will take actions to honour the life of Mrs Briggins, and I will be closing the Surgery no later than 6:00 pm, to ensure that all staff members will be in their homes, no later than 8:00 pm.
If you disagree with such a policy, then I invite you to leave your home and discuss any further alterations to the new programme at the Surgery.
Yours Sincerely,
Missy Shelling
10th August 1884
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Dear Ms Shelling,
Your services are no longer required.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr Daniel Roberts
12th August 1884
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Dear Ms Shelling,
We are not of acquaintance so therefore, I will first introduce myself. My name is Melissa Briggins, the daughter of the late Mary Briggins that was once in your company. Forgive my somewhat callous attitude, but as a bastard daughter with several legitimate siblings, you must understand that I hold some reservations towards my late mother.
I have recently arrived in this town, and I am unfamiliar with the custom. I would like to discuss the incident of my mother's death with a lady who is fully aware of the surrounding situation, and context.
I understand any possible scepticism, especially my claim towards relation with the late Mary Briggins due to her perceived impeccable character, but I am sure that any doubts will vanish from your mind as soon as we meet. I am told that I look quite like my late mother. Moreover, I keep a locket with her picture, handwriting, and a lock of hair, if there is a demand for physical evidence of our relation.
I must also warn you Ms Shelling that the Lakeside Ripper is aware of my presence in this town, and will likely make me one of his victims, due to my association with the late Mary Briggins. I will be at the Three Iron Inn, every afternoon.
Yours Sincerely,
Melissa Briggins
15th August 1884
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My dear Melissa,
I have done as you have asked, and I have reviewed all the correspondence between myself and Mr Daniel Roberts. Enclosed with this letter, is a parcel, containing copies of all our letters. I have personally reviewed all of these letters, and I cannot say, in confidence, that my former employer can possibly occupy the position of the Lakeside Ripper. It is simply not possible.
My lunch with you, yesterday, was simply divine, my love. You have an excellent voice and a mouth, perfectly suited to the art of speech. I must say, for a bastard, you certainly are well-spoken, but you should know that you will never be able to compete with any of your legitimate siblings.
If I may enquire of whom your other parent is, by chance?
Yours Sincerely,
Missy Shelling
19th August 1884
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Dear Ms Shelling,
My name is David Greenwich, fiancé of Melissa Briggins, and editor of the Sunday Globe.
I would firstly like to thank you for assisting my fiancé with her investigation into her family history, as well as your contributions towards the Lakeside Ripper case. The current number of victims has exceeded ten, and the Sunday Globe is becoming increasingly agitated.
My fiancé's mother, the late Mrs Briggins, was one of the victims, and as her head of staff, I would, under usual circumstances, invite you to the newspaper office to give an interview, however, as we are currently living under uncertain times, I would like to keep this exchange strictly confined to letters. You do not have to answer all my questions, but I would certainly appreciate any information which you are willing to volunteer.
Who was the late Mary Briggins?
Was she a good employee?
Why was she discharged from her shift at 9:00 pm, against police advisement?
Were there any changes made by the Winter Garden Community Medical Surgery in response to the initial murders?
Were there any changes made, after the murder?
What was the reason for your sudden dismissal from your position?
In light of the new information, released by police, informing to the public that all the victims so far had some scandal in their history, has your opinion of Mary Briggins changed?
Were you aware of Mary Briggins' scandalous youth?
Yours Sincerely,
David Greenwich
20th August 1884
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My Dear Melissa,
I have recently replied to your fiancé's queries, and I must say, I was not expecting for you to have an engagement to such a dashing gentleman. If I were fourty years younger, I would have attempted to dance with him during the summer dance.
However, the purpose of this letter is to inform you of more serious topics. I will first re-iterate my previous grievance with you, Mr Roberts is not the Lakeside Ripper. The man is a coward, a greedy buffoon who has refused to leave his mansion for over one month now. There is a Miss Bella May, the daughter of Mrs Charlotte May, the Head Mistress at the Lakeside Catholic Primary School, who is under the employ of Mr Roberts as a cook. She can confirm this as she has been in keeping with her mother, while living in the Robert's Mansion.
I do however, have another suspect. There is a certain Doctor William Alcatraz who was once the Chief Medical Advisor at the Winter Garden Community Medical Surgery, who left the town in disgrace ten years ago, after burning part of the building, after knocking a candle into a puddle of brandy, in his office. One elderly patient, unfortunately perished within the flames, Mr Roberts' father, the late Mr Benjamin Roberts. I have recently been informed that he has been spotted, down at the market, by Mrs Henderson, a retired tailor and a good friend of mine.
Doctor Alcatraz has the motive of wanting revenge on the town, for besieging him with the blame of the fire and the patient death, making him, in my opinion, the perfect murder suspect.
Yours sincerely,
Missy Shelling
24th August 1884
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My dearest love,
Firstly, I am the most happiest to hear that you have arrived safely in the town, and with this letter, I am enclosing a copy of Missy Shelling's answers to my questions. For all intents and purposes, Mary Briggins was a well regarded member of her community, so the news of her affair with the late Mr Roberts will not be received well.
The detective constable for the Parish has released new information regarding the murder, of which the papers have been told to delay publishing, for fear of public outrage. There is a Doctor Alcatraz who has been arrested under suspicion of being the Lakeside Ripper, after an anonymous letter to the police station, stating the date and time of the next murder. Police initially dismissed the letter, but since its prophesy has come to fruition, they have been forced to regard its contents as evidence.
The handwriting of the letter matches the handwriting of old prescription notes, written by Doctor Alcatraz, however, under interrogation, the Doctor revealed that he did not write the letter, and showed the police officers his hands.
They were burned and scarred beyond recognition, an artefact from the fire at the Surgery. He did not leave the town in disgrace. He left to seek medical treatment, and only returned due to the death of his daughter at the hands of the Lakeside Ripper.
Police have ordered the Sunday Globe to disclose the fact that the latest victim of the Lakeside Ripper was Doctor Alcatraz' daughter, Sophia Alcatraz. They hope that the Lakeside Ripper will react in outrage that his crimes are attributed to another man, and will make a mistake, which will lead to his demise.
I urge you once more, my love, keep safe. Do not leave your room after six pm, and before seven am.
Please stay safe my love. My nephew, our son, Lucas, is missing you. One of his drawings is with this letter. He tells me he was trying to draw you a duck, after you took him to the reservoir with bread to feed the birds. Our lucky duckling is spreading is wings.
Your one and only,
David Sugarplum Greenwich
26th August 1884
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My dear Melissa,
I am sure that you are already aware, but Mr Roberts has now passed. The first male victim of the Lakeside Ripper. I hope that this will be enough to convince you of the fact that Doctor Alcatraz is truly that heinous murderer.
I urge you not to associate with that man. He must be the killer. He is the only one with motive, and the only one with the proper surgical skill to carry out such a callous act.
I once again urge you to remain safe. If you are in any need of assistance, I invite you to stay in my home, for the duration of your stay, to avoid accruing charges in any case.
Yours Sincerely,
Missy Shelling
27th August 1884
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Dear Ms Shelling,
I am not in need of accommodation, nor fearful of any charges I may accrue. I had booked my room well in advance of my stay.
I am sorry to hear of the fate of your former employer, however, I find myself unable to attend his funeral, nor give you any condolences personally.
I will be dedicating myself to the efforts of assisting the Sunday Globe with their investigation, and collaborating with police. I will soon be unable to continue my communication with you as frequently as I find myself doing at the current moment.
I suggest you consider reducing your number of correspondences as well. Before, the mailmen could walk safe in the early hours of the morning, however, now, that is not the case.
Yours Sincerely
Melissa Briggins
29th August 1884
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Dear Doctor Alcatraz,
My name is Melissa Briggins, journalist at the Sunday Globe. I understand that you have already spoken with David Greenwich, and that you are currently experiencing extreme hardship. I wish to interview you regarding the events of the fire, ten years ago.
It seems that the town is not aware of Mr Robert's sordid history. It, of course, was not particularly well known that the patriarch of the Roberts family, a decade ago, was a prolific gambler and nymphomaniac, who had contracted syphilis, unable to remain loyal to his wife, and that he had been marked for death, well before his untimely demise.
I do not believe that you are the Lakeside Ripper, and I do not believe that the recent Mr Roberts was the Lakeside Ripper, but I would prefer confirmation for a radical theory, and I do not know anyone other than yourself, with the medical knowledge to advise me of such a thing.
Yours Sincerely,
Melissa Briggins, half-sister of Mr Daniel Roberts
29th August 1884
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Dear Ms Briggins,
Your application to interview the detained suspect, Mr Alcatraz, has been approved. As protocol, your letter written for his name, was read, and approved as well.
We would welcome any new contributions in the case of the Lakeside Ripper, though you must inform us, if you ever feel the urge to faint.
Yours Sincerely,
Inspector George Henley
1st July 1884
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Dear Ms Briggins,
After speaking to you, my mind is put at ease. If you require any further information regarding the ailments of the mind, I suggest the little, corner bookshop on Cherry Street. It is owned by my grandmother, and if you provide her with my name, as well as your credentials, and part in the Lakeside Ripper investigation, she will be happy to provide a discount.
Stay safe
Yours Sincerely,
Doctor Alcatraz
4th July 1884
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My dear Melissa,
Why would you do such a thing!
I had specifically warned you of the danger associated with Doctor Alcatraz. He is a dangerous man, and the Lakeside Ripper, no less. If I was not friends with Mrs Partridge, who worked at the bakery, where you bought Doctor Alcatraz bread, would I have ever known what you were going to do, you silly, bastard child?
I will be visiting the inn and I will be providing you with a check-up. Your consent is not an issue. The Doctor may have poisoned you.
Yours Sincerely,
Missy Shelling
5th July 1884
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My dearest love,
I regret to inform you that I have been marked for death by the Lakeside Ripper. It truly is a tragedy. Please, tell our little duckling that soon, he will be able to talk to his new mother, whenever he desires.
I will be leaving the town, along with police escort, as to reveal the killer. I'll be in the papers, as you've always dreamed to see my face.
I will be with you soon, safe and sound.
With love,
Mellissa Sugar Sprinkles Briggins
5th July
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Dear Inspector Henley,
If my fiancé does not return home unharmed, then you may consider yourself unemployed. Since we have already established the Lakeside Ripper's proclivities towards provocative characters, your men, and especially yourself, with guard my fiancé with your lives.
Guard her carriage as it leaves, and do not allow for it to pass out of the light. The Lakeside Ripper is opportunistic, as seen by the murder of Mr Roberts in his sleep, and has extensive knowledge of the town, as shown by all the murders that have happened behind the homes of the innocent, so hire a carriage from a company which caters towards a poorer demographic, so when the carriage breaks, it will be visible from all sides, and you may apprehend the Lakeside Ripper, when they strike.
Your men have shown themselves capable of attacking street children, so they should be able to attack women as well.
Yours Sincerely,
David Greenwich
6th July 1884
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Dear Ms Briggins,
We were unfortunately, unable to detain the Lakeside Ripper.
While you remained guarded in the broken carriage we created, the Lakeside Ripper was able to deprive us of three of our men. She was, however, shot and left a trail of blood to nearby lake.
Even more unfortunately, when the lake was drained, there was no body to be found, though the dogs did find one of her legs in a hunting trap, next to a river, presumably where the rest of her body was swept away.
We did, however, collect enough evidence to convict Ms Missy Shelling for the Lakeside Ripper murders. Her face was clearly seen by four officers, and the collected organs from the bodies were found in her home.
I regret to inform you that your half-brother's liver was found, baked in a pie.
Please give my regards to David Greenwich at the Sunday Globe for concocting such a brilliant strategy. The feigning of the carriage breaking on the border of the town, directly beneath the gas lights, was a stroke of genius.
I would also like to congratulate you on your upcoming marriage to David Greenwich.
I wish you a long and happy life.
Yours Sincerely,
Inspector George Henley.
15th July 1884
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Dear Doctor Alcatraz,
On behalf of the Sunday Globe, I would beg for one last favour, before we can place the Lakeside Ripper affair behind us. I would like for you to provide an interview to further elaborate on my fiancé's theory, which led to the discovery of the identity of the Lakeside Ripper.
My fiancé theorised, after speaking to the late Missy Shelling, that the Lakeside Ripper was her former employer, initially, as a ruse to gleam more information, in regards to her half-brother. She was not expecting her corresponder to be so centred upon the Lakeside Ripper, nor act so vehemently in the purported manner of the Lakeside Ripper, even if it was expected.
No. What truly enlightened her to the situation, regarding Missy Shelling's mind, was the obsessive manner the woman had, in learning all about the town's new addition, and her information network, as well as her headstrong attitude.
My fiancé initially dismissed such a notion, until she was suddenly apprehended by vitriolic statements against you, good sir. Missy Shelling was, to her understanding, an employee of the Winter Garden Community Medical Surgery, when you were still a practising Surgeon. My fiancé found her attitude towards you unnerving, and after Mr Daniel Roberts passed, despite never leaving his mansion, she was eager to further pin more blame, upon yourself.
She was vehemently against any sentiment of my fiancé even visiting you, which confirmed to her that she was the Lakeside Ripper.
I thank you for assisting my fiancé in her investigation. Prior to this event, I was unaware as such a phenomena, of one person containing two minds, even existed. Moreover, I applaud you for opening my eyes to the obsession that was present in Missy Shelling. The obsession that compelled her to rid of all scandalous individuals in her town, to cleanse the area of immorality and degeneration.
You are free to visit the Sunday Globe offices at your leisure.
Yours Sincerely,
David Greenwich
16th July 1884
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Dear Inspector Henley,
We would like to invite you to the funeral of Lucas Greenwich. My wife killed Missy Shelling with a butcher's knife.
We were too slow.
Yours Sincerely
David and Melissa Greenwich
10th August 1884
