Why he bothered to stand there and console the woman beside him, he could not tell. He disliked her, wasn't fond of her work ethic, and he certainly disagreed with everything she said, and yet, James saw something.. familiar in her. She reminded him of himself in a sense. Was it her refusal to participate in society? The way she seemed to be misunderstood? Or perhaps.. it was because she, too, didn't seem to get along with her sibling. Whatever it may be, it had caused the man to furrow his brows in questioning.

He was a detective, and yet he couldn't figure it out.

Rather, he crossed his arms for a moment before proceeding to turn to Caite, his eyes staring at her while he leaned against the fence. One arm lay propped up on the fence while the other lay dangling at his side, fiddling with a loose string on his pants in an almost anxious manner. Truth be told, the darn string irritated him.

"I have long grown custom to a sibling's harsh wording," he nearly sneered, winding the same string around his thumb. "I have an older brother, Charles. Looks similar to me, but a much less handsome version," he teased almost letting a grin play on his lips before frowning at having remembered the man who was meant to be his brother.

Charles and James were never close. There was a time when James looked up to him, being younger and all, but he was blinded to his brother's cruel ways as a child. Charles had a reputation, and last James saw him, he had stolen something very precious to him. Since then, James has never mentioned a brother, refuses to even speak his name, as if he were the devil, which, in his eyes, Charles is.

"Anyways, my point is, all you have to do is tolerate her until she finishes her visit. That's what I've done in the past. Smile, put on a show, and be done with it." He hadn't noticed that he was scowling until he heard Caite mention horses. It was then when he relaxed, though obvious tension remained. Now rigid, James glanced at the horses in the pasture before nodding a singular time, as if deep in thought. "I used to have a palomino mare as a boy. My father brought her home one day and I claimed her as soon as I saw her. She was an ugly thing with an underbite and different scars scattered around, but she was a gentle creature with a kind soul." Why was he telling Caite this? He didn't know, but reminiscing about his old friend made James relax.

But the relaxation soon died when he peered towards the home, seeing Elizabeth staring at them. Did she look angry? Should they go back inside? Of course, how rude.. Pausing, he turned back to Caite as soon as she spoke of her siblings. "It must be nice having a big family." All James grew up with was his parents and Charles. "It'll only be for a few more days, isn't that right? Before you know it, she'll be gone," he added to the topic of Elizabeth before feeling the breath of something on his arm.

Turning, he now faced a large black stallion. "Grian?" He patted the horse's neck twice before watching him press against Caite's cheek. Such a scene even made James crack into a small smile before he shrugged. "What can I say, I'm difficult to resist, even to a creature like Grian." Was James cocky? Yes, perhaps he was.

A snort escaped him when Grian had licked the side of her face before tilting his head, hearing her speak Gaelic. It was out of curiosity how he stared, never hearing the language spoken aloud. He had only ever heard French or Italian spoken, but never Gaelic. "Something tells me those weren't words of kindness" he said, motioning to the horse's pinned ears with a smile.

"Oh, come now, what did she say to you?" Patting the horse's head once more as he moved behind him, he spoke in a high tone, as if talking to a child. Pausing, James felt a sudden urge of humiliation at having spoken that was. That was reserved for when he was alone with animals, not in the company of another. Clearing his throat, he nudged Grian's head away. "Using me as a wall won't save you, chap." Growing stoic once more, his smile vanished, though his hand lingered on the horse.

However, his seriousness was soon replaced with surprise before he released a sudden chuckle. "Hidden feelings? Please. Is this what I get accused of for simply being kind?" Staring at her, James broke out into a smile. "You wish I did, don't you? I know I'm an attractive man, Caite, but this is much too forward of you." Now he was the one teasing, playing it off as if Caite had expressed her feelings for him. It wasn't entirely out of character. He often teased with his friends, though it was out of character when speaking to her.

Eyes landing upon her outstretched hand, he should have pushed it aside. After all, it wasn't common that a woman offered her hand to a man. He was the one that should be offering his arm or hand, as a male should, but James was never one for formal things, so he took it, wrapping his fingers around hers. "Why thank you, miss, you're too kind," he spoke, nearly in monotone, though it was obvious that he was joking once more. "Though I don't know, I would like to see Grian lick your other cheek to make it even." Offering a smile, he began to proceed back to the house.

Smile falling slightly as he caught her last sentence, he turned to the house, nodding once. "You're welcome," he mumbled, though paused as her previous words registered.

"Did you call me frumpy?

♥Caiti♥

Caite turned her gaze back to the man whose hand was wrapped around her own when he paused and asked his question. An eyebrow raising almost in a mocking show of innocent confusion as she watched him. “You mean you aren’t frumpy? I guess my deduction skills are beginning to fail me.” A smile danced on the corner of her lips as she stood outside of the door.

“Also you claim me being forward though aren’t you the one that walked in on a lady that was changing? If that isn’t being forward then I do not know what is.” Even though her tone was teasing, a light blush filled her cheeks at the mention of their unnecessary encounter. “A big family is nice if one is free to go about their own life freely. Sadly it felt like I was surrounded by mothering hens that would sound the alarm if I happened to disappear for even a moment.” Her smile seemed to almost falter as she turned her attention back to the stallion that was watching them before moving her green gaze back to James.

“No, they were words that many would say are not fit to come out of a lady’s mouth. But Grian deserves them...and no I would rather not have my hair sticking even more to my face due to horse saliva.” A false bored expression filling her features as her eyes travelled down to their hands. “It would be funnier if he licked you in my opinion. It would only be fair and I noticed that you were fussing with a loose string earlier. Would you like it to be repaired?”

Her eyes moved back up to meet his with a questioning look. “It is the least I can do for borrowing your coat yesterday. And yes I know it is only a couple more days with my doting sister. I just fear that this will not be the last and signals that I didn’t go far enough to escape their grasps.”

She released his hand before opening the door to her home and stepped inside meeting the judging gaze of her older sister that was coming from over the edge of a tea cup. “I apologize Elizabeth, but I hope that we can still enjoy this lovely meal.” Elizabeth nodded and placed a careful smile on her features at the pair.

“It is alright my dear sister. It gave me time to prepare some tea so that we had something else to offer instead of just water.” Caite nodded and with a final look over her shoulder at James, moved to sit down at the table.

----

November 20th, 1886, Sometime in the wee hours of the morning.

Caite was sitting at the little desk in her home office spinning the ring that had been found a couple of months earlier. Something tugging in her mind about how the ring looked eerily familiar but she couldn’t put her finger on it. The talk about the murders had also seemed to die down as they had seemed to stop after the one suspect had been caught. The man hadn’t been let out either due to his consistent testimony that he was looking for a ring that belonged to his fiance. An annoyed huff left the woman as she set the ring down and leaned back running her hands over her face before reaching for the lukewarm cup of tea that was sitting near a small stack of papers.

It was one of the few nights that Caite wasn’t able to sleep so she had spent the time with a few cups of tea and reading over the case trying to get any more clues out of the lined paper. Her darker locks carried a light wave from being in a braid for most of the day and rested loosely about her shoulders. The young woman was even in a light nightgown as she sat at the desk in the low candle light. Her brows furrowed together as her eyes read through the notes and she quickly grabbed a pen to write down on a fresh paper the small detail that had seemed to have been missed earlier.

The previous murders had been staged. The men hadn’t originally been connected to the female murders until a policeman had noticed the similar marking from the women carved into the bodies. It would also explain why certain victims didn’t have anything stolen from them. Almost as if they were on display as someone would a collection of dolls. Things were starting to click into place in the young woman’s mind and she quickly collected the papers and her notes with the ring together, stacking them neatly before standing and picking up her candle.

Caite wasted no time in running up her stairs, thankful that Elizabeth had left shortly after the dinner with James and was staying with the family she was working for. Instead of the usual braid, Caite simply tied her hair back into a ponytail and changed out of her nightgown and into her typical riding pants, boots, and a simple grey shirt. She tightened the corset before slipping the shirt over her head but before she could tuck the bottom of the shirt, the sound of someone pounding on her door paused the woman’s actions. She picked up her pistol with one hand and her candle with the other and slowly made her way down the stairs.

“Detective Donnaugh!” The male’s voice called and she slowly opened the door only to be greeted by one of the younger officer’s holding a lantern. “Detective Donnaugh, a new murder has taken place. I was sent to get you and Detective Burton.” Caite let out a quiet breath of relief before blowing her candle out. Her pistol was slid into the back of her waistband. “Alright Officer Harrison. Let me fetch my coat and we can go get Mr. Burton.”

Thankfully the thicker woolen coat hung by the door and she quickly slipped it over her arms as she stepped out of the door.

The officer seemed surprised that the young woman was dressed at that time of the night but didn’t ask any questions. He followed Caite out of her gate and she motioned towards the dark house beside hers. “I am sure you are aware that is Mr. Buron’s house. Why don’t you gather him and I will meet him at the scene. It is better that one of us gets there quickly.”

The woman didn’t wait for a reply before picking up a jog heading in the direction of the police station. Of course it didn’t take much to only pause and hear the murmurs of people around the area. She slowed her pace while wrapping her coat around her against the chill of the morning. Fogs of her breath filled the air as she paused long enough to catch sight of two other policemen heading down a street. She followed after them and tapped on one’s shoulder. “Good morning fellow officers. It seems the night wasn’t always going to be quiet.” The startled man had jumped but upon hearing her voice he shook his head.

“Detective Donnaugh, the victim is on the corner of Roseberry and Maker’s streets. It is another lady of the night but this time it is a lot more gruesome.” Caite nodded at the man’s words and slipped between the two men heading in the direction of the intersection. Caite noticed the crowd of the bystanders before her eyes landed on the terrible sight. Her stomach rolled at the gruesome scene.

She offered a curt nod at the cops that were already beginning to draw the scene as she stepped closer. The murder was recent from the fact that the body wasn’t yet rigid. Caite moved her gaze searching the crowd for anyone that was looking with too much interest in the scene. She wanted to speak out but held her tongue before kneeling next to the body and turned the face, noticing the same mark from the previous murders etched into the delicate skin.

As much as she hated admitting to it, she was going to wait for James. It seemed that over the last couple of weeks, the pair were almost getting along, if not only in front of those in the department. Outwardly Caite wouldn’t admit that she was beginning to enjoy the man’s jests when he would return her own teasing nature. There had been a few mornings though, where she thought she was in the clear to walk out in her nightgown to take care of her horse only to catch what she thought was a couple of glances at her interesting choice of clothes to do her chores in where she would promptly run into her home. Now though Caite needed the man’s views on why things had been silent but now shortly before a holiday, another murder had happened. There was evidence that the woman normally wore a necklace and it had been removed but when Caite inquired, none of the other officers had any such item on their person.

James hurry up...I will not let you live this down if you sleep through this.

♥Caiti♥

They dragged you out here too in the middle of the night? Caite's dark gaze moved over to her partner with a raised eyebrow. "I was up and awake. Weren't you?" A teasing smile danced at the corner of her lips as the spark reached her eyes before she turned back to the victim. "Very recent. Unless she had a rope tied around her neck that someone thought would be a wonderful gift to hide, then yes I believe she wore a necklace. If you can see, there is a faint outline of the chain showing in the bruise."

Her hands were resting on her knees as she was crouched next to the body. Caite was keenly aware of the crowd watching and honed in on what James said to one of the closer officers. Her nose scrunched knowing that many of the people would probably lie to avoid dealing with the police. If she was living on the streets, she wouldn't want her name to be tied in any way to a crime like this. She stood and looked over at James with a confused expression until her mind caught up to his words.

"Or the best timing to keep them fresh on everyone's mind. What better way to announce that you haven't gone anywhere other than cause a scene before a holiday?" She tapped her finger to her temple before stepping closer to him and lowering her voice. "I think we need to keep an ear out with any of the local pawn shops. If someone has the woman's necklace and needed money they are going to be pawning it away. Would you admit to anything to speak to a police officer if you were one of them?" A finger pointed to the now dispersing group of onlookers.

"Because if I was in their shoes, I would be keeping my name away from anything that has to do with her. Even if she was my only confidant, I wouldn't want to be tied to this."

It was confusing that is for sure. Why wait months but if the killer was as vain as what the people were saying, of course it would make sense to disturb the quiet. A yawn threatened to escape from Caite's mouth but she lifted a hand as cover as she looked around the scene.

"This is a little more secluded in some ways, I believe. You have lived here longer than I have but I rarely walk down this street for any reason other than this. If I remember correctly, isn't there only one shop that is a tiny little dress shop? Not much else to really draw in crowds."

This section of the street was more run down and looked worn by the multitude of people that would walk apon the worn stone. The atmosphere was gloomy but even gloomier with the recent event. "We should also talk with the medical examiner later today to see if there is anything else worthy of note about this woman. I want to at least find out her name so that we can let the family, if there is any, know what has befallen her."

♥Caiti♥

It took all of Caite's strength to not chuckle at James' reply about being up this early. Her eyes looked over her partner and she covered her mouth with her hand to keep the giggling from exploding too much. She cleared her throat as she looked back at the body. When James moved over to the body, Caite also knelt down and looked closer at the neck.

"I think you are right. It does look like a heart. Maybe a locket of some sort." Her eyes caught the slight movement of someone turning quickly and she mentally made a note to talk about it later but at the moment she stood and nodded.

"That would be the best idea. There is only so much we can do now and it looks like the crowd has finally decided they also want to return to their beds." When James yawned and then offered coffee, Caite couldn't help but chuckle and nodded.

"Of course. You need it more than I do. But a warm drink sounds delicious at this moment." She slipped her hands into the pockets of her coat and started to walk down the street to the little diner. When James was beside her, and they were a little distance from the scene Caite looked over at him.

"Did you know that you socks aren't matching?" A simple question but her tone barely hiding the tease that was dancing in her eyes. For once she felt as if she had one up on him since the day that she had thought she was clear to sneak to the barn to take care of her horses in her nightdress. Boy was she wrong, and even the memory would bring a rosiness to her cheeks.

She paused for a moment outside the door of the little diner and pushed the part of her pony tail that landed on her shoulder behind her. "I also would have taken you for someone that didn't sleep that well at night..." With that, she opened the door and stepped inside making her way in the candlelit building to an open table and sat down pulling her coat tighter around herself.

♥Caiti♥

Caite couldn't help but cover her mouth as she chuckled watching James. Normally she wasn't a morning person either, but she also wasn't a night person. "Before I answer what time it is, I meant by my comment that you look like someone who has trouble sleeping at night is because you are so frumpy all of the time that I was blaming it on your lack of sleep. I could have blamed it on many other things, but sleep deprivation seemed the best."

And most innocent. She thought watching him drink the three cups of coffee. "Also it is only possibly a quarter passed 4 in the morning. Still a long way to go before we have dayling." She looked towards the horrified waitress before speaking.

"May I get some tea? Unlike him, I am good with only one cup at the moment." The woman nodded and stepped away for the few moments as Caite shifted in her seat to lean back against the back of the booth.

Something about seeing James all in disarray was amusing to the female but she also sympathized with the man after her events at the station. Though she was a bit upset that he hadn't defended her honor more, though she didn't want to keep talking too much about the case in the small diner and she sat up when her tea was brought over. "Thank you."

She took a sip of the dark liquid and lowered her gaze for a moment. "As much as I would love to continue our titalizing conversation, I fear things may get out that shouldn't be." Slowly she moved her gaze to meet his and she took another sip before continuing.

"Have you heard about the ball that is coming up? It is all that Elizabeth can talk about and she is wanting to drag me out of my home to go dress shopping. She says I can't wear my simple dresses that I already have, I must wear something to capture a man's attention." Annoyance was woven into her words as she spoke replaying the conversation with her sister over once more in her head.

"That woman will be the death of me before this job is. It shouldn't matter what I am wearing to get a man's attention. I want someone that will want me for all of my bullheadedness and not just how pretty I am in a skirt."