Jack The Ripper: Newly Discovered Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Holy Ghost Writer

soon as their visitors arrived.
    She had baked a ham with pineapples and brown sugar dripping off the platter, and roasted a chicken, with mushroom stuffing on the side. Corn on the cob, drenched with butter, sat alongside blanched green beans, baked potatoes, and fresh-baked bread. She had coffee brewed, tea steeping, and ale on hand as well. Holmes remembered why he had hired her.
    “I extend my thanks to you, Mrs. Parker. You are an amazing woman.”
    “You’re welcome, sir. I know this is a very important meeting, and I know you all will more than likely be here until well into the night,” she answered.  “I have two apple pies in the oven and a chocolate cake already baked. I have even arranged to spend the night here, so I can serve you all as needed.”
    “You must remind me to give you a raise, Mrs. Parker,” said Holmes.
    “Oh, I will…I will,” she answered with a sly smile.
    Dr. Watson arrived right on time, and he and Holmes were enjoying their pipes when the others arrived.
    Julie was a very attractive woman. She was in her late twenties and had long, auburn hair, half of which was swept up into a bun while the other half tumbled down her back. Holmes hoped she would make the perfect decoy—though the Ripper’s first victims had been older, the murder of Mary Jane Kelly had shown he would be willing to attack younger women as well.
    “Welcome to my home,” he said, bowing over her hand. “Inspector Grant, allow me to formally introduce Miss Julie Rivers.”
    Inspector Grant, though not used to treating a woman of the night as a lady, was nonetheless gracious. He inclined his head to her and smiled. “It is a pleasure to meet such a brave woman as yourself.”
    “Thank you. I appreciate that you have included me in this meeting. I want to do everything that I can to help catch Mary Ann’s killer.”
    Inspector Grant then introduced the two policemen he had brought with him.
    “May I present Thomas Hunter and Joseph Jackson,” he said as he waved his hand from one to the other. “I have known these men for over thirty years and would trust them with my life. We grew up together.”
    “Thank you, Thomas and Joseph, for your assistance—and discretion,” Holmes told them.
    “You are quite welcome. We are most happy to assist you in solving this case, sir,” said Thomas, the shorter of the two.
    “Yes, anything we can do to help,” Joseph responded.
    “I believe this to be the most singular case of my career,” Holmes replied. “And with every day that passes, the stakes grow higher—we must catch this murderer before he slays another victim. First, though, we eat—I’ve found that full stomachs lead to sharper, less distracted minds.”
    The smell of the food was indeed inviting, and the group retreated to the garden to dine. It was a fine meal, and their conversation remained focused on trivial matters.
    When the last plate was cleared, however, Holmes rose to his feet. “And now it is time to get down to business,” he said. “Please follow me to my study—I have made some notes for each of you in regard to the profile I’ve created, and I’ve included several key points on the case. We will discuss the suspects, as well as lay out our plan for catching the Ripper.”
    In the study, everyone took a seat and solemnly accepted the sheaves of paper Holmes handed them. “The only way for us to catch this villain is to set a trap. Mind you, it could be dangerous—even deadly—so if you are having second thoughts about participating, you must speak now.”
    Nobody said a word.
    “Good,” Holmes nodded. “It may seem indecorous to discuss the Ripper’s crimes in the presence of a woman, but Julie knows her role and is willing to act as a lure, despite the danger.”
    “We will never be far from you, Julie, so please try not to worry too much,” Grant said.
    “Oh, I am not worried. I trust you will keep me safe. I just hope the killer will take the bait…me,” she said