Page 32 of Molly Boys

Archie tried to treat the man somewhat cordially, but he seemed to have inherited Mr Grover’s intense dislike of the constabulary in general. Grover never troubled to make his very unflattering opinion known and often published articles openly hostile to H Division in particular.

Ignoring Grover’s narrowed gaze, Archie turned his attention to the coroner as he began to speak.

“In the matter of the death of Charles Wakefield of Limehouse Street, let the inquest hear from the first witness,” the coroner intoned.

Dr Shaw stood and shuffled along the row of chairs before climbing up into the witness box.

“Your name and occupation, sir?” the coroner asked.

“Dr Robert Shaw. Police surgeon, Whitechapel.”

“Very good.” He dipped his pen in the inkwell and scribbled something on the paper before him. “Continue.”

“The victim was twenty years of age and, upon a thorough examination of his remains, I believe to be in good health prior to his untimely death. The injuries of note are ten puncture wounds placed at the arms, wrists, chest, neck, legs, and groin, most likely caused by surgical needles. In addition, a long vertical incision measuring fifteen inches in length was discovered along the spine. The flesh had been pinned back to reveal the victim’s–”

There was a loud thud at the back of the room, drawing everyone’s attention. Archie glanced over to see a middle-aged woman being lifted from the floor and escorted from the room. Archie resisted the urge to shake his head in disapproval. He didn’t know why the law persisted in opening such proceedings to the public. He was of the firm opinion only police and medical professionals should be allowed to attend unless it was a witness with pertinent information.

Allowing the distasteful custom of putting the dead on display for the entertainment of the public was wrong. Many attended for the thrill of hearing all the grim details, but the reality was most of them didn’t possess the stomach or fortitude to bear witness to the gruesome injuries, as just evidenced by the fainting woman. And she was far from the only one. Archie had witnessed grown men vomiting or passing out from decidedly unpleasant coronary details.

The coroner, who’d been peering over the top of his thin spectacles, turned back to Shaw and nodded.

“Please continue, Dr Shaw.”

“As I was saying”—Shaw cleared his throat—“the spine was revealed. Further examination proved that the victim had been completely drained of bodily fluids. His blood had been withdrawn most likely through the puncture wounds, and his spinal fluid had also been drained.”

The scratching of the coroner’s pen ceased abruptly and he looked up, staring at Dr Shaw in silence as he absorbed the words, his thin white brows drawing together.

“His spine?” he repeated as if not certain he’d heard correctly.

“Yes, sir.”

“Good lord,” he muttered. “And the conclusion as to the cause of death?”

“It is my belief that Charles Wakefield perished from severe blood loss,” Shaw stated.

“Very well, you are excused. Next witness.”

Shaw nodded and stepped down as Archie took his place.

“Name?”

“Archibald Franklin. Detective Inspector, H Division, Whitechapel.”

“You examined the body in situ before it was removed to the mortuary?”

“I did, sir,” Archie replied.

“Very well,” the coroner nodded. “Please give your accounting.”

“Charles Wakefield’s remains were discovered discarded on the banks of the Thames near the Wapping docks. His corpse was in a complete state of undress and his clothes were nowhere to be found in the vicinity.”

“How did you identify the body?” the coroner interrupted.

“The body was identified by medical student Richard Lowcroft, who is also assistant to Dr Shaw. He knew the victim in the capacity of acquaintance.”

“Very good.” The coroner’s pen began scratching across the page again. “Continue.”

“The ground had frozen that night and was still solid upon discovery of the body. It is possible the victim’s blood sank into the muddied ground before it froze, but we could find no evidence of this. Beneath the corpse a scrap of fabric was recovered which is believed to have been saturated with chloroform. It is our current belief the victim was rendered unconscious and abducted, then met his end at an alternative location. The banks were merely the site where his remains were discarded after his death occurred. We believe that site was chosen because of the easy access to the river, allowing the killer to remain undetected. We have a witness who saw a large man come ashore and discard the body.”