For the first time in years, a sense of euphoria pervaded through every street corner on the island of Ireland; a black fog had finally lifted from the people’s hearts.  A parade of celebration passed through O’Connell Street to a huge cheering crowd.  Laura had become something of a female icon for her role in capturing The Irish Ripper as was later definitively confirmed, right up there beside Katie Taylor and it was only a matter of time before a major promotion.  Some questioned how it all happened but these voices had been lost in the chorus of affection. 

The Irish Ripper was now behind bars in solitary confinement.  The doctors had battled for hours to save his life to the dismay of many who would have preferred for him to die in agony.  But that was their job and they did it well.  There was enough evidence to lock him away for the rest of his days in any event. 

Sean preferred to stay in the shadows and the public rarely heard mention of his name.  Everybody, in the force, knew though that he played a pivotal role in what had occurred and his reputation had soared still higher.  It left him with a great sense of satisfaction.   

The terror of that night had also rid him of any lingering doubt that Laura was the woman that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.  He could no longer imagine a life without her and the recent events had drawn them still closer. 

He was waiting there on the floor holding the ring outstretched in the kitchen one evening after she got home from work.  She gasped in astonishment; then tears rolled down her eyes. 

“This is the closest I could get to being on the bended knee!” he said anxiously. 

“Oh yes!” she replied passionately before gripping him in a tight embrace. 

It seemed that he now had everything he could ever want.  But life was quiet now, there were no night terrors but also there was no buzz or intrigue.  The Ripper or rather the hunt for The Ripper had become such an integral part of his life that he now felt somewhat lost without it and had to readjust to ordinary life once again.  But he was still relieved the killings had come to a halt. 

Gensearch X had received the positive publicity it craved at the beginning but then there was something of a backlash, especially outside of Ireland which hadn’t experienced the fear.  The power of genetic technology was now all too evident for some.  Sure, it had been put to positive use on this occasion but there was nothing to stop private enterprise putting it to nefarious use in the future or so many people thought.  There were huge privacy issues and people questioned how much power the state should have.  A wall of new regulations was erected, dramatically reducing the method’s future effectiveness.  

Sean logged off his computer, he had an appointment with the Superintendent in five minutes that he had been told that it would be best not to miss.  As he pushed his wheelchair towards the meeting room, he wondered what lay ahead, at least he didn’t have time to ponder too much. 

As he drew closer, he could hear the sound of chatting and laughter in the distance.  A few Gardai were waiting outside the door and told him to go in, that everyone was in there waiting for him and they were, even Laura and Jim from England.  A large round of applause broke out as he entered the room as everybody turned to face him.  Then Jim, dressed in an immaculate suit approached giving a firm handshake and whispered into his ear that it was good to see that his Irish friend was as loved at home, as he was abroad. 

The Superintendent then took center stage. 

“We are here today to honor the great work done by Detective Sean O’Callaghan in the pursuit of The Ripper.  Without him, justice may never have been served.  It is my pleasure to award him the highest medal that An Garda Siochana can award – The Scott Medal for bravery.  It’s something that he richly deserves. 

I know that many people here thought Sean O’Callaghan was finished after his accident.  But that day I visited him in the hospital I could see a determination and steel to thrive, and by God he has. 

But I also have another announcement, I have nominated Sean to work with an elite international group that will have component parts from different police forces around the world, including Scotland Yard and the FBI that will offer support in the hunt of these kinds of killers around the world. 

Will you accept the position, Sean?” 

Sean smiled and nodded that he would, this was exactly the kind of thing he wanted to be involved in, even if he hadn’t realized it right till that moment; the thrill of the chase without putting himself in jeopardy.  Laura frowned, although he didn’t notice.  With that, the Superintendent walked towards Sean and put the medal on his neck as rapturous applause once more broke out.  

Sean was still to stay in his old office, something that he was thankful for as he could continue with his normal daily routine without adjustments.  A week later, he had been officially assigned his first communication.  The subject line was immediately worrisome – 

The Happyface Killings (Worldwide). 

Even Sean was shocked by what he read next.  A group on the dark web was organizing murders.  Members were to put a happy face close to the scene so that they could be tallied.  It is thought that they were responsible for over thirty murders to date and we were to review homicides in our jurisdiction to see if any of them could be linked to the phenomenon… 

/ 

It’s been the worst of days but I hope it will become the best of days.  Imagine my shock at turning on my television to see my own reflection staring back at me.  There was a time when I felt that this day was inevitable but I had been so careful and it had become so damn easy. 

There is nobody to blame but myself.  Somewhere I must have slipped up but I cannot fathom where.  One of the reports mentioned something about a new DNA technique but I don’t understand how they could link anything to my name and photo.  There was no time to ponder in any event, only to flee.  I have no doubt that the horrid old woman across the road will report my location to the authorities at once; she never liked me anyway.  Pity I didn’t have time to slit her throat before I left, that would have been fun. 

At least I am finally getting some of the recognition I deserve.  Everybody now knows my name, not just my monikers.  They will realize how truly great I am compared to them and their ordinary, pathetic and meaningless lives.  I will be remembered forever and they will be forgotten.  It is true what they say, there is a silver lining to every cloud. 

Now I am in the unnatural position of being the hunted or at least that’s what everybody thinks.  As if I would be that weak and cower going quietly into the night.  No, there is still time for one last night of fun, a final crescendo.  Just as well all the preparation had already been done and I was already ready to go. 

The target is perfect, my nemesis Garda and his whore.  Oh, how I cannot wait to see the terror on their faces as I rip her to shreds.  They have it coming, which makes it sweeter if that is even possible.  He should never have interfered in my business, the damn fool.  Now he has destroyed my happiness and I will destroy his.  I’ve been looking forward to getting my hands on her as I followed from a distance.  Part of me hopes she will resist so I can destroy her physically and emotionally as she gasps for her final breath. 

The house alarm has already been dealt with.  There will be little difficulty getting through a sliding door at the rear of their property.  They really should be more security conscious; you never really know who might come along at the dead of night. 

Now it is only a matter of timing.  It should be a surprise attack and they should have no opportunity to offer a reasonable resistance.  That copper has already caused me too much trouble.  From my surveillance I know that his girlfriend sometimes gets up for a snack around midnight, the pig.  So, it will be, let us say around half one in the morning.  It will be so good; people will finally realize how great I truly am. 

It took patience but finally the allotted time has arrived.  The house is dark and there has been no movement for hours.  She never appeared at midnight, a small break from the usual routine, but not enough to call off the attack given the circumstances.  Those idiots would never be a match for me in any event. 

It is finally time to leave my hiding spot in the hedge but first I look at my surgical knife and wonder how much greater his terror will be, as he knows what the scene will look like at the end.  I can already feel the stirrings of an erection building.  As expected, I can simply walk up the long back garden.  With every step, the excitement builds but then there is albeit momentarily, tension as the sliding door is reached.  But in truth, it’s something that I have done hundreds of times before and it is an easy obstacle to pass. 

Now is the time for stealth.  I must make as little noise as possible.  Having been in the house a few weeks prior, I know what room they are sleeping in and make my way slowly towards it.  Now is the time that makes the rest of my life worthwhile.  I am not a harbinger of death but of unconstrained life.  I gentle push the door open and through the moonlight can see them at rest.  Slowly I go towards their bed, my knife at the ready.  I will follow the usual routine, put it to the throat of the woman to subdue them both. 

But then the stillness of the night is broken, in a flash so fast there is nothing I can do to react.  I hear the sound of something, perhaps the cabinet opening behind me and then the sound of a gunshot.  A second passes before I feel the pain pulverizing through my body as I stumble and then fall to the ground; something has gone seriously wrong, what exactly I cannot fathom. 

A few moments later and the lights have been turned on, dazzling me.  Then I am turned on my back and my ski mask violently torn from my head; I feel naked.  Much to my surprise, it is the cripple’s girlfriend that is standing over me, cursing and jeering me.  It’s like I’m that little boy again being laughed at by my half-sisters.  She had never been in that bed but had rather been waiting for me ready to pounce. 

She discusses with the cripple if they should call an ambulance as I start to choke on my own blood.  Hopefully they will let me die, there is nothing left for me in this world now.  The argument goes back and forth a for a few minutes before they eventually ring nine, nine, nine. 

A few hours earlier 

“I knew.” 

They were the words that shocked Sean the most.  He had no choice but to tell her everything, come what may.  But she had revelations all of her own that came out in tears.  That for a time she had been an undercover agent but that now she truly loved him.  Perhaps such revelations would doom many relationships but not this one.  Instead, they reaffirmed their love for one another. 

Then matters turned to the business at hand. 

“So, we could next?  That’s what you’re saying, right,” Laura said in a concerned tone. 

“Yes, I’m afraid so.  Given, the circumstances I fear it will be tonight.  If you want to get in one of those cars and just keep driving, I totally understand.  I’ll face him alone.  I can’t tell anyone else or I’ll be implicating myself in serious crimes.  Please, just go!” 

“Never, you hear me,” she replied steely, “we will face this threat together.  Both for you and for what he did to all those women.  For this last while I have had this feeling that someone was matching me.  That’s why I left the house while you were away.  I have even taken to checking the security round the house.  The alarm and the security lights are not working so I think it will definitely be tonight.  I’ll stay awake with my gun in the closet all night if I have to and catch him by surprise.” 

“I’ll put one under the pillow too.  If it comes down to it, I’d rather shoot you than let that monster have his way,” Sean said, his voice shaking.   

“It won’t come to that,” she replied clutching his hand across the table. 

Jim didn’t bring Sean back to the hotel this time but straight to the police station where he worked.  The first thing they did after Jim had scheduled a meeting for an hour’s time with his team, was to head straight to the cafeteria as both men were famished.  Unlike Sean’s Garda Station back in Ireland, this station was large, modern and set in suburban surroundings with a fleet of police cars parked outside.  Jim became so occupied introducing “his Irish friend” and talking rather than eating, that they ended up in a rush to make it. 

Sean was surprised by the number of officers that were waiting for them and how the room immediately fell silent when they entered.  Jim immediately took control of the situation and went to the front to face his colleagues while Sean took up a position off to the side.   

“You all know why we’re here.  To catch the Reading Rapist and quite possibly The Irish Ripper.  We have a major new lead thanks to our work with Gen Search X and our Irish friend.  Her name is Jacqueline Huntington and we believe that a very close male relative is the Reading Rapist, most probably her son. 

I know I don’t have to say this, this is to get your total and absolute attention, there is no room for any fuck ups.  The victims deserve their best.  I most certainly want to be able to look them in the eye when this is over.  I have made promises that this bastard will be caught.  Don’t make me a liar!” 

Once he stopped speaking, they all began working like a well-oiled machine. Sean even found Jim’s speech inspiring and found it difficult to just sit there and wait.  However, Jim told him to wait around a while, that his team worked fast.  They had access to a multitude of records, perhaps more than they strictly should have. 

Scarcely two hours later, they had the name of her son, Charles Huntington, his poor school record and the fact that he joined the military for a number of years before leaving for an unknown reason.  Critically, it showed that he was assigned to a barracks near Reading. 

“It’s him Jim, but we could do with further confirmation all the same.  Let’s go the barracks right now and get in front of this,” Sean implored. 

Nothing needed to be said, Jim nodded in agreement with Sean and they were off.  It only took twenty-five minutes to get there; it took longer to meet the Sergeant who was in charge but at least when they did, he was all too happy to be of assistance. 

“Oh yeah, I remember him, he made quite the impression,” said the balding, middle-aged but fit-looking man, “He was some physical specimen, top of his class in that respect.  Normally, when you have a soldier like that, the others would look up to or maybe even aspire to be like him.  But not this time, everybody despised him.  I mean like he had no friends whatsoever.  Not only that, he never had any visitors either.  Even during the holidays, he used to stay in the barracks as if he had nowhere to go.  A bit sad I suppose really.  He did wonder off quite a lot though, nobody had a clue what he was getting up to.” 

Then he continued with a grin, “They had a funny nickname for him, what was it?  Oh yeah, little man Huntington.  Apparently, his wiener was on the small side.  Mind you, none of them dared say it to his face.  Even his superiors were afraid of him and he only ever loosely understood the idea of following orders.  I’d say he would have been brilliant to have on your side in the thick of battle when you just wanted someone to slaughter the enemy, you know what I mean?  A real fucking psycho, but the last person you want to have around, the rest of the time.  Eventually, he just had to go.  Why is it that you’re asking about him anyway?” 

Sean thought it best that Jim should be the one to explain.  It would be better coming from a fellow Englishman.  Jim didn’t sugarcoat it. 

“We have very strong reasons to believe that he is The Reading Rapist and most probably The Irish Ripper,” he replied sternly. 

“Oh good God!” he replied flummoxed before Jim continued. 

“It’s likely that this news will break shortly.  There will be lots of television cameras and journalists around asking questions.  Best to prepare oneself and if I was you, I’d inform my superiors straight away.” 

The Sergeant indicated that he would and they parted.  Sean was now getting anxious to get back to the hotel and his laptop to write an urgent report updating Dublin on developments before the news broke on the television or on the internet; they would not be best pleased. 

The following morning, he felt more refreshed than he had in quite some time as if a huge weight had been lifted from his chest.  The Ripper had finally become the hunted rather than the hunter.  He decided to turn on the television and watch a current affairs program prior to getting his breakfast when it cut to the BBC newsroom with a photo of Charles Huntington in the top right corner of the screen.   

“We are interrupting this broadcast to bring you this breaking news.  Our sources from inside the police are informing us that the Reading Rapist and quite possibly The Irish Ripper has been identified.  The Reading Rapist is one of the most prolific rapists in British criminal history who terrorized women in the greater Reading area.  A revolutionary new DNA analysis was used in his identification.  His name is Charles Huntington and he is a former member of the British Army.   

His exact whereabouts are currently unknown but he is thought to be currently residing in Ireland.  Please be advised that he is extremely dangerous and should not be approached under any circumstances.” 

Sean turned the television off somewhat disappointedly.  The same news would now break in Ireland on almost all channels almost simultaneously.  It would have been better to try and catch The Ripper unawares but he knew the temptation for someone to leak would prove too much.  Sean was sure that Charles Huntington wouldn’t be the type to just give himself up and worried that further bloodletting now lay ahead. 

At that moment, he no longer felt hungry.  Better to get straight back to Dublin.  That’s where all the action was going to be, for better or worse.  With that, he began to make arrangements for his trip. 

Laura, as ever was there anxiously waiting for him when he arrived and did not waste any time in updating him about the turbulence of the day.  Once the news broke, all hell broke loose.  The phone lines just went off the hook.  She had even been drafted in to deal with some of the calls.  Some people just wanted confirmation that it was true, that we had finally identified him, others thought they had seen him them here, there and everywhere.  Of course, then there was a multitude of prank calls, even Laura had received one.  In the darker corners of the Web, The Irish Ripper and his heinous acts were something to be joyous about, especially to many in the Incel community who saw him as the ultimate anti-feminist and took joy in what he had done to the women.  Sean had been told by Jim that were hundreds of websites dedicated to him.  This, of course, meant that the whole force had just been taken up recording telephone calls and callers to the different desks across the country.   

“Damn, that’s what I was worried would happen.  It was inevitable.  But there was nothing that could be done.  Jim had tried to stop the information from leaking but he had privately told me that it was only a matter of time.  The news agencies over there offer big money for important news stories.  Apparently, it was the Daily Orbit that broke the story,” he said somewhat tiredly after what had been another exhausting journey before holding out his hand tenderly for her to hold briefly as pushed his wheelchair along. 

On the drive home, Laura told him that she had something important to tell him. 

“Yeah,” he replied anxiously thinking it was something about The Ripper. 

“No, nothing like that!  It’s not bad, well hopefully you won’t think so.  A few days ago, em well I was chatting with some other female Gardai at the station and they started talking about you.  Your kinda famous at this stage, almost as much as The Ripper himself.  Well, I let slip that we are a couple and now everybody in the station knows.” 

There was a brief pause for a number of moments. 

“What were they saying that you blurted it out?” Sean replied light-heartedly. 

“It’s a bit embarrassing really.  One of them said that she quite fancied you and she started saying sexual stuff.  I just got really annoyed and said that you are my boyfriend.” 

“Well that’s that sorted,” Sean replied with a grin, “and nice to know I have some admirers.” 

At this point, Laura sheepishly slapped his shoulder in mock aggression before they both burst out in laughter.  The happenings though were quite a boost to his ego and Laura could tell that his lovemaking had been quite reinvigorated that night. 

The next morning Sean was restless to get up as quickly as possible and get to work.  He wasn’t quite sure if this had ever happened previously but there is a first time for everything.  His breakfast tasted nicer and the morning seemed brighter.  It was a day of promise.  Even the traffic seemed lighter and Sean was quickly in at his desk.  But this was where things turned.  There were over six hundred emails in his inbox and he could see that an important meeting had been scheduled for first thing in the morning.  He wasn’t even sure how they knew he would be back in time for it.  He only had time to read the first few emails, all about alleged sightings of The Ripper in different locations in the four parts of Ireland.  From the subject lines, Sean could guess that most of the rest was something similar.  Exasperated, he locked his computer and was just about to leave when the phone rang.  He immediately recognized the number as being Jim. 

“Well hello Jim, missing me already?” 

“You did leave all of the sudden,” he replied with a chuckle, “we found the mole.  The man got some shock when he saw Huntington on the television.  He worked here in the station in administration and knows Huntington from his school days, said he was a real loner and would rarely talk to anybody apart from himself.  Said he felt sorry for him.  They had always sent emails back and forth about crime, so it would only seem natural when the conversations turned to discussions of the Reading Rapist or The Irish Ripper.  The poor mite is inconsolable. 

There was another thing, probably nothing.  But he mentioned something about Huntington having this idea that The Irish Ripper had helped some Irish copper once, but that would have to equalize if his back was ever to the wall.  He may have been hinting at something truthful.  I wouldn’t like to be that copper, whatever the hell “equalization” means, it can’t be good.” 

Sean thanked Jim for the call and hastily went to the Chief Superintendent’s office for the scheduled meeting, not quite sure what to expect.  All the time his heart was beating ferociously. 

The Chief and a few other senior Gardai were there waiting for him in a large semi-circle.  He was met with smiles and the Chief shook his hand hard and began to speak. 

“Ireland owes you a debt.  The English officer Jim told us that you made a great contribution while you were over there.  We’re all very proud of you.  The Nation owes you a huge debt.  We’re going to nail this monster.  In fact, we now know that he was residing in a flat in Drogheda.  Alas, it seems he quickly vacated the premises almost certainly after he saw the news reports.  Now, maybe you can bring the rest of the team up to speed on what you know about this Huntington fella.” 

Sean quickly told them everything he knew about the suspect, even that his friend said he was a loner.  What Sean didn’t mention, though was anything about a Garda being indebted to The Ripper.  Then the central question arose – so where is he now?  It was the simplest of questions but with the trickiest of answers.  This was, after all, a man who had managed to evade capture for years.  Sean was the first person to try and take a stab at an answer. 

“He’s a solitary individual who does not tend to get on with those around him.  He has also been expertly trained thanks to the British Army to survive in harsh conditions.  There is a strong chance that he has retreated to the wilderness, perhaps somewhere like the Dublin mountains.  But that is not what I think.  I reckon he’ll try and get in one more kill before he is caught.   After all that is the compulsion that has dominated his life.” 

The room suddenly quietened at the chilling implication.  None of them wanted a repeat of those horrifying murder scenes.  Each Garda station already had a plaque to his murder victims as a symbol of their unending determination to catch The Ripper and the last thing they wanted, was to be adding to it. 

Sean patiently waited in his office for the rest of the day, which passed with more alleged sightings all over the country.  Psychologists on the television were stating that mass paranoia had engulfed the country.  That people were starting to believe that The Ripper was something of a ghost who could hide behind every wall and branch.  They had reason to be terrified but that didn’t help the Gardai. 

All-day, Jim’s message resonated through Sean’s mind, that The Ripper would equalize with the Garda whom he had helped if his back to the wall, which it certainly was now.  As Sean drove into his driveway that evening, he could see from the curtains that Laura was already there. 

He shuddered at the thought that he might already be too late.  Perhaps the attack had already commenced and he had done nothing to prevent it.  For a few panicked moments, he struggled to leave his car.  He was relieved to see that she was perfectly okay when he opened the front door but he knew that now was the time he would finally have to act. 

“How was your day darling,” she cheerily greeted him.  But once she saw the look on his face, her tone quickly changed. 

“What’s wrong?” 

“It might be best for you to sit.  There’s some stuff you need to hear.” 

Instinctively she knew that this something very serious.  So, she stopped working on the dinner and pulled up a chair to see what he had to say.

Sean had never heard the company name Gen Search X before, but he knew all about them by the end of that day.  It was founded in England a few years previously in a back garage and had now become a worldwide enterprise after exponential growth employing thousands of people all over the world that was most famous for allowing individuals to discover their genetic history.  After you sent them your DNA, they could tell you what percentages of your DNA came from each region of the world.  This had proved incredibly popular especially with Americans who had varied ancestry throughout the world.  Less so, with the likes of Sean who was Irish through and through, and had no doubts about where his ancestors had come from in the last thousand years or more. 

Sean really couldn’t understand the excitement in Jim’s voice when he said that he had sent a sample of The Rippers DNA for them to analyze and cross-reference with their datasets.  Its Chief Executive Officer had contacted him, first via email but then on the phone when that was ignored and explained that her company had heard that that the investigation had hit a roadblock with The Rippers DNA and that they may be able to help.  Her name was Dr. Jennifer Winston, a quite brilliant woman of immense intelligence who had been with the company since the get-go; fluent in multiple languages with a doctorate in Biology.   

Jim informed her that the police on both sides of the Irish Sea had already failed to find any DNA match for The Ripper and couldn’t see how this company, despite their immense resources, could be of any further assistance.  But then in exquisite detail, she explained what they could bring to the table.  There would be no fee, this was to be a philanthropic exercise and the company was only to get credit of any kind if the help they provided led to his arrest. 

“You see my Irish friend; this time is very different.  They have a huge bank full of the DNA of ordinary people who have used their services.  Who knows maybe The Ripper was interested in his ancestry?  Nah, we wouldn’t be that lucky,” he chuckled. 

“But there has to be a good chance that he has an inquisitive second cousin or maybe even a few fourth cousins.  We can discover his identity through the connections they have with each other, join the dots so to say.  By linking the related DNA from each person.  Now you see why I’m excited!” he finished sheepishly. 

Suddenly, the grounds for optimism dawned on Sean and he too became entranced by the idea.  There was no way that The Ripper would have foreseen this development and Sean wondered was that this the reason his last attack was so different, even desperate.  Compared to his previous butchery, it was far riskier, as if in a panic.  Perhaps, that’s because he had heard of the new-fangled partnership and did just that.  That would point to the leak coming from England.  Without hesitation, he relayed his thoughts to Jim. 

“Well yeah, lots of people have heard about the sample being sent just prior to Christmas.  Oh good gawd, I see what you mean.  It definitely points to some sort of connection with the police service over here,” he replied almost sympathetically for what had later happened, “but it is a good sign we’re getting closer.  To think of all the lives that have been ruined though.” 

It was unlikely to be one of the police officers or an administration worker.  There were none on leave at the times of the different murders, so there was no way they’d have the time to travel to Ireland to commit them.  It must have been someone who is close to a police officer and one that is quite content to talk about the case at that.   

“I’ll put out a general edict to tell officers of my now grave suspicions and for them to come forward if they suspect anyone,” said Jim.  “To be honest I always presumed the leak was in Ireland.” 

Both officers agreed that their discussion would remain private for now, it would be cruel to raise the hopes of so many people only for them to be dashed.  It was just as important that each police officer was fully motivated to follow each line of possible inquiry. 

 Of course, there was one person Sean was always going to tell, no matter what he had promised, but Jim would have guessed that anyway – Laura.  It made for a good nighttime chat as they lay in bed.  Other couples would have been engaged in a passionate embrace or a nighttime snuggle but this was just as good for them.  She was just as excited as they had been if a little disappointed that the potential breakthrough was still a few weeks away.  She was further intrigued by Sean’s theory of why the last murders were The Ripper’s riskiest to date. 

“I don’t know how you do that,” she said, impressed as she gazed affectionately into his eyes. 

“What?” he replied inquisitively. 

“Keep a level head, like in the midst of such horror.” 

Sean had never looked at it like that before.  In many ways, it was a gift but at times it must make him appear cold, unfeeling.  Either way, he had a job to do and that was all that really mattered. 

A few minutes later, they turned off the lights but they both struggled to fall asleep, though hiding it from the other.  Sean was both excited and wary about what lay ahead; the nightmare was hopefully finally coming to an end but how many more murders would be committed first and was there anything he could do to stop them.  Restless, he found himself switching from side to side all the time trying not to disrupt Laura’s sleep. 

Laura was anxious although she hid it well.  She found herself growing Increasingly worried for Sean; he was under so much pressure, but the worst of it he put on himself.  Although it did seem like a very significant breakthrough, she fretted about his reaction if it turned out to be another blind alley, he was putting so much hope in it.  But all she could do at the end of the day was to be there for him and give him as much support as she could.  She knew that Sean would be there for her too and that is what being involved in a committed relationship meant to her. 

With each passing week, Sean grew tenser.  There had been no further murders since but Sean was anxious for things to progress to the next level.  It had not taken long for the secret to get out and now his superiors on the back of the Minister for Justice were constantly seeking updates that just didn’t exist.  Sean had to keep giving the same tepid response – soon. 

Of course, with each passing day that became a less and less satisfactory response and he soon found himself ordered over to Reading once again to personally oversee the investigation on the British side and communicate with Dublin.  This time though only a select few knew of the arrangement so as not to give any encouragement to the Ripper to carry out a further murder in England like last time.  Laura wasn’t happy to see him go, this time there would be no fixed return date but duty called. 

He was to stay at the same hotel, which he now guessed he should look at as his home from home, at least for the time being.  This time he had to make his own way from the bustling airport using a taxi but Jim promised to meet him first thing in the morning with the promise of news. 

Sean waited patiently for Jim all morning but he did not make an appearance till the early afternoon.  He was quite bored with England now long having lost its luster. Their reunion though when it did come was like that of two old friends who hadn’t seen each other in an age.  For a few moments, they discussed old times like when they first met and how they would never have predicted that they would end up seeing so much of each other.  Then the conversation turned to the matter at hand; the Gen Search results were back. 

As expected, there was no direct match, that would just have been far too fortuitous but some relations had been found.  There were four that were of particular interest, three in Britain and one in the United States.  In fact, one of them lived close by, only an hour away by car.  Jim had already contacted him by phone that morning and much to Sean’s excitement that was where they were heading right that moment.  

With that, they went outside and got into the police car with two other officers.  Jim was too engrossed with the case to bother with any introductions.  It was like he was excited to have a peer to talk things through with, excitedly leaping from one aspect of the case to another.  On the way he explained that they were going to see a student who took the test, like most people, just out of curiosity; he had not yet been told of what the interview was about.  Daryl Cockburn was his name. 

The journey only took about forty minutes so Sean had no time to dwell on what lay ahead.  He was now outside his jurisdiction in any event and had been instructed that his role was only to observe and report.  They pulled up in the parking lot of what appeared to be large, student flat complex, which was teaming with life. 

One of the officers promptly stated that he was in flat-number fifty-seven and reassured Sean that there was wheelchair access.  Sean would certainly have hoped so or else this would have been a wasted journey.  They promptly got out of the car and after asking one of the students for directions headed to the flat that turned out to be just two minutes away. 

Daryl was not what they would have expected from someone related to The Ripper.  He was thin, bespeckled with long, curly black hair in ripped jeans and stunned by the number of coppers that had shown up at his doorstep.  Jim, who had talked to him earlier that day quickly introduced himself but it was soon apparent that he was keener on talking to Sean, whose photo he had seen on the internet. 

The other three students who resided with him were at lectures or had gone off for the day so Daryl invited them into the living room and turned off the television.  Jim whispered into Sean’s ear that protocol would be set aside and he could ask the questions, an opportunity he relished. 

He started off by telling Daryl exactly why they were there and that they hoped he would be willing to assist in their endeavor.  The smile on his face told them that they had his full committed attention.  It turned out that Daryl was quite the talker and only too happy to tell them everything he knew.  This was more interesting than anything he could have expected when he sent away his sample. 

It quickly became clear that there were a few snags.  One was that he came from quite a large family, with over thirty first cousins alone.  The other was that he struggled with some of their names and had no idea when it came to more distant relations. 

“You don’t know the names of all your first cousins?” Sean said somewhere between amusement and agitation. 

“No, some of them sure I’ve barely ever met,” he replied before adding, “It’s my Mum you should really talk to, she’s great with that sort of thing.” 

Sean asked for her number and gave it to one of the officers to see if he could get her on the phone.  Then he turned his attention back to Daryl. 

“The man we’re looking for is athletic, fit, intelligence and strong.  But he’s also a psychopath who would have struggled with relationships and forming a normal human connection with anyone.  Now, I want you to think hard for the next minute or so, does anyone in your family remind you of that?” he said in a deadly serious tone. 

Daryl for the first time went quiet for a few moments. 

“No, sorry sir I can’t think of anyone.  Like, a few of them are a bit mental but nothing on that scale.  Then there are others who like to keep fit, but in all honesty, I wouldn’t call them athletic,” he replied quietly. 

Sean reassured him that that was fine, this was about collating as much information as possible.  Then he thanked him for his assistance.  By then, the officer had his Mum on the phone, who was reticent about divulging any information at first till her son managed to talk her round by telling her that she would never forgive herself if she didn’t help. 

She was of much greater assistance, all of which was dutifully taken down by the officer.  It was with a great sense of accomplishment that Sean was left back to his hotel.  Alas, the next person of interest was a much greater distance away in Grimsby, so they would be setting out early the next morning.  That night, Sean typed up his report and emailed it back to Dublin; though he downplayed his own role in case it would cause any difficulties in the future. 

Then he rang Laura on her mobile and was surprised to find that she would be staying at her Moms while he was away as she was getting a creepy feeling staying on her own.  That was not like her, but he tried to put any worry out of his mind. 

The next morning Jim was there in the foyer as arranged.  There would be only the two of them this time, as no other officer could be spared.  Sean could tell from Jim’s demeanor straight away that he wasn’t overly hopeful of making progress today.  After Sean had maneuvered into the passenger seat, Jim told him that this time, they were heading to a nursing home.  This was not something either of them had expected. 

Sean immediately asked if he was serious, but he insisted that he was.  They were going to see a woman called Martha Delaware.  He wasn’t able to elaborate any further only that she was in her late eighties. 

It was a long drive and the two men had by now exhausted their list of things to talk about leaving long periods of silence.  Sean found himself daydreaming of Ireland and especially Laura.  It was with a sense of relief that he saw the nursing home that was their destination.  It was a large complex, all on the one level.  Everywhere was white, giving it a medical aura.  Most of the residents were in wheelchairs, some looked alert whereas others appeared to be sleeping. 

An attendant, a young woman with a wide warm smile immediately approached to ask if she could be of assistance.  Sean let Jim do the talking. 

“We’re here to see a Mrs. Delaware,” he said in an official tone whilst showing his badge. 

“Oh yes!” she replied excitedly.  “They are expecting you.” 

She pointed to the door that they were to go to.  Neither of the two men was quite sure what to expect as Jim knocked on the door. 

It only took a few seconds for the door to open and they were met by a slender middle-aged woman with a posh accent. 

“My name is Mary.  Please come in.  My Mum is the woman you are here to meet, you really have caused the most unexpected excitement around here!  Even if it somewhat macabre.” 

Martha, who was sitting patiently in her wheelchair beside her hospital bed, gave them a warm welcome.  They were only too eager to answer any questions the officers may have had.  When Martha’s memory became fuzzy, her daughter was there to fill in the blanks. 

It was still painstaking work though as there were multiple large families in her ancestral line.   

“Well Mommy was from a family of eight, her Mom from a family of twelve and her father had six siblings,” Mary said expertly. 

Sean couldn’t but roll his eyes, which led to much laughter all round.  He left Jim the arduous task of jotting down all the names.  Eventually, though he got bored with the recording and decided to go for the jugular. 

“I hope you don’t mind me asking Martha but is there any part of the family that as we say, a bit odd?” he interrupted inquisitively. 

“Well, there’s quite a lot odd in the extended family, but I guess there is odd and then there’s what you’re looking for, I guess.  My brother Robert had a strange one alright, her name was Jackie Huntington.  Some fool knocked her up and did a runner.  She married a right bastard too from what I heard.  None of the rest of the family would have anything to do with her.  She wasn’t just odd; it was much more than that.  She was a cruel and heartless woman.  If there was something she could jeer or torment you about, she would.  She had a younger sister, who was what you call slow and she was awful to her, I was told.  Now that was many moons ago and it is a man that you are looking for but maybe, I don’t know…” 

Martha’s lucidity then failed somewhat and she went off on an unrelated tangent.  Unfortunately, Mary a few minutes later when Martha had needed to rest could add nothing more except to say that Robert was still alive, but only just, having been riddled with cancer.  He was currently getting end-of-life care at a hospice and was only expected to last another two weeks at most.   

“It’s probably nothing, we’ll be in touch if we need further details,” Jim informed her before taking down her telephone number.  The two officers thanked her for the assistance before heading back to the car. 

The drive back seemed to take longer, perhaps it was because they were both tired.  Eventually, Jim broke the silence. 

“Well, my Irish friend do you think we’re getting any closer to our man?” 

“Oh yes, we’ll get there.  Soon the fog will lift and we’ll have him in our sights, there will be nowhere for him to hide,” he replied with a steely conviction that surprised Jim. 

The comments were to prove prescient.  Two days later, interviews had also been conducted with the other two people that harbored some of The Rippers DNA.  Jim raced to the hotel to inform Sean of the results.  They should have listened more closely to the old lady. 

Jim saw that Sean was having his lunch in the hotel restaurant through a window but that wasn’t going to deter him; simply flashing his ID at the waiter and walking past.  Sean was quite surprised when Jim suddenly pulled up a chair beside him waving a piece of paper with a neatly laid out diagram with different people’s names and their relation to each other.  Such was his excitement he didn’t bother with the usual pleasantries. 

“Look!  This explains everything and we’re so very close.  Martha is related down the maternal line whereas Daryl is related paternally.  The other two people’s DNA confirms this.  See, here it appears that the old lady could have been on to something.  It could possibly be a son of Jackie Huntington.” 

Sean immediately set aside his dinner and asked if they had already contacted her.  Jim said that he rang on the way over but she hung up once he said that he was police and from her tone, she didn’t seem like the cooperative type. 

Sean instinctively knew that they needed to get to Robert, while they still had an opportunity.  Taking charge of the situation, he told Jim to ring Mary and find out his whereabouts.  Fortunately, Mary perhaps expecting the call was able to give him the location, but she added that he was now in his final hours. 

Just a few moments later, the two men were driving to St Michael’s Hospice, in the heart of London.  They turned on the siren, every second could prove vital.  For a time, they made great progress but their frustration grew as they hit outer London and were hit with gridlock on all five lanes.  They turned off the siren and tried to be patient.  Gradually, they crawled into the city proper and Jim then had a good idea of the best streets to take.   

“I always wanted to visit London again even if the circumstances are not what I would have expected,” Sean said jokingly to lift the mood. 

“When we get this bastard, you’ll be coming again and I’ll show you all the good spots,” Jim replied sternly. 

A few minutes later they had reached their destination.  It was not what Sean would have expected.  It was on a busy street and it actually took them a few minutes to find somewhere to park that Sean could actually get out safely into his wheelchair.  Apart from the name hanging over the entrance, there was nothing to signify that the red brick six-story building was any different from the ones that surrounded it. 

Anxious to reach Robert in time, they hastily went inside.  The change in atmosphere was immediate.  The hustle and bustle of the street immediately changed to serenity.  There was a shop that was covered in flowers immediately on the left side and a reception desk with seating on the right manned by nurses.  They skipped the queue and went straight to the top where a middle-aged nurse began to admonish them. 

“You can’t do that! Please take your place at the back!” she said in astonishment but once Jim showed his ID, her tone immediately softened and she checked for Robert’s location on the computer in front of her. 

“Oh yes, he is on the fourth floor, in the L Block.  I tell you what I’ll go with you.  This place is like Fort Knox without a swipe card and I’m due a break,” she said helpfully. 

Jim immediately agreed and they began their journey through a labyrinth of corridors and lifts.  Every turn was indistinguishable from the last, the only noticeable change is a change of lettering on the overhead signs.  A chill went down Sean’s spine as he thought of the anonymity of death in places like this.  Sure, the patients smiled as he passed by, but he wondered if they were little more than a number to the people who worked here.  Or perhaps, it was just his distaste for medical settings since his accident. 

After a few minutes, they reached Robert’s room, which he had all to himself though it immediately became clear that probably didn’t make much difference to him one way or the other.  Looking extremely frail and pale, he was being attended by a petite, young attendant who inquired if they were family or friends.  Her face became somewhat despondent when the nurse that had come with us told her they were not, but police who wished to speak with him. 

“I fear that you have come too late, he’s been unconscious now for a little over an hour and I doubt he’ll open those eyes ever again.  I had hoped you were family; I hate when we’re the only people here to say goodbye,” she said with a smile. 

“Did his family visit at all?” Jim inquired noting that there were no photos or flowers in the room. 

“Not that I’ve seen,” she replied sadly, “Well apart from some distant relations.  He did mention when pressed that he had a daughter and a grandson but they’ve not shown up.  I gathered that they were estranged and haven’t spoken for many years.  Shame, because he really was a sweet and lovely man.  To be estranged at ninety-six years of age…” 

“Well he couldn’t have been perfect if the police want to talk to him, was he a bit too fond of the kiddies back in the day or something?” the middle-aged woman who was still standing inquisitively in the hallway interjected. 

This alarmed Jim, who didn’t want to tarnish the old man’s reputation in his final moments and insisted that he was not suspected of any wrongdoing.  Sean then asked if they could have a few moments alone with him to at least pay their respects giving a knowing glance to Jim.  With that, they closed the door leaving the men alone with Robert.  Sean took charge of the situation and told Jim to stand in front of the camera that he had spotted in the corner, hoping it was the only one. 

“Well it doesn’t look like you are going to be able to willingly give us your DNA, now does it?” Sean whispered to Robert, “But you know from what people have told us about you, I have no doubt you would have.  Ah, look, at that drool coming from your mouth.  You’re at least entitled to some dignity.” 

Sean took a tissue from his shirt pocket and wiped the man’s mouth.  Then he handed it to Jim who placed it in a small plastic bag.  Then they waited a few minutes.  In that time, Robert took his last breath.  The two men said little to each other until they were back in the car.  They now had a prime suspect for the Reading Rapist and The Irish Ripper, and possibly the proof to imprison him.