Keiren frowned and puzzled aloud, "The message might have
been left by the killer, but more likely, someone suspected
what was going on and left the clue to alert in the police.
Sir Charles erased the message, not to prevent violence
against the Jews in the community but to protect his Lodge
brothers from exposure."

Mulder sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He
carried the idea even farther, "It might have been a
Freemason who recognized the ritual mutilations but was not
in on the conspiracy. He might have been trying to warn off
the murderer, by revealing his knowledge but not his
identity."

I shook my head and sighed, "It doesn't really matter who
wrote the message, because it was never investigated.
Besides, by November 9th, the grisly undertaking was
complete. The final Ripper victim, Mary Kelley, was found in
a lodging house mutilated almost beyond recognition. Her
body had been cut nearly in two. The organs ripped from her
abdominal cavity and placed around her on the bed. Her face
was slashed repeatedly." I sat in silence for some time,
contemplating my next statement. "Mary Kelly's heart was
never found."

Mulder's eyes widened until I thought they would fall out of
his head, "The killer took her heart with him?"

"There was no evidence to prove otherwise, Mulder." I closed
my eyes and rubbed my forehead. "Any way, it didn't make any
difference in the end. There was no conclusive evidence and
no one came forward to confess. The case was at a
standstill. The murders stopped and the public soon moved
past Jack the Ripper to other worries. Doctors diagnosed Sir
William Gull insane and placed him in an asylum under the
name Thomas Mason, where he died in 1890. J.K. Stephen and
Prince Edward Albert Victor died in 1892. Robert Anderson
retired from his position as Assistant Commissioner, CID in
1901. In recognition for his years of loyal service to crown
and country, he received the honor of knighthood. He died
peacefully in his home in 1918. Not much is known about the
private life of Michael Kidney."

I drained my glass and glared at my feet while I concluded,
"I'm the only descendant of Edward Reid to pursue a career
in law enforcement. It seems the Inspector has passed down
his legacy of unsolvable cases. Doesn't it?" Glancing
steadily at Keiren while pouring more whiskey, I finished,
"We still have no idea what possesses my closet, how it got
there or how to get rid of it."

Keiren smiled and finished off the last of his drink. "Let
me take care of the detective work, Walter. I'll root out
the sidhe from your closet, right proper." He set his empty
glass on the coffee table. "We have plenty of time to wait.
You say when you wake, it's nearly four?"

I stood, picking up our glasses and Mulder's empty soda can,
"Yeah, 3:59 a.m. on the dot." I carried the lot to the
kitchen and fussed around a few moments before returning to
the front room. "I don't feel like watching television and
thanks to Mulder and the Ambassador Hotel, I'm not sleepy.
Do either of you mind if I play the stereo? I'll set the
volume low."

Mulder smiled, "That's fine by me, Walter. I'm going to
close my eyes for a bit, if no one objects. I don't want to
be fuzzy when the witching hour arrives." He kicked off his
shoes and removed his jacket, sliding down to rest his head
on the back of the sofa.

I opened the hall closet and removed pillows and two light
blankets, "No problem at all, Mulder.  Here, at least make
yourselves comfortable." Tossing each man a pillow, I
dropped the folded blankets on the coffee table. "I'll turn
off the overhead light in just a minute. The lamp will be
enough for me and won't bother you much, hopefully."

Keiren readied himself for sleep wriggling and settling in,
reminding me of a dog nesting before a nap. I had to smile
at how comfortable both men seemed in the home of a complete
stranger. Now that I thought about it, I was surprised at
how nice it was to have company for a change.  I stood by
the wall switch, waiting for Mulder and Keiren to give me
the signal. "Lights out, soldiers. I'll wake you at three if
you're not up on your own."

Both men nodded sleepily and I shut out the lights. I moved
to stand in front of the stereo, reaching automatically for
Pink Floyd's 'Momentary Lapse of Reason'. I set the volume
just loud enough to distinguish the lyrics and returned to
the armchair. Sitting in the darkened room with David
Gilmour's guitar to keep me company, I thought about all the
things we discussed over the course of the evening. I
wondered if it was truly possible for a human soul...or
spirit...essence, whatever Keiren chose to call it, to
attach to an inanimate object. If so, why would the essence
suddenly manifest itself to me? My father and grandfather
before him never mentioned a single word about red-eyed
monsters hiding in the closet of their respective bedrooms.

I was distracted from my musings as 'No More Turning Away'
began to play. I closed my eyes and concentrated on the
lyrics, figuring I would forget all about Freemasons,
murdered prostitutes and ghosts in the night, for the
moment.

On the turning away
From the pale and downtrodden
And the words they say
Which we won't understand
"Don't accept that what's happening
Is just a case of others suffering,
Or you'll find that you're joining in
The turning away"

It's a sin that somehow
Light is changing to shadow
And casting its shroud
Over all we have known
Unaware how the ranks have grown
Driven on by a heart of stone
We could find that we're all alone
In the dream of the proud

I breathed a sigh of relief as the track ended, wondering if
I would ever listen to any song's lyrics innocently again.


About 2.45, I went to the bathroom to splash water on my
face. I returned to the living room and tapped the soles of
Mulder's feet, "Wake up. We have just over an hour to go,
Mulder."

Mulder groaned and rubbed his face, "Yes, sir." He sat up
and stretched before shaking Keiren's shoulder, "Up and at
'em, Duinne. It's almost show time." Rising slowly from the
couch, Mulder shambled toward the bathroom. "I'll be right
back. Don't start without me."

Keiren vigorously scratched his head, peering around the
room like a myopic owl. Finally recognizing his
surroundings, he glanced up at me, "Morning, Walter." He
yawned hugely and began to fold blankets and fluff pillows.

I quickly took the bedding from his hands. "Don't worry
about that, Keiren. I'll just toss them back in the closet.
Depending on how adamant that thing is about staying in my
closet, you and Mulder might be parking on the couch again
tonight."

Laughing softly, Keiren stood and stretched. "Let's hope I
can talk some sense into the wee ghostie. Make it understand
it's being evicted and we'll not take no for an answer."

Mulder wandered back to the living room by way of the
kitchen for a fresh Coke. "So, what's the game plan?" He
resumed his seat on the couch, "Do you need anything
special, Keiren? Bell, book or candles?" He grinned wickedly
at his friend as he popped the top of his soda can.

Keiren returned Mulder's grin, "No, but if the ghostie
requires a blood sacrifice, I expect you to be the first to
volunteer, Fox me lad." He chuckled all the way down the
hall to the bathroom.

Suddenly, I felt nervous and worried. What if the
manifestation didn't occur tonight? I removed my tie and
rolled up my shirtsleeves. Casting a glance at Mulder from
the corner of my eye, I wondered aloud, "I just hope this
thing isn't shy. I'm the only one who has seen it. I don't
want to look like a fool, if nothing happens."

Mulder stared at me in exasperation. "Walter, will you give
it a rest? I believe you. Keiren believes you. He already
said that he senses something chaotic and evil in your
closet, didn't he? Do you think we're setting you up?"

As if on cue, Keiren came back into the room and saved me
from having to answer Mulder's question. "We should probably
go into the bedroom, soon. I guess the best thing would be
for you to lie down on the bed, Walter. Fox can sit in the
armchair and I will stand near the closet. If this thing
comes out of the closet, I want you both to leave the room
immediately. Don't wait for me. Just go. Understand?"

I started to protest but Keiren cut me off,  "Trust me,
Walter. This isn't something you can protect me from. You
can't shoot it. You can't physically overpower it. I know
what I'm doing. I will be okay."

Slapping me on the back, Mulder agreed, "I've seen Keiren
work before, Walter. He's a professional...if there is such
a thing as a professional in this business."

I didn't like the situation at all but I was outnumbered. I
tried using my best surly assistant director's voice,
pointing my finger in his face for good measure, hoping for
a concession on Keiren's part, "If you don't follow us
immediately, I'm coming back for you. Is that understood?"

Without batting an eyelash, Keiren turned to Mulder as if I
hadn't spoken. "You're to wait outside the building, or in
the parking garage. I'll catch up to you when it's
finished."