Ch.1

Part One;

The Sixth Disposal

The clouds hung about the sky, lounging in the grey oblivion of a rainy day and the sun shone dimly on the cobbles of London. There among the rain was Edward Bailey, otherwise known as Teddy, attempting to catch a cab amidst the London fog. He waved his arms frantically at an approaching yellow cab until, at last it squealed to a halt in front of him.

" Salisbury please" He said absently, smoothing his coat as he sat in the dinghy seat.

" yessir" The man replied, keeping to himself. The man was about fifty or so, Edward presumed, a picture of a similarly aged woman sat on his dash, wobbling occasionally. The man was slightly overweight and red in the face, He wore a tightly fitted denim jacket over a messy green polo shirt, stained with a familiar red stain, Teddy assumed to be ketchup.

"You've got a bit of a stain from your sausage sir" He commented hesitantly. The man looked down, slightly Irritated and bemused.

"How'd ya know It was a sausage lad?" He said with a thick Scottish accent.

"Well, according to the wrapper in the passenger seat, and the stain… many would assume" He answered meekly.

"Many would assume," He said mockingly, " you one of em crazy psychics, you tryna pull the hood over me eyes?"

" No sir, simply save you the embarrassment of the stain" He vaguely replied. The man peeked over the seat, looking him over.

" uh huh" he began to pull over onto Glasshill street. That’s how Teddy got kicked out of a cab for the sixth time.

Detective Edward Bailey, Head detective of the murders and missing persons accounts in Scotland Yard. He found himself wandering the streets of London alone that day, pining for a cab that would never come. His energy eventually dispersed, and he sat down on a public bench, pondering a way to get home.

“Well now you’ve done it” he said to himself, irritated.

“You alright sir?” A male voice arose from the shadows, his voice was light and young, mid-twenties maybe?

“Oh, I’m alright mate, I just lost myself a cab” He grumbled. The man chuckled,

“How’d you do that?” He sat adjacent to him. He was short and scrawny, his hair was mangled, and long… and quite black. He sat slouched.

“Oh, I dunno. Scared him off I suppose” Teddy replied, yawning. The man looked curious, his thin brows furrowed.

“Well then, what are you gonna do now?” He said smiling.

“Not sure, may give up and stay at a friend’s house” He leaned back in his seat, running a hand over his beard.

“Ah, well at least you have somewhere to go. I would offer to house you if I had room” He laughed lightly. He wasn’t as young as Teddy has assumed, he now appeared to be aged and weathered. Thirties he supposed, glancing at the man’s glossy indigo colored eyes. He had a light English accent, probably London raised.

“Good to know” he replied gratefully.

“Where were you trying to get back to?” He seemed genuinely interested.

“Salisbury, actually,” Teddy replied, standing.

“Sorry, not much of a small talk guy. I better get moving before nightfall” He said, giving a soft smile.

“That’s alright, I get it, you don’t want to talk to a bum like me” he said, returning the smile. Teddy hesitated

“No, you know what… what’s your name?” He asked politely.

“Andras” he said softly.

“Mines Edward, but you can just call me Teddy. And here, Andras” He handed the man his number.

“Call me if you ever need a lift, or a drinking buddy, or even just to talk” He waved and headed off down the cobbles, his heeled loafers clicking happily on the stones.

“Thanks!” Andras shouted. Teddy did not reply as he speed walked down the paths, attempting to find a phone booth.

Part Two;

The Persian In White

“MEEEEOOOOWWWW” the loud screech of a meow pierced Teddy’s ears, waking him.

“Decker! Get off me” He shouted, frustrated.

“Decker come here sweetheart” Prudence cooed from the kitchen.

“Damn cat” he said to himself. He sat up from his cramped spot on the old crushed velvet loveseat, removing the blue and pink dotted blanket from his limbs.

“Teddy, dear, there’s freshly pressed trousers on the dryer” She said, entering the living room, Decker perched in her arms.

“Thanks, Prudie, but where’d ya get a pear from? I’m wearin mine” He said inspecting his surroundings.

“You left them last time you crashed here” she said stroking the white Persian cat.

“Oh, yeah sorry” He said, getting up to retrieve his pants.

“There’s also one of your waistcoats too” she said, opening a hall closet to a rack full of men’s clothing.

“and a shirt, jacket, oh wow, and lookie here; a pair of loafers” she said sarcastically. Teddy came around the corner, eyeing the closet.

“Huh” he ruffled through the clothes taking out a shirt and tie.

“Nice collection, what’s the theme? Edward Bailey?” he snickered, pulling his shirt off.

“Jesus, Teddy, go change in the bathroom” she said rolling her eyes.

“Nah, I’m jus’ changing the basics. Don’t worry, not takin off me boxers”

“Do you just strip in front of anyone?” she said poking at his ribs.

“Nope, just the ones who I make me uncomfortable,” He said, buttoning the shirt.

“Nice” She helped with his tie, combing back his hair with her hand.

“There you go dearest” she snorted, handing him the peacoat from the previous night. He then headed off to the street to find a willing cabbie.