J&L: Jagowl & Litepaw (3)

***
Mortuary, St. Bart's
***

Quick: "The two unfortunates have already been laid out for you, Professor. Just under the respective cloth. I should warn you though, that their injuries are particularly upsetting."

Litefoot: "It's been my experience that the dead are rarely pleasing in their appearance."

Quick: "Even so, Jenkins lost his lunch after spotting the chap on the Heath."

Litefoot: "Well, let's just have a look then... good heavens! Look at the poor man."

Quick: "I'd rather not get too close if it's all the same to you."

Litefoot: "I'd have to agree with your theory of a savage animal, Quick. This poor man is practically torn to shreds! See here, on the arms: bite marks, something with a large mouth and sharp teeth. The chest has been ripped open. From the pattern of the ragged flesh, I'd say large claws pierced the ribcage and tore outwards. Here, on the face. Again there's evidence of bitemarks, with a clearer imprint of the bite pattern. I can't be certain, but the teeth marks are rather feline to me."

Quick: "You mean, some kind of large cat?"

Litefoot: "Hmm. I'm afraid that's exactly what I mean. And I have a worrisome feeling I know from where it came."

Quick: "Surely there can't be a tiger roaming the streets of London. I mean, I'd expect more sightings, more victims."

Litefoot: "With the extent of the recent fog enveloping the city, I daresay a skilled predator could easily hide in the mist. And I don't think a tiger is to blame."

Quick: "You can tell the species from a cursory examination of the bite mark?"

Litefoot: "No. But I've seen a lion in London just last night."

Quick: "What?!"

Litefoot: "I need to speak with Jago urgently. You see..."

Gustav: "I have completed my task, Professor. I hope it is to your satisfaction. How may I assist you further?"

Litefoot: "Ah, Gustav... How... efficient of you. Well, I need to pop out for an errand actually. I was hoping you could examine these two deceased and draft up an autopsy report."

Gustav: "Without your supervision?"

Litefoot: "Yes, indeed. I... um... want to assess you without the added pressure of having me staring over your shoulder. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a cab to catch."

Quick: "I'll just, see you out, Professor."

***
New Regency Theatre
***

*knocking*

Jago: "Come in, come in. Casey, if that's you, you had better have good news or... Oh! George. Didn't expect to see you here."

Litefoot: "And I didn't expect to have to travel here. Is everything alright with Casey, you sounded somewhat aggrieved?"

Jago: "It's nothing much, Litefoot. I have him out searching the pubs and taverns in a two mile radius."

Litefoot: "Whatever for? And Casey of all people, he's as likely to get lost in such a salubrious den as his quarry is, I'd wager."

Jago: "I don't have much of a choice. I'm somewhat short staffed at present. It's this new act, Ivan the Imitator. He's always disappearing during the day. Sure he'll turn up just before the curtain rises, but it's just unprofessional."

Litefoot: "And these disappearances, they end with his presence in one of the many ale houses in the vicinity, I take it."

Jago: "Indeed. But you didn't travel over here to hear about my troubles. Have you come here with a new confounding case for us to crack?"

Litefoot: "Yes, well, the game is afoot!"

Jago: "Some new infernal incident for us to investigate. Capital!"

Litefoot: "A couple of bodies were found last night, savages by a large animal, that appears to be feline."

Jago: "You mean, like a lion? Could it have escaped from the circus? And now it's prowling the mists of London, skulking in the shadows, striking at those walking alone in the inky night. Seeking revenge on the creatures who do cruelly ripped it from its homeland, imprisoned it in a cage and forced it to perform."

Litefoot: "A touch poetic, but that is the gist of my thoughts, yes. I came here to ask you a favour. Since you were already thinking of booking some of the circus acts for this theatre, you have the perfect alibi to meet the Ringmaster."

Jago: "And while I'm there, I can use my prodigious powers of persuasion and keen investigative senses to look for signs of an escaped animal."

Litefoot: "Exactly, Henry."

Jago: "Will it be dangerous?"

Litefoot: "Talking with a circus performer?"

Jago: "No. I mean, will it be safe if there's an escaped lion roaming the streets if London around the circus."

Litefoot: "No more dangerous than it is for every citizen or patron who happens to pass the area."

Jago: "Crumbs. OK Professor, I'll do it. Just let me grab my coat. Besides, if Ivan doesn't turn up in time for tonight's show, being a lion's lunch won't seem so bad in comparison."