the victims werent prostitutes

[Simon Wood]

Agreed. Also, the smell might have been a bit of a give away.

But the discovery had to take place on Lord Mayor's Day, when for a brief period of time most people were busily looking the other way.

[Robert]

Harvey would probably have come knocking for her clothes - I think she itemised them twice.

[Simon Wood]

The rent arrears might simply have been an excuse for Bowyer to knock on the door, get no answer, look through the broken window and—"Aaargh!"—start the ball rolling.

If "MJK" had been up-to-date with her rent, goodness know how long she might have lain unnoticed in Room 13.

[Robert]

He probably noted 'new window' though. Maybe 'cost of replacement key.' Maybe a new kettle?

[MrBarnett]

Hi Caz

I'm not sure if I'm remembering this right - it's all very fuzzy - but I've a feeling I saw a reference to Mrs McCarthy and her rent book somewhere.

Ah, but which Mrs McCarthy?

[caz]

Ah, now that would put a different complexion on it, Robert. I doubt McCarthy would have noted down 'This third day of November 1888 - thruppence off the rent arrears on Room 13 in respect of blow job - received with thanks', if the missus was keeping tabs.

Love,

Caz
X

[Robert]

Hi Caz

I'm not sure if I'm remembering this right - it's all very fuzzy - but I've a feeling I saw a reference to Mrs McCarthy and her rent book somewhere.

[caz]

Hi Robert,

But wouldn't McCarthy have called the shots? Would he not have been in a position to decide which tenants he would or would not evict for non-payment of rent? They could hardly object on the grounds of MJK getting off lightly, considering how she ended up.

I could see your fish arrangement working, and keeping McCarthy happy until Barnett lost his job, after which the arrears built up to the amount owed as at November 9. But we are still left to speculate on whether the amount claimed was a true reflection of the rent owed by that point. I wonder if he kept written records, which the police could have asked to see?

Love,

Caz
X

[Robert]

The downside of McCarthy wishing to come across as a kindly landlord, was that he'd be seen by his tenants as a soft touch.

I have always wondered if McCarthy had an arrangement with Barnett whereby he'd be supplied with free fish for his shop dinners. Then Barnett lost his job. McCarthy waited to see if Barnett could still get the fish via contacts or at least nick some fruit.

[caz]

Best wishes to Herlock's Daddy!

I doubt McCarthy would have mentioned the amount of MJK's rent arrears - true, false or massaged - if it put him in a bad light, so he presumably saw some advantage in doing so, or at least no disadvantage.

Whether it was to come across as a kindly landlord, who let a woman get so far behind because her circumstances had recently taken a turn for the worse; or whether he hoped a relative or other associate of the deceased might help to cover his losses; or a bit of both, I don't suppose we'll ever know.

But one thing struck me - if he was letting Kelly pay him in other ways, by doing odd jobs or favours for him, then that should have brought the arrears down a few pence for each 'favour', or she'd never have cleared the debt that way and it would have carried on increasing, week after week. So if there had been some sort of 'arrangement' in place, I'd say McCarthy was maximising the arrears to indicate otherwise.

Love,

Caz
X

[Robert]

Please wish him all the best, Michael.

[Herlock Sholmes]

Hi Michael

Emphysema can be managed with the help of inhalers etc plus pulmonary rehabilitation, exercises etc.

Hi Robert,

Dad’s had this illness for years now and is in the ‘final stages.’ He’s not doing to badly breathing-wise at the moment though. We just got him back home a couple of hours ago.

[Robert]

Hi Michael

Emphysema can be managed with the help of inhalers etc plus pulmonary rehabilitation, exercises etc.

[Herlock Sholmes]

Is it established that they'd always paid on time up until a certain date, and then abruptly stopped? Might they not have been slowly falling behind while trying to keep up, as the honest poor do to this day?

I've wondered as well about McCarthy's figures. He'd not only just lost a tenant, but the room was covered in blood, most of the furnishings (such as they were) presumably had to be replaced, plus he's now trying to rent a room where a heinous murder just occurred. I'd not be horribly shocked to learn that he'd padded the arrears a bit in case a relative of MJK showed up to settle her affairs.

Good point Ginger. I remember the same point being made on another thread by a regular poster (someone like Caz, Abby or Sam, I can’t recall who)

Did McCarthy ever try and make a few quid by showing the room to people for cash? He had the world’s most authentic crime scene display there.

[Herlock Sholmes]

Best wishes to your dad. If opportunity permits,it might be interesting to chat up Dr. Gull, and see if he's a descendant of Sir William.

Thanks Ginger

I haven’t actually seen the man. I checked online and the fact that his Christian name is David and he’s a stroke specialist is all I can find out.