Текст книги "The Cop Killer"

Автор книги: Harry Nankin

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Текущая страница: 7 (всего у книги 14 страниц)

“I have had the luck to investigate most types of crimes and deal with the worst and best in society; the worst always seemed to be doing better that the best.  My guiding rules throughout has been to be an honest copper having attention to detail, one has to have attention to detail especially when dealing with criminals.”

“No criminal visits and leaves the scene of any crime without leaving some clue, the task of the good detective is to recognise and retrieve that clue.”

 “There is another and just as important rule, you will slide a lot farther on bull shit than you will on gravel”.

My guiding rule is that I am employed to detect crime.  No matter what bullshit it takes to butter up suspects as long as they admit the offence that is what matters.”

“I have no sessions of curtains closed or pulled down all up front but soft soap them, even better, make them feel sorry for you, again as long as they cough the jobs, the end justifies the means.”

“Some cops have a problem with this, roughing up suspects and often said to me”.

 “How can you be so friendly with the bastards?”

“I often recall the words of a solicitor who when I asked him how he could defend such people said to me “In life you don’t have to like people to take money off them”.

“That is true and I have always recalled his words.”

“Well now it is my turn,” said Doris.

“I was born to a Chinese Dad and a White Mum, in fact she is Welsh.”

“My father is a very successful businessman; my mother was a medical doctor that it is how they met.”

“I have a brother he also took a different path he decided on a life away from the hustle and bustle, he is a Shaolin Priest”.

“I get a lot of stick about being mixed race or half cast as they refer to it here. My parents anticipated I would, so I was educated privately here and in China.”

“I worked hard and received good grades in my exams and eventually went to University in Manchester. I have no idea why but I studied law, I received an honours degree. I still for the life of me don’t recall why but I have the inclination to join the police, possibly to fight against racism”.

“On leaving Manchester University I went to the police college at Bramshill and as my parents were now living near Chester I applied for a post here as an Inspector.”

“My dad bought me a small house in Tarporley, as it is near to Chester and other cities such as Manchester, for shopping and the like”.

“I hear you live in the village Mr Richards, sorry about the petition and sorry I confess I signed it so did the HMI I saw his name on the list, I didn’t know you then, sorry.”

That is my story, here I am and you are lumbered with me.”

“So you have no practical police experience?” He asked

“Just making tea and odd jobs, they never let me do anything”.

Jack sat back in his chair, put his fingers to his mouth and thought for some time then said

 “Well I can’t tell you much about traffic law but regarding criminal law I know a little, as you are working with me I will lead you along and pass onto you that which was told to me and what knowledge I have gained from trial and error.”

“Mr Richards what do you make of this case, this business of a whodunit thing?” She asked

“What do I think about it?” he replied.

“I think five policemen have been found dead and one cop with years of experience would like it looked into and asked me and now you to do it.”

“I think I will do just that, look into the cases and see what falls out of the bottom when I give it a shake after we complete our enquiries, other than that I think nothing”.

She made no reply but gave a nod.

He then said, “Now from this moment the paramount things of importance are these.”

“Keep an open mind, read, observe, listen and learn, we shall keep our eyes and ears open and our mouths shut.”

“Nothing but nothing goes from us to anyone and I mean anyone is that clear?”

“Yes but what do I say if asked”

“It seems to me they think you are a dummy, in that case play them at their own game just let them think what they want to think, you are a dummy and don’t know a thing.”

“It may well be there is nothing in the cases if so we will both be dummies and nothing is lost.”

“Now Inspector time for work, I could with a drink”.

Before he could speak to say he would make it there was a rattling of a bucket and a voice then it all arrived, in the guise of May Day, she was crying.

“Whatever is the matter May?” asked Doris.

“The Chief Super has made me redundant; he is getting contract cleaners in.”

“That damn man, I need the money being a widow.”

“Well never mind come with me May, I was just going to make us a brew", and she put her arm around the distraught cleaner and left.

They were leaving when Jack called “Inspector just a moment?”

“Yes Mr Richards”.

“I just thought to say, nothing special when making the brew just as it comes from the tap”.

“She smiled and said, “Why of course you haven’t qualified for my specials as yet”.

“I hope I never do” he replied smiling.

The phone rang, “who the hell is that?”

“No-one knows I am here?”

 “Hello, Jack Richards speaking, now can I help?”

“Hello Jack, Woodcock here just thought I would give you a call to make sure all is well”.

“Yes all is well and, oh don’t worry, I am here I didn’t change my mind. You won’t get egg on your face”

“Did you get the office and the experienced officer they promised?”

“Ideal,” he replied, “The office, well what shall I say, it takes me back many years, it is an old CID office still fitted out with all the old furniture.”

“I must say Christian it is just what I needed to take me back to the good old days. Certainly puts me in the right frame of mind”.

“I must ask you Jack; does it have a hat stand?”

“It does boss and like the politicians I can announce today I rung the bell, the hat landed onto the stand the very first time I arrived”.

“What about your help, did Denton-Smyth come up with an ideal officer?”

“He certainly did, I owe him a vote of thanks, he allocated me a very highly qualified lady officer she has even got an honours degree in law”

“She hasn’t any experience with this particular type of investigation but I have”

“She the makings of a bloody good detective”.

“Well Jack as you are all set up I will leave you to it”

“Ah, just a couple of things, better not say anything to Denton-Smyth, leave it to me.”

“I have told him and I will tell the others the same, I will update them all they need to know.”

I wouldn’t like to spoil your little party at the end”, said Jack, adding “especially if as very likely I suspect it will get nowhere and you will have to fall back on the additional drinking time”

“Mums the word Jack so in view of this even I won’t come back pestering you again but you know, I am here if you need official backing or have any problems”.

“Thank you Christian, there is one thing”.

“There is a cleaner, she works a few hours but has been made redundant by the force.”

“It seems they are having contract cleaners. Would our budget stretch as far as offering her a few hours to clean and help around here?”

“If not and you have no objection I will pay her myself, I did think of asking her to do a few hours for us, seems in Tarporley everyone has a cleaner”.

“I see no problem with that, stick her on the pay roll as an assistant rather than a cleaner, that’s it Jack I am off, bye”, he was gone.

Jack made no mention of the petition against his glass house but was surprised to hear his old friend Woodcock had also signed, just goes to show.”

He thought of a story

“At the time of the Falklands war when British Sovereign territory was invaded, the Americans announced they would remain even handed.”

“An American TV newsreader at the end of the bulletin announcing this when he closed his papers looked into the camera and said.

 “Who is the closest friend of America, stood by us when all others criticise us, who always sends their young men to support ours in times of need and despair, not the Argentineans, but the British.”

“Perhaps eventually the British people will have cause to reflect when their time of need came, who amongst their friends was only even handed”.

Maybe he thought one day Woodcock might have cause to reflect.

 Doris and May arrived back, drinks in hand, he leaned over took his drink and said.

“I am sorry May you lost your post next door, if you fancy it, the Inspector and I could use a little help around here, a bit of cleaning, answering the phone to take messages, making sure no tourists snoop around thinking we are part of the museum and of course keeping the pot on”.

“That would be wonderful”. She said

“Right well I am going for a look around the rest of this building. May you take your instructions from Inspector Scott-Ling, she will I am sure update you on the rules and do`s and don’ts of this little world inside here”.

He stood replaced his cup and saucer and left the room.

Arriving down stairs it was busy, tourists and school children visiting the old cells and the dummies dressed up as Victorian prisoners.

 Some were boisterous and on passing the birching room and stool, he looked stopped and thought, a session in here would give you miscreants a taste of old justice when the rule spare the rod and spoil the child was in operation.

He was joined by Doris who informed him they had a woman prisoner next door at the police station and she was required there to search the lady and sit in on the interview.

“Ok”, he said, “I will spend the day just contemplating how to tackle these cases, I will give you a call as and when things will kick off”.

As he toured around, he met Sergeant Reg Large. He was on this occasion, dressed in an old type uniform and armed with a Sergeants walking stick.

Such a stick had not seen by Jack since he had attended the Grand National at Aintree years ago when all the Scouser sergeants carried them on the course.

 More as a traditional dress than for practical use, the days of the Sergeant tapping his stick on the pavement edge to signal constables he was about had long gone, even before his time.

“Hello again Mr Richards. Just having a look around are you?”

“Ah, yes, it is very interesting; the children seem to enjoy it in particular putting on the old helmets and tunics.”

“Yes,” replied Large “Very good police public relations, this museum is”.

“Yes indeed” replied Jack, then added, “Since the cops on outside patrol don’t seem to stop and speak with the public these days I would agree it is a good police public relations exercise”.

Large hesitated, realising what Jack had said was the truth but a little taken back by its saying.

 Large hesitated and said “Oh I am interested in this enquiry in to these deaths, some think it is a waste of time and money, a senior officer’s bloody fad for a good night out. Still money is money better to get paid for that than having to do real police work”.

Jack smiled and replied, “Well I must get on", he turned and walked away then after a few steps he stopped, looked back and said.

“Oh, by the way, I am not getting paid I am just looking into the case for old times sake. You know what they say, once a copper always a copper”.

PART EIGHT

 

LOOK OUT, JACK’S ABOUT

 

The next day in Tarporley, Anne had just finished baking and preparing a host of cakes to take with them to her sisters for a family party in the offing, her sister Megan’s grandson was having his third birthday and as normal Anne was the mainstay to provide refreshments.

Jack meanwhile had spent the whole day contemplating in his study.

“Are you alright in here Jack?”

“I haven’t heard a murmur from you since breakfast.”

She put down a drink on the table together with a piece of carrot cake, one of his favourites. He was sitting staring through the window.

“A penny for your thoughts Jack?”

“I was just contemplating” he replied

“What is that hun?” She said

“My” he thought, “She hasn’t called me that since we were courting”.

 He always thought but dared not ask if the phrase was short for honey or if she thought he was German, he certainly wouldn’t dare ask her now”.

“Give me a clue Jack what is on your mind?”

He looked then replied, “I have been thinking over the many possible issues in this case I have been lumbered with.”

“There does seem some strange elements but not a smell of a crime”

 “All the medical evidence says it is a nothing, but like Woodcock I am suspicious that it all stinks but why I have not a clue. I may well have egg on my face here I fear”.

“Not egg on your face Jack not after all these years, I can’t see Woodcock setting you up or throwing the old banana skin down whilst you are carrying a tray of glasses.”

“So I thought but as you came in I digressed, can you believe this, Inspector Scott-Ling who has been allocated to assist me and lives nearby.”

 “She admits she signed the petition against my glass house going up.”

“She qualified it of course by saying she signed it blind not knowing anything of who or what, but she added she saw Woodcock’s name on the sheet as having signed”.

“Really Jack that does surprise me and he never mentioned a word”

“Exactly, well neither will I, not yet anyway but it does seem like a friend in need is not a friend in deed, the bloody green house was only a small lean to on the house measuring 8 feet by four feet”.

The next day at 8. 30am there came a knock on the door, Anne answered it to find a uniformed policewoman Inspector standing there.

“Good morning, Mrs Richards.”

“Yes, Miss Scott-Ling, I take it?”

“Yes, I thought I would give Mr Richards a lift in to work, it may be difficult to park today. There are some demonstrations going on so a lot of the city is closed.”

“There will not be much parking space at the museum due to the additional parking required for police vehicles so I thought we could travel in together”

“A very good idea. Please step inside, if you wouldn’t mind waiting in Jack’s study, I will tell him you have arrived”.

They went through and once inside Doris was standing alone in the study come office. She looked around; it was a modern with a desk, chairs, some filing cupboards, a computer and printer.

There was a hat stand in the corner it appeared to be old and constructed of oak and yes it was years old, there was a variety of hats and coats hanging on it, all appeared well used nothing new and posh.

The rear wall had a large French window leading to a small patio and garden with a very bright green lawn beyond.  There was a really over bearing sight of a conservatory from the house behind.

The fixture was so tall as to reach nearly to the bedroom room window of the house and it was an ugly white plastic.

Presumably built at the same time as the house no planning permission had been required but she could clearly see why Jack had been so miffed when the campaign against his green house was launched

On the side dresser, she saw several photograph frames and on looking closer, she was taken by two in particular.

 She read the items then stopped, but could not believe she was reading of the man she had met so, read them both again. They were exactly the same on the second read; she had not made a mistake.

She heard the sound of footsteps so walked away and stood by the door.

“Ah thank you for the lift Inspector, we had better get on our way, may I ask if you have a mileage allowance?”

“Why yes, Mr Richards. In fact I was told only yesterday, it seems in view of the financial cuts the allowance has been authorised by the Home Office, I am also to receive the essential user rate which will help”.

“Right, in that case its good news. I anticipate we will be doing quite a few miles but the first stop will be Wrexham nick as from what you say they will be too busy in Chester to bother with either of us”.

They were soon driving out of Tarporley, “Wrexham here we come,” she thought.

“Are you not required as they are so busy, Inspector"? He asked.

“On the contrary, when anything is happening they never want me and if it’s likely to be physical they certainly don’t want me, Striker needs bullies and the like, not weak women”.

“I can quite see that, not weak, women but rather Striker wanting bullies”, qualified Jack not wishing to say the wrong thing.

“Broxton”, she said “where the first two officers were found, in the lay-by ahead”.

“Right, a slight change. Stop in the lay-by”, he came into the conversation.

She pulled in and came to a stop, he unfastened his seat belt, looked and said

“Come on, you have started the music stopping here, let the dancing commence”.

They left the car and strode to and fro she noted, to quote a phrase of her mother, “he was all eyes”.

He took out a small digital camera and took several shots, then closely scrutinised the hedgerow and the view in all directions.

“I see this then is where the first tragedy occurred”.

“Yes” she replied, “it all started here”.

He looked at her, and then smiled and said, “I wouldn’t go that far. We have no evidence it all started here. As yet the tragedy here may well be only one possible ending in a train of events, time will tell, that’s it for now on our way Inspector”.

They were soon mobile again, no words passed between them though she did realise her error, she had fallen foul of his dictum, attention to detail.

She had assumed as the first deaths were discovered in that very spot it was the beginning; she could now see he was quite right. There may well be antecedents to the incidents, on the other hand of course if there was nothing more to the matters than natural causes, it was the start and finish of the incident but to assume that at this initial stage may well have been an assumption too far.

A road sign announcing, Welcome to Wales indicated they had arrived within the Welsh county.

Arriving at Wrexham police station, it was nothing like their office in Chester; it was a high modern multi storey building

She parked up and they walked inside the building. There was a man on the front counter he was sporting a name badge Llewelyn Jones counter clerk.

“Good morning”, she announced “I am Inpsector Scott-Ling this is my associate Mr Jack Richards”

She produced her warrant card of identification just to add to her uniform in case here in Wales they may have thought she was in fancy dress or in masquerade. Llewelyn looked at it, then wrote down the details on the visitors log.

“How can I be of help?”

“We have come to see the Chief-Constable, Mr Winston Myers”.

“Do you have an apppointment?”

“Regretfully not”, replied Jack “but if you would be gracious enough to say that it is Mr Jack Richards, here on behalf of Mr Christian Woodcock, Her Majesty`s Inspector of Constabulary, he will know the nature of our business.”

The man hesitated, then went into the office and spoke in welsh

A lady appeared looked, but said nothing just returned inside. It was only a moment or so when a Chief Superintendent arrived, his name badge indicated it was Morris Jones.

“Ah yes the Chief will see you, would you please follow me”.

They did so and arrived in a lift and eventually arrived at floor ten. The lift stopped and Jones alighted the two visitors followed closely eventually arriving at the door marked Chief Constable, Winston Myers, QPM.

 A knock brought a reply “Please come in.”

Once inside they saw a lady in her mid forties wearing the name badge Bronwen Watson, Secretary, Chief Constable.

She smiled and pleasantly said, “Good day to you”

“Ah Bronwen, the Chief is expecting these two visitors” said Jones, “I will leave them with you, I need to bring something which I am pretty sure will be required”.

“Thank you Morris, please if you would both be seated I will go and tell the Chief, he is just momentarily engaged on a call to the Welsh Office”.

After a moment or so her telephone buzzed she answered and replied, “Yes sir”.

Looking up she turned to the visitors and announced, “The Chief will see you now”.

     She went to the door, opened it and permitted them to walk past her as she held the door open allowing them to enter, though she herself did not do so, but closed the door.

Arriving inside the room it was large with a panoramic view of the town but beyond, the wonderous scenery of the hills of North Wales.

The room contained various pictures including those of Her Majesty the Queen, one in full ceremonial dress including crown, there were others of a visit she had made to the Police Headquarters for Jack clearly recalled the scenes around the building from when he had arrived.

“I am pleased to meet you Mr Richards and Inspector Scott-Ling though the circumstances are at least very unusual.  How can the North Wales Police assist you then”?

Jack Richards spoke, “I assume you are aware as to the nature of our enquiry in this sad affair”?

“Yes indeed I am, how very sad it was and such a shock for poor Ceinwen and of course all of us.”

“That was something” thought Jack “at least he knows the name of the widow”.

“What can we do then Jack?, you don`t mind if I call you Jack, being an ex copper”.

Jack laughed and replied, “By all means Chief, Jackson is the name my mother lumbered me with, I prefer Jack”.

“I would if possible,” continued Richards, “ like to examine the deceased officer`s personnnel file and then speak with the widow”.

“Ah yes, I have actually just spoken with the Welsh Office and they in turn spoke with the Home Secretary. I am pleased to say authority has in fact been granted for you to have a copy of the file, you appreciate, although I know you are fully aware of this, but I have to say, you will be aware the contents will be for your eyes only”.

“Yes indeed sir”, said Richards “but you will realise that eventually my findings if any, which may include some of the contents of the file will have to be related to the office of Her Majesty`s Chief Inspector of Constabulary and to the Home Office, it will be for them to decide what if any information can be released and to whom”.

“Yes of course the system wouldn`t work without, ah just a moment I think I can hear Morris Jones coming”.

There was a knock on the door to which the Chief called, “Come on in Morris did you get the file?”

“I did sir,” he replied and produced the brown folder handing it to Jack”.

“Is there any possibility I might loan an office for a few minutes to peruse the contents”.

“Why certainly” replied the Chief Super.

“May I thank you so very much for your cooperation Mr Myers, by the way you don`t sound Welsh”.

“I am not Welsh, I am a Geordie. I applied for this job and the police committee at that time stated they wanted a Chief who was Welsh speaking, I assured them if they would offer me the post I would learn Welsh and so I did.  I can speak the lingo the same as the rest but these buggers won`t accept me as anything else but that “ Bloody Englishman coming yer, isnt that a fact Jones?”

“Well sir, I wouldn`t say that”.

“You wouldn’t but I would. T-

–hanks Mr Richards, need any more help in the future, either contact Jones here or myself, I hope you find nothing and don’t think I am being bitchy”.

“I won’t sir and thank you once again; I will more than likely be in touch.”

They left the office and arrived in a room in the ground floor marked interview room.

The final words of the Chief Super were also helpful, “I will put the sign on the door saying do not disturb and I will get Idris the local beat officer to inform Ceinwen you will be visiting. Idris will take you up there, when you are ready”.

“Thank you Chief Superintendent” said Jack and they were alone.

He opened the file and she sat beside him as he turned the pages, on reaching the end he turned to the start reading aloud this time, Ifor Evans, previous occupation building worker, he joined the police three years ago in the month of January. I see three years ago that is interesting, the number of days sick was nil. His conduct was good; he married two years ago there no children.

He closed the file; “some interesting points nothing startling but a start”.

He gave the file to Doris, she put it in her brief case, and they left the office she realised now what the phrase a bag carrier meant. On arrival downstairs, they were met by a uniformed constable who immediately introduced himself as Idris Roberts.

“If you are ready like, I will take you up to see Ceinwen. She has settled a bit now mind”

“Thank you officer” replied Doris and once outside the three climbed into Doris’s car and were off as Idris sitting in the rear seat poked his arm between the heads of the two investigators giving directions left and right not mentioning the Welsh street names assuming they would not understand.

They arrived at the house; it was a typical police house, Jack thought, a square building, square windows, no character, a typical house from the same plan they used in police forces years ago.

Knocking on the door Ceinwen answered, they could hear a shuffling inside and a door bang.

The lady who answered the door appeared to be in her late thirties with blonde hair but from a bottle, she was wearing make up which was smudged on the lips.

“Mornin” was her first word, typical slang thought Jack, mornin not good morning.

 She then said “you the investigators into Ifor’s death, bloody strange affair?”

“Yes Mrs Evans”, replied Doris, “I am Inspector Doris Scott-Ling of the Cheshire Police and this is Mr Jack Richards. We are tasked with just looking into the death of Ifor for there were several others similar, nothing for you to worry about”.

“Suspect murder do you?” “Well they said it was natural causes see, I doubted it but what can you do bugger all?”

Jack smiled at the word natrul not natural another Welsh slang word, much to be expected here in North Wales.

“Come in will you?” Asked Ceinwen “the bloody neighbours will be gabbing enough as it is seeing another copper and a man wearing a hat like the old detectives did, always around these parts they were in the old days”

They stepped inside but Doris turned and said, “Thank you Constable Roberts we can manage now, you have been very helpful”.

“I will continue patrol then if I am not wanted like”.

“Thank you once again officer,” said Jack.

Once inside the house he looked around it was typical working class, side board, three piece suite, gas fire, it was basic but clean”.

“Sit down” she said and so they sat on the settee.

“Is there anything you can tell us about Ifor which might not be in his police personal file?” Was Jack’s initial question.

“Like what?” she asked

“Anything unusual, did he say anything to you to indicate that he may have been involved in any crime where someone would wish to take revenge on him. If he had been involved with or in contact with anything or anyone were toxic items may have been involved for instance, say at work?”

“Not a bloody thing butt”, she replied.

“To tell you the truth I didn’t know all that much about him. We hadn’t known each other very long”.

 “We met at the end of a Wrexham football match, I was clouted by some Cardiff supporters and he came and arrested the bastard that hit me and after that we got together and bobs is your uncle so to speak”.

“I see” replied Jack, “so as far as you were concerned, during your brief relationship, Ifor was a beat bobby going to work every day on mundane duties, nothing happened of any suspicious nature until his untimely death when he was found sitting in the church”

“That’s it Butt you have it, oh there was a kafuffle over him dying there look you. He sat on a pew at the back it had just been varnished the day before and they were worried as the new lady vicar was coming he may have damaged the finish. Bloody loonies. I haven’t been back there since the funeral”.

“What of the house, is it a police house?” Asked Doris

“Oh hi, but the cops say as there is no recruiting they don’t need the house so they have let me stay. It has been rent free but now I am having to pay but it’s not too bad I do have Ifor’s pension and the housing benefit see, I am thinking of getting a bloody job so I should be Ok”.

“Well thank you” said Doris

They arose from their seats and Jack shook her hand, and said, “I am sorry for your loss, if you recall anything please let me know, here is my card”.

“Thank you” she replied

“Oh” he said, “Is the photograph here that of Ifor?”

He looks rather older than I would have thought”.

Jack had seen Ifor’s photo in his personal file and knew it was not the same man.

“Ah well no, replied Ceinwen “I have another partner see, Sid from next door as was, his wife kicked him out so he has moved in yer.”

“Before you say anything I know its close to Ifor’s` death but he was also spreading it around I suspect".

“Oh he was” asked Doris, “What makes you think that?”

“Well some bloody woman came yer just before he died, knocking on the bloody door for all to see stating she had something confidential to discuss with Ifor.”

“They went outside and spoke for a while, he came back in white faced he was”.

“I bloody got onto to him but the bugger wouldn’t say a word.  I wondered if she was up the stick but she never come back yer so heard nothing of it.”

“Two can play at that game so when Sid was stuck I let him move in, saves being lonely you know.”

“Oh, she went on, “please don’t tell the cops they may kick me out”.

“Is there anything else you can tell us about this woman, her name what she looked like?” asked Jack with a now interested tone.

“I don’t know her name but she looked in her mid thirties she didn’t look English but was not a black or an Indian, or a half cast you know the type. If I had, to guess she looked well sort of Mediterranean well tanned but she was a very good looking girl.

“Thank you Ceinwen” replied Jack “you have been very helpful indeed”

“Really” she replied, “I can’t see how, oh remember don’t tell the cops about Sid".

“I won’t”, he assured her and they were gone.

“Call at the Parish church I would like to see the scene, the church is yonder,” he said pointing directly in front at the tall steeple.

They arrived about five minutes later and were soon parked and inside the church.

It was typical of churches of the Church of England or here Wales the Welsh type of the same faith with a different name.