by Harry Nankin
The officers were armed to the teeth with batons, gas and stun guns. Looking inside the van Jack saw two firearms securely fastened to the side.
As they walked down the drive, the door of the house, which was named, The Haven, opened and a lady was standing pending their arrival.
She appeared like the other wives, to be in her early thirties, though with long auburn hair. She was wearing a hat and coat giving the impression she was about to leave home,
“Good day to you, Mrs Masterton?” Asked Jack
“Oh yes, I was expecting you but I do have to go out soon, an appointment for a job”.
“We won’t keep you long,” replied Jack.
They went inside, the house was clean, tidy and well furnished there were several photographs of Rick and his horse together with several of their wedding, sad thought Jack.
“Please do sit” said Rachel, “would you like a cup of tea or coffee?”
“Thank you Mrs Masterton but we have yet to travel the many miles down to Shropshire and you have a commitment of your own. May I first add that you have my deepest sympathy at the loss of Rick”.
“Thank you” she replied adding, “How can I help? I had assumed it was a natural cause case”?
“And you would be correct. It is just that there were several officers, though not connected with each other as far as we know, their deaths though natural are rather unusual due to the age of the officers. Nothing for you to worry about it is simply an enquiry to confirm what has already been established”.
”Very tactful” thought Doris.
“I might just ask one or two questions of you Mrs Masterton”, said Jack.
“By all means if I can help”.
“How long had you known Rick?”
“Nearly two years we met when I was out walking my mother’s dog around Chorlton Water Park, ironically where he died. We met that day agreed a date the same evening and fell in love immediately. We were married some weeks later”.
“I see are you aware if Rick or his family had a history of heart disease or similar”.
“None at all Mr Richards, strangely he never did speak of his family save that he originated from a place called Wrexham in North Wales”.
“Did you ever visit there with him?” Asked Jack.
“No never”.
“What did he do prior to joining the police?”
“His records are vague, it seems he may have been a farm worker and then had a job at a stables other than there is not much about his previous life?”
“All I know of that is that he said he was working at this stables for some well to do person who kept horses, rich people. Rick liked horses from his farming days”.
“He said that one day some high ranking police visited the stables and as a result it seems the Manchester Police were short of a police horse.”
“When the owner offered to donate a horse, provided Rick could be the rider, he dropped on his feet and became a policeman but he only ever rode the horse from what he said, you may know more, that is all I ever knew him to do”.
“I see”, said Jack.
“Did you ever hear him speak of anyone else from the Wrexham area?” Asked Doris.
“Only some fellow he called Smiling Sid who he said he knew from his farm and stables times but I think this Sid got into quite a bit of trouble so when he came round here one day Rick sent him packing”.
“Oh he came here did he”? This Sid fellow” exclaimed Jack.
“Not exactly here, it seems Rick met him whilst on patrol one day. Seemingly Sid was fishing in Chorlton Lake and spoke with Rick, that was all that was in it as far as I know”.
“I see. Very interesting”, said Jack, “Did he ever speak of any officers from other forces?”
“No-one at all, not to me any way”. Said Rachel
“Did he happen to have a female visitor just before his death”? Asked Doris.
Rachel hesitated, and then said, “Well there was this one lady who called, very attractive, she looked foreign. She knocked on the door I answered it; she said she wanted to speak with Rick. I called Rick he spoke with her outside for about five minutes then she left. When she had gone I asked Rick about her but he refused to discuss it saying only it was a Police matter.”
There was the blasting of a car horn, Rachel said “that will be my lift for the appointment at the night club”.
She rose and it was obvious the conversation had ended; they were all outside in a moment. The officers in the van were it seems distracted by some type of disturbance. Rachel ran up the path got into the waiting car driven by a middle aged man who kissed her as she sat down and both were gone in a flash.
Jack looked at Doris who said, “Not a grieving widow long it appears”.
Jack made no comment he was more interested in what the commotion was. As they arrived they saw a man had been arrested he was accompanied by several others all of whom were carrying banners “Fathers for justice”. It was only moments before an estate car arrived with Manchester Television Centre written all over it.”Jack looked at Doris and said, “Time for us to leave I think".
They got into their car and were away from there and from the area. Appearing on television was the last thing he wanted. Doris stopped lower down the road and typed in various items into the navigation box, then said, “It’s in, Chorlton Water Park”.
They were mobile once again and after about twelve miles arrived at the vast lake well signed Chorlton Park and Nature Reserve.
They walked around and it was not long before they came upon a seat with a bunch of flowers tied to it, the inscription on the seat read, “In memory or Rick Masterton a faithful friend and colleague of the mounted section of Manchester police who sadly died at this spot”.
“Well” said Jack “it appears this is the spot. He looked around then walked over to a map and description boards located nearby confirming all the chief had said of the area”.
Fifteen minutes later they were south bound for the rural area of Shropshire nearly 100 miles away,
“Well” said Doris, “there certainly now seems to be some links. It appears Wrexham Sid was known to Rick Masterton and to the two Cheshire Bobbies. We also know that it appears this same lady visited the officers both in Cheshire and here in Manchester not forgetting the same in Wrexham.
“Yes,” said Jack “very interesting. If there is a connection between Wrexham Sid and this woman that will be another line of enquiry. I have a note in my file. When we arrive back at the office, we will write it all up fully. We are still not any further forward regarding the causes of the deaths other than natural”.
“I agree” replied Doris “but as this Sid works at the hospital he could have had access to something but there again it should have shown up either at the PM or the toxicity tests”.
“Yes we still have a long way to go,” said Jack as tiredness was catching up with him especially as he now saw the sign Tarporley on their left as they headed south unable to stop at home.
The peace and tranquillity were disturbed when Doris’s phone went, yet again, thought Jack who recalled he had placed it in the car holder and so pressed answer and called “Yes, Jack Richards.”
A voice said “ Hello this is Chief Superintendent Ralph Jackson of the Shropshire police just to confirm we have arranged for you to see Mrs Sandra Cheshire here at Shrewsbury Police Station, she prefers to be seen here rather than having the police visit her home”.
“That is fine,” replied Jack.
“I also confirm,” said Jackson “that I myself will deal with this, I will accompany you to the scene of the death and I will hand you a copy of the Officer’s personal file upon your arrival”.
“Thank you so much,” said Jack and the call was ended.
It was 2pm when they arrived at the car park at Shrewsbury Police Station. A building in the modern design, that is to say two stories, dour and flat looking. Stopping in the car park there were the usual designated parking spa
ces in the usual pecking order from the Chief Superintendent down to Inspector, there were no specific spaces for the minions though Jack felt in the exalted few for there were some for visitors.
Having parked up they went into the reception and were greeted by a civilian dressed in a brown uniform one of four at the counter there being no sign of any uniform resembling that of a police officer.
“Hello can I be of help?” Asked the lady who from her name badge was a Mary.
“I am Inspector Scott-Ling; this is Mr Jack Richards both with an appointment to see Mrs Cheshire and Chief Super Ralph Jackson”.
“Ah yes, you are expected”. If you would please go to interview room 1 over there and take a seat someone will be along”.
”Thank you” replied Doris and as they turned and walked to the door, it opened as if by magic either that or Mary had pressed some device which unlocked and open doors.
They both went inside. It was a large room for an interview room, about three meters square. There was a desk with two chairs against the wall and two more placed in front of the desk. It would appear these had been strategically placed in advance pending their arrival. There was recording equipment in the room and a surveillance camera.
Jack and Doris looked at each other and it was left to Doris to comment, “Very different from our reception at the other police premises, Manchester in particular”.
Jack was an old hand and new the ropes so kept his own counsel but thought it was a case of belt and braces and over sensitivity.
They had been waiting only moments when a uniformed officer sporting a crown and chevron indicating he was a Chief Superintendent. He walked in accompanied by a lady.
Jack and Doris stood to greet the lady held out their hands but there was no response, the two simply walked by and sat behind the table.
Jack and Doris sat down and as they did, so Jack spoke first, “I am Mr Jack Richards. I am a retired detective Superintendent of New Scotland Yard and this is Police Inspector Scott-Ling of the Cheshire Constabulary.”
“We are making some enquiries to review the deaths of several young police officers.”
“The initial enquires and to date our enquiries indicate the deaths were all natural causes.”
Our task at the request of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary is to prepare a report for the Home Secretary to confirm the deaths were in fact natural”.
“I see,” said Jackson “well you are aware who I am. This is Mrs Sandra Cheshire widow of Constable Gerald Cheshire. Mrs Cheshire has requested that I remain present whilst she is interviewed and that a record is made of the proceedings, is that correct Sandra?”
“Yes it is” she replied, seemingly to order.
“Well now” replied Jack doing all he could to remain calm but was inwardly livid, not only from the surroundings but the attitude adopted. Belligerent he thought but nothing he could report adversely on to the HMI.
“Well Mrs Cheshire and Mr Jackson, let me first of all put your minds at rest. Neither myself nor Inspector Scott-Ling have the slightest intention of interviewing you.”
“I might add if you were given that impression you have been misinformed.”
“We hope simply to ask you one or two simple questions to ascertain if you may unwittingly have some information that may be of help.”
“Now Mr Jackson it is your police station you may conduct proceedings how you choose but I must emphasise this from the outset, all our questions and answers if any are given will be for the eyes and ears of the office of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and that of the Home Secretary and those they designate to also receive our findings, is that quite clear?”
“Why yes,” replied Jackson having the wind taken out of his sales more than a little by this obviously seasoned investigator.
“I will begin,” said Jack, “How long had you known your husband, how did you meet and how long have you been married?” He rolled three questions together to save time.
“We met at Shrewsbury flower show two years ago, Gerald was a dog handler. I like dogs, we got speaking I stroked the dog and we went from there, we married six weeks later.”
“May I ask you if your husband had mentioned anything of any sudden deaths in his family”?
“No never, nothing”, she replied.
Doris was looking through the file and said; “I see he had not one day’s sickness in the three years he was a police officer”.
“Well he had none whilst I knew him” came the reply
Jack leaned over and asked Doris a question, then said, “Mr Jackson I see Gerald joined the force some three years ago in the month of February, I suspect there was no recruiting at that time, can you account as to how he came to be appointed”.
“Ah yes I knew Gerald well, he was a dog trainer at a local club as well as being a local gardener.”
“He was highly recommended to us by the previous Chief Superintendent, Dan Davies, according to the file as you will see.”
“The circumstances I am not aware of as my predecessor left on sickness and has since died tragically.”
“There must have been an over whelming reason why he appointed Gerald who I might say proved to be an outstanding officer”
“I am sure he was,” replied Jack.
“May I ask you Mrs Cheshire are you aware if Gerald knew or had any contact with a man from the Wrexham area possibly named Sid”?
“No I never heard the name and he never mentioned Wrexham”.
“Your husband it appears was gardener before joining the police are you aware of what he had done before that, I see there is nothing of previous employments in his file”.
”I am sorry Mr Richards I have not a clue in fact I do not really know anything of his past life before we met.
“I see,” replied Jack “Did he have any strange visitors to see him before his death?”
She thought then replied, “The only stranger I recall was a lady”.
“A lady” asked Jack.
“Yes one day whilst he was on foot patrol in the town here I saw him speaking with a foreign lady she looked like an Arab type or Spanish something like that. I saw them speaking I decided to stop and have a word, Gerald looked a ghastly shade of pale as the lady left”.
“Did you ask him about the lady?” asked Doris
.”Several times but he would never discuss it,” replied Sandra.
“I see”. May we both thank you very much indeed Mrs Cheshire for agreeing to see us, you have been very helpful”.
“Is that it?”
“Yes that is it. Thank you so much. May I say how very sorry I am at your sad loss of such a fine husband and officer?”
“Well thank you Mr Richards”.
“Well Mr Jackson if we may visit the scene please”
“Why yes of course I will just arrange for an officer to transport Mrs Cheshire home”.
“By all means” replied Jack, “in fact we will make our way to Church Stretton and meet you in the town then we can all travel to the actual scene together”.
It was a twenty-minute journey to the picturesque town of Church Stretton.
Whilst parked up waiting the two investigators finally laughed and spoke.
“What a pompous ass?” said Doris.
“I take it you mean Jackson?” Replied Jack, pushing his hat back into the action mode.
“Yes of course” she said.
“God knows what he thought we would do with a widow in the case of a natural cause death as we have it now”, said Jack.
A knock came onto the window, they looked it was Jackson, “get into our car,” said Jack.
“Right” said Jackson, “drive straight on up the hill I will tell you when to stop”.
They drove only half a mile when Jackson said,
“Pull over there, it was in that lay-by it all happened there” said Jackson.
Doris stopped and parked, they alighted and Jack paced the area then looked down the hill. H
e walked to each end of the lay-by then took out his camera and took several photographs. Within ten minutes, they were finished, back in the car and heading down hill.
Arriving in the town Jack smiled as he saw a traffic warden placing a ticket on the car of Chief Super Jackson, who jumped from the vehicle and was last seen remonstrating with the warden.
When they arrived back in Tarporley, it was 6pm.
Doris dropped him off at home and commented, “I am ready for a drink”.
“I also” replied Jack “a strong one”.
He closed the car door went inside and was soon flopped in his chair, the smell of cooking charmed his irritation at the last job of the day but as usual said nothing.
It was nearly 9pm, the telephone rang, Jack answered it to find it was Doris who announced that Striker required her at the police Station for a few days.
“Ideal” replied Jack “I will take a few days to think things over, making notes and plans. Ring me when you are free otherwise I will call in at the office to ensure nothing is happening. Oh, I see. If you would that will be ideal”.
He replaced the phone and before she could ask he said, “Anne, I will be here for a few days, Doris is required on her regular work, I will spend some time here going over things. She will also check at my office to ensure nothing is amiss. You are stuck with me for a while it appears.
She smiled, gave him a kiss on the cheek and went to the kitchen to finish making the nightly drinking chocolate.
The next morning with little to do it had been some time since they had made a foray into the village but this particularly sunny Saturday morning Anne decided a breath of fresh air was just the thing.
The walking finally over they were returning home when they arrived at Mrs Delwright’s meeting house as Jack now christened it. Who should be going in were the Woodcocks. Seeing Jack approaching, Christian stopped just inside the door, obviously spoke to his wife and called “Hello Jack and Anne come in for a mid morning drink?
Arriving at the door there was really no alternative so inside went Anne closely followed by Jack who for a change was not wearing his normal hat but incredibly, he had agreed to wear a new one.
