by Harry Nankin
Doris recalled how she had once seen a film of a Charles Dickens story, A Christmas Carol that had been made in the town and the streets they had just walked through were obviously accurately portrayed in the film.
“May I please help you officer and sir?” asked the man.
“Yes you may”, replied Doris, I am Inspector Scott-Ling with Mr Jack Richards I believe we are expected by his Lordship.”
“I will enquire, please wait. Replied the man who closed the door.
Moments later it opened, the same man but on this occasion bearing a smile, “please come in,” he said. His Lordship will see you".
They went inside it was a typical Georgian town house high ceilings, a large hall with a formidable oak staircase.
There were large rooms to the left and right of the front door, easily visible, as the doors into the rooms were open.
Large portraits adorned the walls inside and up the stairway, mostly ancient judges and other county gentlemen some of whose names were familiar to Jack.
“Follow me if you please,” said the man who had not announced his identity.
He led them into a large room further along the hall and on knocking the door a voice called, “Yes Jeffries, please come in”.
The man who had greeted them was it seemed, a Jeffries and on opening the door he intimated for them to enter, which they did.
On arrival inside the room, which was very tastefully furnished, there were large portraits of previous residents, judges, some whom Jack recognised as of great distinction.
There was a man seated at a large desk, a lady, seated by his side.
The man was dressed in a morning suit, aged at least sixty years of age he was clean-shaven, had a ruddy complexion and appeared to be on the plump side.
Just what one would imagine a High Court Judge to look like?
Jack recognised him from the Old Bailey, though like him, the man had changed somewhat in his appearance.
The lady was younger, aged about forty, very slim, with a gaunt face her sallow complexion gave one all the hallmarks of a secretary devoted to her work. A glance at her hands revealed no rings, “yes she was a definite Miss” thought Jack.
“Please do come in. Inspector Scott-Ling I believe we have not met previously, I am Judge Stevens, and of course Jack Richards.”
“Might one venture to say, I believe you are retired, officially at any rate.”
“The very famous and respected detective, Jack the Hat. Still wearing the hat I see, it looks the same hat to”.
He laughed as Jack who had forgotten to remove his trilby, now did so post haste.
The lady seated next to him smiled but did not speak.
“I suspect you will recall me Mr Richards, Judge Stevens?”
He turned to the lady and said, “May I introduce my Clerk, Miss Carver”.
She smiled and nodded but again did not speak.
The learned judge continued, “ May I introduce Jack Richards of New Scotland Yard fame, we have met officially of course on many occasions over many years at the Old Bailey.”
“Little if ever at the Central Criminal Court, Appeals Division an indication of how thorough your investigations are”.
The two visitors smiled, Jack spoke to say, “Thank you Sir”, and added, “Please to meet you madam, I am sure”, looking at Miss Carver.
“Now, said Judge Steven, “the Home Secretary has made it known to me you are investigating some suspicious deaths of police officers and are currently seeking exhumation orders of the remains for second post mortem medical examinations by Professor Webster no less, a good man, very good indeed, highly respected.”
“Yes My Lord,” replied Jack”
“Have you brought me the necessary documentation?” Asked the Judge.
“We have My Lord”. He looked at Doris who opened the brief case retrieved the file, stepped forward and placed it on the desk in front of his lordship.”
Miss Carver now produced a small book and held it in the direction of Doris.
Jack leaned to Doris and whispered, “The Oath, take the Oath". He was hoping she recalled the words.
Doris met the challenge with distinction, took the bible in her right hand, raised both into the air and said. “I swear by Almighty God that the evidence which I shall give will be the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Doris Scott-Ling Police Inspector of the Cheshire Constabulary currently stationed at Chester my Lord”.
“Thank you officer” replied his Lordship.
Miss Carver put out her hand to take back the bible, placing it on the desk”.
The judge asked, “Do you produce to the court a file containing all the known facts surrounding the cases of five police officers all found dead whilst on duty?”
“I do my lord” she replied.
“Thank you both. If you would please wait outside I will peruse the evidence you have submitted and make my decision known to you shortly”.
They left the room; outside the butler was waiting and pointed for them to be seated.
It was fifteen minutes later when the door opened and Miss Carver looked out and said, “Please, come back in, his Lordship is ready".
They went back inside and stood, the judge was signing something.
After a moments hesitation he said, “ I have considered the facts of the case and I am satisfied it is in the interest of justice and further in the public interest that a second post-mortem should, in fact must, be carried out upon these deceased officers, I therefore grant the applications”
“Thank you my Lord,” replied Jack.
The judge then added, “You will appreciate of course these matters carry some risk of trauma for the loved ones of the deceased, I am sure Mr Richards with your vast experience that matters will be dealt with efficiently, respectfully and with discretion”
“They will indeed my Lord,” replied Jack. He added “and the other matter in the file Sir”.
“Ah yes, that is a little more difficult and a very unusual request but again from the evidence which you have laid before me as to the necessity of the evidence and the views of the holders of the information I agree that such information should be released to you but verification of a court order is required.”
“ I am also satisfied that normal protocol should in this instance be set aside and I do therefore grant you the additional disclosure orders you have sought”.
“Thank you” replied Jack.
“Well now officer,” said the judge closing his papers, turning to Doris “may I suggest to you, that as you appear young in service you should pay all attention to Mr Richards.”
“Over many years he has gained a vast and wide ranging knowledge of investigating serious and unusual crimes and those who commit such crime.”
“You may recall some moments ago I mentioned I have come face to face with Jack the Hat on many occasions in the Old Bailey and other crown courts but rarely indeed, if ever in the high courts of appeal.”
“The reason is simple; Mr Richards was such a thorough investigator with intricate attention to detail and the ability to keep focused that once his investigations were completed there were little or no grounds for an accused to appeal”.
“His cases as presented were such the evidence against the accused was always conclusive it was rare if ever any legal loophole could be found.”
“I might add I cannot recall a single case or allegation of any miss-carriage of justice in any case, in which he was the investigating officer. You would fair well to learn and mirror this man”.
They remained silent, then the judge said, “Well thank you that closes proceedings”.
“Thank you Mu Ludd” replied Jack emulating the court phrase; they were about to leave when the judge called.
“Mr Richards”.
Jack turned; the Judge smiled and said, “I can’t be involved further in this case now having seen your evidence to date”
“I am not breaking any protocols by saying tha
t I have been honoured to be invited to this year’s annual conference of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Constabulary and Chief Officers of Police.”
“The end for once may well prove to me more interesting than the conference,” he smiled, winked and finally looked down at his papers.
Jack turned and left the room.
They were heading out of town when Doris looked and realised that the car required fuel, in her excitement with the new vehicle she had forgotten to top it up, seeing a large filling station she pulled in and stopped.
Having completed the refill she walked to the Garage shop, there was a large notice on the door as there was on each petrol pump, which read, “Will all motor cyclists please remove their helmets and likewise those wearing hoods”.
Such a motorcyclist was entering the shop in front of her. He was wearing his helmet but could be seen to be a man, middle aged, short in stature, fat and white and obviously in rush.
As Jack sat in the car with open window he looked, never in the history of terrorism he thought had there ever been such a suicide bomber nor in fact any he had dealt with as armed robbers.
Still he thought that was the rule same for everyone and one could understand the reason for the rule.
The motorcyclist appeared exasperated and on approaching the door a voice on the loud speaker called, “Motor cyclist please remove your helmet before entering”.
The person at the desk was seated some distance away at the rear of the shop and had called further instructions, “we need to see your face for security reasons please remove your helmet”
With some difficulty, the man removed the helmet, then paid for his fuel at the next till to Doris.
Doris wearing a civilian coat over her uniform looked and asked the lady at the desk, “I can understand the rule to remove head gear but may I ask what you will do now?”
“What do you mean?” asked the assistant.
“Well” replied Doris, “look, here is a tall lady coming she is a Muslim, she is wearing religious head gear. All you can see of her face is a slit four inches wide and half an inch high, just sufficient for her to see you but you can see nothing of her, will you ask her to remove it?”
“We dare not ask them to do that, this religion race thing, I am likely to get the sack at best or prosecuted at worst if I was to ask that”.
“I see” replied Doris and turned to leave, opening the door for the entering Muslim lady.
Doris sat in the car and was putting her things away when Jack spoke”.
“Did you notice that Muslim lady wearing the full length black clothing and a burka or some similar head wear?”
“I saw her. Why do you ask?” said Doris.
Jack pushed back his trilby into active duty mode and said, “I noted the lady appeared rather tall, her strides were long and she appeared to have fairly large feet”.
With that, before Doris could reply there was a scream from the shop.
Doris looked and realised what Jack had just said and so she ran back to the shop arriving at the door just as the lady in black was leaving.
The mystery lady was now in possession of a gun in one hand and a handful of money in the other.
“Failing to keep to the rules of saying, “Stop Police”, or even “I am a police officer”. Doris put up her knee, which connected with the villain in the solar plexus, felling the person to the ground.
In an instant, Doris was kneeling on top of the now winded villain and before a shout of Allah Ackbar could be made Doris, had the handcuffs on then slid the gun away out of harms way.
The shop alarm began to blast as Doris lifted the villain and pulled him back into the shop. Both staff were aghast with terror, as Doris called, “Don’t just stand there call the local police”.
“Yes, Yes” replied the woman assistant already dialling the number”.
Jack left the car picking up the firearm for safety reasons.
Doris removed the headgear of the villain; it was a man, very tall, well-built aged about 20 years of age and white.
At that moment, a police car went past the shop the crew in the midst of eating food they had purchased at the Super Market. They looked and turning on all emergency lights pulled onto the filling station forecourt.
Both officers arrived, still eating their cakes, causing Jack who was standing bemused at the situation, to shake his head and speak to himself saying, “Standards, standards”.
The officers arrived, Doris identified herself,
“I am Inspector Scott-Ling of the Cheshire Police, I am visiting here on an unrelated enquiry I was here when the robbery took place, I have detained this man, and I hand him to you”.
She took off her handcuffs and said, “I will send you a statement of evidence down by email, the two staff here can give you sufficient facts for your arrest report.”
The young officers now finished eating nodded and looked amazed at what had suddenly befallen them in this rural town, things such as this never happened down here.
A middle aged man arrived displaying a badge “Manager”.
Doris looked at him and the two ladies and said, “Your policy of removing crash helmets but not Muslim head wear has proved to be useless”.
“I suggest you tell your head office. It only goes to show when it comes to law and order and security the rules need to be the same for all, and all heads uncovered”.
Doris received no reply as she left; Jack gave her the weapon which having run back she handed to one of the officers. They both got into her car and they were soon on their way.
“What did you think of that Mr Richards?” Asked Doris
Jack smiled and replied, “The cops eating on duty and driving or the robbery”.
“Both” replied Doris
Jack hesitated then said, “No discipline in the police these days. Anything goes.”
“When you are sloppy yourself you get sloppy in your work”.
“The security rule of the helmets removal but not other religious symbols is useless of course but one has to sympathize”.
“We could discuss it forever and only get into trouble for our efforts, it all boils down to pacification,” he added.
“May I ask you another question?” Asked Doris.
“By all means” replied Jack.
“Well” she asked, “How is it as a retired Superintendent you noticed, the height of the man, the long strides and large feet. I recall when visited Wrexham some time ago you noticed the smudged lipstick, the photograph and the still burning cigarette?”
He smiled and said, “As a young serving Police Inspector in this modern policing system, how is it you did not?”
She took the point and promised herself she would once again learn from his experience and his tenacity, even his Lordship the judge recalled it and admired him for it.
At 9am, the following day they arrived in the office and Doris set herself the top priority of arranging a good reliable team to assist the now delicate stage of the enquiry, the exhumations and second post mortems of the five deceased officers.
“Hello, Good morning Garden Rescue, can I help you?" said the female voice.
“May I please speak with old Bill or Ben the gardener; this is Inspector Scott-Ling of Chester Police”.
“Heavens don’t say we are in trouble.”
“Nothing like that” replied Doris
“I will put the boss on; he is just on his way out”
There was a pause then, “Hello, how can I help?”
“Hello, this is Inspector Scott-Ling”, she repeated, “Mr Richards, I believe he is a client of yours”.
“Yes, that is correct, but he is not due for a visit until next week” came the reply.
“I am calling on another matter, we have a delicate enquiry, we require someone with a small digger to exhume some bodies”
“Oh I see, well, we don’t have a small digger but we can hire one. Yes, if it’s for Mr Richards certainly, we will do the job”.
“Thank you” replied Doris, “unfortunately the job will be have to be done at night and under a tent”.
“Yes, I am aware of that, we have done one some years ago, when someone was placed in the wrong grave, but the procedure will be the same”.
She then said, “You will appreciate the job calls for complete confidentiality”.
“Yes of course, the last one did”.
“Thank you” said Doris “if you might arrange it, either myself or Mr Richards will come back to you with all the details”.
“Thank you,” he said and the call ended.
“Hello, Professor Webster, Jack Richards here. I thought I might just update you with some additional information, vital really, I am sending it to you by despatch courier as I speak.
“Thank you Jack, I will get onto it as soon as I receive it”. Replied Webster.
“You may well have to carry out some tests and research before you do the post mortems; it’s all in my written report”.
“Thank you Jack. You can rely on me", he replied
The call ended and just at that moment Doris arrived armed with two cups of tea freshly made by May. She added as some reassurance to him, it was not one of her brews.
“I have arranged for the ground works to be done, as you suggested by Garden Rescue”. He added.
“Right” said Jack “Another list of jobs for you.”
“Contact the Clerks in Holy Orders of each church. Inform them of the forth coming exhumations; assure them they are done under the authority of a High Court Order and that all will be done tastefully so to speak”. He added “Oh, they are welcome to attend if they so desire, they may feel it prudent to say a few words when the bodies are reburied.”
“Finally, I am sorry to go on but please tell them all must be in confidence we don’t want the media there and of course no relatives or suspects, if you get my meaning”.
“I will arrange it all” she said and went to the computer; he saw her looking up 192 to obtain the relevant numbers.
The following Monday night at 11pm, the burial ground at Wrexham cemetery was a hive of activity. The contractors had already erected the large tent. The sound of the diesel portable engine to power the lights could be clearly heard.
