by Harry Nankin
“The officer at Wrexham had a similar mark at the back of the neck proving he had also been attacked by the same method but from behind.”
“The mounted officer had a needle mark on his right thigh showing he had been injected by someone standing at the side of his horse whilst he was still mounted”.
Enquiries and tests at the British hospital of tropical diseases confirmed all the officers died from an injection of this drug”.
“Both professors are now satisfied all officers died as a result of an over dose injection of Rancinite”.
“Denton-Smyth is a meticulously clean and tidy person especially for cleaning his shoes; bulling I think it is referred to and further they are stored in the same location behind his desk”.
“Chief-Constable Craig Denton-Smyth presented himself immaculately whilst he was a Chief Superintendent, he wore hand made uniforms. These uniforms were stored in his office.”
“Whilst he was away at Bramshill on a course, I arranged for Professor Bolister to visit Craig’s office, samples were taken from the carpet on the floor where his shoes were kept; in addition specimens were taken from his uniforms. These have since been examined”.
“In the samples from the carpet were found particles of sheep droppings, and those of the game bird Grouse these matched those found at Church Stretton.”
“In addition, in the office samples there were traces of various toxins.”
“These matched those taken from the death scene at Chorlton Park Lake in Manchester.”
“Samples taken from the pew at Wrexham parish church due to the tacky nature of the treated wood had retained some woollen fibres. In addition the fingerprint matched that of Denton- Smyth who like all police officers has his fingerprints on file at New Scotland Yard”.
“In the police car at Audlem fibres of wool were also found”.
“The woollen fibres found at the scenes of the crimes in the police car and at the parish church in Wrexham matched those taken from the three uniforms of Denton-Smyth stored in his office.”
“I made enquires under warrant with the Tailors used by Denton-Smyth in Saville Row London. The wool is from a unique supplier and no other shop acquires the material, it is hand made and expensive. A record is kept of those who purchase it.”
The records show that Mr Denton-Smyth bought numerous items.
Tests at the Forensic Science laboratory confirm that the wool in stock at the shop, in the suits of Mr Denton-Smyth and the fragments found at the scenes of the deaths all match.”
The room remained silent save for Denton-Smyth who interrupted “This is a stitch up how the hell would I go this bloody place Daram”.
“He does have a point,” replied Woodcock “could it be this Sid he works at a hospital in the drug dispensary?”
Jack the Hat smiled and replied, “Sid has been arrested for threats to kill by leaving an axe at my home.”
“Again has been proved forensically and for the theft of drugs from the hospital, also stealing here tonight items from your coats in the cloak room, nothing to do with the murders of the officers”
There were gasps and frantic pats on coat pockets to check if items were on the person.
He continued, “When I checked the personal records of the deceased officers and spoke with their families I could find no trace of what they did immediately prior to joining the police force”
“I was unable to check in respect of Craig here he being such a high ranking officer”.
“I spoke with General Western, Head of British Special Forces, who confirmed although it was not common but in certain cases the time served by certain personal military personnel could be withheld.”
“In view of the nature of these deaths and another yet to be revealed authorisation was granted by Lord Justice Stevens for such information to be revealed”.
“A check was made and eventually General Western revealed that all the police officers in these matters had in fact served in Her Majesty’s Forces for three years”. “Further they saw service in Daram. Their commander was in fact one Captain Craig Denton-Smyth”.
“There were now gasps and the shaking of heads.
“One day ten natives in a village were found murdered it was not for some time that this mass killings came to the attention of General Western.”
“It was assumed the offenders were local terrorists and no further action was taken”.
“I now turn my attention to the United Kingdom, Denton-Smyth left the military and went directly to the Police College, he did well and on leaving was appointed to assist Mr Woodcock”.
“A year later all five dead police officers left the army, they were unable to find work and also to ensure they were kept in contact with their old captain they joined the police where Denton-Smyth could keep a watchful eye on them”.
“It was a time when there was no recruiting due to financial cuts. Their records show that they were in fact appointed by each of the Chief-Constables, who I might say are present here tonight, on the direct recommendation of Denton-Smyth who was then in a position of influence with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary. I am sure those present here tonight will recall this fact”.
Several heads were now looking at the floor.
“Some time later a lady from Daram one Ramona, who had witnessed the massacre at her village, approached the authorities in alleging the offenders were in fact British soldiers, or rather one of them their captains.”
She was told, so the record shows that nothing could be done”
“She made it known she would travel to England to trace those responsible.”
“It is my belief this was the mystery woman who visited the dead officers. One or more of them informed Denton-Smyth who I submit agreed to meet the lady and then killed her”.
“You may well be asking how I believe such a thing. I made enquiries and ascertained that recently the mother in law of Denton-Smyth had died”.
“I myself arranged to visit this grave, exhume the body and have a second post mortem”.
“On this occasion it was the grave of the mother in law of Denton Smyth”
Denton-Smyth shouted, “It’s all lies, you bastard digging up an old woman”.
Jack smiled, attack is the best form of defence, it was like water off a duck’s back.
“The grave opened the coffin also and it was discovered there were two corpses inside, the one a young woman showed all the signs of the pink tinge and confirmed the cause of death was poisoning just as in the cases of the dead officers.”
“I have had enquiries made in Daram and the DNA from the dead female does match that of the son of Ramona.”
“Professor Webster is satisfied it is her body that was discovered in the coffin”.
“It is my respectful submission that Denton-Smyth killed Ramona, fearing she may have already taken the matter further here in the UK.”
“He met with the officers who related the woman’s` visit. He decided to silence them and he inflicted the deadly potion killing them, hoping to get away with it as natural causes”.
“You have no proof I killed anyone in Daram”, called Craig
“Patience Chief-Constable” said Jack
Jack then said, “General Western made further enquiries and ascertained that prior to leaving Daram, Ramona deposited her mobile phone with the local shall I say Witch Doctor.”
Her phone has now been checked and a copy of the contents taken in the form of a DVD it has now been delivered to me and if you will bear with me I will play the contents of a film on the DVD player on the table there.”
“Whilst I am just getting ready I might inform the meeting that Inspector Scott-Ling has earlier this evening visited the home of Craig Denton-Smyth, in the company of officers of the Customs and Excise,”
“You will be aware they hold an open warrant and can search anywhere at any time for any goods believed to have been imported illegally.”
“Inspector Scott-Ling in
forms me a bottle has been seized marked Rancinite, it will be sent for analysis. I suspect it can be traced to the old witch doctor in Daram”.
“Ah” he said “here is the film clip, please be prepared for the worst.”
“What the fuck are you squaddies doing with these gypsies, do you want the fucking world to know we have a fortune in jewels from that cave. I told you to see the bastards off”.
It was Denton-Smyth in army Special Forces uniform; even with blackened face, he was recognisable.
“We don’t want any of the stuff sir,” said a soldier
“You might not Evans but I do. It will make me this will, it’s a fortune”.
“I will show you how to deal with these bastards” called Denton-Smyth.
There was rapid fire and all ten people standing in a line fell dead
There was a moment of silence in the room as the film came to an end then.
“You fucking bastard Richards, I had it made; I had got away with it until you came”.
With that, Craig stood up and although grabbed by Doris he lunged to the floor.
Several rushed to the scene. It was to no avail, he was dead.
“Get an Ambulance,” cried Woodcock.
Jack turned to Miss Scott-Ling, “They can call as many ambulances as they wish, look on the floor, the needle and small syringe, he’s injected himself”.
Jack looked up to find the Home Secretary gone and most of the others filing out discreetly.
The Judge smiled, nodded, winked as he left and called, “Let the record show, its “Six Dead Cops”.
It was ten minutes before an ambulance arrived, the paramedic said,
“He appears to have had a heart attack, cops as well what sort of lively party have you lot had?”
The body was removed, Doris reported to her HQ, a sudden death; Mr Denton-Smyth has died suddenly.
A call came back instantly, “I will deal with this”.
It was Striker in full flow.
“Let him deal with it Inspector, time we got off home,” said Jack.
Jack had done his duty the identity of “The cop killer” had been revealed.
Some might say justice was served. It did he thought jack bring to mind the old saying
“Keep your enemy close but your friends closer”
The next morning sitting in his study the telephone rang; it was Miles Ridwell now an HMI at the Home Office.
“Hello, Mr Richards, just to let you know we had the post mortem on Craig very early today, the pathologist says it was natural causes, so no need for any Inquest.”
“The Home Secretary feels it best left like that and the other deaths of the officers the same.”
“There is no point in stirring up trouble; you know what the press would do with a story about cops that were soldiers, involved with an atrocity.”
“It has been decided to compensate the families here and in Daram and destroy the files.”
“I see” replied Jack, “fair enough if you intend to cuff it, that is a matter for you and I suspect the powers to be.”
“I will give Inspector Scott-Ling all my notes and everything else; you can then arrange to have them shredded”.
“Yes, quite” replied Ridwell and, “oh your fees”.
Jack thought and said, “I presume you will pay me a Superintendents salary for the time I was on the case”.
“Why of course came the reply.
Jack answered.
“I donate it all to the Police Widows and Orphans Fund.
The call ended.
It was Friday. Jack had one more visit to Chester Police museum he needed to collect his personal items.
He arrived collected his things when Sergeant Large said, “Mr Richards can you call in at the Police Station the Chief Super wants a word?"
Jack did as asked and on arrival, he was told to go himself to the boss’s office.
When he arrived, he knocked in the door and received “a come in Jack”.
He went inside the new boss the Chief Super accompanied by Doris stood to shake his hand.
Jack was thanked for his efforts.
Suddenly they could hear Striker outside he said
“You Davies, is the black boy in?”
“Yes” came the reply
“I take it the Dink is with him, two handy buggers together”
The conversation in the office halted but nothing was said.
“Well Jack thank you I must close the meeting I am expecting visitors”.
“Thank you so much Chief Super Jinton,” said Jack
“Please Jack in future call me “Tabo”.
Jack left with Doris at his side, they entered the lift.
Once inside he said.
“Inspector before I leave a word of advice”.
“Yes please” she said.
“See those damn buttons on your shoulders are you aware what they really signify?”
“Why yes” she replied, “that I am an Inspector”
“Exactly” replied Jack “It is time you ought to remind Striker of that, and the rest”.
They walked into her office picked up his things shook hands and said good-bye.
As he was leaving her office and via the officers parading room to the exit, Striker thought he would have one final send off for this old cop.
He and the rest began to sing, the old song, “Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back no more”.
He walked on there was no visible response; save for a slight snigger it was assumed by the singers he had ignored their provocative chanting.
Suddenly the room was engulfed with a bellow
“You lot what the hell you think you are doing”
It was Inspector Scott-Ling, white faced with trembling lip, as she was about at long last to follow the advice of Jack the Hat.
“I say Ling, don’t you think it is time to put the tea on,” The melodious voice of Striker called out; there was a roar of laughter.
“What did you say to me?” How dare you speak to me in that tone”, she said.
“I say,” replied Striker “we are feeling our feet now aren’t we”
“Striker” she replied, “for once in your life shut up. I will tell you this only once if you continue with your current tone I will report you for investigation by the Professional Standards Department for gross professional misconduct.”
“Those of you who are smoking put out those filthy cigarettes immediately and in future do not let me see anyone smoking in this or any other part of the building contrary I might say to the law”.
There was now complete silence when she continued to lay down her authority finally.
“In future there will be discipline and good order on this shift. When I or another senior officer enters the room on the first occasion of any day in which you are present you will stand. You will refer to all senior officers above the rank of Sergeant as Sir or in the case of female senior officers it will be Madam or Maam, do I make myself clear?”
“Now regarding associates,” she added now in full flow “or visitors to this police station. You will address those persons with the same respect, Sir, Madam, Mr or Mrs do you hear me, this is a police station not some cheap pub”.
“In respect of Mr Richards, let me tell you gentlemen there is not a man here fit to polish his boots, you have no idea have you as to the calibre of older men and women, such as he and Mr Woodcock who have proved themselves to be.”
“But”, interrupted Striker.
She ignored him and continued
“Striker you are a self opinionated bully will you keep quiet, I have not finished, I have put up with your abuse far too long, just for once in your life try for heavens sake to lead your subordinates by example.”
“By the way you need a haircut and your shoes require polishing not to mention the crease in your trousers, get yourself tidy, lead by example.
I will continue”.
“Mr Richards has proved over 40 years
of loyal police service to be a man of incomparable ability as a detective.”
At that, moment proceedings were interrupted when Chief Superintendent Tabo Jinton spoke.
“Mr Striker I have for some time heard and recorded the various comments you have been passing to Inspector Scott-Ling and of myself. I think they must have referred to me, being the only black boy here.”
“May I now introduce to you Superintendent Hinton and Chief Inspector Rolands both of the force professional standards department”.
If you would please accompany them to my office they have some documents to serve on you, oh please be certain to bring your warrant card with you”.
Jack the hat who had stopped outside the door on the pretext of looking for some non-existent item in his coat pockets walked quietly away along the corridor outside the parade room.
This old detective had a smile on his face as he passed the front office enquiry desk and outside heading for home and his beloved Anne and finally, retirement.
The police station front office civilian, Ted Barker, looked up, he saw no one. However, he was certain he heard a voice singing the song “Hit the road Jack”. Had he not known him better he would have sworn it was Mr Richards singing.
As for Striker Doris later told Jack that Striker had been suspended from duty pending a disciplinary hearing, she was summoned to attend. Rumour had it Striker, would be dismissed.
Doris later admitted she should have taken a stronger line initially with Striker, when perhaps all the abuse would have stopped from him and her other subordinates.
Some had commented on hearing the story, such events could never happen in the police service, generally they were correct of course.
This had been a one off, due of course to Striker; he was the villain and a bully.
She admitted to herself, a more firm line by her would have proved to make her life more tranquil.
Things would be different in future.
That evening, Jack sat in his study wondering if the case of the Six Dead Cops would be the last of his involvement with the police.
He was not to know that any of hopes of complete retirement or further involvement with his ex colleagues and not forgetting, Striker was only a pipe dream,
