Kyle was surprised when the cell door opened and the policewoman standing there was accompanied by a man small in stature, only five feet and a few inches tall, he was aged in his middle to late fifties.
He was dressed in a navy blue pin striped suit, highly polished shoes, a white shirt with cut away collar and navy blue tie with white spots to match his suit. He was carrying a blue folder, displaying a broad smile on his face.
“Mrs Kyle Gittins is it? My name is Hayes, Tim Hayes, solicitor. I have been contacted by Sergeant Grimshaw, the Custody Officer; he informs me you have requested me to represent you. Thank you officer, you may close the door whilst I confer with my client and take her instructions I will press the buzzer when the conference is ended.”
“Thank you Mr Hayes,” was the reply and the cell door closed.
“Officer if you will please leave the door hatch open, let in some fresh air you see, I cannot stand these claustrophobic cells,” he called.
The officer did as requested and could be heard walking away.
Waiting a moment his finger upright over his closed lips a clear sign for Kyle to remain silent. He turned and then placing his hand into his pocket he produced a small mirror similar to those used by any woman in connection the application of makeup. It was fastened to a small piece of wood. Hayes inserted it through the open hatch, then having glanced in either direction he pulled it back and returned it to his pocket.
“There is no-one listening, one cannot be too careful in these places you know,” he said, now seated on the bed as low as it was.
“I will now hear the burden of your song Mrs Gittins, and then take your instructions. Now I have a guiding rule with all my clients, you tell me the truth, I tell them the lies.”
She smiled, a lawyer with a sense of humour as well as a crafty and clever bugger it seems. No wonder the cops seem to use him when they are in trouble.
Clearly, Ron had called good advice. She also noted that Sergeant Joe Grimshaw had not interfered or argued the pros and cons’ stating it was my choice alone, but he had simply called Hayes. There was still a semblance of comradeship there she thought.
All was now set, Superintendent Kinsella rose from her seat Doris did likewise but was carrying the folder containing the list of questions to be asked. Hopefully when these were answered it would be a much less hazardous or irritating affair to question Ron the experienced one.
They arrived in the Custody suite, signed the register as about to interview Kyle. They then walked through and into the first of the four interviews rooms.
It was only moments before the door opened again and the officer standing there showed Kyle and Hayes inside.
“Please take a seat Mrs Gittins,” called Doris, and indicating for Kyle to be seated on the chair across the table and directly opposite to those about to interview her.
Kinsella looked into the face of the prisoner, she recalled those days seated at the university being lectured by the country`s top psychologists and professors of law they had a vast amount of experience what they had taught her was to be her main weapon in the fight against crime.
She could see the lips of Kyle trembling; her hands were clasped but were writhing. Kyle then looked down as Susan studied her subject, just as she had been instructed. Having received a honours degree it was all proof how much she had learned, now was the time to put all this into practice with the most serious crime, murder. Not only that but the abhorrent crime of a trained and trusted nurse killing an elderly and infirm patient. What worse case could there be than this? She assured herself.
Then with a smile, she looked up and took the list of questions Doris was holding from her.
Doris however, was not thinking of the university professors but of the occasions she had worked with Jack the Hat. She had focussed on Hayes, this well known, respected and yes even feared lawyer by Coppers in two counties. She had looked into his face. He sat composed with a smile, no a smirk on his face he had been holding his pencil in one hand revolving it over and over on the desk whilst the other he rubbed across his chin.
Here was a man with full confidence in what he was doing. Yes, he was also a university man but at this moment his arsenal of tactics would not be based on that which the legal eagles had lectured to him but well over twenty five years representing the worst of criminals and standing up before countless magistrates and judges pleading their cases, mostly lost causes, yet he had attained formidable successes.
Kinsella nodded, and so Doris commenced. “Mrs. Kyle Gittins we are about to interview you into the death of one Iris Carter. Present are yourself, your solicitor, Mr Hayes, Superintendent Kinsella and myself Inspector Scott-Ling. This interview is being recorded both in sound and video. I must remind you that you are still under caution. You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in Court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.”
Doris then said, “For the record Mrs Gittins has nodded indicating she understands.
It was now her time, her big moment, Susan Kinsella was ready, the questions all set down before her, Doris had it seemed done well from the list she could see and the contents of the questions. She even envisaged herself presenting this as her initial participation before fellow senior officers all sitting at Bramshill College, waiting to relate their most serious and complicated case, what better than this murder of an old and infirm lady.
She saw that Kyle, a mere nurse with no experience of crime until now, her hands still sweating and now gripped tight. Yes this would be easy.
“Mrs Gittins I would first ask you this. You are a trained nurse and I believe you had been attending upon the deceased Mrs Iris Carter for sometime; you had access to her house. You were therefore well aware of her medical background. You last visited her on the day of her death. You administered the required medication to your patient. That is according to your own notes which I have here in front of me. You then left the house and later returned when Mrs Carter was now dead, is this correct?”
Kyle replied, “Yes.”
Kinsella checked her notes then looking up asked, “During the period you visited Mrs Carter you would have ample opportunity to check around her house is it correct you also knew of her personal and financial state?”
“No comment,” replied Kyle now staring ahead her eyes fixed on the wall behind those interviewing her.
Kinsella looked in amazement, no comment.
Kinsella continued, “The police obtained a search warrant and have searched your house and taken items away for forensic examination. You have also provided a DNA sample. These have now been examined. I would now ask you to account for the fact that your DNA has been found on a pillow used by the deceased. Fibre from this pillow were discovered inside Mrs Carter when the post-mortem examination was done.”
“No comment,” replied Kyle.
“Did you say no comment?” Replied Kinsella.
There was no response to this question.
She endeavoured to persevere and so continued directly from her plan.
“Mrs Gittins,” said the Superintendent now showing the first signs of frustration, “fibres from your black coat were discovered at the side of the chair in which Mrs Carter was sitting can you account for this.
There was no reply.
“Mrs Gittins I put it to you that you had every opportunity to enquire into the personal affairs of Mrs Carter. I believe you have been a kind and goodly nurse. Your pleasant, caring and helpful manner would no doubt instil full confidence in you by your patients. I would suggest that you are fully aware of her wealth and sound financial position.”
There was no reply.
The Detective continued. “I put it to you that you returned to the house after your initial visit to treat the patient. Mrs Morris, the carer was away shopping. You let yourself into the house and then whilst this poor defenceless lady was asleep you took the pillow and forced it onto her
face smothering her. If what I am saying is not true this is your opportunity to say so. Failing to answer will reflect badly upon you at any future court hearing.
There was still no response from Kyle, though Hayes was busy making a written record, just in case something went wrong with the technical equipment.
“I put it to you,” said Kinsella, “that you were well aware that your husband and yourself have been left twenty thousand pounds in the will of Mrs Carter."
Doris looked and saw the expression of surprise upon the face of Kyle Gittins, she genuinely appeared to be surprised, but this was not a moment to intervene into the flow of her boss so she remained silent, whilst she continued.
“I further put it to you that as I believe you intend to retire shortly, that this additional money will make your financial position very sound indeed. This caused you to be filled with greed and so that is why you returned to the house whilst you knew there was no one else present, save perhaps your husband in the garden. You then seized on the opportunity, took this pillow and then smothered Mrs Carter. This is the reason your DNA was discovered on the pillow. An item not required during your nursing duties. This would also account why fibres from your coat were discovered on the side of the chair. You would, I suggest stand at the side of the deceased and then cautiously remove her pillow and then having placed it on her face whilst she was in slumber you pressed it down and thus stopped her breathing. Now Mrs Gittins this is your opportunity to clear your conscience, a conscience any true nurse would have. Tells us the truth Mrs Gittins of what you did.”
Kyle failed to respond but simply sat still gazing at the empty wall.
Doris, looking down once again at her notes but not at the officer next to her who was now getting the picture, the pre arranged plan of putting all this evidence to the accused and replies amounting to admissions was clearly not going to work. Hayes had once again done his work. Yes, he was craftsman, there was no doubt about that, surely a blast from him was just about due.
Kyle made no reply, but Hayes stepped in. “Superintendent Kinsella, I have a note here of these proceedings, I ask you to check your notes. I recall that you said to my client advising her of her rights under the police and criminal evidence act as follows, and I quote, you do not have to say anything. Clearly my client is simply heeding your advice in not saying anything. Do I need to make a note to present to any future court that you are attempting to put my client under undue pressure. Any jury may well consider you are adopting an overbearing and threatening attitude. I would put it to you officer that bullying tactics will not be tolerated. I suggest to you that you follow the evidence you have, not coerce my client into providing it for you, please now continue your questions but have regard to the fact I will require a copy of both the visual and verbal records.
There was silence, then Kinsella closed her file and said, “ Clearly Mrs Gittins you have nothing to say, I declare the interview at an end, officer please take Mrs Gittins back to her cell.”
Clearly annoyed, Susan just left. She had it seem no alternate plan and it seemed tunnel vision Now leaving Doris sitting with Hayes, a smile on his face.
Kyle now in tears, clearly she had retained her composure and followed Hayes instructions to the letter, now Kinsella had gone and the interview was over it was all too much for her.
Hayes was the first to speak, “Inspector, my client will, in the fullness of time submit to you a full and frank statement of her account in these events.”
He said good-bye to Kyle as she was taken away.
“Time for a coffee at my office I think,” he said to Doris, winked his eye and then, “I will be back later if you intend to interview Mr Gittins.
He also left leaving Doris to contemplate the events and the fact the plan of her boss had failed dismally. She may not realise it but yes it was a dismal failure. Kyle had said nothing but Hayes now had all the police evidence to hand to formulate the reply of his client, Kyle. A maestro, there was no doubt of that. There was yet the trauma of dealing with Ron, it would it seem not be as easy as Kinsella had planned.
Seated in her office Kinsella was coming to terms with the fact that in the real world things were not as clear cut as the theory of the laws had been set out at the university. Her plans had been thus far scuppered, for the interview with Kyle Gittins had revealed nothing to her or to the advantage of the police enquiry. On the other hand Hayes was now full aware what evidence the police had against his clients.
It did cross her mind, though she would never admit it, that Doris had been right quoting Richards by having more than one avenue of investigation. The only direction was forward, interview Ron Gittins and see what transpires. The devious defence methods of Hayes did not in any way affect the forensic evidence.
Kinsella and Doris left their office once again heading down to the cell block and its maze of small cells, interview rooms and guests, none of whom wished to be there.
Walking down the corridor she could hear voices and on reaching the first interview room number one the custody constable standing outside pointed to the cell opposite.
Nodding in confirmation that they had received the signal Hayes was once again in attendance; they went inside and sat down.
Hayes and Ron had in any event finished their consultation and so when the door of the cell opened they both strode out into the corridor, across the hall and into the interview room.
They immediately saw the two investigators sitting waiting. There was no need to tell Ron what to do. He simply pulled out the chair opposite Kinsella, sat and shuffled forward. Hayes taking the seat next to him was as familiar with the procedure as any.
It was a case of repetition, Doris read out the caution, Ron replied “yes,” indicating he had understood what he had been told. The mere fact Hayes was present made that obvious even without being told.
Ron was asked to confirm that he was in fact working in the garden of Mrs Carter on the day she was murdered. He had replied in the affirmative.
When asked if he had access and if he had been into the property that day whilst Mrs Heather Morris had been out he replied that he had not.
When asked how fibres from is old police greatcoat had been discovered by the forensic scientists on the chair of Mrs Carter. He made no reply.
When told of the leaving of £20,000 by the deceased and that he intended to use this money to leave and settle in the South of France he had made no comment just as his wife before him.
The reality of the situation was that Ron answered no questions just as his wife had done.
The interview was pointless, nothing was being revealed.
Clearly, now very frustrated as anyone present could see, Kinsella was about to bang the desk and possibly run around screaming and pulling out her hair, the situation was resolved by Hayes.
“Superintendent Kinsella, my client wishes to assist the police in their enquiries into this matter. As a result he will hand to you a statement, made by him under caution. This statement will answer all your questions in a full and frank manner.”
With that Ron now produced the statement, typed by the secretary of Hayes but now signed by him. Kinsella took this and on checking she saw the caution typed out in full. That he had been cautioned and made the statement of his own free will understanding that its contents may be used in evidence.
The statement was brief; Kinsella took and then sat reading it.
“I am Ronald Gittins, I have worked for some time assisting Mrs Iris Carter by keeping her garden tidy. On the day she died I had visited the house and spoken with the deceased in the presence of her Carer Mrs Morris. I then worked in the garden until after lunch time.”
“I saw my wife, Kyle, the district nurse arrive and leave. Later that day I saw Mrs Morris leave. She asked me to ensure the gate was closed when I left. Although I have access to the house in emergency, a key was hidden outside all visitors knew that. I did not in fact enter the house after my initial visit.”
; “I have however on previous occasions been inside the house and on many occasions I have handled the cushions on Mrs Carter’s Chair and the chair itself. These instances occurred when I was called by Heather Morris to assist when Mrs Carter, a lady of infirmity required help due to sliding down or even unable to stand. I am not surprised fibres from my clothing were discovered, in fact I would be dismayed if they had not been so discovered.”
“On the day in question I had been using fertiliser powder on the garden. Had I have entered the house on that afternoon there would have been traces of this substance on the carpet. The finding of such a substance has not thus far been revealed to me.”
The Judas Murders Page 9
