She placed on her hat and followed him out through the door into the street below and then across finally arriving some minutes later at The Crown Court. Arriving inside he could see she was bored almost to tears. If only she was on that massive motorcycle screaming around at incredible speeds no hope of being stopped and receiving a speeding tickets as she had given. He could read it on her face; this boring work was for the old and decrepit. He smiled to himself, he was about to raise her adrenalin levels though she was as yet unaware of it.
“Good morning Mr Richards” said the security officer, clearly Jack was getting as well known here as he had been at the Old Bailey in London, not to mention the high courts of Justice where doors were opened for him as he approached.
He nodded and walked through, George in close pursuit they now arrived at the enquiry desk.
The lady was typical of what one might have in mind as a lady who worked at a crown court, dark suit, spectacles on the end of her nose but now removed and being swivelled over and over.
“Good day to you. Mr Richards, I am sorry I do not know your name officer,” said the lady.
“Constable George Turner,” she replied.
The lady clearly of the old school looked a little shattered, “George you say, oh I see,” she made no more of it but said, “I see you are to appear before Deputy Judge Edwina Cunningham, please follow me.”
The duo did as directed, A sideways glimpse by Jack saw the look of bewilderment on the face of George.
Arriving outside the Chambers of Lady Cunningham they stopped and became seated whilst the escort knocked on the door and then entered.
“Ah yes, officer,” he suddenly said to George, “you being a constable and me not, you will have to make the applications.”
George gasped and turned, staring him in the face. Clearly she had never done anything like this before. Racing around on motor cycles and issuing tickets was one thing but to stand before a judge of the high court was clearly another.
“But I have no idea what to do,” she exclaimed.
“Didn’t they give you court training when you joined?" he asked.
“Why no, not really, just a visit to the magistrates courts to observe, unlike in your day, with the CPS they only take stone wall cases or where there is a guilty plea so it is very unusual for us to attend court, how the hell will I do this?”
He smiled it was time to let her down to reality.
“When we get inside the clerk will give you the testament, and a card, read the words on the card. When this is done open this folder, I have written it all out for you. It is only a few lines. Then hand in the affidavit papers to the clerk, nothing more to it than that, even an old man like me can do it,” he added.
There was no time in the event to do anything, for the door opened and inside they went.
The Judge was sitting at her desk, though still wearing her red gown and wig.
As Jack had said the testament as given, the oath taken and then turning over the folder George commenced.
“Your Honour I make application today for search warrants and for the seizure of documents. These matters relate to a case of multiple murders listed for hearing before Lord Justice Stevens in due course. The basis for the applications are stated within the affidavits, here presented.”
The clerk took the papers, George stood, now clearly perspiring, God knows what would happen next.
She glanced at Jack Richards, he was standing calm and cool, the stance of experience, she realised at long last.
The Judge read the matters and then looked up. “Officer I must say I am very surprised indeed at the contents of the affidavits of Mr Richards and your good self. Yes, surprised is an understatement. Clearly these matters are of the greatest importance. I can see why this application has been made before me and not before Stevens. Yes, a rare thing here in Chester serial killers. One must see that all procedures are followed to ensure justice is done. I grant all the applications."
She then looked up at Jack Richards and with a smile said, “Judge Stevens has related much of your background Mr Richards as indeed has the Lord Chief Justice with whom I was dining recently. I am sure with you involved in this case justice will be done."
The proceedings then ended, it was then back to the office where Jack read the documents.
An hour later the duo were heading north to the city of Liverpool.
It took some time to convince the General Manager at the records office at the Liverpool law courts to release the documents, even though an order had been made by a high court judge.
Arriving back, the day’s work done, Jack spent much of the evening at home checking and rechecking the details. Taking copies and securing the items. If he was to have spoken the truth, he was very relieved the next day to hand the documentation to George and send her off to Birmingham to the forensic science Laboratory. All he could do now he thought was await the outcome.
George of course was happy to be on the road again, much better she thought scurrying around on the bike than the boring police work of CID. Even better news Richards had told her he would not require her for a few days as he had others matters to deal with. He had not enlarged upon this statement and to be frank she didn’t really care.
So it was Jack was absent from the enquiry and at least one other person was very pleased. Anne Richards could not believe her luck when Jack had asked her if she fancied a few days in London. She was overjoyed to think of visiting the London stores again, how wonderful.
Jack of course had ideas of his own and so during the stay he left her to spend and spend again, or so he put it after they arrived home. She assumed he was visiting his old haunts at, New Scotland Yard. Having served there for some long years he was well known and she was convinced he would get an invitation to view his old haunts and more than likely have a cuppa, as he called it in the staff canteen.
The hotel they stayed in was five stars; Jack really was lashing out she thought and then of course visiting some shows in the evenings. Yes, it was a very wonderful few days and such a let down to arrive back in Cheshire.
It was only a few days later when Jack arrived in the kitchen whilst Anne was washing up the dishes, again with a smile on his face.
“My dear we have not had a holiday for a while. The case I have been involved in is in limbo the last few days getting some tests done.”
The next day arriving at Manchester airport for a week away was very acceptable to Anne. But to a location in the Caribbean, my word, Jack was having a fit she thought.
The time away was marvellous, the hotel food and of course the weather. To sit around doing just nothing was wonderful.
Jack of course had spent some time exploring on his own, well that is what he had said to account for the four hours he had disappeared one day.
Chief Constable Watkiss was more than surprised when she had called him one day to discuss the fact the trial date was being brought forward. Told he was on holiday and where, took her by surprise to the degree she spilled her morning coffee ruining her new uniform white shirt. Having assured her he would be back she had received some comfort. He was a volunteer of course and thus he did not have to seek permission to be away.
There were calls to him from the forensic science Laboratory Professors Hallam and Bolister always had Jack’s number. They assured him all was going well and the results would be completed in time for the new trial date.
Jack enlightened them that there may well be additional enquiries, these would be last minute so he hoped they would be able to cope.
Both signed off rather jealous of Jack and his holiday.
The week soon passed or so Anne had said as they arrived back home.
The following morning she was now busy putting in the washing. Mid morning, as a relief the couple found themselves in Delwright’s Pantry once again.
They had arrived only minutes when a group of the “Cheshire Set,” ladies arrived in due form. The three tables soon became one, as
the friends were obviously anxious to get on with the business of gossip and tittle-tattle.
Girda the waitress arrived, took the order from Anne, and then folded it over turning to take what the “Set,” required.
Jack sat back with a smile viewing them perform, he knew his drink would not be delivered until the Cheshire ladies had been satisfied to quote a phrase. It was first of all standing, then the shuffling of chairs. Once done, it was a round of kissing each other.
Finally they sat again, the mood of joviality continued, when one called “Who is coming to the canapé and wine evening?”
Hands were raised and squeals of joy erupted, the next motion was the production of diaries and address books and all noted the details.
The designer coats removed; clearly they were in for a long session.
As always on these occasions the party tended to break into groups conversation wise. One lady drew Jack’s particular attention when she had been talking to the lady opposite to her. Clearly a woman used to getting her own way and her opinion followed she had an outburst, “I say just be still and quiet and listen to what I am telling you.”
All stopped and looked at her but then the chatter continued and the old lady ignored them and continued to remonstrate with her companion.
Moments later the obnoxious lady rose and went into the toilet, safely out of ear shot Mrs Delwright who had arrived to join in the banter said, “My, isn’t she such a drama queen.
With that the lady arrived back as the laughter at her was in full flow, but as she approached and took her seat the laughter not only subsided away but the looks on the faces of those present was as if it had never happened.
It was then that one saw Jack and instantly all heads leaned in towards the centre of the table.
It was Mrs Delwright who did the honours as Girda finally arrived with the drinks for Jack and Anne.
“I say, did you all hear of the fire late last night?” there was no response, clearly a set piece was about to take place, a set up Jack would call it.
Several other women now joined in the criticism of the Gittins couple.
“That dreadful pair, the nurse and that policeman and we all know what coppers are like. Well I feel sorry for their neighbours having to put up with having had them living next door. It will surely devalue the houses around them. Well, the poor souls have suffered further. A group of drunks called there last night and burned the house of these murderers down to the ground.
Jack was now all ears, his mind was cast back to the last occasion he had seen the accused so violently attacked. Now it seems they had no house. It was of course no consolation that the case against them was such that any hope of them ever being released from prison was remote. Notwithstanding this everyone had their own view and emotions. He could imagine the couple when Hayes had to break the news to them. Now hearing the premises was in fact burned to the ground and all its contents as well it was a grim report.
“Well ladies, I know the recent press coverage the night before last, demanding something must be done to remove all traces of these two serial killers, well it did cause a fuss especially in the pub I believe, but it is the neighbours I feel sorry for,” called, Mrs Delwright.
She continued, “You see they say the smoke damage to other houses from the fire at the home of these monsters was awful. They say the adjoining houses were filled, many items badly smoke damaged.
Eyes gazed towards Jack, known locally as an ex policeman and of course they were all the same.
He thought to himself, “This bloody Miss Bromley has done a lot of damage in her enthusiastic reporting of anything dramatic but as the case had not been heard little or nothing of the truth. It also came to his mind that the concerns of the authorities on the demands for public enquiries were indeed of great importance. If he did not get it right and ensure those who had committed these horrendous crimes were convicted and received the full weight of the law there would be great unrest, even causing resignations.”
Jack pricked up his ears when a lady said, “Eunice I suspect all this is a great menace to you.”
“Why indeed it is, and we are off, or rather we were, to the Cayman Islands for a month but this damn trial is due, no doubt we will be inconvenienced. My dear Jordan will have to return of course.”
“When are you off?” asked Mrs Delwright.
Eunice was drinking, when she had finished she replaced the cup, “We are off tomorrow, Sunday. Jordan will have to come back to attend this trial but believe me I have told him there is no way I will be leaving the sun for more than one day.”
"Quite right," came shouts and claps of support.
A surprise for Jack, when looking up he saw Jordan Rochester arriving inside. He was drinking a very large latte coffee, when he finished he then put the empty dirty cup onto the table of Jack, as if it were a dumping ground.
He gave a nod in the direction of Richards who said nothing further but giving a nod back.
With that Jack was to have a further surprise, for Doris Scott -Ling arrived and as she approached she looked and said, “Good day to you Mrs Rochester.”
Eunice looked up, smiled and said, “good morning I am sure.”
Doris sat opposite to Jack whilst the tittle-tattle continued a different track.
Jack had ears like a hawk he heard the whispers, “Eunice, she is also one of them coppers”
“Yes, I know my dear but her father he is a very good client, oh yes, very wealthy, good for business and he always pays his accounts, so Jordan says. One has to put on a show you know.”
There were more smiles as the group now rose, kisses exchanged again they were finally on their way.
Jack leaned over and whispered, “Did you hear that Inspector? It seems your star witness is off, let us hope he does come back. There is no extradition treaty with the Cayman Islands.”
“Good heavens I know. You are correct, he has been served with a witness summons. If he fails to show to prove the Wills etc I can’t imagine the fallout.”
“I think it is a matter of fingers crossed,” said Jack with a smile.
Anne came in, “Jack stop winding her up, of course he will come back he is only a witness I know solicitors have a reputation of fiddling and putting criminals up to lies to get them off, but he has a solicitor’s business here. You are awful Jack.”
Jack looked and said, "well you nearly fell for that Inspector, revenge shall I say for sending my new enthusiastic assistant. Come now ladies, it is time for my walk. Anne, your washing should be ready to put out.”
They stood and rose to leave when Doris, still a little worried said, “Yes, but if he fails to attend on time we might loose the case, his evidence is vital. I think I will give him a ring later to remind him of the urgency. I think if I speak with him and just say father was mentioning him, the amount of business he gets off the firm, he will not wish to upset me, just in case I suggest to father he changes solicitors.”
“I am sure everything will be fine, take no notice of Jack, he is just trouble making,” said Anne, the ever comforting.
They left and so Girda came to clear away all the dishes and rubbish.
It was some time before she realised there was one item missing. She dare not tell Mrs Delwright or money would be stopped from her pay. It did cross her mind these jumped up Cheshire Ladies who often spoke down to immigrants especially from Eastern Europe as she was, but really they were no different than the rest, thieves if they thought they could get away with it, a search failed to find any broken pieces so she thought the worst, the cup had been stolen.
The next day and for some following, Jack busied himself with other end of line enquiries. He contacted the local highways authority.
After some local enquiries he visited the owner of the aircraft which was reported locally to be a nuisance flying low overhead. This was always followed by an annoying salesman attempting to sell their wares that no-one wanted. When Jack had left the owner had a smile for the
old fella as he later said had spent money in spite of him being, “a grumpy old bugger.”
Chapter 8
The next day at nine in the morning precisely, the dark mundane figure of the man aged in his sixties wearing a trilby hat arrived at the front door of Chester Police Museum. Sergeant Ted Large was just opening the doors, a party of school children was due but not until ten o’clock.
“Good morning Mr Richards, they mentioned you were coming in today. Your room is ready, the same one as last time, on the first floor overlooking the city centre."
“Thank you Sergeant Large, is the key lock still the same number?”
“It is, to be frank; no-one has been using the room since the last time you were here.”
The Judas Murders Page 20
