‘Right you are then vicar,’ said Fox. ‘It’s been nice talking to you. Any friend of Percy is a friend of mine.’
Ambler opened the door of the box for Shaw, who walked out into the cool air, full of the smells of soot and smoke from passing trains.
Fox gave a cheery wave. ‘Any time you need to know about signals, vicar, you come and see us. Good day to you!’
Shaw travelled back to Lower Addenham on the next train. Throughout the brief journey he reflected on what Fox had told him in the signal box. He felt a queer mental sensation of loose ends gathering together, a sensation he had sometimes felt when preparing a sermon on a difficult topic, such as the nature of the Trinity. He decided that he ought to try to speak to Inspector Ludd before proceeding.
As the train slowed to a halt at Lower Addenham, Shaw noticed a small crowd of people outside the station, and two police cars parked in the forecourt. A number of police constables were milling around, and one was manning the station barrier.
As Shaw alighted from the train, he noticed the police constable speaking with a heavy-set man in a belted raincoat with a bowler hat pushed back on his head. He realised it was Inspector Ludd.
The Inspector spotted Shaw approaching and broke away from the constable.
Shaw resolved that he would take the opportunity of this chance meeting to mention his theories on the case.
‘Good morning, Inspector. A lot of activity, I see. Have further developments in the case occurred?’
‘You can certainly say that, Mr Shaw,’ said Ludd, with a frown. ‘Mrs Cokeley’s dead. Looks like she’s been murdered.’
Chapter Thirteen
S haw felt as if he had received a blow to the stomach. A physical pain almost; a sensation he remembered from the trenches when the news of yet another young soldier’s death was relayed to him.
‘Another murder?’, asked Shaw incredulously.
‘Certainly looks like it,’ said Ludd. ‘She was found in the shop a couple of hours ago with a knife through her heart.’
‘Good Lord, this is terrible,’ said Shaw.
‘Tell me about it,’ said Ludd. ‘And just when we thought we’d got her husband’s killer bang to rights. Well, we know it can’t be him that did it, as he’s currently sitting in a cell in Midchester. But we’ll find this one too. I’ve got men on the barrier here questioning anyone taking the train out, and I’ve put roadblocks on both sides of the village.’
‘I see,’ replied Shaw. ‘Then I shall not detain you any longer, Inspector.’ He touched the brim of his hat and made to leave the station.
‘Just a minute, if you don’t mind, Mr Shaw,’ said Ludd. ‘now that you’re here, you could be of assistance to us.’
‘Of course, Inspector. I am at your disposal.’
‘Being a man of the cloth, you’ll be good at, what do they call it, pastoral care.’
‘I don’t quite follow.’
‘Consoling people in times of distress, and all that.’
‘I see. Yes, that is indeed one of the duties of a parish priest.’
‘Yes, well, that girl who works in Cokeley’s shop, Miss Ellis, is beside herself. Can’t stop her crying and we can’t get anything out of her. It was her that discovered the body. I’ve tried to get a WPC over from Midchester but there’s none available apparently.’
‘WPC?’ asked Shaw.
‘Woman police constable,’ replied Ludd. ‘Shoulder to cry on - everyone’s favourite auntie, you know the sort of thing. Can’t really have any of my men trying to do that.’
‘Quite. And in the absence of such an…auntie, you believe I may be of use? Would it not be better if I fetched my wife, perhaps?’
‘I’d rather it was you, sir. I wouldn’t want Mrs Shaw to have to, well, witness the sights in the shop, so to speak.’
‘Very well. I will be glad to be of assistance’.
‘Is Miss Ellis one of your lot, sir?’ asked Ludd.’
‘My lot?’ enquired Shaw in a puzzled tone.
‘I mean, is she a church-goer?’ said Ludd.
‘I do not recall seeing her at church. I believe her people may be Methodists. But be that as it may, I find in times of trouble a clergyman of any denomination can be of consolation.’
The two men made their way out of the station towards Cokeley’s shop. A little group of what Shaw assumed were newsmen were standing on the pavement, held back by two police constables. Across the road a small crowd of villagers were gathered, murmuring and pointing. Once again he felt sick to his stomach that the peace of the little community could have been disturbed in such a way.
They entered the shop, which seemed to Shaw to have a more sinister and gloomy air than he had noticed before. Perhaps it was the overcast weather, or perhaps the recent visitation of violent death.
Miss Ellis was seated on an overstuffed armchair - price £1/10/-, Shaw noticed on the little label attached to it. She was dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief and staring at the ground, as a young police constable stood awkwardly by her.
Beyond, through the doorway into the small parlour at the back of the shop, Shaw could see something on the ground covered with a sheet. He realised that must be the late Mrs Cokeley. Two men were talking in low tones by the corpse, one whom he recognised as the other detective - McPherson. The other man appeared to be some sort of doctor, he thought, judging by the stethoscope around his neck.
‘Miss Ellis,’ said Ludd quietly, ‘I’ve brought the vicar to see you. Thought a familiar face might help.’
The shop assistant looked up with red rimmed eyes. At first she did not seem to recognise Shaw but then whispered a reply. ‘Oh, it’s you, vicar.’
Shaw pulled up a chair (George III, price £1/19/6, according to the tag) and sat close to Miss Ellis.
‘I realise this must have been a terrible shock for you, Miss Ellis,’ said Shaw. ‘But please try to answer the questions of the police. The killer could still be at large and it is vital that he be apprehended as quickly as possible.’
Miss Ellis sniffed and blew her nose. ‘Yes, of course,’ she said in a resigned tone. ‘I’m sorry, it was all such a shock. I just couldn’t face such a flurry of questions.’
Ludd, who was standing close by, shifted his weight from one leg to another, awkwardly. Shaw guessed he was not comfortable dealing with distressed persons.
‘Of course. Perhaps you could simply tell us in your own words what happened,’ said Shaw.
‘I…I’ll try,’ said Miss Ellis. ‘I went out for my lunch hour. I usually sit and eat my sandwiches in the back room here. But Mrs Cokeley had told me to go out as she was having a private meeting upstairs. I got the impression she wanted me out of the way.’
‘A private meeting with whom?’ Shaw spoke gently, and noticed that Ludd was quietly taking notes behind Miss Ellis.
‘Those two from the estate agents down the road,’ said Miss Ellis with a sniff. ‘I saw them come in, but I can’t remember their names. A man and a woman…wait, it was Mr Symes and Miss…Frobisher. Yes, that’s it.’
‘Symes and…Frobisher.’ Ludd repeated the names under his breath as he made a note in his pocket-book. He leaned forward closer to the armchair.
‘What time was this, please, miss?’
‘I…I’m not sure. About twelve, I think.’
‘And what did they do?’asked Ludd.
‘They met Mrs Cokeley and went upstairs. A few moments later Mrs Cokeley came downstairs again and told me to go out for lunch.’
‘And did you?’ asked Ludd.
‘I did but I thought it was a little strange,’ said Miss Ellis. ‘I normally just shut the shop up for the lunch hour and eat my sandwiches in the back. But Mrs Cokeley was quite insistent that I should go out. She said she had to get back to her business meeting upstairs.’
‘I see,’ said Ludd. ‘And where did you go?’
‘I sat on the little bench in Back Lane,’ said Miss Ellis. ‘I thought the weather might brighten up ag
ain but it didn’t. I sat for an hour and came back and then I found…I found…’ She buried her face in her handkerchief.
‘You found what, Miss Ellis?’ asked Ludd.
‘I found Mrs Cokeley…dead…in the back room. And then I telephoned for the police.’ She then broke down in a fit of sobbing.
‘I think perhaps I ought to take Miss Ellis home,’ said Shaw.
Ludd coughed. ‘Yes, alright. Thank you, Miss Ellis, you’ve been very helpful. We will need to speak to you later to get a formal statement, of course.’
Shaw helped Miss Ellis on with her mackintosh as Ludd opened the shop door and stepped outside. Just then a young man sprang forward through the police cordon around the shop. A constable tried to take his arm but he shook it off, and shouted ‘I told you, I want to see my sister.’
Ludd shut the door behind him and blocked the doorway. ‘I’m sorry sir…’ protested the constable, but Ludd cut him off.
‘It’s alright thank you, I’ll handle this,’ said Ludd, turning to the young man. ‘Now, what’s all this about?’
‘I said I’ve come to see my sister. Somebody just told me there’s been a murder in her shop. I need to see if she’s alright.’ He tried to push past Ludd into the shop doorway.
‘Alright, alright son, calm down,’ said Ludd, barring the way. ‘First things first. What’s your name?’
‘Jack Ellis. My sister Sybil works in there.’
‘Just a moment,’ said Ludd. He opened the door and called inside. ‘Miss Ellis, do you know this man?’
Miss Ellis and Shaw stepped forward. The woman ran into her brother’s arms. ‘Oh Jack,’ she blurted. ‘Thank God you’re here.’
‘And thank God you’re alright,’ said Ellis.
‘Perhaps you’d be good enough to take your sister home,’ said Ludd. ‘She’s had a bit of a shock.’
‘Of course,’ replied Ellis. ‘Come on Sybil, I’ll walk you back.’
‘Oh and there’s just one more thing before you go, miss,’ said Ludd. ‘Can anyone vouch for you sitting on the bench in Back Lane between 12 and 1?’
There was a pause. Miss Ellis then looked at her brother. ‘Of course. I was with you, Jack, wasn’t I?’
Ellis looked directly at Ludd and Shaw. ‘That’s right,’ he said quickly. ‘She was with me the whole time.’
‘Once again you’ve been very helpful miss,’ said Ludd. ‘Now please go home and get some rest.’
‘But what about the shop?’ said Miss Ellis. ‘Do I come back in to work tomorrow?’
Ludd frowned. ‘I don’t think so. You take a few days off at home. We’ll keep an eye on this place until we sort things out.’
Shaw stepped forward to speak. ‘And please do not hesitate to call at the vicarage if I can be of any assistance.’
‘Thank you but it really won’t be necessary,’ said Miss Ellis.
‘As your parish priest, I feel I am duty bound,’ said Shaw, firmly. ‘I, or my curate, will endeavour to visit you in the next few days.’
‘I really don’t think that’s…I just want to go home,’ said Miss Ellis, her voice breaking.
‘Come along sis,’ said Ellis, gently as he took her arm. ‘Let’s get you home.’
Shaw stood in the doorway of the shop and watched Miss Ellis and her brother walk away up the high street.
‘Poor girl,’ said Ludd. ‘It’s enough of a shock finding a dead body, but then she’s just realised she’s probably lost her livelihood as well. Anyway, thanks for that, Mr Shaw, helps to have a friendly face with a witness, sometimes, especially of the female variety. Us coppers are intimidating at the best of times.’
‘That is quite alright, Inspector,’ said Shaw. ‘But I wonder if I might have a moment of your time to discuss a matter of some importance connected with the case.’
‘Oh yes? Step inside the shop, would you?’
The two men went back inside and Ludd closed the door behind them.
‘Just give me a minute will you?’ said the Inspector. ‘I need to convene with McPherson and clear up a few things then you’ll have my full attention.’
‘Very well, Inspector, I shall wait for you here,’ said Shaw, who sat down again on the Georgian chair. He was tempted to smoke his pipe, but, just as when he had been waiting for the Inspector after Cokeley’s murder, he felt perhaps it would be inappropriate, and contented himself instead with looking at an early Victorian prayer book which he found on a display case.
He found his attention wandering as he overheard Ludd and the Scottish detective, McPherson, talking in the back room.
‘Well, one thing’s for sure,’ said Ludd in a disappointed tone, ‘it wasn’t West, because right now he’ll be sleeping off his lunch of bread and water in the station cells.’
‘Aye but who was it then, sir?’ asked McPherson. ‘No signs of forced entry or theft or anything like that as far as I can see. Doesn’t seem to have been an ordinary robbery.’
‘You’re not in Glasgow anymore, lad,’ said Ludd. ‘An ordinary robbery in a town like this is a kiddy taking some sweeties while the shopkeeper’s back is turned.’
‘Aye maybe, sir,’ said McPherson. ‘But what if West is still connected with it somehow? What if he’s working with someone else?’
‘Alright,’ said Ludd. ‘We’ll grill him about that later. But right now I want you to find this pair from the estate agents. They were in here about twelve apparently. Symes, and a woman called Frobisher. I assume it’s that wooden hut place down the lane just before the Ipswich Road. I want to know what they were doing here and when they left. Take a couple of men with you, and bring them in to the station if you have to.’
‘Right sir,’ replied the Scottish detective briskly, and he made his way out through the front door, nodding to Shaw as he passed. Shaw watched as the man strode over to a police car parked opposite the shop, and began speaking to the driver.
Shaw then heard Ludd speaking to the other man in the back room. Looking around briefly, he recognised him as the police doctor who had examined Cokeley previously.
‘Knife through the heart, Inspector,’ said the doctor blandly. ‘Just like that last one. Been dead a couple of hours, I’d say.’
‘And not a bayonet this time,’ said Ludd, peering at the handle of the weapon protruding from Mrs Cokeley’s chest. ‘Looks like a paper knife or some such. I want this fingerprinted as soon as possible,’ he added.
‘Not until I’ve done the post-mortem please, Inspector,’ said the doctor. ‘I don’t want your men poking and prodding around before I’ve had a chance to.’
Ludd sighed. ‘Very well doctor. But let me know as soon as you’re done.’
There was a moment of silence as the two men looked at the corpse.
‘Dead a couple of hours, you say?’ mused Ludd. ‘It’s gone two o’clock now,’ said Ludd. ‘We got here at one forty-five. Miss Ellis said she found the body just after one. So Mrs Cokeley would have been killed just after twelve?’
‘I’d say that’s about right,’ said the doctor. ‘Of course, I can’t be completely sure but the physical indications strongly suggest that.’
‘I see, thank you, doctor,’ said Ludd. ‘You can take her away now. Let’s do this discreetly, out the back way. I’ll go and fetch a couple of my lads to help you.’
‘Of course, Inspector, thank you,’ replied the doctor.
Ludd emerged from the back room. ‘My apologies, Mr Shaw,’ he said. ‘As you can see we’ve got our hands full at the moment. Now, what was it you wanted to speak to me about?’
Shaw stood up. ‘I realise you must be very busy, Inspector. And you are probably aware of this already. But I couldn’t help overhearing your sergeant mention the possibility that the killer could be an accomplice of West. It was of interest because I have been wondering that also.’
‘Look, Mr Shaw,’ said Ludd with a slight tone of impatience. ‘I appreciate your help with Miss Ellis. But right now I don’t really need any theories from t
he public. No disrespect, but you should hear some of the stuff people come up with during murder cases. We even get people confessing to them who have got nothing to do with it.’
A few days ago Shaw would have felt admonished by such a rebuke, but with all that he had heard and seen, he felt duty bound to continue.
‘Of course, Inspector,’ he said. ‘I would not dream of simply airing fanciful theories; your time is far too valuable, as is mine. But I happened to speak to Mr Ambler, who told me something rather interesting.’
‘Ambler? I know that name. Wasn’t he the one driving the engine when Cokeley got killed?’
‘That is correct.’
‘What were you talking to him for?’ asked Ludd suspiciously.
Shaw smiled. ‘As a vicar, I speak to all sorts and conditions of men, Inspector, just as you do, albeit in perhaps a more spiritual capacity.’
‘Of course,’ said Ludd. ‘I realise that’s part of your job, or I wouldn’t have asked you in to help with Miss Ellis. Go on.’
‘Well,’ said Shaw. ‘As you will see in my statement to you, and also I think in that of the guard, the man we saw running from the train was on its left hand side, as one faces the engine.’
Ludd ruffled through the pages of his notebook until he found the relevant page. ‘Yes, that’s right,’ he said. ‘What of it?’
‘Mr Ambler claims that the man he saw was running from the right hand side of the train, as one faces the engine.’
Ludd turned the pages of his notebook rapidly. ‘Alright,’ he said. ‘I think one of my constables took a brief statement from them. I was engaged on other matters. I’ll have to compare notes when I get back to the station. Thanks anyway, Mr Shaw.’
‘You are most welcome, Inspector,’ said Shaw. ‘May we conclude from this, that there are indeed two men involved?’
‘It’s possible,’ sighed Ludd. ‘But it’s also possible that whatsisname, Ambler, got it mixed up. People get their stories confused sometimes and swear blind they saw something when they didn’t, and vice versa.’
A Third Class Murder: a cozy 1930s mystery set in an English village Page 13