Murders Without Motive

by Harry Nankin

  “Don’t tell me, have you messed that up or had reports back clearing Mr Charles?”

  Neither sir,” she said, “but I can say Mr Charles Crampton is no longer a suspect for he has been found dead at his home, hanging in fact. Thought to be suicide but now we believe he was also murdered.”

  As she spoke, Pendergast dropped his cup spilling hot tea over his trousers adding more glamour to his appearance.

  “Murdered, murdered?” he exclaimed.

  “Yes the enquiry is ongoing” she replied.

  Clearly shaken if not flabbergasted he mumbled, then blurted

  “Pray Miss Watkiss, what the hell do you intend to do about it?”

  He added, “Call in another force. Yes that is it, contact Chief Constable Myers at North Wales get him to send that Ianto fellow over here".

  “Commissioner a new approach is being undertaken as I speak”

  “And what the hell might that be?” he asked. Now putting the cup onto the table, he missed, for his hand was shaking with rage, the cup rolled over on the saucer then fell to the floor.

  He was about to stamp on it with rage but hesitated, then realised after all they were still cops, well dressed but still cops. Not risking arrest he calmed and stopped

  He was unaware that Miss Renton, the Chief’s secretary had lifted the phone considering calling an ambulance with a view to getting the Commissioner admitted to Denbigh, the nearby mental institution.

  “Calm yourself, Sir Claude” said Tabo Jinton, gripping his uniform cap and almost wiping off the braiding from the peak.

  “What is this new approach?” he asked.

  “I am, for operational reasons, unable to disclose this information but I will schedule a conference or such like within a week, all will revealed”.

  Pendergast rose walked to the door, turned and said.

  “If these matters are not brought to a satisfactory conclusion, madam, I intend to contact The Home Office and seek a review from them with a view to forcing you to appoint an outside force to clear up this bloody mess. I assume with the review will be your resignation”

  He left banging the door.

  There was silence for a moment, when Jinton, spoke asking

  “Ma`am may I be informed as to this magical new approach”.

  She smiled, poured another drink, topping up his cup and said.

  “Chief Superintendent, I have not one clue, Jack Richards is active, I know that much. I also know he asked me to have faith, as for the rest I await with the greatest of anticipation. He has one week and it appears so do I”

  Jack the Hat and Pearson walked into the offices of Templeton and Co. Solicitors at Law.

  It was an old building, scattered around the walls were ancient drawings of legal beagles long since departed.

  There was a counter at which no one sat or stood the place completely silent. Seemingly a common occurrence for there was an ancient brass bell upon the counter.

  Pearson pressed the bell several times. The silence persisted then suddenly a door opened.

  A young lady, with long blonde hair carrying a pile of files about two feet tall, way above her head in fact.

  She stopped, and then her head appeared around one side.

  “Yes" she said "do you have an appointment?"

  With that the top files dropped onto the floor and were scattered here, there and everywhere.

  Richards and Pearson remained still and silent, the poor girl a secretary according to her name badge was Jocelyn, Legal Secretary, put the remaining files on the counter then picked up the rest.

  She stood. composed herself, then said.

  “I will just put these on the rear table”

  She turned and said, “Yes gentlemen how can Templeton’s help?”

  “I require to speak with Mr Templeton please”.

  “Do you have an appointment?” she asked.

  “I do not but I am a police officer Detective Inspector Pearson. Please notify Mr Templeton I am here and wish to speak with him upon the matters of the Crampton murders

  “I am so sorry Sir, but Mr Templeton is so busy I will tell him you called and I am certain he will contact the police station and make you an appointment”.

  “That is not good enough; I will see him now please”

  “Oh very well, but he will be most displeased, he is currently doing a review of the Crampton Estate”.

  She turned and after some steps she looked behind to see the two visitors immediately behind her

  Arriving at the end of the passage she knocked on the door.

  A voice called “Who the hell is it? I thought I gave instructions I was not to be disturbed”.

  The door opened it was Templeton himself”.

  His immediate response was to blurt, “what the hell do you want Jocelyn?”

  “The police are here Sir; they demanded to see you, even followed me down here”. She replied.

  He looked around her and on seeing Pearson and Richards his face stiffened” he said, “Ok Jocelyn you can go I will deal with this.”

  Turning to the visitors he said,

  “What the hell is your idea bursting in here unannounced? I have already made one complaint about you lot, if you don’t leave I will call the Chief Constable. Now go and make an appointment like the rest”.

  Jack looked he saw a box on the desk marked Crampton estates.

  Templeton seeing his glance turned and closed shut a cupboard, it was self locking.

  Pearson spoke “We are making enquiries into the Crampton murder, you are fully aware of that Mr Templeton”

  “Indeed I am” said he, “what the hell is that to do with me?”

  Jack Richards spoke next, few words as always.

  “We need to check the records of the Crampton Estate”

  “Indeed you will not” said Templeton. The records here are privileged client information. Please gentlemen, have regard I still represent the estate and the only surviving member Mr Wilson Crampton, thanks to your ineptitude”

  “I see” replied Pearson.

  He was about to the hit the Jackpot with this arrogant solicitor, “I have here Mister Templeton a search warrant issued today by Lord Justice Stevens at Chester Crown Court”.

  Templeton, visibly stunned, looked with open mouth and held out his hand obviously for the warrant.

  Pearson went on, “This warrant gives me the right to search you, your office and any other place to recover documents relating to the Crampton estate and its members. Further, the warrant gives me authority to seize such items I consider are relevant in the case.”

  Templeton replied, “The warrant man, give me the warrant”.

  “Now, now Mr Templeton” said Jack wondering if Pearson being so young and up against a very popular and crafty solicitor, may just lose his calm.

  “You know the rules, Templeton. Police officers never part company with a warrant. You are entitled to hear its contents and to read its contents but to take possession no, and you full well know that or at least should”.

  Templeton left the room but returned within moments with two of his staff, saying, “You two sit here, Wendy you write down everything they say, look at, handle and take. Marisa, here is a tape, record everything.”

  There was a knock on the door; Jack opened it, four uniform officers carrying boxes walked in.

  Pearson looked and said, “Right officers you stack into these boxes all I hand to you, two do the stacking and two making out the inventory.”

  The whole thing took two hours, when Pearson said, “That is it, I think?”

  “Just a moment” replied Jack, “I think we have missed something?”

  All eyes were upon him.

  He added this cupboard, here by the door, when we arrived it was open, Mr Templeton closed it, I heard it lock.”

  “Right you are Jack I recall it now, Mr Templeton, please open the door”.

  “It is a waste of time, it is all personal items”.

 
“Mr Templeton please open the cupboard” said Pearson.

  Templeton shook his head, I don’t have a key.

  Pearson called, “Johnson open the door” looking at the very large uniformed officer built very well some might say, like an old brick shit house”, again police jargon

  The officer went and was away about five minutes. When he arrived back he was holding a metal bar with a flattened end known in police jargon as a jemmy.

  Johnson inserted this and the door flew open. The were several boxes containing documents.

  They were seized and logged.

  “Right Mr Templeton Sir,” said Pearson, “here is a list of all the items seized, now recorded in the police seized property register”.

  “What will you do with them?” asked Templeton.

  “Examine them of course”

  “Yes, I bet you from what I see of you in court you can hardly read, write or add up, the best of luck. Bring them back when you come up with a blank.”

  They all left, and it was only half an hour before they arrived at Chester police Station.

  “Well” said Pearson, “Templeton did have a point, I doubt any of us will make jack shit of them especially if they are accounts, what about you Mr Richards”

  Jack smiled and replied, “Me, I am or was, only a thick copper remember but what knowledge I do have is to know a man who can”.

  Jack picked up the telephone dialled the number and after a few moments he said,

  “Hello, Mr South, yes, it is Jack Richards are you still doing any part time work in retirement?”

  “I see you are, is there any possibility you might spend a couple of days here at Chester police station checking some documents?"

  “Thank you very much”, the call ended.

  Jack looked up, Pearson was standing waiting for an explanation.

  “Ah” said Jack, “an old friend of mine worked in the city of London all his life, an accountant by trade, spent his life looking through city accounts for insider dealing and worse, these papers will be a piece of cake to him. He will be here first thing tomorrow. Can you arrange an office and a girl to take note, as he is retired that is?

  “Well I bloody well never did” said Pearson” then he smiled and said. “Certainly it is as good as done”.

  “What will we do” he asked.

  “We will see anyone on the list who is outstanding, say nine in the morning?”

  “Indeed” replied Pearson as Jack walked off.

  He turned to Gibson and said, “What do you make of that?”

  “Amazing?” said Gibson”.

  “Indeed” replied Pearson, “the old fox had this up his sleeve all the time. Never said a word, the crafty old bugger”.

  Thursday the 9th of May 2013

  Jack had met up with Pearson on time at nine in the morning. About to leave, Jacks telephone rang.

  “Who the hell might that be?” he thought as he scrambled to retrieve the handset from his trouser pocket.

  He opened it and to his surprise it was his son Craig, currently in Daram. It was so unusual he had to take the call.

  “Hello Craig, what a surprise”.

  “Yes father, I thought to tell you I will be home tomorrow for some time”

  “You will, why what is wrong?”

  “Nothing is wrong it is the summer school break here, and in any event Mr Wilson Crampton has decided he must return home, that is in spite of all advice against such a visit at this time”.

  ”Indeed very surprising” he gave a smile,

  He had something up his sleeve thought Pearson, eavesdropping as Jack had put the loud speaker on.

  “I see I am rather engaged. May I ask you to ring mother and update her?”

  The call ended and nothing more was said but as they entered their car outside, the phone of Pearson rang. The call was brief.

  “Jack we have to diver to call at HQ. There is a meeting, to do with the call you just received”.

  Jack smiled for Pearson had unwittingly admitted he was in fact eavesdropping on the call Jack had received.

  They arrived at Chester Police Headquarters in a matter of moments and were shown by the duty security officer to the conference room.

  “Yes” thought Jack “anyone on the outside would be surprised even laugh”.

  The police headquarters was guarded, not by the police but by a private security firm. Most of whom he had seen were either too old or to overweight to mix it with any villain or terrorist.

  Arriving inside, it seemed all who were invited were in attendance.

  The usual pecking order applied, The Chief Constable, her deputy, The Police Commissioner, Head of CID, Jinton head of Chester city police, The Superintendent in charge of the traffic car and the force control room. Two unknown officers presumably from New Scotland Yard Anti Terrorist Squad to name but some.

  Chief Constable Watkiss stood; “I have called this emergency briefing as a result of information received from the Home office, in turn from the Foreign Office”.

  “Information has been received from Daram that in spite of advice from Sultan Sulliman of that state, his ward Mr Wilson Crampton has insisted on returning home”.

  “This young man eighteen years of age and currently in a wheel chair as a result of illness is the only remaining member of the influential Crampton family.”

  “We are all aware as to the demise of the other members of the family, without me referring to that now.”

  There were shaking of heads, the arrival of this Wilson Crampton would be a headache for everyone and worse it was rumoured a Royal Prince had decided to visit his other close associate in the County, Lord Chumley. There would have to be additional security there.

  Some fears were soon to be allayed, when the Chief announced “Against all advice Mr Wilson Crampton has declined any police assistance and security”

  There were sighs all round but a smile from Jack, bingo, just the ticket he thought”.

  Pearson looked and saw the grin on the old coppers face, He may have seen the grin, the reason however was unknown to him and it wouldn’t pay to ask.

  The Chief continued her briefing; “In spite of this we as a force will have additional officers on duty in the Chester area and around the estate, traffic cars, beat officers. Am I making myself clear?”

  There were heads nodding save one, who’s head was shaking, that of the Commissioner.

  As far as he was concerned, there had been a series of unsolved murders, the worst ever known in the history of the local police and it had happened on his watch. He was unable to do anything about it and so it appeared were the professionals, even this old cop. The fellow in the hat, so highly regarded it appeared he had achieved nothing.

  He was in such deep thought he failed to hear Miss Watkiss announce that Mr Wilson Crampton would be accompanied by two oriental male carers, who the Sultan was convinced were sufficient security.

  There were looks and sniggers amongst the professionals who only associated Oriental carers with those they had seen in local care homes working long hours for a pittance. Many unable to speak English, those who were alleged to be nurses had proved to local visiting doctors they were even unable to take a blood pressure reading.

  Not so Jack, who, when he heard what she said, smiled causing Pearson to whisper.

  “Why the smile?” adding “would you place your safety, no life in the hands of two oriental carers, who’s experience of dealing with situations had been limited to yobs failing to pay their bill at the local Chinese restaurant”.

  “Jack leaned over and whispered, back. I would if I knew they came from Daram and had anything to do with, Colonel Al Justice and the men in black”

  Pearson appeared perplexed but pushed the point no further.

  The briefing over, about to leave, Pearson and Jack caught the eye of the Chief; she called, “A week, less two days”.

  The two sleuths eventually arrived in Long Street, Chester. Stopping outside a very la
rge Victorian house.

  “Here it is” said Pearson, The Westlands where Miss Mildred Barnes the old Governess now lives, I assume it was her you wish to speak with as I had missed her”.

  “Yes indeed, by all means”, said Jack

  They arrived at the door. It was locked they pressed the bell and a voice said. “Who do you wish to see?”

  Miss Mildred Barnes please”

  “Who is calling?” the next question.

  “Police, Detective Inspector Pearson and Mr Jack Richards, as per my telephone call earlier”.

  The voice said, “You are late” but a click indicated the door had been unlocked.

  They both stepped inside to be greeted by of all persons an oriental lady, who it appeared could speak perfect English.

  “Miss Barnes is awaiting you in the lounge, please follow me, oh just sign the visitors register.”

  The register signed to keep the peace, they arrived in the lounge. The scene was typical of care homes.

  Very clean, warm, if not hot, with ample easy chairs around the room. There was a television with a gigantic screen.

  All the seats were occupied but those seated were oblivious to the television or the visitors.

  Mouths wide open, eyes partly closed the aged ladies were far away in dream land, comfortable it appeared, but nevertheless in dream land.

  It was only moments before a voice called, “Inspector and Mister Richards, I am Mildred Barnes”.

  They turned to see a very sprightly lady seated in a wheel chair.

  It was with some great relief, for the two had assumed, wrongly of course, judging a book by its cover that it was one of the poor souls who was Miss Barnes,

  They walked over and sat down next to her.

  Pearson spoke, saying. “I am Detective Inspector Pearson of the Chester Police, this is my colleague and consultant Mr Jack Richards a retired detective of New Scotland Yard fame. We are investigating the murders of the Crampton family”.

  “I am very pleased to meet you” she replied “I must say how can I possibly assist?”

  “Miss Barnes, please tell us how you came to be employed at Crampton hall?”

  She paused having thought and then commenced her story.