by Harry Nankin
“The family became very uptight and Officer Kennedy could see trouble on the way so he took Ron from the house to the main police station in north London.”
“I was called to investigate the case. I interviewed the family who all related that the missing lady Rose had telephoned them telling of her woes that Ron had another woman and that she suspected he was going to murder her. She invited all the family down to visit her.”
“I took full statements from them and I next interviewed good old Ron. He of course denied any knowledge. He denied he had another woman, but, admitted he had taken out the large insurance policy but then added that his wife had taken a similar one out on him. He also admitted that that they had both made Wills leaving all their possessions and money to each other.”
“He alleged the whole story was rubbish and his wife had taken the huff and left him. She had said she was actually going to visit her brother Eric.”
“Clearly she had not done so.”
“I made all the enquiries I could. I visited neighbours who confirmed they had heard shouting and rows at the house between the couple.”
“I checked there had been life policies taken out.”
“I did also discover that Ron had lied for I traced several women with whom he was or had been having ex marital affairs with.”
“Ron had alleged his dog had died so he had buried it in the cellar, I did not believe him of course.”
“It was decided to dig up this hole in the cellar it would be a major operation.”
“I returned to the scene taking Ron with me. A firm of builders was called and the concrete broken and the hole dug up. The family arrived and all gazed down as the concrete was broken and the dead body was revealed. It was that of a dog not Rose just as Ron had said.”
“As all gazed down, builders, police and family, not forgetting Ron who called, “I told you so.”
“There was a voice, “What the hell is going on?”
“All looked up to see Rose the missing wife thought dead. She was standing there fully alive and well.”
Where have you been?” said I, “Your family have reported your husband had murdered you and buried you here. The police have gone to all this trouble, now you are alive.”
“I was fed up with him,” said Rose, “I decided to leave the bugger and go and see Eric my eldest brother. I left a message with his son David that I had changed my mind so I went to stay with a friend. David assured me he would pass on the message.”
“With that there was a phone call, Eric answered and a voice said, “Hello dad I hope it is not important but aunt Rose called you she has changed her mind about visiting she is going to see a friend instead.”
“There was now silence all around until Ron said. “There you are I told you I am no murderer, I have been arrested for nothing, then there is all this bloody mess. Now you lot all bugger off I will clean it up.”
“Rose chimed in to say, “Well I have decided to move to Spain and so I will bugger off tomorrow, you can have your other woman Ron.”
Jack smiled and added, “With egg on my face and a lot of explaining to do back at the station to get the large bill paid to the builder not mention being the laugh of the station.
Jack stopped there was amazement around the room, save for the Chief who could smell a set up.
“Excuse me” called an officer sitting to the right of Jack, “where does the perfect crime come in that story? It sounds like a cock up and nothing else.”
Jack smiled and replied “After the original incident Rose kept her word it appeared, for no one saw her again, she had it seemed moved to Spain.” Ron had sold up and left the area never to be seen again either.”
“So what?” called another student.
Jack was to answer their questions. “Ah yes well you see some few years ago the case came to light again when the new railway link arrived. The house of the murder that never was, was bought and demolished to make way for the railway.”
The builders discovered the body of a woman many years old.
Enquiries were made once again and with the new DNA checks with the family, it was revealed the body was that of Rose.
I traced Ron to a care home and he related the story yet again.
He stated that he had become fed up with Rose and planned to kill her. He confirmed he had made the Wills and then planned the crime.
He had waited until his wife was leaving, he was sure she would come back. He had dug the hole, killed the dog and knowing the relatives were due. He acted as suspicious as possible.
He guessed the hole would be dug up and it was. Rose arrived in perfect time. All including me had egg on their faces. He told us all to leave; this was strange for he made no demand to have the hole filled in.
When everyone had gone he hit his wife over the head and buried her in the same hole then concreted it once again.
He guessed as Rose had said she was moving to Spain no one would make enquiries. If they did he guessed they would never think she was lying in the same hole or go to the trouble of getting it dug up again.
He sold up and went abroad. Years later he alleged to the Insurance Company his wife had died overseas and claimed all her money and lived a life of wealth and luxury.
He came back here to old England in old age as people do, ending his days in care
He was correct; he had committed the perfect murder and got away with it. He died some days after his confession.”
There was amazing looks.
CHAPTER THREE
MURDER BY SUICIDE
Having sipped the usual glass of water Jack finally took off his trilby and as the class waited in anticipation he looked up and around.
“I recall the strange case of death by suicide “he began.” it was here in Chester some years ago. I recall I was visiting the area preparing for retirement, house hunting some might say.
“As a relief I came here into the city centre.”
He hesitated looking around the room seeking expressions “I have heard this one before.” There were none.
“I wonder if anyone has heard of the case?”
Blank faces and shaking heads even from the Chief herself went from student to student. That was some relief. he thought it being a local crime.
“It was the usual busy Chester race day. We all know the scene. Masses of regular shoppers supplemented with hordes of oriental visitors with cameras clicking, recording anything and everything.”
There were smiles now around the room, one officer called, “Some say China is so prosperous due to the fact years ago the early tourists photographed everything in those days, even men working, factories and workshops. All took the “Mickey” out of them. When they got back to China they used the photographs to steal the ideas they had seen over here.”
There was a laugh when another officer called, “Yes very funny but now who is laughing?”
Jack seeing the Chief sporting a scowl, this was she thought approaching the dread but in vogue phrase, racism.
Jack continued, “The crowds were joined by large groups of men arriving in the city from all over the north of England in their shinning suits and long pointed shoes for a day of drinking, and gambling at the races. They were only out done by the ladies who were certainly matching the Royal Ascot race meetings in their finery and large hats.”
“It was a very busy session indeed, all fun and happiness. I recall I was sitting at one of the outdoor cafes in Bridge Street.”
“There were the normal street players I recall a man walking on a tight rope, others playing various instruments. You will all recall the scene.”
“A lady dressed in all her finery sat nearby and was seemingly enjoying the scene and activity. As we sat I noted two council officers arrived as did a local police officer, a rare sight, he was pounding the beat. The council officers were stopping and speaking with the street players, after some minutes each in turn packed up and left.”
“I cast my mind back to e
arlier in the day as I walked through the city centre I had seen less of buskers I believe they are called.”
“The tranquil scene came to a stop with the loud playing of instruments. Then, as the crowds stopped and gathered a street procession arrived the participants all dressed in clothes from a by gone age paraded by. There were loud cheers and many waved banners that they were protesting at the new restrictions placed on street players.”
“It would seem that there was a charter from ancient times which gave the right for street players to perform within the city centre of Chester. The council had recently brought in a new law banning the practice. The shouts of those passing clearly indicated the society of buskers and street entertainers were protesting.”
“After the procession had passed Bridge Street returned to normal, the street performers had more of less gone.”
“There was the unusual sight of a uniformed police constable patrolling his beat walking down the street.”
“When he came near to the seated lady the officer stopped. He searched pockets, produced a cut throat razor and proceeded to suddenly grab the seated female and instantly cut her throat.”
“There were screams from passers by and those seated stood and ran away. The officer simply stood and without a word spoken he then cut his own throat and dropped to the ground. Both were dead.”
There were faces of disbelief, Jack hesitated he bent over the table in front of him, opened his briefcase and produced a photograph.
“Here,” he said “Is a crime scene photograph of the incident” handing it around for all to view. There was shaking of heads at the gruesome sight.
“The tragic scene became aggravated. The crowds were still running in all directions, some screaming others shouting. The blood from the victims began to spread across the street.”
“There was calm one might almost say tranquillity upon the face of one man. Down the street walked a council road cleaner pushing his bin used to transport away the litter and various brushes. He casually continued to pick up litter as he went by.”
“Two council officers that supervised the council rules within the city arrived, obviously seeking to help. An ambulance arrived and the crew, two female paramedics jumped from their vehicle they attended to the dead lady at the cafe and the officer lying beside her.”
“To my complete amazement the council bin man stopped, he bent down, took the cut throat razor lying beside the dead policeman. Picking this up he calmly turned and slashed the throat of the parking warden nearest to him and allowed her to fall to the ground. The other officer seeing this ran for her very life.”
“The council rubbish collector made no attempt to follow her or act against the paramedics but like the police officer he simply cut his own throat and instantly lay dead.”
“You might imagine the area was a scene of carnage, four people lying dead for apparently no reason.”
“A tranquil happy nice sunny Saturday was now the scene of horror.”
“What did you do Mr Richards?” called a voice.
Jack didn’t look up but replied instantaneously, “I observed and I noted mentally, the scene and what had occurred, that is what I am trained to do.”
There was silence.
Jack took another sip of water then continued his story.
“The police arrived set up their cordon I approached an officer seeking if he wished any details of events. He was rather on the abrupt side but eventually agreed to take a note. I left my details after which the officer informed me I would receive a proforma through the post and so I left the scene.”
“It was three or four weeks later the form arrived I put a tick in the various boxes and returned the form.”
“A further four weeks followed then one day I was in my office at New Scotland Yard when I received a telephone call. It was the officer in case.”
“It transpired the video film had been viewed but no useful information was noted by those viewing.
“After I had left officers had made some local enquiries but of course with the exception of the odd shop worker all the witness that may have been had dispersed.”
“There had been a television programme calling for witnesses, this had brought forth many but once they had completed the proforma sent to them. Nothing further was brought to light.”
The cases remained unsolved but there had been a similar incident only days before the officer in the case had contacted me.”
A very pretty young detective seated at the front asked, “Was that the case of the man from the security firm who was employed by the council to check on market traders and street performers. I think in the cuts they brought in a private company who didn’t actually move people but simply gave out fixed penalty tickets, and made their money from that.”
Jack looked smiled and replied, “You are well informed that is the very case.”
The officer said, “It was before I joined I recall reading about it in the Chester Express newspaper.”
“Well,” continued Jack, “I was informed that in this case as in the others; it was a tranquil scene, again a Saturday and yet another race meeting day. The whole city was packed, a hive of activity. There were some street players who thought they would risk it, the fixed penalty I mean.” One young man a hippy type, long hair, bearded, ragged clothing; unkempt generally. He was standing playing a flute his hat for donations lying in front of him.”
“He was approached by an officer from the security firm obviously to take his details. The witnesses to the incident alleged the young man suddenly stopped, bent down, placing his flute onto the ground then stood as he did so he produced a cut throat razor and proceeded to slash the throat of the officer but to further amazement he then slashed his own throat. Both men lay dead in an instant.”
“The scene appeared identical as on the occasion I had witnessed the terrible events. Blood running everywhere, crowds screaming and running in all directions.”
“The case like the first was investigated but no cause or motive could be found.”
“I was now asked if I could assist directly in the case by reviewing the evidence. The then Chief Constable of Cheshire an ex Metropolitan police officer knew of me and suggested I be contacted. In view of this I came up to Chester once again.”
“I was given the files and spent some time reviewing the evidence.” I noted the following points as being of special interest.”
The class were now all ears, the story had enthralled them so far.
The dead, “The first, the lady who had been seated near me was in fact the Lord Mayor of Chester. About to attend Chester races she had simply been seated there drinking her coffee. Other witnesses had confirmed this. Nothing was revealed as a motive for her murder.”
“The second the Police Constable on patrol steadily walking his beat, stopping occasionally speaking with the odd passer by or street player but not making an issue of anything. Again this had been confirmed by those completing the proforma sent to them. Nothing was revealed to indicate that the officer was anything other than a loyal officer and family man. Nothing, seedy in his background.”
“The third was a council road cleaner, quietly proceeding around the street picking up paper. He had arrived at the scene and for no apparent reason he had slashed the throat of the next victim before killing himself in a like manner.”
Again an ordinary fellow the odd speeding offence but nothing of violence in his history
“The fourth victim had been the unfortunate council officer who on the face of it had simply stopped to assist at the scene as any decent person or loyal council worker would. She had paid for this action by death.”
“Weeks later in the final incident the young street player a loaner, living rough on what he could beg had been playing seeking a pittance. For some seemingly unknown reason he had instantly turned into a killing monster.”
“His victim a married man with four children working for a security firm issuing parking and other fixed pena
lty tickets, had approached the young man in an ordinary calm manner. Within an instant he was dead, his wife a young widow, his children fatherless.”
The class now all eyes and ears as Jack stopped for yet another sip of the water, silently wishing it had contained some malt whiskey, if only a little.
“Now, detectives what direction should the enquiry take?”
He looked around the room; there were no takers, simply silence.
“Connections, how were those involved connected if at all? Are there any common factors?”
“In company with the investigating officer we visited the work places, council offices and others speaking with a vast number of people who were close to those involved.”
“Nothing was revealed, from all enquiries it became clear none of those involved were previously known to each.”
“A check at New Scotland Yard revealed all those involved had no previous convictions and were to all intents and purposes honest decent people, with no criminal history.”
“The next line of enquiry was with the friends and family of the victims and killers. These enquiries revealed there was no history of domestic violence, no domestic or financial problems. Finally medical records were checked, there were not any indications of mental illness, nothing in fact.”
“The additional enquiries and review had thus far revealed nothing further to the initial police enquiries. The murders remained a mystery and became known as “Murder by Suicide.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, this of course was a wrong assumption for there are always links, there are always reasons. There is always a motive or motive it was simply that those looking, including myself had thus far failed to recognise and or connect them.”
“I would now pose a question to the course, “what did we miss?”