by John Molloy
“Yes, I see where you’re coming from chief. So it could have been taken and put back again?”
“I suppose so sir, but not many people come into my day room here.”
“I’ll just go and check with the chief officer; you are the only ones beside me who have master keys, is that right?”
“Yes sir, that’s right.”
He went into the chief officer’s cabin and looked at the key board; the master key was there too.
Henry was too sick in his gut to eat a breakfast after he heard the news. The atmosphere below deck was dangerous. A wrong word could cause serious confrontation. The crewmen felt that now the murderer was showing how superior he was; that all the care the young girl got wasn’t good enough to stop him. Some of the older men were visibly seething with rage and the thought they could be sharing a cabin, and were definitely sharing a ship with him, was pushing them over the edge of reason. Henry felt threatened by looks alone. He went out on deck for his off duty, thinking maybe he could help somehow. There were crew men at all vantage points looking out over the sea. The thought of a vibrant, vivacious young girl sunk in the depths, brutally murdered was too much. Although no one said it, all on board were certain that this had been her fate.
The captain arrived on the bridge and checked in the chart room the time of alteration of course. They had been searching two hours now and all ships in the area had been alerted to the search. He went out onto the wing of the bridge and gazed out over the turquoise water. There was a light breeze stirring an occasional wave on an otherwise calm sea. The ships searching in close proximity gave rise to a slight hope that she might be found, but deep down the captain’s heart was broken - he knew he would never see Pippa again.
The day wore on; weary and despondent men were half blinded from the glaring sun and sea, but none complained. At eighteen hundred hours the search was called off. The ship resumed her speed and course for Melbourne. A radio message was received that the girl’s cabin was to be locked and nothing touched; forensic people in Melbourne would want to examine the scene and take fingerprints. The message also instructed that when the ship docked all crewmen were to remain on board and there would be no shore leave until the chief of police gave his authorization. There would be a policeman stationed at the gangway to see these orders were carried out.
The captain discussed this with the chief officer and they decided they would tell the crew what the situation was going to be when they arrived. Notices were printed out. One was posted on the crews’ notice board and one on the officers’ notice board to ensure there could be no misunderstanding from anyone trying to go ashore.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The ship docked at ten hundred hours next day and a team of police and detectives plus custom men were waiting on the quay wall. Uniformed policemen took up duty at the foot of the gangway and two came on board with the three detectives. A policeman was placed outside Pippa’s door and another with a detective began a search around the area from her cabin to the deck outside where her hair slide was found. The captain and senior officers had a meeting with the senior detective and went over the disappearance. They enquired how he saw her to her room and made sure it was locked.
The watch keepers were listed and a note was made of the order of their duty as first, wheel second wheel and farmer. This was very important as it denoted who had what free time on each watch. The hair slide was handed over along with the name of the man who found it and where. When all formalities were gone through with the people who had last seen her alive, the detectives went to examine her cabin and take fingerprints. They instructed that the hatch where the boat girl’s body was found was not to be opened until the detectives were ready to examine it. The captain went to the chief steward and asked him to get a table and some chairs arranged in the officer’s smoke room. This was where the detectives were going to question the whole crew - one at a time.
Henry was looking out for Danny but he didn’t expect him to be among the first group that came on board. He would have to meet Henry or contact him without their knowing and without arousing suspicion. The policeman at the gangway was an unwelcome sight for the crewmen, as it meant no shore leave. It also scuppered Gary Conrad’s plans of jumping ship. To Henry, this at least was a positive - it meant that all three suspects would remain on the ship.
Henry and Gary finished making the interview room ready. The chief steward pinned paper over the glass panels so there would be no peeping or prying eyes when the crewmen were being questioned. He said to the two of them, “Lay six extra places at the lunch table, we’ll have these men for quite a while from what I’m told. I hope they root out this filthy murderous bastard from our midst.”
“With God’s help,” said Gary, “I’d hate to have to sail from here with him still on board and a ship load of men, still suspicious of their fellow crew members.”
“I’ll start in the saloon,” said Henry as he left.
Does Conrad think I’m suspicious of him? Does he know more or suspect something about me I don’t realize? Henry’s mind was a web of cross thoughts and theories but with still no definitive idea of which one was the killer.’
The lunch went reasonably well. The captain didn’t come to the saloon; he had a sandwich sent to his room. The rumor was that the questioning would start at thirteen thirty hours. Deck officers first and radio men, then engineers. The deck hands, catering, and engine men last. During the meal the detectives spoke about everything and anything, but didn’t mention the murders.
The number four hatch had been opened and an examination of the murder scene had taken place. The hospital had also been examined and fingerprinted. Henry was happy he hadn’t left any prints after him. The door handle had been held by numerous hands since his visit. Henry was observing Gary Conrad who was very quiet at lunch. He ate meticulously. It was as if by eating slowly he was putting words together. He seemed to be pre-empting his interrogator’s questions.
“What do you make of this no shore leave now Gary?” enquired Henry. Then, looking around and seeing no one within earshot he added, “will this upset your other plan?”
“I’m not sure. They will probably lift this no shore thing when they’ve questioned everyone.”
Henry was pushing food around on his plate. “I certainly hope so. More importantly, I hope they catch the bastard.”
“Don’t we all hope the same… This is a dangerous ship to be sailing on. Do you think he could start killing crew members as well as girls?”
“I never thought of that but I suppose anything’s possible with someone like that on board.”
“Fuck it Henry, I’m certainly off this bucket if I get half a chance.”
“What time do you reckon we’ll be on for our police interview?” asked Henry.
“It’ll depend on the length of time they’re going to take with each one. Don’t forget we have one another for an alibi the night Pippa went over. You didn’t stir out of our cabin all night - neither did I, right?”
“Yes, of course. You didn’t have to remind me. What else would I say?” although Henry thought that it was always possible Conrad could have sneaked out while he was asleep.
“I just don’t know. I’m just confused and the fellows that were down in the tween decks will all be top suspects.” He looked around to see if there was anybody who might be listening. “Should I tell them about the man I thought I saw going up along the bales with that girl?”
“Gary, you should tell them everything you can that might help to catch the murderer.”
“I think you’re right. He’ll never know I fingered him, will he?”
“Whatever you tell the detectives will not come back on board this ship, that’s almost guaranteed. The police don’t work like that. Everything they hear is treated as strictly confidential.”
“I suppose you’re right, if it helps to catch him, I’ll tell them what I saw.”
The senior detective went to the captain’s ro
om and told him he would like to take statements from him and his senior officers and asked if he would he mind if they used his dayroom for these interviews.
“No actually, I think it would be more in line with on-board etiquette if you conducted the senior officers’ interviews here.”
“Very well sir, could we start immediately after lunch, we have a lot of people to interview. If you wish I could take your statement now before we go to lunch.”
“Fine, close the door and sit down. Have you got all the paper and pens you’ll need?”
“Yes.”
The detective dug into his bag and pulled out a sheaf of A4 paper and a Waterman fountain pen and laid them on the desk.”
“I like your pen sir,” the captain said, admiring the blue marble style, colored pen.
“Right sir, if you could start at the beginning of the voyage from Colombo and the finding of the young girl’s body in number four hold.”
The captain pulled out a drawer, took out a camera and handed it to the detective. “You’ll find the photographs of the body on this film. I hope they will be of some help to you?”
“Thank you sir, I’m sure they will be.”
The captain related the relevant details of the voyage since they left Colombo. The detective could detect the heartbreak this man was suffering at the loss. And he was blaming himself for not being more careful. “Thank you sir and I would like to offer my sincere condolences for the loss of both young girls. Now, there’s a little test I want to conduct. So if first thing after lunch suits, could the persons with master keys please meet me outside Pippa’s cabin and bring their keys with them. You say the chief engineer and chief officer have photographs of the body? I will have to have them as well.”
“I will see to the keys and when you meet the officers, if you remind them of the photographs. You head away to your lunch and I’ll have this room available for you to start at thirteen hundred hours.”
Henry received two letters; one from Vera and one from Vincent. He read through Vera’s and was surprised to see how well informed she was of all that happened in Bombay. She reprimanded him for his dalliance with the young girl, Nilima and how she thought a certain party very nearly succeeded in having him landed in an Indian jail. She scotched the idea that Oswyn was away all the time and she believed regardless of what the detectives say, that he was responsible for the death of the girl on the dock. Henry thought she was overly determined to convict the young man, but he would have to keep an open mind about him as she could have some very well placed informant. She wished him well and a speedy return. She missed him and said she would never find anyone to replace him. She said her sexual aura hasn’t shone since his leaving. He put it away until later, but before he’d destroy, it he’d read it once more. He read Vincent’s short missive and was sharply reminded on how close to jail he had been and he was to be careful not to go back into any country that could enforce the warrant and start extradition proceedings. He was reminded that the dwindling Imperial power of Her Majesty might not be enough to keep him out of jail. Vincent said that case in Bombay was a serious and hideous set up to get him arrested and he had an opinion on who was responsible. He also from the report on the second murder, stressed how dangerous and how seriously cunning and intelligent the murderer was. Vincent implored Henry that the killer shouldn’t be underestimated under any circumstances. However, Henry was well aware of the killer’s capabilities, so needed no reminding. Henry wondered if he thought he was being threatened, would the maniac start murdering his own ship mates - he assumed he would.
The interviews started in the officer’s smoke room with two detectives. A policeman stood guard outside the door. Meanwhile, the chief detective was carrying out the trial with the master keys. He took the captain’s key first and inserted it in the lock, it turned and opened. He closed and locked the door. Then he tried the chief steward’s key. It also turned and opened. He tried the chief officer’s key but it wouldn’t open the lock.
“Are you sure sir that this is the right key?”
“Yes positive. It’s been on that key board since I joined in London, but I have never had any cause to use it.”
“Could you go and get all the keys on the key board and bring them here please?”
He went away and was back in a couple of minutes with four other keys that looked alike.
“Here try these.”
The detective tried all the keys none of them would open the lock. He held up the key that was supposed to be the master key. “You see this key; it is not of the same manufacture as these others. It doesn’t even resemble them if and if you look closely there’s no channel like here. He then held up the keys together to demonstrate the difference. My opinion is this key was planted purposely so the master key wouldn’t be missed. I’ll have to take it ashore for examination. I’m sure you’ll get another master key cut to replace it.”
“Yes, I’ll do that. Do you think the person responsible for this murder used that key?”
“It looks like it. It was the only way into the room if she had it locked, and from all accounts, the door was locked.”
They went back into the captain’s dayroom and the detective asked the chief officer if he’d like to make his statement.
“Yes, he reply.”
He sat down and the other’s left the room.
“Before we start sir, he asked the detective with trepidation in his voice,” could you tell me if young Pippa was actually murdered, or have you anything to suggest otherwise?”
“I have nothing to suggest she wasn’t. I think she was brutally murdered and sexually assaulted. The blood stains, urine and semen on the bed linen, when properly examined, will bear this out.”
“My God, it’s too incredible to imagine that right under our noses something like this could happen - twice.”
The detective sorted his paper and got ready to write. He glanced at the chief officer who, like most of the men he had met, looked tired and haggard. “You see sir, this type of crime is rare ashore, but it’s our job and we get somewhat immune to it, but never to an extent that we’re not shocked. This situation here where you have people in such close proximity and they know that they could be dining, talking or even sharing a cabin with this monster, is in my opinion, absolutely unsustainable. Someone is going to break and accuse a shipmate and anything could happen. It could result in a fight with serious or fatal consequences. I don’t know how we can solve this for you and ourselves. We might get a lucky break but from what I’ve observed thus far, the chances are not in our favor. Our only real chance is if we can get something solid from the interviews. The fingerprinting might give us a breakthrough, but unfortunately, it could be too late for you. The results could take so long to come through, that your ship might have already sailed by then. I must ask the captain to give me all the crews discharge books, there’s a set of prints on each one; that will save a lot of time and bother.”
“Yes, it might help if he left some prints in Pippa’s room as he surely did.
I’ll start where?”
“Please start at the port of Colombo.”
The chief officer gave his account and left. Then one by one, the senior officers gave their accounts.
Down below in the smoke room the interviews were going quickly enough and Gary and Henry were standing around expecting to be called at any time. Henry was observing as much as possible the people standing waiting - trying to observe any signs of nervousness in them. The only one to show signs was Sean Sweeney; he was literally shaking. Tukola was quiet and emotionless. Henry noticed that the older men were anxious to get in to tell their stories; each one he was sure, had a suspect. He wondered about Danny, who he was sure would be in Melbourne working out some way to contact him. However, Danny wasn’t going to be able to come on board, and it was unlikely that Henry was going to be able to go ashore.
Gary Conrad’s was next. Henry could see that he was decidedly nervous when he heard his name ca
lled. He was interviewed for about fifteen minutes - a little longer than most.
It was Henry’s turn next.
“You’re Henry Tyler?”
“Yes sir.”
“Sit down please.”
“Did you go with any of the girls while the ship was anchored at Colombo, now before you answer this, remember anything you say will be treated in strictest confidence. Do you understand?”
“Yes sir. I did go with one of the girls while we were in Colombo.”
“Did you take this girl down into number four hold?”
“No, I took her into our cabin, my roommate was out, so I took advantage and stayed in the cabin.”
“Right, who do you share with and will he corroborate this story?”
“Gary Conrad is my roommate, and I’m sure he will.”
“Where were you from midnight to seven hundred hours the night Pippa went missing?”
I was in the recreation room until about ten thirty and then I went to my cabin and stayed there until six thirty call for duty.”
“Could your roommate corroborate this story and was he there all the time with you?”
“Yes, he was in his bunk when I went to sleep and he was there in the morning when I awoke.”
“Right then, that will do. Tell me, did you ever go into Pippa’s cabin to change linen or towels or such?”
“No, orders were none of the stewards were to go to her room. She would look after her own cleaning, linen, towels etc.”
“Right, is there anything you would like to tell me in confidence about any of your shipmates you might think might help us in this investigation?”
“No sir, I wish I had some information that might help you, but I’m afraid I don’t.”
“Please sign here, thank you Tyler.”
Danny drove down on to the quay to have a look first hand at what the situation was. Oh dear, he thought, it’s like a ship in quarantine. I won’t have a chance of getting on board and it looks like there’s going to be no shore leave. The authorities are not going to let this maniac adrift in their town, and who could blame them. He got out of his car and walked over to the harbor office. “Excuse me.” he addressed the clerk who was lying back in a chair dozing. “When are you going to discharge the cargo from the Rangoon? I’m from Richardson’s in Ballarrat and we’re waiting for a consignment of jute.”