He was correct thought Kinsella and Doris no such chemical had been discovered but of course he may have changed his footwear. Blast, they had not checked all his footwear at home, this would now have to be done.
The statement continued after Hayes checked an amendment:-
“I have always been on friendly terms with Mrs Carter and done all I can to assist her, inside and outside her house. On several occasions she has telephoned me when her carer was not there. I have visited and assisted her. I am not surprised therefore that she may well have left me a substantial amount of money in her will. Though I must add I was not aware that she intended to do so and I mention this as a result of being told of this by Detective Superintendent Kinsella. This money will be of value to me when I retire full time and relocate to the South of France where I do own a small property in partnership with my wife.”
“I add that I am financially sound with my generous police pension and am not dependant on any funds that may well have been left me.”
“I would add in closing I am a man of good character with no convictions. On the contrary, I have served thirty years as a British Police Officer with an impeccable character. I know nothing as to the death of Mrs Carter, nothing whatsoever. I am not guilty of killing her or being part of any conspiracy surrounding her death. I am innocent, one hundred percent, innocent.”
Signed R. Gittins
Clearly nothing further was to be gained for continuing the interview so Ron was taken to his cell and then the investigators awaited the arrival of Kyle.
She arrived in a very few minutes having informed the custody officer she now wished to make a formal written statement. It was now a matter of course, even Kinsella had the drift, finally.
Kyle sat down and then taking the statement handed to her by Hayes she read and signed it then handed it across the table to Kinsella.
The officer read it and it simply confirmed what was already known. That she was district nurse and had been caring for Mrs Carter for some time. She confirmed she had access to the property and then confirmed each item in detail each item of her interview. She added, like Ron that she knew nothing of Mrs Carter’s intention to leave them substantial funds in her will. She categorically denied knowing of anything surrounding the murder of her patient and ended by saying she was a trained caring nurse and not a murderer.
This done the interview was also concluded.
Hayes then stood, awaiting the decision as to what would be further police action.
He would not have to wait long. An hour later he was standing at the side of each of his clients when Superintendent Kinsella formally charged the pair with jointly murdering Iris Carter.
The custody sergeant indicated he accepted the charge and declined to grant bail stating that the accused would both appear the next day before the Chester City Magistrates.
Nothing was said in reply by either of the accused.
Both were returned to their cells, and on leaving Kinsella called to Hayes, “That was a well scripted procedure Mr Hayes, your clients in reality have said nothing.”
Hayes smiled and then replied, “When words are no better than silence, it is better to remain silent.”
He turned and was gone. The investigators retreated to their office, for that is what if felt like.
The day was at an end. A look again at the statements and the contents of the verbal interviews revealed that they had learned nothing further than they knew that morning.
Kinsella could now only hope the court and eventually the jury would see through the charade of Hayes and ensure justice was done by convicting this pair of murderers, as she saw them. To her it was an open and shut case.
Arriving back in the office Doris sat pondering the next move and security for the forthcoming court hearing. As for Kinsella, the inevitable, when one reached so high a rank in the police force, contacting the Chief Constable was the next trauma.
Miss Watkiss had been waiting with some anticipation, pressure for a detection in this was anxiously awaited by the Police Commissioner. A retired police officer and a trained and trusted local health authority nurse arrested for murder was without precedent.
It would of course be a double edged sword. If the murder went undetected there would be calls of police incompetence but likewise should these two trusted public servants have committed such an atrocity there would be the inevitable calls for enquiries within both services. The blame always had to be placed somewhere.
Her phone rang and so hearing the voice of Detective Superintendent Kinsella would she hoped, settle matters.
“Hello Maam, Susan Kinsella here. I can announce today that I have charged Mr and Mrs Gittins with the murder of Iris Carter. That man Hayes is representing them.”
Watkiss now cringed in her chair, Hayes, blast, it would be him.
“He advised both to say nothing Miss Watkiss, and eventually presented pre typed statements which gives nothing away. I am not concerned Madam,. There is ample forensic evidence and of course the fact that they were to benefit to the sum of £20,000 from the death of Mrs Carter will, I am certain convince any jury of their guilt.”
Watkiss replied, “I take it they are retained in custody to appear before the magistrates. Superintendent you have done well, very well. This will certainly be a case to present to your senior command course at the Police College. Yes good work. Please keep me updated. After the hearing tomorrow no doubt the press will make a meal of it, a copper and a nurse.”
The call ended, the Chief has they say, knew not what she had said in her last remark. The press would be active long before the first court hearing. Exclusive stories was what the press were all about.
Leaving for home that evening and calling for an evening newspaper Doris was surprised to read the Headlines, “Judas Murderers Arrested,”
The front page was filled with a photograph of Kyle and Ron Gittins being led from the police car into the rear of the police station. The couple were handcuffed but could clearly be seen smiling, not a good point for them if any future juror was to see the smile.
The angle of the shot indicated that the photographer had positioned him or herself at some vantage point. More than likely at the top of the large car park overlooking the rear of the police station. It was also clear that advance notice must have been given of the arrival of the two suspects, which had the inference of a leak from within the police establishment.
Arriving home Doris immediately rang Kinsella and updated her of the headlines and the main thrust of the report.
“It says that, Ron, a once respected and now retired police officer and his wife a local nurse, both equally well thought of, have been arrested for the murder of Iris Carter, an infirm patient of Kyle. Mrs Carter was suffering with cancer she was also the employer of Ron, now a gardener. The killing it seems was long in the planning and greed the motive. It was to dispose of Mrs Carter because she had left them nearly a million pounds in her will. Both the accused are expected to be interviewed, then charged and will appear before the local magistrates. The report continued by giving personal details of Mrs Carter and of both of the accused. It ended by announcing the couple were not as thought, kind loyal people but cruel murderers, monsters and a danger to society.”
“Well, they are guilty, it is a nuisance but there you are, when they set out to commit murder for greed what can Ron and Kyle expect?” replied Kinsella.
“Yes, Maam but the case is sub-judice at the moment, Hayes may well make application that the defence cases for his clients has been prejudiced. The Chief and Commissioner will be up in the air about it, not only a leak from within the police organisation but if they get off on a technicality there will be an outcry.”
“Inspector, calm down, we have a strong case. I recall the case of the Crown Vs. Peterson when the high court held that a of leak of information and pre-emptive publication by the press was held not to have prejudiced the jury, I think all will be well.”
“I will see you tomorrow at the hear
ing. Oh, in future please do not telephone me at home upon such trivial matters. Like many modern police officers I do not bring my work home with me. Long gone are the days of old Jack the Hat as you call him, when officers were expected to devote the whole of their time to the police service.”
The handset was replaced, Doris realised Kinsella was correct in that respect, officers did no longer take their work home with them and were not expected to devote more time to their work than they were paid for. Yes, she now realised this was being confirmed by an officer so high in rank that the police service was now a job not a vocation as it had been in the time of Jack Richards.
She vowed never to ring her boss again, as she sat down to relax for the evening.
Chapter 4
Inspector Tom Striker arriving for work at eight was more than surprised to see crowds of people in Chester city centre so early in the morning, what was even more disturbing was the fact they were not the usual race going crowds descending from Liverpool but they appeared to be locals who were carrying banners. Clearly a protest was due to take place, he recalled nothing in the diary, normally the police were advised in advance of such events.
No, this was going to be an impromptu demonstration. The contents of the cards, now visible indicated that the protest was against the two persons accused of murdering Iris Carter. One read, “Killer cop in our midst,” another, “Nurse Witch a murderess.” The crowd began to chant abusive and threatening phrases.
Arriving in the police station car park he strode not into the main building as normal but into the control room, intending to update them. He had no need, they too had heard of the commotion and so Chief Superintendent Tabo Jinton, head of the city police had been called in.
He was standing looking at the screens from the security cameras, then, on seeing Striker he said, “Tom, alert the shift officers to get the shields and riot gear out. I am calling out the reserves from surrounding forces. Oh, Tom, cancel all rest days today please, get them all in.”
“Ok sir, replied Tom, turning and then striding off to his own office. He now did as instructed and then he hit on an idea. He acted by getting the two prisoners quickly out of the cells.
“Right you two, I regret to say there is a demonstration against you outside here and there will be one at the court. The newspaper headlines and story last night appears to have triggered it off.”
“We are in the newspapers?” called Kyle,”
“Headlines you are,” replied Striker, “The Judas Murderers, you are, now pay attention both of you. Follow me if you don’t want to be lynched. I am going to take a chance and not handcuff you. Now walk calmly out of the station with me.”
He turned, took off his tunic then put on a white full length scene of crime overall, giving a set to each prisoner.
The three calmly walked out then across the yard and into his car.
Sergeant Grimshaw did as he had been requested and called the court. When Striker arrived he drove onto the car park, then the three casually walked towards the court joining the barristers and solicitors and they were permitted inside speedily and quietly.
Once inside Ron and Kyle Gittins found themselves seated in the court cells, now guarded by the security staff.
Striker now drove back to his office and on arrival saw a frustrated Chief Superintendent standing in the parade room the duty officers now dressed in their riot gear.
“Striker, the bloody prisoners have escaped it seems. I went to the cells and they are gone,” he had a smile and then said.
“The court is not open for an hour, the crowd is getting bigger well over a thousand I would say. The reinforcements may not be here in time. I think we will have to get the court clerk to adjourn the hearing.
“There will be no need for that sir,” replied Striker. “The two accused are already there. I took them over early, we were incognito and travelled in my car. We will have to get the magistrate in through the side door. I suggest you contact the court clerk again and suggest he advise the chairman of the bench to arrive on foot and casually walk in through the side gate.
“A good idea Striker, that was also good, your suggestion of getting the two prisoners in court early. Hopefully all the reinforcements will be here before the hearing finishes, what a bloody palaver. All because of those bloody defamatorily newspaper headlines, a million pounds my arse, God how they flower things up.”
“Yep, they do sir and if I could bloody find out who tipped them off the Gittins couple were due here I would bloody bang them up."
“I will cause an enquiry to be made Striker, have no fear,” replied Jinton.
It was relief at any rate, the accused were out, safe and well and in court, as for what might happen after the hearing, that was a nightmare yet to be faced.
Jinton sat and thought, he realised at any moment his telephone would ring and it would be Chief Constable Watkiss calling. She would be demanding to know his strategy for dealing with this unprecedented situation here, in the city.
He picked up the phone and then requested to speak to the manager of the security firm who transported prisoners. He assumed it would be a remand in custody. Even Hayes, he thought would not wish his clients to have bail, not in this atmosphere, no, they were safer locked up, even though he was an ex copper and she a nurse, life for such people was not very comfortable in prison. He was lucky that he was able to put his plan into action, the security firm manager even seem pleased with the idea.
He then made another call and so when the Chief telephoned, as he knew she would, all was in hand. A safe court hearing and a safer removal of the prisoners was all in hand, he hoped.
The court room was packed with the media, press and television reporters taking up most of the seats, the public were permitted in but only about a hundred, due to lack of space.
At ten o’clock precisely the three magistrates appeared from their consulting room at the rear of the court. All stood as their worships sat. The man seated in the centre was typical as were the two ladies, one on each side.
He was clearly a retired army officer and landowner. Colonel Sykes by name, a man in his sixties, balding, but sporting a very handsome moustache, reading glasses placed on and positioned at the end of his nose.
The ladies on either side were of similar age. They wore dower green and brown country clothing, obviously ignoring the country dress code, never wear green and brown when in town. Each sported a large rimmed hat, which according to tradition were not removed.
Kyle and Ron were seated in the dock, directly in front of the bench. Four security guards were positioned within the rostrum one on each side, two at the rear.
In front of them stood their solicitor, Tim Hayes and at his side the solicitor acting for the Crown Prosecution Service., one Honeysuckle Watts.
Hayes knew her for he had once employed her. She appeared good and keen but one day he was disturbed by an elderly, rich and respected client. The old lady had owed some money but disputed the debt. As a result the case had gone to court. As happens in these matters she had deposited the amount owed with Hayes, which Honeysuckle had placed into the clients account as all solicitors do.
The hearing held, the debtor won and that was the end of the matter or so the elderly client thought. It was when some rough bailiffs arrived and removed family heirlooms as their clients had not been paid by the elderly debtor nor her solicitors. Enquiries revealed Honeysuckle had told the client the money had been paid though it had not.
When Hayes had heard of this and on checking, discovered Honeysuckle had failed to pay the money even though she had assured the client it had been done. The old and respected lady had been put to a great deal of distress and embarrassment, which Hayes had been forced to resolve himself.
He had dismissed Honeysuckle, who then found difficulty when she approached several other legal practices seeking work. Fortunately for her and as it turned out for Hayes the Crown Prosecution Service had welcomed her with open arms. A young enthusia
stic solicitor in high demand, the area director had said.
As far as Hayes was concerned it was like manna from heaven, having Honeysuckle opposing him in cases, was he said, "like taking candy from a baby.”
Honeysuckle in any event appeared to be on form after the court clerk read the charges, she rose and outlined the circumstances in the case of the murder of Iris Carter.
The basic evidence against the two accused was outlined, then a surprise, the fact that they had been left a substantial sum of money by the deceased in her will. The initial forensic evidence with more to follow plus additional witness evidence currently being processed was also given and connected the accused with the deaths, she said.
There was no plea taken and as Hayes did not make an application for bail it was a brief hearing. Both the accused then being remanded in custody to prison pending their committal hearing to commit them for trial at the next Crown Court.
The Judas Murders Page 10