The Judas Murders

by Bill Williams

  The hearing over there was now a scramble from both the press and the public, The press to get their story printed for the evening, the public to join the massive crowd outside the court in the large demonstration of these Judas Murderers, as they had been dubbed by the press.

  Outside the court the massive crowd were shouting abuse as the double gates opened and the security van moved slowly out, the crowd surged forward.

  The press thrusting their cameras against the windows of the vehicle.

  The crowd began to rock it so that there was risk it would be pushed over.

  Jinton in command ordered Inspector Striker and his men in riot gear to move forward.

  It was then that the crowd were surprised to see six very large police horses and their riders appear. Sent from Manchester to answer an urgent request from Chief Constable Watkiss, these horses were well trained in public order situations. Trouble such as this was a weekly occurrence for Police Horse Winston, his rider and fellow horses and riders. The mounted officers and the horses commenced pushing and shoving against the abusive, threatening crowd, now almost verging on rioters.

  Such was the intensity of the situation that the van was stopped and then quietly reversed back into the security yard.

  The press meanwhile were lapping up the situation, what a headline Bessie Bromley would write, what great photos she would publish.

  It took nearly an hour to disperse the crowd far enough away from the gates for the security van now battered and damaged, to drive out of the court precinct and away to its depot. How pleased the manager was that the police had suggested he use the old vehicle about to be scrapped.

  The hearing completed, the two detectives in the case were arriving back in their office, how pleased they were that they had managed to get on CID and away from all this lot. The rate of pay was the same by rank for all cops, irrespective of what duty they performed but clearly it was much easier earned working in plain clothes than being a uniform old wooden top.

  There was little to do now in the case of the murder of Iris Carter. The remaining evidence was being typed up, the last of the results from the Birmingham Forensic Science Laboratory due at any time.

  Both Doris and Kinsella sat at home that night and after dinner commenced to read the dramatic story of the events that day outside the court. Bessie Bromley had done a good job, she was excellent with words, yes very dramatic.

  The report gave great details of the protesting crowd, the pressing against the security van and officers protecting it. The shouting, the threats to kill, and the damage to the van. She had wonderful pictures and description of the two villains seated in the rear of the security van. She enlightened her readers how the public were seeking their own vengeance on these cowardly murderers. There was even a photograph of their house and people protesting outside it, much to the disgust of the neighbours. Two well respected and trusted public servants a nurse and a police officer, she omitted the retired bit.

  Doris read the article with a smile. There had been no mention of the fact a helicopter was seen taking off from the car park at the rear of the police station. Nor that it later landed in Shrewsbury and two prisoners and their escorts, men and women were seen leaving the chopper and entering the prison. Whatever the press reporter recorded inside the van was certainly not Mr and Mrs Gittins.

  As for the Ron and Kyle Gittins some miles away, arriving at the recently converted and reopened Shrewsbury prison was to be a new experience. They would soon discover they were walking into a dark wilderness of hate, cruelty and evil, some who had served in the place might say.

  For several hundred years it had been a prison for men. With government cuts it had been closed but then reopened by a private company who had assured the government they could run the establishment cheaper, just as secure and at a profit. The prison had thus recently been divided into two sections, male and female.

  Arriving at the reception desk and once logged in they had been brought before the governor. He advised them as he always did when prisoners arrived with a background as they had to remain silent as to who they were and the crimes for which they had been confined within this place.

  There were several groups of people and certain crimes that the prison population hated. They were police officers, prison officers and abusers of women and children. The crimes, were murder or abuse of women and children and any crime whatsoever, even no crime at all, for prison officers and coppers, they were simply hated just for being who they were and what they did.

  In line with the Home Office guidelines, prisoners such as Kyle and Ron were not only given the advice to remain silent but had been offered accommodation under rule fifty one. That is to say, solitary confinement, away from other prisoners.

  This, the guidelines said this would keep them safe, being away from the general prison population. It was therefore upon the advice of Mr Hayes, their solicitor and Ron from his own experience visiting this and other places for thirty years that they chose isolation.

  As they walked on they could see on the television screens in the various rooms, their photographs and the trouble outside the court. Some good it was to say nothing, the whole world it seemed knew them and what they looked like.

  The next day at Delwright’s Pantry there were additional newspapers scattered here and there all displaying the details of the murder case. Mrs Delwright never missed an opportunity to put a shot over the bow of Jack Richards, the ex copper as he was referred to, nor to the police establishment in fact.

  Jack and his wife Anne, who were frequent customers, though not clients had not bothered to read anything for although Jack knew of the accounts in the media he realised from years of experience, they would not only be inaccurate and misleading but bordering on libel.

  They sat, looking across at the second class shelf seats, there were new visitors, Chinese by the look of their faces.

  They were not popular for they came in organised groups with their own guide. They spent little money but enquired about and noted a great deal. All armed with cameras they took pictures of everything they saw.

  Years before they had been figures of fun, going around the UK taking photographs of everyday things, scenes, even businesses, machinery and other stupid subjects the locals had said.

  It was only after some time when businessmen from the UK had travelled to China that they noted that many things were exact duplicates of good old "Blighty." The Chinese tourists had not been so stupid, for they had copied many ideas and then arriving home had put the stolen information to good use and now supplied the UK with items far cheaper than could be produced locally, ruining local industries.

  Even a local copper, Doris Scott-Ling was of mixed race, a Welsh mother, Chinese father. Nothing of course was said to her for “Daddy,” was the owner of a large international business here and in China.

  Locally he had been a benefactor of many local organisations as he was in China where he sponsored a Shaolin temple. When Doris, his daughter, had indicated she wanted to join the British Police of all things his pleas for her to join his own business had fallen on deaf ears. All he could do, knowing of the racist attitudes of some UK residents and the weak laws to punish criminals was to arrange for her to be suitably equipped to take care of herself.

  Jack was surprised to see Doris arrive and with her, Superintendent Kinsella.

  “Do you mind if we join you Mrs Richards?” asked Doris, “It is likely to be busy here and Mrs Delwright will be irritated if all the tables are not fully occupied.”

  “Why certainly,” replied Anne Richards.

  The new arrivals sat down, Miss Kinsella did not speak but had nodded her head. She picked up her dog, placing it on her knee.

  Girda arrived and took the order, one tea for Anne, herbal tea for Jack, coffee for Doris and a large Cafeteria of black coffee for Kinsella, she always had several cups.

  When the items arrived, Jack smiled glancing at the folded newspaper on top of the tray. It was fo
lded in such a manner as the headlines could be clearly read, “Judas Copper and Nurse remanded.”

  Girda placed the refreshment items on the table, Jack discreetly lifted the paper and then placed it under the table.

  He had seen Mrs Delwright looking from the kitchen door, and so he ensured he gave no facial reaction which might please her. Instead he accidentally spilled some of his drink, thus covering the newspaper with brown stains and then a foot placed and ever so slightly twisted, ruined the article completely.

  He looked through the corner of his eye to see Mrs “D” disappear, mumbling as she went.

  “Well now, good news, very good news, Mr Richards,” said Doris. “You will have no doubt read the updates of this bad business, the murder at Kelsall, the ex copper and nurse, there has never been such a case the records office say.”

  Jack looked, he gave the semblance of a smile but did not making a reply rather he sipped what remained of his drink.

  Kinsella put down her dog, opened her bag, then took out a cushion she carried, for the animal to sit on and then placed it on the floor.

  Suddenly there was shouting and then two men barged in, and then passed Kinsella, standing on her dog as they forced their way to the side shelf and towards the group of young Chinese girls seated there.

  “Fucking Gooks, coming here with cameras, taking my friend’s car and all its details to be published, just because it is bright orange” called one.

  Doris knew them, one, the leader, was the son of another anti police villain, Roja, he was called. Well known locally and favoured by Mrs Delwright, he had often abused Jack and his wife. It was the turn of someone else today, it seemed.

  “I say you there, you have hurt my dog,” shouted Kinsella, now bending and stroking the animal.

  The youth turned and in a flash he picked up the dog and threw it across the room, it landed by the toilet door, yelping.

  In an instant the two men turned their venom upon the young Chinese and lunged towards them. they never made it.

  Mrs Delwright and the Cheshire Set, were all now gazing, they saw Doris speedily rise from her seat. She was five feet nothing, the two thugs were well over six feet tall and very bulky in build.

  Without hesitation, Doris grabbed the wrist of the first man, bending it down sharply, simultaneously bringing her left foot up and with great force she struck the front of the man’s trousers. He screamed out and commenced to crumble.

  He was saved from lying on the floor, by Doris when she thrust his head towards his colleague in thuggery. Another hand grabbed the second man and their heads clashed together with force.

  In an instant both men were lying on the floor moaning.

  The group of Chinese realising they had been saved from serious abuse and possibly injury looked at Doris and then seeing the scars on her arms, they bowed.

  Calm returned to the room, the dog rescued and was now being patted.

  Susan Kinsella sat in awe and made an involuntary comment, “You girls why are you bowing at us we are not racists, we do not think we are better than you?” She lied of course.

  The lady with the girls, all now leaving, replied, “We not bow at you, we bow at her,” looking at Doris.

  “She Shaolin, she very respectful person,” they bowed again, Doris returned the gesture.

  Doris then turned to the two attackers now staggering to their feet, “You two shit heads get out before you get locked up.”

  They did as directed, Kinsella shaking her head either in disgust or grateful thanks that she had not been alone or even worse, been expected to act herself.

  Mrs Delwright was now nowhere to be seen.

  “Right Mr Richards,” chimed in Doris, “as I was saying this murder, no doubt you will have read about it, a terrible case. There are bound to be ramifications for the police and nursing services. No doubt anyone with any pull or even scandal mongers will think and put it about we are all murderers and money grabbers.”

  Jack nodded but again did not reply, he rarely commented in public on such matters.

  Kinsella joined the conversation, “Well I must say it was such an easy case to solve, money, it is always about money. I know I should not talk out of school but.”

  Jack still sitting and listening thought, “no madam, you should not.”

  She added, “As you are a retired copper and of such senior rank I am sure we can trust you to keep a confidence.”

  Jack thought, “When it comes to police enquiries of any nature, the wise investigator confides in no-one.”

  Kinsella just had to get her self praise out, his experience told him that,

  “The whole enquiry went just as I envisaged, that Hayes fellow attempted to buck the system telling them to say nothing. It was of no matter as the evidence is so strong against them. I will certainly have something to say when discussing my experiences at the forthcoming senior command course.” She added, “Have you been there Mr Richards.?”

  He looked, then smiled, “Yes occasionally.”

  Here came her low ball, “But you were only a Superintendent. I thought command courses were for Chief Supers., and above, like mine, for those seeking to be an Assistant Chief.”

  Jack took a sip, then after putting down his cup he said, “I lectured there, numerous times, on the investigation of serious crime.”

  He now threw in his low ball. “Have you not read my book, it is in the library there?”

  Kinsella turned the subject to the current murder, “ As I said, the case is clear cut, as you have no doubt read in the newspapers and heard on the television news.”

  Jack and Anne now stood after he had given her a tap on the foot. “What about the other cases?” he enquired.

  Both Doris and Kinsella looked at him with blank faces., “Other cases what other cases Richards?” said Kinsella, now omitting his first name or the title, mister.

  Jack came back, “In my forty years experience, when, according to the news reports, which I admit are normally totally inaccurate but nevertheless. I am surprised you being so experienced coming from the university and having received such technical assistance, you had not immediately thought of it.”

  “I beg your pardon,” replied Susan.

  Jack now with a twinkle in his eyes replied, “When a couple apparently as devious as these two have been planning and carrying out this venomous crime. I would have thought they may well have killed other elderly folk in their care and in whose trust they were in. Not in my day, which as you say is now long gone Miss Kinsella. We would have definitely considered if this one murder was the tip of the iceberg. Just normal policing in my day, attention to detail you see.”

  The Richards couple now left, leaving Doris and Kinsella seated with open mouths.

  Their attention was disturbed when a voice called, it was Jack, obviously with an after thought “I will be surprised if Chief Constable Watkiss does not also consider the possibility, it is basic police work you see. Her father he was a detective, the old type, we served together. I am sure he will have told her of the old fashioned ways."

  He then disappeared around the corner, the duo just looking at each other, struck dumb.

  “Blast,” thought Kinsella “I am about to leave any day now, this bloody Richards he would put a spanner in the works. Christ, what if the Chief does bring it up and the command course is cancelled what then?

  This was bound to delay any promotion for another six months, she was now convinced. She could only hope that nothing would be thought of it until she was safely at the college. Then, if there was any criticism, it would fall on Doris Scott-Ling, “my reply,” she thought “will be the stock answer of all senior police officers when under scrutiny for mistakes, I was on a day off, or annual leave or in this case away on a course.

  If nothing else Superintendent Kinsella had forethought, some of the more sceptical might say she had the ability to forecast premonitions. No sooner had Richards disappeared than her telephone rang. Opening it she sighed
, it was Miss Renton calling, Secretary to Chief Watkiss.

  One never failed to answer a call from Miss Renton.

  “Good day to you Miss Renton, it is Susan Kinsella, how can I be of assistance today?”

  ”Superintendent, I am calling on behalf of Miss Watkiss, will you please come to headquarters for nine tomorrow morning. The Chief is currently in conference with the Commissioner Sir Leighton Knox, I am calling on her behalf.”

  “Thank you Miss Renton, until tomorrow then.”

  “Superintendent are you still there?”

  “Yes madam, what else is there? “

  “I omitted to say that you are to bring your deputy, Inspector Scott-Ling with you.”

  “Yes very well madam,” she replied closing her phone. “Christ, from her tone this was it, more shit hitting the fan, her course would be off for sure, what the hell could it be?”