The Judas Murders

by Bill Williams

  “That is it Superintendent, you see there is nothing to tell. It was a normal day, we rose at seven, and had breakfast. I left for work, father was able to cope by himself, I only work part time.”

  “The nurse, Kyle was due mid morning, her husband was also due to mow the lawns about an hour later. When I arrived back just after two o’clock in the afternoon they had both gone, the key was under the bin just round the corner from the rear door.”

  “When I arrived inside father was sitting in his usual chair apparently asleep, he looked so very peaceful. I asked him if he wanted a drink. There was no response, when I touched him he had gone, his head fell to one side and his mouth came open. Yes my poor old dad was gone.”

  “He looked asleep so at peace but no, he was dead. That was it. The doctor arrived and signed the death certificate, the funeral went ahead. As I say I was surprised dad had left this couple so much money. The thing is, when I later met Ron here in the garden he looked genuinely surprised himself, he said he could not believe it. He did say he was moving overseas to a house he already had there, retiring to better weather he said. Now of course, or so it seems, he should not have been surprised money it transpires was on the mind of him and his wife.”

  “Where did your Dad acquire his wealth?” asked Kinsella.

  “Oh father was only a common man, he worked for the Post Office he did. It was not to long ago that we ascertained the Supermarket Company Tosco, were to build a Supermarket here, they are doing so in several places. In addition they intend to build a petrol place and several other retail outlets. The new road due here soon you see, yes the area will be transformed. I myself hope to leave as I like it all peaceful and quiet. Well father was lucky he had some land and so after he spoke to me we sold this and acquired nearly a quarter of a million pounds. That is what I hope to live on and of course how he was able to be so generous to Nurse and Ron Gittins”

  Kinsella looked at Doris, she had written it all down, “Thank you so much for your help. I have to tell you that the police will make application to the High Court for the remains of your father to be exhumed, a post-mortem will be carried out and then we will know more as to his cause of death, if it was a heart complaint or other natural illness or otherwise.”

  The interview concluded, later that day the duo of lady investigators found themselves at the reception desk of the High Court in Chester.

  Relating the nature of their business they were eventually shown into the chambers of Lord Justice Stevens.

  His clerk, with a copy of the new testament in hand, looked at the officers to ascertain who would be making the application. Kinsella was well versed with the procedure it was something discussed at the university on many occasions, though from her trembling hand Doris Scott-Ling guessed it was the first occasion she had in fact carried out the procedure.

  Taking the book in one hand and the card upon which the oath was written in the other, she commenced.

  “I swear by Almighty God that the evidence I shall give, will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I am Susan Kinsella, I hold the office of constable in the Chester City Police, my rank is that of Detective Superintendent. My Lord I make application to the court for the exhumation of three bodies currently lying within this county. The grounds upon which I make these applications are that the police have made enquiries of witnesses, taking written statements and these enquiries have revealed reasonable grounds to suspect that these persons may have died from a cause other than natural causes. Further, your honour, in the interests of justice post mortem examinations will need to be carried out to ascertain if any offences including a cause other than natural, instigated the death of those concerned. Should you grant this order, I confirm I will notify Her Majesty’s Coroner of the exhumations and subsequently the results of the medical and forensic examinations. It will then be for that officer to decide if an inquest or inquests will be required.”

  “Superintendent, the court grants your application, my clerk will make out the required documentations. I assume the usual protocol of discreet exhumations will be carried in the interests of decency and in such a manner as to cause as little distress to the loved ones of the deceased person as possible.”

  “You are assured of that My Lord,” replied Kinsella.

  The hearing concluded it was back to the office. A call and an email confirmed all the details to Jock Peters, the Coroner’s Officer.

  Having updated him, he assured the superintendent he would now update Colonel Travers, the Coroner. Once done he then contacted the firm of Henry Cobbler, a funeral director, seeking that he put everything in hand.

  It was the next day that the gruesome task of exhuming the bodies began.

  A large tent was erected over the site. Kinsella, Scott-Ling, Jock Peters and Cobbler were joined by the cemetery manager together with the vicar. Identification of the grave and whose remains were lying there, was given to Cobbler by the respective vicar, from the church records.

  A mini digger was used and eventually the coffin was brought to the surface. This was then removed to the Chester hospital mortuary where a record was made of the arrival of the remains.

  The pathologist and assistant from international Forensics, a private company were waiting to carry out the dissection and sample taking. The procedure was recorded on video camera.

  Such was the smell from the decaying bodies those present received some relief by the burning of incense candles.

  When completed the remains were returned to the graves minus the samples taken, the relatives arrived and the remains were interred once again accompanied by the appropriate words from the vicar.

  In each of the three cases the procedure was the same.

  It was the following week that the results of the post-mortem examinations were known. The cases were then evaluated by Kinsella and Doris. The epidemic at the police college over and about to reopen, Kinsella was anxious to tie up the loose ends.

  “We have got them bang to rights, both of them, Inspector, these post-mortem and forensic results prove it. Yes, we do have two serial killers. My first murder, what luck Inspector,” called Kinsella, banging the top of her desk in jubilation.

  “Indeed Maam,” replied Doris, adding, “Shall we continue?”

  “Continue Inspector, but what is there to do, with the causes of death we have recorded here, the money side of it, the case is open and shut.”

  “Well maam,” Doris came back, “We have not yet interview Mr Jordan Rochester, the solicitor acting for the families, we will require a statement from him surrounding the leaving of the money by the deceased persons.”

  “A mere formality Inspector, but yes, I suppose we will need to see him and get something in writing. Come to think of it a statement from him together with the rest of the evidence, the case must end in guilty pleas there is nothing else for it. Hayes or no Hayes, no jury will fail to convict on the evidence we have now."

  Doris picked up the telephone and rang the office of solicitor Jordan Rochester of Tarporley. Speaking with secretary and receptionist Eva King brought an appointment that same afternoon.

  Arriving at the black and white building dated 1654 it was very attractive as the duo approached. Once inside, the interior surpassed the exterior. The oak beams and ancient doors were matched by the very tasteful décor and paintings of solicitors and judges long passed into eternity.

  “Good day to you, Miss King, I am Inspector Doris Scott-Ling, this is Detective Superintendent Kinsella, we have an appointment to see Mr Rochester.”

  The lady seated at the desk was typical of a good lawyer’s secretary. Nice white blouse, dark suit with her name badge clearly displayed. Spectacles positioned on the end of her nose, clearly used for close up reading.

  “I will tell him you have arrived, time by the way is short, Mr Rochester is a very busy man, appointments later today and clients to see at home as well.

  “You do provide house visits then?” asked Kinsella.r />
  “ Indeed we do, officer, a full service is what we provide here and have done for over fifty years.”

  She then qualified this, “Not by Jordan and myself, of course, but by the firm over generations.”

  Clearly she was not for giving the impression she was that aged.

  The investigators now found themselves seated before a very elegant man aged in his fifties. He too was dressed, as one might anticipate, dark pin stripped suite, white shirt with spotted navy blue tie to match, shoes of black leather, clearly the whole of his garb was tailor and hand made. He stood bearing a broad smile, then holding out his right hand.

  “Good day to you, Inspector Scott-Ling, I think we have met, though not directly. I have seen you around the courts, and I believe you presented various police public relations themes to various societies of which I am a patron. You madam I do not know, I am Jordan Rochester.”

  The duo shaking his hand then sat as he put down his hand and indicated for them to do so, on the two chairs already placed in front of his desk.

  “I am Detective Superintendent Kinsella,” she replied as she sat, a glimpse of a smile upon her face. Looking down there was a hint of disappointment as she glanced at the wedding ring on his finger.

  “Well now officers, as Miss King may have mentioned to you, I do have a full diary of appointments. Fortunately for your good-selves I had a last minute cancellation so have been able to fit you in, so to speak, but I must get on.”

  He had a look of inquisitiveness on his face as he then postured resting his elbows onto his desk and his chin strategically placed upon his clasped hands as any other person would do in the motion of prayer.

  Kinsella gazing at this handsome, very handsome man shuddered slightly as she came back to reality, “we are investigating the death of one Iris Carter. You may have heard two suspects are currently in custody for murder.”

  “Yes,” said he, “Pray how may I assist? I do know the offenders of course as do so many others, a dreadful business, a trained nurse and a police officer both bastions of society. I think for once the newspapers got it right with the headline, “Judas Murderers,” really awful when such persons in positions of trust abusing their positions and yes rank in life for such an atrocity. Having said that, how may I assist the police?”

  Kinsella, “We believe Mr Rochester, that you acted on behalf of each of the deceased persons, and that you prepared their wills, rather a coincidence but convenient as regarding police enquiries.”

  He retorted, “Not much of a coincidence, we are one of only two firms of solicitors in the area. We have been in existence for well over fifty years.”

  No comment was made by the officers, a glance at the clock saw time was passing and not wishing to visit again it was time to crack on.

  Doris came into the conversation, “Mr Rochester we require to know the circumstances in which the wills of each of the deceased persons subject of this enquiry were made and any other information you might have, finally a copy of each of the wills.”

  “Well now officers, there is the matter of client confidentiality. I would really need to speak with the families."

  Kinsella, about to reply, was stopped in her tracks when Doris came back, “Mr Rochester these are murder enquiries. Your clients are dead and we are investigating the circumstances of their deaths. Any refusal by you or delay even, will force us to visit the court and obtain a warrant to search these premises, and to treat you as an hostile witness, it is a matter for your sir."

  Kinsella looked with astonishment and thus was about remonstrate with her junior, in rank if not in experience, when Rochester came back.

  “Yes, you are correct of course, I presume you will require a full written statement. Yes, of course you will. I tell you what, I will draft out all I know, get Miss King to obtain copies of each of the “Wills,” and later today possibly late afternoon have them delivered to your office.

  Before Doris could come back Kinsella brought forth her senior rank, “Why that will be fine Mr Rochester, being a solicitor of such experience you will know to give the full facts in each case and of course the documents.”

  She stood and held out her hand, the interview was concluded, no matter what Doris may have wanted, Rochester had a beaming smile, as they left.

  “Miss King," he called, "a moment please, oh bring your note pad."

  She arrived and sat without invitation.

  “Now these blasted coppers have taken up my time I had hoped to finish at four, now there is no chance of that. These things take up so much time, rambling on with non-sensical questions what the hell do I know of murders?”

  “Really Mr Rochester, what a liberty. Still that is the damn police for you how can I help sir?” she said with a broad smile.

  “I will dictate a full statement of all I know of the background of each of these clients and the circumstances surrounding the “Wills,” If you will take it in shorthand this will save a great deal of time. I will then leave for my first appointment, Scott-Ling Industries, the father of the young officer. I hope he is more amenable than she is. The business of the law forces us to deal with all sorts. Now, if you are ready, I do have the files here ready I guessed this was the motive of their visit.”

  Meanwhile, outside and in their car travelling back to their office, there had been no conversation between the two detectives. Doris unwilling to upset her senior, taking such a brush off from this jumped up lawyer as she saw him. Kinsella however was happy that the information in full and frank statement would appear later that day with little effort.

  Doris had a little egg on her face when two hours later the statement from Jordan Rochester arrived, all signed up properly.

  Reading it over Kinsella suddenly exclaimed, “Yes we have them, look at this Inspector, complete confirmation everything we require. Time I think to contact the Chief Constable.

  Doris took the statement and read it. It was indeed full in content relating the circumstances of each case. It told how the clients had all been so very pleased with the attentions of Mr and Mrs Gittins, for the work done, services provided. Often they had worked well above what might have been expected of them. For which they had not been paid, the nurse giving far more than her duties required and Mr Gittins way above the pittance he had been paid.

  The vast majority of money in the wills had originated from the sales of the plots of land, details were given of the amount and were between £300,000 and £250,000.

  All the clients had insisted that the contents of their “Will,” should be kept confidential from their families, not wishing family members to complain whilst they still lived. Though Kyle and Ron had been told as a means of encouraging them to continue their good work so, the clients had said. He also recalled telling them, as in their jobs, confidentiality was an everyday thing. He was confident they would not reveal what he or his clients had said.

  There was more detail and thus it did seem, this would be final nail in the coffin of the two accused, Ron and Kyle Gittins.

  If she was to be frank she now doubted they would have obtained little if anything more. This was it seemed an occasion when Kinsella had been proved correct.

  Putting on her coat Kinsella left calling that she was visiting headquarters and would make an impromptu visit to Chief Constable Watkiss, armed with this information she would gladly be received.

  Once updated as to the recent enquiries and forensic results the Chief formed the view it was as Kinsella had insisted, a clear cut case, just the loose ends to tie up.

  Doris meanwhile had copied the latest statement and “wills” and thus with the other reports she was visiting the office of the Crown Prosecution service, leaving the file for urgent attention.

  The following day, seated in her office, Kinsella had a broad smile upon her face on receipt of a call from the office of the Crown Prosecutors. They too were very impressed indeed. At long last the final saga was due to begin.

  “Inspector, would you please te
lephone the prison and arrange for us to interview the two accused, either later today or without fail tomorrow. When arranged ring Hayes the solicitor, and inform him. If he says he cannot make it, tell him from me to appoint a deputy, this case is going ahead.”

  Doris realised the rush, she had heard from Sergeant Large who worked at the police museum, the local police gossip monger, that Kinsella’s course was on again and soon.

  She made the necessary calls, Hayes was informed, and the appointments made at the prison to interview the two accused, all was arranged for later that day.

  Doris now collected together the necessary paperwork and all was set to close the case.

  Chapter 6