Hayes again interceded. “ Mr Richards I think I would like to take further instructions upon this and advise my clients. I suggest that they be given an opportunity to consider this and I will respond to you in due course in writing.”
“Thank you Mr Hayes," said Jack, “In that case to quote a phrase, these proceedings are now closed. I wish you both a speedy recovery.”
He stood, collected his papers and in moments both he and George were gone.
When outside George made her first comment, “Did you see the look on their faces, they were taken aback you had put that to them. In my view you might well have pulled the rug from underneath them. Clearly if they had nothing to hide they would have answered immediately.”
Jack failed to respond save to say, “We must get on, time is short. I think we should return to our office for lunch then see where our enquiries take us.”
Lunch taken, Jack and his new and not so keen assistant who had changed back into uniform but minus her crash helmet and breeches for a pair of regulation trousers.
The remainder of the day and part of the next was spent re-interviewing the families of the deceased, systematically going through the circumstances surrounding the deaths of their loved ones and of course the relationship they had with those charged with the subsequent murders. The leaving of the money to the them, in the Wills was a facet not overlooked. He methodically covered the repeated aspects, he could see the look of boredom on the face of George even a sigh, as one question after another simply covered the same points.
When it came to the witness, solicitor Gordon Rochester, as far as George could ascertain they had learned nothing. The case remained as strong as ever against the Gittins Couple. In addition she had a feeling of a smirk that this so called famous detective had discovered nothing that Doris and Kinsella had missed. Perhaps the chit-chat that he was a dinosaur from a by gone age was correct, it appeared that way at any rate as they finally arrived at the office of Rochester.
George was unable to decide if it would be better if she learned something new or that it was all a waste of time and she could get back to her machine. One thing for certain was that this brief encounter with the master investigator had put her off ever applying to become a detective, a dog handler at some time in the future, perhaps, a detective and this boring lot, never.
Arriving at Jordan’s` office he was at the counter speaking with his secretary and so on seeing Jack arrive he turned and looked, when about to speak he glanced at George, the smirk on his face dropped off.
He recognised her immediately and she him, he had recently been booked for speeding and she was the very energetic officer responsible for booking him, as he had referred to her at the time.
The atmosphere was reciprocate by George who also recognised him for his obnoxious comments about women police officers and their apparent ability to read a speedometer and check a speed for a mile at 80 miles per hour.
Jack looked and saw the staring between them; he opted to say nothing save, “Mr Rochester if I might just have a moment of your time. It is just a matter of clearing up a point or two of ambiguity in the Gittins and Gittins cases.”
Rochester now changed his attitude, “You had better come in”
Realising it was not prudent to comply with the normal introductory formalities Richards failed to introduce George but waded in immediately to the matter in hand. He read through the statement made and the facts it contained. Particular emphasis was made on the relationship he had had with all the families concerned over the many years.
He covered the relationship and goodwill between each of the accused and the deceased. Rochester confirmed that he knew both of the accused. Kyle he knew was visiting as a trained nurse but of course he had not actually witnessed her during a visit as one might expect.
He added that all those who had tragically died had spoken well and given Kyle the highest praise. As for Ron, it was a slightly different matter. Rochester had in fact seen Ron at the addresses when he had visited taking various instructions. Again as in the case of Kyle he confirmed the clients all spoke very well and his work as a gardener had gone unsurpassed.
This in fact all added up to the fact that Rochester unlike the relatives was not at all surprised that the clients had returned the kindness and good deeds of the Gittins couple. He added that if the truth was told, especially as they were not present some of the relatives could well have done more to assist their benefactors. The amount of money they had each been left around £200,000 in most cases it was chicken feed what the nurse and the gardener had received £10,000 each for what they had done.
It was however with sadness, he said, that evil had come to minds and hearts of the couple in not waiting until their benefactors had died. The obvious reason being of course that Kyle was planning to retire at sixty to join Ron who had retired the few years before at fifty five and the couple had planned to spend their lives in a warmer climate. Jack had nodded but did not verbally respond, he did however make a note of the various points at the side of the type statement made previously.
Rochester had confirmed as the other witnesses had done there was no–one they could suggest who might have wished to see the victims dead. It was in fact, illogical to even consider any other suspect.
Various questions were asked concerning the wills of the deceased, all technical items, George thought, the only benefactors had been relatives with small items from the house save for the next of kin who had received the massive amount. This all revealing nothing additional to what was already recorded.
Rochester produced a copy of the wills which Jack took even though copies were already on the file. He glanced at them confirming they were identical.
The interview now concluded, Rochester stood and said, “I have an appointment with Mr Scott-Ling. We represent the company, Mr and Mrs Scott-Ling are the family of a colleague of yours, officer,” indicating his remark to George. “A very intelligent officer, did a fine job in public relations, yes a worthy officer.”
A clear remark aimed at her, she failed to respond but could have said,” Drive without a shoe on your right foot next time or you will get another ticket.”
“I must get off Mr Richards,” he said as he put on his overcoat over his very nice suit, “If I can assist further please do not hesitate to contact me.”
The proceedings concluded they went their separate ways.
Arriving back in the office George excused herself and went downstairs, Jack could hear her speaking with Sergeant Ted Large and a group of schoolchildren. From what he could hear Jack ascertained she was describing in detail the police motorcycles and the duties of a motorcyclist. The machines were retained in the museum down stairs for such visits. Clearly he could see that traffic duty was to be her forte and not serious crime, a sign of the times, he thought.
He opened the computer and then continued his mundane, work, typing that which would be needed to continue the enquiry. He did venture to smile on completion that one of the duties to follow would test his now assistant a little.
George arrived back to see Jack standing, hat and coat on, clearly waiting. He was gazing out of the window onto the busy street below.
“If you are ready we should be off,” he said.
She placed on her hat and followed him out through the door into the street below and then across finally arriving some minutes later at The Crown Court. Arriving inside he could see she was bored almost to tears. If only she was on that massive motorcycle screaming around at incredible speeds no hope of being stopped and receiving a speeding tickets as she had given. He could read it on her face; this boring work was for the old and decrepit. He smiled to himself, he was about to raise her adrenalin levels though she was as yet unaware of it.
“Good morning Mr Richards” said the security officer, clearly Jack was getting as well known here as he had been at the Old Bailey in London, not to mention the high courts of Justice where doors were opened for him as he approached.
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He nodded and walked through, George in close pursuit they now arrived at the enquiry desk.
The lady was typical of what one might have in mind as a lady who worked at a crown court, dark suit, spectacles on the end of her nose but now removed and being swivelled over and over.
“Good day to you. Mr Richards, I am sorry I do not know your name officer,” said the lady.
“Constable George Turner,” she replied.
The lady clearly of the old school looked a little shattered, “George you say, oh I see,” she made no more of it but said, “I see you are to appear before Deputy Judge Edwina Cunningham, please follow me.”
The duo did as directed, A sideways glimpse by Jack saw the look of bewilderment on the face of George.
Arriving outside the Chambers of Lady Cunningham they stopped and became seated whilst the escort knocked on the door and then entered.
“Ah yes, officer,” he suddenly said to George, “you being a constable and me not, you will have to make the applications.”
George gasped and turned, staring him in the face. Clearly she had never done anything like this before. Racing around on motor cycles and issuing tickets was one thing but to stand before a judge of the high court was clearly another.
“But I have no idea what to do,” she exclaimed.
“Didn’t they give you court training when you joined?" he asked.
“Why no, not really, just a visit to the magistrates courts to observe, unlike in your day, with the CPS they only take stone wall cases or where there is a guilty plea so it is very unusual for us to attend court, how the hell will I do this?”
He smiled it was time to let her down to reality.
“When we get inside the clerk will give you the testament, and a card, read the words on the card. When this is done open this folder, I have written it all out for you. It is only a few lines. Then hand in the affidavit papers to the clerk, nothing more to it than that, even an old man like me can do it,” he added.
There was no time in the event to do anything, for the door opened and inside they went.
The Judge was sitting at her desk, though still wearing her red gown and wig.
As Jack had said the testament as given, the oath taken and then turning over the folder George commenced.
“Your Honour I make application today for search warrants and for the seizure of documents. These matters relate to a case of multiple murders listed for hearing before Lord Justice Stevens in due course. The basis for the applications are stated within the affidavits, here presented.”
The clerk took the papers, George stood, now clearly perspiring, God knows what would happen next.
She glanced at Jack Richards, he was standing calm and cool, the stance of experience, she realised at long last.
The Judge read the matters and then looked up. “Officer I must say I am very surprised indeed at the contents of the affidavits of Mr Richards and your good self. Yes, surprised is an understatement. Clearly these matters are of the greatest importance. I can see why this application has been made before me and not before Stevens. Yes, a rare thing here in Chester serial killers. One must see that all procedures are followed to ensure justice is done. I grant all the applications."
She then looked up at Jack Richards and with a smile said, “Judge Stevens has related much of your background Mr Richards as indeed has the Lord Chief Justice with whom I was dining recently. I am sure with you involved in this case justice will be done."
The proceedings then ended, it was then back to the office where Jack read the documents.
An hour later the duo were heading north to the city of Liverpool.
It took some time to convince the General Manager at the records office at the Liverpool law courts to release the documents, even though an order had been made by a high court judge.
Arriving back, the day’s work done, Jack spent much of the evening at home checking and rechecking the details. Taking copies and securing the items. If he was to have spoken the truth, he was very relieved the next day to hand the documentation to George and send her off to Birmingham to the forensic science Laboratory. All he could do now he thought was await the outcome.
George of course was happy to be on the road again, much better she thought scurrying around on the bike than the boring police work of CID. Even better news Richards had told her he would not require her for a few days as he had others matters to deal with. He had not enlarged upon this statement and to be frank she didn’t really care.
So it was Jack was absent from the enquiry and at least one other person was very pleased. Anne Richards could not believe her luck when Jack had asked her if she fancied a few days in London. She was overjoyed to think of visiting the London stores again, how wonderful.
Jack of course had ideas of his own and so during the stay he left her to spend and spend again, or so he put it after they arrived home. She assumed he was visiting his old haunts at, New Scotland Yard. Having served there for some long years he was well known and she was convinced he would get an invitation to view his old haunts and more than likely have a cuppa, as he called it in the staff canteen.
The hotel they stayed in was five stars; Jack really was lashing out she thought and then of course visiting some shows in the evenings. Yes, it was a very wonderful few days and such a let down to arrive back in Cheshire.
It was only a few days later when Jack arrived in the kitchen whilst Anne was washing up the dishes, again with a smile on his face.
“My dear we have not had a holiday for a while. The case I have been involved in is in limbo the last few days getting some tests done.”
The next day arriving at Manchester airport for a week away was very acceptable to Anne. But to a location in the Caribbean, my word, Jack was having a fit she thought.
The time away was marvellous, the hotel food and of course the weather. To sit around doing just nothing was wonderful.
Jack of course had spent some time exploring on his own, well that is what he had said to account for the four hours he had disappeared one day.
Chief Constable Watkiss was more than surprised when she had called him one day to discuss the fact the trial date was being brought forward. Told he was on holiday and where, took her by surprise to the degree she spilled her morning coffee ruining her new uniform white shirt. Having assured her he would be back she had received some comfort. He was a volunteer of course and thus he did not have to seek permission to be away.
There were calls to him from the forensic science Laboratory Professors Hallam and Bolister always had Jack’s number. They assured him all was going well and the results would be completed in time for the new trial date.
Jack enlightened them that there may well be additional enquiries, these would be last minute so he hoped they would be able to cope.
Both signed off rather jealous of Jack and his holiday.
The week soon passed or so Anne had said as they arrived back home.
The following morning she was now busy putting in the washing. Mid morning, as a relief the couple found themselves in Delwright’s Pantry once again.
They had arrived only minutes when a group of the “Cheshire Set,” ladies arrived in due form. The three tables soon became one, as the friends were obviously anxious to get on with the business of gossip and tittle-tattle.
Girda the waitress arrived, took the order from Anne, and then folded it over turning to take what the “Set,” required.
Jack sat back with a smile viewing them perform, he knew his drink would not be delivered until the Cheshire ladies had been satisfied to quote a phrase. It was first of all standing, then the shuffling of chairs. Once done, it was a round of kissing each other.
Finally they sat again, the mood of joviality continued, when one called “Who is coming to the canapé and wine evening?”
Hands were raised and squeals of joy erupted, the next motion was the production of diaries and address books and all noted the details.
The designer coats removed; clearly they were in for a long session.
As always on these occasions the party tended to break into groups conversation wise. One lady drew Jack’s particular attention when she had been talking to the lady opposite to her. Clearly a woman used to getting her own way and her opinion followed she had an outburst, “I say just be still and quiet and listen to what I am telling you.”
All stopped and looked at her but then the chatter continued and the old lady ignored them and continued to remonstrate with her companion.
Moments later the obnoxious lady rose and went into the toilet, safely out of ear shot Mrs Delwright who had arrived to join in the banter said, “My, isn’t she such a drama queen.
The Judas Murders Page 23