With that the lady arrived back as the laughter at her was in full flow, but as she approached and took her seat the laughter not only subsided away but the looks on the faces of those present was as if it had never happened.
It was then that one saw Jack and instantly all heads leaned in towards the centre of the table.
It was Mrs Delwright who did the honours as Girda finally arrived with the drinks for Jack and Anne.
“I say, did you all hear of the fire late last night?” there was no response, clearly a set piece was about to take place, a set up Jack would call it.
Several other women now joined in the criticism of the Gittins couple.
“That dreadful pair, the nurse and that policeman and we all know what coppers are like. Well I feel sorry for their neighbours having to put up with having had them living next door. It will surely devalue the houses around them. Well, the poor souls have suffered further. A group of drunks called there last night and burned the house of these murderers down to the ground.”
Jack was now all ears, his mind was cast back to the last occasion he had seen the accused so violently attacked. Now it seems they had no house. It was of course no consolation that the case against them was such that any hope of them ever being released from prison was remote. Notwithstanding this everyone had their own view and emotions. He could imagine the couple when Hayes had to break the news to them. Now hearing the premises was in fact burned to the ground and all its contents as well it was a grim report.
“Well ladies, I know the recent press coverage the night before last, demanding something must be done to remove all traces of these two serial killers, well it did cause a fuss especially in the pub I believe, but it is the neighbours I feel sorry for,” called, Mrs Delwright.
She continued, “You see they say the smoke damage to other houses from the fire at the home of these monsters was awful. They say the adjoining houses were filled, many items badly smoke damaged.
Eyes gazed towards Jack, known locally as an ex policeman and of course they were all the same.
He thought to himself, “This bloody Miss Bromley has done a lot of damage in her enthusiastic reporting of anything dramatic but as the case had not been heard little or nothing of the truth. It also came to his mind that the concerns of the authorities on the demands for public enquiries were indeed of great importance. If he did not get it right and ensure those who had committed these horrendous crimes were convicted and received the full weight of the law there would be great unrest, even causing resignations.”
Jack pricked up his ears when a lady said, “Eunice I suspect all this is a great menace to you.”
“Why indeed it is, and we are off, or rather we were, to the Cayman Islands for a month but this damn trial is due, no doubt we will be inconvenienced. My dear Jordan will have to return of course.”
“When are you off?” asked Mrs Delwright.
Eunice was drinking, when she had finished she replaced the cup, “We are off tomorrow, Sunday. Jordan will have to come back to attend this trial but believe me I have told him there is no way I will be leaving the sun for more than one day.”
"Quite right," came shouts and claps of support.
A surprise for Jack, when looking up he saw Jordan Rochester arriving inside. He was drinking a very large latte coffee, when he finished he then put the empty dirty cup onto the table of Jack, as if it were a dumping ground.
He gave a nod in the direction of Richards who said nothing further but giving a nod back.
With that Jack was to have a further surprise, for Doris Scott -Ling arrived and as she approached she looked and said, “Good day to you Mrs Rochester.”
Eunice looked up, smiled and said, “good morning I am sure.”
Doris sat opposite to Jack whilst the tittle-tattle continued a different track.
Jack had ears like a hawk he heard the whispers, “Eunice, she is also one of them coppers”
“Yes I know my dear but her father he is a very good client, oh yes, very wealthy, good for business and he always pays his accounts, so Jordan says. One has to put on a show you know.”
There were more smiles as the group now rose, kisses exchanged again they were finally on their way.
Jack leaned over and whispered, “Did you hear that Inspector, it seems your star witness is off, let us hope he does come back. There is no extradition treaty with the Cayman Islands.”
“Good heavens I know. You are correct, he has been served with a witness summons. If he fails to show to prove the Wills etc I can’t imagine the fallout.”
“I think it is a matter of fingers crossed,” said Jack with a smile.
Anne came in, “Jack stop winding her up, of course he will come back he is only a witness I know solicitors have a reputation of fiddling and putting criminals up to lies to get them off, but he has a solicitor’s business here. You are awful Jack.”
Jack looked and said, "well you nearly fell for that Inspector, revenge shall I say for sending my new enthusiastic assistant. Come now ladies, it is time for my walk. Anne, your washing should be ready to put out.”
They stood and rose to leave when Doris, still a little worried said, “Yes, but if he fails to attend on time we might loose the case, his evidence is vital. I think I will give him a ring later to remind him of the urgency. I think if I speak with him and just say father was mentioning him, the amount of business he gets off the firm, he will not wish to upset me, just in case I suggest to father he changes solicitors.”
“I am sure everything will be fine, take no notice of Jack, he is just trouble making,” said Anne, the ever comforting.
They left and so Girda came to clear away all the dishes and rubbish.
It was some time before she realised there was one item missing. She dare not tell Mrs Delwright or money would be stopped from her pay. It did cross her mind these jumped up Cheshire Ladies who often spoke down to immigrants especially from Eastern Europe as she was, but really they were no different than the rest, thieves if they thought they could get away with it, a search failed to find any broken pieces so she thought the worst, the cup had been stolen.
The next day and for some following, Jack busied himself with other end of line enquiries. He contacted the local highways authority.
After some local enquiries he visited the owner of the aircraft which was reported locally to be a nuisance flying low overhead. This was always followed by an annoying salesman attempting to sell their wares that no-one wanted. When Jack had left the owner had a smile for the old fella as he later said had spent money in spite of him being, “a grumpy old bugger.”
Chapter 10
It was a fine clear sunny Monday morning and so, on any other occasion it would have been a day of pleasure walking around the city browsing in the shops, striking a deal at the local market and ensuring one took morning coffee with some fancy cake or other.
This day however would not be like that, neither would the coming days. For, as the press and television had stated so often, it was a day of sadness to recall those innocent victims who’s lives had been ended so violently in the cause of greed.
This Monday, it had been written in the press, was the day when the trial of the Judas Murders would take place.
As always there was a morbid curiosity and so large crowds had gathered well in advance at the doors of the court which opened just after nine o’clock.
It took some time for the security officers to check the bags and other belongings of those entering but eventually the public gallery was packed to capacity.
The front row was yet empty for the legal eagles, the barristers, their solicitors and indeed their clerks and runners.
There were no such vacant places in the seats allocated to the media, they were packed to capacity, note pads ready and recording devices all set to run.
In the witness room all the witnesses had gathered and been given drinks of tea or coffee as per their desire.
In yet another room,
the twenty persons registered as voters on the electoral roll who had been summoned to act as jurors, from which twelve would be selected. They were seated awaiting what was normally described as a horrendous duty sitting through a tedious court case and then having to decide the fate of some person or other.
On this occasion, such had been the volume of reporting on the case that they couldn’t wait to be involved. They had been allocated by computer to keep their identities secret, save only to the court staff.
Lord Justice Royston Stevens, a judge of the high court was a man of many years experience, sitting to hear such cases. He was now ready, his red coat on as was his white wig. He sat looking at the oil paintings on the wall of those judges who had gone before him, over of many years. He wondered when, like his predecessors who had passed into eternity, if his portrait would eventually be placed upon a wall. On second glance he doubted it, for there was no wall space.
The chatter in the witness room suddenly came to a halt when a security guard called, “Silence please.”
All turned towards the door to see a lady dressed in her barristers robe, carrying her wig, she called to them.
“I am Honeysuckle Watts, barrister at law acting for the Crown Prosecution Service. If you might just please pay attention, for a moment.”
She hesitated, there was complete silence, then, “You are the witnesses in this case, please, have no discussions about the evidence you will give. I have read all the papers in these cases and clearly the evidence is strong against the two accused. It is of course not for me or the learned judge to decide guilt or innocence but an independent jury such as yourselves, members of the public. It is them we have to convince to ensure justice is done for those taken from us so violently. I would therefore ask you all to sit and ponder on the events that have taken place and then, when you are called you relate to the jury exactly what you have to say. You are not the only witnesses, there will be forensic experts and others but your emotional stories will carry heavy weight with the jury. Thank you everyone, that is all I have to say, I will go now but I will see you all in the fullness of time.”
Jack Richards with all his vast experience had just sat in the corner of the main court room, quietly not communicating with anyone, in fact he had been surprised even though Chief Watkiss had telephoned him to attend, to observe as she had said.
He had thus far not yet submitted his report, as a result the Crown Prosecution Service nor the defence were aware of the enquiries he had made. For some reason the trial date had been moved forward at the last minute which he had thought then and still believed was rather inconvenient. It was however a good point, for he still awaited some information and if this proved positive there may well be other last minute enquiries to be completed.
Doris Scott-Ling and Detective Superintendent Kinsella, star witnesses had not thus far seen him. They were seated in the police room, busy chatting, more than likely as to how the course Kinsella was attending had gone.
Jack meanwhile stood and then quietly and unobtrusively left the room.
As he left he glanced around and noted those present there was a star witness missing, solicitor Jordan Rochester was not present. He hesitated and pondered the possible reason without him the police evidence would be very weakened.
He was not aware of course that Doris Scott-Ling had been liasing closely with Rochester but he had insisted he was not prepared to waste his time sitting around the court for days for no good reason. He had given assurances he would be there but not until required. It had therefore been agreed that a call would be made when it was known when he would be called and he would return then.
Meanwhile in the jury room those called were sitting and standing around, there would be no-one to speak with or give directions to them. Being the jury they would only hear what the judge permitted them to hear. They would be guided by him but spoken to by the barristers for each side, the prosecution and the defence.
All was now set; Chief Constable Watkiss and the police Commissioner had arrived and took their seats together with other local dignitaries, members of the council local and business community to name but some.
Jack entered but saw as anticipated no vacant seats. Watkiss saw him and indicated for him to walk over and sit by her.
He sat and she leaned over, “Did you ought to be here Jack, being a witness?” she asked.
“I have not been called, I do have some further results to follow and possibly some follow up enquiries. I thought I would just come for the opening ceremony, to keep my hand in so to speak. I will leave prior to the witnesses being called.”
She nodded and then looked forward, it was then Jack felt the vibration in his pocket, a phone call, he stood and left to answer, not wishing to be arrested and serve time for contempt of court.
He answered the call and then walked over to the far side of the room digesting what he had been told. He was of course no longer able to update anyone especially the prosecuting solicitor and barrister. He would wait there would be an opportunity later. His experience told him what he would have to tell the court would at least be important if not vital.
Doris Scott-Ling however was standing in the foyer wondering if her observations of what she had just seen whilst seeing the jurors enter the court would be acted upon. The crown barristers were renowned to be second class lawyers unable to find positions in the more lucrative private practices. Still what she had seen she had passed on.
The court was buzzing when the door at the centre and rear wall of the court opened and Judge Stevens entered.
The court clerk stood and called. “Hear ye, hear ye, will all persons here present having business with her Majesty’s Justice, Lord Stevens please draw high and give your attention.”
The Judge bowed and this was returned by the Barristers and solicitors all now occupying the front benches.
All were now seated save for the clerk of the court who stood and indicated with a nod to the security guard standing in the dock facing the front of the court.
There were gasps as to the two accused appeared and stood as did the four security guards.
Kyle Gittins had a long scar along each side of her face. They reached from above her ear ending at the chin. Dark red and black in colour the sutures could clearly be seen. There were none present who believed she was anything but permanently disfigured.
Ron was not displaying any such scars, not that he had none but it was due to his face being completely covered in bandages, only his eyes, the end of his nose and lips being visible.
Clearly, the violent prisoners who had attacked them and got away with it had ensured these two murderers of the aged would be punished to a degree that they would never forget what they had done, no matter what the jury decided.
Those present gasped in horror and the press made notes, the artists with them making sketches to enthral their readers. Mumbles of, “serve them right, they have had what they deserve and what goes around comes around could be heard, causing the clerk to call, “silence in court.”
The clerk then continued. “Kyle Gittins and Ronald Gittins you are jointly charged that on diverse’ dates you did unlawfully kill with malice aforethought Iris Carter, Madeline Rosman, Noah Pemberton and Algernon Lambert contrary to Common Law. You are further charged that you did conspire with each other to commit such murders.”
The court was still and silent awaiting the reply of the accused.
“How say you Kyle Gittins are you guilty of not guilty to the charge of murder?”
“Not guilty,” she answered.
“And, upon the second charge that of conspiracy to murder how say you, are you guilty or not guilty?”
“I am not guilty My Lord,” she answered.
“Ronald Gittins to the charge of murder are you guilty or not guilty?” Called the clerk.
“I am not guilty.” replied Ron.
“Upon the second charge, that of conspiracy, how say you, are you guilty or not guilty?”
/> “I am not guilty," replied Ron, “my wife and I are not guilty, one hundred percent innocent, My Lord.”
“You may be seated,” called the clerk, the mumbles around the room continued.
Honeysuckle Watts now rose, adjusting her outer garment, she commenced.
“Me Ludd, she commenced, using the court twang for My Lord, I am Honeysuckle Watts I represent the Crown Prosecution Service, my learned friend Mr Hayes I believe represents both the accused. At this juncture Me Ludd I would point out that Mr Hayes is in fact only a solicitor and I would therefore submit is not qualified to act in this court.”
Hayes stood and the judge nodded to him, a clear indication for him to speak.
“Me Ludd, I am, as my learned friend has stated a practicing solicitor of this county but I would wish to bring to the attention of the court that I have previously been called to the bar and have some years experience in the defence of criminal matters including those of charges of murder. I would also point out that I have submitted to the Law Society of England and Wales my certificate of good standing. That body has the power to relax the rules governing appearing at the bar. I have submitted to your clerk Me Ludd, acceptance of my qualifications by the society. I would therefore respectfully submit that I am duly qualified to act in this court.”
The Judas Murders Page 24