Family Matters
It was shortly after eight o’clock on a bright Monday morning in spring, the daffodils were in full bloom. Mr Finchley, an elderly man in his late sixties was walking his dog. He was taking his usual route through Markham Woods, with Belle his Golden Labrador. During this part of their walk Belle was off her lead, walking by his side. Belle had her nose to the ground sniffing all the spring time scents. Her head came up and alert, she trotted ahead, then darted off the main path. ‘Belle, rabbits Belle’ called Mr Finchley, but he got no answer, he called again then Belle started barking furiously. She had obviously found something. Mr Finchley pushed his way past a bush to see Belle digging at the ground, and then she began pulling on something. As he got nearer he saw it was a sleeve, a hand flapped loosely each time Belle pulled at it. Belle then dropped the sleeve and dug some more, then went back to pulling on the sleeve. As he got next to Belle he stopped dead, only the arm was above the ground where Belle had dug, he caught hold of Belle’s collar and clipped on her lead, pulling her away he fumbled in his pocket for his mobile phone. He dialled nine one two the voice on the other end asked, ‘Which service please’
‘I need the police.’
‘Thank you putting you through now.’
‘Benson police headquarters, how may I help you?’
‘I’ve found a body, in Markham Woods, we actually my dog found the …’
‘Please calm down sir, what’s your name?’
‘I’m Mr Finchley.’
‘Ok, Mr Finchley you’re at Markham Woods, which end?’
‘It’s the Leicester Road end about fifty yards in.’
‘Ok, give me your mobile number?’
‘It’s 07759824987.’
‘Ok Mr Finchley go back to the entrance, I’m sending an officer out to meet you.’
‘Sarg we need to send someone to the Leicester Road end of Markham woods a body been found.’
‘Ok, Control to Alpha Mike, proceed to the Leicester Road end of Markham woods, meet a Mr Finchley, a body has been found.’
‘This is Alpha Mike, proceeding the Markham Woods, out.’
‘Jenny as soon as Alpha Mike report in inform Dr Dobson that we have a body for her and where it is.’
‘Yes, Sarg will do.’
Alex train arrived at Benson’s London Road station on time at eight-thirty, from the map he had been sent with his joining instructions it was just a fifteen-minute walk to Police Headquarters, the timing could not have been better. Alex Nielson arrived at Benson Sub-Divisional Headquarters, he was to report to the Divisional Superintendent at nine o’clock it was eight forty-five, he looked over the impressive edifice to modern policing, and it was all steel and glass. He opened the door of the main entrance, and walked into the foyer, it all looked sparkling new, in its soothing coat of magnolia, and it even had the new smell. Alex went up to the desk, reached into his inside jacket pocket and pulled out his new warrant card.
‘DS Nielson, to see Superintend Makepeace,’ the desk sergeant had pure white hair
‘Oh yes, come through, I’m Dave Sharpe, A watch.’
‘Hi Alex Nielson,’ with a quick shuffle of his warrant card Alex took the offered hand.
‘You can bring your bags through there, that’s the gent’s locker room,’ Dave said pointing at the door in front; Alex pulled his bags behind him into the locker room.
‘Those bags of yours, do they have labels on them?’ Alex came out of the locker room.
‘Cheers, I’m moving into the section house,’ Alex said by way of explanation.
’Yes, I have three keys for you, ones a locker key, then there is one for the main door of the section house, the other one is your room, 25 that’s room 5 on the second floor.
‘Right, the Super’s Office is on the fourth floor, out the lift; turn left at the end of the corridor.’
Alex proceeded to the lift, pushing the call button, he watched the numbers come down, the lift doors then opened, two uniformed officers stepped out, he entered the lift and pushed the fourth-floor button. ’One, two, three’ he counted in his head. The lift doors opened on to the upper most floor, Alex stepped out on to the plush new carpet, turning to his left he marched purposefully down the corridor. Reaching the Divisional Commanders door, he read the sign, Superintendent Harold Makepeace, he knocked.
‘Come in,’ came a voice from within, Alex entered the spacious office, to the right of the door was a coffee table with several comfortable arm chairs around it, behind were some low cupboards, on top of one of them was a coffee machine, there was coffee filling the jug as he watched. The left side of the office was dominated by a large teak looking desk, on which two file trays, there was also a ‘Newton’s cradle’ executive toy, positioned in front of a large blotting pad. Sat in the chair behind the desk sat the superintendent, Alex walked to the desk.
‘Detective Sergeant, Alex Nielson, reporting Sir.’
‘Ahh yes, welcome to Benson sergeant, you had a good journey from London?’
‘Yes, thank you Sir.’
‘Good, good, take a seat, coffee?’
‘No thank you, I’m a tea person.’
‘Right, now I understand you have been recently promoted, it is my intention to put you with our most experienced Detective Inspector, Fred Perry by name, you can find his office one floor below, Detective Chief Inspector Forsyth is on leave this week, I’m sure he will have a talk with you on his return.’
‘So, I’m to be the DI’s bag man, then sir?’
‘Yes and you’re moving into the section house too I believe?’
‘Yes sir, my bags are being watched over by the Desk Sergeant at the moment.’
‘Well that will be all for now, and once again welcome to Benson.’ Alex got up out of the chair, turned back to the door and left. Rather than use the lift for one floor, he went to the staircase next to the lift and trotted down the stairs, through the fire door and into the third-floor corridor. Alex looked both left and right, to the right coming out of a door, was a smallish man, about five foot-seven to Alex’s six foot-two, he had black hair going grey at the temples the sign on the door said Detective Inspector Fred Perry.
‘Sir, are you Detective Inspector Perry?’
‘Yes, and before you ask, no I’m no relation to the tennis player, and by the way call me Guv’
‘Yes Guv, Detective Sergeant Alex Nielson, the Super said I was to be your Bag Man’
‘That’s right, here catch, you drive, and we’ve got ourselves a body.’
The two officers arrived at the North Hallaton entrance of Markham Woods with a brief nod to the uniformed PC; they proceeded down the pathway the light dimmed as they came under the dense canopy of the trees. About fifty meters in they came to the body dump site. There were several scenes of crime technicians, who were combing around the site, where the body was found. Off to one side another uniformed PC, was taking the statement from the dog walker, who found the body. The police doctor, in a white sterile suit, Dr Joan Dobson was examining the body.
‘Well doc what can you tell me,’ asked DI Perry, Alex had taken out his note pad and pen from his jacket pocket. ‘Well first off this is not where the deceased met his death; his driving licence name’s him as Donald Meacham. He died from one stab wound entering just below the ribcage thrust went up towards the heart’ the doctor indicated the angle of the thrust with her hand ‘at about this angle, there would have been quite a lot of blood from this wound, it would have been a fairly long wide bladed knife, the thrust was done with a lot of force indicated by the bruising around the wound area.’
‘What about time of death.’
‘I would say between two to four days; the pathologist will be able to say more and should be able to give you more details about the knife used.’
‘Thanks doc,’ DI Perry turned to Alex, ‘You got all that?’
‘Yes Guv.’
The doctor handed DI Perry an evidence bag with the victim’s possessions in it. One of the scene of crimes officer called the two detectives over,
‘We got something here Inspector, it’s a footprint which we should be able to get a good cast of’ he said.
‘Doc you finished with the body,’ she nodded as she got up, the two attendants from the county mortuary lifted the corpse and laid him on a body bag, which they quickly got him zipped up in. They then lifted the bag on to a trolley which they had ready on the path, and wheeled the body away to there waiting van. DI Perry and Alex gave one more look around the crime scene, before making their way back to the DI’s car.
‘Can you read the address on that licence Alex?’
‘Yes, Guv, its fifty-two Union St, Darrow Magna.’
The two officers returned to DI’s car, with Alex back behind the wheel.
‘OK that’s our next port of call; you need to get back to Leicester Road going into town and then third right.’
‘Gott ya Guv.’ Alex back up and left the car park they reached the Leicester Road turning right to head into town. The drive the Union St took them about twenty minutes, they found a parking space a couple of doors down from number fifty-two. They got out of the car and up to the front garden gate, the front garden had all the hallmarks of an enthusiastic gardener. The path was made up of standard size concrete slabs, the front door was inset with an open porch Inspector Perry rang the bell. A few moments later the door was opened by a woman in her mid-thirties. She had some yellowing around her left eye, which looked suspiciously like a mostly healed black eye.
‘Mrs Meacham?’
‘Yes.’
‘I’m Detective Inspector Perry and this is Detective Sergeant Nielson, may we come in.’
The woman seemed almost to have expected them
‘Did my brother ask you to call?’
‘Err no, should he have?’ Alex asked as he let his eyes examine Mrs Meacham more closely. For herself, she brushed both sleeves then crossed them tightly under breasts in a classic defensive pose of someone trying to hide something.
‘You’d best come in,’ she backed away from the door allowing the two policemen access. She turned and walked through to her lounge and took a seat on the very edge of the sofa. The officers followed DI Perry took a seat in an armchair, whilst Alex chose to remain standing, Alex watched DI Perry whilst he took in what was to be seen, the fact that there were no ornaments on show, nothing which was breakable.
‘Is your husband around?’
‘He doesn’t mean to do it, he just can’t hold his beer, once he sobers up, he will be back and sorry for what he’s done. He’s got a shed on his allotment he spends most of his weekends up there.’
‘Do you know where about on the allotments your husband allotment is?’
‘No, I’m sorry I’ve never been to it.’
‘OK, Alex that’s your first challenge.’
‘How long is it since you have seen your husband?’
‘It’s been about three days, but that isn’t unusual.’
‘Actually, Mrs Meacham, the reason for my visit is that I fear I have some bad news. We believe that your husband may have been murdered, a body has been found in Markham Woods which we believe is your husband.’
‘Oh my,’ Mrs Meacham puts her head in her hands and starts to cry but half way through she starts to giggle ‘he has been gone longer than normal… he’s got an allotment I’d thought he was up there with a couple of six packs of larger.’ she said through her crying laughter.
‘Is there someone I can call… your brother perhaps Mrs Meacham?’ DI Perry pressed. ‘What I do need you to do is to come to the morgue and identify the body.’
‘Can I ask my brother to accompany?’
‘That will be quite alright.’
‘We will be going now; we’ll be in touch when to come to the morgue.’
DI Perry and Alex were in the waiting room of the morgue, when Mrs Meacham arrived accompanied by a man. ‘This is my brother Mr Shaw.’
Hello sir, now Mrs Meacham just come over here to the window, the attendant will lift the sheet, then all you need to say is, yes, it is my husband or no, it isn’t my husband.’ Fred nodded to the attendant and he lifts the sheet.
‘Oh my… yes that is my husband.’ Mrs Meacham then turned to her brother and buried her head in his shoulder.
‘Thank you, this is WPC Helen Jones, if you need anything please let her know.’
‘When will my brother-in-law’s body be available for cremation’
‘It will be a few days yet, but we will let you know, do we have a contact number for you Mr Shaw? Please give it to the WPC.’
The WPC led Mrs Meacham and Mr Shaw out back through the waiting room and to the car park. Once they had left DI Perry said ‘Well let’s see what the pathologist has to tell us.’
They went through another door out of the waiting room which led to the pathology lab there they met the pathologist Dr Ryan Dearheart. The late Mr Meacham was laid out on the gurney.
‘Inspector Perry, and with a new face?’
‘Yes, I’m DS Alex Nielson.’
‘Welcome, so a single stab wound which pierced the left ventricle, you see this very distinctive ring-shaped bruise. From that and the abrading at the top of the incision I can tell you, you’re looking for a bayonet, more specifically I would say a type II bayonet from an AK 47.’
‘When did he die doc?’
‘I would no more than seventy-two hours, no less than sixty hours. His blood alcohol level was still high at 0.256%, and there was larger still in his stomach at time of death’.
‘So, he must have been drinking just before he was stabbed?’
‘I would say, that would be the correct assumption.’
‘OK thanks doc.’
Inspector Perry looked at his watch and said ‘let’s go to the canteen for a bite.’
The two of them went up the stairs to the second floor and into the canteen. The canteen was painted in a pale blue with several potted plants dotted about, it was about half full with both police officers, and civilian workers in various size groups. As well as the dining tables, there was also a comfortable seating area, which at present was unused, DI Perry and Alex joined the queue.
‘So where do you hail from Alex?’
‘Originally from southwest London, Battersea. I went to Hendon after completing my Law Degree at the University of London, then on to the Met’
‘So that makes you one of these Fast Track promotions then?’
‘Yes, it sounded a good thing to do, when I took that path, but I’m not so sure now, it seems to generate a lot of bad feelings.’
‘You may get that from some people, usually from people who aren’t going anywhere promotion wise. It also depends on how you treat people, as some know it all, or as someone willing to learn.’
The two of them got their meals, and found an unoccupied table. DI Perry had pie, chips and peas, to which he added a good serving of tomato ketchup. Whilst Alex had gone for the chilli and rice, shortly after they sat down a young man approached the table.
‘Excuse me Guv, I copped a guy selling a load of cheap fags in the pub last night, I talked to one of the regulars and he tells me, this guy has been in several times this week’
‘Well son he may be worth a pull, depends on how much he is selling, try and tail him after he leaves see where else he is going.’
‘Thanks Guv will do.’
‘Don’t forget to do the background checks on him, there’s no such thing as too much information.’
‘Right you are Guv.’
‘Well let’s see if we can actually get through a complete meal.’
So, they set about their meals with gusto. ‘This chilli isn’t half bad.’
‘If you like chilli, you should check out The Sombrero Mexican restaurant, on the high street’
They finished their meals and went their separate ways.
Alex had to pick up his bags from the locker room. The section house was a separate building with its own car park, getting a car now he was away from home must be a priority, plus using it for work would accrue motor mileage. As he reached the main door he met Detective Constable Andrews, who had sort the advice of DI Perry whilst they were having their meal. ‘Hello again, Alex.’
‘Oh right, Peter.’ he answered Alex greeting and took his hand.
‘Which room you got’ he continued. ‘I have been given twenty-five…’
‘Oh, that makes us neighbours I’m in twenty-six.’
‘You off on your search for your cigarette man?’
‘Yes, my friend mentioned a couple of other pubs he’s been scene in.’
‘Well good luck.’
The two parted, Alex continued inside. The first thing he saw was the section house notice board, detailing the fire safety info, on there was also a copy of the television licence, which covered the whole building, since there were shared rooms including a television lounge. Alex wondered how much time he would have to watch television, and if it would be worth getting a small portable to have in his room. He made his way up the stairs lugging his bags, finally he made it, to where he could drag his bags. Where the stairs met the first-floor corridor there was a door marked baggage room, so he wouldn’t have to keep his bags in his room. Above the door were two signs zero to four to the left, five to nine to the right. Alex fished out the keys he had been given, and opened up his room. Stepping inside, he looked about him, so this is what he would be calling home, he had no idea what he had expected, but the room itself was quite large, and there was a desk, with a notice above saying that from here he could connect into the headquarters internet link-up which was a nice surprise, which meant he could plug in his police issued laptop. Alex spent some time unpacking his bags into the draw and wardrobe space, he also found that the wardrobe also had a mirror above, which there was a light and a two-pin shaving socket. With this task complete Alex decided to check out the other facilities of the section house.
Not wanting just to laze in his room he thought he would find out what was in easy walking distance, he grabbed his darts and stuffed them into his coat pocket. Leaving the environs of Police Headquarters the first thing he noted was that there was a bus stop on either side of the road. Alex noted down the bus numbers which used the stop so that he could check their routes later. Staying on the same side of the road he headed into town, the first place of interest he passed was a Chinese takeaway, called the Jade Garden, and on the opposite side of the road was a kebab shop. A little further down he came to the Dog and Gun, this was where Peter Andrews was going to start his search for the cigarette man. Walking past the pub Alex continued on down London Road towards the train station that he had arrived at only the other day. Tucked into the entrance of the Co-Op was an elderly man who looked sixty maybe a little older, the sign behind his cap read WAR VETERAN DOWN ON HIS LUCK.
‘So which war was that Pop’s.’ Alex asked sceptically
‘That would be the first Gulf War in 1991, I was part of the Desert Rats First Division of the eighth army, I fought through to Kuwait.’
‘OK, hey did the Iraqi’s have Russian weapons?’
‘Yes, that’s right boss not that they got much use out of them, one lot of soldiers surrendered to a BBC news crew.’
‘What about war souvenir’s?’
‘The Yanks were shipping whole tanks back, the Brits were more into small arms AK 47’s or just the bayonets, I had one for a while sold it to an Army and Navy store’ Alex took out his wallet and pealed out a tenner. ‘cheers for the info.’
‘Cheers to you as well, boss.’ Alex continued his walk down towards the town centre, about a further one hundred yards was the White Horse Alex stopped and decided to see what it was like, it being a Monday night it wasn’t too busy, about half a dozen customers, he went up to the bar a eyed the selection of beers, he decided to plump for a pint of Hobgoblin there was two old guys in one corner, a couple at a table in the centre and two guys at the dartboard. Alex wandered over towards the dartboard. They were about half way through their match.
‘Can I play the winner?’
‘Yep why not, I’m Bob and this is Toby.’
‘Hi Alex, Alex Nielson.’ Alex took over the chalk and continued to score the match, a short time later Toby won with a twenty, a sixteen and double sixteen. Alex took out his darts and fixed in the flights ‘Ho oh we have a pro’ Bob said laughingly Alex had a quick six dart practice before the match started a 301, double to finish. Toby proved to be a real challenge, and seeing how he had finished the last game Alex knew every dart counted. Alex got down to ninety-one on his previous turn Toby was on a hundred and twenty-one, Alex came up to the mark first dart triple nineteen, now he needed a fourteen, that left him with double top, bang straight in the middle ‘Good arrows Alex, and a good game, now you can take on Bob, you all want another beer?’ Toby went off to the bar then call over to Alex about what he was drinking
‘Mines a Hobgoblin ta.’
Bob asked, ‘I haven’t see you in here before, what do you do?’
‘I’m a detective sergeant just had my first day.’
‘Hey, you on that murder case I heard about on the news?’
‘Yes, my governor’s the detective in charge.’
‘Right I’ve seen the bloke in here several times, he’s a really angry drunk, Pat the barman had trouble with him a couple of times, even got pulled in by your guys once the I know about, I pity his wife, rumour has it, he knocks her about.’
‘Oh yes?’
‘Yes, her brother sometimes drinks in here, you should here what he has to say about it, I know I certainly wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of him, he was in the army.’
‘So not only was Donald an angry drunk but the brother-in-law also had a temper on him?’
‘Oh yes, one-time Stephen said he was going to drag Donald to his allotment shed to sober him up, apparently Donald’s got himself quite a hide-away, away from his Mrs.’
‘Anyway, thanks for the darts and the pint, my shout next time.’
‘Sure, thing me and Toby are in here a lot.’
Alex left the white horse and headed back to the section house, it had been a useful night out both socially and professionally, as he walked back his stomach gurgled, he had a notion the get a kebab, he checked the traffic and crossed over. It wasn’t long until he reached the kebab shop he had seen earlier Costa’s Kebabs he read he entered the shop, there were no other customers, so he got serve straight away. ‘What can I get you,’ the man behind the counter asked
‘a small donner please.’
‘Right you are’ the man turned on the gas of the spit and let it turn for a minute or so, then sliced away at the donner. At the same time as turning on the gas he put a peta under the grill to warm. ‘Ok what salad would you like in your kebab?’
‘Errm, cabbage, red onion and cucumber please with a squirt of lemon’
‘Wrapped or open?’
‘Open ta.’
‘There you go.’
Alex took hold of his kebab and paid the man turned and left the shop munching on the kebab, well so for his first night out he walked happily back to the section house. As he walked he thought about what he had found out, he must make some notes when he got back to his room, he needed to follow up on the victim’s allotment. Alex reached the section house, took out his key and went inside, he found the kitchen area which also had a table and chairs, and he took a seat and finished off his kebab. Having done so, he deposited the wrapper in the bin. He went upstairs to his room but decided to check and see if Peter had also returned yet, there was no answer, checking his watch he saw that it was only ten-thirty. He went back to his room, once inside he hung his coat up and took out his darts returning them to the draw. He plugged the laptop into the internet connection, logging in he got into his case notes and added the information he had gather tonight. He decided not to check on Peter again he would get an early night.
Since he had got anything to eat in yet he would check out what the canteen was like first thing, the weather had turned nasty this morning he definitely needed his coat, he crossed to the main building and up the stairs to the canteen. The queue was somewhat longer with both the incoming and outgoing shift getting food. Alex finally got to the head of the queue and got the bacon sandwich he had been looking forward to, he saw that DC Andrews was sat with DI Perry who waved him over. DI Perry also had a bacon sandwich.
‘Ahh a man after my own heart’ taking a bite of his own sandwich, whereas Peter was munching his way through a Full English breakfast but with no tomatoes.
‘Peter has been telling me about this cigarette smuggler of his, he is definitely getting around the manor, but he can’t get a fix on an identity… Ahh George just the man, George Brown’s the collator here at Benson. George meet DS Alex Nielson’
‘Hi, and what can I do for you Fred and make it quick my breakfast is getting cold’
‘Well sit yourself down and pin back your lug holes, we are trying to identify a new cigarette smuggler on our patch, I was thinking that perhaps one of our old smugglers might have gotten to know who it is and maybe willing to tell us, what do you think?’
‘Hmm, most would give us the time of day… but possibly Old Sparky would… that’s Phillip Sparks, if you come by my office later… I’ll dig out his particulars’ George said between mouthfuls. Alex then told DI Perry about the information he had been given last night.
‘That’s most interesting, George can you check the records to see if Mr and Mrs Meacham have any domestic disputes and Alex_’
‘Yes Guv’
‘Let’s dig into our Mr Shaw as well’
‘You think he might be our man?’
‘If your info is correct and he isn’t a man to be trifled with, and his brother-in-law is hitting on his sister… well could be. If you finished your sarnie, let me show you the office.’ Fred and Alex get up and make their way to the stairs and to the third floor. Fred opens the door and walks in.
‘So that’ll be your desk.’ Alex pulls out the swivel chair and sits in it.
‘There’s a stationary cupboard in the main CID office, which takes up one side of the left-hand corridor.’ Alex gets up again and heads to the main CID office and its treasure trove of a stationary cupboard. He returns with his hands full which he dumps on his desk, then sits and starts tucking things away in various draws of the desk. He then sets about writing up all the notes from yesterday and adding to them the information he got from Bob. His next job was to find the allotment of Mr Meacham, Alex’s had a feeling that it might be of interest. So on to the internet to get the contact number for Benson District Council, having got that he dialled the number,
‘Hello Benson District Council, how may I help you.’ Alex got the switch board to transfer him to the right department but the woman on the other end wouldn’t give any information over the phone. He turned to face DI Perry Alex said
‘Guv, the council woman won’t give me any information about Mr Meacham I will have to see her in person.’
‘OK take my car, I’ve got to catch up on some paperwork anyway.’ Fred chucked his keys to Alex. Alex made his way to the lift and then out into the car park and to DI Perry’s Toyota Celica. The person he wanted had their office in the Town Hall, which is right in the centre of town. Alex luckily managed to get to a parking spot, just as someone was pulling out. Having asked the door man where the allotments clerk’s office was he finally got to his destination, he knocked on the door and went in. A middle-aged woman with her blonde hair up in bun sat behind an old-style desk she was intent on her computer screen. Pulling out his warrant card and putting it under the nose of the clerk he said
‘Detective Sergeant Nielson Benson CID, I called earlier’
‘Yes, sorry I could help you over the phone, now who were you interested in?’
‘A Mr Donald Meacham, fifty-two Union St, West Darrow, now deceased.’
‘As far as him being deceased, Mrs Meacham will have to send me a copy of the death certificate, let’s look him up, ahhh A forty-two was Mr Meacham’s allotment,’ She stood up ‘If you look at this map, Darrow Allotments are here, the entrance is off Trinity Road, you’ll find A forty-two in the far-right hand corner of the site. Is that all you need?’
‘Thank you that was most helpful, good day.’ Alex could head back to the station.
Before heading up to the office he now shared with DI Perry, he would go and see what George the collator had dug up. There was a different shift on than yesterday, the desk sergeant had ginger hair. ‘Excuse me I’m new can you tell me where I might find the collators office?’
‘Aye Jim McCray’ putting out his hand, ‘the collator’s office is on the first floor at the end of the left corridor’
‘Thanks, DS Alex Nielson by the way.’ Alex took the stairs up to the next floor and down the corridor he knocked and went in. Although the office was quite large most of the available space was taken up by shelves full of file boxes George and his desk was shoehorned into one corner of the room
‘Hi Alex, well I have got several interesting snippets for you, there has been two domestic disputes, reported by neighbours hearing stuff through the party wall. As for our Mr Shaw and the late Mr Meacham they have been involved in a punch up last year, where they were both bound over to keep the peace for six months and fined’
‘So it seems, Mr Shaw has some questions to answer, anyway thanks George.’
‘If you are heading back to the third floor could you pass this on to DC Andrews,’ he said handing Alex a piece of paper.
‘Sure, no problem George, see ya.’ Alex left the collators office and took a deep breath, he had been feeling a bit confined in that room taken up with so many files and so little space. Alex decided to use the stairs not wanting to get into the lift after being cramped in the collators office, the stairs having a glass wall separating them from the outside were very light and open.
He was a bit out of breath by the time he reached the third floor, he strolled down the corridor to the CID office, Alex knew which was Peter Andrews’s desk from when he had raided the stationary store. However, Peter was behind his desk anyway.
‘Pete, message from George about Philip Sparks’
Oh Right, good, let’s see if he will talk to me?’
‘Good luck with him, bye.’ Alex turned around and headed to the door. Back in the office with DI Perry, ‘George had lots of info about the domestic circumstance also about issues between Shaw and Meacham. I have also got the location for Mr Meacham’s allotment.’
‘Good let’s go and take a look at Mr Meacham’s bolt hole and see what it can tell us, you drive.’
‘I was told the entrance to the allotments was on Trinity road.’
‘That’s comes off Hallaton Road by St Paul’s Church.’
‘Wait a minute Hallaton Road, the business card Mr Shaw gave WPC Jones, to let him know when Mr Meacham’s body would be released for burial, Hallaton Motors twenty-two to twenty-four Hallaton Road, that’s coincidentally close.’
‘If I’m right, it is closer than you think, let’s get to the allotments and see if I am right.’ DI Perry now had a big grin on his face as he had just put another piece of the puzzle together. They reach Trinity Road the allotments ran right up against the church. There was no problem of parking, they pulled over close to the entrance. The right-hand side of the allotments butted up against the backs of the building on Hallaton Road, Perry was counting in his head as they walked along the row of allotments, they reached the last one DI Perry pointed over the allotment fence
‘Can you guess what the place is,’ it wasn’t very difficult there were several cars and a tow truck parked up.
‘Don’t tell me… Hallaton Motors?’
’Ha give the man a coconut, now let’s see which of Mr Meacham’s keys fit this lock. As soon as the door was open they knew they had hit pay dirt, the flies and the smell of blood was overwhelming.
‘OK, get on your radio Alex, I want the Lab boys straight on this, and get a couple of uniforms out here as well, we’ve found our crime scene.’ Alex got on his radio and request the support that was needed, whilst he was doing that DI Perry took a closer look at the fence, it was then he noticed a repair that had been done he also saw what might be blood. Once the forensic technicians arrived he had them take a swab of the fence which was compared to the blood in the shed, they matched as the same human blood a more detailed analysis would be done in the lab. They were also finding a lot of finger prints as they continue to search, one of the techs who had been checking the fence called out for DI Perry
‘Inspector I’ve got something here.’ Both DI Perry and Alex responded to the call
‘Well look at that, we’ve also got our murder weapon, that’s certainly blood, dust it for prints’
The tech did so and there they were several good prints.
‘I think it is time to have a word with the brother-in-law’ DI Perry and Alex made their way back to the car it was a short trip to the garage, but as they were about to turn in, Mr Shaw in his car turned into the flow of traffic.
‘Now where do you think he is going Alex, follow him.’ Luckily the traffic was light, so Alex could do a quick turn in the Garage forecourt and get back on to Hallaton Road almost immediately their luck held out, and Mr Shaw’s classic Hillman Avenger had to stop at the traffic lights at the junction with Darrow Way. The two detectives had their suspect in their sights as the lights turned green Mr Shaw set off again going straight over to Canal Avenue, after about one hundred yards, Mr Shaw signalled right and turned into Union street.
‘He must be going to his sister’s house.’ Alex remarked
‘We’ll know soon enough.’ DI Perry replied, Mr Shaw pulled in behind the late Mr Meacham’s blue Corsa, Alex followed suit and pulled in behind the Avenger. They got out and caught up with Mr Shaw while he was still waiting for the door to be opened.
‘Perhaps your sister is out somewhere Mr Shaw?’ Alex said.
‘It is just as well, we would like you to accompany us to the station, we have a number of questions to ask you about the death of your brother-in-law.’ Mr Shaw reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his keys.
‘You won’t need them, Mr Shaw, I am placing you under arrest on suspicion of the murder of Mr Donald Meacham, you do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in Court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence. You have the right to a solicitor, if you do not have a solicitor one will be provided for you. Do you understand what I have just told you?’
‘Yes, I understand.’
Cuff him Alex, we will take you in our car.’ DI Perry said firmly, Alex escorted Mr Shaw to their car opened the rear door and bent Mr Shaw’s head as he went on to the back seat. Alex then closed the door and made his way to the driver’s side. He was about to get in when Mrs Meacham walked up the road towards them.
Recognising her brother’s car, she said ‘What are you doing with my brother?’
‘He is assisting our enquiries into your husband’s death Mrs Meacham’ Alex replied. At that Alex got into the car and pulled out, two right turns and one left saw them back on their way to the police station.
They parked up at the station Alex got out and went around to the back door and opened it, he helped Mr Shaw out and took his arm.
‘Take Mr Shaw to see the custody sergeant, and get his finger prints soon as you have them get them round to the lab for comparison.’
‘Right you are Guv.’ Alex walked Mr Shaw up to the Desk ‘Open up for me Jim.’ Alex then walked Mr Shaw up to the custody suite. Sergeant Billings, this is Mr Shaw he has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Mr Donald Meacham.
‘OK John, take him away and process him, then sit him an interrogation room will you.’
‘Sure enough, come with me Mr Shaw.’
‘Oh, John as soon as you have taken his prints get them down to the lab.’
‘Roger that, Alex.’
‘Mr Shaw I’ll leave you in the care of Sergeant Billings, until DI Perry and I are ready to question you.’ Alex then made his way up the corridor to where the lift was, and pushed the call button he waited, down it came, the doors opened he pushed the number three button, the doors closed as the lift started to move he thought, no rush he isn’t going anywhere a dreadful calm came over Alex, that’s right ‘he isn’t going anywhere,’ he said out loud. Mr Meacham was a wife beater Alex had no doubt, but equally he was sure that Mr Meacham didn’t deserve being murdered. Alex reached the office, there was a note on his desk, it read simply meet me in the canteen, Fred. Alex turned around and back out of the office pulling the door closed as he left. He took the stairs down to the canteen DI Perry was sat in one of the comfortable chairs with a mug in his hand, DI Perry caught sight of him as soon as he went through the door into the canteen he waved Alex over, then lifted a second mug from the table. Alex walked across the canteen to where DI Perry sat ‘I got you a tea, milk two sugars, is that right’
‘Yes, that’ll be perfect ta.’
‘Who was on in the custody suite?’
‘It was Sergeant Billings Guv.’ Alex said taking a mouthful of his tea
‘Oh, John’s on, good man our John, he’ll get the prints done asap, John will. But let’s face it Mr Shaw isn’t going anywhere.’ DI Perry said in a matter of fact way. Alex stopped midway through taking another drink of his tea, he had been thinking, that same phrase only moments before.
‘Shouldn’t we be back in the office waiting for the results from the lab on the finger prints?’ Alex asked.
‘No, the lab techs know where to find me, it’s another floor less to go for both us and them. Also, it is always good to calm yourself down after nicking a villain, any villain, always make sure you are in control of your emotions, before you start the questioning. So, drink your tea.’
Alex eased back into the chair with his mug in his hand, he slowly turned his head round taking in, everything he saw in the canteen, the queue was small, two WPC in the queue were chatting, one was pushing a tray along. There were only a dozen people sat at tables, George Brown the Collator was sat with two uniformed officers that Alex didn’t know, George had his elbows on the table cradling a mug with both hands. The three of them seemed intent on whatever was the subject under discussion. DI Perry finished his coffee and lent back when his eyes caught a movement near the door, Alex caught his movement and turned his head to the door too.
A white coated lab technician was headed their way. Alex took a large mouthful of tea
‘Steady down, don’t rush your tea.’ DI Perry said just as the tech reached them.
Here’s your results, there’s a finger print match, and the blood at the scene and on the knife, matches with the victim.’ DI Perry took the piece of paper gave it a quick glance folded it and slide into his inside jacket pocket he then lent back again into the chair.
‘Thanks for doing this so quickly Terry, this is DS Nielson by the way.’
‘Alex,’ as he held out his hand to the tech.
‘Please to meet you,’ the tech took Alex hand there was a brief shake, then the tech turned about and headed towards the queue. Alex took a couple more mouthfuls of tea then putt his mug down on the table, it was just then when he saw the Superintendent making his way across to them.
‘Fred, you have got a man in custody for the murder then?’ DI Perry stood, and Alex followed suit
‘Yes Sir, the brother -in-law, a Mr Shaw, we have his finger prints on the murder weapon, we’re about to question him.’
‘Good, very good, carry on then.’ Superintendent Makepeace turned and headed back to the door of the canteen.
‘Well if your finished your tea let’s go and see what Mr Shaw has to say for himself.’ DI Perry was very business-like. They took a slow walk down the stairs to the ground floor at the bottom they turned left towards the custody suite.
‘John, where you put, our Mr Shaw?’
‘He’s in three, Inspector Perry, already for you to serve him up,’ the sergeant said with a grin on his face.
‘You need a new line there John, that one is too old to sell anymore’ DI Perry retorted.
DI Perry turned and went towards the door with a number three on it, he opened the door and walked in, with Alex on his heels. Inside Mr Shaw was sat down at a table with a PC leaning against the wall, the PC straightened up as DI Perry entered the room. He nodded to the PC, who left the room. The table was against the wall with a tape machine at the end. DI Perry took the seat furthest away from the machine, he took a tape out of the draw in the table and handed it to Alex, who took the wrapper off it and inserted it into the machine.
‘Interview with Mr Shaw, here present DI Perry and.’
‘DS Nielson.’
’Time twelve forty-five on Tuesday 23rd of April.’
‘I must remind you, you do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in Court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence, do you understand?’
‘For the tape Mr Shaw nodded.’
‘We have your fingerprints on the bayonet you use to stab your brother-in-law Mr Shaw. So, Mr Shaw, you weren’t too keen on your brother-in-law, were you?’
‘He was a shit, always hitting on my sister; I’d told him before what would happen if he hit her again. I saw him going into the pub at lunch time, about two o’clock I rang my sister from the garage, she was crying over the phone. She said after hitting her he had gone out again, she said she was terrified of what he would do, when he came back, she said she was scared he would kill her, she’s my sister.’
‘So, you knew he would go to his allotment, you cut a hole in the fence, and went to see him at his shed?’ DI Perry pressed.
‘Stupid bugger was drinking canned larger, as if he hadn’t had enough already.’ Mr Shaw was almost growling at this point.
‘And you had the bayonet in your hand’
‘You know it has a wire cutter on it?’
‘So, you had the bayonet in your hand, so what did you do Mr Shaw’ DI Perry repeated.
‘Pam said he’d kill her, next time I had to protect my sister, that’s what brothers are supposed to do,’ he wined.
DI Perry leaned right in to say ‘so, what did you do, his blood was all over the bayonet.’
‘I’d warned him, told what I’d do to him if he hit her again,’
DI Perry was standing now both hands on the edge of the table leaning right over Mr Shaw his face bare inches away.
‘Is that when you stabbed him, Mr Shaw.’ Alex considered how DI Perry paced his questions
‘He was going to kill my sister, he lunged at me,’ in a dead quiet voice he said ‘It slipped in so easily, he gurgled once and just fell down, it was so easy.’
‘So, you killed him Mr Shaw’ DI Perry was close to shouting
‘I had to, he was going to kill my sister she said so,’ Mr Shaw pleaded ‘Anyone would have to save their sister.’
‘Interview ended at twelve fifty-two.’ DI Perry got up and went to the door and said to the PC ‘Take him back to the cells.’ Alex took the tape out of the machine and filled in the label. The PC came in and helped Mr Shaw get up and led him out. Alex got up and joined DI Perry in the corridor, they walked together to the lift, and Alex pushed the call button. The lift doors opened and they got in. Back in the office DI Perry asked
‘What did you make of Mr Shaw’s claim that he was doing what his sister told him to do.’
‘Well Guv if it’s true then Mrs Meacham may have opened herself up to a charge of Incitement to commit a murder, the difficulty is A proving it and B is her motive of domestic abuse strong enough, or does she have another motive?’
‘Check their financial statements, see if that flags anything up, after lunch we need to go and have a word with Mrs Meacham.’ So down they went to the canteen where Alex had the Chinese chicken curry with chips and a tea, whilst DI Perry just had two bacon sandwiches with a cup of coffee they sat down and started to eat when Alex asked,
‘How do you think we should broach Shaw’s accusation to Mrs Meacham.’
’I think we should drop it in a way as though we didn’t think much of it and see if the lady doth protest too much me thinks, what do you think?’
‘That sounds workable, but I somehow doubt she will confess to saying she wanted her brother to kill her husband, it will depend on whether the CPS will try for a prosecution. It would certainly help if she had a stronger motive, being a battered wife could well work against us.’
So, the two of them concentrated on their food, as soon as Alex had finished he got up.
‘I have a little errand to take care of; I’ve been thinking of getting my own car now I don’t live in London with its public transport network, I spotted a RAV4 which is in my price range.’
‘If you want I could drive you down there?’
‘Thanks that would certainly help.’
‘OK let’s go.’
‘The place we are going to is called Hockley Motor Traders, and it’s on Hockley Farm Road.’
‘Yes, I know the place, it’s where I bought the Celica and where it goes for MOT’s etc.’
‘So, it’s a place you would recommend then?’
‘The car I had before the Celica came from there as well, I’ll introduce you.’
So, some fifteen minutes later Alex was being introduced to the owner.
‘Hello Mr Perry.’
‘Hi David this here is Detective Sergeant Nielson who works with me, he’s interested in a RAV4 you have in stock.’
David put his hand out towards Alex, whilst they shock David said
‘Hello Mr Nielson, the RAV4 we got is a fine motor, let me show it to you,’ it took Alex about five minutes looking over the Toyota RAV4 to decide it was the car he wanted, five minutes after that he was signing up the paperwork. They got back to the police station before one o’clock.
‘Well now you got a car sorted we can use it to go and see Mrs Meacham.’
They set out again towards Union Street, it didn’t take long before they were parking up behind Mr Shaw’s car which was still there. Alex pressed the bell and moments later Mrs Meacham opened the door.
‘May we come in.’ DI Perry said.
‘Yes, can you tell me about my brother Inspector?’
‘A certain amount, we had quite a lot of evidence, but in the end your brother admitted that he had stabbed your husband.’
‘Oh dear, my brother has always been very protective of me, he got into trouble once before.’ Mrs Meacham admitted ‘He was Bound over, because of a fight,’ she continued
‘Yes, we know it’s in our police files, so your brother will not be released until he has been brought before a judge and because of the seriousness of the crime, he will be sent to a remand centre until his trail. So, you can see it really is an open and shut case, though he did say one very odd thing, he seemed to be suggesting that you encouraged or told him to kill your husband?’
Mrs Meacham’s face went completely blank a total poker face ‘What an odd thing for him to say,’ there was absolutely no emotion what so ever in her voice.
‘As you say, what an odd thing for him to say,’ repeated DI Perry. ’Well that’s it then, will you be alright?
‘I’m sure I shall be, my husband was well insured.’
‘Oh yes we will be releasing your husband’s body, so just let which ever Funeral Director you are going to use, and he will make all the arrangements with the mortuary, good bye then.’ The two policemen stood up and made their way to the door opening it they walked out into the street, the door was closed quickly behind them.
‘Cool as a cumber, wasn’t she’ Alex said
‘Too cool if you ask me.’ DI Perry replied, ‘Let’s talk the Superintendent when we get back’ he continued. When they returned to the station they went straight up to the superintendent office and knocked. ‘Come in, Fred, Alex, to what do I owe?’
‘Sir, it’s about the Meacham case, I believe that Mrs Meacham at the very least encouraged her brother to kill her husband.’
‘Fred, I’m afraid it’s not about what you think but what you can prove, and it comes down to reasonable doubt, so Fred is there a reasonable doubt?’
‘Yes, I suppose, it’s just my guts tell me…’
‘Unfortunately, your guts don’t make a good witness Fred, you are going to have to let this one go.’
