Murders Without Motive (12 page)

This done the skin was folded back exposing the rib cage.

An electric saw was obtained and each rib was cut through.

This done the entire rib cage was removed exposing the internal organs.

The assistant placed a small table upon the operating table and opened the deceased legs inserting the table between them.

In turn each of the organs was removed and sliced up for examination.

The pathologist then dictating his or her report into a dictating machine.

When each organ was finished with it was placed into a dish, this was handed to the police officer who weighed it and recorded the weight on a form provided.

When all the organs had been done they were unceremoniously tipped back into the body cavity.

It was next the turn of the head. The skin cut at the back of the neck and pulled over so that the face of the deceased was loose almost like a mask. The top of the head was cut round with the electric saw and the brain removed being sliced and weighed as the other organs. This was not replaced in the head but placed in the body cavity.

A small organ at the rear of the neck was kept by the pathologist. It was in those far off days sent and made into some growth drug.

When all the organs had been weighed and placed inside the body cavity, any old clothing of the deceased was placed inside to bring the body back into shape. Finally the long incision was sown up with a cross stitch.

The smell was not very pleasant and much worse in the cases of bodies which were decomposing.

In those cases those present were given strong smelling ointment to rub onto the end of the nose. An incense candle often burnt to hide the horrific odour.

Peters recalled how there had been surprises such as at a drowning post-mortem when an eel had once wriggled out of the stomach or in another case a rat.

The operation over, the officer was given the task of washing up the pathologist’s tools.

As a reward the officer was given five shillings or twenty five pence as tip.

He whispered to Pearson, the only time he had known such a gratuity was permitted by the police.

Having been so explicitly informed Pearson stood by, would he stand the smell or sight of such an ordeal, time would tell.

About to commence Professor Hallam said.”Inspector, I have called you here today to tell I believe that this death was not in fact suicide”.

Pearson looked with mouth a gape.

She continued, “Here, see the ankle, there is a large bruise now showing. This is a clear indication that this man, when upon the chair, someone kicked but missed the chair and struck the ankle.

“The second point, come over and see?”

Pearson walked over and she picked up the piece of rope.

“Look at the knot. When found the knot was at the rear of the neck but it had not slipped down tight.”

“I am of the opinion that the deceased was smothered in his sleep, tests will confirm this or not”.

“The indications are that having been smothered in his sleep, someone then put the rope around his neck then put the rope over the beam and lifted and pulled the deceased a fair way resting on the chair. Then, simply kicked away the chair, rather missing the chair striking the ankle with the same conclusion. There is no evidence the neck was broken.”

“Death would have occurred from strangulation if he had hanged himself. There are no signs of facial distortion thus I am convinced the deceased was already dead.”

She then carried out the full post-mortem, Pearson managed to stand it without passing out or vomiting.

He was shown by the professor no sign of neck fracture. No sign of an enlarged tongue.

She certified the death as

1a suffocation

1b cerebral damage through lack of oxygen.

Adding a rider.

“This death was not natural in cause”.

Having done this she said, “I will inform the Coroner myself officer, you may inform your senior officers that they have another murder on their hands, that of Charles Crampton”.

Pearson left and headed to the Police Headquarters. On route he could only mumble “what the hell do I do now?”

When he arrived back he updated Chief Super Jinton who immediately telephoned Chief Constable Watkiss.

Still in the dining room having consumed the scones, cream and jam she and the Commissioner were about to leave when her phone rang.

“Yes, Mr Jinton, “What did you say?”

“Another murder Chief, Charles Crampton was found hanged in his bedroom earlier today. It appeared to be a straight forward suicide, especially after his attempt in the cells. I have just been called by Jock Peters the Coroners Officer that Professor Hallam was not happy. She called Pearson to the scene.”

The now shattered Chief Constable said, “Heavens forbid what the hell is going on?, I will be back soon, I have the Commissioner with me, and I will update him. By the way refer any press calls directly to me, is that understood?”

“Yes Chief”

She came back, “Get onto Pearson find out how things stand, and in addition ascertain if he is still liasing with Jack Richards it all seems too quiet for me?”

Jinton had no need to get onto Pearson for he was already on his way by car to Tarporley.

It was nearly five o’clock. Jack at a loose end had been mowing the lawns, that bloody idiot from Garden Rescue had taken holidays right now at the height of the grass growing season.

Removing his boots, washing his hands and flopping down in his desk chair, he looked at the pile of files sat upon his desk.

He had spent many hours perusing the contents then making notes, but having heard nothing from Pearson and reading the papers all seemed to have been dealt with.

He thought as he nodded off that all he had read didn’t actually bear any resemblance to his theories and hypothesis.

It was only an instant to him, twenty minutes in real time when he was awoken by Anne shaking him.”Jack, Jack wake up that young detective is here. I don’t recall his name.

“Oh I see” he said arousing himself back into the real world.

The door bell rang followed by a knock. Clearly the caller was in some rush and showing signs of impatience.

Anne opened the door, he could hear her saying, “please do come through young man, he is in here”.

Jack looked up making all efforts to give the impression he was fully alert and simply waiting for Pearson to call, a lie of course.

“Good day to you Inspector,” said Jack.

“Hello Mr Richards, sorry I haven’t been in touch, pressure of work you see”

“Yes, I have been reading and following your exploits, I am surprised you have called, come to collect the files have you?”

“Well, no, in fact the whole thing as gone belly up” replied Pearson.

“I see” replied Jack, making all efforts not to displaying anything other than a straight face and certainly no sign of a smile or an expression of I thought so.

“Please do take a seat Inspector then when you feel up to it you may update me with a narrative of events”.

Pearson was young but this old Tec as young detectives were called when he, Pearson was just a school boy, couldn’t fool him.

”Well Mr Richards, if you have read all my papers including the last regarding the old staff you will have seen all the enquiries I made”

“I have indeed and very through they were too” replied Jack.

“No doubt Jack having read the newspapers you will have seen the near riot at Crampton over the planning applications made or at least contemplated by Mr Charles Crampton”

“Yes I was surprised to hear that I had thought the estate was very wealthy and the last thing Charles Crampton would want is itinerants and windmills all over the place. I think there is some desperation behind this Inspector.”

“You do Mr Richards?”

“I certainly do and it needs looking into”

“Well” said Pearson “I did arrest Mister Charles and seized items but now  there seems little point”.

“ “Well Mr Richards I don’t know if you are aware of the latest, Mr Charles Crampton attempted suicide in police custody then today he was found hanged in his bedroom. A straight forward suicide  or so it appeared“

“Straight forward?” said Jack in this case nothing seems to be straight forward.”

Well no for later in the day the Pathologist shocked everyone by reporting the death was not self inflicted, we have I regret to say another murder”.

Jack replied “I see just one Crampton left, of the direct family I mean not including the cousins or similar?”

“Yes that is correct, the only other child is Mr Wilson Crampton, resident in Daram, and I believe taking his education privately and your own son being his tutor”.

“So I hear” replied Jack, adding nothing

“The bottom line Mr Richards is I have not only no clue as to whom this murderer is nor any idea what to do now to detect these crimes”.

Jack sat back contemplating but made no reply. After some moments Pearson feeling he had to say something asked.

“Tell me Jack have you any ideas?”

Jack looked at him, then down at the files then up and again at him. He smiled and said.

“I have one”.

“What would that be sir?” asked Pearson.

Jack replied, “Money. It is always money. If it is not the direct cause money is somewhere in the scenario. It may be hidden there may be other aspects but behind it all, money”.

There was silence for several moments when the telephone in Pearson’s` pocket began to vibrate and ring some fancy tune that Jack had no idea in this world what it might be, save that he couldn’t tolerate it.

“Hello Pearson here”, He waited and then said

“Yes Miss Watkiss, rather I mean madam, I am currently in conference with Jack Richards. Yes I will do so nine o’clock tomorrow morning, your office, yes, bring all the papers yes”

The call finished.

Jack looked at him smiled and said, “Sounds as if the pressure is on for you young man. It seems we had better solve these bloody murders or you will be back on point duty at Chester races or worse checking parking tickets”.

Pearson smiled but said nothing; his facial expression said it all for him.

“Now Inspector, let us get out the papers I will get my notes. Let us see what we can do between us eh?”

With that a knock on the door and a voice called “Excuse me boys; here is a drink and some brownie cakes”. She had anticipated a solemn look from Jack as she entered.

Rather as she did so he was smiling, she put down the tray and left.

The two “boys” to quote Anne began the task of their joint review.

It was seven o’clock that evening when the telephone rang, Anne answered then walked over with the telephone and said “It is the Chief Constable”.

“Hello Jack” she said “sorry to ring so late. Do you mind if I have a word, things are desperate, pressure from the Commissioner and I might say the Home Office? It seems the Sultan is putting on pressure, his ward wishes to return home to take up the estate again.”