Thornton Under Vale Mystery – Part 5

//(Read from start)//

The tension between DS Hawk and Constable Web was palpable. The fact that the Chief Constable had promoted Web to being Acting Detective Constable annoyed not only DS Hawk, who believed he was being side-lined to deal with a non-existent Russian Assassin network, but also the other Police Constables.

DS Hawk certainly knew how to play the irrational fears and jealously within the local police force in order to block Acting DC Web’s progress in the double murders in the sleepy hamlet of Thornton Under Vale, by suggesting the promotion was a sign of Spider Web’s undiluted ambition and natural back-stabbing. Hell, Web was even a local celebrity, with his nickname, intended to humiliate, being used as an ego boosting brand.

It was neither here nor there that Acting DC Web desired none of the attention, the result was the same. Spider Web had to discover who was the murderer, or his future was as dead as Miss Fly. With no help coming from his ex-boss, and certainly not his other colleagues, he returned to the advice of his new friend, the Pathologist, Dr Fish.

“I have been trying to sort out the time-line of Robin Cock’s murder, doctor, to narrow down suspects. God, that man was so hated. I would not be surprised to hear that the funeral procession will turn into a New Orleans style carnival. With Lady Byrd performing, the lovelies are coming out of the woodwork.”

The older man looked up from the open corpse of the late Edwina Fly. Web winced as he caught sight of the innards of the old busybody. She would not be telling any more tales, or pronouncing moral outrage. Nor, for that matter, supplementing her income with Blackmail. He had found her little Black Book, and she was on a nice earner – not excessive amounts, but so many names. Web had not been able to break her devious code to discover who paid, only how often and when.

“I would be careful how you show your distaste for the theatre crowd, especially as you are a local celebrity yourself. They know how to deal with unwelcome Press coverage. You may need their advice, if not protection,” the pathologist remarked. “And, don’t forget the son and his husband. They are main beneficiaries of the late Robin Cook’s impressive estate, and they have already pledged the income of the sale of the Chinese and Russian Porcelain to help a Transgender Support Group. They have organised a private viewing at the house after the Funeral. Your Chief Constable is invited, I heard.”

Web looked over to the chrome doors, behind which the late Robin Cook lay, chilled and quiet. “I don’t think he would be too happy about that, supporting ‘unnaturals’. Don’t look at me like that, doctor! Those were his words in The Linnet pub, not mine. And you still don’t think that murder was linked to his unsigned Last Will and Testament? To be honest, they have all done well by his death. Even his case against the Funeral Directors has been dropped, as has his complaint against the bell-ringers, the car mechanics and the Town Clerk. I suspect that they will all think that Santa Clause exists, as their Christmas wishes have come true.”

The doctor smiled wickedly, “As have your wishes, Acting Detective.” Web blushed. The doctor was rather too close to the truth. He needed to change the subject quickly. “Have you any idea who would try to kill Mrs. Cock with an arrow?”

The pathologist raised his eyebrow. “Based on the skill of the previous bowman, are you sure the event wasn’t staged? To, say, divert attention from Ivanna Cock. There was a very distinct aroma of rather heavy perfume. Didn’t you notice? It was certainly not the subtle Chanel No.5 that Mrs Ivanna Cock always wears. More like the cheep perfume that carries well in public houses, for barmaid’s desperate to be noticed. And all that theatrical drama? Mrs Cock’s tears welled up almost on command. For a man she obviously hated? She was hiding something, I’m sure.”

Acting DC Web bit his lip. Shit. He had missed those clues. He was too busy examining the longbow arrow that had just missed the terrified Mrs Cock, embedding itself in grandiose portrait of the late Robin Cock. The large Bill for that art commission still unpaid. The portrait artist had been added to the growing list of suspects.

“A Barmaid? Are you suggesting Dolly Dove was there at the time? Why would she be? Okay, she says that Robin Cock is her unborn child’s father, but why go to Ivanna Cock?”

The older man smiled, “That’s for you to find out, Detective. But I did find two broken champagne flutes, with different lipstick. James Snape certainly no longer uses lipstick, although when she was Jenny Snape, the Navel Wren, I suspect lipstick was also not regularly worn.   Adrian Cock is a ‘Man’s man’, quite literally, so it’s not likely to be his. As you can see, Edwina Fly was not a fashion follower. Practically, she dressed in rags, and lipstick would have been morally repugnant, and she was my companion in the morgue at the time of the incident. So who does that leave? Miss Dove? And if so, what were they celebrating? Maybe they were conspiring to dispatch the man they both loathed, before the new Will was signed? You know, I must get out more. I am becoming like Mycroft Holmes, filtering questions within a web of intrigue.” He then laughed. “or more like Dr Watson, puzzling over who did the deed after it has been solved.” Moving over to his paper covered chrome desk, he asked, “Did you find the Candlestick that struck the first blow?”

Web felt so depressed after a new line of enquiry had just been outlined, he was pleased he could give the Doctor some good news. “Yes. We were tipped off and did a search of the house, and found two very heavy candlesticks. Actually, they were copies of a set of Romanov Candlesticks that had been sold to the Reverend Castle. We checked, and he has the originals. Solid Silver, not the silver-plated lead copies we found under the stairs at the farmhouse. Mrs Cock denies all knowledge of sale by her late husband, or why he made lead copies. But I suspect our Mr Robin Cock was up to some dodgy dealings. Anyway, DS Hawk has arrested Mrs Cock for an earlier attempted murder. He’s happy. So much for the investigation of a Russian connection.”

“But who was the archer?” Doctor Fish asked.

Acting DC Web shrugged. “Good question. I fear, this has all the hallmarks of a set-up. I am certain those candlesticks were not there when I first looked. They are on the way to you, to test for blood. Also the rug they were hidden in. The rug was bloody, but I suspect that was from transfer after the candlestick was used, but that’s for you to determine.”

The pathologist cynically muttered, “Glad to hear that you are giving me something else to do. No more corpses, please. You don’t know how much paperwork they generate.” He waved to the paperwork on his desk, adding, “What are you going to do next, Detective?”

Web sighed, “I have to see the family to explain why we are still holding the body, and why we have arrested Mrs Cock. The house was still smouldering with outrage at that arrest. Adrian Cock was in touch with the family solicitor and private investigator as I left. He has a low opinion of my boss.”

The doctor muttered under his breath, “He is not alone in that.”

(Prompts Given: It is neither here or there; The house was still smouldering; Santa Clause exists; He/she was dressed in rags; tears welled up; The rug was bloody;)

//Now Read Part// 6