Although DS Hawk and Acting DC Web were seated next to each other in the car going to Anbull Hall to continue investigating the complex case of two linked murders, they were as distant as continents. A hard wall, created by professional jealously and suspicion, resulted in clipped conversation and bitter silence.
DS Damian Hawk had one objective, to find a suitable scapegoat on whom to pin the murders; close the case; and get a much desired promotion for ‘a job well done’. Fast, simple, satisfying.
The younger, newly promoted Acting Detective Constable, Sidney Web wanted solve the cases wanted to impress Chief Constable Swallow, so his temporary promotion would become permanent.
To do that, he had to actually solve the case, which was proving to be far harder than he expected, as he was getting no help from his police colleagues. Worse, his ideas were being dismissed by his supposed boss, DS Hawk. He really felt Hawk didn’t WANT to solve either murder case. Then again, the whispered gossip in the local pub “The Linnet” was that Hawk wanted out of the Police, with a nice Golden Handshake.
With the frozen atmosphere between them making daily life very unpleasant, Sidney wondered how he could help that Hawk realise that desire. He had spoken with his only true confident and mentor, the pathologist, Dr Fish, for advice. The reply was, “Look at the people in the room during Robin Cock’s Wake. Body language, rather than conservation. That will tell you more about who is innocent, and who needs investigating. Follow your gut reaction. It helped you before.”
Arriving at the snow encrusted Georgian fronted farmhouse, Acting DC Web found it hard to believe that this was a house of mourning. The curtains or window shutters were not closed. In fact the farmhouse was a blaze of light. He felt uncomfortable by this apparent lack of respect for the dead.
Even worse modern Jazz music coming from the Hall, overlaid with cheery voices. He would have expected refined muted conversations of regret. The only hint that this was supposed to be a Wake, was the black candles within the grand display of de-crusted white sandwiches, red and green grapes, and flamboyant Chinese porcelain. It was the porcelain on the tables and within the display cabinets, rather than the black candles, that was drawing the attention of the Mourners. Web was astounded that champagne was being served, rather than traditional cups of sweet tea.
It appeared the demise of the late Robin Cock was being celebrated.
DS Hawk vanished into the crowd, carrying the full champagne flute he were offered as soon as they came into the Hall. Web deliberately declined the offer, wondering where to start his observations.
Feeling out of place, he moved quickly into the jade coloured lounge, catching the loud, operatic, voice of Lady Byrd, rising above the lively chatter, “In an ideal world, the Appeal Court would decide that I had been cheated, and return our Romanov dinner service. Instead, I have to see my plates displayed in this villain’s hallway. And covered in nasty little pasty snacks. What is the world coming to?”
A Russian voice replied, “The World, my lady, has not changed, only the people who control it. As for the Court decision, maybe something will come of it, and the porcelain will be returned before the auction to it’s rightful owners…in Mother Russia.”
Lady Byrd gasped, “To Russia?” adding vehemently, “Over my dead body, young man!” She swept up another flute of bubbles, downed the whole glass, and then picked another, “Where’s Adrian? I want to have a word with him. Auction, indeed! What a nerve!?”
Sidney Web observed the darkly elegant Ivana Cock, move quickly towards the Russian speaker, who appeared to be part of the catering staff. Sharply she whispered, “Please don’t make a scene, Ivan.” Then she touched his hand. Softly. He smiled, nodded, and vanished towards the kitchens.
It was utterly irritating that there was a possibility that DS Hawk was actually right for once, and that there was a Russian connection with Robin Cock’s death. But as an affair, rather than espionage. Maybe the old witch Edwina Fly was blackmailing Ivana and Ivan, as well so many others? That would provide a reasonable motive for Edwina’s murder. Yet, his gut did not agree. Although, that could have been due to the rather tasteless pasty sandwiches.
Taking his mentor’s advice, ‘ Spider’ Web hid in the corners and observe the room. He felt the answer must be here, and focused on the suspects.
Dolly Dove, the jilted girlfriend, was the most upset, looking up at the vulgar Gainsborough style portrait of Robin Cock. The recent mark where an arrow had embedded itself the painting was quite visible. She was being comforted by the very muscular James Snape, a fine dark beard hiding any residual feminine features. He was certainly strong enough to use a longbow, and was an expert of herbal medicines. But they both had alibis.
Mr Lark, nervously looking around, with the defiant, red-eyed Mrs Lark were there, chatting to the timid Reverend Castle. Yet, the Reverend appeared distracted. Sidney followed the Reverend’s line of sight to Chief Constable Swallow. As always, ACC Viper was hovering behind the Chief, the ever willing assistant. Web’s gut felt uncomfortable again.
The Chief Constable was quite engrossed with the display of Chinese Porcelain on the table, his fingers edging towards picking up a vase. “Is this Sung Dynasty, Viper?” ACC Viper almost sprang forward with cat-like reaction, to prevent the vase being picked up, “Yes, Sir. And it’s very valuable. How Mrs Cock is allowing these pieces to be so at risk, I am at a loss? These should all be locked in the glass cabinets.”
As Mrs Ivana Cock absent-mindedly floated by the table, Chief Constable Swallow looked up, “I am so sorry for your loss, ma’am.” She almost ignored him. He added, “Did you select these items for display?”
She turned, looked at the table display as if for the first time. A puzzled look caused a frown on her vacant face. “No. Most of these should be locked in the cabinets. How…? “ She appeared to be confused, saying “Only Robin had the key. No one else was trusted.” She moved to the nearest cabinet. It was still locked. She looked so surprised.
At that moment, Mr Beetle, the dour Undertaker appeared amongst them, like a silent formal ghoul, and nodded to Ivana Cock, rather than shake her gloved hand. “I’m sorry we appear to have been a little remiss. These keys were amongst your late husband’s possessions. I trust you have not been inconvenienced.”
Ivana Cock looked instantly relieved. “Not at all. Please, could you find my son, Adrian? I think we can put the porcelain back. They have been on display long enough, I feel.” Like a vampire Mr Beetle glided back amongst the guests, and vanished as if he had never been there.
To DC Web, it sounded like Mrs Cock was improvising that she knew what was going on. He became even more suspicious. He needed to re-examine the alibis.
DS Hawk suddenly appeared from where Mr Beetle had disappeared, and gave Sidney a very smug smile. Before Sidney could interrupt, Damian Hawk had moved to the side of Chief Constable Swallow, and whispered something in his ear. The Chief suddenly stiffened in his gold braided uniform, and stared at DS Hawk.
Sidney just got there in time to hear the Chief whisper, “Are you sure, Hawk?” The Chief looked around at the crowd, shaken. Web noticed a facial change. Hard, worry lines appearing, followed by a deep frown, as the Chief added, “You had better be, Hawk, or you’ll be looking for another Constabulary not a promotion.” With a small nod to the Widow, the three men turned to leave.
Ivana Cock, half empty champagne glass in hand, noticed. “Are you going so soon, Chief Constable?”
It was DS Hawk who replied, with the chilling smile of a practised bully. “We are, but we will be back soon enough.” There were no pleasantries. She clearly was the chief suspect, again. Her face became unnaturally pale.
Acting Detective Constable Sidney ‘Spider’ Web felt crushed. His arrogant boss must have solved the mystery of Thornton under Vale, and his chance to impress had gone.
Yet, his Boss had been wrong before. Sidney still had chance to solve both murders, or at least one of them. His inner smile returned, as he realised that it could go either way, with DS Hawk becoming Detective Inspector…. and transferring to another Constabulary, or making a complete balls-up and being transferred to another Force on a lower rank. Either way, Sidney would be free of the bastard.
With all his Bosses out of the room, he picked up a passing flute of chilled champagne, and smiled as the bubbles tickled his nose.
But his happiness was frozen as a high pitched scream came from the kitchen…
(Prompts given: Look at the people in the room..; Maybe something will come of it..; There was a possibility ..; It could go either way…; It was utterly irritating..; In an ideal world..;)
To be continued in Part 9.
Authored by: Mark Baker; Last updated: 2021-07-04T10:10:03(UTC)