Nancy Compton had to seem surprised when Caroline said, "I think I am going to get married."
"Oh I am so pleased for you. Is it Martin?"
"Yes but he didn’t actually say marry me."
"Well what did he say?"
"He talked about our children."
"Then unless you are going to be a scarlet woman I think you are going to get married." They were walking towards the hospital entrance when Nancy asked, "Do you think you can drive his car home dear? They have left now and he won’t see us."
"Oh I’ve been driving my Dad’s cars since I was a little girl." She dropped Nancy Compton outside her home and then roared off to her own home.
She was not really surprised when she found her father sitting in the drawing room in his nightgown. He noticed her expression and held out his arms.
"Was it Martin daughter? They were talking about injuries to police officers and then the two of you left."
She gave a laugh, which turned into something like a giggle. "It has been such a most unusual day. I started taking such care with what I wore and how I made up so that I thought he would like it and I ended up with his head putting blood on my nice new blouse."
He held her at arm's length. "How did that happen?"
"It was when he started talking about our children. Mrs Compton is so...composed, and all I could do was cry when I saw all the blood on his clothes. Mrs Compton says that means I will be getting married."
"If he talked about your children then I would agree and you can assume that he will be the bridegroom." Then solicitously, "Is that what you wanted?"
"It came as such a surprise Dad, but if I’m honest, the first time I saw him, he didn’t notice me but there was something that happened inside. I can’t describe it but I wanted to be with him...all the time."
Denson sat down again. "I am going to have a stiff drink to celebrate. When I think about all the men you could have married...like the one’s your sister hangs around with, I was filled with dread. Having a son-in-law like Martin will be a great pleasure."
Then curiously, "How did you get to the hospital?"
"I drove his car. He always leaves the keys in the ignition"
"It’s a good job I taught you on the old Lanchester. It had gears and not the fluid flywheel so you had to double de clutch. I will drive you to the hospital to see him tomorrow."
"No Dad, he signed himself out with the sergeant and they went back on duty."
"Well ...well I think that means that they are finishing up that case and when they do I think there will be some big changes to the Canonsfield Police."
Bridgeman was complaining loudly about the early hour. Compton showed little sympathy, "When you have taken these photos you can go and get your head down you old walrus. We will be working long hours today."
The nurse took off the dressings none too gently and as there was still seepage they had been stuck.
Martin gritted his teeth and just gave a muted noise. Compton on the other hand gave a strangled yell. "Where did they teach you that? The Spanish Inquisition?"
The nurse was unmoved. "If your wife was here she would tell you not to be a baby."
"If my wife was here she would have taken that off slowly and tenderly, not tried to rip my skin off with it." As the nurse turned towards Martin he saw that she was probably as tired as they were.
Bridgeman was fussing and focusing. "Try to keep still Daniel. Spoils the look of a tiny little injury if you keep dancing around."
"Blame that sadist over there...not me."
When he was satisfied Compton explained what he wanted. "Get Martin to take the seal off the bag with the knife in it and look after it until he seals it up again. The Path report will give you the girl’s blood type and the hospital will be able to give you mine."
They drove to McGregor’s home and Compton took his hat off as she answered the door. Martin could see that she was a troubled woman when she came to the car and as they drove to the station the reason emerged.
"I am really worried about how the details of what happened will affect my...new relationship."
Compton was helped in his effort not to show surprise by gripping the wheel more tightly. He said, "The Court may sometimes impose a publicity ban but that is generally because they think it might influence witnesses or a jury."
She was close to tears. "If he gets really serious I shall have to tell him." There was more than a hint of a Scottish accent creeping in to her speech.
Derris was waiting for them shaking his head in frustration. "The Superintendent is here and talking to the first lawyer that has arrived. I tried to stop him but he wouldn’t listen."
He waved his thumb over his shoulder. "I grabbed some look alikes off the street but they are wanting to leave and there are two other lawyers on their way."
Compton’s mood had not been improved by the pain that was still present from the change of dressing. "One will have to do. Get them lined up...no talking...put a chair for the lawyer and then I will bring her in."
He suddenly was struck by a thought. "Martin and I are not much good now on the physical side. Get a couple of large uniforms in there in case that lunatic tries something."
When Derris put his head out of the door and nodded Compton led McGregor to the door, "Remember, I will just stand still but you will walk down the row and have a good look at them. If you recognise anyone just point clearly and say, ‘That’s him.’ Take your time and don’t be afraid to look carefully at them."
She took a deep breath and her face seemed to assume a more assured look. There is always difficulty in finding people who are similar to the suspect and if one of them is picked out...often a loud complaint.
McGregor walked slowly down the line and stopped in front of Conley. "He was one!"
There was no mistaking the certainty in her voice. When she reached Roberts he had a sardonic grin. "Oh yes he was one!"
Roberts almost screamed, "You have ruined yourself you bitch." He lunged at her and one of the constables soon had him in a firm grip. The lawyer was also there saying urgently. "No more...say no more!"
Compton put his good arm protectively around her and led her out. She looked up at him. "Thank you sergeant...and thank that other officer. I am sorry that you got injured and it was all because of me."
Compton shook his head. "You mustn’t think like that. Just remember what I told you though. One law for everyone," then seeing the crowd which had gathered outside and the superintendent on the steps he said, "Oh Lord!"
McGregor followed him as the Superintendent was saying, "I can confirm that arrests have been made." McGregor was aware of the difficulties caused by the senior uniform officers and the C.I.D.’s need to maintain a news embargo until the case came to trial. She held Compton back.
With McGregor standing in front of him he could not continue to address the crowd, which included reporters. "Go back inside Superintendent!"
He looked at the determined face and was well aware of the seat she held on the Watch Committee. "We have to tell them something madam."
"You don’t have to tell them anything."
The reporters were restless as they saw the likely source of information going back inside and they tried to follow in to the station.
Somers was there with his imposing presence. "Outside please...outside."
Compton had watched and quickly pulled the sling out of his pocket and slipped it on. "Let me Angus...let me!"
He stood just outside the door and the photographer’s flash bulbs began to pop. "I am going to say a few words and that is all you are going to get. Some individuals are going to be charged this morning with serious offences. The nature of the charges and the identities of the suspects will not be disclosed before they appear at Canonsfield Magistrate’s Court. Thank you, now please disperse."
Somers was behind him to underline the request.
"How did you hurt your arm Sergeant?" was called from the crowd.
/> He just smiled and shook his head as he went back into the station.
Derris asked Somers. "Can your lads attend the charge proceedings and see if the Court Bailiff needs some help. I think that Roberts is a nut case."
Somers said, "I will see to it. I expect that you will want me to read the charges and list the prisoner’s property Daniel?"
"That I will Angus and if I forget make sure that there is a flick knife down to Roberts shown as ‘not on person.’"
A total of three lawyers were now present and trying to get some information from Martin who was smiling a lot but saying nothing.
Compton drew them together. "If any of you are representing more than one of the prisoners we will make special arrangements otherwise you will be allowed a visit in the cell before they are charged." There were indignant protests.
"Surely we can see them in better surroundings."
Compton nodded at the first lawyer to arrive. "He will tell you why we are not relaxing security."
The prisoners were subdued during the charges and had obviously been instructed not to say anything. The lawyers left to make their own way to the Magistrate’s Court and the prisoners were taken in two police vans.
The Court was crowded and Compton had disappeared leaving Martin nervously waiting outside. He reappeared just as the Usher’s head appeared from round the door. "Magistrate’s coming in Daniel."
Compton slipped his arm back into the sling and told Martin, "I hope that I am just going to give evidence of arrest and then make sure that they do not get bail. We did not lay the murder charge and that lets me hint at what is to come. You have to stay here in case they want to call you. If they do just keep it brief and stay with what happened in the pub."
As the door opened and Compton walked in Martin could see that the Court was packed to the seams. The Stipendiary Magistrate was used to dealing with petty offences, drunks and assaults so he peered over his glasses and asked, "Who appears for the prosecution?"
Daniel stood and said, "Prosecution Counsel has not been appointed yet Your Worship but I am Detective Sergeant Compton and I will stand in this morning."
"Mr Clerk, read the charges please." and the Magistrate leaned over the better to hear.
Charges of conspiring to steal postal orders and cash from Blasely Post Office and assaults on police occasioning grievous bodily harm with intent were read. The attempt to break and enter the premises known as Ivys and the discharge of an unlicensed firearm were read slowly and when the charges of rape concluded the Clerk’s reading there was a sigh which ran through the Court.
The Magistrate asked, "Are these individuals represented?"
The three lawyers stood up and gave their names. Tyler, a long lean figure who had attended the Identification Parade said, "If you please your Worship my friends have asked me to address the Court. We have scarcely received any information from the police to support these charges. We are all asking the Court to grant bail on behalf of our clients."
"What do the police have to say?" was the next comment from the Magistrate.
"Your worship we strongly oppose bail on the grounds that witnesses may be interfered with and the enquiries which will be made to see if other more serious charges will be laid."
Waving a hand at Tyler who was on his feet to halt him, the Magistrate said, "Please let me have evidence of arrest sergeant."
Compton took the oath making sure that his one handedness was underlined. He told of the incident in the pub after the group had been reported leaving Ivys and the knife used by Roberts. He also described the Identification Parade, which had picked out Roberts and Conley to support the rape charges.
"Thank you sergeant. Mr Tyler I think that we can reserve any questions that you might have for the sergeant until the next court appearance. In reference to the bail request I must consider the use of a weapon, which caused injuries to the police who had identified themselves to the accused. There will be no bail but you can renew your request at the next appearance. Remanded for fourteen days in custody."
There was a movement in the dock and the Magistrate called urgently, "Bailiff, clear the dock!"
There was assistance in the form of two uniformed Constables who had stood at the back of the Court and the sounds of a struggle could be heard as the prisoners were herded below.
Compton beckoned to Martin and they were moving to use a rear exit and avoid the press who were coming out of the Courtroom when a flushed Trubman held Compton up.
"I have to talk to you sergeant. You helped me save the DeVere account but I am afraid that swindler has decamped and probably taken his other client’s money."
Trubman felt that he was not being taken seriously as he saw Compton smiling.
"You always have to think ahead sir. When you told him to expect an inspector he knew the game was up. The obvious places where he would try to get out of the Country were Newhaven for the cross channel ferry and Heathrow. I phoned them both when I got back to the office. This morning I spent a few minutes with a Magistrate who is not trying our case and got a warrant.
Marles and the girl were stopped at Newhaven before they boarded the ferry and their effects were searched. He had an extremely large sum of money in his suitcases and so did she. They will be returned here under escort and I hope that when your investigator has had a chance to contact some of his clients we will be able to charge them both."
As he had been listening Trubman’s face began to light up like the sun coming out from behind a cloud.
"Bless you sergeant you may have saved my reputation and some people a lot of money."
The Superintendent was once more visiting the Chief Constable and in much the same state as the previous occasion.
"You really have to understand the position that I am in sir. The C.I.D behaviour is encouraging the uniform to defy my authority."
The Chief Constable got out of his chair and made sure that the door was firmly shut. "Listen to me Horace and listen very carefully. We have left these people to handle a serious investigation against our advice to the Watch Committee expecting them to fall down on the job. We know now that they didn’t. Not only that but they are going to emerge as heroes. So where do you think that leaves us?"
All bombast was gone now. "What do you think they will do sir?"
"Well Trubman works with Caroline Denson. She seems to be linked to DeVere who if you have forgotten is the son of a war hero. Denson has a great deal of influence in case you hadn’t noticed. Then you have Elizabeth McGregor who we thought would be an irritant on the Watch Committee but now seems to sympathise with the efforts of the C.I.D.
You attend the police meetings in different parts of the Country. Look for a good opening and if you see one that will fit me I will be obliged."
The Superintendent left the office a great deal more deflated than when he went in. The summons to a Watch Committee meeting was not long in coming.