Caroline Denson sought out her father on the following morning. "I have to tell mother."
Denson was very quick to say, "No daughter. I will tell your mother and please go and do something this morning."
Then as if the idea had just come to him, "Go and take that car and see Mrs DeVere. If she knows by now you can have a nice chat with her."
Marjorie Denson seldom came down to breakfast preferring to have coffee and some toast mid morning. She usually had this on her own and she found her husband sitting waiting for her and reading the paper.
"Nice spread about the way our police have cleaned up a nasty lot of youths Marjorie."
"Really dear does it say anything about the local Hunt. They are going to have a Ball at the hotel in the City?"
"No mention of that but there will be a little piece in the Society Columns shortly. Our daughter is getting married."
Her head came up straight away. "Celia hasn’t said anything to me."
"It’s Caroline Marjorie. She’s going to marry DeVere’s son Martin."
"Oh...really. Has he got money?"
Denson got up and tried to master his temper. "It doesn’t matter whether he does Marjorie he has a good job and he will look after her. There was a time when that applied to us."
She tried to soothe him but only made it worse. "That was then dear. We have come up a bit in the world since then and we can pick and choose our friends."
He came and put his hands on the table and his face was dangerously close to hers. "Yes I have made money and you have done more or less what you like because we can afford it but it’s time you knew that here is a real world with real people out there and they don’t all want to go to a Hunt Ball."
"There’s no need to get worked up about it Guy."
"Oh but there is. You have forgotten how to be a proper mother. Now listen carefully if you want your moneyed existence to continue. You will set up the nicest wedding that this City has ever seen and I will want to see the list of people you invite.
You are not going to include all those Society women whose brains are in their backsides. If I see one of those hangers on that Celia goes around with I will personally kick him out. Do you understand?"
Marjorie Denson had never thought that there would be a challenge to her ability to buy whatever clothes she liked or spend large amounts of money on entertaining. The steel in Guy’s voice warned her that he was capable of keeping his promise.
She held up her hands, "Alright...alright I will talk to Caroline and see when and where she would like the actual ceremony."
With visions of the photographs which would result, "The Cathedral would be nice. Maybe the Archbishop to perform the ceremony."
"Never mind what you would like to see. This is our daughter’s wedding and she will have exactly what she wants."
Marjorie got up, "I must go and talk to her."
"She has gone to see Martin’s mother and that is another thing you are going to have to get used to. She will be fully consulted and you will probably find Mrs Compton is her friend."
Laura DeVere heard the loud engine noise made by the Alvis and came out to see Caroline swing trousered legs out of the car.
"That is much more sensible than the dress I had to wear to the dance. Come in dear."
"I think that I am going to marry Martin Mrs DeVere."
"Laura please," and then realising what she had said, "don’t you know?"
Caroline explained what had happened. Laura touched her arm in sympathy, "Men can be so aggravating. They just do not understand how important some things are. It’s fairly obvious though isn’t it? I think I knew the first time I saw the two of you together. He has not shown any interest in any girl that I know of. He has even taken you out in the car...and now if he is letting you drive it."
Caroline put her face in her hands, "He doesn’t know. I had to drive Mrs Compton to the hospital and it was the only way to get there."
"It will be alright Caroline. Nancy Compton and I will sort it out...now what kind of wedding dress are you thinking of traditional or modern?"
That had the required effect of taking Caroline’s mind off any use of the car.
The Watch Committee was meeting early. Trubman wanted them to be fully prepared before they received the Chief Constable. He was pleased when there was not the disagreement, which he had expected. The Chief Constable had always been able to sense the way things were going and as he took his place at the table the looks and glances were those of curious onlookers at a fatal highway accident.
Trubman was at his urbane best. "Can you tell the Committee how the arrest of these youths came about sir and the serious crimes that will be cleared up as a result?"
There was no point in evading the issue, "The decision made by this Committee to leave things in the hands of our existing C.I.D. assets proved to be a good one. They identified the people who were committing local offences and as a result one of them will probably be eventually charged with the murder of the girl in Canonsfield."
One of the Aldermen who sat on the Committee and seldom said anything seemed to be thinking out loud.
"Poor girl. It almost seemed like history repeating itself. There was a time when Cromwell was causing all kinds of difficulty for the King and the people that supported him. The Church was set against the changes that the Royalists were making.
This area supported their Church and when the King’s army came out to what was then a town to teach them a lesson the Canon came down from the big Church which is now the Cathedral on the Hill holding his cross in an attempt to divert them. One of the soldiers ran him through with his sword."
Making sure he regained control of the meeting Trubman said, "Thank you and the girl was stabbed too. Now can we find out how our detectives succeeded and why this happened in the face of the unfortunate interference by one of your senior uniform officers?"
The Chief Constable sat up and argued, "Surely sir you must know that our uniform officers always try to assist the C.I.D."
Trubman nodded at McGregor, "The account that we have received indicates that it was more an attempt to take over their duties and could have unfortunately prejudiced them. This Committee is determined that this kind of thing will not happen again."
The Chief Constable could only shake his head.
Trubman said firmly, "Will you please consult the C.I.D and have the best Prosecution Counsel that we can find assigned to this case. We will give you a month to prepare a report with recommendations that will include what steps must be taken to bring our police force up to an acceptable level of proficiency.
It will also include suggestions that will ensure that the C.I.D are able to operate without being subordinate to some uniform directions without the express permission of this Committee. You will forward an independent report from the C.I.D with their recommendations. I have this typed for you and it is signed by the members of this Committee."
The Chief Constable got up and accepted the document. He was going to say something else but just tightened his lips and inwardly fumed.
Bill Bridgeman looked after all the potential exhibits for future trials and kept these under lock and key so that he could testify to this at the proceeding. He had his photographs in separate folder and neatly labelled with the date and time in some cases.
His photographs of the injuries were separate from the fingerprints and other items. McGregor had identified her undergarment and the bloody fingerprints on the window were hers.
Once again classical music was playing and he was humming as he set up the camera and photographed the knife with its blade still extended and a ruler alongside to show its dimensions. Martin was watching with interest.
Bridgeman took a strong surgical steel blade in his gloved hands and pried the body of the knife apart. His small numbered markers were placed against the darker coloured staining which indicated bloodstains.
When he had taken all his photographs he care
fully scraped each numbered area and put the shavings in small glassine envelopes which he sealed and initialled. The hospital had equipment which could type blood from the smallest sample.
Compton found the envelope on his desk and when he read the Watch Committee’s directions he whistled. He gave it to Martin to read and he could not restrain a whoop.
"Let’s not get carried away constable. Come with me to see the superintendent and just be like one of the wise monkeys...oh and keep your face straight!"
The Superintendent could not hide an expression of dislike. "What do you want?"
"It’s what you want sir, the name of a Prosecution Counsel. Warren Gibbs."
The Superintendent recoiled, "You can’t mean it. He is the one that teaches the young lawyers at the University and goes round in sandals and a painter’s smock. Some people think he’s nuts."
"That’s who I want sir and as soon as possible."
He walked out with Martin waiting to ask a nervous question, "Is he right sergeant? We need a good head on this one."
"I have seen him at work son. If they don’t take him seriously it is their funeral. Don’t you think that a man who is teaching the young lawyers all the legal do’s and don’ts can really ensure that we get a conviction?"
"If you say so sergeant but I will bet the uniform are rubbing their hands with glee."
"You did not read that Watch Committee order properly. They now have a severe case of indigestion."
The Chief Constable reacted quickly. "I should not have to tell you. Get him and I don’t suppose that we can hope that this time they have made a mistake."
Warren Gibbs proved to be a small man in his fifties with fingers stained with smoking many cigarettes. He shook hands with the two detectives and saw them looking curiously at his jeans and sweater.
That brought an amused, "I only dress differently for the students. It diverts their attention and gives them something to talk about. I have heard different accounts of this case that you are dealing with and perhaps I can spend some time here in your office looking at the records and them I will look at the statements and exhibits."
Compton held out some typed sheets. "Perhaps if you started here sir and then you are welcome to whatever we have."
Gibbs started to read and then laughed delightedly. "Well this is one of the old legal aid reports that I used to deal with and extremely useful. Gives a rusty old hand much needed confidence."
They left him to read and when Compton went to Bisset she said quietly, "It’s alright sergeant. I won’t let him mess things up."
When they were outside the office Martin said, "She will be like a mother bear with cubs."
Compton was called to the phone and initially felt a moment of apprehension because his wife never phoned him at work unless it was a serious emergency.
He listened carefully and finally said, "Alright dear, I’ll sort him out."
He rejoined Martin and said, "Come on lad. If the old car will still run we will go and find a quiet pub outside the city."
When they were settled in a quiet corner Compton began. He knew he could not let on that he had heard the meeting at the hospital so he took his hat off, scratched his thinning hairs. "Nancy is concerned and that means that I am too. She thinks that you might be going to get married but Caroline and her mother don’t seem to be certain."
Martin was taken by surprise, "I certainly want to marry her sergeant."
Compton’s reserve then failed. "Then why the hell haven’t you asked her?"
Martin’s face fell. "I thought she knew."
"Listen son. I have told you before about some of the things that women prize. The birthday cards for instance and God help you if you ever forget them. The thing that a woman never forgets is the proposal, when she gets the ring put on her finger and then most of all the marriage ceremony. That’s when you make all those solemn promises that you have to remember to keep."
Martin had been following what was said. Thinking out loud he murmured, "So I should get a ring and find somewhere that she will remember for the rest of her life."
"Now you are starting to think son. When you have got that sorted out it is a good idea to see her father first and ask for permission."
"Thank you sergeant I think I needed that."
Compton shrugged, "We all need a good kick up the backside every now and then. Funnily enough it’s the wife that does it for me."
Caroline Denson drove the car back home and expected to find her father waiting for her but it was her mother who stood up when she came in the door.
Marjorie Denson had experienced a kaleidoscope of thoughts after the morning meeting. She had watched Guy’s rise in fortunes and his withdrawal from the Society activities that she loved but that he had no interest in. Until now her ability to spend freely and hold her parties had not been threatened but she knew that Guy generally got what he wanted and that his words were not an idle threat.
"I am so happy for you dear. He sounds like a nice fellow and I must meet him properly." She could not resist asking, "Have you thought about the Cathedral for the wedding? It would be a fitting place for a grand ceremony."
Caroline was shaking her head. "That’s something we will both have to decide and it has not got to that stage yet."
"Oh well come and see me when you know dear. Your father took a call from you fiancée. He is in the garden."
Fiancée had a nice ring but she was still in what seemed to be a state of suspended animation. Her father saw her coming. "Hope you had a nice visit. Martin called with a strange message. He said he would call for you at six and to tell you to put on the glitz!"
She raced upstairs after looking at the clock. Hot bath and then the greatest care with her hair and the faint foundation. This time she would risk a little lipstick. There was not a great selection of clothes in her closet but she picked the nearest that she had to an evening gown with a v-neck.
Her best emerald earrings and a gold cross on a chain and when she heard the doorbell, a small dab of perfume underneath the cross. She came down the stairs slowly and found Martin with her father.
He was wearing a tuxedo with a black bow tie and the feelings welled up inside her. ‘Don't let me cry!’ was her immediate reaction and then she smiled and went up to him and hugged him.
"Now the clothes do really make the man!"
Her father looked as if he was feeling the moment. Martin had said to him quietly, "Do you mind if I ask your daughter to marry me?"
He had replied equally quietly as they saw her at the top of the stairs, "You will make me very pleased if you do." There was a gleaming black hire car sitting behind the Alvis.
Martin hurried round to the passenger side and saw her dress tucked in and then they were off. She turned to him and lightly gripped his arm.
"If they want you tonight...you are not going."
He laughed delightedly. "Oh Caroline you look marvellous. If this is putting on the glitz we are going to have to do it more often."
She wriggled down in the plush seat extremely content. The waiter seemed to sense a special occasion when Martin asked for the wine list and helped them choose from a large menu.
When Martin leaned across and asked, "Will you marry me Caroline?" She stayed for a moment very still and then got up and stooped to kiss him quickly on the lips. "You know the answer is, 'Yes'."
Martin said seriously, "No I didn’t and because it meant so much to me I was scared to ask."
"Well we have not known each other for long" as she sat down...and her voice tailed off as she saw him produce a small box. He opened it and the gold ring had two or three twinkling stones.
"Oh Martin, so much has happened to me in the last two days I think I feel a little faint. This is beautiful." It slipped on to her finger with his promise that it could be altered if it was not the right size.
This time she got up and met him standing. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him for much longer.
When they sat down Caroline said, "I know I hoped this would happen but I could not know what you were thinking. Mrs Compton says she always knows what her husband is thinking."
Martin looked at her graceful shape and lovely dress, "You had better not know what I am thinking!"
There was real colour in her cheeks now. "Ooooh Martin, you are going to embarrass me in front of the whole restaurant."
There were few diners but they had all watched the by play with interest and when Martin and Caroline got up to leave there was soft applause. She linked her arm in his as they walked through her front door and found not just her father but both her parents getting up to greet them. Marjorie Denson shook his hand and then carried Caroline off.
The men heard, "The Carlton...oh that’s nice!" Guy Denton looked at Martin and they both laughed.
"I am learning sir I really am. I have had absolutely no experience with the opposite sex."
Denson held up a whisky decanter. "It’s a necessary art Martin but some men never really acquire it." Martin shook his head.
"I have got to return the car and I will be back tomorrow to drive my own home."
Denson shook his hand. "I am really pleased to have you in the family so to speak," and he followed Martin out. "You won’t be annoyed that Caroline drove your car?"
Martin was obviously surprised.
Denson said, "I taught her to drive when she was little. She used to drive my Lanchester. Not the model with the fluid flywheel but with gears and she learned to double de clutch right from the start."
Martin digested that and called, "It’s as much hers as mine now."
When he returned home it was to find that his mother was waiting for him. "Well I did it mother. I asked her and she said yes."
She pursed her lips. "If you hadn’t I would have had to take hold of your ear and stay there until you did. She is a lovely girl and you should respect her feelings."
He shook his head in exasperation. "I had no idea what to do..." and then he went on to tell her about the evening.
"Well I think that is a good start. Now you have to do some thinking about when and where you will be getting married and who you should ask. There is also the question of where you are going to live?"
"Oh lord I never even thought of that!"
She relented a little. "There will be lots of advice...some from me but you have to remember that you are a couple now. Talk everything over between you."
She went on, "I am a little worried about her mother. She is supposed to take the lead and I think she will have some very inflated ideas which might make it difficult for...your side of things."
Martin showed that he disagreed. "You should realise that Caroline is going to have strong ideas about that. We talked about it on the way home and she wants to get married in the Church where father is buried and keep it as simple as possible."
Laura DeVere gave herself a silent pat on the back. The day that she had spent with Caroline had seen her drawing out her likes and dislikes and a strengthening of her resolve to make sure the wedding was not turned in to a Society circus.