The Cop Killer (33 page)

“The mounted officer had a needle mark on his right thigh showing he had been injected by someone standing at the side of his horse whilst he was still mounted”.

Enquiries and tests at the British hospital of tropical diseases confirmed all the officers died from an injection of this drug”.

“Both professors are now satisfied all officers died as a result of an over dose injection of Rancinite”.

“Denton-Smyth is a meticulously clean and tidy person especially for cleaning his shoes; bulling I think it is referred to and further they are stored in the same location behind his desk”.

“Chief-Constable Craig Denton-Smyth presented himself immaculately whilst he was a Chief Superintendent, he wore hand made uniforms.  These uniforms were stored in his office.”

“Whilst he was away at Bramshill on a course, I arranged for Professor Bolister to visit Craig’s office, samples were taken from the carpet on the floor where his shoes were kept; in addition specimens were taken from his uniforms.  These have since been examined”.

“In the samples from the carpet were found particles of sheep droppings, and those of the game bird Grouse these matched those found at Church Stretton.”

“In addition, in the office samples there were traces of various toxins.” 

“These matched those taken from the death scene at Chorlton Park Lake in Manchester.”

“Samples taken from the pew at Wrexham parish church due to the tacky nature of the treated wood had retained some woollen fibres. In addition the fingerprint matched that of Denton- Smyth who like all police officers has his fingerprints on file at New Scotland Yard”.

“In the police car at Audlem fibres of wool were also found”.

“The woollen fibres found at the scenes of the crimes in the police car and at the parish church in Wrexham matched those taken from the three uniforms of Denton-Smyth stored in his office.”

“I made enquires under warrant with the Tailors used by Denton-Smyth in Saville Row London.  The wool is from a unique supplier and no other shop acquires the material, it is hand made and expensive. A record is kept of those who purchase it.”

  The records show that Mr Denton-Smyth bought numerous items.

  Tests at the Forensic Science laboratory confirm that the wool in stock at the shop, in the suits of Mr Denton-Smyth and the fragments found at the scenes of the deaths all match.”

The room remained silent save for Denton-Smyth who interrupted “This is a stitch up how the hell would I go this bloody place Daram”.

“He does have a point,” replied Woodcock “could it be this Sid he works at a hospital in the drug dispensary?”

Jack the Hat smiled and replied, “Sid has been arrested for threats to kill by leaving an axe at my home.”

“Again has been proved forensically and for the theft of drugs from the hospital, also stealing here tonight items from your coats in the cloak room, nothing to do with the murders of the officers”

There were gasps and frantic pats on coat pockets to check if items were on the person.

He continued, “When I checked the personal records of the deceased officers and spoke with their families I could find no trace of what they did immediately prior to joining the police force”

“I was unable to check in respect of Craig here he being such a high ranking officer”.

“I spoke with General Western, Head of British Special Forces, who confirmed although it was not common but in certain cases the time served by certain personal military personnel could be withheld.”

“In view of the nature of these deaths and another yet to be revealed authorisation was granted by Lord Justice Stevens for such information to be revealed”.

“A check was made and eventually General Western revealed that all the police officers in these matters had in fact served in Her Majesty’s Forces for three years”.  “Further they saw service in Daram.  Their commander was in fact one Captain Craig Denton-Smyth”.

“There were now gasps and the shaking of heads.

“One day ten natives in a village were found murdered it was not for some time that this mass killings came to the attention of General Western.” 

“It was assumed the offenders were local terrorists and no further action was taken”.

“I now turn my attention to the United Kingdom, Denton-Smyth left the military and went directly to the Police College, he did well and on leaving was appointed to assist Mr Woodcock”. 

“A year later all five dead police officers left the army, they were unable to find work and also to ensure they were kept in contact with their old captain they joined the police where Denton-Smyth could keep a watchful eye on them”.

“It was a time when there was no recruiting due to financial cuts.  Their records show that they were in fact appointed by each of the Chief-Constables, who I might say are present here tonight, on the direct recommendation of Denton-Smyth who was then in a position of influence with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.  I am sure those present here tonight will recall this fact”.

Several heads were now looking at the floor.

“Some time later a lady from Daram one Ramona, who had witnessed the massacre at her village, approached the authorities in alleging the offenders were in fact British soldiers, or rather one of them their captains.” 

She was told, so the record shows that nothing could be done”

“She made it known she would travel to England to trace those responsible.” 

“It is my belief this was the mystery woman who visited the dead officers.  One or more of them informed Denton-Smyth who I submit agreed to meet the lady and then killed her”.

“You may well be asking how I believe such a thing.  I made enquiries and ascertained that recently the mother in law of Denton-Smyth had died”.

 “I myself arranged to visit this grave, exhume the body and have a second post mortem”.

“On this occasion it was the grave of the mother in law of Denton Smyth”

Denton-Smyth shouted, “It’s all lies, you bastard digging up an old woman”.

Jack smiled, attack is the best form of defence, it was like water off a duck’s back.

“The grave opened the coffin also and it was discovered there were two corpses inside, the one a young woman showed all the signs of the pink tinge and confirmed the cause of death was poisoning just as in the cases of the dead officers.” 

“I have had enquiries made in Daram and the DNA from the dead female does match that of the son of Ramona.”

“Professor Webster is satisfied it is her body that was discovered in the coffin”.

“It is my respectful submission that Denton-Smyth killed Ramona, fearing she may have already taken the matter further here in the UK.” 

“He met with the officers who related the woman’s` visit. He decided to silence them and he inflicted the deadly potion killing them, hoping to get away with it as natural causes”.

“You have no proof I killed anyone in Daram”, called Craig

“Patience Chief-Constable” said Jack

Jack then said, “General Western made further enquiries and ascertained that prior to leaving Daram, Ramona deposited her mobile phone with the local shall I say Witch Doctor.”

Her phone has now been checked and a copy of the contents taken in the form of a DVD it has now been delivered to me and if you will bear with me I will play the contents of a film on the DVD player on the table there.”

“Whilst I am just getting ready I might inform the meeting that Inspector Scott-Ling has earlier this evening visited the home of Craig Denton-Smyth, in the company of officers of the Customs and Excise,” 

“You will be aware they hold an open warrant and can search anywhere at any time for any goods believed to have been imported illegally.” 

“Inspector Scott-Ling informs me a bottle has been seized marked Rancinite, it will be sent for analysis. I suspect it can be traced to the old witch doctor in Daram”.

“Ah” he said “here is the film clip, please be prepared for the worst.”

“What the fuck are you squaddies doing with these gypsies, do you want the fucking world to know we have a fortune in jewels from that cave. I told you to see the bastards off”.

 It was Denton-Smyth in army Special Forces uniform; even with blackened face, he was recognisable.

“We don’t want any of the stuff sir,” said a soldier

“You might not Evans but I do. It will make me this will, it’s a fortune”.

“I will show you how to deal with these bastards” called Denton-Smyth.

There was rapid fire and all ten people standing in a line fell dead

There was a moment of silence in the room as the film came to an end then.

“You fucking bastard Richards, I had it made; I had got away with it until you came”.

With that, Craig stood up and although grabbed by Doris he lunged to the floor.

Several rushed to the scene. It was to no avail, he was dead.

“Get an Ambulance,” cried Woodcock.

Jack turned to Miss Scott-Ling, “They can call as many ambulances as they wish, look on the floor, the needle and small syringe, he’s injected himself”.

Jack looked up to find the Home Secretary gone and most of the others filing out discreetly.

The Judge smiled, nodded, winked as he left and called, “Let the record show, its “Six Dead Cops”.

It was ten minutes before an ambulance arrived, the paramedic said,

 “He appears to have had a heart attack, cops as well what sort of lively party have you lot had?”

The body was removed, Doris reported to her HQ, a sudden death; Mr Denton-Smyth has died suddenly.

A call came back instantly, “I will deal with this”.

It was Striker in full flow.

“Let him deal with it Inspector, time we got off home,” said Jack.

Jack had done his duty the identity of “The cop killer” had been revealed.

 Some might say justice was served. It did he thought jack bring to mind the old saying

“Keep your enemy close but your friends closer”

The next morning sitting in his study the telephone rang; it was Miles Ridwell now an HMI at the Home Office.

“Hello, Mr Richards, just to let you know we had the post mortem on Craig very early today, the pathologist says it was natural causes, so no need for any Inquest.” 

“The Home Secretary feels it best left like that and the other deaths of the officers the same.”

“There is no point in stirring up trouble; you know what the press would do with a story about cops that were soldiers, involved with an atrocity.”

“It has been decided to compensate the families here and in Daram and destroy the files.”

“I see” replied Jack, “fair enough if you intend to cuff it, that is a matter for you and I suspect the powers to be.”

“I will give Inspector Scott-Ling all my notes and everything else; you can then arrange to have them shredded”.

“Yes, quite” replied Ridwell and, “oh your fees”.

Jack thought and said, “I presume you will pay me a Superintendents salary for the time I was on the case”.