Those few that were interested, with smiling faces, and wet lips showing their appetite to read the latest wonder even offering to call and pick up a copy.
They suddenly suffered a dropped expression when asked for £2 to read as the down load people paid or a deposit of £5 for a book, which had cost £10 to print and bind pending the return of the book in good order.
The poor author having explained his books loaned free were often returned torn or covered in jam or even blood.
The enthusiasm of the pending reader now faded and they never called for the book they had seemed so anxious to read.
These thoughts caused him to pause and to ponder if it was worthwhile continuing.
His solace was interrupted by almighty providence with the doorbell sounding.
“Jack” came Anne’s voice “Mr Woodcock is here to see you I will send him through”.
“Ah yes very well”, he rose from his seat then walked to the door and opened it to greet his guest with right hand outstretched ready for the handshake.
“Hello Jack, how nice to see you, thank you for seeing me unannounced”, as he gave the handshake, which Jack recognised as that of the brotherhood of the Free and accepted Masons.
Not returning the Masonic handgrip Jack replied, “It is good to see you again Christian, but what can I do for you?”
“Well Jack, you will no doubt be surprised when you hear of my mission, I hope you will give my proposition your full consideration”.
“It is beginning to sound very ominous but I am all ears,” laughed Jack, which caused Woodcock to feel a little despondent as Jack the Hat was not known for hilarious laughter.
“Well Jack if you will bear with me, here is the burden of my song”.
“Go-ahead Christian, time is something I have plenty of these days”, which caused a ray of hope for the author of the mission about to be imparted.
“Well Jack, my mission is to seek your help, not only my request but that of the Chief HMI and the Home Secretary himself”.
He saw Jack’s face turn to a grimace but thought he would endeavour to persevere and so continued.
“Over recent weeks Jack, five uniformed police constables have been found dead whilst on duty.”
“Two from Cheshire here, who were found dead in their police car, the other three, were serving in the Manchester, Wrexham and Shropshire areas.”
“The officers were not connected or known to each other. They were all found. Just dead”.
“No signs of violence, all had post mortems the results of which were identical, natural causes, known medically as some adult sudden death syndrome.”
“The only suspicious thing appears to be that they were all young, fit and well and just simply died.”
“I came upon the information accidentally whilst making my recent force inspections.”
Jack sat impassively, looking through the window, anyone else would have thought he was rather ignorant and ignoring the story of which such a senior police officer was imparting.
Woodcock however knowing him realised his mind was in full gear and every word he had spoken was being absorbed and digested. Jack made no response even though Woodcock had stopped speaking.
“I have a feeling Jack there may be more to this than meets the eye, but what I have no idea”.
“My mission here today is to ask you to investigate the deaths, see if there is another answer”.
Jack now turned and replied “ But I am retired why me?”
“Why you? Because Jack you are the best there is”
“Unfortunately, I am now engrossed in writing a book”
“A book Jack, not one of them, a book, have you researched the chances of getting it published?”
Jack nodded but made no reply.
“Come on Jack, say you will investigate these cases, if you will agree think of the satisfaction you will get looking into these cases rather than sitting here for hours and at the end more than likely all your effort has been for or nothing”.
“Christian it doesn’t seem practical, I have no facilities, no authority to speak with anyone, check documents the whole range of problems, you know the giff”.
“If you will agree Jack, I will arrange for you to have an office at Chester nick, I will arrange for a senior experienced officer to assist you, that officer will have full powers. In addition all Chief Constables of the forces concerned will be made aware of your enquiry and that it had been authorised right from the top”.
Jack looked towards the window again further contemplating, but this time he did speak, but without looking back.
“What if there is anything amiss in the cases or if there is not, what do I do with the information I find, if any of course?”
“Ah yes Jack it is hoped you will be able to complete your enquiries by the occasion of the annual conference of Inspectors of Constabulary and Chief-Constables, in the evening you would present your results to the gathered audience of the elite of the police so to speak.”
He nodded slowly and said, “I see”.
“Come Jack say you will agree”, said Christian almost begging, he had no idea what he would tell his chief should Jack refuse, something he had so far not contemplated?
“Based in Chester Police station you say, well it’s not too far, and I have a senior officer, an experienced detective to do the bag carrying, who is in charge at Chester anyway?”
“Oh Jack a very great guy I can definitely vouch for him.”
“Craig Denton-Smyth, one of the new breed of managers, so he doesn’t have much practical background but is a wonderful administrator”.
“I can fully vouch for him. He joined the police only four years ago as an adult manager.”
He came direct from University at Manchester with a top law degree. He went to Bramshill was so great there he was successful in the junior and intermediate command courses, back to back.”
“He was appointed a Chief Super and directly came from Bramshill as my bag carrier in fact.”
I found him a great help on my force inspections. I managed to pull a few strings and persuaded Chief Miles Ridwell to appoint him as the Chief Super here in Chester, Craig will be of every assistance to you, no doubt about that. You will be greeted with open arms”.
Jack knew the type they were everywhere in the police these days, didn’t know their arse from their elbow but were ambitious and intent of setting the world on fire at the expense of anyone in their way. He pondered then gave his answer.
“Christian I will just give it some thought, and speak with Anne, then get back to you, but no promises.”
Christian rose, he felt he had stated his case; the ball was now in Jacks` court. He rose they shook hands and Woodcock then left.
When he had gone Jack went down stairs, upon his arrival Anne was dressed and waiting to go out. “Morning drink time” thought Jack, who said nothing simply put on his coat and hat but as he did so, he put up his thumb, striking the front of his hat so that the item adjusted backwards.
Anne said nothing but smiled, then would wait to see what he had to say.
They arrived at the coffee shop, and sat down, Mrs Delwright arrived took the order which he gave her; she turned and left, then stopped and returned. “You did say one tea and one coffee and a piece of carrot cake”.
“That’s` it” replied Jack removing his hat as he spoke.
Mrs Delwright turned once again and on arrival at the counter, spoke to Girda to make the drinks.
She herself reached over took a serving knife and plate and was about to place a piece of cake on the plate from the rear of the plate.
She hesitated then looked up and saw Jack looking at her. She then changed her tact and took one of the two large pieces from the front of the carrot cake plate, then smiled which was returned by Jack.