“What did you want Acting Inspector Striker?" She replied to pacify him.
“That bloody car you have and in particular the number, what the hell are you playing at?”
“This is a police station, we don’t want a car with a number like that in our back yard so to speak, and of course you will not be able to use it on your enquiry, there will be hell to pay”.
He banged down the phone and Doris realised it would be only moments before Headquarters would be informed. Jack had said nothing but felt the whole thing was to be frank becoming a distraction for the task in hand.
“Ling are you there?”
It was Sergeant Reg Large the commander of the museum, she laughed to herself, “what next?”
“Yes” she called.
Get down here,” called Large, “a man giving his name as Peter alleged he is from your fathers research department at the factory he left a note for you, he said it is urgent.”
“Christ what now?” She thought.
“Better see what he wanted we have to get on with the enquiry.”
Interrupted, Jack who was now looking a little agitated.
She left the office and ran down stairs where Large was waiting envelope in hand.
She took it, turned and ran upstairs, she could see his face drop, Mr Nosey had hoped to hear of the contents, he and the others were awaiting a call from Headquarters at any moment, hopefully it would be the end of this bloody woman Inspector he thought.
Arriving inside the office, she read the note, smiled and handed it to Jack who read it and for a change, he actually gave the semblance of a smile.
The note read, “We hope you like the car and its new devices, oh the number plate it being your birthday the lads in the office made it up but things went wrong, we all forgot to tell you. We hope you didn’t get into any bother.”
“I have just visited and changed it to the one your brother had intended you to have, it is DOR15, altered a little to give the impression of DORIS.”
“The sat test voice recording equipment has also been disabled, enjoy the car, steady with the right foot or you will have the cops after you?”
The note was signed Peter Clarke, Chief Engineer.
In a flash Doris was out of the office running downstairs and into the police station car park, Clarke had done his work the personalised number had been fitted.
“What is all this Ling?” Came the raucous voice of Tom Striker.
She looked behind her. Striker was there camera in hand, he looked saw the change of number plates and was taken aback.
His first thought was to dash inside and call the Chief- Constables` Secretary, to get her to forget telling the Chief.
There would be a row if someone came over only to find the abusive number was gone, they may even think it had been a figment of his imagination.
She went back to the museum and on her arrival Jack was seated and obviously waiting.
“Right, Inspector, if you are ready, we will make a start?”
May arrived, brooms and brushes in hand, “I will make a drink" was her contribution to proceedings.
“Thank you May,” replied Doris.
Jack picked up the telephone and opening his briefcase took out a small book, written upon it was the word, contacts.
He dialled a number then after a few moments, he spoke.
“Hello, can I please speak with Professor Idris Webster please; yes tell him it is Jack Richards”.
There were a few moments of silence, when he continued.
“Ah Professor, yes I am officially retired but I have been called in to investigate several suspicious deaths on behalf of the Home Secretary.”
“It would be a great help if you would agree to carry out second post mortems on all five dead victims.”
“I will of course get the necessary authority; my assistant will make the arrangements.”
There was a reply and he said, “That would be great; I will send you a full report of all the circumstances and get back to you”.
He replaced the telephone handset when there was a knock on the door.
“Come in May” he called.
“How on earth did you know it was me Mr Richards?”
“I can tell your knock anywhere” he replied.
She put down the drinks and left, mumbling “Very clever man he is, he can even tell a knock”.
“”Right Inspector, I was just speaking with Professor Idris Webster from the North Wales University”.
“He is the world renowned pathologist, described as great and above all others in his field.”
“I intend to get him to carrying out post mortems on all the dead officers.”
“May I ask you if you will go through the papers and type up a full report as to the circumstances of the cases, end the report by saying we will be attending the examinations and will give him any update at that time?”
“I will get onto that immediately” she replied, realising there was serious police work a foot, this was her chance to get involved right at the hub of a major enquiry.
“I might ask you, when done ensure the file is sent direct by secure carrier not through the post, and do four copies,” he added.
“I will,” she said.
“Now”, he said, “I need a word with May” Due to Mrs Richards being away I need more help at home.”
He left the office a search of the building revealed May had taken the opportunity to visit the police station and so off he went in search of her at the only other likely place, the police station.
On his arrival, he asked for May being told she was upstairs cleaning.
He turned and took the lift, on arriving at the desired floor he left and saw May inside the office of Chief Super Denton-Smyth.
“Ah May a couple of favours please”.
“Oh hello again, I thought I would just give this office a bit of a tidy it is kept locked whilst the boss is away. He did say he wanted a little dusting, if he comes back and finds anything amiss there will be blood for supper”.
“I am sure he will. Well done May, you do a good job”.
“What favour can I do for you Mr Richards?”
“Well firstly I was going to ask you if you might be able to spend a few more hours at my house. Mrs Richards is away and your additional help with bed making and washing up would be gratefully accepted”, he said with a prayer.
“Why, yes take it as done, I have a key so leave it with me Mr Richards. I will ensure everything is done right and proper, what is the other thing?” she asked
In the museum Doris was busy going through the case papers and typing up the report to Professor Webster when Jack arrived, he had been gone nearly half an hour.
On his arrival he took out his brief case and the next, she saw he appeared to be organising the inside of it. It appeared to her they would soon be off somewhere.
He picked up the telephone and dialled a number, after a moment he spoke.
“May I please speak with Professor Simon Bolister, please, yes, it is Jack Richards of NSY fame, tell him.
“Hello Professor, yes you are correct, I am retired officially but at the request of the Home Secretary I am carrying out an enquiry into some unusual deaths of police officers”.
“I would greatly appreciate it if you might agree to assist us, that is, Inspector Scott-Ling and myself.”
There was a pause when he said, “Well thank you professor, I will get a full copy of the file over to Gooch Street Laboratory immediately by carrier”.
“I will come back to you as regards anything further as and when it occurs.”
He replaced the phone and then said.
“Inspector if you would print out four copies of the file you are typing and then get the carrier to take another copy to the Forensic Science Laboratory at Gooch Street in Birmingham marked for the personal eyes of Professor Bolister”.