“Please do come in. Inspector Scott-Ling I believe we have not met previously, I am Judge Stevens, and of course Jack Richards.”
“Might one venture to say, I believe you are retired, officially at any rate.”
“The very famous and respected detective, Jack the Hat. Still wearing the hat I see, it looks the same hat to”.
He laughed as Jack who had forgotten to remove his trilby, now did so post haste.
The lady seated next to him smiled but did not speak.
“I suspect you will recall me Mr Richards, Judge Stevens?”
He turned to the lady and said, “May I introduce my Clerk, Miss Carver”.
She smiled and nodded but again did not speak.
The learned judge continued, “ May I introduce Jack Richards of New Scotland Yard fame, we have met officially of course on many occasions over many years at the Old Bailey.”
“Little if ever at the Central Criminal Court, Appeals Division an indication of how thorough your investigations are”.
The two visitors smiled, Jack spoke to say, “Thank you Sir”, and added, “Please to meet you madam, I am sure”, looking at Miss Carver.
“Now, said Judge Steven, “the Home Secretary has made it known to me you are investigating some suspicious deaths of police officers and are currently seeking exhumation orders of the remains for second post mortem medical examinations by Professor Webster no less, a good man, very good indeed, highly respected.”
“Yes My Lord,” replied Jack”
“Have you brought me the necessary documentation?” Asked the Judge.
“We have My Lord”. He looked at Doris who opened the brief case retrieved the file, stepped forward and placed it on the desk in front of his lordship.”
Miss Carver now produced a small book and held it in the direction of Doris.
Jack leaned to Doris and whispered, “The Oath, take the Oath". He was hoping she recalled the words.
Doris met the challenge with distinction, took the bible in her right hand, raised both into the air and said. “I swear by Almighty God that the evidence which I shall give will be the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Doris Scott-Ling Police Inspector of the Cheshire Constabulary currently stationed at Chester my Lord”.
“Thank you officer” replied his Lordship.
Miss Carver put out her hand to take back the bible, placing it on the desk”.
The judge asked, “Do you produce to the court a file containing all the known facts surrounding the cases of five police officers all found dead whilst on duty?”
“I do my lord” she replied.
“Thank you both. If you would please wait outside I will peruse the evidence you have submitted and make my decision known to you shortly”.
They left the room; outside the butler was waiting and pointed for them to be seated.
It was fifteen minutes later when the door opened and Miss Carver looked out and said, “Please, come back in, his Lordship is ready".
They went back inside and stood, the judge was signing something.
After a moments hesitation he said, “ I have considered the facts of the case and I am satisfied it is in the interest of justice and further in the public interest that a second post-mortem should, in fact must, be carried out upon these deceased officers, I therefore grant the applications”
“Thank you my Lord,” replied Jack.
The judge then added, “You will appreciate of course these matters carry some risk of trauma for the loved ones of the deceased, I am sure Mr Richards with your vast experience that matters will be dealt with efficiently, respectfully and with discretion”
“They will indeed my Lord,” replied Jack. He added “and the other matter in the file Sir”.
“Ah yes, that is a little more difficult and a very unusual request but again from the evidence which you have laid before me as to the necessity of the evidence and the views of the holders of the information I agree that such information should be released to you but verification of a court order is required.”
“ I am also satisfied that normal protocol should in this instance be set aside and I do therefore grant you the additional disclosure orders you have sought”.
“Thank you” replied Jack.
“Well now officer,” said the judge closing his papers, turning to Doris “may I suggest to you, that as you appear young in service you should pay all attention to Mr Richards.”
“Over many years he has gained a vast and wide ranging knowledge of investigating serious and unusual crimes and those who commit such crime.”
“You may recall some moments ago I mentioned I have come face to face with Jack the Hat on many occasions in the Old Bailey and other crown courts but rarely indeed, if ever in the high courts of appeal.”
“The reason is simple; Mr Richards was such a thorough investigator with intricate attention to detail and the ability to keep focused that once his investigations were completed there were little or no grounds for an accused to appeal”.
“His cases as presented were such the evidence against the accused was always conclusive it was rare if ever any legal loophole could be found.”
“I might add I cannot recall a single case or allegation of any miss-carriage of justice in any case, in which he was the investigating officer. You would fair well to learn and mirror this man”.
They remained silent, then the judge said, “Well thank you that closes proceedings”.
“Thank you Mu Ludd” replied Jack emulating the court phrase; they were about to leave when the judge called.
“Mr Richards”.
Jack turned; the Judge smiled and said, “I can’t be involved further in this case now having seen your evidence to date”
“I am not breaking any protocols by saying that I have been honoured to be invited to this year’s annual conference of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Constabulary and Chief Officers of Police.”
“The end for once may well prove to me more interesting than the conference,” he smiled, winked and finally looked down at his papers.
Jack turned and left the room.
They were heading out of town when Doris looked and realised that the car required fuel, in her excitement with the new vehicle she had forgotten to top it up, seeing a large filling station she pulled in and stopped.
Having completed the refill she walked to the Garage shop, there was a large notice on the door as there was on each petrol pump, which read, “Will all motor cyclists please remove their helmets and likewise those wearing hoods”.
Such a motorcyclist was entering the shop in front of her. He was wearing his helmet but could be seen to be a man, middle aged, short in stature, fat and white and obviously in rush.
As Jack sat in the car with open window he looked, never in the history of terrorism he thought had there ever been such a suicide bomber nor in fact any he had dealt with as armed robbers.
Still he thought that was the rule same for everyone and one could understand the reason for the rule.
The motorcyclist appeared exasperated and on approaching the door a voice on the loud speaker called, “Motor cyclist please remove your helmet before entering”.
The person at the desk was seated some distance away at the rear of the shop and had called further instructions, “we need to see your face for security reasons please remove your helmet”
With some difficulty, the man removed the helmet, then paid for his fuel at the next till to Doris.
Doris wearing a civilian coat over her uniform looked and asked the lady at the desk, “I can understand the rule to remove head gear but may I ask what you will do now?”
“What do you mean?” asked the assistant.
“Well” replied Doris, “look, here is a tall lady coming she is a Muslim, she is wearing religious head gear. All you can see of her face is a slit four inches wide and half an inch high, just sufficient for her to see you but you can see nothing of her, will you ask her to remove it?”