??64: Chapter 25 Scotland Yard’s Case Handling Principles
64: Chapter 25 Scotland Yard’s Case Handling Principles
In the interrogation room of the Greenwich Police Station, the innkeeper, Mr.
Wells, sat handcuffed across the table, with Arthur and the monitoring officers, Tom and Tony, sitting on the other side.
Arthur threw a delivery slip from the London Gaslight and Charcoal Company on the table.
“The delivery slip from the London Gaslight and Charcoal Company shows that the last ti gas cylinders were delivered to Wells Inn was twenty-three days ago.
We’ve searched all the rooms in the inn; there is only one gas cylinder, and that’s the one in the room where the incident occurred.
We also consulted with authorities from the London Gaslight and Charcoal Company, who said that a gas lamp could stay lit for three hours when fully fueled, which roughly covers the lighting needed for one night.
And one gas cylinder can provide approximately thirty to forty refills of gas.
What’s more interesting is that Wells Inn has only two gas lamps, one at the reception and the other in the incident room, while the rest of the rooms use kerosene lamps.
That ans, if used normally, the cylinder in the incident room should nearly be empty by now, and even if there’s so gas left, it wouldn’t be enough to kill soone by poisoning.
Mr.
Wells, can you tell
why this is?”
Wells looked at the delivery slip, struggling to respond, “There’s nothing noteworthy about that.
Gas lamps are a new product and everyone finds new things unsafe.
Weren’t there many accidents involving gas lamps exploding reported in the newspapers last year?
I also didn’t like them at first; so when it ca to choosing lighting for the inn, I opted for kerosene lamps.
But a few months ago, a friend told
that the London Gaslight and Charcoal company was running a promotion with price reductions, so I casually bought two to try them out.
As for the claim that the gas cylinder is almost out of gas, that’s completely baseless.
Our discounted rooms aren’t filled every day; it’s normal for so gas to be left over.”
Arthur nodded upon hearing this, “A good answer, Mr.
Wells.
But how do you explain this?”
Tom stepped forward, placing a thick stack of ledgers on the table.
Arthur, with hands clasped, leaned back in his chair, “We have ample evidence that you, over the past six months, have purchased large amounts of nitrous oxide on multiple occasions from different stores.
Normal people wouldn’t buy that stuff casually, nor would they know its purpose.
Only chemists, doctors, and those from the upper classes know how to use nitrous oxide.
Chemists study its properties, doctors use it for surgery, and wealthy young ladies use it for enjoynt and parties.
As an innkeeper, why would you be involved with such a substance?”
Wells retorted, “Who says only those people know about nitrous oxide?
Aren’t you, a Scotland Yard police officer, aware of its effects too?
I, just like those wealthy people, use it for fun.
Everyday life is already dull enough; I need to find so amusent for myself.”
“Okay then,”
Arthur nodded, “Your statent seems flawless at first, what you do is your business, and as long as it’s not a cri, we can’t control it.
However, based on what we’ve learned, your financial situation doesn’t appear to be very good.
I recall you personally admitting at the inn that after deducting rent and other expenses, there isn’t much money left from running the inn.
Yet, you’ve spent nearly 20 pounds on nitrous oxide in recent months.
Where did your money co from?”
Upon hearing this, Wells’s face turned beet red, and he couldn’t fabricate any more excuses.
“You mind your own business!
I neither steal nor rob; I just do a bit of trade.
You have no reason to force
to speak, nor can you subject
to torture.
I deny all the accusations you’ve made against ; this is a defamation of my character!”
“Hey!
You motherfucker!” Tony, with a glare, almost pulled out his Civilization Cane.
Startled by his action, Wells trembled and asked, “What, what are you doing?
Torturing
is against your internal regulations!”
Tony stepped forward and gave him three blows to the head, “Motherfucker!
It isn’t interrogation if I’m not asking questions; and it’s not coercion if you don’t intend to answer.
I’m just simply wanting to beat you up; is that an interrogation?
Is that coercion?”
Wells, clutching his head, couldn’t stop crying out in pain, “He’s hitting !
The police are hitting !”
Tom quickly grabbed Tony from behind, “Tony, a couple of hits should be enough!
You’ll end up summoning everyone else soon.”
Arthur also stepped in to block Tony and continued.
“Mr.
Wells, it seems you are quite familiar with Scotland Yard’s regulations; indeed, we cannot subject you to torture, and that’s why we must have multiple people present whenever we question a suspect.
And according to legal provisions, you indeed have the right to remain silent.”
When Wales heard this, he instantly released his grip on his head, thinking that Arthur was submitting, so he stopped crying and howling imdiately.
He said viciously, “It’s good that you know!
Now let
out!
If you don’t release , I’ll complain to Scotland Yard about your use of violence!”
Upon hearing this, Tony’s anger, which had just subsided, flared up again.
“Tom!
Let go of !
This kid still dares to have an attitude!
If Wilcox were here, this guy would have been slapped several tis already!”
Arthur crossed his fingers and propped his elbows on the desk, holding up his chin.
“However, Mr.
Wales, are you sure you want to remain silent?
All the evidence now points to you as the sole suspect.
If this goes to court, those words of yours are not enough to save you from the gallows.”
“I…” Wales’s arrogant smile froze instantly, “Are you, are you trying to scare ?”
“Do I need to scare you, Mr.
Wales?
You seem to know a bit of law, but not much.”
Arthur leaned back in his chair and said, “Let
be honest with you.
Do you know what the investigation principles of many police districts in Scotland Yard are?”
Wales hesitated a while and asked tentatively, “Seeking the truth?”
Arthur smiled helplessly, “I’m sorry, Scotland Yard doesn’t seek the truth, most of the ti, what we seek is a resolution.
A resolution for the superiors, the public, as long as there’s a resolution, the actual truth doesn’t really matter.
Not to ntion, just for this case, your resolution appears quite truthful.
But that is only an appearance.
I’ve checked your social relations; you had no grudge with the two victims.
Plus, you’re an innkeeper with steady property, not particularly wealthy, but managing well enough.
No grudges and a decent life, what rage could you possibly have that would drive you to murder?
You should thank God that you’ve t , not so other police superintendent.
If soone else had taken over this case, they probably wouldn’t bother to continue interrogating or investigating you.
They would just send you to court when the ti cos, pick a good day to hang you from the gallows, to the public’s applause and superiors’ comndation, and everyone is happy, and just like that, the case is closed.
If you prefer to follow this procedure, I can satisfy you.
If so, your interrogation process ends here, Mr.
Wales, and I’ll see you in Hell.”
With that, Arthur stretched lazily, then gathered the docunts from the table and stood up.
His hand had just touched the doorknob of the interrogation room, when he heard a shout from behind.
“Wait!”
Arthur stopped and turned around with a smile.
Wales shivered, his legs trembling.
With eyes cast down, he seed to relent before he finally spoke, “It wasn’t
who killed them.
I…
I just ran errands for them, bought things, provided a room, and made a small profit from it.
Running an inn really doesn’t make money, I…
I can’t survive without this business.
Everything’s getting more expensive, I…
I had no choice.”
Arthur narrowed his eyes, “Profit?
There’s profit in murder?”
Wales swallowed and nodded slowly, “They…
they are a group dealing in the dead.
I didn’t speak up earlier because I was afraid they’d retaliate.
I…
I can’t fight them, nor dare to, they’re desperate people.”
Arthur sat back down, “Mr.
Wales, before the criminals are caught, I can ensure your safety on behalf of Scotland Yard.”
Upon hearing this, Wales seed to swallow a tranquilizer, no longer hiding anything.
He took a deep breath and asked, “Officer, have you heard about the serial killings of sixteen people in Edinburgh a couple of years ago?
Those notorious serial killers, William Hare and William Burke.
The…
the people I dealt with, they do the sa business.
Kill people, then sell their bodies…”
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