??71: Chapter 32: Target of All Arrows
71: Chapter 32: Target of All Arrows
At number 4 Whitehall, in the eting hall of Scotland Yard, a group of people sat on both sides of a long conference table, the chairs packed tightly, with not a single empty spot to be found.
From east to west, one could first see four Assistant Commissioners in charge of important departnts at Scotland Yard and their assistants.
Moving further down, there were over a dozen Police Superintendents responsible for the specific command and managent of security in London’s major areas.
Although they appeared calm, from their slightly trembling hands and their awkward sitting posture, one could guess their anxious state of mind.
At the very head of the conference table sat Colonel Charles Rowan, the Commissioner of the Greater London Police Departnt, along with his Deputy Commissioner, Sir Richard Mayne.
They had just returned under pouring rain from the Ho Office, and their grim expressions revealed that Sir Peel had certainly not spoken kindly to them.
Commissioner Rowan swept his sharp, eagle-like gaze across everyone present, yet those whose eyes he touched averted their gaze guiltily, none daring to et his stare.
Seeing this, Rowan felt a surge of anger.
Smack!
He slamd the table furiously, pointing at everyone present and bellowed, “Useless!
All of you, a bunch of goddamn useless trash!
Who’s in charge of the St Giles Church area, co out now!”
No sooner had he finished speaking than a Police Superintendent wearing the Crown and Bath star insignia on his shoulder quickly stood up from the east side of the table.
“Reporting!
It’s my jurisdiction!”
Commissioner Rowan’s gaze fell upon him as he pointed to the report in front of him and shouted angrily, “Clens!
What have you been doing all this ti!
Such a major case broke out in your area, and you didn’t know about it?
If it weren’t for Superintendent Arthur from the Greenwich Police District being extra vigilant and unraveling the case from tip to line, uncovering the ‘murder and corpse-selling’ case, would you still be clueless!”
Upon hearing this, Police Superintendent Clens’ Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he loudly responded, “Reporting, sir!
According to the docunts from the Ho Office, the funding for the Greater London Police Departnt chiefly cos from the local parish security tax.
You are also aware of the paynt situation of the security tax in St Giles Church; I had to first ensure the safety of areas where the security tax was well-paid, considering the collective interest of Scotland Yard.
Moreover, we nearly lost officers a few months ago in St Giles, a place with many alleys and complex terrain that could easily lead to attacks on officers.
Given the police force I have at my disposal, I had to make compromises.
About the application to reasonably reduce the patrol force in St Giles Church, I had already submitted it to the headquarters three months ago and obtained approval from the Ho Office.”
Listened to this, Commissioner Rowan suddenly leaned back in his chair, “So, you think you have been doing a pretty good job?”
“Not at all,” Clens stood up straight and responded, “I am willing to take responsibility for this incident, and I assure you, I will uncover the full truth about all missing cases and arrest all the culprits.
If I fail to do so, you can revoke my position at any ti!”
Hearing this, Commissioner Rowan huffed, “You still have so sense of responsibility.
When I brought you out of the army, it was because I saw you had so capability.”
Hearing this, Clens felt a slight relief inside, “Then according to your opinion, shall I take the lead in investigating this missing case?”
“Thinking of taking charge, are you?
Did I let you speak?” Commissioner Rowan took off his gloves and flung them far towards Clens, “Bullshit!”
Deputy Commissioner Sir Richard Mayne shook his head with a stern face, “Sorry, Clens, but we haven’t received any orders from the Ho Office for you to lead.
This investigation operation will be directly overseen by the Ho Office, and the highest command will be personally held by Ho Secretary Sir Robert Peel.”
A sense of foreboding flickered through Clens’ mind, “Then who will be in charge of the actual operation?
The Criminal Operations Departnt?”
“No.”
Sir Richard Mayne stood up with a dark face, “The Criminal Operations Departnt will only assist in the investigation and follow orders.
Given that so of the body sellers have already got wind and fled everywhere,
after Sir Peel reported the case details to the Pri Minister, it was finally decided that this investigation will be initiated by the Greater London Police Departnt together with the top three national security districts.
The person directly in charge of the operation, you will et him shortly.
Sorry, gentlen, the Commissioner and I need to go to the Ho Office with the relevant materials to explain the case details to Sir Peel, and must leave you now!”
With that, the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner rose and left the eting hall.
Before leaving, Commissioner Rowan didn’t forget to point at the senior officers and yell, “This ti, we only allow success, not failure.
All districts, give your full cooperation.
If you end up botching this case, there will be hell to pay for you lot!”
With that, the door of the eting hall was slamd shut.
It was a long while before the eting hall buzzed again with intermittent breaths.
“What’s gotten into him today?”
“Can’t you see?
Sir Peel is probably very angry.
Angering the Ho Secretary, how much longer do you think the two commissioners can last at Scotland Yard?”
“He has never worked on the front lines, his words sound like nonsense!
Cases of missing persons being sold are very hard to investigate.
The previous Burke case in Edinburgh took over half a year to find the murderer, and it was only because a tenant accidentally discovered the body hidden in the attic that the truth ca out.
If the Scotland policing district hadn’t co across such good luck, wouldn’t they have just muddled through unclearly?”
“How can you compare the two?
Have you forgotten those famous sayings that Commissioner Rowan always ntions?
We are professionals, not amateur local sheriffs, nor are we those military police who just maintain order.
So we must have better overall quality, more professional investigation skills.”
“You’re just listening to his nonsense!
Cases are not that easy to handle.
He wants to solve more cases, how about increasing our police force first!
My subordinates are already exhausted by daily patrols!”
At this point, the Police Superintendent sitting beside Clens suddenly jabbed him with his elbow.
“Clens, whether it should be said or not, I do agree with your point.
Our funds co from the public safety tax.
Collecting it from St Giles is like asking for our lives, why should we bother with them.
Buddy, you’re out of luck!
The case just happened in your district, when bad luck strikes, there’s no stopping it.”
Upon hearing this, Clens could only manage a forced smile as he was contemplating other issues.
“Nothing can be done now, what else can we do?
Most of West London is in good order, only the dirtiest St Giles Parish has fallen into my hands, alas…
By the way, have you heard anything?
The person in charge of operational command, who exactly is it?”
“We don’t know either, I was hoping to ask you about it.
It’s probably an expert on body trading cases transferred from Edinburgh, given they had the Burke case there, they should have so experience in this field.”
The Police Superintendents were whispering among themselves when suddenly, the conference room door was pushed open.
A polished, black, slick-backed hair, a tall figure, arms straight as a sword, and a spotlessly clean tailcoat uniform, with a police officer’s sword swinging neatly at his waist with each step.
Arthur walked into the conference room amidst the astonished looks of many police superintendents and assistant commissioners.
He placed the round top black hat properly on the conference table, then heavily slapped his officer’s sword down in front of him.
With a slap, the sound of the sword sheath shaking the table startled everyone present.
They looked at each other, eyes full of a strange perplexity.
The Red Devil’s phantom fluttered behind Arthur, warning him, “Arthur, I told you not to investigate this case, you might beco the target of everyone!
Arthur humd lightly, replying in a voice only Agares could hear, “Then let them co.
Unless a bullet pierces my chest, no one can step over !”
Soone stood up and accused, “What are you doing!
Make way imdiately, that’s the commissioner’s seat, hasn’t anyone told you that a high-level eting of the Greater London Police Departnt is being held here?
Move aside now, you’re just a police superintendent!”
Others echoed, “Mr.
Police Superintendent, please leave imdiately and close the door on your way out.
The middle managent police eting is held every Monday, this is an ergency eting about the murder and body selling case.”
Arthur looked at them silently, then clapped his hands towards the door.
Footsteps of boots on the floor sounded from outside the conference room.
The police superintendents turned their heads and imdiately sensed sothing amiss.
Three robust n in blue, black and green tartan uniforms with light red military uniforms, wearing epaulets and carrying officer’s swords, stood there.
Many of the police superintendents had served in the army, so they easily recognized these tartan patterns and badges on their uniforms.
“Argyle pattern, light red array, and yellow Viper?”
The three robust n stood in front of Arthur, ca to attention, and saluted.
“By the order of the Army Departnt and the Scotland Policing District of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the 42nd Royal Highland Regint ‘Black Watch’ Police Battalion awaits your command!”
“By the order of the Army Departnt and the England and Wales Policing District of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the 5th Royal Infantry Regint ‘Wellington Guard’ Police Battalion awaits your command!”
“By the order of the Army Departnt and the England and Wales Policing District of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the 10th Royal Infantry Regint ‘Yellow Viper’ Police Battalion awaits your command!”
Arthur nodded at them, then turned to look at the police superintendents in front of him, “May I take a seat now?”
The police superintendents, foreheads slick with cold sweat, slowly nodded, “Of…
of course…”
“Good.” Arthur leaned back in his chair, fingers interlocked, “Now, please, all police superintendents, stand up.”
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