The Shadow of Great Britain

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 time 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 means, if used normally, the cylinder in the incident room should nearly be empty by now, and even if there’s some gas left, it wouldn’t be enough to kill someone by poisoning.

Mr.

Wells, can you tell me 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 came to choosing lighting for the inn, I opted for kerosene lamps.

But a few months ago, a friend told me 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 some 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 enjoyment 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 some amusement for myself.”

“Okay then,”

Arthur nodded, “Your statement seems flawless at first, what you do is your business, and as long as it’s not a crime, 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 come 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 me to speak, nor can you subject me to torture.

I deny all the accusations you’ve made against me; 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 me 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 me!

The police are hitting me!”

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 immediately.

He said viciously, “It’s good that you know!

Now let me out!

If you don’t release me, 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 me!

This kid still dares to have an attitude!

If Wilcox were here, this guy would have been slapped several times 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 me?”

“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 me 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 time, 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 mention, 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 met me, not some other police superintendent.

If someone 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 time comes, pick a good day to hang you from the gallows, to the public’s applause and superiors’ commendation, 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 documents 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 seemed to relent before he finally spoke, “It wasn’t me 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 seemed 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 same business.

Kill people, then sell their bodies…”