Murder at the Chapel

Murder at the Chapel

Copyright Michael Vidal 2018

Michael Vidal

The right of Michael Vidal to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Authors Note

While all the positions mentioned in this book do exist the descriptions of the people holding those posts are fictional and bear no resemblance to the actual holders of those offices. Of course as said before neither the Office of the Chief Investigator or Unit 12 exists. Both of them and the officers working for them are a figment of my imagination as is the degree of violence used by some of the OCI Officers. In reality any officer using violence on a prisoner would be prosecuted.

All characters are fictional and do not reflect the characters of any living person.

Chapter One

SI-5 sat in a reflective mood at her desk. In seven hours when the reorganisation of the Office of the Chief Investigator takes effect she will become one of the two Deputy Chief Investigators and lose her current service designation. It has been agreed that her new designation will be DCI-2. The previous position of Assistant Chief Investigator has been abolished so she has more responsibility and the dreaded paperwork that goes with it to deal with. At least her new executive assistant would deal with the paperwork.

Her executive assistant is the only male on her personal staff and the fact that he is single; six foot with moderately good looks had nothing to do with him getting the job. Being a black belt in judo and a former army officer did. He has made it quite clear what he thinks about his Boss but acts in a professional manner. The other change being bought in was she now had a press officer dedicated to dealing with inquiries from the press on her Command and its activities. SI-5 could never understand why fuck off was not an appropriate response. So she now had a press officer to give long statements telling the press absolutely nothing. As she was the female opposite of her executive assistant none of the reporters seemed to mind listening to her talking for half an hour without actually saying anything.

So these days she never went anywhere on official business other than a crime scene without both EA-4 and PO-4. This was a far cry from when she first became a senior investigator when her foul language kept her face off the television unless she was appearing before the Home Affairs Select Committee. It was thanks to those cretins that the provisions that allowed law enforcement agencies to keep a proportion of any criminal gains recovered were removed. The result was that there is no longer any incentive to try and recover the financial gains of crooks so in most cases criminals keep their money. The fact that the Treasury benefited from the previous arrangement by not having to pay for the upkeep of buildings and the deficit was wiped out was irrelevant.

The working arrangement with the Security Service was still working fine despite all attempts to strangle it with bureaucracy. It helped that her brother Stuart did as she said and allowed the paperwork to follow. Unfortunately the same could not be said about working with Unit 12. Amanda was as stubborn as always and still insisted that Unit 12 did not exist so refused to cooperate unless one of her operations was affected. Looking at the time SI-5 realised she would be late for Investigator 17's retirement party.

After being her unofficial deputy for ten years he was retiring and leaving England for his holiday home. SI-5 had received an invite to spend some time there. Thinking of the party bought some of the other team leaders to mind. Investigator 19 and she went back twelve years to when they were both Investigators together. At that time the morality code was in force so it was illegal for anyone who was not married to have sexual relations and same sex relationships where treated especially severely. This was a particular problem for 19 as she was, and still is, not always careful about keeping her sexual preferences private. SI-5 smiled as she remembered the time I-19 made a pass at her.

Then there is Investigator 10 her computer abilities are very good and it was a good thing that she was working for them as if she was crooked it would have been a real task to catch her. Although her idea of being law abiding was not dictionary perfect. This was particularly true when it came to rules that prevented her from doing her job. No man or woman who took her fancy was safe. This thought bought another smile to SI-5's face as she remembered the time 10 hit the roof when she teased her about her relationship with Investigator 3.

SI-5 got up from her desk and put her coat on in readiness to leave for the party. The idea of having a party for a group that normally shunned publicity was unusual. As for the venue it was equally unusual the Savoy Grill had been hired for the night at some expense. The guest list was equally impressive half the guests had Investigator as their first name. The rest where either politicians or sounded as if they came from the who's who of Debretts. Rather intriguingly some of the solicitors that SI-5 and her team have come up against have also been invited including Alison Picklewaite and Arthur Saint.

With a sigh SI-5 bought her mobile with her as she was the duty officer. One unhelpful part of her new responsibilities was that she had responsibility for the safety of members of the Royal Family transferred to her. With this came Investigator 7, who will be redesignated as Senior Investigator 7 from the morning, who transferred over from the Yard where he had been in charge of Royalty Protection until it had been moved from the Yard to the OCI. This also meant that there always had to be a duty officer on call in case of an incident.

At the door to her office her PA was waiting for her dressed in a purple chiffon floor length backless evening gown with a purple wrap around her shoulders. She had on a diamond necklace and a ring on her right hand. SI-5 noticed that her PA was wearing minimal makeup. SI-5 was dressed in a blue evening dress and matching jacket. As the Lord Lieutenant was in attendance representing the King SI-5 was also wearing the insignia of a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Some years ago SI-5 had been made a Commander of the Order in the New Year's Honours List. Also waiting was EA-4 who was in full evening dress which included a row of medals.

'How come you both have one of those?'

SI-5's PA asked pointing to the insignia of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

'It means we both know how to keep on the right side of the right people.'

An embarrassed EA-4 said.

SI-5 could not help but notice that his medal collection also included the insignia of the Royal Victorian Order and the Elizabeth Cross. He must have an interesting story or two to get that collection. It also raised the question why was he working as an executive assistant.

'Shall we go and on the way you can tell us how you managed to get the Elizabeth Cross.' SI-5 said.

'I got it because my first wife was killed in Iraq.'

'Oh I see and the Royal Victorian Order?'

'I see you know your medals. I got that as I did a spell after the Army working at Kensington Palace.'

All three got into EA-4's car and travelled to the Savoy Grill EA-4 used a 'Police on Call' sign to park illegally outside. They were met inside by their host who was wearing full evening dress with an even more impressive row of medals. Among his medals was the insignia of a Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George.

SI-5's PA pouted and said

'Why do you all have such impressive medals?'

'In my case most of these come from stupidity and being in the wrong place at the wrong time.' Their host said.

'As I can see a DSO with bar, a MC and a raft of campaign medals I presume that you saw active service' EA-4 said.

'I may have seen a little.' Their host grudgingly admitted.

SI-5 knew her retiring colleague did not like talking about his past but it must have been an interesting one judging by his medal collection. Their host was spared any further embarrassing questions by the entrance of Investigator 10. 10 was also wearing a full length evening dress the neckline of which was certain to attract attention from any living male. The necklace around her neck appeared to be made from real cut diamonds. On her arm was SI-5's sister who was wearing a trouser suit the jacket of which was cut so as to disguise the figure of the wearer. It was also padded to hide a shoulder holster. Before any questions could be asked 17 said.

'Shall we go in as everyone else is here?'

Dinner was a buffet made from the pre theatre and dinner menus at the Savoy Grill. In addition for those who needed it there was a selection of lactose and gluten free dishes. As everyone made their selection of food and sat down SI-5 broke with convention and called for attention.

'It is customary for speeches to be at the end of the meal but as I am the duty officer then something will go wrong and I will be called away so I am going to give a speech now.'

At that moment SI-5's mobile phone went off with a quick pardon me she answered it and after a heated discussion returned to her speech only for a number of phones to go off simultaneously.

'Apparently I am not the only person who is on call so I will just say good luck to Investigator 17 and I hope you enjoy your retirement better than the party.'

Grabbing EA-4 who doubled as her driver SI-5 left. Outside she asked EA-4

'Do you know where the Savoy Chapel is?'

'Of course, it is in Savoy Hill I am going to the annual Royal Victorian Order service there in two days.'

'Well you will be there tonight. For some reason our attendance is required for an incident.'

'Well that is probably because it is a Royal Peculiar and is therefore under the protection of Investigator 7.'

'What is a Royal Peculiar?'

'A Peculiar is a church or other building that is not under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of the diocese it is in. A Royal Peculiar is one that is under the jurisdiction of the Sovereign.'

As the Savoy Chapel is in Savoy Hill very close to the Savoy Grill it did not take them long to get there. Luckily they both had their identification with them as they were not dressed as police officers, even plain clothes ones. The first thing SI-5 did was have the cordon pushed back. Then reflect that this is probably the last time that she would be using that designation as in the morning it will be taken by Investigator 10.

'Right what is the problem?'

'Sorry to drag you out of the party.' The Inspector said. 'However due to the nature of both the building and the victim I was left with no alternative.'

'Why? Who is the victim?'

'According to the pass he had on him it is The Lord Fordyke'

'Fuck!! Fuck!! Fuck!! For crying out loud why did it have to be that worthless piece of shit? EA-4 get me the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister. I take it he did not die of natural causes.'

'I am not a pathologist you understand but the slit across his throat would seem to discount that possibility.'

'Thanks, we will take over from here but can you maintain a cordon only the OCI Investigators and Forensics officers to come pass. EA-4 get Investigator 7 and call out the duty team.'

At that point Investigator 7 arrived. He was pushing fifty and not doing it well. To say he was unfit was an understatement. He smoked twenty cigarettes a day when he was not under stress and he was also overweight. SI-5 only kept him on as she needed somebody who knew the job plus he was good at keeping the Palace happy.

'What is the problem?'

'I have not been inside as I have just arrived but apparently some inconsiderate prick slit the throat of the Lord Fordyke. Do you know anybody who might wish him ill?'

'Now let me see, excluding anybody who had not met him, no. As far as I am aware you had the highest opinion of him of all the people who knew him.'

'Why the fuck do I never get a well liked victim.'

'Do you wish me to tell his wife the good news?'

'Please.'

With that SI-5 went into the Chapel at the far end she saw a white overall covered figure looking over a covered object when she got there the figure turned around to reveal a young lady of about thirty five years of age with blonde hair. It appeared as if she had been examining the body of a man of late middle age who was expensively dressed in full evening wear. His throat appeared to have been cut.

'Hi I am Dr. Joanna Crotchingham, for my sins I am the duty forensic pathologist on call for the Home Office. You must be the Senior Investigating Officer.'

'SI-5 from the Office of the Chief Investigator that is until midnight when I become DCI-2. So what do we have here?'

'A dead body that has been dead around three hours. If he was killed here he was probably killed sometime after 4pm.'

'How can you be sure of the time of death?'

'Today is Wednesday the Chapel was open to the public until 4pm so if he was killed earlier I would have noticed. I come here for peace and quiet when I need to think and was here earlier and he was not here then.'

'Thanks I will leave you to your work. I have a forensics team on the way.'

SI-5 took the opportunity to walk around the Chapel. SI-5 had lived in London all her life but had never known about this Chapel. She took her time to look at the various stained glass windows and wood paneling. It was the kind of place she would come to for peace and quiet if she could. The pathologist surprised her both because of her age and also because she appeared to be bright. Doing a quick calculation she could not have been doing pathology for more than five years and was already on the Home Office approved list. Then again with all the cuts it was probably the case that there was not much competition for the job. Even so how come she was not at home with her family. The main headache was the victim. Apart from having a few enemies, always a problem as you ended up having to exclude too many people and may exclude the perpetrator, was the politics. He was not only a Peer of the Realm but he was also the Lord Chamberlain. This meant he was responsible for the running of the Royal Household. That created a whole host of problems in itself as you had to work around the Royal Family's official duties when it came to interviewing the victim's work colleagues. As for searches that was another headache as SI-5 was not sure that you could have a search warrant to search a Royal residence. That is one for the lawyers. Looking at the crests of the various members of the Royal Victorian Order SI-5 was startled when she came across I-10's father's name. The connections between 10 and her were interesting. 10 had gone to school with her sister Amanda. Although she was one of a set of triplets they did not all go to the same schools. So Amanda had gone to Roedean where she had met 10 and they had been friends ever since. SI-5 made a point of not enquiring too closely about the nature of the relationship although she was aware that there was probably a sexual element to it. The rule at the OCI was that everybody used service designations even when talking with each other. In fact had it not been for the relationship between 10 and Amanda 5 would not know what 10's name was. As 10 did not inherit her late father's seat in the House of Lords she was able to carry on working at the OCI, although she did inherit the title from her late father. As SI-5 carried on walking around the chapel she noted the shields of a number of her cousins. In her case there was a similar plaque in St Paul’s Cathedral in the Chapel of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. As SI-5 finished her walk around the chapel the forensics team arrived. The OCI had its own dedicated forensics team paid for out of monies recovered by her team in the course of their investigations. Senior Investigator 5 watched for a while as they went to work. Noticing that the pathologist was about to leave moved to join her.

'Dr. Crotchingham can I have a word please?'

The pathologist turned around at the sound of her name.

'How can I help?'

'Pardon me but you look a bit young for a Home Office Pathologist.'

'Well at the rates they pay the Home Office is lucky to get anyone. I only do it as it is slightly more interesting than lecturing and it supplements my income from lecturing. So why are you dressed up?'

'I was supposed to be at the retirement party for one of my Investigators who is retiring and as the Lord Lieutenant was present I had to break out the medals. What can you tell me?'

'He is dead. The rest will have to wait for the PM.'

'Doctor even I can tell that much. Any idea on what kind of knife killed him.'

'That is why you will have to wait for the PM I am not sure that the slit throat is the cause of the death. If it was he did not die here.'

'Why not?'

'There is not enough blood around.'

'What time is the PM I will send one of my Investigators down to observe.'

'11am at Poplar mortuary.'

With that the pathologist left for home

The following morning saw the first team meeting under the new arrangements with everyone getting used to their new service designations. Attending for the first time was Acting Senior Investigator 4 who was taking over from the former Investigator 17 who had retired. Normally DCI-2 would have made a substantive appointment almost immediately. However, after the error of judgment over making Investigator 14 a team leader only for her to fail to pass probation DCI-2 wanted to take more time before making a substantive appointment.

The problem was politics in particular the Home Affairs Select Committee. While the committee was happy with the gender equality among the team leaders. Acting Senior Investigator 4 makes it four women to three men. They are less happy about the racial makeup. Only two of the team leaders are not white. DCI-2 is under pressure to appoint a non white investigator to the available slot. A/SI-4 is a young white female and was the unofficial deputy team leader. She was also quietly efficient and got the job done.

'Right the first order of business is the murder yesterday of Lord Fordyke. 7 you have the lead. I am seeing the Home Secretary at 2pm so it would be nice to have something to say. The PM is at 11 at Poplar Mortuary. Dr. Crotchingham will be doing the PM. Do you need any help?'

'Yes as the victim was not the most popular of people can one of the other teams do the interviews of the