A Necessary End Read Online Free PDF

first.
    â€œThirty-six, sir.” It was a constable with a split lip and the top button torn off his jacket who answered. “And I’ve heard there’s ten more at the hospital.”
    â€œAny serious injuries?”
    â€œNo, sir. Except, well, Constable Gill.”
    â€œYes. So if there were about a hundred at the demo, there’s almost a fifty-fifty chance we’ve already caught our killer. First, I want everyone searched, fingerprinted and examined for Gill’s bloodstains. Constable Reynolds, will you act as liaison with the hospital?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œThe same procedure applies there. Ask the doctor to check the ten patients for blood. Next we’ve got to find the murder weapon. All we know so far is that PC Gill was stabbed. We don’t know what kind of knife was used, so anything with a blade is suspicious, from a kitchen knife to a stiletto. There’s some extra men on the way from York, but I want a couple of you to start searching the street thoroughly right away, and that includes having a good look down the grates, too. Clear so far?”
    Some muttered, “Yes, sir.” Others nodded.
    â€œRight. Now we get to the hard work. We’ll need a list of names: everyone we’ve got and anyone else we can get them to name. Remember, about sixty people got away, and we have to know who they were. If any of you recall seeing a familiar face we don’t have here or at the hospital, make a note of it. I don’t suppose the people we question will want to give their friends away, but lean on them a bit, do what you can. Be on the look-out for any slips. Use whatever cunning you have. We also want to know who the organizers were and what action groups were represented.
    â€œI want statements from everyone, even if they’ve nothing to say. We’re going to have to divide up the interrogations, so just do the best you can. Stick to the murder; ask about anyone with a knife. Find out if we’ve got any recorded troublemakers in the cells; look up theirfiles and see what you come up with. If you think someone’s lying or being evasive, push them as far as you can, then make a note of your reservations on the statement. I realize we’re going to be swamped with paperwork, but there’s no avoiding it. Any questions?”
    Nobody said a word.
    â€œFine. One last thing: we want statements from all witnesses, too, not just the demonstrators. There must have been some people watching from those flats overlooking the street. Do the rounds. Find out if anyone saw anything. And rack your own brains. You know there’ll be some kind of official enquiry into why all this happened in the first place, so all of you who were there might as well make a statement now, while the events are fresh in your minds. I want all statements typed and on Superintendent Gristhorpe’s desk first thing in the morning.”
    Banks looked at his watch. “It’s nine-thirty now. We’d better get cracking. Anything I’ve overlooked?”
    Several officers shook their heads; others stood silent. Finally a policewoman put her hand up. “What are we to do with the prisoners, sir, after we’ve got all the statements?”
    â€œFollow normal procedure,” Banks said. “Just charge them and let them go unless you’ve got any reason to think they’re involved in PC Gill’s death. They’ll appear before the magistrate as soon as possible. Is that all?” He paused, but nobody said anything. “Right. Off you go then. I want to know about any leads as soon as they come up. With a bit of luck we could get this wrapped up by morning. And would someone take some of the prisoners upstairs? There’ll be three of us interviewing up there when the super arrives.” He turned to Richmond. “We’ll want you on the computer, Phil. There’ll be a lot of records to check.”
    â€œThe super’s