Handsome Brute: The True Story of a Ladykiller Read Online Free PDF

Lord, no,’ said Brook. ‘I agree, it is like me.’
    He turned decisively and walked out of the office. Suter followed him, but not before deliberately dropping his notes from his interview with Brook on the floor. With nothing said between them, DC Johnson picked up the notes 10 and immediately got on the phone in an attempt to contact Notting Hill police. 11 Suter and Brook returned downstairs to Doreen’s father and sister where Brook jokingly said something about his similarity to the portrait. Everyone laughed.
    At that point a uniformed officer joined Suter and told him he was wanted on the telephone. Upstairs DS Johnson told Suter that he had called Notting Hill Police Station in order to verify some details about Brook and to ask for a detailed description of Neville Heath. But with only an instinctive suspicion that Brook was not all he claimed to be, Suter had no reason to detain him. There was no evidence that Doreen Marshall’s disappearance was sinister. Many young women disappeared for a couple of days at holiday resorts for their own reasons and then turned up again quite safe. Brook had also come to the police station of his own free will – extremely unusual in the case of a murderer on the run. All this put Suter in a quandary as he was now under pressure from his senior officer Inspector Gates to let Brook go. The group captain was clearly a gentleman and ‘a gentleman’s word should be accepted’. 12 But Suter was convinced the man was Heath and was prepared to stake his job on it. He went back downstairs where Brook was still in conversation with Mr Marshall and his daughter. After asking Mr Marshall where he could contact him, Suter wished the Marshalls goodbye and remained with Brook.
    By this time, Brook had manouevred himself back outside the police station, leaning casually against the low front wall in the late afternoon sun, his eyes still shaded by his sunglasses. Freedom was imminent. Desperate to keep hold of him, Suter kept Brook talking about the wonderful weather, holidays and what his stay was like at the Tollard Royal. Shortly afterwards, they were joined by DS Johnson, who also entered into the conversation. Together, Suter and Johnson were determined not to let Brook go.
    ‘I am a detective sergeant,’ said Johnson. ‘What do you say your full name is?’
    ‘Brook. Group Captain Rupert Robert Brook. Why?’
    ‘You answer the description of a man called Clevely Heath who is wanted for interrogation regarding a recent murder in London.’
    ‘I know, he has said so,’ said Brook, indicating Suter. ‘Look, do you think I would come here if I was that man?’
    ‘I don’t know. You might. Have you any documents to substantiate your name to be Brook?’
    ‘No,’ said Brook, ‘but I have at the hotel. Can we go there and I’ll show you? I’ve got my “A” pilot’s licence, identity card and letters.’
    ‘No, for the time being I must ask you to remain here whilst enquiries are made. Firstly, what are you doing in Bournemouth?’
    ‘I am here on holiday.’
    ‘Where do you come from?’
    ‘Leicester. Thurmaston Aerodrome. I’m stationed there, but you won’t find anyone there on a Saturday.’
    ‘Can you give me the name of anyone at Leicester who can vouch for you?’
    ‘Yes,’ said Brook. ‘Any amount.’
    ‘Who is your immediate chief up there?’ Johnson was taking notes.
    ‘Mr Walters, the chief test pilot for Austers.’
    ‘I wonder if you would come back into the station, sir, whilst enquiries are being made?’ 13
    Brook assumed an exasperated umbrage.
    ‘Well, this is the last time I shall come to the police to give any assistance. By the way,’ asked Brook, ‘am I under arrest?’
    ‘No,’ replied Johnson, ‘not at this stage.’
    ‘That’s all right then,’ said Brook. ‘By the way, when you are satisfied that I am not this man “Heath”, will you give me a chit that I can show, if I am stopped again?’
    ‘Yes, if you wish, and so