Published: 13 Feb 2017

Late January’s temperature was hot. More rain had fallen during the early part of the month, adding to previous growth and still the council hadn’t taken advice on burning off the excess grass around the district. Fraser and his cronies were much too absorbed with the opening of the mine and Four Kings, to become involved in such mundane undertaking as official business or common sense.

Council meetings had been short and questions stifled by Fraser and his associates, while most town folk wished for information regarding the reopening of the mine and the rumour of the re-establishment of their rail service and how many jobs would return to the town. That was good news and accepted well, except by those who had sold their homes cheaply, becoming somewhat vocal on the subject, seeing Wallace was not only their Estate agent and on the Council and Mayor and would have previous knowledge about the mine’s reopening, also return of the rail service. Therefore it was considered to be insider trading on his behalf and some wanted recourse but nothing could be proven as Wallace or his associate’s connection to Four Kings was not yet generally known, only suggested he as agent may have been receiving kickback from the sales.

As for Four Kings, the company now owned or had options on fifteen properties. With the reopening of the mine, they should make a good profit. There would be a stream of families needing to be housed. If it could be said the Directors of Four Kings were licking their greedy lips and from the information they were receiving, their lips would be red raw and their greedy financial bellies bulging at the gut line.

George remained in town; threatening daily he would leave while Esca and Luke continued to settle deeper into each other’s company, with their only connection to the town being another visit from Warren Pane, who unlike his Sergeant was still compiling evidence on Hutton, believing he was ready to lay charges against the wayward lad.

Early morning found a crowd gathering around one of the out buildings behind the Council Depot. The body of a young male had been discovered. The excited telephone call to the Police Station found Barnes in a violent mood, accepting the news with indifference he shouted for Payne.

“There’s a dead bloke behind the Council Depot, you go.” He ordered.

“Don’t you think we both should attend?” Pane suggested.

“You can handle it, you need the experience.” Barnes demanded.

Without giving further direction the Sergeant entered into his office and closed the door. It was obvious to the Constable his Sergeant was somewhat under the weather and in foul mood, so he obeyed without further comment.

Constable Payne arrived at the scene to find a small crowd, standing silently in a semicircle around the body. Quickly he cleared the area, asking Fred Jones, who was among those standing by to remain as witness, while he scanned the area for evidence.

Before him face down was what appeared to be the corpse of a young male, the back of the head stoved in probably causing instant death. Beside the body was a length of ‘four by two’ timber and at its end a smear of blood and hair. Leaning against the wall of one of the Council sheds a bicycle stood lone sentinel.

Being satisfied there wasn’t further evidence to be gained, the Constable commenced to examine the body.

“Got a camera Fred?” Payne asked remembering scenes from crime television rather than procedure given to a small town police officer. Fred Jones felt important. He had his mobile telephone and without further suggestion, commenced to take photographs.

Payne turned the body.

It was Hutton.

“Well I’ll be buggered Fred.” Payne sighed despondently, believing he had lost his chance to solve the case of the town’s spate of robberies.

As the Constable stood from the body a glint in the sunlight caught his eye. Reaching he discovered it to be a gold plated pen, with an inscription on its length declaring ‘love from BG’. Payne, believing the pen valuable he pocketed it, with the intention of adding it to the lost and found box back at the station, without giving thought it may have some importance to his investigation.

Searching further for clues the Constable found nothing. It appeared to have been premeditated and by the fact there weren’t any signs of a struggle, Hutton obviously knew his killer and by the fall of the body, was walking towards his bicycle when the blow was struck.

“Bad business Fred,” Payne sighed while checking Hutton’s pockets; finding nothing but a small number of coins and a shabby empty wallet he continued. “Bad business indeed, we will have the big boys from the city crawling all over the place now.” Smiling as Fred moved out of hearing, he spoke rhetorically. “The Sergeant won’t like that,” he paused, “no he won’t like that at all.”

A length of ‘four by two’ took pride of place on the Constable’s desk, doused in finger-print powder, while Payne and Barnes stood looking down on the presumed murder weapon. Neither spoke for some time.

“What do you think Sid?” Payne eventually asked.

“Except for good riddance, I don’t know as half the town could have done it.” Barnes answered without any showing of empathy towards the murdered lad.

“No prints on the timber. No evidence at all.” Payne added.

Barnes gave a wry smile. Of course there wasn’t he knew that as a fact.

During the evening Bill Fraser called a meeting of Four Kings. The four councillors and Barnes sat around the Fraser dining room table in unusual silence. Fraser was the first to speak.

“Sid what’s the issue with the Hutton kid?” He asked, concerned their association with him may create a problem.

“Don’t rightly know Bill, a real mystery that one, he did free lance somewhat and must have crossed the wrong person but I have Payne on the case, he’s a good officer.” There was a touch of irony in the policeman’s tone, which didn’t go unnoticed.

“Well what ever it was I hope it won’t all trace back to Four Kings.” Fraser added sternly. His words directed towards Barnes.

“I’m sure it won’t Bill, he’s dead.” The Policeman concluded.

There was little more to be tabled that night, mostly concern about the mine and the fact that its management didn’t appear to be forthcoming with information. Nor were the railways about the return of rail services, only that it was a certainty.

Hutton’s death brought ranked officers from the city to handle the case, delegating both Barnes and Payne to their desks and answering questions on the incident. Constable Payne gave over his notes on his robbery suspicions as well of those from attendance to the murder scene, along with the photographs Jones had taken with his mobile phone, while Barnes was as helpful as possible, even for the first time giving creditability to Payne’s finding on the robberies. He was now sure Hutton was behind them and most happy in saying so.

Four days later the city Murder Squad had completed its investigation, finding illegal killing by person or persons unknown. The case would remain open. Before leaving, Payne was praised for his investigation into the robberies suggesting his work wouldn’t go unnoticed, while Sergeant Barnes was given a backhanded warning, accused of untidy policing and station management.

It wasn’t the Murder Squad’s place to report such matters but advised it may be wise if the Sergeant cleaned up his act. Barnes made some excuse how busy he had been handling the robberies, while losing the station’s third policeman meant he needed to spend more time on the street. None of which was believed. With their investigation concluded the city squad departed, there report would be posted in due time and if anything more were to be discovered regarding the incident for Barns to contact them immediately, as for the sergeant’s sloppy policing it would be up to a future audit team to comment.

Barnes was once again left to his untidy station and corrupt ways, although a little shaken by the visit. In future he would have to at least modify his policing as not to bring on an audit. Besides his Constable was displaying signs of suspicion, somehow the Hutton incident had a slant Payne could not quite work out. Also his trust in Barnes was becoming shaky. Payne always suspected his Sergeant’s graft but believed it only ran as far as a free beer, or some parcel of meat, maybe a few dollars to ignore a parking or speeding infringement. He reluctantly accepted that but now wondered if Barnes wasn’t deeper into the town’s problems than he had earlier thought and what would he do about it.

Gary would appreciate your thoughts on his story. Gary dot Conder at CastleRoland dot Net

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