Free Hardcastle's Obsession by Graham Ison Page A

interest. The internment of so many aliens under the provisions of the Defence of the Realm Act seemed to have reduced the volume of crime in the capital. And that, Hardcastle frequently said, was about the only advantage of the war.
    He shouted for Marriott, entered his office and lit his pipe.
    ‘Good morning, sir,’ said Marriott.
    ‘Sit down, Marriott. We’ve got to put our thinking caps on if we’re going to find this toff who’s been consorting with Annie Kelly. I’ve no doubt that there are quite a few firms making uniforms for the army, and I dare say a fair number of their bosses have got knighthoods. God knows why you get made a “sir” just for staying out of the firing line and making a lot of money.’
    ‘I suppose we could rule out those firms that are out of London, sir,’ suggested Marriott. ‘I believe there are quite a few of these factories in Birmingham, and even further north.’
    ‘That’s very helpful, Marriott,’ said Hardcastle acidly. ‘But what about those here in London?’
    ‘I’ll get a couple of DCs on to it straight away, sir.’
    ‘When you’ve arranged that, come back. I’ve had an idea.’
    It took Marriott only a few minutes to set DCs Catto and Lipton to searching for manufacturers of army uniforms in the London area, before returning to discover what his DDI had in mind. It always unnerved him a little when Hardcastle professed to having had an idea.
    ‘I want all the prostitutes in the Victoria area brought into the nick, Marriott,’ said Hardcastle. ‘Today. And at the same time.’
    ‘All of them, sir?’ Marriott was aghast at yet another of Hardcastle’s bizarre suggestions. He was aware, however, that his DDI often achieved the right result by way of the wrong route.
    ‘Every one of them,’ said Hardcastle. ‘I’ll need to arrange for the sub-divisional inspectors here at Cannon Row and at Rochester Row to parade sufficient men to carry it out. I’ll have a word with Mr Tunnicliffe here, and get Mr Rhodes to speak to Mr Marsh at Rochester Row.’
    ‘What time were you thinking of doing it, sir?’ asked Marriott, wondering how this plan would help in furthering the discovery of Annie Kelly’s murderer.
    ‘I think nine o’clock tonight would be a good time. That should catch most of the regular tarts.’ Hardcastle refilled his pipe, lit it and walked down the corridor to the office of his deputy, DI Edgar Rhodes.
    ‘Good morning, sir.’ Rhodes took his pipe out of his mouth and stood up.
    ‘Mr Rhodes, I’d be obliged if you’d make your way to Rochester Row and ask Mr Marsh if he would arrange for a number of officers to be available at Victoria railway station at nine o’clock this evening. I want all the prostitutes there to be arrested and brought to Cannon Row. Be so good as to tell him that I shall make similar arrangements for Mr Tunnicliffe to assist him. Once you’ve done that, have a word with the inspector in charge of the railway police at Victoria station, and ask for his co-operation in the matter. I dare say he’ll be pleased to have something to occupy his time.’ Hardcastle’s harsh opinion of the railway police was that they had a good conceit of themselves, but had very little to do other than playing at being policemen.
    ‘Very good, sir. Might Mr Marsh and the railway inspector be told the purpose?’
    ‘I intend to question all these whores, Mr Rhodes,’ said Hardcastle. ‘One of them must know who was seeing Annie Kelly. And if we’re lucky, she might be able to put a finger on the girl’s killer.’
    Hardcastle next made his way to the office of the sub-divisional inspector in charge of Cannon Row’s uniformed police.
    Frank Tunnicliffe looked up from the file he was studying. ‘Morning, Ernie. Don’t tell me, you need help from the Uniform Branch.’
    Hardcastle took a seat and re-lit his pipe. ‘Victoria station, Frank. There are a load of toms who congregate there to pick up swaddies coming off the troop