Free The Cop Killer by Harry Nankin Page A

and of course, no one else did, they were far too expensive. 
    It seems he was set to impress someone, bullshit always baffles brains she thought.
    She then kicked herself as she realised it was the funerals of Bob Friday and Sid Upton, officers she never knew but like the rest would attend the funeral, so would the Chief-Constable and the newly appointed Police Commissioner. 
    It was clear now why the Chief Super was gathering his finery.
    She closed the door to his office as she left and ran down the stairs.
    The tea made not only for the obnoxious but also for the minions.
    When she arrived, Ethel was whispering that the new lady Inspector was literally covered in tattoos.
     “I think she has them everywhere,” said Ethel excitedly realising she had pleased the officers with her gossip, the more they imagined the better they enjoyed it and the more Ethel felt praised.
    “Any on her boobs and arse?” Said Striker, “no wonder the Chief Super gets the first cup of tea.”
    Doris realised over hearing the malicious talk “that would be her next burden to carry, but such is life” she thought, “the chance of any of them investigating to reveal anything further was non existent”.
    It was the funeral today of Bob Friday and Sid Upton sad affairs from all accounts.
    “Ah Ling” said Striker “You will be aware of the funerals today, we are all going, but you stay here in command so to speak.”
    “Officers from the next door force in Shropshire will arrive to keep things ticking over to allow all us to attend; you didn’t know them so you can stay behind”.
    She smiled and said, “Would you like more tea Sarge?”
    “Ah yes I will, you do make a special brew”.
    She poured out the tea at the table on the side of the room and quietly dropped a further sample of saliva into the cup, walked over and handed it to him then smiled as he nodded his approval after taking the first sip.
    Doris later stopped Ethel in the corridor, “Why did you tell them all those lies about me?”
    “What lies would that be?” replied Ethel.
    “You know full well, the tattoos, a complete set of lies”
    “Well not really”, came back Ethel, “I saw one on your arm so made it more interesting and flowered it up, they like thinking of the boobs and bums bit, they are men”.
    “I am not much pleased Ethel, every man and his dog will know of your ridiculous story by the end of the day.”
    “It was only a joke,” replied Ethel as she walked off.
    Over the coming days, there were other solemn ceremonies as the other dead officers in the other forces were put to rest.
     None of the officers or the circumstances or causes of death being known to each of the other forces or those involved.
    They were all laid to rest, the ceremonies although unrelated of course still followed similar lines, as the police forces recalled their military type days.
    Guards of honour, helmets, caps and flags on coffins, officers lining the routes, salutes and orations of how popular all the officers were and their good conduct and devotion to duty
    The official enquiries all closed due to the cases being natural causes, the families left to mourn and pick up the remnants of their lives, it was business as usual in the various police forces and stations.
     
    In Tarporley life continued in the same mundane way, Jack the hat and the lovely Anne now had the house straight. No greenhouse in which to play, no golf club he could go to, none of his neighbours who were golfers had invited him to a round or two even though he had left his golf clubs outside in open view, not as a reminder of course.
    Life was spent walking, shopping in Chester and for a little variety the occasional foray into Manchester and visiting the village coffee shop.  They sat alone but did take some pleasure from overhearing the various tittle-tattle passing between the various Cheshire ladies and groups, designer spectacles secured with gold chains fitted on the ends of noses, for