Least of Evils by J. M. Gregson

Author:J. M. Gregson [J. M. Gregson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: detective, England, Lancashire, mystery, police procedural, women sleuths
Publisher: Severn House Publishers Ltd
Published: 2012-01-09T07:00:00+00:00

THIRTEEN

Chief Superintendent Thomas Bulstrode Tucker prided himself upon his PR talents. His skilfully coiffured hair had just enough silver at the temples to suggest maturity and calm judgement. His grey eyes gazed out confidently through the rimless spectacles he had lately adopted. His regular, firm features and immaculately cut uniform – he always preferred uniform to plain clothes for his television appearances – conveyed a man with vast experience who was still vigorous enough and adaptable enough to be a bastion against crime.

Appearances, as Percy Peach said, could be very deceptive; that was a very good thing for Tommy Bloody Tucker.

The Head of CID was giving an interview to BBC North-West television, which would be shown on that evening’s news bulletins. He sat expectantly in the background whilst his young interviewer introduced the item. ‘This is Janet Dickinson reporting from north-east Lancashire. The normally quiet and well-ordered town of Brunton has been rocked by the news of the brutal murder of one of its most prominent citizens. Oliver Ketley lived at the former stately home, Thorley Grange, which he had restored and considerably extended over the last few years.’

This was an important enough death to warrant a helicopter budget, and impressive views of the older part of the mansion, the entrance to the new building and the acres of the walled estate were fed into the item at this point. Then the young female voice resumed, ‘Mr Ketley, a relatively recent arrival upon the Brunton scene, had established himself as a prominent local benefactor, and his death has already been lamented by the Brunton hospice and several other local organizations who were recipients of his financial support. He was found shot dead in his car in a Brunton suburb on Saturday evening and the police immediately confirmed that this was a suspicious death. We are now certain that foul play was involved. In other words, this was murder. Detective Chief Superintendent Tucker is in charge of the Brunton CID department. What can you tell us about the progress of enquiries, Superintendent?’

Tucker stared frankly into the camera, as the media course had told him to do. ‘Well, Janet, you will appreciate that this shows every sign of being a complex case.’

Young faces are excellent at displaying surprise, and Janet Dickinson too had had her training, much more extensive than T.B. Tucker’s. Her eyebrows rose high beneath a puzzled frown. ‘Why would that be, Mr Tucker? A man as well-liked as Mr Ketley can surely have had very few enemies?’

‘He was a highly successful businessman, Janet. Such people usually have enemies. That is an unfortunate fact of life.’

More puzzlement. ‘You’re saying that envy was the motive? That Mr Ketley was despatched by a jealous rival?’

Tucker gave her a patronizing, elder-statesman smile. ‘It’s far too early to say anything like that. You mustn’t put words into my mouth, Janet.’

‘I wasn’t aware that I was doing that, Mr Tucker. I was merely trying to establish the present state of your enquiries.’

‘Ah! Well, it’s very early to say anything definite.

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