Murder in Belgravia by Lynn Brittney

Author:Lynn Brittney
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

CHAPTER 14

Scotland Yard was on high alert when an exhausted Beech arrived. Not only were there men to be dispatched to continue with the clear-up in the East End but reports were coming in from the beat bobbies that hordes of “day-trippers” were turning up to see the damage and, in a distasteful manner, they were picking over the ruins for “souvenirs.” Then, there came an alert that there were people gathering in outraged protest outside Buckingham Palace, somehow feeling that the King could do something about the Kaiser’s war crimes, and, finally—worst of all—crowds were attacking any premises with German-sounding names, smashing windows, and threatening grievous bodily harm. London’s police force was stretched to the limit.

Beech joined the Commissioner, the other Divisional Detective Inspectors, and Chief Constables in a strategy meeting. He was so tired that he felt almost distant from the proceedings but, nonetheless, realized that he would have to push through his tiredness and contribute some sensible options. Eventually, it was decided that the King’s Household Police would have to deal with the crowd outside the Palace. Then it was suggested that they would have to request that the River Police, based at the Port of London, temporarily assist in dealing with the attacks on the shops and businesses in the East End of London. The rest would be dealt with by the foot patrols and some extra help.

“Perhaps we could bus in some of the women’s patrols to help with crowd control at the sites of the bombings?” Beech ventured and was rewarded with several disdainful looks.

The Commissioner gave a small smile and said, “Actually, Beech, that’s not a bad idea. The WPS scare the hell out of me, so perhaps they can do the same with these unsavory day-trippers!” The men around the table laughed and Beech felt a flush of pleasure. “When we’ve finished here, perhaps you could get one of your men to organize some charabancs so we can get Margaret Damer Dawson’s women over there?” Sir Edward added, looking at Beech, who nodded in agreement.

“I have a meeting this morning with the Home Secretary and various representatives of the War Office,” Sir Edward continued. “I don’t know if anything will come out of it. We failed to agree on sensible measures to be taken earlier this month when the Lusitania was sunk and we had to deal with the riots afterward. I think that this time, however, we shall have to insist on a full blackout of London.” There was a general murmur of despair around the table. “I know, I know,” Sir Edward continued, “it only makes our job of policing the capital harder but we cannot give the Zeppelins targets to aim at, can we, gentlemen?” Everyone reluctantly agreed. “However, we may still encounter resistance from those Members of Parliament who have vested interests in the entertainment establishments of the West End. Who knows? But they surely cannot defend their interests in the light of last night’s tragedy. What is also needed,” he continued, “is a more stringent defense system around London.

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