Halo Parade (Harpur and Iles Book 25) by Bill James

Author:Bill James [James, Bill]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781471902925
Publisher: Orion
Published: 2012-09-05T11:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

'Mr Harpur, may we now come to the matter of the tasselled and inscribed silver pencil which you said during your evidence in chief was found in the outhouse?'

'Yes, sir.'

'So that my lord and the jury may be absolutely clear, could you indicate to us on the photograph of the outhouse interior exactly where the silver pencil lay?'

'To the left of Raymond Street in a corner. Here.' He pointed.

'Several feet from the body?'

'Yes.'

'It was not hidden in any way by the body or clothes?'

'No, but it was obscured by some sacks of fertilizer kept there. It had rolled under the edge of one.'

'So, it was not in full view?'

'No, sir.'

'You have told the court that it was you, personally, who found the pencil.'

'That is correct.'

'I'd like to be precise on exactly when this was. Can you help me?'

'On my second visit to the outhouse.'

'When would that be?'

'At about 8 a.m. on 5th April last year.'

'Did you pick up the pencil?'

'Yes, sir.'

'Had the outhouse already been searched by others?'

'We had made a rough search when we discovered the bodies several hours earlier. But no properly organized search had been carried out at this time. It was due to take place later that morning when all the equipment arrived.'

'I see. Why was it necessary for you to go back to the outhouse?'

'It's something a detective does. One is always hoping to spot some item that's been missed.'

'And, of course, you saw that the pencil had initials inscribed on it – CCJ: Clifford Charles Jamieson?'

'I think I did see there was an inscription. The light was not perfect, even with the lamps. I don't believe I made out the letters until later.'

'If you please. What did you do with the pencil?'

'I put it in my pocket.'

'Did you show it to anyone?'

'Immediately?'

'Yes.'

'No, I was alone. Later, of course, I showed it to others and handed it to the exhibits officer.'

'Perhaps we can come to those matters in due course. I believe you said in your evidence in chief that during the night, when the bodies were found, Inspector Garland entered the outhouse first?'

'Yes.'

'It was dark, of course, but he was carrying a flashlight, was he not?'

'Yes.'

'Am I correct in thinking that later there was another flashlight and then a whole battery of lamps?'

'Yes.'

'Yet it was you, on a second visit, who saw the pencil on the floor and picked it up. Doesn't that seem odd to you? It wasn't in full view, but presumably it could be seen easily enough, or it wouldn't have been spotted by you.'

'There were other things to preoccupy Garland – two bodies, including one of a colleague.'

'We can ask Inspector Garland about that himself a little later. But the bodies must have preoccupied you, as well. I understand they were still there on your second visit. Is that correct?'

'Yes, they did, naturally. But the original shock had gone and I had time to look around.'

'And what you're telling us is that when you did have a chance to

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