Instrument of Slaughter Read Online Free

you should take charge of any case that has a degree of sensitivity attached to it, as this one certainly does. You’ll need to handle the press with great care.’ He sucked his teeth. ‘We both suspected that this sort of thing would happen sooner or later.’
    Marmion was interested. ‘Go on, sir.’
    ‘The body of a young man was found in a dark alley in Shoreditch. He’d been bludgeoned to death. Since he still had his wallet, we can rule out robbery as a motive. The victim’s name is Cyril Ablatt. This was in his pocket.’
    Picking up a leaflet, he handed it to Marmion who gave it a glance.
    ‘It’s that meeting of the No-Conscription Fellowship.’
    Chatfield was scathing. ‘They’re a bunch of lily-livered layabouts.’
    ‘I disagree, sir. Most of them are sincere in their beliefs. Their consciences simply won’t allow them to take up arms against their fellow men.’
    ‘Where would we be if
everyone
had that attitude?’
    ‘The vast majority of people don’t.’
    ‘Thank heaven for that! We can’t fight a war without soldiers. Conchies like this Ablatt fellow are nothing but abject cowards.’
    ‘With respect, sir,’ said Marmion, quietly, ‘you’re making hasty assumptions about the murder victim. Perhaps you should wait until we know more details.’
    ‘The NCF is a hiding place for worthless British citizens too scared to fight.’
    ‘I hope you’re not suggesting that Cyril Ablatt
deserved
what happened to him. That would be monstrously unjust.’
    ‘Damn it, man! You’re supposed to solve a crime, not take sides.’
    ‘You’re the one who’s taking sides,’ argued Marmion, ‘and it’s distorting your view of the situation. To begin with, the murder may be wholly unconnected to the fact that the victim may hold pacifist views. It could have been a random attack.’
    ‘It was deliberate and calculated,’ insisted Chatfield, smarting at the reproof. ‘What could be clearer? That meeting of the NCF stirred up passions. There was a big crowd outside and, at one point, I’m told, it looked as if there’d be a full-scale riot. A gang of drunken sailors actually stormed the building but the attack petered out for some reason. When the conchies eventually left the building, there would have been scuffles. My guess is that Ablatt was trailed by someone who waited for the opportunity to pounce.’
    ‘That’s idle speculation, Superintendent.’
    ‘It’s an informed opinion.’
    ‘I prefer to keep an open mind. May I ask what action has been taken?’
    ‘I’ve had the body transferred to the morgue.’
    Marmion was disappointed. ‘That’s a pity,’ he said. ‘If at all possible, I prefer to see a murder victim at the scene of the crime. It gives me a fuller picture.’
    ‘Are you criticising me?’ asked Chatfield, eyes blazing.
    ‘It’s not my place to do so, sir.’
    ‘Make sure you remember that in future. As for my decision, I was being practical. If that body had still been there at daylight, there’d be hundreds of ghouls impeding us as they tried to get a look at it. The scene is at present being guarded. You can view it for yourself.’
    ‘I’ll do that,’ said Marmion. ‘The first priority is to inform the family of their son’s death. Has someone already done that?’
    ‘No,’ replied the other. ‘I was leaving that to you.’
    ‘If I can have the address, I’ll get over there at once.’
    Chatfield gave him the sheet of paper that lay on the desk. ‘Luckily, his address was sewn into the lining of his coat. He must have a caring mother. That’s all we know about him, I’m afraid.’
    ‘It’s a start, sir. And thank you for assigning the case to us,’ he added without irony. ‘Sergeant Keedy and I are grateful that you’ve shown confidence in us.’
    ‘The person to thank is the commissioner. It was his idea, not mine.’
    ‘Then I’ll be sure to express my gratitude to Sir Edward.’
    ‘The commissioner is like me. He expects