A Full Churchyard (27 page)

‘Well, I don't want you behaving like Superman, Joe. Just go about your normal household routine and let me deal with whatever happens. If you feel tired, go to bed or put the telly on and do whatever you'd be doing this evening. If you don't know what to do, pretend to be asleep.'

‘I can do that with no trouble. So who do you think is coming to see me? Will it be Mrs Pluke again? I thought it was the chap off the telly and a woman carer so what do I say to them?'

‘Just behave normally, Joe, pretend to be asleep and leave it all to me. I'll be somewhere in the house within listening distance. Are you expecting another carer before tonight? This afternoon, I mean.'

‘Yes, Fiona comes to get me a biscuit and a cup of tea in the afternoons, then another comes later to make sure I clean my teeth and go to the loo before I get into bed. That one stays about half an hour and when she's gone to her next client I get ready for bed – pyjamas on – and I usually get to bed quite early – nine o'clock or thereabouts. I watch the news from my bed, if I can stay awake.'

‘And the carer locks up when she leaves?'

‘Yes, she drops the latch so I'm safely locked in for the night. She has a key, the carers look after it. I don't know her name.'

‘So if anyone else tries to get in, they'll need a key?'

‘Aye, but if the chap coming to see my treasures is a carer, he'll have a key, won't he? He'd never get in otherwise, unless he breaks in, and besides, if I'm asleep or watching the telly, I'd never hear him. I lie in bed and listen to the telly but it allus sends me to sleep before the news comes on. I'm out like a light till next morning.'

‘Right. So when Fiona comes to make a cup of tea and do whatever she does, I'll be in your front room, listening. With the doors ajar, I should be able to hear what's being said, but if possible I don't want her to know I'm in the house. If I think she's likely to come into the front room, then I'll come out and tell her I'm a friend of yours. OK? Call me Wayne.'

‘Right, I've got that! So the others will be coming later, after Fiona? They're not likely to hurt me, are they? You've got me bothered now, all this talk of folks coming to take my stuff. You hear some funny tales about folks being let into other folks' homes at night, especially when it's dark, like it will be tonight, still being winter time.'

‘What sort of funny tales, Joe?'

‘Well, my pals used to come and see me once in a while, before they died that was, and they told about old folks being found lying on cold floors, all done up as if ready for the coffin. . . .'

‘Who's been telling you that?'

‘Can't remember, but it was somebody who lives in the town and knows what goes on. . . .'

‘Well, it's not going to happen to you, Joe, not with me here, is it?'

‘I hope not, Wayne. I'm ready to go, but not like that. . . .'

‘So it's a good job I decided to come and see you, isn't it? With all your treasures being valued tonight. Now I must keep in touch with Detective Inspector Pluke but from now I'll use my mobile. I want to keep your line clear, I'll answer it if it rings so don't try to do so. Once he explains his plans, I'll let you know.'

‘Is this what the police call a stakeout? I think I must have heard that on some of the cop shows.'

‘I suppose some would call it that. We might refer to it as covert observations which sounds much, much better! So, if Detective Inspector Pluke joins me, I think it would be wise for him to come in via the back door under cover of darkness. We don't want the whole street watching and wondering what he's doing here.'

‘By gum, Wayne, this is getting very exciting. I don't want to miss any of the action, do I?'

‘You won't, I promise,' smiled Wayne. ‘And now I'll wash the pots before things start happening. You settle down with your telly.'

Meanwhile in the Pluke household, Millicent said she would prepare something and pack a sandwich with a flask of coffee for Montague.

He had not told her what his secret mission was to be, but she knew better than ask. Millicent then told him that she also was working tonight, standing in for a carer who'd been called away on a family matter. At this stage she didn't know which house she would be attending. With Millicent busy in the kitchen, Pluke rang Wayne from his bedroom, using his mobile phone.

‘Wayne?'

‘Speaking.'

Pluke whispered, ‘I'll come to Mr Knowles' house when his afternoon carer has left. I understand you've not seen John Furnival this afternoon?'

‘Not a whisper. According to his secretary, he always gets right away from Crickledale during his time off. He visits antique shops in Leeds and Harrogate, he's keen on the small stuff like trinkets and portable items.'

‘That's significant, Wayne. Getting away from call-outs, I mean. Well, it looks as though you might have pre-empted a bold attempt to steal from Mr Knowles, and who knows what might have happened to him. He's not wanting to die, is he?'

‘He wants to live as long as he can, there's no sign of him wanting a mercy killing. In fact he's told me that he wants to live and enjoy this world for as long as possible. Nonetheless, he's very frail but alert and chatty. He knows his heart is weak and a sudden shock could finish him off.'

‘Hmm. I'm sure his carers know that. So if they took him from his bed and laid him on a cold floor, the shock might end his life?'

‘I'm not a doctor, I've no idea of the effect of that. But if these old folks have any guts, they won't just lie on those cold floors until they die, surely? I can't see Joe Knowles letting them do that to him, frail though he is. He's a fighter.'

‘That's why I think at least two people must have been involved in those earlier deaths, Wayne. It would require two to carry a person from his or her bed and then to hold them down on the floor. We're not thinking of a lone rogue carer. You need two to carry a person even when alive. If a frail old lady was hoisted out of her bed by someone using the fireman's lift, it would still require two fairly fit people to lay her on the floor without causing any injuries . . . and they must have remained with the victim until it was certain he or she was dead. It's murder, Wayne, there's no doubt about it. Murder in the course of theft or burglary, always targeting valuables. And tonight, it will be attempted murder. We shall prevent it.'

‘It won't be easy.'

‘It won't, but the element of surprise will be on our side. I'm hoping we will be the reliable witnesses to this.'

‘It doesn't make the carers appear in a very good light, does it?'

‘Far from it, Wayne, which is why we need to find John Furnival as soon as possible. We need a long talk with him! Before this call though, I alerted Inspector Horsley and Sergeant Cockfield-pronounced-Cofield to our plans. They will brief the town patrols who will report Furnival's movements if he turns up anywhere in town. I'll not reveal my whereabouts to anyone tonight, not even my wife. This is a very secret operation, Wayne.'

‘You don't still suspect Mrs Pluke, do you?'

‘She's involved with the carers tonight so she remains in the frame, as they say. That's all I can say at this juncture. I know I shouldn't be thinking of my wife in this way but this evening's vigil will help to prove the innocence of many and perhaps the guilt of a few. I hope it shows there is no general CVC conspiracy, it's all down to a few roguish members. That's how I see things.'

‘It's all making sense now.'

‘Then you'll understand why I dare not inform Mrs Pluke of my whereabouts in case she inadvertently lets it known to others, particularly the suspects. As we say in the world of criminal investigation, she might blow the gaff. Unwittingly.'

‘I'll remain here, waiting and watching with Joe Knowles. He's looking forward to the police activity, but I reckon he'll sleep through it all.'

‘I hope he does, Wayne. That would be one worry less! Now this is what I am planning. Once the afternoon carer has left, I shall come to the rear door. Meanwhile, back-up from the town's uniform branch will arrive under cover of darkness and conceal themselves. There is ample cover near the house. Make sure you are able to let me in.'

‘I will.'

‘Good. I shall then instruct a uniformed constable to position himself in the vicinity of that rear door to observe events in secret and when possible to report by radio to Sergeant Cockfield-pronounced-Cofield in the Control Room. He'll ensure he is not seen by those coming into the house – fortunately, it's January so it'll be dark early. Before I join you, I'll prepare my surveillance microphones, cameras and recording machines and when I arrive, I will secrete them in Mr Knowles' room and also upstairs where his treasures are kept. I'll not let him know where I've hidden the equipment in case he lets the cat out of the bag or glances towards their hiding places. It will take a while to install the equipment and I'll be pleased if you could divert Mr Knowles' attention whilst I'm doing that.'

‘No problem, I can get him talking about his athletic successes!'

‘Good. Meanwhile, Wayne, before I arrive, can you discreetly chat to Mr Knowles to identify a few good places where I can conceal the equipment.'

‘Yes, there'll be no large pieces, will there?'

‘No, they're all small instruments, easily concealed behind furniture or even in bookcases. I'll carry them into the house in the large pockets of my greatcoat. As our man on the ground, do these plans seem feasible, Wayne?'

‘I'd say very suitable, just what we need. And very necessary.'

‘It means we shall be well prepared, Wayne, but I do not expect the targets to arrive before eight o'clock. We can bring our own food from Tesco. You and I will be in touch with Control via our mobile telephones; the house phone will be left available for emergencies. When I arrive you must introduce me to Mr Knowles and give me a quick tour of the house to familiarize myself with its layout and, of course, the location of the valuables. We have no time to waste, Wayne. When crooks are about, the best laid plans of mice and policemen can often go astray.'

‘At the moment, I see no difficulties. The only problem would be if the villains turn up before we're ready for them.'

‘I'm sure they will not arrive until at least eight o'clock which gives us time to prepare a welcoming party.'

‘Why are you so confident about that?'

‘I'll explain when I arrive. Now, I'm thinking, Wayne, that if these people are seeking to remove objects in secret from Mr Knowles' house, they will not do so via the front door. Approaches to front doors can be observed by too many people; consequently we shall make good use of the back door and the cover of darkness. I'll bring some battery-operated miniature night-sight cameras to cover all exits. You will gather, Wayne, that I'm approaching this project with the utmost seriousness.'

‘I'm impressed. I'll be ready and waiting. I should warn you, however, that Joe Knowles is very frail and admits to being confused.'

‘Thanks for the warning but we'll cope. When I arrive, you must fully update me – and well done, Wayne, for recognizing the need for this raid.'

‘Thank you, sir – but our thanks are really due to Mrs Plumpton.'

Before leaving Crickledale police station, Pluke reiterated his plans to Inspector Horsley and after approving the inspector's plans for his part in the covert operation, Pluke asked that one of Horsley's officers drive him close to Joe's house but not to the actual site. Pluke wanted to arrive there quietly in a plain car under cover of darkness. Instead of wearing his usual overcoat and hat, he wore the black coat he'd used for Mrs Langneb's funeral, along with a black hat and black leather gloves. Like all Montague's coats and jackets, this one had very large pockets.

When he arrived at 6.15 p.m., the afternoon carer had left and so he entered through the back door, then closed it and locked it with the mortise key that remained in the lock. Wayne led him through to Joe's ground-floor bedroom and introduced him to Joe. He was in his armchair reading a book and looked very frail indeed.

‘Mr Knowles, it's good to see you,' and Pluke shook his hand. ‘It's kind of you to accommodate us like this.'

‘No problem, Mr Pluke. It's better than television, having a stakeout in my own house. So what do you want me to do? Am I supposed to fight burglars and rescue damsels in distress? I was a bit of a fighter in my day, you know.'

‘Nothing quite so exciting, Mr Knowles. We just want you to do exactly what you'd do normally. Don't let your visitors know we're in the house and above all, don't mention this to anyone. That's vital.'

‘Mebbe it would be better if I was asleep when they come?'

‘Or pretending to be asleep!' smiled Wayne.

‘Aye, I can do that. Nod off in my chair or bed or wherever I am, but when she comes, she'll wake me for my tea and a trip to the toilet before I get into my pyjamas and climb into bed.'

‘One important point, Mr Knowles,' said Pluke with as much seriousness as he could muster. ‘I want you to tell me whether they – or indeed anyone – have permission to remove any of your valuables from the house.'

‘Well, she said they would need to be valued, not that I'm thinking of getting rid of 'em just yet, I don't want 'em going away for ever but mebbe one day I'll send 'em to a museum. I've no family you see, Mr Pluke, so I do need to make sure they go to t'right spot.'

‘A nice gesture, I'm sure.'

‘It was me who said they should get a chap to come
here
to look at 'em . . . I'd be happier with that arrangement.'

‘And you told her that?'

‘Aye, but she insisted they went away somewhere. That's what's going to happen tonight, they're taking my stuff away to be valued, so they say.'