clear up these things I will await the outcome with interest”.
Pearson meanwhile arrived at Crampton hall approaching the front gates, what a different atmosphere there was this day in contrast to the days of the Colonel.
Several hundred if not a thousand or more were thronged around the main entrance.
Placards displaying no wind farms, no caravans, no travellers among the many.
The atmosphere as Pearson could see through his windscreen as he approached looked hostile. The massive crowds were shouting abuse at the uniform officers sent in full riot gear to prevent them invading the estate grounds.
It didn’t take his years in the police to realise there was no way he would be permitted to enter.
He saw a field gate ahead so slowed; pull in to his left spun the car around and drove off from whence he had come.
At the far end of the road he turned left and stopped at the home of Miles the handyman.
Knocking on the door Miles answered. It was with surprise that Pearson saw a man with blackened face and bare footed standing at door.
“Hello Inspector” said Miles, “Oh I see you looking, sorry I am playing a game in the rear garden with the children. I heard you stop and I wondered if it was protestors or worse the media snooping around.
“Oh Heavens” replied Pearson. “I need to get inside the estate to the hall, the road is completely blocked. I dare not leave the police car unattended. It is unmarked but it would soon be recognised and probably nothing left of it. I was hoping to get your consent to park in your driveway”.
“By all means officer, please feel free to do so, if you will excuse me I have two rampant kids waiting”
Pearson smiled and Miles closed the door.
Securing the police car he climbed over a fence and made his way across the field, into the woods finally emerging outside the hall.
When he arrived at the rear door, all was locked and barred. Knocking failed to receive a response.
He walked to the front banged on the door. It was on this occasion answered by Jessop.
“Ah Inspector thank heavens it is you, we thought it was protestors, come in please".
Pearson walked in and through the house to the rear kitchen area.
Seated there was Charles Crampton, his cousins Liza, Leanne, Nora Thomas, the house maid and Tom the Gardener.
“Hello Inspector I say what can we do you for. Come to arrest us have you?”
Do not be so flippant” replied Leanne “we are about to be consumed by rioters due to you”.
“What the hell do you mean by that?” replied Charles “for Christ’s sake all I have done is try to improve the income for the estate”
Looking at Jessop he added, “Jessop”
The Butler, hovering, was mumbling, “If only the Colonel was here now it would be shotguns out and clear away those people”.
“Do not be so stupid Jessop, for heavens sake man, remember you are British, stiff upper lip and all that.” Replied Crampton.
Pearson was now of the opinion he had made an error of judgement returning at this time.
With that there came another banging on the door, Jessop went and opened it.
There was talking and then into the kitchen walked Chief Superintendent Jinton accompanied by Mr Timothy Templeton, recognised by Pearson immediately from court appearances.
Jinton spoke; “I can announce the protestors have gone for time being at least. Mr Templeton has assured them only initial enquiries have been made and no formal application submitted. As a result they have dispersed. I suspect they will be back, eventually” he added.
Those present began to disperse; this was now Pearson’s chance.
“Mr Charles Crampton, may I please have a quiet word with you?”
“What about?” he asked.
“The murders of your family”. Said the officer.
“I had better stay I think?” replied Templeton, “it seems Mr Jinton I will be required for other matters in addition to assisting the police with crowd control and pacification”.
Jinton not knowing what was
Pearson meanwhile arrived at Crampton hall approaching the front gates, what a different atmosphere there was this day in contrast to the days of the Colonel.
Several hundred if not a thousand or more were thronged around the main entrance.
Placards displaying no wind farms, no caravans, no travellers among the many.
The atmosphere as Pearson could see through his windscreen as he approached looked hostile. The massive crowds were shouting abuse at the uniform officers sent in full riot gear to prevent them invading the estate grounds.
It didn’t take his years in the police to realise there was no way he would be permitted to enter.
He saw a field gate ahead so slowed; pull in to his left spun the car around and drove off from whence he had come.
At the far end of the road he turned left and stopped at the home of Miles the handyman.
Knocking on the door Miles answered. It was with surprise that Pearson saw a man with blackened face and bare footed standing at door.
“Hello Inspector” said Miles, “Oh I see you looking, sorry I am playing a game in the rear garden with the children. I heard you stop and I wondered if it was protestors or worse the media snooping around.
“Oh Heavens” replied Pearson. “I need to get inside the estate to the hall, the road is completely blocked. I dare not leave the police car unattended. It is unmarked but it would soon be recognised and probably nothing left of it. I was hoping to get your consent to park in your driveway”.
“By all means officer, please feel free to do so, if you will excuse me I have two rampant kids waiting”
Pearson smiled and Miles closed the door.
Securing the police car he climbed over a fence and made his way across the field, into the woods finally emerging outside the hall.
When he arrived at the rear door, all was locked and barred. Knocking failed to receive a response.
He walked to the front banged on the door. It was on this occasion answered by Jessop.
“Ah Inspector thank heavens it is you, we thought it was protestors, come in please".
Pearson walked in and through the house to the rear kitchen area.
Seated there was Charles Crampton, his cousins Liza, Leanne, Nora Thomas, the house maid and Tom the Gardener.
“Hello Inspector I say what can we do you for. Come to arrest us have you?”
Do not be so flippant” replied Leanne “we are about to be consumed by rioters due to you”.
“What the hell do you mean by that?” replied Charles “for Christ’s sake all I have done is try to improve the income for the estate”
Looking at Jessop he added, “Jessop”
The Butler, hovering, was mumbling, “If only the Colonel was here now it would be shotguns out and clear away those people”.
“Do not be so stupid Jessop, for heavens sake man, remember you are British, stiff upper lip and all that.” Replied Crampton.
Pearson was now of the opinion he had made an error of judgement returning at this time.
With that there came another banging on the door, Jessop went and opened it.
There was talking and then into the kitchen walked Chief Superintendent Jinton accompanied by Mr Timothy Templeton, recognised by Pearson immediately from court appearances.
Jinton spoke; “I can announce the protestors have gone for time being at least. Mr Templeton has assured them only initial enquiries have been made and no formal application submitted. As a result they have dispersed. I suspect they will be back, eventually” he added.
Those present began to disperse; this was now Pearson’s chance.
“Mr Charles Crampton, may I please have a quiet word with you?”
“What about?” he asked.
“The murders of your family”. Said the officer.
“I had better stay I think?” replied Templeton, “it seems Mr Jinton I will be required for other matters in addition to assisting the police with crowd control and pacification”.
Jinton not knowing what was
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