chapter 59
The interrogation room at the Greenwich police station was a tense scene. Across the table from Arthur sat the innkeeper, Wells, his hands bound in shackles. Tom and Tony, tasked with monitoring the situation, stood guard.
Arthur tossed a delivery slip from the London Gaslight and Coke Company onto the table.
“The delivery slip shows that the last delivery of gas canisters to Wells Inn was twenty-three days ago. We searched every room in the inn, and there was only one gas canister, the one in the crime scene room. We also consulted with experts from the London Gaslight and Coke Company, and they confirmed that a gas lamp, fully fueled, can stay lit for three hours, just enough for a night’s illumination. A gas canister can provide thirty to forty refills. Interestingly, Wells Inn only has two gas lamps, one at the front desk and one in the crime scene room, all other rooms use kerosene lamps. This means that if you were using normal lighting, the canister left in the crime scene room should be almost empty. Even if there was some gas left, it wouldn’t be enough to kill someone. Mr. Wells, can you explain this?”
Wells looked at the delivery slip, struggling to respond. “There’s nothing to be concerned about. Gas lamps are a new product, everyone thinks they are unsafe. Didn’t the newspapers report many gas lamp explosions last year? I also thought it was dangerous at first, so I chose kerosene lamps for the inn. But a few months ago, a friend told me about a promotional discount from the London Gaslight and Coke Company, so I bought two to try them out. As for the gas canister being almost empty, that’s simply nonsense. Our discounted rooms aren’t always occupied, so having some gas left is normal.”
Arthur nodded. “A good answer, Mr. Wells. However, how do you explain this?”
Tom stepped forward and placed a stack of thick ledgers on the table.
Arthur clasped his hands and leaned back in his chair. “We have ample evidence that you purchased a large quantity of nitrous oxide in multiple batches from different shops over the past six months. Normal people wouldn’t buy this stuff, they wouldn’t even know what it is. Only chemists, doctors, and those upper-class young men and women know how to use nitrous oxide. Chemists study its properties, doctors use it for surgery, and the young men and women use it for fun at parties. Why would you, an innkeeper, be associated with this stuff?”
Wells argued, “Who says only these people know about nitrous oxide? You, a Scotland Yard police officer, don’t you know about it? I’m just using it for fun, just like those young men and women. Daily life is already boring enough, I need to find some entertainment.”
“Alright.” Arthur nodded. “Your words seem reasonable at first glance. What you do is your own business, as long as you don’t commit any crimes, we won’t interfere. But from the information we gathered, your financial situation doesn’t seem too good. I recall you admitting that after deducting rent and other expenses, there’s not much left from your inn’s earnings. Yet, your spending on nitrous oxide in recent months has reached close to 20 pounds. Where did you get that money?”
Wells’ face turned crimson, he couldn’t keep up the charade anymore.
“How does it concern you where I got it? I don’t steal or rob, I just do some small business. You have no reason to force me to speak, nor can you interrogate me. I deny all your accusations against me, this is a slander on my reputation!”
“Hey! You goddamn!” Tony’s eyes widened, he almost drew the truncheon from his waist.
Wells was startled by his actions, he asked nervously, “What are you going to do? Interrogation is against your internal regulations!”
Tony went up and whacked his head three times, “Damn it! I didn’t ask any questions, it doesn’t count as interrogation. You don’t want to answer, it doesn’t count as forcing you to speak. I just want to beat you up, is that interrogation? Is that forcing you to speak?!”
Wells covered his head, unable to stop the cries of pain, “You hit me! The police hit me!”
Tom quickly grabbed Tony from behind, “Tony, two whacks should be enough! We’ll attract everyone else.”
Arthur also reached out to stop Tony. He continued, “Mr. Wells, it seems you do know a lot about Scotland Yard’s regulations. We can’t interrogate you, that’s why we have multiple people present when questioning suspects. According to the law, you also have the right to remain silent.”
Upon hearing this, Wells’ hand holding his head loosened. He thought Arthur was surrendering to him, so he immediately stopped crying and wailing. He said fiercely, “You know that! Why don’t you let me go? If you don’t release me, I’ll go to Scotland Yard and complain about your use of violence!”
Tony’s suppressed anger flared up again, “Tom! Let go of me! This guy still has the nerve to be defiant! If Willox wasn’t gone, this guy would have gotten slapped a few times already!”
Arthur crossed his fingers, resting his elbows on the table and propping up his chin.
“But Mr. Wells, are you sure you want to remain silent? All evidence points to you, you’re the only suspect. If it goes to court, based on what you just said, you won’t escape the gallows.”
“I…” Wells’ arrogant smile faltered, “Are you… trying to scare me?”
“Do I need to scare you? Mr. Wells, you seem to know some law, but not much.” Arthur leaned back in his chair. “I’ll be honest with you. Do you know what the investigation principles of many Scotland Yard districts are?”
Wells hesitated for a long time, tentatively asking, “Seeking the truth?”
Arthur smiled wryly, “I’m sorry, Scotland Yard doesn’t seek the truth. Most of the time, we seek an explanation. An explanation for the higher-ups, an explanation for the public. As long as there’s an explanation, the truth doesn’t really matter. Especially in this case, your explanation is quite similar to the truth. But it’s just similar. I checked your social connections, you have no grudge against the two victims. And you’re an innkeeper with a fixed property, although you’re not particularly wealthy, you’re doing alright. No grudge, and a decent life, what anger do you have that needs to be solved by murder? You should thank God you encountered me, not another inspector. If someone else took over this case, they wouldn’t even bother to continue interrogating you. They would just take you to court when the time comes, pick a good day to hang you on the gallows, the public would applaud, the higher-ups would reward and praise, everything would be happy, and the case would be closed. If that’s the procedure you want, I can fulfill it. So, your interrogation process ends here, Mr. Wells, see you in hell.”
With that, Arthur stretched, then gathered the documents on the table and stood up. His hand was just about to grab the interrogation room’s doorknob when he heard a shout from behind.
“Wait!”
Arthur’s footsteps stopped, he turned around with a smile.
Wells trembled, his legs shaking. He lowered his eyes, hesitated for a long time, then finally gave in and said, “It wasn’t me who killed them. I… I just ran errands for them, bought some things, provided a room, made a little profit. Running an inn really doesn’t make money, I… I can’t survive without doing this. Everything is getting more expensive, I… I have no choice.”
Arthur narrowed his eyes, “Profit? How can there be profit in murder?”
Wells swallowed, slowly nodding, “They… they’re a group of people who deal in dead bodies. I didn’t say it before because I was afraid of their revenge. I… I can’t fight them, I dare not fight them, they’re all desperadoes.”
Arthur sat back down, “Mr. Wells, before the criminal is caught, I can assure you of your safety on behalf of Scotland Yard.”
Hearing this, Wells felt like he had taken a reassurance pill, he finally stopped hiding. He took a deep breath and asked, “Officer, have you heard of the sixteen consecutive murders that happened in Edinburgh two years ago? The two infamous serial killers, William Hare and William Burke. The people I… I deal with, do the same business as them. Kill people, then sell their bodies…”
(End of Chapter)