## Chapter 66: Target of All Arrows
No. 4 Whitehall Street, the meeting hall of Scotland Yard, was filled to the brim with people seated on both sides of the long conference table. There wasn’t a single empty seat.
From east to west, one could see four Assistant Superintendents, each in charge of a vital department in Scotland Yard, along with their assistants. Further down sat over ten Inspectors, responsible for the specific command and management of law and order in the various districts of London.
Although their expressions seemed calm, one could still guess their anxious feelings from the trembling hands and cramped postures of many.
At the very top of the conference table sat Colonel Charles Rowan, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, and Sir Richard Mayne, the Deputy Commissioner. They had just returned from the Home Office, facing a heavy downpour. Their gloomy expressions revealed that Sir Peel had summoned them for no good reason.
Rowan, with his hawk-like eyes, scanned the faces of everyone present. However, each person met with his gaze lowered their heads in fear, none daring to meet his eyes.
Seeing this, Rowan felt a surge of anger.
*Bang!*
He slammed his fist on the table, pointing at everyone present and shouting, “Useless! You’re all bloody useless! Who’s responsible for the St. Giles Parish? Get out here!”
As soon as his words fell, an Inspector with a crown and Bath Star insignia on his shoulder stood up from the east side of the table.
“Report! It’s my jurisdiction!”
Rowan’s gaze fell upon him. He pointed at the report in front of him and roared, “Clemons! What the hell have you been doing all this time? Don’t you know that there’s been a huge case in your jurisdiction?
If it weren’t for Inspector Arthur from Greenwich District, who had a keen eye and followed the trail, uncovering the ‘murder for sale’ case, wouldn’t you still be in the dark?”
Clemons, the Inspector, swallowed hard and responded loudly, “Report, sir! According to Home Office documents, the Metropolitan Police’s funding mainly comes from local parish security taxes.
The security tax payment situation in St. Giles Parish is clear to you. I must prioritize the safety of parishes with good security tax payment records. This is for the collective interests of Scotland Yard.
Furthermore, we almost lost officers in St. Giles a few months ago. There are many alleys and complex terrain, making it easy for attacks on police officers. With the police force I can currently allocate, I have to make choices.
Regarding the application to reasonably reduce patrols in St. Giles Parish, I submitted it to headquarters three months ago and received approval from the Home Office.”
Rowan leaned back in his chair, “So, you think you’ve done a good job?”
“No,” Clemons stood up straight and replied, “I’m willing to take responsibility for this incident. I assure you that I will uncover the truth behind all the missing persons cases and arrest all the culprits. If I fail, you can dismiss me at any time!”
Rowan snorted, “It seems you still have some guts. I brought you from the army because I saw that you had some ability.”
Clemons felt a slight relief, “So, do you mean I’ll be leading the investigation into this missing persons case?”
“You’re quite arrogant, aren’t you? Did I ask you to speak?” Rowan took off his gloves and threw them at Clemons from afar, “Don’t be ridiculous!”
Sir Mayne, the Deputy Commissioner, shook his head with a grim face, “Sorry, Clemons, we haven’t received any orders from the Home Office for you to take the lead. This investigation will be directly overseen by the Home Office, with the highest authority being personally held by Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel.”
Clemons felt a sense of unease, “What about the actual operational command? Will the Criminal Investigation Department be in charge?”
“No.”
Sir Mayne stood up with a black face, “The Criminal Investigation Department will only assist with the investigation and follow orders. Due to some of the body sellers getting wind of it and fleeing to various places,
After Sir Peel reported the case to the Prime Minister, he ultimately decided that this investigation will be jointly launched by the Metropolitan Police and the three major national police districts.
The person directly responsible for the operation, you will meet him soon.
Sorry, gentlemen, Commissioner Rowan and I need to go to the Home Office to explain the details of the case to Sir Peel. We’ll be back soon!”
With that, the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner stood up and left the meeting hall.
Before leaving, Rowan didn’t forget to point at the senior officers and scold them, “This time, you can only succeed, not fail. All districts must cooperate fully. If you mess up the case, you’ll have yourselves to blame!”
With that, he slammed the door of the meeting hall shut.
After a long silence, the meeting hall was filled with the sound of breathing again.
“What’s got into him today?”
“Don’t you see? Sir Peel is probably furious. If you anger the Home Secretary, do you think the two Commissioners will be able to stay at Scotland Yard for long?”
“He hasn’t worked on the front lines. His words sound like nonsense! It’s hard to investigate these missing person cases.
The Burke case in Edinburgh took more than six months to find the culprit, and it was only because a tenant accidentally discovered the bodies hidden in the attic that the truth came out.
If the Scotland Police District hadn’t been so lucky, wouldn’t it have been hushed up?”
“How can you compare? Have you forgotten the sayings that Commissioner Rowan always repeats?
We are professional police officers, not amateur local constables, nor those police officers in the police districts who can only maintain order. Therefore, we must have better comprehensive qualities and more professional investigation skills.”
“You’re just listening to his nonsense! Cases are not so easy to handle. He wants more cases, so he should increase our police force! My men are already struggling with their daily patrols!”
Speaking of which, the Inspector sitting next to Clemons nudged him with his elbow.
“Clemons, to be honest, I agree with your point. Our funding comes from security taxes, and every time we collect security taxes from St. Giles, it’s like asking for our lives. Why should we bother with them?
Brother, you’re out of luck! The case happened to be in your jurisdiction. When you’re unlucky, you can’t even avoid it.”
Clemons could only force a smile, pondering other issues.
“There’s nothing I can do about it. Most of London’s West End is a safe area, but the dirtiest St. Giles Parish is under my control. Sigh… By the way, do you have any news? Who is the person in charge of the operational command?”
“We don’t know either. We were hoping to get some information from you. Maybe it’s a body-selling case expert from Edinburgh, after all, they had the Burke case, so they should have some experience.”
The Inspectors were whispering among themselves when the door to the meeting hall was pushed open.
A black, oily slicked-back hairstyle, a tall figure, straight arms like swords, a clean, spotless tailcoat uniform, and the officer’s sword at his waist swayed rhythmically with his steps.
Arthur walked into the meeting room, his gaze met with the shocked eyes of the many Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents. He placed his round black hat neatly on the conference table, then slammed his officer’s sword on the table.
*Bang!* The sound of the scabbard vibrating the conference table startled everyone present.
They looked at each other, their eyes filled with a strange and inexplicable confusion.
The illusion of the Red Devil floated behind Arthur, warning, “Arthur, I told you not to investigate this case. You’ll become the target of all arrows if you’re not careful!”
Arthur snorted softly. He replied in a voice only Agareus could hear, “Then let them come. Unless a bullet pierces my chest, no one will cross me!”
Someone stood up and accused, “What are you doing? Get out of here immediately. That’s the Commissioner’s seat. Hasn’t anyone told you that a high-level meeting of the Metropolitan Police is going on here? You’re just an Inspector, get out of here!”
Others echoed, “Inspector, please leave immediately and close the door behind you. The mid-level police meeting is held every Monday, and now it’s a temporary meeting about the murder for sale case.”
Arthur looked at them, but didn’t speak. Instead, he clapped his hands towards the door.
The sound of boots stepping on the floor came from outside the meeting hall. The Inspectors turned their heads and realized something was wrong.
It was three burly men wearing blue, black, and green plaid uniforms and a light red military uniform, with shoulder straps and officer’s swords.
Many of the Inspectors had served in the army and easily recognized the plaid markings and badges on their uniforms.
“Arffor Plaid, Light Red Array, and Yellow Viper?”
The three burly men stood at attention in front of Arthur, saluting.
“By order of the War Office and the Scotland Police District of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Police Company of the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment ‘Black Watch’ is at your disposal!”
“By order of the War Office and the England and Wales Police District of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Police Company of the 5th Royal Infantry Regiment ‘Wellington Guard’ is at your disposal!”
“By order of the War Office and the England and Wales Police District of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Police Company of the 10th Royal Infantry Regiment ‘Yellow Viper’ is at your disposal!”
Arthur nodded to them and then turned to the Inspectors in front of him, “Can I sit down now?”
The Inspectors were sweating profusely. They nodded slowly, “Of course… of course…”
“Good.” Arthur leaned back in his chair, his fingers intertwined, “Now, please stand up, Inspectors.”
The official launch of the book has been confirmed for next Wednesday, the 14th. The Three Rivers recommendation will also be next week. Thanks for your support, readers. If you have the time and opportunity, I hope you can show up next Wednesday to support the book!
(End of Chapter)