The Shadow of Great Britain

71: Chapter 32: Target of All Arrows 71: Chapter 32: Target of All Arrows At number 4 Whitehall, in the meeting hall of Scotland Yard, a group of people sat on both sides of a long conference table, the chairs packed tightly, with not a single empty spot to be found.

From east to west, one could first see four Assistant Commissioners in charge of important departments at Scotland Yard and their assistants.

Moving further down, there were over a dozen Police Superintendents responsible for the specific command and management of security in London’s major areas.

Although they appeared calm, from their slightly trembling hands and their awkward sitting posture, one could guess their anxious state of mind.

At the very head of the conference table sat Colonel Charles Rowan, the Commissioner of the Greater London Police Department, along with his Deputy Commissioner, Sir Richard Mayne.

They had just returned under pouring rain from the Home Office, and their grim expressions revealed that Sir Peel had certainly not spoken kindly to them.

Commissioner Rowan swept his sharp, eagle-like gaze across everyone present, yet those whose eyes he touched averted their gaze guiltily, none daring to meet his stare.

Seeing this, Rowan felt a surge of anger.

Smack!

He slammed the table furiously, pointing at everyone present and bellowed, “Useless!

All of you, a bunch of goddamn useless trash!

Who’s in charge of the St Giles Church area, come out now!”

No sooner had he finished speaking than a Police Superintendent wearing the Crown and Bath star insignia on his shoulder quickly stood up from the east side of the table.

“Reporting!

It’s my jurisdiction!”

Commissioner Rowan’s gaze fell upon him as he pointed to the report in front of him and shouted angrily, “Clemens!

What have you been doing all this time!

Such a major case broke out in your area, and you didn’t know about it?

If it weren’t for Superintendent Arthur from the Greenwich Police District being extra vigilant and unraveling the case from tip to line, uncovering the ‘murder and corpse-selling’ case, would you still be clueless!”

Upon hearing this, Police Superintendent Clemens’ Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he loudly responded, “Reporting, sir!

According to the documents from the Home Office, the funding for the Greater London Police Department chiefly comes from the local parish security tax.

You are also aware of the payment situation of the security tax in St Giles Church; I had to first ensure the safety of areas where the security tax was well-paid, considering the collective interest of Scotland Yard.

Moreover, we nearly lost officers a few months ago in St Giles, a place with many alleys and complex terrain that could easily lead to attacks on officers.

Given the police force I have at my disposal, I had to make compromises.

About the application to reasonably reduce the patrol force in St Giles Church, I had already submitted it to the headquarters three months ago and obtained approval from the Home Office.”

Listened to this, Commissioner Rowan suddenly leaned back in his chair, “So, you think you have been doing a pretty good job?”

“Not at all,” Clemens stood up straight and responded, “I am willing to take responsibility for this incident, and I assure you, I will uncover the full truth about all missing cases and arrest all the culprits.

If I fail to do so, you can revoke my position at any time!”

Hearing this, Commissioner Rowan huffed, “You still have some sense of responsibility.

When I brought you out of the army, it was because I saw you had some capability.”

Hearing this, Clemens felt a slight relief inside, “Then according to your opinion, shall I take the lead in investigating this missing case?”

“Thinking of taking charge, are you?

Did I let you speak?” Commissioner Rowan took off his gloves and flung them far towards Clemens, “Bullshit!”

Deputy Commissioner Sir Richard Mayne shook his head with a stern face, “Sorry, Clemens, but we haven’t received any orders from the Home Office for you to lead.

This investigation operation will be directly overseen by the Home Office, and the highest command will be personally held by Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel.”

A sense of foreboding flickered through Clemens’ mind, “Then who will be in charge of the actual operation?

The Criminal Operations Department?”

“No.”

Sir Richard Mayne stood up with a dark face, “The Criminal Operations Department will only assist in the investigation and follow orders.

Given that some of the body sellers have already got wind and fled everywhere,

after Sir Peel reported the case details to the Prime Minister, it was finally decided that this investigation will be initiated by the Greater London Police Department together with the top three national security districts.

The person directly in charge of the operation, you will meet him shortly.

Sorry, gentlemen, the Commissioner and I need to go to the Home Office with the relevant materials to explain the case details to Sir Peel, and must leave you now!”

With that, the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner rose and left the meeting hall.

Before leaving, Commissioner Rowan didn’t forget to point at the senior officers and yell, “This time, we only allow success, not failure.

All districts, give your full cooperation.

If you end up botching this case, there will be hell to pay for you lot!”

With that, the door of the meeting hall was slammed shut.

It was a long while before the meeting hall buzzed again with intermittent breaths.

“What’s gotten into him today?”

“Can’t you see?

Sir Peel is probably very angry.

Angering the Home Secretary, how much longer do you think the two commissioners can last at Scotland Yard?”

“He has never worked on the front lines, his words sound like nonsense!

Cases of missing persons being sold are very hard to investigate.

The previous Burke case in Edinburgh took over half a year to find the murderer, and it was only because a tenant accidentally discovered the body hidden in the attic that the truth came out.

If the Scotland policing district hadn’t come across such good luck, wouldn’t they have just muddled through unclearly?”

“How can you compare the two?

Have you forgotten those famous sayings that Commissioner Rowan always mentions?

We are professionals, not amateur local sheriffs, nor are we those military police who just maintain order.

So we must have better overall quality, more professional investigation skills.”

“You’re just listening to his nonsense!

Cases are not that easy to handle.

He wants to solve more cases, how about increasing our police force first!

My subordinates are already exhausted by daily patrols!”

At this point, the Police Superintendent sitting beside Clemens suddenly jabbed him with his elbow.

“Clemens, whether it should be said or not, I do agree with your point.

Our funds come from the public safety tax.

Collecting it from St Giles is like asking for our lives, why should we bother with them.

Buddy, you’re out of luck!

The case just happened in your district, when bad luck strikes, there’s no stopping it.”

Upon hearing this, Clemens could only manage a forced smile as he was contemplating other issues.

“Nothing can be done now, what else can we do?

Most of West London is in good order, only the dirtiest St Giles Parish has fallen into my hands, alas…

By the way, have you heard anything?

The person in charge of operational command, who exactly is it?”

“We don’t know either, I was hoping to ask you about it.

It’s probably an expert on body trading cases transferred from Edinburgh, given they had the Burke case there, they should have some experience in this field.”

The Police Superintendents were whispering among themselves when suddenly, the conference room door was pushed open.

A polished, black, slick-backed hair, a tall figure, arms straight as a sword, and a spotlessly clean tailcoat uniform, with a police officer’s sword swinging neatly at his waist with each step.

Arthur walked into the conference room amidst the astonished looks of many police superintendents and assistant commissioners.

He placed the round top black hat properly on the conference table, then heavily slapped his officer’s sword down in front of him.

With a slap, the sound of the sword sheath shaking the table startled everyone present.

They looked at each other, eyes full of a strange perplexity.

The Red Devil’s phantom fluttered behind Arthur, warning him, “Arthur, I told you not to investigate this case, you might become the target of everyone!

Arthur hummed lightly, replying in a voice only Agares could hear, “Then let them come.

Unless a bullet pierces my chest, no one can step over me!”

Someone stood up and accused, “What are you doing!

Make way immediately, that’s the commissioner’s seat, hasn’t anyone told you that a high-level meeting of the Greater London Police Department is being held here?

Move aside now, you’re just a police superintendent!”

Others echoed, “Mr.

Police Superintendent, please leave immediately and close the door on your way out.

The middle management police meeting is held every Monday, this is an emergency meeting about the murder and body selling case.”

Arthur looked at them silently, then clapped his hands towards the door.

Footsteps of boots on the floor sounded from outside the conference room.

The police superintendents turned their heads and immediately sensed something amiss.

Three robust men in blue, black and green tartan uniforms with light red military uniforms, wearing epaulets and carrying officer’s swords, stood there.

Many of the police superintendents had served in the army, so they easily recognized these tartan patterns and badges on their uniforms.

“Argyle pattern, light red array, and yellow Viper?”

The three robust men stood in front of Arthur, came to attention, and saluted.

“By the order of the Army Department and the Scotland Policing District of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment ‘Black Watch’ Police Battalion awaits your command!”

“By the order of the Army Department and the England and Wales Policing District of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the 5th Royal Infantry Regiment ‘Wellington Guard’ Police Battalion awaits your command!”

“By the order of the Army Department and the England and Wales Policing District of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the 10th Royal Infantry Regiment ‘Yellow Viper’ Police Battalion awaits your command!”

Arthur nodded at them, then turned to look at the police superintendents in front of him, “May I take a seat now?”

The police superintendents, foreheads slick with cold sweat, slowly nodded, “Of…

of course…”

“Good.” Arthur leaned back in his chair, fingers interlocked, “Now, please, all police superintendents, stand up.”