Retribution - A Dish served Cold

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Mr Senior led the way to the archive room in the basement. On the way, he retrieved the key from the custodian and signed the visitor's book.

When he opened the door, Malin was surprised at the multitude of shelves filled with folders. "How do you find anything in here?"

Senior pulled a leather-bound volume from a shelf. "This is the bible. If it's here, there will be an entry. Years ago, we employed the most meticulous person you could ever imagine to sort the archives. She was brilliant. Didn't you see the sign on the door? 'Annie's Room' she was so proud of that sign." He opened the ledger and scanned the page. "Here we are. Row B shelf A number five.

They found the location and removed a black arch lever file.

"It's not heavy, which means it contains little information, but then it's all we have. As I said, if it's not here, it doesn't exist."

Senior removed a folded plan and spread it out on the nearest table. "We're in luck. The original plans."

Malin peered at the faded sheet.

With his middle finger, Senior traced the almost straight line from the dam to the harbour. "It was easier in those days. Planning as it is today was somewhat different. If you wanted to build something, you removed whatever was in your way and did the business. They constructed the dam drain using the cut and cover method."

Malin smiled. "I'm a copper. What's cut and cover?"

"Wait," said Senior. He walked away, returning moments later with a sheet of blank paper. "It's easier if I show you. They used it a lot in London to build the underground." Using his fountain pen, he drew a sketch. "It's easy when you have an unlimited labour force to dig a trench, build your tunnel making sure it is strong enough to support whatever you want on top. You can see the simplicity of this. When it left the dam and passed through farmland, they allowed ten feet of earth on top of the tunnel. When it reached the town's outskirts as it was then, the civil engineer drew a straight line straight to the sea. Twenty feet was the depth of ground on the top, and if you follow the line, that's the high street. Interestingly, when the brick tunnel reached the beach, they installed a steel pipe of the same diameter, pushed it into the sea and covered it with stone and cement. As you will know, further construction has made the harbour what it is today." He smiled. "It goes to show you never know what is under your feet."

"I reckon I need to take a look inside the tunnel."

"That might be difficult," said Senior. "The builders installed access for inspection but are they still there. From this plan, most of the entry points are on the high street. Pound to a penny, they are covered with tarmac."

"We don't know that, and I will need to check it out. If those men were in the tunnel, I need to know why."

Senior replaced the plan in the file. "I'll get these copied and have my people check out the viability of you entering the tunnel safely."

Malin shook his head. "My boss will want it inspected. That's a cert. How long until you can give us the go-ahead."

"I see that is wishful thinking, Chief inspector. When they built this tunnel, health and safety did not exist. Today we start with a risk assessment, then which department is paying and work from there. You can't dive into a hundred-year-old void without the proper precautions."

"My boss will still ask how long before we can get in there?"

Senior shrugged. "I'll let you know."

Two men with different problems left the archives.

"Thank you for your help," said Malin as he left.

Senior smiled. "You came to me with a problem, and I've got the headache."

***

Malin was back behind his desk by the late afternoon. His mind wandered as he attempted to make sense of the situation. Convinced he was on the verge of a breakthrough, he contacted Chief Superintendent Michaels.

Michael's answered before the first buzz ended. "Progress, I hope, Malin."

"Yes and no, sir."

"Is that yes there is or no there isn't?"

"It might be easier if I came and told you what I've uncovered."

"I've got a meeting with a counsellor in five minutes. When he leaves, my new plonk sergeant will call you." The line went dead.

"Another late night," said Malin, "and then he queries the bloody over-time." Apart from the little brothers, he reread his notes. Who were those men found in the harbour? Where did they come from, and if it was the drain, why were they in there? Most important now was how did they get in there?"

To pass the time his completed his backlog of paperwork. When the phone buzzed, he grabbed it like a lifeline. "Yes, sir."

Malin charged up the stairs to the Superintendent's office, almost barging into a man descending.

On entering the office, he noticed his boss pouring a cup of coffee. It was a fact that the percolator was not for the lower ranks.

"Take a seat, Malin. I have the Chief Constable wanting answers. The nationals are on his back for an update. I like to keep my finger on the pulse so tell me your news.

"Forensics confirmed those corpses drowned in rainwater, not seawater. I believe the dead men were washed from a longstanding overflow from the reservoir outside of town."

The Superintendent appeared surprised. "Can you confirm this?"

"Absolutely. Two hours of checking plans in the basement of the Town Hall with a planning officer confirmed my thoughts."

"This doesn't help us. Why were twelve men in this drain of yours?"

"I haven't a clue. If I can crack that, we might get somewhere. I've arranged for us to check out this drain. If it comes up with sweet f a, we're back to square one."

"We need hard evidence. Have you questioned your snouts? Someone must know if anything was going down in this town."

Malin took a deep breath. "I know these people. No one is talking, and they know the brothers are dead."

A knock on the door interrupted the conversation.

A uniformed sergeant entered. "Excuse me, Chief Inspector, but I've had a Mr Senior from the Town Hall on the phone. He asked if you could call him straight away. It appears he has good news."

"Thank you, sergeant." As the door closed, Malin asked," Can I use your phone guv. This could be a breakthrough."

The Superintendent nodded. "Make it quick."

Malin removed a card from his pocket and dialled the number.

"Senior, head planning officer. Can I help you?"

"Chief Inspector Malin. "You rang."

"Thank you for returning my call. Good news. The roads division have discovered a loose drain cover that requires reinstalling in the high street. They intend to start work tomorrow morning. I've arranged for you and a couple of my inspectors to inspect the drain."

"Brilliant," said Malin. What time will your people be there?"

"Nine or thereabouts."

"Thank you. I'll be there."

"Hope you find something," said Senior.

"So do I. Thanks again." Malin rang off.

He looked at his governor. "Tomorrow, I check out the drain."