Read Children Of Fiends - Part 2 A Nation By Another Name: An Of Sudden Origin Novella for Free Online Page B

“Hanson?”
    O’Connor held up a hand, “Inform you, I should, that other officers are outside.”
    “Whatever for?”
    “Councilman, we will need a sample of your blood to act as validation for the hair samples that we have already acquired. Mr. Hanson has already agreed to give us some of his.”
    Plimpton forced himself to stand and put on his most agitated face. “O’Connor, what in God’s holy name are you talking about?”
    “Sir, you are a suspect in the rape and murder of one Tillie Jarvis, aged 17, who was found on the North Manchester Road two days ago. A sample of your blood will be necessary for the proof of your innocence.”
    Plimpton stood stock still, his ability to process the charge and offer a retort stymied by his shock of how rapidly the discovery of the deed had led to him. His mouth made various efforts to bring forth a coherent sentence until he gained enough wits to stammer, “By what right do you dare ask such a thing of me?”
    “By the very right that you and your fellow councilors have signed into law. January 2026, Civil Code 2436B: Citizens retain no right of refusal in matters of evidence gathering for criminal investigation. Code 2026H: In matters of criminal investigation, upon demand of the police authority, a person’s bodily fluids are subject to search and seizure, without warrant.”
    Plimpton silently cursed Quale and his overwrite of the civil code with his twisted version of military code. Niles would need to dial back his drinking during future council meetings. The law was clear, even if his memory didn’t recall the stated wording. He needed to stall. “Of course, Chief Constable. Hanson and I are more than willing to offer our assistance. But, if I may, by what means do you have to come accusing us of such a heinous deed?”
    “A carriage had been parked where the young lady’s strangled remains had been dumped. The ground was damp and impressions were left. The horse’s shoed hoof prints in particular were exceptionally well preserved. The timing of the event and your departure from work, along with the hoof impressions matching perfectly with your very own horses, leads us to believe that it was your carriage.”
    “Really? And who gave you permission to investigate the hooves of my horses?”
    “Sir, let’s dispense with my reciting more of the civil code. It is only the very gravitas of your office that compels me to tell you as much as I have. I needn’t tell you anything. I needn’t ask you permission for your blood. I have the right to arrest you and Mr. Hanson right now.” Plimpton began to protest when O’Connor cut him off. “There is a phlebotomist outside who is prepared to take blood from both of you. If you cooperate, you will not be arrested and instead may remain in your own custody until the tests are confirmed. It should be no more than twenty-four hours when I’m sure that you will be vindicated and can be on with your very important business” The policeman offered this with just enough doubt in his voice to again make Plimpton squirm.
    “And how will the testing of our blood do that, Constable?”
    “Let’s just say that the killer wasn’t terribly concerned about leaving traces of himself behind.”

    As Hanson held the door for him to climb into his winter coach, Plimpton felt the tape on his arm where the phlebotomist had secured the gauze over the needle wound. The police had impounded his summer carriage and he wondered what traces of the girl were left in there. His memory of forensic television programs told him that there was likely a great deal. The cow was out of the barn so to speak. He pointlessly chastised himself for his sloppiness anyway. He had grown arrogant. As he listened to the coach springs groan while Hanson climbed into the driver’s seat, he briefly flirted with pinning the whole thing on his footman; having found the man out, he would kill his servant and claiming self defense – but the fantasy was