Design for Murder by Roy Lewis

north and would be seeking an early move to a more senior position, preferably in the south, which accounted for the driven fastidiousness with which he approached his work and the whip he regularly cracked over officers like Charlie, whom he regarded as insufficiently respectful of authority, even louche to a certain degree.
    As he took his seat in the crowded briefing room, Charlie sighed. He had to admit that he had nursed certain ambitions of his own once, but he had lacked the ferociouslyegocentric drive that Charteris displayed. As a young officer Charlie’s investigative talents had been recognized and he had obtained promotion in the Met. The temptations, however, were too numerous: accepting some of the invitations presented on a plate to him in the Soho area had finally led to an internal enquiry which, while failing to demonstrate that there had been a dereliction of duty on his part, or any financial corruption, had nevertheless come to the conclusion that he would be better employed elsewhere. Hence, a transfer to the north-east.
    There were temptations enough on Tyneside, of course, and he had succumbed to one or two, but now that he had attached himself to DS Elaine Start his libido was more than satisfied. Charteris also would have liked to get into Elaine’s knickers, Charlie suspected, but the ACC’s ambition overrode his sexual leanings. As for Charlie, he was happy enough with his rank as detective chief inspector and his location in Elaine Start’s bed. Occasionally. When she dictated.
    He glanced along the rows of officers seated in the briefing room. DS Elaine Start was at the end of the row in front of him. He felt she was aware that his eyes were on her, but she did not turn her head. A controlled woman, he considered.
    Except in bed.
    ACC Charteris cleared his throat loudly. ‘I would like first to introduce to you all Assistant Chief Constable Rawlins, who has hitherto led the hunt for the Zodiac Killer in the Midlands. As you will all be aware, the trial of the man charged with the killings was transferred to Newcastle to avoid the prejudice of public feeling in Birmingham. You will also be aware of the manner in which that trial collapsed.’
    Charteris paused as a low, rumbling murmur of discontent ran around the room. He waited, his handsome features set grimly. When silence fell, he continued. ‘I thought it would be a good idea if we held this conference this morning with ACC Rawlins in attendance, in order that he may give us the benefit of his views about the man Raymond Conroy. But first, I will allude to the incident that occurred a few days ago in Gosforth, when Conroy was attacked outside his hotel.’ He smoothed a hand over his slicked-back, greying hair and bared his teeth in a grimace of distaste. ‘The assailant in question is known, I understand, to ACC Rawlins. His name is Gary Lawson, a bit of a fantasist who claimed he was involved with one of the dead women, and he was investigated by our colleagues in the Midlands at the time. His attack upon Conroy in Gosforth was motivated, he claimed, by a desire to obtain the kind of justice against Conroy that the law had failed to administer. He wanted to give him a good kicking—’
    ‘He’s not alone in that,’ a burly officer along the row from Charlie Spate muttered.
    Charteris caught the comment but made no response to it. ‘Lawson was arrested at the scene, brought in, questioned, and given a warning.’
    ‘Should have been a medal,’ another officer chimed in from the back of the room.
    This time, Charteris glared at the officer concerned. He did not like being interrupted. ‘Lawson has now been released. It seems that Raymond Conroy will not be pressing charges against Lawson, and it’s felt that it would not be in the public interest for us to commence proceedings ourselves. Lawson has been warned, told to go back to Evesham, where he is located, and stay out of trouble. He should not get further involved in the