Hardcastle's Soldiers by Graham Ison

with
your
topping?’
    Hardcastle related what he had learned so far, which, as he had told Marriott, was very little. ‘I’m certain that someone in that barracks was responsible, Arthur,’ he said, and went on to tell the V Division DDI about his discussion with RSM Punchard.
    â€˜It seems that almost any one of about twelve hundred assorted soldiers could have done it, Arthur, and I’m not too happy about Punchard’s claim that none of the recruits was responsible. It’s all very well him saying that he’d know if any of the recruits went adrift, but I’m not so sure. Would you know where every one of twelve hundred constables were at any given time?’
    â€˜More than likely half of them would be in a boozer somewhere, I expect, Ernie,’ said Fitnam cynically.
    â€˜Well, I’m damned sure I wouldn’t know.’ Hardcastle had started to look as gloomy as the V Division DDI.
    â€˜I don’t envy you the task, Ernie,’ said Fitnam. ‘I was hoping you’d nicked the bloke, because I’m sure that you’d have solved my problem at the same time.’
    â€˜Did you get any fingerprints from the van that your murderer abandoned?’
    â€˜Yes, we got some, but none that mean anything. Charlie Collins reckons they’re probably Stacey’s anyway. But that doesn’t mean that he killed Ivy Huggins, because any smart barrister will say Stacey had legitimate access to the vehicle. Even though Stacey’s been in the army for a few months, Charlie says that they’ve found prints years later. Anyway, you’ve rowed him out of it.’ Fitnam pulled a file across his desk, and thumbed through a few folios. ‘The blood on the knife that was found in the van matches Ivy Huggins’s blood group, but that’s no good until we find out who wielded the weapon. Not that it will help much: she was blood group O, the commonest type. There were some fingerprints on the knife, too. Unfortunately, Charlie Collins said that they don’t match any in his collection, but they do tally with some of those in the van. In fact, Collins said that there are two different sets in the van, so I reckon one set are Stacey’s and the other our murderer’s. There was a glimmer of hope, though, for both of us, I suppose. Collins said that some of the prints in the van match those he found on the revolver that was left at your scene. But until we catch the bugger and take his prints, we shan’t know.’ He pushed the file away. ‘I suppose that officer who saw your murderer running away couldn’t give a better description, could he, Ernie?’
    â€˜All he said was that he only really saw the back of him, as he ran off, Arthur,’ said Hardcastle, and paused in thought. ‘But he must’ve seen his face because he said he challenged the man for not saluting, and then he ran away. And he couldn’t’ve saluted him with his back to him, anyway. Although, right now, I wouldn’t put anything past the army.’
    â€˜Perhaps we could try speaking to Lieutenant Mansfield again, sir,’ suggested Marriott. ‘Now he’s had time to think about it, he might’ve remembered something.’
    â€˜Maybe,’ said Hardcastle. ‘I suppose it’s worth a try. We haven’t got anything else.’
    â€˜I was wondering if we could get someone to take Stacey’s fingerprints, Ernie,’ said Fitnam. ‘At least it would eliminate some of those found in the van.’
    â€˜Good idea, Arthur. Have a word with Captain McIntyre. He’s the military police officer at Aldershot who’s been helping me. In a manner of speaking. Marriott will give you his telephone number. Not that he’s been much help. But if he can get a set of Stacey’s dabs, perhaps Charlie Collins would be able to eliminate some of the prints found in the van.’
    â€˜I can see I’ll have to go