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Miller H Caldwell, click here
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Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Suspicions
Superintendent Graham held a press conference the following day. The local Standard journalist Magdalene Smith began the questioning.
‘Superintendent, with the local murder and this explosion, are the two crimes related?’ A general nod of heads suggested the right question had been asked.
‘That must be a factor but it is not conclusive. We must keep the options open at this stage. We are still combing the area for evidence and following up some leads.’
‘With the murder of the former Imam and now the explosion at the crematorium where no Muslim is ever cremated, the suspects must stem from their own community,’ suggested Magdalene lowering her microphone and brushing back a strand of hair from her eyes.
‘Is that a question? I doubt it. Ms Smith that is merely your summation. Not mine. As I say I must remain open to the evidence which will emerge.’
‘And what evidence will emerge and how will that link to my community?’
‘You are sir?’
‘Mohammad Waris, owner of The Orchard Restaurant.’
‘You must understand no one is charged unless there is evidence against that person. To find the offender we must use whatever tactic is required and within the law.’
‘Yes but will this mean interrogation of the Muslim community? We will resist such biased targeting I assure you.’
‘I urge you to think carefully. We will act with due care and have no intention of offending anyone. Now unless there are any other questions, I end this press conference.’
The silence which ensured gave those in attendance a moment to reflect on the tension which had emerged. Eyes flirted around the room but no further questions were put before the Superintendent left smartly.
‘Mr Waris before you go, can I have a word with you?’ asked Magdalene rising from her seat with pen and pad in her hand.
Superintendent Graham returned to his office and unclipped his black tie. He laid it on his desk and took a long drink of water. He lifted a brown envelope marked urgent lying at an angle before him. He opened it with a sharp plastic date knife which stood erect in his pen pot. It was a report from the forensic team. He eased the report out and sat back in his desk.
A smile crossed his lips. The team had located a fingerprint on the device which had exploded. It was an amateur device, one which a third year pupil could easily have produced in a chemistry class. It had a battery with a timer. It was however an Improvised Explosive Device, a so called IED. A CO2 cartridge had been filled with an explosive powder and a slow burning wick. Only by the grace of God had this device not collapsed the building leading to multiple injuries and deaths. Had that been the intention it had failed. Had it succeeded, then no Muslim would have been injured. Once more the elephant in the room came into sight. The Superintendent had to face the wrath of the Muslim community. He would have to interrogate each and every one.
Sadar Zubaid was the obvious link. He had spoken well at the church service. He was a level headed man and Supt. Graham hoped an interview with him would take the cases forward and ease tension. He phoned him.
‘Salam Alaikum.’
‘Alaikum Salaam,’ replied Sadar.
‘You appreciate we have two major incidents going on in our town at present, the death of Farook and the explosion at the cemetery.’
‘Please, I accept Farook changed his mind. Let us refer to him as Frank, his chosen name.’
Supt. Graham acknowledged his statement with an unseen smile and a pleasing nod of his head.
‘You see the Holy Qur’an is very clear that mankind has a free choice in the matter of religion. There should be no compulsion in religion. Surely right has become distinct from wrong....Ch 2 V 257 of the Koran.’
‘I hear what you say.’
‘Do you?’
‘Yes, but what about those who support ISIS, as extremists, for these crimes in our town have been committed in a similar way?’
‘No. Islam strongly and unreservedly rejects and condemns terrorism in any form whether committed by an individual, group or government. In fact according to Islam no religion can sanction violence and bloodshed of innocent men, women and children in the name of God, since all religions came from God Who sent His prophets to establish peace in the world. Islam places an obligation on every Muslim to uphold peace. This concept is so rooted in Islam that the Holy Qur’an describes true Muslims as those who .....walk on the earth in a dignified manner. And when the ignorant address them, they say Peace. That is verse 64 Chapter 25 of the Holy Qur’an.’
‘I do not doubt the wisdom you are telling me, not at all. But Sadar, I have a problem.’
‘Then share it brother.’
‘I have a finger print. I must match it to an individual.’
‘Then you are well on the way to finding the culprit or culprits.’
‘I hope so,’ said Supt Graham wondering if the penny had dropped in his thinking. He waited a moment.
‘I will have to obtain all the finger prints of your Mosque attendees and the wider Muslim community.’
Sadar’s neck veins seemed to bulge. ‘You select only one group to isolate the suspects? No Jews, no known criminals who could have murdered or tried to murder others Supt. Graham? I do not like what you are telling me. This is discriminatory.’ Sadar’s tone left no doubt about his feelings.
‘Wait a moment Sadar. I’m not targeting anyone.’
‘It’s not the message you are giving out.’
‘I assure you we have tested the prints with all known criminals. There is no match there. If only there was. I ask you if you were in my position what would you have done?’
‘How can you ask me that? I don’t know your procedures.’
‘I suggest each fingerprint I take, eliminates one of your community. Does that not re-assure you?’
‘Superintendent, my community are unlikely to co-operate. Finger-print everyone in the town and we will oblige but single us out to the ridicule of the local people then expect a reaction. Good day Superintendent.’
His phone returned to its holder with a bang. The Superintendent threw his pen down on his desk and shouted through to his secretary.
‘A coffee please. Make it black today.’
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Web Site:
A Clerical Murder
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Speaking of realistic… bringing in the issue of Muslim discrimination is very current and very well handled by you--great writing.
Ron