DISCLAIMER: This is a story. None of the characters in the story exist and the events that take place are purely imaginary. This is a detective story with sexual overtones and is a sequel to `Martin Roberts Investigates'. I hope that you like this as a piece of writing. It is a sequel to
WARNING: Do not read this story if you are in any way offended by acts of a homosexual nature.
Do not read this if you are under the legal age for accessing adult sites.
Always indulge in safe sex.
Copyright Steven Rose 2003. Not to be reproduced without the author's permission.
MARTIN ROBERTS INVESTIGATES THE GREYMOUNT COLLEGE MURDERS
Chapter 5
The day of the cricket match dawned brightly but there were a few threatening clouds as Martin and Tom prepared to leave for Greymount College. The children, Harry and Simon, were both very excited and had been up and about even earlier than usual and asking their parents every few minutes how long it would be before they left. Martin had finally got the boys to understand that they would not be leaving until they had all had a proper wash, eaten breakfast and got themselves dressed in suitable clothes. Tom allowed his lover to do the donkey work on the Sunday morning and, as part of the reason for their attendance at the cricket match was to do with Martin's work, he thought that this was the least that Martin should do. Martin and Tom had slept well after their lovemaking and the older lover was feeling in particularly good form and happy to accommodate his partner's wishes. Martin made the breakfast for all four of them, a traditional Sunday morning fry-up and then supervised Harry and Simon as they washed and dressed, making sure that the boys thoroughly cleaned their teeth. Tom took his time getting ready, spending a long time in the bath and only emerging a few minutes before they were scheduled to leave. Harry had even had to be restrained from going to tell his parent to hurry up. Eventually, all was ready and Tom drove the four of them north from their apartment towards Greymount College. Martin navigated and they arrived in good time before the start of the game.
The Principal of the College was on the look out and saw the Superintendent arrive and the rest of his party get out of the car. Alex Scott-Brown hastened over to welcome his guests.
"Oh, good morning Superintendent, it's so good of you to come. I see you've brought some of your family with you today. Perhaps you'd like to all come in for a drink before the match?"
Martin acknowledged the warmth of the greeting from the Principal and replied,
"I'm sorry Mr Scott-Brown, allow me to introduce my partner, Tom and these are out two children, Harry and Simon. If there's a drink going I'm sure we'd all like to refresh ourselves, thank you."
The look on the Principal's face was priceless as he stuttered,
"He .. is .. your .. your partner. Very pleased to meet you, er Tom! An honour indeed! I didn't realise..."
"That Martin is gay and that couples like us can have children?" Tom interjected sharply.
"No, no, not at all. I just didn't realise that the Superintendent had children", Alex tried to rescue himself as best he could, "Come on in and meet my wife and children and have a drink."
Martin followed the Principal into his house trying hard not to look at Tom because he knew that one glance would set them both off giggling uncontrollably. Inside the house Lizzie Scott-Brown was talking to Marianne Collinson when her husband interrupted them and introduced Martin and Tom and their children. Unlike Alex, Lizzie took it all in her stride and quickly found drinks for both the grown-ups and then ushered the two young boys off into the garden to play with the other children that had already arrived. To Harry's and Simon's disappointment, David Jamieson was not yet among them but this was soon forgotten as they joined in several rowdy games most of which involved a fair degree of rushing about.
The Principal's house began to fill up with new guests and members of staff arriving at regular intervals. Martin divided his time between small talk with other guests, observation of the people in the room and checking on Simon and Harry in the garden. Tom also made regular checks to ensure that the boys were keeping out of trouble and chatted to some of the visitors and staff members. After a short while Mark Jamieson and his wife and David arrived and on hearing the noise from the garden the youngest member of the Jamieson family rushed outside and was greeted with loud whoops of joy from at least two of the children out there. Tom made a move to check that all was well but was intercepted by Lizzie who said,
"Don't worry, Mr Baxter. The children are fine out there. There's no way out of the garden except through the house. I've locked the back gate and there's not much damage they can do out there, not even to themselves. My own children play there all the time so I know what not to leave out in the garden."
"Thanks for reassuring me, Mrs Scott-Brown, but please call me Tom."
"Well, in that case, Tom, you must call me Lizzie."
Tom and Lizzie chatted for several moments before the Collinsons walked over and joined them. Tom certainly got the impression that relationships between the two women were slightly strained and he and Raymond Collinson had to struggle to keep the conversation going. Matters did not seem to improve much with the arrival of one of the younger members of the teaching staff, Andy Stephens a friend of the dead teacher and, if College gossip was to be believed, the boyfriend of Anna Young, the College's Assistant Matron. Anna was not with Andy as she was getting the only patient in the sick bay, Johnny Price, ready to go to the cricket. Johnny had spent a short time in hospital after his severe asthma attack earlier in the week but was determined to watch the cricket and Anna had agreed to look after him during the afternoon, as he was still not fully recovered. Martin joined the rather desultory group and this seemed to bring some relief to the strain. The conversation brightened again although most of the College personnel were trying desperately to avoid the most obvious questions about the murder investigation. To everyone's relief, at the moment when an awkward silence fell over the group, the Principal clapped his hands and the rest of the room also room fell silent.
"Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, members of the Board of Trustees and colleagues. This week has been a difficult one in the life of our College. I know the Police are working hard to conclude the investigation into the sad death of one of our newest but highly respected colleagues. Some of them will be here today, one indeed is joining my team in the cricket today. I think this is a fine example of Police-Community relations and I thank Superintendent Roberts over there for agreeing to his Sergeant Rickwood playing today."
Several heads turned to look at Martin, who acknowledged their appreciative gestures with a slight bow. As heads turned back towards him, the Principal continued,
"The match is due to start soon but before it does I would like to invite you all to have a light lunch in the marquee down by the cricket field. Everyone, including children, is welcome but please ensure that the youngsters are kept away from danger, we don't want them to get hit by the cricket balls. Before I conclude I want to wish both teams the very best of luck today. After several years of trying, I believe that the Principal's luck will turn today and I look forward to a famous victory."
A loud burst of applause greeted the conclusion of the Principal's remarks and then the large party of teachers, visitors and guests began to make their way down towards the cricket field and the large open sided tent which had several tables laden with food. Needless to say the children had run on ahead and various parents had to make a considerable effort to bring them under control before they demolished some of the beautifully arranged tables. Martin and Tom caught Harry and Simon just in time and together they supervised the selection of food and the quantities and then took the pair away to a quiet area where they could eat.
In a somewhat smaller tented area the two teams were sitting together eating a light meal before the game began. Three long tables accommodated the two teams, the scorer and the umpires in mixed groups. On Mike Rickwood's table there was a balance of College players and members of his own team and the talk was of past triumphs and heroic deeds on the cricket field. Outside, at the cricket field itself, a clear majority of College students who had already eaten in their dormitories was beginning to gather at strategic points around the field. In less than half an hour the match would begin and the two team captains prepared for the toss. In a sense it made little difference as the general convention was that College team always batted first and the Principal's team last. Nevertheless the ritual had to be gone through and despite Paul Ferris losing the toss, he was asked to bat while Geoff James organised his team for their time in the field. The two captains had shaken hands and wished each other luck and then all was ready for the serious business of the cricket to begin.
A loud ripple of polite applause greeted the arrival of the two umpires team as they appeared out of the pavilion and walked onto the field. The umpires were shortly followed by Principal's team who spread out across the field to take up their allotted positions. Finally there was a much louder roar as the two opening batsmen for the College team appeared and walked slowly out to the middle of the field. James Robinson and Ali Hassan took their places and James waited for the first delivery. Mike Rickwood had been charged with bowling the first over and his first ball was fast but rather off target and James was able to leave it alone. Nevertheless the young batsman was impressed by the speed and was even more impressed when the next delivery beat him comprehensively and he heard the telltale sound of his wicket being broken. The sudden loss of one of the better batsmen created a stir among the spectators and a stunned silence fell over the College students. James began the slow and sad walk back to the pavilion and was almost there when a loud cheer went around the ground, Paul Ferris had emerged from the changing rooms and was making his way out to bat. James and Paul exchanged a few words as they passed, Paul sympathising with his friend James on his dismissal and James suggesting that Paul would need to be on his best form against Mike Rickwood. Paul nodded and went on his way.
The battle between Mike and Paul was one that all enjoyed. For the experts it was a great trial of wits and technique. Paul found it difficult to score off Mike although he was scoring freely off the other bowlers and the sergeant found it almost impossible to break through the star batsman's defences. The same was not true of either the batsmen or the bowlers at the other end and the Principal's side began to chip away at the wickets and Geoff James knew that if they could just dismiss Paul then they really would be in with a chance. Paul had other ideas and had already scored over half his side's runs and seemed to be set to get even more. In desperation, Geoff James called Mike up to bowl his final couple of overs, somewhat ahead of schedule. Geoff looked at Mike and said,
"He really hasn't been able to master you, Mike, if you can dislodge him, we're in with a chance. Do your best."
"OK Geoff I'll see what I can do", replied Mike grimly.
The field was set carefully and the over began. Paul found it more difficult than ever to score and wanted to protect the other batsman from Mike's bowling. The student managed to score a few runs including a glorious shot that went straight to the boundary and left Mike spellbound with admiration and only able to applaud the talent. However, with the last ball of his first over Mike produced a delivery which for most average batsmen would have been unplayable but Paul had sufficient ability to just edge the catch to the fielder. It was the case that Paul was too good a batsman to miss even this ball and the shout of delight as the ball was caught went around the whole of the Principal's team, only matched by the gasp of surprise from the spectators. As Paul left the field he was applauded all the way by the opposing team and by his own teammates who crowded onto the pavilion seating area. As Paul passed Mike who was applauding as enthusiastically as everyone else, the bowler said warmly to student,
"Well played, Paul, that was a great innings!!"
"Thanks, Mike, that really was a brilliant ball. You really did get me in the end!!"
Paul met Tim Oakley his friend from Marston House coming in to bat and they exchanged a few words. Tim congratulated Paul on his innings and commiserated with him on not getting the century he so richly deserved. Paul told Tim to play his natural game and build up the total as much as possible so that Bobby and the other bowlers would have a good chance of getting the Principal's side out for less. When he got to the pavilion, Paul acknowledged the applause from all around the ground and then disappeared into the changing room. Bobby, his friend and vice-captain was there as well getting ready to bat and Paul sat down beside him. The young batsman sat quietly for a few moments but a noise from outside disturbed him. Bobby looked through the window and said to his friend,
"Oh, it's nothing much. It's just Johnny Price arriving from the sick bay. They're clearing a space for him right by the pavilion. Anna Young is with him and so are several of his mates. Oops, there goes another wicket but Tim's still there. I better get out there I'm in next. Any instructions?"
"Get as many runs as you can, Bobby. I'm so sweaty I'm going to have a shower and get changed into some fresh cricket gear. I'll probably see you at tea!"
"Sure you don't want me to come and wash your back?"
"No, Bobby, tempting though that is. We haven't got the time and anyway you'll be in soon. Plenty of time for that sort of thing after the game!!"
Another shout from outside indicated the fall of another wicket and Bobby had to hurry to be ready to go out to bat. As he left the changing room he shouted a quick `goodbye' to Paul who was already making his way to the showers. There is nothing a crowd likes and a fielding side hates than a spirited last wicket stand and Tim and Bobby provided just such a spectacle. The pair scrambled impossible runs and equally unlikely shots until eventually their luck ran out. The College team had scored a respectable total of 164, of which the captain, Paul, had contributed 93. Mike had ended the innings with a haul of five wickets, including the prize scalp of Paul. The College team's score was challenging but the Principal's team captain viewed it as attainable. Coming off the field both sides had reasons to be satisfied.
Tea was served in the interval between the innings and the two sides except the wicketkeeper and the two last batsmen who had to remove their pads and protective gear in the changing room first, went straight to the tea tent. It was not long before the other three joined the group eating sandwiches and drinking tea. Bobby had been the last man to leave the changing rooms with Tim and they had heard the shower still running and had called to Paul to urge him to hurry up and join them. They got no reply but went off expecting their friend to follow in a few minutes, although it was not unusual for Paul to miss tea altogether. Shortly before the tea break was due to finish Geoff and another member of the Principal's team disappeared into the pavilion so that they could get ready to bat. Moments later, a rather anxious looking Geoff reappeared and shouted,
"Come quickly, I think something terrible had happened."
The members of the two teams followed the lead given by Geoff and saw what he meant. At the back of the pavilion but no longer in the showers was the body of Paul Ferris floating face up in a bath full of water. Once glance was enough to indicate that the talented young batsman had played his last innings.
Mike Rickwood was one of the first people to arrive at the scene and took immediate steps to try to prevent any evidence from being contaminated. The Sergeant also tried to ensure that everything remained as it was when the body had first been discovered in case the death of Paul Ferris had not been an accident. What the Sergeant could not prevent was several members of the student team entering the area at the back of the pavilion and the air was shattered by a scream of horror that came from Bobby Marsh when he first saw his friend's body.
The commotion and the scream that came from the direction of the pavilion was the first alert that Martin and Mark had that something had gone badly wrong. The two policemen and their partners and children had spent a pleasant afternoon some distance away from the pavilion near to the score box. The grown-ups had chatted amiably about various matters and the children had played contentedly in an area that had been set up for just this purpose. The roped-off area was close to the woods and not far from the path that led to the tower. This route to the woods had been also effectively sealed off to prevent the youngsters from getting lost or worse still getting into the unstable tower. It was possible for parents to keep an eye on their offspring and still enjoy watching the game or just chatting. From time to time one of the boys would return to the adult group and make some comment and then return to the rest of the playing children. One such visitation had caused much hilarity when Simon who was a rather serious young man said very solemnly as he watched the cricket,
"Isn't that Uncle Mike? Doesn't he run very, very fast? No wonder he catches so many bad people!"
The adults had laughed indulgently at this observation and Simon, rather nonplussed by the reaction of the adults, had wandered off. At the time they heard the scream, Martin and the others were in the process of gathering their children together as it was intended that visitors would take their teas after the teams had finished and the Principal's side had begun to bat. Martin and Mark exchanged a glance and so did Tom and Ruth who immediately realised that their partners would be required elsewhere. The two senior police officers hurried across the playing field towards the pavilion and were just going up the steps when they met Andy Stephens and Anna Young, both slightly out of breath. Anna said to Mark that she had come because she had heard the scream and hoped that nothing had happened to young Johnny Price, the young student she had been looking after but had left in the charge of one of the other senior students from his dormitory. Anna seemed rather relieved to see young Johnny safe and well and surrounded by a small crowd of students also trying to discover what had happened. In addition, the Principal and several senior staff were also making their hurried way towards the pavilion, equally concerned over the cause of the noise and commotion. As the two police officers reached the top of the steps into the changing rooms, they saw the tall figure of Mike Rickwood who was trying desperately to move the crowd back while someone was comforting Bobby. The Sergeant saw Martin and Mark and called out,
"Over here, sir. Make a path for the Superintendent and Chief Inspector, please and give us all some room!"
Martin and Mark pushed their way to the front of the crowd and it did not take them long to assess the situation. With as much authority as he could muster, Martin ordered most of the people in the room to leave and called for Anna Young to come into the room. Having checked that an ambulance had been called, the Superintendent asked the Assistant Matron to confirm what everyone already knew, namely that Paul Ferris was dead and that attempts at resuscitation would be to no avail. Anna did not take long to make her assessment and nodded quietly towards Martin to confirm that the young student was beyond medical attention. Moments later an ambulance arrived and the paramedics confirmed the diagnosis. The room had cleared and Mark had done a good job at checking out the area around the bath where the body had been found. His suspicion was aroused however because the shower was also running. The Chief Inspector was not convinced that Paul Ferris had drowned accidentally and Mark suspected that Martin did not think so either.
The Principal had become fully aware of what had happened and was also trying to calm the crowd outside down and sought the advice of the Superintendent. Martin's advice was that Alex should make a short statement about what had happened but to label it at this stage as nothing more than a tragic mishap, cancel the match and try to get the students to return to their dormitories. Alex went outside and called for quiet and then could be heard addressing the now silent group in front of him,
"Please listen carefully, everyone. I have some very bad news. We have just found Paul Ferris in the bathroom area of the changing rooms. He appears to have had an accident. We have summoned medical assistance but I have to prepare you for the worst. Paul appears to have drowned. Obviously a full investigation into what had happened will take place but in the circumstances I know you will agree that we must also cancel the cricket match. I would ask all of you to return to your dormitories and to our honoured guests and friends playing in the game I would ask that you also leave as soon as practical. I will arrange for anyone who wishes to have help and support at this time to have access to appropriate counselling. Finally, I would ask all those of you who wish to do so to pray for Paul and think about the sad loss that his family have so grievously and suddenly suffered. Thank you."
Slowly the tight group that had strained to hear the Principal's words began to break up and many of the students were visibly upset by the death of one of their companions. Many students clung to each other in gestures of mutual comfort, all thoughts that such behaviour might call into question their manliness lost in the overwhelming grief so many of them felt. The Principal and the senior staff were equally shocked at the death of their best student but they knew that they had to try to hold themselves together in order to be able to help those in their care. For the Principal there was the additional worry that a second sudden and possibly unnatural death at the College could prove to be a blow from which he and the college might not so easily recover.
Meanwhile back inside the pavilion the players had also begun to disperse and began to change back into their regular clothes in an atmosphere of shocked silence. Martin had managed to find the cricket coach, Dave Graham and together they had shepherded Bobby Marsh away from the others and were sitting with their arms around the whimpering teenager, attempting to comfort him. Martin and Mark remained in the washroom area along with the paramedics waiting for the arrival of a doctor to issue the death certificate. Mark had pointed out to martin that the shower was still running and had found a means of roping off the area in case there was any evidence to be found there. Both men knew that the main question was why was Paul in the bath when he could have been under the shower. Martin summarised the position succinctly,
"I know it's going to be difficult but we need to talk to the College team players to find out who saw Paul last and where he was going and whether he said anything to them about a shower or a bath."
"I know, sir. I think we can rule out most of the Principal's team. The only one who went into the changing rooms was the wicketkeeper and he was in here with the last two batsmen Tim Oakley and Bobby Marsh. So they probably alibi each other,"
"Ask around. See if anyone sitting outside on the pavilion seating went inside."
"Will do, sir."
Mark returned with the news that the only people who had entered the pavilion changing areas had been members of the batting side. The last person to emerge after Paul Ferris had gone inside after his dismissal was Bobby Marsh. Mark looked at Martin and said,
"We've got to talk to Bobby, haven't we, sir?"
"Yes, Mark, we have, but I think I'm going to ask Mike to do it. He has a good relationship of trust with that boy. If anyone can find out anything, Mike will."
Mark acknowledged that the Superintendent's proposal was a sound one. The doctor and some forensic officers had arrived by this time and Martin went off to speak to Mike Rickwood. The sergeant was still comforting Bobby when the Superintendent found him and beckoned him over. In a whisper Martin explained what was needed,
"I need to find out who saw Paul last. We have evidence it was Bobby. I don't think he's a suspect but he was the last person to see him so I need to know whether Paul said anything significant to him."
Mike went back and sat down by Bobby and started talking quietly to him. The young and very distressed student looked slightly more upset by what Mike had said to him but gradually he regained his composure and started to reply. Mike nodded as Bobby talked to him and, after several more questions and answers, the Sergeant got up again and reported back to Mark and Martin,
"Bobby says that he spoke to Paul just before he went out to bat and he saw him walking towards the showers. Paul had told Bobby he was going to get out of his sweaty cricket gear and put clean ones on and would join him at tea. When he came back after being the last man out, he, Tim and our wicketkeeper all heard the shower running. Bobby and Tim had called to Paul to say that they were going to tea and would see him over there. They had not heard a reply and had assumed that Paul was did not hear them because eof the noise from his shower. All three of them left the pavilion together and walked to the tea tent."
"Thanks, Mike, you did well even though the information doesn't take us much further forward. We need to know first if this is an accident and second, if it isn't and is somehow linked to the killing of Lawrence Miller, how did a killer get into the shower area unseen and finally whether there is any link at all between the two deaths? We know about Paul and Lawrence's sexual relationship but did anyone else know?"
"Or, sir, is there some other motive for these killings that we haven't yet found," intervened Mark thoughtfully.
"Yes, Mark, quite right, that's a real possibility we may well need to investigate further."
During all the commotion near the pavilion, Tom and Ruth had organised the children and ensured that they were steered away from whatever unpleasantness was going on the other side of the field. Ruth looked at Tom and said,
"It looks as though Mark and Martin will be heavily involved for some time. Would you like me to take Harry and Simon back with David and me? They can stay the night and you can pick them up tomorrow, heaven knows when the other two will be ready to leave."
"That's really good of you Ruth. I know the boys would like that and if it's not too much trouble I'd be very happy to accept. I'll hang around for a while and se if I can get a word with Martin and give you a call to let you know what has happened."
Tom rounded up the three boys and told them what was to happen and all three looked delighted. Then two adults accompanied the boys to the car and loaded them into Ruth's people carrier. Tom stood and waved as the large vehicle drove away. Once the returning group had disappeared from sight, Tom walked purposefully back towards the pavilion. On his way Tom saw someone running away from the pavilion at high speed and coming straight towards him so he called out,
"Hey!! Look out!! Stop!! Let's talk and try to get to the bottom of what is the matter."
Tom recognised the young man as the boy who had been operating the score board and scoring for the College team. The young teen looked very upset and distraught and Tom decided he needed to spend some time comforting him and trying to calm him down, so he grabbed hold of the boy and stopped him from going any further. Feeling himself caught, the youngster wriggled but could not get away and began to shout,
"Paul's dead!! Paul's dead!!! And it's all my fault!!!!"
Tom realised that the Paul in question was the highly talented batsman they had seen playing so well earlier but could not make any sense out of what the young man he was holding was saying and said so,
"What do you mean? Even if this Paul is dead. You couldn't have killed him. You were in the score box all afternoon. I know because we were sat next to it and we would have seen you if you left. Let's start at the beginning. Tell me your name."
"It's Peter, sir", mumbled the still distraught boy, "Peter Fowler."
"OK, Peter, calm down a moment and tell me what the problem is", Tom said reassuringly, "You can't be responsible directly for Paul's death, so what do you mean."
"Well, sir, I'm afraid I'll get into trouble and be blamed. It's like this Paul and I agreed what we would tell the Police when we were interviewed. What we told them was the truth but only part of it. We missed out some of what happened."
"I see, Peter, and you think it's probably important, do you? Why don't you try it out on me first?"
Peter agreed and gave Tom a full account of his meeting with Paul in the score box the day of Lawrence Miller's death. Tom listened intently and when the teenager had finished, the older man smiled encouragingly and then said,
"I certainly think that you need to tell the investigation team what you've just told me. I'll come with you and make sure they talk to you straight away and in private. OK?"
Tom led Peter back across the playing field towards the pavilion and, when they got reasonably close, told the youngster to stay where he was and wait until he returned. The older man told the PC guarding the entrance to the pavilion his name and, after the Constable had checked, Tom was allowed through. The Superintendent saw his partner coming towards him and came over to meet him. Tom explained what had occurred and Martin told him to take the teenager to an area in the main College building where he and Mark would join them very shortly. They would be finished the search of the shower area very soon and he was hoping that the body could be removed for the post mortem examination very quickly after that. Tom understood and, following Martin's directions, rejoined Peter and guided him discreetly to the room where the interview would take place. The Superintendent indicated that he was happy for the body to be removed and asked that the small crowd of onlookers that remained should be dispersed. Sergeant Rickwood and a small number of local PCs undertook this duty. Once the area was cleared a dark hearse drew up and the remains of Paul Ferris were taken away to the mortuary.
Tom and Peter had only a short wait before the Superintendent, accompanied by his Chief Inspector friend Mark Jamieson and Sergeant Mike Rickwood joined them in the room that was to be used for the interview. Encouraged by the three policemen and by Tom, Peter told his story and again expressed his concern that his failure to tell everything might have caused Paul's death. Martin tried to be as comforting as possible, although he did feel that what Peter had said was potentially a crucial piece of evidence. He looked at the rather upset teenager and said as quietly as he could,
"I will have to ask you a few questions about what you've just told us. The first one is whether you can tell us how long Paul was a way from the score box?"
Peter thought for a moment and then said,
"About five minutes, perhaps a little more."
"Do you know where he went?"
"Not exactly but I think he went towards the tower."
"OK and when he came back he said it wasn't safe and there was someone he didn't recognise nearby."
"Yes. He told me this a few minutes after he got back to the score box."
"Is it possible someone could have heard him talking to you or recognised him even if he did not know who they were?"
"The walls of the score box are quite thin. I suppose that, if someone was walking by the score box at that moment, they could have heard him talking. I guess if it was someone from the College they would have recognised him, he was pretty well known. Oh, I've just thought of something else. After we had finished in the score box we went back to College by different routes to avoid arousing suspicion. Well I went the route back towards the tower and then swung round to walk behind the pavilion. On the way I found a loose cricket stump, so I picked it up and took it back to the storeroom by the pavilion. Is that important?"
Mark looked slightly annoyed but said as comfortingly as he could,
"Yes, very important. Even more so if you could show us exactly where you found it."
"Yes, sir, I can. But one final thing, does what Paul and I did together in the score box, the sex I mean, does that have to come out?"
"Not at this stage, Peter", Martin said encouragingly, "Now can you show us exactly where you found the cricket stump?"
Peter led the small party back towards the playing filed and across to the pavilion and the walked back round towards the score box. He found the spot he was looking for and pointed it out. The three policemen could see immediately that anyone coming along the path from the tower could easily have tried to hide the stump in the area. The problem was that the forensic tests had proved negative for bloodstains and fingerprints, meaning that the killer had probably worn gloves and had use some means to clean the stump before disposing of it. Peter looked at the three policemen and Martin said,
"Thank you Peter this has been difficult for you I know but you did well. Tom, here, will take you back to your dormitory now. Please do not tell anyone about what we discussed. I shall be issuing a general warning to all of the College staff and students to be on their guard. I hope we can find the killer soon but in the meantime everyone must act sensibly."
Tom, accompanied by Mike walked back to Marston House with Peter and Martin and Mark went off to find the Principal. Alex Scott-Brown was sitting with his head in his hands in the study of his house when the Superintendent and Mark arrived. Martin explained that he wanted the Principal to call a whole College assembly in the Main Hall for thirty minutes time. At that meeting, the Superintendent would explain what precautions needed to be taken to try to ensure that no more lives were lost. The Principal looked slightly taken aback by this suggestion and Martin tried his best to explain matters as calmly as he could,
"I'm sorry Mr Scott-Brown but we need to do this. I will explain more tomorrow, but it is possible that Paul Ferris died because he saw something or said something that alarmed the murderer. It's also possible that other students or staff may inadvertently have heard or seen something as well. If so, I need to be sure that everyone is forewarned."
"Do you mean you think the killer lives here in the College. That it's one of us?"
"I think that could well be the case, yes, Mr Scott-Brown."
"But won't your warning let the killer know you're onto them?"
"Maybe so, but I can't risk not warning the innocent members of the College staff and students of the potential danger they face."
"I understand. I'll set the meeting up for immediately before supper. Is that OK?"
"Thank you."
Martin left the Principal to get on with the organisation of the emergency meeting, while he arranged for a small contingent of local police to be assigned to duty within the College. At the appointed time, Martin and the Principal appeared together in the Main Hall. The Principal again made a short but moving speech expressing the horror and upset at the events that had occurred and reflecting on how each member of the College would have some memory or moment that would trigger grief and sorrow. Arrangements would be made for anyone to talk to counsellors and other people if they needed support at this difficult time. Alex Scott-Brown then handed over to Martin, who added his own words of sympathy and understanding before continuing,
"As you know, two people have died and we do not know who is responsible. We hope we soon will do but in the meantime there are some simple precautions you should all take. What I am about to say applies equally to staff as well as students. First, try never to be alone in places where you might be vulnerable. Always go to classes in the company of others. Second, stay in your dormitories after dark and don't leave on your own for any reason Thirdly, if someone asks to see you, make sure someone else knows who you are going to see, where you are going to see them and why you are seeing them. Fourthly, I hope no one is in danger but we can't be sure. I have arranged for the College to be patrolled by local police tonight and for the foreseeable future. If you are careful and obey these instructions, annoying though they may seem, then no one else need lose their life. Finally, may I again ask that if anyone has any information, however unimportant or trivial please talk to one of us on the investigation team. Thank you."
After he had finished speaking, the College staff and students left the Main Hall in silence. Martin hoped that his warning would be heeded and that no further deaths would occur. In the meantime, however, there was a long night ahead of him and the rest of the investigation team. Before they parted Tom told his partner that the boys were with Mark's wife Ruth and son David and that they would be able to stay the night there. Tom and Martin telephoned Ruth and spoke to the children who were delighted at the prospect of staying over and Tom reassured Ruth that he would be round first thing to collect Harry and Simon. At the entrance to the College Martin embraced his lover and thanked him for his assistance during the difficult day. Martin then explained that he would not be able to return home for some time. Tom already knew this would be the case but indicated that he understood and, after hugging Martin close to him for several moments, slowly walked to his car and began the lonely drive home.
If you have any comments or liked the story please let me know cutrose40@yahoo.co.uk