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.
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 10
Simon, Harry and Tom were delighted to see Martin back home so early and looking rather pleased with himself. The two young children looked forward hopefully to the possibility that they might be taken out somewhere for an early evening treat while Tom hoped that the smile meant that the murder case had been solved. Martin was about to disappoint everyone, first he told the children that he had to do more work that night but would take them out `very soon' and then he told his lover the developments that had taken place during the day. Tom agreed with his partner that the developments were significant but did not finalise the case, However, the younger lover did persuade Tom that they could take the children out for a meal at a local fast food restaurant and Martin gladly agreed. They were soon back home after a their meal out and shortly after that the children were having their bath and getting ready for bed. Martin and Tom jointly supervised this exercise and they once the boys were in bed returned to the living room. Tom would have liked to have rounded the day off with a long sensual cuddle and a bout of frantic but satisfying love-making but it was clear that Martin still wanted to do some thinking so the younger lover did not broach the subject. Tom announced that he was off to bed and came over to embrace his lover. Martin warmed to Tom's embrace and was tempted to go straight to bed himself but decided that he could not do so and told his partner that he needed to get his thoughts straight for the morning. Tom accepted this and walked hesitantly from the room hoping that his partner might change his mind but he did not show any signs of following him so he revised his expectations and made his way to bed. Martin stayed up for quite a while thinking through what he had found out during the day and then considering how he would approach the interviews the following morning. Finally, having resolved matters to his own satisfaction, Martin went to bed. Climbing into his large bed, the older man looked down lovingly at his partner and gently caressed his body as he snuggled up against Tom, who stirred slightly but went on sleeping. Happy and content to lie close to his partner, Martin soon drifted into a deep sleep.
Unusually it was the children that first awoke Martin the following morning and he was surprised that he had slept so late and so well. Tom was already up and he and the boys had prepared coffee and toast for Martin. The two boys sat on the bed and watched as Martin ate his breakfast and then asked if they could come into the shower with him when he washed. Martin agreed and Tom went off to get some towels from the other bathroom while Harry and Simon ran gleefully into the shower and started turning it on. Martin caught them just in time before they flooded the bathroom. The shower was rather crowded with Martin, Harry and Simon all inside it and all three of the occupants decided that they would not linger for very long. Soon, Harry was ready to come out of the water and Tom who was waiting just outside the door wrapped him in a towel. Simon quickly followed Harry out of the shower. Martin spent a few extra minutes alone completing his wash before emerging to dry himself off and prepare to go to work. As he got himself ready for the day, Martin told Tom that he thought that it was likely to be a hard and difficult day, but he hoped by the end of it they would be closer to an arrest.
As arranged, Mike called round for Martin and together they drove to meet Mark at the local Police Station nearest to Greymount College. Martin had thought carefully about the day and had decided that he wanted to establish the truth of David Graham's accusation about the affair between Lizzie Scott-Brown and Andy Stephens before he did anything else. The Superintendent told the other two officers of his plan and they generally approved of his approach. Martin said that he would talk to Lizzie alone and suggested that the other two continue to carry on with routine tasks until they could interview Andy Stephens which they would schedule for later in the day. Before he left for the short drive to the College, Martin telephoned the Principal's house and spoke directly to his wife and informed her that he wished to clarify a couple of things on her statement and would be calling at the house in a few moments.
Less than ten minutes later, the Superintendent was being ushered into the smart living room in the Principal's house and Lizzie was asking him if he wanted any refreshments. Martin declined the offer and got straight to the point,
"Mrs Scott-Brown, is it true that you and Andy Stephens were having an affair?"
The colour drained almost immediately from the Principal's wife's pretty face as Martin spoke and she looked as if she was about to faint. The reaction was enough to confirm to Martin that the allegation was true but he needed to hear it directly from the woman herself and he sat quietly waiting for a response. Finally, Lizzie had recovered enough composure to respond,
"Who .. who told you that?"
"Never mind that for now, Mrs Scott-Brown, is it true?"
Lizzie looked down at her feet and slowly nodded her head,
"Yes .. Yes, it's true. I did have .. am having .. an affair with him. But how did you find out about it."
"From your stepbrother, Mrs Scott-Brown. Does anyone else know about this affair?"
"I don't think so, no, certainly not my husband. He mustn't know it'd kill him and finish me. Please can we keep this quiet."
"I can't promise that, Mrs Scott-Brown. If either the murder of Lawrence Miller or that of Paul Ferris is connected in any way to the affair, then it will be impossible to keep the matter quiet."
By now Lizzie Scott-Brown had recovered her more robust nature and looked directly back at the superintendent and said,
"You're not saying that you think that An .. Andy is responsible for these deaths, are you?"
"It's a possibility that we can't rule out, Mrs Scott-Brown, unless you have any evidence to the contrary."
"Well at the time that that poor student, Paul Ferris, was killed Andy couldn't have done it as he was talking to my husband and they walked together to the tea tent. I saw them go."
"And where were you to see them?"
"I was walking from the House to the tea tent and got a clear view of them."
"Did anyone else see you on this walk?"
"Some of the students must have seen me but if you are asking whether I was with anyone the answer is no I wasn't."
"Thank you, Mrs Scott-Brown we may require you to put this in writing at a later stage but for the time being that's all. However I must ask you to keep this conversation private and not to say anything to any one, least of all Mr Stephens. Is that clear?'
"Perfectly, Superintendent."
Martin rose from his chair and walked towards the door, which opened before he could reach it and in swept Alex Scott-Brown. The Principal looked slightly startled at the presence of the Superintendent in his living room and blurted out,
"Oh Superintendent, I didn't know you were here. I do hope that Lizzie has been entertaining you but nobody said you were looking for me. I'm sorry to keep you waiting."
"That's quite all right, Mr Scott-Brown, your wife was the one I came to see and she has been most helpful."
The Principal looked slightly taken aback at the news that Martin had come to see his wife and asked slightly incredulously,
"You .. came .. to see .. Lizzie?"
Martin noted the look of anxiety and pleading that crossed Lizzie Scott-Brown's face as he made to answer,
"Yes, indeed. It was a small matter concerning something in her statement over what happened on Sunday. I've clarified the point I needed to know and was just about to leave. However, there is a small matter I wanted to discuss with you, so I might as well do it now, if that's OK?"
Martin acknowledged the look of gratitude that crossed Lizzie's face as she heard his response to her husband's question. She was also relieved when Alex said,
"Of course we can discuss it now. Why don't we step into my study? Did Lizzie offer you a drink? If not, I always have coffee about now. Would you are to join me, Superintendent?"
"Thank you, Mr Scott-Brown, that would be most acceptable."
As the two men crossed the hallway to Alex's comfortable study, Lizzie went scurrying to the kitchen to make the coffee. Everything in her actions suggested fear, but Martin could not decide whether this reaction was due to his interview with the Principal's wife or fear of the Principal himself. As he thought about it, there was more to Alex Scott-Brown than met the eye and Martin wondered whether he was capable of killing a man whom he knew to be having an affair with his wife. It would also be interesting, if necessary, to delve more deeply into the relationship between Lizzie, her husband and her lover. Martin was still wondering if his interest was professional or prurient when they finally sat down in the comfortable chairs in the Principal's private study.
"So, Superintendent, what can I do for you today?"
The Principal's tone seemed to Martin to be either weary or bored, but the Superintendent ignored this and asked his simple question,
"I need to know about the security of the pavilion. The odds must be either that the killer went in through the front entrance to the building or was already inside when Paul Ferris was killed. However, I understand that there is another way into the building somewhere round the back."
Before he could answer the Superintendent's question, the coffee arrived and the Principal watched as his wife poured two cups and handed them round to the two men. She followed this up by offering the two men a choice of milk and sugar. Alex waited until his wife had left the room before he made his response to Martin's question,
"Yes, there is a back door to the pavilion, Superintendent, but it's rarely used and as far as I know it is usually locked.'
"I see. Usually locked, you say? Well, whose job is it to lock the door and who has keys?"
"You're not saying that the murderer went in through the back door are you?"
"Not definitely, no, but we have to consider the possibility and I have to tell you that when my investigating team tried the door, it was unlocked."
"Well, yes, that's possible. You see in match days we sometimes unlock that door in case of an emergency and also it's where bits of equipment are sometimes stored and brought out for the game."
"And who would know about this door and the arrangements for opening and locking it up?"
Well, several members of staff especially those with responsibility for the games and members of the sporting teams concerned. It's used more often during the winter and responsibility for locking up is normally given to the member of staff in charge of the specific sport, and the caretaker, of course."
"So David Graham would be responsible this term and who looks after it during the winter terms?"
"Um, let me see. Soccer would be Raymond Collinson, although I believe he normally delegated the responsibility to the caretaker and Andy Stephens was in charge of rugby. I believe he usually locked up himself.
"Thank you, that was most useful."
"You don't seriously think that one of those people might be the murderer? I suppose suspicion points at David Graham as he has disappeared, I understand. Is there any news of him?"
"At the moment suspicion has to fall on almost everyone in the College, I'm sorry to say, Mr Scott-Brown. As for any individual all I can say is that we have a reasonable idea where Mr Graham is and we will want to use his evidence in building a case, along with that of all the other witnesses. However, for the time being we are as we often say `keeping an open mind'."
"I do hope it isn't a member of staff, Superintendent. I don't think I, or the Trustees, could stand another blow. Of course we all want to find the murderer but hopefully not from within the College community. Only then can the College get back to some form of normality and students get on with preparing for their important examinations in a few weeks or days time."
"Well I can't make any promises either way on the matter of who we will find is the murderer, but I agree with you that we need to wrap the case up as quickly as possible so that you can all get back to a normal academic life. Anyway, thank you for the information about the pavilion and who is responsible for its security, you have, as always been most helpful. I think that it is time for me to leave you and then we can both get on with more pressing matters, I wouldn't doubt."
"Thank you, Superintendent." Alex Scott-Brown said quietly and then raised his voice to call his wife, who appeared almost immediately,
"Would you show the Superintendent out, please my dear?"
Martin followed Lizzie to the door and as he passed in front of her to leave he mouthed `goodbye' and she responded with an equally quiet but also sincere,
"Goodbye and thank you for not saying anything about me and Andy,"
Martin turned and responded,
"Not yet anyway and remember not a word to anyone."
The Superintendent did not wait for a response but strode off back towards the classroom they used as a base. Martin looked at his watch, if all was going to plan, Andy Stephens would be arriving at the incident room is less than fifteen minutes. Mike and Mark looked up expectantly as Martin walked in and they could tell from his expression that he had received confirmation that Lizzie and Andy had been having an affair. The Superintendent also confided to them the information the Principal had given him concerning the pavilion and the fact that Andy Stephens knew about the rear door. Mike looked very enthusiastic at this piece of news and blurted out,
"Are you going to arrest him as soon as he arrives?"
"No, Mike, there's not enough evidence for a start and I want to hear his side of the story before I decide to jump that far. Let's go nice and gentle with him to start with and then hit him with the affair, see how he reacts to that!" A few moments later there was a tentative knock on the door of the incident room, which announced the arrival of Andy Stephens. The young Assistant House Master was conventionally handsome, but quite a lot smaller than one might have expected from a rugby player. He was also quite well built with, Martin noted, strong forearms and a muscular upper body. Martin smiled at Andy as he entered,
"Come in, Mr Stephens, thank you for sparing the time to see us. Let me introduce my colleagues this is Mark Jamieson, Detective Chief Inspector, from the local Police Force and the other person present is Detective Sergeant Mike Rickwood, who, like me, is from Scotland Yard. You've probably seen Mike around and he played in the game on Sunday. I'm Detective Superintendent Martin Roberts. I must emphasise that you are here voluntarily and you are free to leave at any time and equally you are free to ask for legal representation at any time. We will want to start by asking you a few questions about what you saw and where you were on Sunday last, the day that Paul Ferris was killed. Is that OK."
"Fine by me, Superintendent. I assume you want me to tell you about my activities from the start of the match onwards?"
Martin nodded and Mike got out his notepad as Andy began to speak,
"Let me see. I decided to have a late lunch, as I am not really a cricket person, too slow, give me rugby anytime. I had intended to visit my girlfriend, Anna Young, but she was stuck in the infirmary with that lad who had the severe asthma attack. She told me he wanted to go to the cricket so we arranged to meet there. I strolled slowly over to the ground and saw that Paul Ferris and your Sergeant here were having a good old battle of wits. I could not see Anna so I decided to walk right round the boundary. I was about half way round when I saw Anna bringing Johnny Price the sick boy to the pavilion in a wheelchair. I watched the bowling from almost directly in front of the sightscreen and then continued, rather faster, towards the pavilion. There was quite a commotion when Johnny and Anna arrived, Johnny's a popular student and his friends almost mobbed him. I waited for things to quieten down and then went to talk to Anna, but the Principal, who wanted me to talk to him about some House business, prevented me from doing so. Shortly after we started chatting Paul Ferris was out and the Principal stopped briefly but asked me to wait. I looked round for Anna, as I wanted to explain the delay but could not see her. I could not refuse the Principal's request to wait for him so I sat there for a few minutes until he returned. It was not long after that when the Student's innings closed and the Principal and I walked over to the tea tent together."
Martin and the other policemen exchanged glances and then the Superintendent intervened with a question, "You're saying that the only time you were not either walking round the ground or sitting with the Principal were a few moments just after Paul Ferris was out and the Principal disappeared. Did he go into the pavilion?"
"No, I think he went to say something to David Graham. David might have gone inside, I'm not sure. Is it important?"
"Everyone's movements around the time of the murder are important, sir", Mark intervened slightly coldly.
"I understand, Chief Inspector, I'm sorry. Should I continue?"
"Please", Martin said in a more conciliatory manner.
"I went to the tea ten with Alex Scott-Brown and was hoping that in a few minutes Anna would come over and joined us but she didn't. In fact I didn't see her until someone called for medical help in the pavilion. She told me she realised I would be tied up with the Principal for some time and had decided to go back to the sick bay and watch television."
Martin again sounded conciliatory,
"Yes, that's right, Mr Stephens, that's what she told us, too. But tell me did you see anyone enter or leave the pavilion at any time after Paul was out?"
"No, Superintendent, nobody apart from the batsmen who went in to change after they had been dismissed."
"OK, Mr Stephens, thanks."
Martin again sounded relaxed and at ease and Mark from old experience knew that he was about to strike a first blow. Andy Stephens, thinking the interview was over made to rise but the Superintendent indicated he wanted to ask some more questions,
"Before you go, there is another matter I'd like to ask about, it concerns the pavilion. You are a rugby man as you said and you will know about the rear door to the pavilion. What are the arrangements for keeping that door secure?"
"Normally the person responsible for the game ensures it's unlocked and locked. The door may be open during the game may be kept open in case equipment is needed to be got hold of or an injured player needs to be taken to the sick bay, it's the quickest route there. If it's left unlocked then the caretaker would normally lock it when he did his rounds, but it's easy to forget. I don't know if it was open on the day of Paul's death but I presume it was. Why do you ask?" Martin saw no reason not to tell Andy the truth,
"It's possible that that door was used by the killer to gain entry to the washroom and shower area where Paul died. Tell me, did many people know about the door and where it led to?"
"Most of the staff and players on teams, I should imagine."
Martin sighed loudly and looked at Mark who realised that the moment had come to really hit Andy hard. The Chief Inspector leaned forward aggressively and said,
"Tell me, Mr Stephens, when did you and Lizzie Scott-Brown start your affair?"
Mark's question brought a reaction from Andy that was similar to someone being struck by a rapier and it was several moments before the teacher could respond. It was obvious that he was uncertain how to reply and unsure of just how much the Police actually knew. He obviously decided that a straight denial of the existence of any relationship with the Principal's wife was not a realistic option. Eventually, in a quiet and rather subdued voice Andy replied to Mark's question,
"It started several months ago. It was one Saturday evening and I was on duty on the dormitory, as usual, and Anna was in the infirmary with several students suffering from German measles. Lizzie came across to the dormitory looking for her husband but he wasn't to be found, no doubt off with his local cronies I suppose. Anyway, I was having a drink and naturally I offered her one and she took it. I don't know how it happened but very soon she was pouring out all her troubles to me. She told me that Alex was not very attentive and had lost interest in her once she had produced a couple of children. It was the usual `my husband doesn't understand me' and I suppose I fell for it. Not long after she started telling me her concerns I found myself kissing her and one thing led to another and soon we were having sex on the floor of my living room. Neither of us seemed to care if we were caught, which fortunately we weren't. After it was over, I said I wasn't sure that we should have done what we did and she agreed but neither of us meant it. The next day I received a note from Lizzie asking me to come to meet her and I went and things just progressed from there."
Mark intervened to prompt Andy to go further,
"OK, so that's how it started. Is it still going on?"
Andy looked back at the Chief Inspector and said,
"Sort of. Of course I love my girlfriend, Anna, but I also love Lizzie in a different way. Lizzie is so much more experienced, so physical. She satisfies my needs in a more fulfilling way than Anna ever could. I've tried to end it with Lizzie but I couldn't and I think she feels the same way. On the other hand I stand to lose my job and my career if the Principal ever found out."
"Were you worried enough about that question to be willing to protect your secret, Mr Stephens?"
This time it was Martin who intervened and Andy looked aghast at the suggestion,
"Of course not!! Hardly anyone knew about us, except that stepbrother of hers, David Graham. He found out and started to threaten me, saying that he would lose his job if Alex found out. I asked Lizzie why David was so concerned about our secret getting out and she explained the situation and then I understood, but now the old busybody has disappeared hasn't he?"
"Apparently so, Mr Stephens, but let us get back to you and your story, leave Mr Graham to us. Where did you and Lizzie meet?"
Once again Martin was concerned to move matters on and not to be side tracked into other issues.
"Sometimes we met in my rooms in College House, never at her house and at other times in the tower basement. There was a rumour that the tower was used by student smokers so I encouraged people to believe that and then if I was spotted I could explain that I was checking to see if any smokers were about. If we were both spotted I could say that I met Lizzie using the short cut from the village that runs through the woods. We found a way to bar the door once inside and it was normally possible to tell when it was safe for us to leave."
"OK. Why did you suggest that people look in the tower on the day Lawrence Miller went missing?"
"It was simple, Superintendent, we'd looked everywhere else and the tower was the only place we hadn't searched. It wasn't possible to avoid suggesting there."
"Did you know that Lawrence Miller's body was there all along, Mr Stephens?"
"I don't like your inference, Chief Inspector! No I did not know his body was there. I didn't kill him and I don't know who did. I couldn't possible have known he was there."
Martin looked on thoughtfully while this exchange took place and then said,
"You said that Mr Graham was threatening you. On the day of Lawrence Miller's murder and at roughly the time he was killed were you on your way to the tower or at the tower?"
"No, I was not!"
Andy Stephens' answer came just that little bit too quickly and Martin and probably the teacher recognised the error straight away,
"Are you sure, Mr Stephens, we have a witness who claims to have seen you walking away from the tower?"
"Yes, Superintendent. I did walk towards the tower that morning. I had asked David Graham to see me so that we could try to settle things but as I was going to the meeting I thought better of it and turned round and walked back. Your witness confirms I was walking away from the tower not towards it, doesn't he?"
"Indeed so, but we do not know the exact moment Mr Miller died so it doesn't put you in the clear."
"But why would I wish to kill Lawrence? He was a good friend, he didn't know about me and Lizzie and he wasn't threatening me!!"
Mark and Martin knew that they could not pursue this line further without any more concrete evidence so Mark changed tack again,
"Apart from our witness did anyone else see you turn round and walk back or did you see anyone else near the tower on the morning in question?"
Andy looked slightly relieved at the change of direction and replied more confidently,
"No to both questions, Chief Inspector. I don't think anyone saw me and I certainly didn't see anyone else."
"OK, thank you. That's almost everything for today but one last question. Does anyone else know about your affair?"
"Not that I know of, Superintendent and I hope it stays that way."
"Thank you, Mr Stephens I can't promise you that if it proves to be an integral part of the case. I must ask you not to discuss anything that has been said in this room today in strictest confidence. Do not discuss it with anyone and that include Lizzie Scott-Brown. Someone may be killing to keep something secret and talking could put people's lives at risk. Finally, I may well need to talk to you again but for now you are free to go."
A somewhat relieved Andy Stephens left the interview and still rather shaken went back to supervise the lunch break in his dorm. Meanwhile Martin, Mark and Mike sat together in the incident room assessing the latest developments. As usual Martin said a few words by way of introduction,
"Well, I don't know about you two I thought that was very interesting but I'm not sure that it gets us very far. By the way Lizzie confirmed to me earlier that the affair was a reality and still, as far as she is concerned, an active one and her husband also told me about the back door to the pavilion. Andy Stephens testimony on that is confirmed by what Mr Scott-Brown said. So, do you two think Andy was telling the truth about the rest of the events?"
Mark responded first,
"I was quite persuaded by his account of the morning of Lawrence Miller's death. I know there's no clear evidence to support him except even David Graham's account says he was walking away from the tower. My gut instinct is to say that he didn't kill Miller, which makes it unlikely that he killed Paul Ferris either, sir."
Mike Rickwood who had been keeping the notes of the exchanges nodded in agreement,
"I agree with that as well, sir. And another thing is that his account of his movements at the time of Paul Ferris' death suggests that he couldn't have committed that murder either. He has a powerful alibi in the fact that he was with the Principal."
The Chief Inspector interjected another comment at this point,
"Not all the time, though, Mike. He says that he was alone for a few minutes but I agree it would have been difficult for him to get in and out of the pavilion and back to his seat without his absence being noted or his movements being seen."
Martin acknowledged these points and added,
"He'd also have been very wet as well. I think that there is little point at this stage in going further with the Miller murder. I believe that the key to this case lies in the death of Paul Ferris. If we solve that case we get the killer. What do you say to the idea of a reconstruction? I would not use the students, it would be too traumatic for them but the main adult staff members could take part and we could provide our own people to play the other roles. I think that would give us a better idea of what happened and who was actually where."
Mark looked enthusiastic and said,
"Sounds a good idea to me, but would they all agree and will David Graham wish to expose himself to the danger he claims to be in?"
"Leave Mr Graham to me", Martin said grimly. I will contact the Principal and get it organised. He won't like it but it shouldn't take more than an hour or so. I'll suggest as soon as possible, do you agree?"
"Yes sir" chorused Mark and Mike.
As Martin had predicted Alex Scott-Brown was far from pleased at the suggestion of a reconstruction but reluctantly agreed to it for the following day after he was reassured that no students would have to be involved. It was agreed, however, that students would be informed that the activity was to take place and Martin stressed in his short speech that if any of the students remembered, saw or heard anything during the reconstruction they could contact any member of the investigation team in private afterwards.
A few moments later Mike Rickwood was cornered by Bobby Marsh, who indignantly demanded to know why students were not allowed to take part in the reconstruction. The Police Sergeant explained that it was felt that it would prove very traumatic for several of the students and they could still help by being present if they wished and making comments afterwards. This went part way to satisfying Bobby, who claimed he represented a wide measure of student opinion and added,
"We all want to help, you know."
"We do know that Bobby but we don't want to cause more upset or put any more lives in danger if we can avoid it."
Rather reluctantly and still keen to express his objections, Bobby decided not to press the point and went back to his dormitory. As he left he looked pointedly at the Superintendent and his two fellow officers and said,
"Maybe tomorrow, you'll solve this crime."
Martin smiled grimly and said,
"Let's hope so, Bobby. Let's hope so!"
to be continued
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