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 12 The patrol car arrived at the main College entrance to collect Martin and take the Superintendent to the local Police station where he would have the chance to interview his prisoner. Before he did that, however, Martin wanted to settle a number of outstanding matters. First, the Superintendent called to check that the hypodermic syringe had been sent to the laboratory for forensic examination and to ask when the results of the examination could be expected. Second, Martin called Mike Rickwood to ask him to come to his temporary office in the Police Station. When the Sergeant arrived in his room, Martin came straight to the point,
"Why did you feel so sure that Anna might be interested in endangering the life of young Peter Fowler, when we were racing towards Marston House, Mike?"
"Well, sir, I remembered that just as he ran past me to go back to his dorm he had commented that during the reconstruction something had been wrong but he could not put his finger on it. I also remembered that the person who was nearest to me and who also must have overheard him was Anna Young. When you said that she was in Marston House it suddenly struck me that it was the same dorm that Peter Fowler lived in. I guess I just blurted it out."
"Good job you did, Mike. Well done. If you hadn't said anything we might have been too late!"
"Do you know how Peter is, sir?"
"Not yet. I think he's OK. I've arranged for his parents to be brought down to be at his bedside and I'm going to phone the hospital right now. You're welcome to stay while I do that if you want."
"Please, sir."
Martin smiled at the young Sergeant and turned back to the desk and dialled the number of the local hospital. It was evident that the news from the ward was good and Martin's smile was even broader when he finished the conversation and replaced the receiver.
"The official verdict is that Peter is suffering from severe shock but is generally in good health and will be able to go back to the College tomorrow. They will keep him in overnight just as a precaution. So he has a lot to thank you for. I don't know yet what was in that hypodermic but I can tell you that it was certainly not going to do him any good."
"There's something puzzling me, sir. How do you think Anna Young thought she could get away with it?" "I don't know yet. Maybe the contents of the hypodermic was a sedative so that Anna could get him to the infirmary and then finish him off there. I'm speculating but it's a string possibility, I'd wager. By the way, how is our prisoner settling in? I thought I'd give her a few more minutes to consider the hopelessness of her position, at least in relation to Peter Fowler. Whether she'll confess to the other killings, I don't yet know."
"She looks pretty broken to me, sir. I think she may well give us all the details."
"Has she got a brief?"
"No, sir, but Chief Inspector Jamieson says that he asked her whether she wanted him to call for a duty solicitor to be present. Apparently she turned the offer down on the grounds that she already has a legal representative and she asked to be allowed to telephone him to get him to come and represent her. According to Miss Young he has only recently taken up a position in a local firm and he lives not far away so he should be here directly. Would you like me to let you know when he arrives?"
"Good old Mark you can always rely on him to get the procedures in order! Yes, please do let me know when the brief arrives. We'll let them have a bit of a conference before we start the interview. Let the pressure build up."
As things turned out, there was quite a wait as Anna Young's solicitor was delayed by a tyre puncture on his way to the Police Station. Finally, a Mr Ian Finlayson arrived and introduced himself to the investigating officers. Mark seemed slightly surprised at the youthful appearance of Anna's solicitor as he thought he knew most of the local lawyers but Ian Finlayson was certainly one that he had never met before. However, the young solicitor explained that he had only recently joined his current firm and that this was his first visit to the local Police Station. However, Anna Young's legal advisor assured the investigators that he had already acquired considerable experience because his previous employment had been as a duty solicitor where he had dealt with all sorts of criminal cases. Before the interview could be started, Ian Finlayson asked for a few moments to confer with his client. After what seemed like an eternity, the youthful solicitor appeared to say that he was satisfied that the interview could begin although he did point out that it was now getting quite late in the evening. Martin was unprepared to delay the interview any further, pointing out that it was late for everyone and that he and the other investigating officers were anxious to get the case and the interview completed as soon as possible. After checking again that his client understood the charges and had been properly cautioned by the Police, Anna Young's solicitor indicated that he was finally content for the questioning to begin.
Martin had spent some of the time that he had been kept waiting preparing his approach and discussing the roles the other officers might play in the proceedings. Martin led Mike Rickwood and Mark Jamieson into the interview room and they sat down on one side of the table, directly facing Anna Young and her legal representative. The interview began with each person present identifying themselves for the tape, all spoke clearly except Anna Young whose voice was very quiet and reedy. Martin was tempted to ask her to repeat her name louder for the tape but was satisfied that her voice had been picked up. Martin had decided that he would start with the first murder and indicated as much to his prisoner,
"I will want to question you about tonight's events in a little while but, because I believe that what happened today is linked to the earlier murders, I want to ask you about the deaths of Lawrence Miller and Paul Ferris first."
Without waiting for a reaction to this proposal, Martin opened his questioning,
"Miss Young, did you kill Lawrence Miller?"
Anna Young looked as though she was not going to reply but then with a sigh she said began to speak. Her voice was almost inaudible as she addressed the assembled investigating team,
"Yes, Superintendent, I'm afraid I did, but I did not mean to kill him. I thought he was someone else."
"Someone else?" Martin said encouragingly but insistently.
"Yes, I'd like to have the chance to explain. Let me start at the beginning when I first met Andy Stephens. I was in my first term at Greymount College when I met him and I was immediately attracted to him. He was handsome, funny and, to me, very, very sexy. It was not long before we were going out together and Andy was keen that we should sleep together. It was quite difficult because I was often left in charge of the infirmary and Andy had to look after College House, even though the Principal was nominally in charge. Fortunately the infirmary was not that far from the dormitory and on quiet nights one or other of us would slip out and meet together in one of our rooms. It was not long after I started going out with Andy that I heard rumours that he was often out and about in the town chasing other girls. I confronted him about this rumour and he swore to me that it was not true, but I told him if I found out he was lying to me we were finished. Shortly after this confrontation, Andy asked me to marry him but I decided that I was still too young and that, although I loved him, I was not yet ready to settle down. Andy said that he understood but would keep asking me until I agreed.
"I started to get a suspicion that something was wrong when several weeks went by and the subject of getting married was never raised. I began to wonder if Andy had found someone else. He sometimes disappeared for parts of the day when I thought we both ought to have been free and when I know he knew I would be available. I asked him about this and again he denied that there was anything going on. I only had suspicions at this stage, no proof, but I kept my eyes and ears open and hoped I might find out something to confirm or deny my considerable doubts. Then we began to quarrel quite a lot and he would offer vague and unconvincing excuses as to why we could not do certain things or meet as planned. I should have broken with him then, I see that now but I thought -- I knew -- I was in love and Andy was the man that I wanted. All this messing around with my emotions and with me began to make me increasingly angry. At first I was angry with myself for being in love with such a man as Andy, then with Andy for messing me up so much and finally with whoever it was, and I was convinced now that there was someone, who had come between the two of us. I was determined to find out who that person was and warn them off. Unfortunately I had no idea who the person was or how I could start to find out their identity.
"As luck would have it, a short time ago Andy was visiting me and we had made love in my room near the infirmary. It was a quiet afternoon and it had been wonderful as usual. Andy fell asleep after we had finished and I lay awake beside him for quiet a while before I decided to get up and make a drink for us both. As I walked back into the bedroom, I saw a small scrap of paper on the floor and I picked it up. I read the message that was written in block capitals, I can still remember its contents even though I threw it away."
Martin leaned forward and gently asked,
"And what did the note say, Miss Young?"
"I can tell you exactly, Superintendent. The note said `Meet me at the tower, immediately after breakfast on Sunday. Don't be late.'"
Mark, who had been listening silently to the young prisoner's explanation, asked sharply,
"Was the note signed?"
"No, there was no signature. I think there was a squiggle at the end but nothing I could recognise. However I saw this assignation as my opportunity. I would find out who Andy's mystery lover was and would deal with her. I started to make plans. I would try to find an excuse to keep Andy busy so that instead of him being able to get to the tower at the appointed time I would go instead. I also decided that I would take something with me to threaten the mystery woman. I remembered that if I went via the path through the woods I could stop at the cricket store and pick up one of the old stumps they use in the nets. I also decided to disguise myself so that even if I was seen nobody would recognise me. I knew where I could lay my hands on some old stage clothes from the recent College theatre productions and I could use some of them to change my appearance. There are tramps and other homeless people that sometimes use the woods as an overnight stopping place, especially in summer. I could make myself up to look like one of them by putting these ragged clothes over my normal clothing. On the morning it all happened everything seemed to be working out fine. Andy was on breakfast duty in the dormitory and I knew he would be hard-pressed to get to the tower quickly. I thought that I should get there early, so I went back to my room put on the items of old clothing. I knew that when I was in the tower I would have my chance to confront the mystery woman. If she was already there I would surprise her and if Andy arrived earlier than expected I would be able to expose his treachery."
Martin looked up and said,
"But it didn't quite go to plan, did it Miss Young?"
"No, Superintendent. The first part of the plan worked very well, I picked up the old stump and got to the tower in good time and hid upstairs behind the door to the upper room. I did not know where the meeting was due to take place but thought that I could use this vantage point to spy on whoever came in. I waited for several minutes and as I did so my anger at Andy and the other woman began to mount. By the time I heard the sound of someone opening the door downstairs I was mad with jealously and anger. I honestly don't know what came over me but I just saw red. As the footsteps got closer and closer and the door opened and someone came into the room I lashed out with the cricket stump and caught them a fierce blow. Whoever I hit and at that time I did not know that it was Lawrence Miller fell like a stone and as the body hit the floor the wooden planks gave way and it fell with a crash to the basement floor. I knew I ought to try to help them but I also knew that in all likelihood the person was dead and beyond my, or indeed anyone else's, help. I panicked and ran down the stairs, I did not even look to see who it was. I got to the tower door and was going to walk back to the College through the woods when I heard someone approaching. It was Paul Ferris, I knew him well and he knew me, so I dodged into the undergrowth and hid but he must have seen me even if he did not recognise me."
"So he had to die as well?" Mike Rickwood interrupted the flow from the young nurse with a sharp and angry question.
"Not at all. I was not certain that he had seen me or indeed recognised me, but obviously I had to find out. I stripped off the old clothes and used them to disguise the cricket stump I had in my possession. If I was seen I was going to say that I found them in the woods and was taking them away to dispose of them. I chose a path that would allow me to replace the cricket stump and return to the infirmary as quickly as possible. I could not see Paul Ferris when I got to the edge of the path and assumed he had gone on to the pavilion. My route took me past the score box and as I drew level with it I overheard Paul Ferris talking. I was unsure whether he was alone and talking to himself or with someone else and I did not have time to find out. What I did hear was enough. He was saying that it was dangerous in the woods by the tower and that he had seen a stranger there. I did not have time to wait to see whether Paul was alone or not. I had to get back so that I was not missed. I cleaned off the cricket stump and replaced it and then made it back to the infirmary having got rid of the clothing I wore in a large skip that was due for collection the following day. Nobody saw me. I thought I was safe. Then the news began to spread that Lawrence Miller was missing and my heart began to sink. I knew for certain that Andy would not be meeting a man, he wasn't gay but my gut feeling was that the body in the basement of the tower was that of Lawrence, who was also new to the College and a very pleasant man. When he didn't turn up that day I casually mentioned to Andy that the one place nobody would think to look would be the tower as it was out of bounds and only allegedly used by secret smokers trying to avoid detection. Andy had told me this one day a few months earlier and when I said it he thanked me for reminding him and said that he would lead a search to that place himself. The rest, Superintendent, you know. Except this, I had no intention of killing Lawrence Miller. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I had no idea why he was there although I do now. When you began your investigation I learned about his relationship with Paul Ferris and after that I assumed that when I heard him speaking Paul was leaving a message on Lawrence's answering machine warning him against going to the tower for a meeting that day. It was only much later that I found out that he was with another boy."
At this point Ian Finlayson, the prisoner's solicitor, coughed loudly and looked pointedly at his watch before saying,
"My client has been here at the end of a long day for a considerable time. Do you think we could have a break now and some refreshments?"
Martin looked serious for a moment and then said as he reached to switch off the tape recording the interview,
"OK. Let's break for an hour for refreshments. Interview suspended at 2215."
Martin went back to his temporary office and was joined there a few minutes later by Mike and Mark, both of whom looked thoroughly exhausted. Martin noted the tiredness of the two other officers and began to feel rather weary himself. Mark was the first to break the silence,
"It looks like she's going to confess to it all, but I don't know about you but I wouldn't say no to a bit of a rest and coming back to finish it off in the morning. I'm sure she won't change her mind about telling all after a few hours rest. What do you think, sir?"
"You're probably right about he willingness to confess, Mark and I am feeling tired too but I'd rather get this settled tonight if we can. However, if they make a move to ask for a delay until the morning, I won't resist it too much. While we're waiting I think I'll call the hospital and check on the latest news on Peter Fowler and also see if his parents have arrived safely."
Mike and Mark acknowledged the willingness of the Superintendent to delay the interview and understood his motives in not wanting to crack first. The two officers slowly walked away and left Martin alone to make his calls. They soon found refuge in another empty office nearby and within seconds were finding it difficult to fight the urge to sleep. Meanwhile, Martin had made two telephone calls. The first had been to the hospital where the news on Peter continued to be good and the young teenager had been improved even more by the arrival of his parents several minutes earlier. The second call had been to the laboratory to see how far they had got with the analysis of the contents of the hypodermic syringe that Anna Young had tried to use on Peter. Here the news was also helpful in that the nature of the drug in contained had been identified as a powerful sedative that had several side effects including temporary memory loss. The drug would not have been fatal but would have caused Peter to collapse and would have required him to be treated in the infirmary. Martin was promised a more detailed and definitive report by the morning. The Superintendent thanked the scientific team for their hard work and rang off. It was almost time to resume the interrogation so Martin went is search of the other two officers and found them dozing. The Superintendent gently woke the other two and they walked rather slowly back to the interview room. As the interrogators approached the entrance to the interview room, they were met by Ian Finlayson, who took Martin to one side and said,
"May I have a word, Superintendent?"
"Of course, Mr Finlayson. What is it?"
"My client has, I think you will agree, been most helpful in answering your questions this evening but she wants you to know that is feeling very, very tired. She has asked me to request from you an adjournment until morning, when she will be happy to answer your remaining questions. She's waiting inside the interview room now hoping for a positive answer from you."
Martin looked thoughtful for a moment and then nodded his assent but said quietly that he would still want to speak to the prisoner before the news was broken. Anna Young's solicitor thanked Martin and went back inside and the three Police officers followed on immediately behind him. When they had all settled at the table, Martin looked straight at Anna Young and said softly,
"Miss Young, Mr Finlayson has suggested that we might adjourn this interview until the morning on the grounds that you will be better able to continue to answer our questions fully and frankly as you have done up to now after a good night's rest. Under the circumstances I have decided to agree to this request and to hold over the rest of the questioning until the morning. Before we finish for today, however, I thought that I also ought to tell you that I have been in touch with the hospital and they say that Peter Fowler is recovering well and should be discharged in the morning."
Anna Young looked back at the Superintendent and her previously impassive face showed signs of relief,
"Thank you, Superintendent, you have been most understanding. I'd also like to add that I really am pleased that Peter is OK, I did not really want to harm him."
"Very well then. Interview terminated at 2320. We shall resume in the morning at 10. I hope that is convenient for you Mr Finlayson?"
The young solicitor indicated that it was and Martin concluded the proceedings,
"Thank you everyone."
Anna Young was taken back to her detention cell, Ian Finlayson had not even broached the subject of bail as he was fully aware that it would not be granted. After a brief word with his client, the young solicitor had departed. Once everything was settled, Martin led the way back to his temporary office where he and the other two investigators gathered up his belongings and then the three weary policemen also prepared to make their way home. Tired though he was, Mike Rickwood offered to run the Superintendent home and Martin gratefully accepted the Sergeant's offer. Mark said `goodnight' and drove off towards his family home shortly followed by Martin and Mike. The journey did not take long and soon Martin was opening the door to the home he shared with his partner, Tom. Martin's lover had prepared himself for a lonesome night and was greatly surprised when his partner appeared in their bedroom. Tom asked Martin eagerly for news and was pleased to hear that an arrest had been made and astonished when he learnt the circumstances in which the murderer had been caught.
"That really was a lucky breakthrough, wasn't it, Marty?"
"Yes, Tom, it was. I was beginning to think that either there were two murderers or that maybe I was looking in the wrong place. In a sense I was, but, as you say, we got the break we needed."
"You've charged her with murder and attempted murder I suppose?"
"Yes, although the attempted charge may be reduced. Anna Young claims she did not mean to harm Peter Fowler and that the death of Lawrence Miller was a mistake, she killed the wrong person. In reality the only pre-meditated killing was that of poor Paul Ferris. I agreed she could start answering questions on that in the morning as we were all very tired."
"You are a really good person, Marty, that's why I love you so much. A lot of others would have forced her and themselves to carry on until they had got every last detail in the confession. You deserve a reward! Are you too tired for a reward?"
Martin smiled back happily at his lover, a gesture that Tom took to mean that the older man was not too tired. Tom reached over and began to run his hands over Martin's bare chest and slowly down towards the groin. Despite his tiredness Martin could feel his prick begin to respond to his partner's advances. The dick responded even more when Tom began to tease and lick his lover's nipples as his hand worked round and then up and down the hardening shaft. Martin lay back and watched as Tom's mouth travelled closer and closer towards the exposed head of his rock hard cock. Within moments the younger lover had begun to pull the older man's erection into his mouth. The silky softness of the dick head disappeared between Tom's moist lips and into his mouth and Martin could feel his lover's tongue begin to tease the sensitive areas of the underside of his shaft. Martin was groaning with pleasure at the treatment he was receiving and also noticed that tom had removed his shorts and was pulling on his own rampant cock as he used every trick he knew to give Martin's prick the oral attention he thought it deserved. The older lover indicated that Tom should moved round so that he could return the favour by using his mouth on his partner's uncut cock. Tom shuffled round and knelt over his partner and fed his dick into Martin's waiting mouth. Soon they had developed a steady coordinated rhythm with Tom's head working up and down Martin's prick and simultaneously his own cock disappearing in and out of Martin's mouth. The sound of slurping and wet lips on slick flesh filled the room as each man began to approach the point of no return. Tom could feel the pulse in Martin's shaft begin to quicken and the piss slit start to widen in anticipation of the arrival of his lover's ball juice. Moments later, the younger man felt the warm sticky spunk ooze from his lover's dick, then onto his tongue and down his throat. As he savoured the taste of his partner's cum, Tom began to blast his own jizz into Martin's waiting mouth. The older man greedily took all that came his way and then allowed the softening cock to slowly slip out of his mouth, making sure that as he did so every last drop of ball cream was hoovered up. Tom was also slowly removing his mouth from his lover's softening prick and eventually allowed it to drop out completely. The two lovers lay for a while tired but happy until they had recovered enough to speak. Martin spoke first,
"Thank you for my reward!! I must solve more cases if this is what I get every time I do!! I love you, Tom!"
"Yes you should, Marty, and I love you too!! But I don't know about you but I think we need some sleep after that or neither of us will be fit in the morning!"
Tom leaned over and kissed his partner on the lips and then, with a contented sigh, lay back against the pillow. Martin cuddled up behind his lover and, rather more quickly than he expected, fell into a deep and relaxing sleep. The two lovers had not been asleep for all that long when the shrill noise of the telephone brought them suddenly back to wakefulness. Martin instinctively reached for the receiver and picked it up,
"Roberts."
At the other end of the line Martin could hear a rather excited voice responding,
"Sorry, sir, but it's the Custody Sergeant in charge of looking after Anna Young, sir. There's been an incident. I thought I ought to tell you and Chief Inspector Jamieson about it straight away."
"An incident, Sergeant, what sort of incident?"
"We found her, sir, in her cell, unconscious. We've been checking on her regularly and every time she was OK until just now. Initially we thought she had fallen asleep at the desk but when we went in to check she was unconscious. We've called the doctor and an ambulance and we've spoken to the Chief Inspector who said that he would come round and pick you up immediately."
"Right, I'll be there straight away."
As Martin quickly slipped into some clothes, Tom looked enquiringly at his lover, who explained what had happened,
"It looks as though somehow Anna Young has managed to harm herself while in custody. Mark's on his way over to pick me up."
"Do we know her condition?"
"No, but it sounds serious with a doctor and an ambulance on its way."
Just at that moment the phone rang again. This time it was Mark to say that he was about five minutes away and Martin said that he would be ready and waiting outside by the time the Chief Inspector arrived. Bang on time, Mark's car appeared outside the entrance to Martin's apartment and the Superintendent got in,
"I could really have done without this, you know Mark."
"Yes, sir, it's a real bugger, isn't it?"
"Yes, we should have pressed on with the interrogation of Anna Young while we had the chance then this would not have mattered quite so much. I think I'm getting soft in my old age. By the way is there any news on her condition?"
"You're not getting soft, sir, you made the right decision in the circumstances. It's what makes you such a good copper. As far as Anna's condition is concerned the last report I heard it was that she is critical. Shall we go straight to the hospital?"
"Yes, please, Mark. Do we know what happened?"
"Not exactly, sir, but it seems like it was some kind of overdose. The Custody Sergeant is an experienced officer and he did everything by the book and checked on Anna regularly. I believe him when he says one minute she was fine and the next she had collapsed."
"How the hell did she do it?"
"We're looking into that now. She was clean when she got to the Police Station. I know because I was there when she was charged and put in the cells. She was thoroughly searched by a Woman PC. I must say that at the time and even during the interrogation I did not have Anna down as a serious suicide risk."
"It would explain her willingness to confess to the `accidental' killing of Lawrence Miller though wouldn't it? I don't think you have to look too far to find a willing accomplice who would give her what she needed to attempt to take her own life. There's only one person who has been close enough and alone with her apart from you, Mike and me and that's that ruddy solicitor, Ian Finlayson! I'll want to see him as soon as possible after we've finished at the hospital!!"
It was somewhat ironic that Martin and Mark should have to go to the very same hospital where Peter Fowler had been taken and was now recovering. The news on Anna Young was far less positive: she was unconscious and her condition was extremely grave. If the young nurse survived the night she might pull through but the prognosis for her condition if she did regain consciousness was a bleak one: she would almost certainly be brain damaged. It was not clear exactly what drug she had taken but it had been powerful and quick acting and the doctors assured Martin that it would have been difficult to prevent the incident from occurring. As they spoke in the corridor, a familiar sound came from the life support machinery that indicated when a patient's condition had deteriorated interrupted the conversation. Doctors and nurses flew from all directions and gathered around Anna Young's bed in a desperate effort to keep her alive. Mark and Martin looked helplessly on as the medical team worked feverishly but in vain. It was soon clear that the medical staff had lost the battle and that Anna Young had succeeded in ending her young life. A few moments later, the two senior police officers received the official confirmation of the prisoner's death.
With Anna's death it seemed to Martin that it was highly unlikely now that they would ever unravel every aspect of the case. As soon as all the necessary consequences of the prisoner's suicide had been dealt with, the Superintendent and Mark left the hospital to return to the Police Station. Once there it would be necessary for them to undertake a full investigation into how Anna Young had managed to cheat them in the way she had. As Mark drove them the short distance from the hospital, a thought flew through Martin's mind. With Anna's death there would be no need for a trial and the affair between Andy Stephens and Lizzie Scott-Brown would in all probability remain secret. One part of Martin was pleased that Lizzie, who was a woman he had come to like enormously, would be spared the exposure and consequences of her actions. On the other hand, Martin blamed Andy for at least indirectly contributing to the young nurse's suicide and he saw no reason why the Assistant House Master should not be made to pay in some way for his indiscretions.
On arrival at the Police Station, Martin decided that he ought to take a back seat as the management of the local force was down to Mark and his other senior colleagues. The Chief Inspector agreed with Martin and the Superintendent went back to the temporary office that he had been given to use. Within moments, Mark, somewhat breathless, had returned carrying a sealed enveloped,
"They found this in Anna Young's cell, it's addressed to you, sir. Also, I've asked for a patrol car to go round to Ian Finlayson's house and bring him back here for questioning. I'll let you know as soon as we know any more."
Martin acknowledged Mark's points and reached out and took the envelope from the Chief Inspector. The Superintendent was tempted to invite Mark to stay but he knew that this would not really be practical as he had to get on with his part in the investigation of the circumstances leading to the prisoner's successful suicide attempt. As soon as he could he knew that Mark would be back to find out what the letter contained. As soon as his friend had left, Martin opened the envelope and pulled out a large number of sheets of paper with small but neat writing on one side of each. Martin read the message slowly and carefully,
"Dear Superintendent Roberts
"By the time you read all this I will no longer be in your custody and will be beyond your questions. I can see no other way out of the mess I am in. Please do not blame anyone, least of all poor Ian Finlayson. He's a friend of my older brother and I asked him to come to represent me because I knew that he would do exactly what I asked him to do. I requested that he bring this paper and some pens from the infirmary at the College except one of the `pens' was not what it seemed. He gave them to me in all innocence before the start of the interview when we were along. I concealed them so that I could take them back to my cell either when we had a meal break or after the interrogation was adjourned. The result will be an easy and, I hope, quick departure from this life. However, I promised you earlier when you agreed to the delay until the morning that at that time I would give you full answers to all your questions. Although I shall not be there in person, I hope the following pages will give sufficient detail to satisfy your investigation and achieve the desired result. I, and I alone, killed Lawrence Miller and Paul Ferris. I also tried to do harm to Peter Fowler but not to kill him. I wanted to buy myself time to run away and disappear. I've already told you about Lawrence so I shall only write about the other two here as time is short.
"I was unsure how much Paul Ferris had seen in the woods the day that Lawrence Miller was killed, but I was desperate to find out. I also needed to know if he had told anyone else in the College about what he had seen. When you did not come to arrest me I began to relax as it was clear that he had not identified me as the person he had seen. However, I was concerned that he might piece the thing together over time and so I was determined to stop him talking. At first I was not sure how I was going to do it but then I realised that it would be easy to catch him unawares and make sure he never would be able to tell anyone what he had seen. I knew about the back entrance to the pavilion because Andy is the rugby coach and he had told me about it and even showed me once when we were out together. I also knew that if he scored a lot of runs, Paul liked to have a relaxing bath. One afternoon I checked it all out. It was so easy. The door led straight to the washroom area as I remembered it did and I could see a way to get to Paul almost unnoticed. I could also cover my tracks by putting on the showers, which would prevent any sounds escaping to those sitting outside. The boys were always leaving the showers on so few of them would notice. All I had to do was to wait for the right opportunity.
"The game against the principal's team proved to be my chance for two reasons. First Paul played a long innings and I knew that he would want to soak himself in the bath and second I had a perfect excuse to be near the pavilion because I had to accompany Johnny Price there. My appearance would not arouse any suspicion. Things went even better than I planned as a large crowd of Johnny's friends clustered around him when he arrived and I was able to slip away unnoticed. I got into the pavilion by the back door and waited in the lobby area, the showers were going and I could hear voices so I remained as quiet as I could until it was all clear. I knew I would know when Paul was out as the students would make a fuss, especially as he had done so well. Right on cue, Paul was out and after a few moments he came through to the washroom and started to run a bath. The rest of the innings did not last long and soon it was time for the players to have tea and the pavilion would be almost deserted. I did not even have to switch on the showers so when I saw Paul lying back in the bath it was easy to creep up and surprise him. I pushed his head under the water and then ran round the bath and held his legs in such a way that he could not break the surface. He struggled for a bit but soon he went limp and still. As soon as I was sure he would not regain consciousness, I made my escape back behind the pavilion and over to my room in the sick bay and I even made it in time to change my damp clothes and put them in the wash. I had programmed my video to record the programmes that afternoon and so if anyone asked I would be able to tell them what I saw. Everyone knew I disliked cricket and would only appear if I had to or maybe, if I remembered, to join the teams for tea. Thus, when the commotion following the finding of Paul's body broke out, I was in the right place and could appear as if I was running from the sick bay.
"I really thought that I had committed the perfect crime because all the indications were that your investigation had no firm leads. That was, until the reconstruction and then as it was finishing I overheard Peter Fowler telling Bobby Marsh that there was something wrong. It was then that I realised who had been in the score box with Paul that day of the first murder. Who would you expect to be in the score box? The answer was easy the scorer, of course! He was also in the score box on the day of the game so I had to find out what he could have seen from that angle. When I checked it out after the field had cleared I realised that even if he had been paying attention to the game, he could still see the back entrance to the pavilion. I knew that it would only be a matter of time before he remembered what he'd seen. My problem was this, how much time? I decided I had to act quickly if I was to escape. Again I had the perfect excuse to visit Marston House because Johnny Price lives on the same floor as Peter. I also knew that Johnny would not be there as there is a television programme he always watches. He even asked to watch it when he was in the sick bay. If I was challenged by anyone in the dormitory, I would say I was going to check on Johnny as I had not been seen him for a few days and wanted to be sure he was recovering well. As luck would have it I only saw Raymond Collinson who thought that Johnny was in his room so I was able to get to the corridor easily. Peter Fowler's room door was open so I pretended I was looking for Johnny and once inside I put my plan to drug Peter into effect. As you will discover when you have the syringe analysed, it contains only a strong sedative. This would be enough to enable me to remove the boy to the infirmary and then make my get away. But that was the point when you and your colleagues arrived and you know the rest.
"I want to repeat the death of Lawrence Miller was an accident, or at least he was the unintended victim. Paul Ferris had to be removed because he knew too much. However I never intended to kill Peter Fowler just keep him quiet for long enough for me to get away. Also please believe me when I say nobody else was involved. I just really wanted to get Andy back for me. I loved him so much.
"I realise now that my cause is hopeless and that the way I have chosen is the best solution for everyone. I hope you will appreciate that I have kept my side of the bargain and told you everything. Thank you, Superintendent for giving me the chance to end the case my own way. Goodbye."
Martin put the sheaf of papers down slowly and made sure they were back in order. He would soon share this information with his colleagues. Indeed, moments later Mark appeared to inform Martin that he could find no fault with the custody arrangements and Martin nodded and handed the Chief Inspector the hand written pages,
"I know, Mark. Read this, it explains almost everything."
Mark sat and read Anna Young's confession in silence and when he had finished reading it he looked at Martin and said,
"I guess you're right, sir. It confesses to everything and gives us all the answers we might have expected. I've still got Ian Finlayson coming in to see me but if what she writes here is confirmed I think that just about wraps it up. Do you want to stay until I've seen him or shall I arrange for a car to take you home?"
Martin glanced at his watch and sighed,
"I must be getting old but I really do fancy going home and coming back to tie up the remaining loose ends in the morning. I will be back here by ten. Can you leave a message for Mike Rickwood asking him to pick me up in time for me to be here by then?"
Mark nodded and within a few minutes Martin was being driven back to his apartment. Not wanting to wake Tom or the younger boys, Martin slipped down onto the living room sofa and despite its comparative discomfort drifted quickly off to sleep. Martin was awakened by the appearance of Harry and Simon at their usual early hour and forced to explain why he was sleeping on the sofa and not in bed. Tom came to his partner's rescue just as the children were beginning to look slightly puzzled by what Martin was saying when he announced that breakfast was ready and they should all come to the kitchen. Martin did not want to say much in front of the children but managed to convey to his partner the final outcome of the previous night's interruption. Later, in private as he changed into fresh clothes, Martin gave Tom the full details of all that had occurred and explained that he would have to go back by ten to finalise a number of issues.
Right on cue, Mike Rickwood appeared at the door to take Martin back to the local police Station and then on to Greymount College. Martin filled the Sergeant in with the details of all that had happened the previous night and Mike expressed his sadness at the death of Anna Young but also his relief that they now had a full confession and could close the case. Mark was waiting for the Superintendent and Mike at the Police station and together they walked up to the temporary office. Mark completed the story of the night before by telling Martin that he had spoken to Ian Finlayson and that he had given an account that confirmed the one in Anna's letter. The Chief Inspector said that he was of the opinion that the young solicitor had been shocked to learn that he had been the unwitting provider of the dead girl's means of committing suicide. Mark had warned Ian that he should heed the lesson and in future always report any delivery, however innocuous it might seem, to the custody Sergeant. Martin said that he was in agreement with Mark that no further action should be taken against the solicitor but privately wondered whether Ian Finlayson had been as innocent as both he and Anna claimed. Nevertheless he did not press the point. Finally, Mark showed the Superintendent a press release, which he proposed should be issued immediately. The release read,
"In the early hours of this morning a 25 year-old woman who had been arrested on suspicion of two murders and one attempted murder died in hospital following an overdose. The coroner had been informed. At this time the Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with either the death of the woman or in connection with the crimes with which she had been charged.
"We wish to offer our sympathy to all the bereaved families in these cases."
With this brief statement the formal investigation into the Greymount College murders came to an end.
EPILOGUE
As soon as he could Martin went back to Greymount College to see some of the key players in the drama. He first called on the Principal who seemed greatly relieved that the whole case had now been resolved and that the College could resume its more normal pattern of life. Alex Scott-Brown also seemed to have taken the view that the identity of the killer, albeit a staff member, had not had the damaging effect that the exposure of a teacher might have caused. Alex told Martin with a degree of confidence that he believed that the Trustees would agree with him that the College could survive and grow in strength. The Principal told Martin that he had been given permission to find a permanent replacement for Lawrence Miller as it appeared as though enrolments for the following academic year were still strong. At the end of their discussion Alex Scott-Brown walked to the door of his large study where he and Martin shook hands. The Principal stood at the door just long enough to watch the Superintendent leave the building.
As a result of an earlier telephone conversation with her, Martin had also agreed to meet Lizzie Scott-Brown separately and in private. The Superintendent was able to tell Lizzie that the secret of her affair would be kept, as Anna Young had never discovered the true identity of her boyfriend's lover. However, Martin warned the Principal's attractive young wife that he intended to make sure that Andy Stephens left the College as soon as possible. Martin emphasised that in taking this action he intended to put the ball firmly into Lizzie's court as to whether she should go with him or stay with her husband and children. Unprompted, the Superintendent offered his firm belief that Lizzie should stay with her husband. The Principal's wife responded by saying that she still loved Andy but also recognised that he was probably not the right choice for her. Before she finally made up her mind Lizzie indicated that she would think about what she wanted to do very carefully but in all probability would stay with her husband.
After he had left the Principal's house, Martin made his way over towards the main College buildings. Andy Stephens was walking back to his rooms when Martin caught up with him. The Superintendent made it very clear that he wished to have a serious conversation with the Assistant House Master in private. One he was inside Andy's room, Martin informed him that he viewed him as partially responsible for the events of the previous weeks. As the Assistant House Master began to protest his innocence, Martin cut him short. The Superintendent indicated that he had in the course of his investigation he had discovered enough information to destroy the teacher's promising career. Martin suggested very strongly that Andy began to look elsewhere for jobs and made the valid point that it would be better for Andy to make this move rather than run the risk of Alex Scott-Brown finding out about the teacher's love affair with Lizzie. If Alex Scott-Brown ever discovered the truth it would almost certainly result in Andy's immediate dismissal and he would be luck to get a reference. It did not take long for the ambitious teacher to see the point of Martin's argument and agree to what had been proposed. To make absolutely certain that Andy did what he had promised to do, Martin waited while the teacher's letter of resignation was written and also ensured that it was put into the internal mailing system. Martin was convinced that Andy would get another job very quickly and that once he was established in his new post he would also soon be back to his amorous ways.
Among the students the news that Peter Fowler was being allowed out of hospital and was showing no ill effects after his ordeal had been greeted with general relief. Most relieved of all was, of course, his new friend and lover, Bobby Marsh. Bobby was running off to tell other students the good news when he almost bowled over Mike Rickwood. The teenager looked at the Police Sergeant and said,
"Peter's going to be all right. I can't wait to see him and give him a really big hug and then we'll have to find some way to celebrate!"
Mike had a pretty good idea of what Bobby meant but decided that it would be best to ignore it. Instead he said quietly,
"He may still be quite weak, so don't overdo the celebrations and in any case you've got a cricket game tomorrow and I don't think David Graham would be happy if you were not at your best. And neither would I after all the effort I've put into improve your bowling!"
"Will you come back and watch us play from time to time?"
"Whenever I can, I will, Bobby. But remember don't overdo the celebrations!"
"Of course I won't overdo it, but I'm still young and I can recover my strength very quickly!"
Mike laughed at the bravado of youth and was still laughing when he rejoined his superior officer as he prepared to leave Greymount College. Martin asked his Sergeant what was so funny but Mike just said it was a comment made by a student and left it at that, although he did ask if he could have time off to watch the following day's cricket match, a request that the Superintendent willingly agreed to. The two Police Officers got into their car and drove out of the gates of Greymount College for the last time. Mike knew that he would be back soon to see the game of cricket but Martin was relieved that the case had been completed and hoped that he would be leaving the College for the very last time.
THE END