| Primary Characters: | Lewis, Hathaway, Dr Hobson, Jean innocent |
| Rating: | M |
| Spoilers: | Some |
| Warning: | m/m sex, non-con, adult themes |
| Description: | Lewis and Hathaway investigate a case with connections to Hathaway’s past. He is distracted. Then he is forced to revist his past – or rather Cambridge. One night, he ends up reliving a past nightmare and this ends up complicating the case. |
Chief Superintendent Jean Innocent was passing by DI Lewis on her way back to her office after lunch. On her way up the stairs, she had received a phone call, so she decided to inform Lewis right away.
”I have a case for you. Just got it a minute ago. A body.”
”Don’t tell me. One of the colleges again?”
”What else?”
Jean Innocent gave him the relevant info, then hurried back to her office. There would be a meeting with her superiors in – only about five minutes. Never a moment to catch her breath.
Lewis got up and looked around for his sergeant, James Hathaway. The younger man had just gone to pick up a cup of coffee. There he was. He was sipping the coffee on his feet. Good idea. That was all he was getting anyway, unless he wanted to take the cup with him down the stairs.
Five minutes later they were in the car on their way the college where the body had been found. After all these years in Oxford, Lewis thought he could almost guess most of the facts in the case. It was – but not quite – like deja vu. But when they walked in, he realized that this case might be different after all. Judging by his sergeant’s reaction anyway. Hathaway’s face tensed up and he almost, but not quite, took a step back.
”What?”
”Nothing.”
The uniform on the scene rattled off the name, age and a number of other facts about the victim, who was about Hathaway’s age, rather handsome and was lying on his back on the floor, a knife sticking out of his chest. So far very standard murder case, it seemed to Lewis.
”So – we have a mr Lee-Farrow. Age 31. A research fellow here. Recent transfer from Cambridge. Anyone you know, Hathaway?”
No reply. Lewis took another look at Hathaway, who looked pale and tense.
”Anything wrong?”
Slowly, his sergeant began to regain control of himself and it seemed he forced himself to appear professional and unperturbed again.
”No. Yes, I recognize him. Graham.”
”Alright. What can you tell me about him?”
Again Hathaway fell silent and Lewis began to look through the notes the uniform had handed him. The secretary had found him lying on the floor when she got back the same morning – late, apparently. He would have to ask if she always worked those hours, perhaps a part time job. Then again, there might have been a delay before the uniforms got there. It was only about one now, and if she’d discovered the victim around ten, perhaps it wasn’t that strange.
They had to find the dean and maybe some of the other fellows. The tutorial ones. Lewis was beginning to learn the titles. He could still remember how Morse had – but there was no time to reminisce about his old boss.
”Well?”
Hathaway seemed to realize he was acting strangely and hastily continued, rather breathlessly.
”Not much. I didn’t know him very well, but we’d met.”
”Oh. We’d better find the dean and at least one of the fellows. The tutorial fellows.”
”Yes. Have you seen enough?”
It was clear that Hathaway hadn’t seen anything. Lewis wasn’t very imaginative, but he sensed that something had upset him. He might open up about it or he might not. In any case, unless it had a bearing on the case, Lewis wasn’t going to pry. The question was, could it have a bearing on the case?
As it happened, the dean was available, but he seemed as puzzled as the secretary, who now that Lewis thought about it, didn’t seem too upset about finding a dead body. He had to ask about that.
”Is the secretary still here?”
The Detective Constable nodded.
”She’s waiting in the outer room.”
”Hathaway?”
”Yes, of course.”
They walked out to meet the secretary. It was clear to Lewis that Hathaway wasn’t having a good day. Normally, Lewis himself often felt slow compared to his brilliant younger colleague. Today, it was as if Hathaway was asleep on his feet. Obviously far away in his thoughts.
”Ms – Larkin?”
”Yes?”
”I was wondering – when you found the victim this morning – what time was it?”
”About ten thirty, or ten fortyfive, I think. I had been doing some work for the dean, then I was going in to see if one of the fellows needed something -”
”So you don’t work exclusively for one of the fellows?”
”No. They share my services. It’s part of the cutbacks. Surely you have them too at the police department?”
”Yes, right. We do. I see. And he wasn’t supposed to be in there?”
”Well, if the fellow – mr Raleigh, had been there, I wouldn’t have been surprised to see mr Lee-Farrow, but – mr Raleigh is away for a few days and I would have expected mr Lee-Farrow to work somewhere else, perhaps at the library. He doesn’t have his own rooms per se – None of the younger -”
”Right. I see. If you don’t mind me saying this, ms Larkin, you don’t appear too upset about finding mr Lee-Farrow.”
”Well, he had only been working here for about three weeks. It’s probably only the fourth time I’ve seen him at all, and I have never really spoken to him. Of course it’s upsetting that such a young man’s life has been cut short, but as you can understand I didn’t know him.”
”Of course.”
Something made Lewis ask, not the case exactly, but just out of curiosity.
”Is this the first time you’ve seen a dead body?”
Ms Larkin looked slightly startled at the question, but smiled calmly.
”No. Before I became a secretary, I worked in the emergency room. I have seen quite a few bodies, many far more mangled than this one. So I can’t say I was shocked. But naturally sad that this sort of thing has to happen.”
”Right. Thank you. You said the dean was in his rooms?”
”Yes, he’s just over there.”
She pointed behind her, to the small stretch of corridor with three doors leading in different directions.
The dean looked as if he might be around Lewis’ age. He looked stressed out and had just put his phone down on the desk. For a moment he looked slightly confused, then his gaze cleared.
”You are the gentlemen from the police?”
”Yes. I’m DI Lewis and this DS Hathaway.”
”De Vere. Roderick De Vere.”
”I understand that mr Lee-Farrow was a new fellow here at the college?”
”Yes. He came here – oh, no more than three weeks ago at the most. From Cambridge.”
He mentioned the college and Lewis recognized it as the one Hathaway had been to. So that was why he recognized the victim.
He asked a few more questions, but had the impression that no one at the college really knew Lee-Farrow. Perhaps whoever had recruited him might know more, but on the other hand, perhaps not. These things might be done more by looking over formal qualifications than by actually meeting and interacting with a new fellow. Hathaway would know of course, but today Hathaway wasn’t talking.
A few days later, Lewis was beginning to feel that the solution to the case lay in Cambridge, rather than here in Oxford. He was wondering how they would handle that. No one seemed to have known or cared much about Lee-Farrow, beyond what little work he had managed to get done before he was found dead.
Lewis knew he would have to speak to Jean Innocent about this. At least formally, she was the one who approved any job-related trips. In the meantime, they had spoken to Dr Hobson and found out what little there was to learn about the victim’s injuries. The killer was right-handed, about the same height or slightly taller than the victim. Probably a man, judging by the force with which he had stabbed his victim, but with a smile Lewis recognized by now, Dr Hobson amended her former statement.
”Of course, if the woman in question was angry enough – who knows?”
”But she would have to be quite tall?”
”Yes. Like I said before, probably a man, but I wouldn’t swear to it.”
”And you have nothing else to say about the victim?”
”It’s all in my report, but nothing interesting. A very average case, really. No drugs, no sex, no other injuries – nothing that will help you much, I’m afraid.”
”Right. Thank you, Laura.”
”If you don’t need anything else, I’ll be going. I have a conference in Cambridge. Won’t be back for at least a week. I’ll be taking a few days off too.”
”Oh. Any special reason?”
”I need to relax more. Since I have to go anyway, I thought I might as well take a few days and see the sights, if they have any. What would you recommend, James?”
Again, Hathaway seemed to be off in a world of his own. Lewis was beginning to feel a little concerned. He almost elbowed his sergeant but caught himself in time. This was Hathaway’s problem.
”James?”
Suddenly, it dawned on Hathaway that he was being spoken to.
”Sorry. You were saying?”
”I’m going to Cambridge. Any sights you’d recommend?”
”Oh. The Arts Theatre. The Shakespeare Festival isn’t until the summer so -”
”Right. Well, I’ll certainly visit the Theatre. Thank you.”
”Have a good time, then, Laura. We might see you there. If Innocent approves we will probably have to go and talk to the victim’s friends and colleagues in Cambridge. No one here seems to have known him.”
It was the first time he’d spoken about his idea out loud, but Lewis would have expected Hathaway to see that they weren’t getting anywhere and that any answers there might be, would be more likely to be found in Cambridge, where apparently the victim had studied and worked for the past ten years or more.
Hathaway tensed up and his face lost all trace of color. Normally, he had himself under better control than this, it seemed to Lewis. If this continued, he would have to ask Hathway and was really cringing at the thought of delving into Hathway’s mysterious personal life.
Dr Hobson caught his eye and made a face that clearly asked him what was wrong with Hathaway, but all Lewis could do was shrug as discreetly as possible. He needn’t have worried though, Hathaway’s attention was elsewhere. In the past? In Cambridge? He would really need to ask.
As it happened, Jean Innocent did approve their trip.
”If you’re not getting anywhere, of course you should go. We want this case solved, don’t we?”
”Yes, ma’am.”
”Off you go then and dare I hope you will bring me back some results soon?”
It was always like this when she’d been in a meeting with her superiors. More work and less funding was their motto. Better results on a lower budget. Lewis didn’t see how that could work out. Soon someone would have to see sense.
So he and Hathaway booked tickets for Cambridge and went home to pack. At least Lewis assumed Hathaway too was packing. In any case he showed up on time, with a small suitcase. Lewis would have assumed he would bring a rucksack like his own children often did when they went travelling, but not Hathaway, apparently.
In Cambridge, they went to their hotel room and left their luggage there.
”Lead the way.”
”What? Sorry?”
”I said, lead the way. This is your old college, isn’t it?”
Hathaway looked as if he suspected some hidden meaning to the words, then nodded distractedly.
”Oh. Yes. Of course. It’s not far. We can walk. Look out for the bicyclists.”
”Yes, of course.”
Ten minutes later they found themselves outside an ancient gate in a likewise ancient wall where a rose bush had grown to cover most of the old brickwork. Despite the venerable age of the wall and the gate, there was a very modern looking surveillance camera and a little box with a button to press to enter. It looked complicated, but Hathaway just pressed the button and when the there was a tinny noise that Lewis didn’t have time to catch, Hathaway spoke into the box, giving his and Lewis’ credentials. The box crackled again, then the gate slowly swung open. Very modern indeed. The porter was apparently, at least here, a thing of the past – or he had other tasks inside the college.
They were met by a man who did look like the porters Lewis was used to from Oxford. The man introduced himself as Parsons and escorted them to the dean’s rooms.
”James? Well, I never thought I’d see you again, when you left us so suddenly.”
”Hello. I’m here about the death of Graham Lee-Farrow. This is DI Lewis.”
”How do you do, Detective Inspector? Dreadful business. Graham should have stayed here. No offense, but we don’t get that many murders here in Cambridge.”
”We would like to ask you a few questions about mr Lee-Farrow, mr –”
”Hayley-Carr. Mortimer Hayley-Carr.”
”Mr Hayley-Carr.”
”Well – Graham was one of my students, just like James and several others. After graduation he became a research fellow and – I suppose he got a better offer from Oxford. Left just a few weeks ago. I’m not sure what he was looking for over there. He had a bright future ahead of him here.”
It seemed to Lewis that Hayley-Carr fixed Hathaway with a wry stare at the mention of Lee-Farrow’s future. Was it Lewis’ imagination or did this Hayley-Carr know something about Hathaway’s reason for leaving? Again, it would be impossible to ask Hathaway to his face.
Lewis asked a few more questions, then decided he had enough for the time being. He found some of the other fellows – tutorial ones – very important distinction, he knew. Morse had drilled that into him years ago. The first time he’d heard a ‘fellow’ mentioned, he had assumed it was just a synonym of ‘bloke’ or the more toffy ‘chap’ that he knew these upper class men called each other. It was just luck and Morse’s knowledge of the system that had saved his face that day.
They questioned the fellows then a secretary who had met and knew Lee-Farrow a little, but no one had much to tell them. Everyone seemed as busy and as upper class as their equivalents in Oxford. And Lewis knew the Oxford men were always talking about their Cambridge colleagues in a derogatory or at least amused or condescending way. He was sure these Cambridge men were the same. Just like Scotland Yard’s people spoke about their colleagues around the country, like his own Oxfordshire police force. Maybe it was the same everywhere.
Lewis had rung ahead to find out where Dr Hobson was staying, just in case she would have time for him – and if Hathaway was interested – both of them – tonight and since there had been rooms available in the same hotel, he had decided to book them. He would give her another ring now to check if she was busy.
”Let’s get back to the hotel. I’m going to call Laura and see if she’s in.”
Hathaway nodded slowly. It didn’t look as if he was completely sure what they were talking about. Odd. He wasn’t enjoying his stay in his old college town, that was obvious. If Lewis could only understand what the problem was. He knew that it was time to ask if anything Hathaway knew could have an impact on the case.
”Listen, James – you’ve been acting a bit – ever since we got this case. Is that anything to do with the case or – just personal?”
Hathaway looked vague, as if he still wasn’t sure what Lewis was talking about then made an effort.
”It’s just – personal. This place brings back memories.”
”Not just pleasant ones then?”
Hathaway made a face that could be interpreted just about any way. Lewis knew he wasn’t going to get anything more out of his elusive sergeant and gave up, feeling relieved. Talking about personal matters didn’t rate high on his wish list, especially not tonight.
As they were walking into the lobby of the hotel, Dr Hobson called Lewis back.
”Oh, hello Robbie.”
”Hello. Listen, James and I are here. In Cambridge. And actually at your hotel. I was wondering if you were free and if we could -”
”That’s wonderful timing. I’m going to the Arts Theatre, that James told me about. If you call now, you should be able to get seats for tonight – at seven. That is if you’re interested in – Dr Faustus by Christopher Marlowe?”
Thanks to Morse, Lewis knew exactly what was Dr Hobson was talking about and actually found the play interesting enough to merit a visit to the theatre, but in addition, he would be spending the evening with Dr Hobson, which was always pleasant.
”Yes, that sounds very interesting. I’d love to go. James -”
There it was again, that faraway look on Hathaway’s face. This was getting a bit tedious.
”James?”
”Uh – you were saying -”
”I was asking if you’d like to join Laura and me for Dr Faustus, by Marlowe. That should be just your thing.”
”Oh. Well, I have seen Dr Faustus several times and I think – I’ll just leave you and Laura to it. Some other time, alright?”
”Right. No, it’s just going to be you and me, Laura. James says he’s seen it before several times. Right. I’m going to see about booking a seat for me and then I’ll get back to you. Alright?”
He said goodnight to Hathaway, even though it was just about five in the evening. They would probably not see each other until the next day.
Hathaway barely noticed. If this went on for much longer, Lewis was going to talk to his sergeant again and suggest he take some time off if he couldn’t focus on the job. If something was wrong, perhaps he should inform Innocent, but that was only as a last resort. He would rather not land Hathaway in any trouble. Perhaps it really was just the memories from his student days. He had left and there had been some kind of trouble, so it wasn’t surprising if he was a bit distracted. On the other hand, the case had to come first.
The play was interesting. Lewis wouldn’t have thought so when he was Hathaway’s age, but now, he found it really absorbing. He and Dr Hobson went to a pub afterwards, and all in all they had a wonderful time. Just as he had imagined he didn’t see anything of Hathaway that evening. The following morning, he received a phone call from Innocent. There had been a breakthrough in one of his other cases and he was needed back in Oxford. At any other time he would have been perfectly comfortable handing over the case, at least temporarily, to Hathaway. He knew his younger colleague was highly qualified and fully capable of handling the case on his own for a day or two. Now – Lewis was hesitating – perhaps he should demand that Hathaway came back with him to Oxford, and that they then return to Cambridge together, no matter how inconvenient it would be.
Lewis realized he would have to speak to Hathaway again. This was beginning to be a problem. If Hathaway didn’t snap out of whatever it was he would have to report it to Jean Innocent.
He went to knock on Hathaway’s door – it was the adjacent room – and waited.
When Hathaway came to open the door, he looked as if he hadn’t slept all night. Lewis felt all his misgivings from earlier return in force. He would have to report this to Innocent. Hathaway was having some kind of problem, whatever it was.
”Good morning. Listen – Innocent called. I need to return to Oxford. The Rigley case. It’s only for a few days but – we’ll have to pack it up here and return later. Really inconvenient, I know, but – there’s nothing to be done about it.”
Hathaway slowly regained a little of his normal sharpness.
”No. I could stay and continue the investigation. You come back as soon as you can.”
”Are you sure? I have noticed that you – have been a bit distracted lately. Whatever it is, you can’t let it interfere with the investigation, you know that. If you can’t snap out of it, you know I’m going to have to -”
”It’s fine. I will give the case my full attention from now on. I’m sorry. I – this place is filled with memories, as I said. But that’s no excuse. I’m going to do better from now on.”
Lewis hesitated a moment, then reluctantly decided that he should give Hathaway a chance. He knew how competent his sergeant was. If he gave his word that he would give the case his full attention, it was good enough.
”Fine. I’ll leave you to it, then. So far we have practically nothing.”
”I know. I’ll see what I can find out.”
”If you know something about the college that might have a bearing on this case -”
It looked as if Hathaway was hesitating, then seemed to come to a decision.
”No. There’s nothing that could be relevant to the case. Not today.”
Lewis frowned. Not today? As in there might have been ten years ago? Or just not – He knew he should ask, but he was already late. Innocent would have his hide if he didn’t show up at the appointed time.
”Alright. You take over then. I’ll call you this evening. Let me know if you have any problem. I could send someone else out here to assist you.”
”That won’t be necessary. As you say, it’s only for a day or two. Give me some credit.”
Despite himself, Lewis smiled. He knew exactly how good Hathaway was on a good day. Maybe he didn’t have anything to worry about, after all.
”See you later.”
Hathaway nodded. Already, he seemed much more like his former self. It would be alright. At least Lewis hoped so.
Hathaway returned to the college and questioned a few more of the fellows, then some of the students. He felt as if he wasn’t getting anywhere. There had to be more. Lewis was going to be disappointed in him if he didn’t at least make some progress. Preferably, he wanted to solve the case on his own, but – that was hardly likely in the amount of time he had. Especially since he wasn’t getting anywhere. Hadn’t he learned anything? The dead man’s best friend wasn’t even in Cambridge. Had gone to America for a year. The ex girlfriend was in Australia, and had been for at least a few months. Even the man’s family was far away from Cambridge. Surely he had been close to someone?
Towards evening, Hathaway decided to call it a day. With any luck Lewis would be back in the morning or at least by lunchtime and then he could pick up where he had left off. See if he could make any progress. This was a puzzling case in that it was so common, yet still so obscure. Normally, neither he or Lewis would have to wait this long for an insight or at least a hint of where to direct their further investigation. He had to be missing something. Something that might even be quite obvious. Maybe his distraction because of the past had made him miss whatever it was. He decided to start again the following morning. Give the case more thought. Start at the beginning and review the facts they had. He refused to believe he’d be defeated by such a seemingly simple case.
Since he didn’t want to be stuck for another sleepless night in his room, dwelling on the past, he went out to a pub. It was one he had used to go to when he was a student and the minute he walked in, he realized his mistake and wanted to leave again. But there was Mortimer. Despite himself, Hathaway had to smile. If he missed Cambridge at all, it was thanks to Mortimer who had been such a wonderful and supportive tutor.
”James. How lovely to see you again. Come on. Have a drink on me.”
”Alright. Just one.”
”How does it feel to be back?”
That was the question, wasn’t it? And it wasn’t one he liked to answer truthfully, not even when Mortimer was asking. So he merely shrugged non-comittally.
”Right. So how are you enjoying police work?”
”Very much, actually. It’s – very stimulating.”
”You surprise me. I would have thought it would be just routine most of the time. And of course forensic science. But then you always had a knack of learning everything in the wink of an eye. Remarkable. It’s tragic that you never -”
No. He knew where this was going and he really didn’t want to hear any more.
”Excuse me – I’ll be right back.”
He fled to the men’s room. Incredibly, the place was still just as disgusting as it had been ten years ago. Hathaway was rather fastidious, a trait that didn’t help in his work, but unfortunately, by the time he entered the force he had already been the way he was. For better and for worse.
He couldn’t very well stay in here too long either. Mortimer was going to wonder where he’d gone off to. Somehow, he didn’t want to disappoint Mortimer. Besides, Mortimer was part of the good memories of this place so it would be a shame to just leave without having a chat.
He sipped his beer and started chatting with his old tutor, but he felt oddly tired. Surely he wasn’t that tired, even after one sleepless night? This was absurd.
”How many had you had before you got here?”
He barely heard Mortimer’s words, just saw his lips move. The older man repeated his question, looking concerned and friendly.
In the end, Hathaway thought he’d heard correctly and tried to reply.
”None. It’s the first.”
”Really? Had many sleepless nights?”
That was true, of course. Since they’d found Lee-Farrow, he had had difficulty sleeping.
He nodded, but found himself unable to formulate a reply. Mortimer smiled indulgently and grabbed his shoulder.
”Let’s get you to bed. We can’t have you falling asleep in here. Come on, James. Up you go.”
And Mortimer hoisted his arm onto his shoulder. Somewhat later they were in – someone’s room. Hathaway didn’t recognize it. It seemed far too comfortable for a hotel room. So was this Mortimer’s own place? His mind struggled to make sense of the information but in the end, Hathaway had to admit defeat. He was too tired. His head sank down onto the soft pillow and his eyes began to flutter shut. He felt something touch his lips and tried to look up. Something wet and warm. Other lips? A tongue? Yes, it was a kiss. But who – he couldn’t get his eyes open again. He felt skillful hands unbutton his shirt and – then – a hand – No. He didn’t want that. Why – but his mind gave up and he blacked out.
When he came to, he had a feeling a long period of time had passed. That might have had something to do with the sharp sunlight coming in through the windows. Was it morning already? He squinted against the light and saw – a bare shoulder. Someone was lying in bed next to him. Someone who wasn’t wearing anything, at least not above the waistline. He tried to look down on himself and found his own shirt gone. His pants were – No. What had happened last night? He couldn’t remember – or could he? A kiss? A hand that – No. This was all wrong. He didn’t – This wasn’t what he did. Not anymore. He had left that sort of behaviour behind him years ago.
Whoever it was who was lying next to him, rolled over and faced him, a wide smile on his face.
”Good morning.”
To Hathaway’s dismay, the man – because it was obvious that it was a man and he was beginning to recognize him as well – leaned over and kissed him. He pulled back as quickly as he could.
”No need to be shy. I won’t tell anyone if you won’t. It can be our little secret. I must say I was surprised last night. I know you always had the reputation of being – a monk, to be perfectly honest. And then you came back here with me and – Astonishing. But I can’t say I regret anything. It was a wonderful surprise.”
”I don’t – remember -”
”You did seem unusually tired last night or drunk, but you assured me you hadn’t had any more drinks so of course I believed you. Don’t worry, everything is fine.”
Hathaway didn’t agree. If what he thought had happened, had indeed happened, nothing was fine. He never did this anymore. Never. Especially not with men. He had made a promise to himself and to –
”I have to go.”
”Fine. I’m not going to keep you here if you’re in a hurry. Is your DI expecting you?”
Lewis. If he found out – he’d have to resign. He’d never be able to –
”What time is it?”
Hathaway searched desperately for his shirt. He spotted his jacket hanging over a chair some distance away and was hoping it still contained his mobile phone and – everything else. The shirt – there it was, hanging over the bedside table. It didn’t look too rumpled but – This wasn’t happening. It was a nightmare. How could he – He just had to get away from here and back to his room and – a shower.
”It’s only about five or so. No need to get in a panic. I’m sure your DI is still asleep. Surely he doesn’t expect you at work this early? Calm down. You’re acting like you’re a blushing virgin and we both know that’s not true, is it? Despite your monkish ways as a student. I heard a thing or two back then -”
Hathaway grabbed his shirt and put it back on. To his relief, his pants were still on, but open and – at least his boxer shorts were still on – he didn’t want to scrutinise himself any closer and besides, he still felt hazy and out of sorts.
When he had the jacket too, he ran off without saying goodbye to Mortimer. This was just too –
He ran into the corridor outside and ran straight into Dr Hobson.
”James? I knew you and Robbie were staying here but – what’s the matter?”
”I – ”
Hathaway didn’t know what to say. He was coming out of a room that wasn’t his own, or why else would he be running out of it like this, in the morning? This early anyway. It wouldn’t take Dr Hobson long to realize it wasn’t his room anyway, even if she hadn’t already guessed it.
”James. Look at me. Yes, look at me.”
She grabbed his chin and studied him closely for a moment.
”What have you had?”
Her tone was cool and professional but there was an undertone of something else –
”Nothing. One beer. I hadn’t slept all night last night and then not very much for a few nights before that, that’s all.”
”No, that’s not all, not if I’m not very much mistaken. Come on. My room. Now.”
He didn’t feel up to refusing. Normally, he would have fled at the first sign of too much attention. It always made him nervous. And Dr Hobson saw too much. Especially this morning.
She made him sit down on one of the chairs in her room, then pulled down his lower eyelids, then repeated the same process with the upper ones. Up and down.
”Are you sure all you had was one beer?”
”Yes.”
He was beginning to panic. What was she getting at? Surely she didn’t mean – drugs? But he didn’t do drugs. Not for a long time and never more than – Nothing like what she had to be referring to.
”James. Calm down. I didn’t mean to yell at you. You’re shaking.”
Her voice sounded much gentler now. Very gently, she put her hand on his shoulder – she knew him well. Another woman might have tried to hug him but Hathaway didn’t let anyone touch him like that. That’s why it was so odd that he had let Mortimer –
”Tell me what’s wrong. You know you can trust me. If you don’t want me to, I won’t say a word to Robbie. This is between you and me.”
But he couldn’t tell her. He couldn’t tell anyone. Oh, why had this had to happen? He couldn’t understand it. His breaths came quickly and shallowly. If he didn’t get himself under control now, he would begin to hyperventilate and – This couldn’t be happening. He couldn’t call attention to himself like this. She would begin to wonder and –
”James. Please. Calm down. It’s alright.”
Again, she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. He had to get a grip on himself. If he fell apart like this, she would begin to wonder about more than what happened tonight, last night –
”I – had one beer. Then – someone helped me to bed.”
”Not your bed?”
It was no use denying that so he didn’t. She seemed to have guessed most of it.
”I see. I’m guessing it wasn’t a woman?”
He started and faced her, a look of panic on his face.
”What makes you say that?”
”Nothing. Just that not many women resort to drugging their partners, unless – it’s a mutual thing.”
”I don’t take drugs.”
”No, you don’t. Someone gave you something. What happened? Do you remember?”
He tore his gaze away from her. She was good. Could have been a police officer if she hadn’t become a doctor. But he didn’t want to talk about it. Even if she most likely knew everything, or at least guessed. It was intolerable. Unbearable. He hadn’t wanted anyone to know about his – past. Especially no one at work. But at least this was Dr Hobson. Not Lewis. He would have died if Lewis – Lewis knew too much as it was, even if he was only guessing and even that, not much. Men didn’t try to pry into other men’s personal lives.
”A little.”
”James, I realize you won’t want to do this, but you really should file a report. Whoever it was, might do it to someone else. Besides, you might need to -”
He felt cold all over. She was hinting at – No. Surely Mortimer hadn’t – When he had said ‘it’s nothing to worry about’ he’d sensed that he meant – something about safe sex, but could he take that for granted? Besides, he didn’t feel as if – not that he could be sure of anything. And infection could spread through – it didn’t have to be – What a nightmare this was. He wanted to get up and run away from Dr Hobson and resign from his job and never see anyone he knew again.
”James. I won’t try to force you to do anything, you know that. I can – if you like I’ll take a few samples and check them out – no one needs to know about it. I swear. I just can’t stand to see you this -”
”I’ll be fine. There’s no need for you to worry about me.”
”Alright. If you say so. But I’ll take those samples when we get back. It’s no trouble.”
”Fine. I suppose it can’t do any harm, but I’m sure that -”
But that was the trouble. He wasn’t sure about anything, even though he was guessing that Mortimer hadn’t done more than – Just like Mortimer had said, he wasn’t a virgin, even when it came to sleeping with men. He would have known if –
”Alright. Will you be alright on your own now? Would you like me to walk you back to your room?”
Like a child. She had no idea how little like a child he was. How long it had been since he was a child.
”No, I’m fine. I’m sorry about this – spectacle. I was a little startled – wasn’t expecting – Never mind. I’ll – just go.”
She didn’t try to stop him, just watched him leave her room, still a little unsteady on his legs. If she told anyone – but she had given her word and somehow he believed her. He liked Dr Hobson – Laura – a lot. More, probably, than Lewis guessed. But he couldn’t trust her anymore than anyone else. He couldn’t afford to let down his guard. If he did – then everything would come tumbling out and he couldn’t let that happen. Not with anyone.
A few hours later, Lewis returned. He came to see Hathaway in his room. Hathaway held his breath for so long he was afraid he was going blue in the face. Had Dr Hobson said anything?
”While I was away, I didn’t just solve the Rigley case, I picked up a lead on this one too. Well, it wasn’t exactly in Oxford I found it, but – We need to speak to your old tutor again. Hayley-Carr? Is that his name?”
Lewis stared in consternation at Hathaway. Why that tense face? He shouldn’t have left the boy alone. Was he having a breakdown?
”Yes. That’s his name. What about?”
”It seems he had more to do with our victim than we thought earlier. Come on. Are you ready to go?”
”Yes.”
Hathaway grabbed his jacket, put it on and followed Lewis outside.
On the way to their suspect’s home, Lewis’ phone rang.
”Yes. I see. Oh. Thanks for letting me know. Yes. No, I see the problem, but since this is connected to our case – Thank you.”
”That was the police. The Cambridge police. One of your mr Hayley-Carr’s students was found dead early this morning. Another victim with a connection to him. We can inspect the crime scene but I thought we’d see mr Hayley-Carr first, since we’re almost at his place now.”
What Hathaway wanted most of all was to think of some excuse, anything really, to get back to his hotel room. He couldn’t see Mortimer again this soon after – and his place – with the presumably still unmade bed and –
”What’s the matter? Are you ill?”
”No. I just slept badly. I’ll be fine.”
Lewis studied his sergeant unnvervingly closely for a moment, then appeared to let the matter go.
”Alright, let’s hear what mr Hayley-Carr has to say.”
Lewis rang the doorbell and waited. A few minutes later, Hayley-Carr came to open the door. He was fully dressed but it was obvious that he had just come from the shower, and was still drying his hair with a towel.
Hathaway was glad he had at least had time for a shower himself, before Lewis showed up. And that he had managed to change into a new shirt, if not a complete suit. He hated to think of his pants but there was no time to consider that now.
”You again? And – you.”
There was something about Hayley-Carr’s tone that struck Lewis as unusual. A bit – smug. Or was it something else? First dismay and then – innuendo? Surely that was wrong. Lewis pushed the thought away for the moment.
”Can we come in?”
”Of course. Please.”
He stepped aside and let them in, showing them into a study. Hathaway felt weak with relief. Not the bedroom, but surely Mortimer couldn’t be that cruel?
”Yes. What can I do for you?”
”I’m afraid we have some bad news. One of your students has been found dead this morning. Edward Dexter.”
”That’s terrible. What happened? An accident?”
”The cause of death is still indetermined.”
”Oh. I’m not sure what you want me to tell you.”
”You can start by telling me where you were last night.”
”Between what hours?”
”All night, if you don’t mind. We can narrow it down later.”
”Right. Well, it’s a bit indelicate perhaps but -”
Mortimer stared at Hathaway, and Hathaway knew exactly what he meant. This was a nightmare. He had to resign. He had to –
”I see I’m going to have to spell it out. I spent all last night with your sergeant there.”
Lewis stared at the suspect as if he had suddenly grown wings. Had he heard him correctly? But if Hathaway and this man had spent all last night drinking – this felt wrong somehow. Lewis had an instinct for these things, just like Morse – and Hathaway. He sensed that Hayley-Carr knew more about both murders than he was letting on. So how could he have spent the night with – Hathaway? Hathaway did look sick though. He could be hung-over.
”Hathaway?”
His throat was so dry he couldn’t get a word out. He had to cough to clear it. How was he going to explain this to Lewis?
Was Hathaway really ill? That face – so pale and was his sergeant breaking into a cold sweat all of a sudden? What was he missing?
”Hathaway? Are you alright?”
”Yes. I’m fine. And – Mortimer – mr Hayley-Carr is right. We did – spend the night together.”
Had he said it out loud? He stared in horror at Lewis, waiting for his reply.
”I – uh – see. Well, alright. Anything else you can tell me about mr Dexter?”
”He was a good student. Not brilliant. Fair. Relatively popular. Had a few friends.”
”Do you know if he was involved with drugs?”
”I really doubt it. He seemed to be a very – wholesome young man. Serious. He probably drank a bit like the rest of them, but nothing unusual. I’m afraid that’s all I can tell you. If that would be all – I do need to get to work.”
”That’s enough for now. I’ll contact you again, if I have any more questions.”
I. Lewis usually said ‘we’, but he had said ‘I’. So he didn’t include Hathaway in his statement. Hathaway felt weak. Somehow, he managed to follow Lewis outside again, and Mortimer closed the door behind them.
Lewis studied Hathaway with a look that Hathaway took to mean distaste. In reality it was just surprise. Astonishment, really. He should have asked more about that ‘night together’, but it really wasn’t his business. If they had been drinking – it happened. Maybe they had just been talking. But Hayley-Carr had seemed to be hinting at something else. And judging by Hathaway’s reaction, that was possible. He had had no idea – even though once he had suspected something – In any case it wasn’t his business.
”James – you’re not looking well. Let’s get you back to the hotel. In fact, I think you should return to Oxford and take a few days off. Get some rest. At least the rest of the day.”
”No – I’m – ”
”Yes. You can’t go on like this. I don’t know if you’re hung-over or ill or – whatever it is – but you don’t look fit for work.”
”Really, I’m fine.”
”No, you’re not. I’ll handle the investigation. Get some sleep. Or go back to Oxford and go home.”
Hathaway knew it was no use protesting. It was over. He had loved this job. It had been the most rewarding work he had ever done. And now – he felt his eyes sting and he turned away from Lewis. He didn’t even understand how it could have happened.
As they walked into the hotel lobby, they caught sight of Dr Hobson. She waved and came over.
”Hello, Laura.”
”Hello, Robbie. Hello, James.”
Her sharp gaze raked Hathaway’s face and he blushed. If they started talking –
”I have to go.”
He brushed past them both and pressed to get the lift down. His room was only on the third floor but right now his legs felt weak and he wasn’t up to facing the stairs.
Dr Hobson pondered what she would do with this new information. She had given her word to Hathaway that she wouldn’t tell anyone about what he’d been through, but this – how could she help him if Lewis didn’t find out? If she could, she would have preferred to ask Hathaway first, if he would mind telling Lewis about his ordeal, but – in this situation, she felt she had to break her word.
”Robbie – can I have a word with you?”
”Of course.”
”We’d better go up to my room.”
”Alright.”
He was wondering what had brought this on, but he certainly had time for a few minutes’ chat with Dr Hobson.
They walked up the stairs and Dr Hobson found her key card and let herself in. Lewis followed her inside.
”Please. Have a seat.”
”Right. Did you notice that Hathaway was – unwell?”
”Yes, and that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. So you have noticed too.”
”Yes, he – I suppose I can tell you. It’s to do with the case, but – it was really odd. We had just heard about another victim. A student. Another man with a connection to a certain don. A former tutor of Hathaway’s apparently. I was asking him about his whereabouts last night and he produced an alibi that was – it was Hathaway. They had spent the night together, or at least so mr Hayley-Carr claimed. The odd thing is that James confirmed it. I don’t know what he meant because I was so stunned – they could have spent the night drinking or talking, but there was something about the way he sounded – Hayley-Carr, I mean. But James looks so ill – he could be hung-over though I have hardly ever known him to drink like that.”
”I see. So that’s why – I promised him not to – but this changes things. This morning, I met James coming back to the hotel. To his room. I noticed that he was looking – drugged.”
”Drugged?”
Lewis was startled. He hadn’t expected this. That did change things a bit.
”Yes. Rohypnol, or something like that. I recognize the signs – most of my ‘patients’ are dead, of course, but I took a course and anyway – it was obvious. Not just alcohol, something more. He said he had only had one beer.”
”But that’s -”
”Exactly. I promised him I wouldn’t give him away, but now – it sounds like this Hayley-Carr – was that the name – That this man drugged James to give himself an alibi.”
”So that’s it. But James just confirmed it.”
”He says he doesn’t remember anything.”
”That means – that alibi isn’t worth anything.”
”Exactly.”
Lewis was thinking quickly. If the man had merely drugged Hathaway and taken him back to his place, then it should be possible to just call the man’s bluff and expose him. But the way Hathaway had reacted – there had to be something more to it and if so – he couldn’t very well ‘out’ his sergeant to the whole force. This was – too complicated. He had to think.
”Laura – do you think they – ”
”Had sex? I think this man did something to James. He’s – ashamed.”
”That’s what I was afraid of. I can’t break that alibi and expose James to the rest of the force.”
”No. He was – almost in a panic about it. But you can’t let this man get away with murder either. I suppose – if we can talk to James and – but even if we manage to make it sound as if James was unconscious the whole time and that Hayley-Carr didn’t do anything to him – there will some who won’t believe it.”
”That might be the best we can do. We can wait a while. See if we have anything else to tie Hayley-Carr to the crime scene. And the victim. They were having a drink together. If we say that James passed out and was asleep the whole time – it should -”
”Perhaps.”
”In any case, I will have to inform Jean Innocent. She will have to know.”
”What a mess. Poor James.”
Lewis heartily agreed. What a mess. This was something he would never be able to discuss with Hathaway. If his sergeant was – bisexual? homosexual? – it was something he would never be able to talk about. Not that it was a problem for him, working with a gay man. But talking about it – that was just too personal. And James appeared to be agonising over it. How complicated these things were. And how easy they might be for women. He was just guessing, of course. Maybe they found it as awkward as men did, but he doubted it.
”Where is James?”
”I told him to either get some rest at the hotel, or to return to Oxford.”
”Hm. I don’t think he should be going anywhere on his own. You continue with the investigation, Robbie – I’ll see if I can – talk to James or at least keep an eye on him.”
”Right. Good. I’ll – assume the alibi is false and – see if I can find something else to tie mr Hayley-Carr to the murders. There’s something about him -”
”I’m sure there is. Drugging someone to get an alibi indeed.”
With a great deal of relief, Lewis went off to continue with his investigation, glad that Dr Hobson was getting the harder end of the deal. Knowing what he did now, or at least guessing – he was so happy he didn’t have to try to speak to Hathaway. He assumed Hathaway would be feeling the same.
Dr Hobson went to knock on Hathaway’s door, hoping he hadn’t already gone off to do something rash. Knowing the young man as she did, he was fully capable of resigning to enter a monastery or something. Before he did anything like that, she wanted to try and reach him.
To her relief, Hathaway opened the door after only a few minutes. He was fully dressed, but not carrying his luggage.
”James. May I come in?”
For a moment, it looked as if he hadn’t heard her, then he nodded briefly and stepped aside.
”James – I was wondering – how you are. You look – more alert.”
”Oh. Yes. Whatever it was must be wearing off by now. I feel – fine.”
The expression on his face gave the lie to that statement.
”Listen – I wish Lewis would have let me continue on the case. I’m sure that I can find out something.”
”Robbie seems to think it’s mr Hayley-Carr who’s your main suspect.”
Hathaway opened his mouth to say that he had to be wrong about that, but closed it again. Could he be sure of that? If Mortimer had done this to him – what else was he capable of?
”I – never would have thought so, but – you could be right. If so – I think I know who to ask about it. At least when I was a student here, he had a very close friend. And – there’s someone else, who never missed a thing going on at the college. If he’s still there -”
”You could call and let Robbie know. He can ask those two and -”
”I want to do that. I know these people. If you still think I can do my job -”
Dr Hobson studied Hathaway sadly. He was brilliant, but the question was how much of that brilliance remained through his despair. The look on his face was like that of a martyr going to his execution. She had been right. He was capable of just about anything right now.
”Call Robbie and tell him. Perhaps he will agree that you should be the one to -”
Hathaway studied her closely in his turn, as if trying to determine what she really was saying, then nodded slowly and reached for his phone.
”It’s me. Listen – I know some people who might know more about Mort – Hayley-Carr. About – his connections to the victims. No, please. Let me be the one to speak to them. I know these people. They will talk to me openly. This college – I know it. Know how people think. Please. Let me prove to you that I can still do my job.”
He had an odd tone when he referred to his job, and Dr Hobson thought she was right. After this was over, Hathaway intended to resign and do – who knew what. She had to do something. They couldn’t leave him in all this pain. She was filled with a sudden rage towards the man who had reduced this brilliant young man to this – wreck, in just a few hours. Suddenly, she had an idea.
”Do you know who’s doing the post mortem on the latest victim?”
”No. Why?”
”Never mind. I know who to ask. Excuse me. I’ll – be back later. What did Robbie say?”
”He said – he said I can come and join him at the college.”
”Oh, good. Good luck.”
”Thanks.”
His voice was toneless, but somehow – he was pulling himself together. It was the chance of doing his job that did it, of course. Hathaway had always valued his work over his personal life.
Dr Hobson returned to her room and called her friend in the Cambridgeshire police force.
”Hello, Anne. How are you? And Donald? Great. Listen, do you know who is doing the p m on the dead student found earlier today? Oh, really? That’s wonderful. Could I – come and observe? Or see your results? Brilliant. Thanks. I’ll be right there.”
She had been hoping it would be her old friend Anne Matthews. They had been in the same year at med school.
Dr Hobson ran through the narrow streets of Cambridge and found the discreet entrance to the morgue. She had been here – a few years back on a seminar for forensics experts.
A little later she was scrubbed and suited up to oberve the post mortem her old friend had just been about to perform.
”Hello, Laura. You’re just in time.”
She reached for the scalpel and began.
Afterwards, the two women went into the staff room to have a coffee and discuss the pm.
”What are you looking for?”
”DNA. Something to die the killer to the body would be great, but anything would help. Our victim was – quite dull. Nothing of interest found. And I think the boys in uniform never found the murder weapon. So they have nothing at the moment. We really need to get this man. He’s – not just a killer. A bad lot altogether.”
”I see. Well, there was something – some saliva – and a drop of blood. Not from the victim. There should be some DNA there. Do you have any sample from the killer?”
”Not yet. We need to have something to match it to.”
”Right. We can probably oblige there.”
”Great. Some of them get careless after a while. I was hoping he would have.”
After making the arrest, Lewis and Hathaway returned to Oxford. Once there it didn’t take Hathaway long to drop a sealed envelope on Jean Innocent’s desk. About half an hour earlier, she had received a phone call from Dr Hobson. Lewis had already been to speak to her only ten minutes earlier.
Jean Innocent stared down at the envelope, then back up at Hathaway’s tormented face.
”What’s this?”
”My letter of resignation, ma’am.
”Is it? Hathaway – James – what has Lewis said to you? Between you and me, I think our Lewis is a bit – uptight. Don’t let that bother you. And it’s not as if the entire police force knows. Believe me, we’ll keep this between the four of us. I don’t see how you could have acted differently. As I understand it, you didn’t go out to meet your former tutor at that pub?”
Hathaway’s face tensed up even more and Jean Innocent thought she saw a nerve twitch near his left eye.
”No, ma’am. I just went out to have a beer at the old pub I used to go to as a student.”
”There. You see. How could you have known what he was planning? You did very well. According to Lewis and Dr Hobson, you provided two of the clues needed to get the killer in the end.”
”Ma’am.”
”So just take that back and take some time off. Make sure you’re – in good health. You can take a few days if you want, but that’s not an order. Do as you like. Just take care of yourself.”
”Yes, ma’am.”
Hathaway stared down at the envelope lying on Jean Innocent’s desk with what appeared to be mixed emotions. In the end, he reached out and picked up the envelope and turned and left Innocent’s office.
He wasn’t going to take any time off. The suggestion was ridiculous. All he wanted was to keep working. If only two of his colleagues and his boss hadn’t known – but apparently, he would somehow have to learn to live with that, just like – everything else.
The following morning, he received a phone call from Dr Hobson, encouraging him to visit her at the morgue after her work day ended and the rest of her colleagues had left. She would take the blood samples she had referred to later.
”Dr Hobson – Laura – are you sure that’s necessary? I would rather just -”
”James – don’t you think it’s better to be safe than sorry?”
He stared off into the distance, trying to think of a way to – politely – tell Dr Hobson to just leave him alone. In the end, he found no way to do that so he just briefly thanked her and hung up.
After Lewis had told him to go home, he went to the morgue. He would have to get through this too. It wasn’t as if he didn’t realize how kind Dr Hobson was. How very kind and thoughtful she had been. It wasn’t her fault that it only made things worse. This – was just the tip of the iceberg which was why it was so painful to be reminded of – his past.
While she was taking the samples – a few of which Hathaway would never have consented to if he had guessed in advance that they wouldn’t be blood samples – or at least one of them – she asked another question.
His reaction told her he would much rather have been spared that question, but she wasn’t sorry. The way he was feeling – she guessed he was heading straight for some kind of breakdown. If she could help him in some way, she would.
”So – Lewis told me that you – were a little distracted by this case and I understand it was the connection to the Cambridge and the college there?”
That wasn’t too bad, after all. Not part of what he never wanted dragged up again. He could tell Dr Hobson this, even if he didn’t want Lewis to know.
”Oh. The former dean – who was dean when I was a student – I’m not sure if you remember an older case – a man named Le Plassiter?”
Dr Hobson nodded, as if encouraging him to go on.
”He had kissed a student then made sure he was expelled. Ruined his life. His health – everything. The old dean – was like him. He – dropped hints – would accidentally touch – me. I was determined to ignore it. All I wanted was to keep my head down and get my degree. In the end he told me to my face – I would either have to comply or leave without a degree. I chose the latter. Being reminded of that made me furious. It was so unfair. But in those colleges, or at least most of the old ones – the senior members stick together. No one could have successfully fought such a treatment. If anything like that happens, you just have to accept it and find a way of dealing with it. I had to move to another college, then afterwards, I found this job.”
”Oh. That’s terrible. No wonder you were distracted.”
For the first time since they had started working on the case, he smiled briefly. She really was kind. And she didn’t understand anything, which was the way he preferred it.
”There. That should do it. I’ll let you know the results. As you say, it’s unlikely that anything will be wrong, but – just to be on the safe side.”
Hathaway sighed.
”Yes. I see. Thank you. You’re very kind.”
”I care about you, James. Naturally I want to help you if I can.”
Then leave me alone, he thought, but knew he would never be able to tell her that to her face. At least this was over now. He was hoping his colleagues would never again get a glimpse into his past. There was too much he didn’t want to face, let alone have others pry into.
In the following days, Lewis and Jean Innocent conducted several more interviews with Hayley-Carr and the other two men. Just as Hathaway had guessed, Hayley-Carr had been involved with Lee-Farrow and the student, Dexter. At least the latter, had been uncomfortable with the connection and had wanted to get away from relationship. As for Lee-Farrow, it seemed he had simply met another girl and wanted to be free of the other connection. As simple as that. Just as the first post mortem had suggested. A jealous lover had lashed out and killed. This may not have been the most satisfying of cases, but at least they had caught their killer and were able to sew up the case against him. Apparently, there would be no trouble getting a conviction.
Hathaway just felt slightly bitter that he hadn’t been allowed to participate in the final interviews. It wasn’t that he didn’t understand. After what had happened to him – what had been done to him – he realized his superiors couldn’t very well allow him to stay on the case. At least not officially. If he was called to the stand during the trial, it would not only look bad for the force, it would expose him to unwanted attention. He knew they were only trying to protect him, but it choked him, knowing that he had been –
That was another thought that wouldn’t leave him alone. How could he have thought Mortimer was such a wonderful person? Yet during his time at the college, he had felt that Mortimer was more or less his best friend. He doubted he would have managed as well during his first years there, without Mortimer’s support. And he had never noticed any – unhealthy interest. Just kindness and support. What had happened in those years? Had Mortimer changed so much – or had he – Hathaway changed – and developped a police man’s eye or instinct? It was a puzzle. At least it was one he could, with relief, leave behind.
Now all he needed to do was find a way to keep working with Lewis. Maybe it would be alright. He knew he was good at suppressing memories and ignoring his true feelings. As long as Lewis never referred to the incident again – and Hathaway had no doubt he could count on his older colleague for that, he would learn to live with it.
FIN
© Tonica