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As Head of Faculty, Professor French was the acting Chief Executive Officer of PersCure whilst it was under partial University ownership, ably assisted by Matt Pearson and Brett Chandler as acting Chief Scientific Officers. He could feel the tell-tale niggle of an impending headache above his right eye and he was toying with pain relief when his personal assistant knocked on his door.
‘Sorry to disturb you, Ian but you’ve a letter which was sent using the signed for service.’
‘Thanks, Audrey,’ he replied.
‘Can I get you a coffee?’
‘That would be great, thanks.’
Ian looked at the letter. It was postmarked London. He opened it and began to read. When Audrey returned with his coffee he barely noticed her. Gradually he became aware of her voice asking him if he was alright.
‘Ian, are you OK? You look rather pale.’
‘No, I’m not OK but it’s nothing to do with you. Please get in touch with Brett Chandler and Matt Pearson. I need to see them immediately. Do not accept any excuses.’
‘OK, I’ll phone them straight away,’ she said bustling out.
Ian drank his coffee with a trembling hand. There must be some mistake. He read the letter again. If this were true then it would reflect very badly on the University and it had coincided with the current funding crisis. He put his head in his hands pressing on his right eyebrow.
Audrey knocked on the door again, ‘Matt and Brett will be along in about half an hour,’ she said around the partially opened door.
‘Thank you,’ said Ian. ‘I think we will need some more coffee when they arrive.’
‘Of course,’ she replied.
As he fumbled in his drawer for his painkillers, he hoped that someone could explain this latest mess and furthermore that the University would prove to be blameless.
**
‘Look, I’ve spoken to Peter and he’s told me in no uncertain terms not to visit Radford Manor or whatever it’s called again.’
Peter Leighton was the Chief Superintendent at Persford police station and thus Mike Harris’ senior officer. Peter and Ron were members of the Rotary Club and had taken part in many local charitable events. Everyone suspected they were also fellow Masons but nobody could find evidence to prove it.
‘This is doing my head in,’ said Andy. ‘Am I the only person who can see that Radford is the at the centre of everything? He always is. He’s managed to pull the wool over your eyes as well, by the sound of it.’
‘Shut up!’ said Mike. ‘We deal in evidence, not by examining our tea leaves in a cup, or consulting Mystic Meg.’
‘OK, so even if we ignore our suspicions about his connection to the recent events, look at his domestic situation.’
‘What about it?’ replied Mike.
‘Don’t you just think it’s ever so cosy? Maureen Welch just happens to be the widow of an extremely wealthy property developer, he dies and then she strikes up a romance with Radford who is well known for building an empire. Thus he will gain an even bigger empire.’
‘So?’
‘So, it’s fishy?’
‘People are attracted to their own kind. You surely don’t expect him to marry his cleaner, do you?’
‘What if he’s marrying her for her money?’ continued Andy.
‘What if she’s marrying him for his money?’ retorted his colleague.
Andy refused to be swayed. ‘I don’t like it. There’s something suspicious about the whole set-up.’
‘Look, Radford has had more than his fair share of personal tragedy. Surely you don’t deny him some happiness even if he might have been a bit dubious in the past.’
‘Yes, I do. I detest him. He controls people. He’s a manipulator and slimy with it. God, that Maureen must be mad. I don’t understand what she sees in him.’
‘Love is blind, as the saying goes.’
‘I’m going to find some evidence, I will and when I do you’ll all want a slice of the glory.’
‘Well, that’s your right but don’t make a fool of yourself. I won’t stand by you if you infringe protocol. I’ve warned you before.’
‘Don’t I know it. I’ve had my warning.’
‘Good, glad to hear it. Now, let’s get on with our work.’
‘Mike?’
‘Yes?’
‘Oh, nothing, it doesn’t matter,’ said Andy. His nerve had failed him at the last moment. Today wasn’t the right time, his superior might burst a blood vessel if he broached the subject of Hubert Welch’s suicide. Andy knew that the inquest had been satisfied and Hubert had been cremated. It was a closed chapter. However, for the detective sergeant, something felt wrong about it. What if it wasn’t a case of suicide at all.
**
‘I think it’s best if you read the letter,’ said Ian, handing it to Matt and Brett. They placed the letter between them on the table so they could read it simultaneously. The shock was visible on both their faces.
‘There must be some mistake!’ said Brett. ‘Either that or it’s some kind of elaborate hoax?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ said Ian. ‘It’s for real. Someone has been lax and I hope it’s not either of you two?’
‘Now, hold on,’ said Brett.
‘Brett,’ intervened his colleague, ‘there’s no point in us arguing amongst ourselves. We both did the first tier investigations into Jake Marsfield and his financial advisor, what was he called?’
‘Theo Henchard,’ added Brett.
‘We did what we could. It’s our accountants and advisors who have the wherewithal to investigate further. There may not have been much they could have done, it’s obviously a clever trail they’ve laid. Look, we’ll get in touch with Lovesey and Hawkes and see what they have to say. They will have signed the paperwork saying they completed due diligence.’
‘They will probably be getting in touch with us,’ said Ian. ‘I bet they’ve had the same communication.’
‘Who are the University solicitors?’ asked Brett.
‘Fenmores, I’ll give them a call, put them in the picture. We may need them to check this out.’
‘OK, we’ll get back to you when we have some more information. You’ll do the same?’
‘I certainly will. God, I could have done without this. What with the budget problems as well.’
‘Yes, we heard about that,’ said Brett.
‘Did you? From whom? It’s not supposed to be common knowledge.’
‘I can’t remember,’ said Brett, lamely. Matt wished his friend would keep quiet, he seemed to be making matters worse.
‘OK, well, if that’s all, we better get on with our phone calls,’ said Brett.
‘Yes, that’s all for now,’ said Ian and began to look at some papers on his desk.
Brett and Matt left the room.
‘I don’t believe this,’ said Brett, but before he could continue Matt cut him off.
‘Be quiet, we need to have a chat. In private. Let’s head outside and find a seat.’
