The Whole Truth

‘Very natty,’ she says as she comes towards him, nodding to his chinos and pink shirt. ‘I hope they were suitably impressed.’

He could take umbrage but he decides to smile instead. ‘Slayed ’em,’ he says. ‘Eating out of my hand.’

She hitches her bag higher up her shoulder. ‘So what’s all this about?’

‘Some sort of “incident”. But not a 999 job so I’m assuming no one’s dead. Woods says it was the Principal who called it in. Refused to say anything more, just kept on saying he wanted to speak to Fawley.’

‘Serious, then.’

He nods. ‘The boss is on his way. But, right now, your guess is as good as mine.’

Ev has a guess all right, but decides, for now, to keep that to herself.

Quinn goes to check in with the lodge, and Ev waits outside; he doesn’t need her holding his hand, especially if he’s bigging himself up as surrogate DS. The group by the door has dispersed now, and the courtyard is empty. Bits of glitter and confetti are caught in the paving, the last fragments of Finals. She can feel the heat coming off the stone through her thin sandals.

‘OK,’ says Quinn, coming back towards her again. ‘They said Reynolds’ office is on the first floor. Turn right down the corridor and up the stairs. The PA will meet us there.’

It’s surprisingly cool inside, but something about the parquet flooring and the echo of their feet has Ev thinking of disinfectant and imminent hockey sticks. The upstairs corridor is a good deal plusher, and the PA is hovering, looking slightly irritated. She gives the impression she knows to the second how long it should have taken them to cover the distance and they have woefully underperformed.

‘Professor Reynolds is just on a call – please take a seat, it won’t be long.’

The PA returns to her desk, but the visitor chairs have a distinct waiting-for-detention look about them which is hardly appealing. As for Quinn, he doesn’t seem able to keep still. He spends the next five minutes scrutinizing the framed photos of the teaching body, until the PA’s intercom beeps and she gets to her feet.

‘This way, please.’

The office is certainly impressive, if only in terms of size. Wood panelling, windows over the garden, more framed photographs, this time of the previous heads of the college. They’re all women. Unlike the person walking towards them, hand outstretched.

‘Hilary Reynolds – you must be Detective Sergeant Quinn?’

Ev sees Quinn open his mouth but Reynolds has already moved on.

‘DC Everett? Please – take a seat.’

‘So,’ says Quinn, after a moment. ‘You asked to see us?’

Reynolds frowns. ‘You don’t think we should wait until DI Fawley arrives?’

Quinn shifts a little. ‘He said we should start without him. You know what it’s like, weekend traffic, tourists –’

Reynolds sits back, fingertips together. ‘This whole situation is extremely delicate.’

Quinn nods. ‘We do understand, sir, but until we know what it’s about –’

Ev glances at him and then at Reynolds. ‘If it helps, I have done sexual offences training.’

Reynolds turns to face her. He doesn’t say anything but she can see from his face that she’s bang on.

He clears his throat. ‘Yes, DC Everett, well guessed. This is indeed an issue of that sort.’

Everett takes out her notebook; Quinn may be playing at being one of the grown-ups but someone still has to do the heavy lifting.

‘Perhaps I can take some details? I’m assuming no one is in need of immediate medical assistance?’

Reynolds gives a quick, sharp shake of the head. ‘No, nothing like that.’

Quinn sits forward a little; he evidently feels the need to reassert the initiative. ‘An official complaint has been made to you, as head of the college?’

Reynolds nods. ‘The appropriate internal processes will in due course be put in motion as required by University protocols, but I felt the circumstances warranted an immediate referral to the civil authorities.’

Sounds like he cut-and-pasted that from the latest Equality and Diversity policy handbook, thinks Everett, as she makes a note. Leaving no arse uncovered, that’s for sure.

‘I see,’ says Quinn. ‘Perhaps you could talk us through the “issue” as you understand it. You told my colleague at St Aldate’s that one of your students was involved?’

Reynolds starts fiddling with something on his desk. ‘A postgraduate. One of our brightest. Transferred here from Cardiff at the beginning of Michaelmas term.’ He glances at Ev and waves a finger at her notes. ‘October, in other words.’

Gee, thanks, she thinks. As if a low-life like me could possibly know that.

‘And the other person involved?’ she says evenly.

Reynolds’ expression has darkened. ‘I’m afraid the other party is one of the college academic staff.’

It doesn’t come as any surprise – certainly not to Ev, and not only because she’s done sexual offences training.

‘OK,’ says Quinn, who’s going to lose his patience very quickly if there’s much more pussy-footing about. ‘Perhaps it would be easier if we talked direct to the parties involved?’

* * *

‘Do you want another glass of wine?’