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“Thanks,” Charlie said. He didn’t see himself as Man at Marks and Spencers but needs must. “Now, is there anything else I should know about? Things that go with fake emails and firebombing?”
“Yesterday there were two hoax emergency calls from women saying they were being followed. We went both times, and there was no one there.”
“999 calls?”
“Yes. We’ve got the recordings. Different women’s voices. We haven’t done a voiceprint or anything, but they don’t sound the same.”
“Anything else?”
Jellicoe shook her head, but the way she rubbed the back of her neck and then smoothed her already perfect ponytail suggested that she wasn’t certain.
“There is something.” Charlie said.
“I thought, and so did one of the other girls, that we were being followed. After dark, when we were going home. Just this last week. Nothing you could put your finger on, a feeling that’s all.”
“Isn’t there anyone to walk you home?” Edwards asked.
Charlie stared at the big man, who had the decency to blush.
“I’m sure what DC Edwards meant to ask was were you carrying your pepper spray and handcuffs? Which I’m sure you were.”
This time it was Jellicoe who blushed. “Not off duty, Sarge.” Charlie opened his mouth to speak, when Jellicoe’s phone rang, and she hurried out of the room. When she returned, it was with another woman in uniform.
“This is Trainee Constable Patsy Hargreaves, Sarge.” Hargreaves put a carrier bag on the table. Jellicoe looked inside and handed the bag to Charlie. “I hope they fit.”
“Thank you,” Charlie said. “I’m sure they’ll be an improvement.” His phone buzzed with a text.
Supt Kent: Ring me
Charlie excused himself and went out into the corridor.
“Sir?” he said when Kent answered.
“I need to let you know that two of the remaining staff at Llanfair have called in sick, claiming stress, and a third has resigned.”
And then there were four…
Bright yellow jacket
Monday 11am
From: the Llanfair College of Art website (Four Weeks Previously)
Llanfair College of Art welcomes record number of international students. College Principal Sir John Singer held a special Welcome Week event for students arriving from all around the world.
“This is what makes our college such an exceptional place to study,” Sir John explained. “We bring together a wide range of experience and cultures in our beautiful landscape and our friendly town.”
From the report of the whole College staff meeting, Llanfair College of Art
Asked about the criticism that the international students took places away from Welsh students, Sir John replied that the college was open to all.
International student fees are more than double those of home students at almost £30,000 a year. A University and College Union spokesperson said that international fees were essential to the college finances, and there was concern amongst some academics that international students faced less competition for places than did students from the UK
Charlie explained the morning’s events. Kent went quiet for a moment and then said, “Work nine till five, Monday to Friday, keep the doors open but never leave anyone on their own. I’ll try and get you some more help. Edwards is sound, you can trust him, Get round to that college about those missing students.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And watch your back. It looks civilised, but right now it’s the Wild West and you’re John Wayne.”
