they’re guilty as those who committed the crimes.
― Frank Sonnenberg
Stern Face of the Law
Lorraine and I were sitting in my front room drinking coffee, which was usual for this time of night, but what was unusual was that we were chatting with a lawyer who was there to help us navigate an imminent police interview.
It was a weird situation for us to be in but I can honestly say James put us at ease and gave us confidence everything would turn out all right. He was particularly interested in the fact that a student, Tom Hughes, confided in me and was intrigued about the fundraiser we attended at The Park Hotel that night.
I suppose what he found significant was all three of us were there― Sylvia, Lorraine and me as well as Laird Fisher and the so-called Unholy Trinity. Yes, there was something suspicious going on but the details weren't apparent to either of us so we weren't able to shed much. light on that meeting.
It was close to 830 pm and Lorraine had moved Tess' crate into the kitchen so we wouldn't disturb her since she was fast asleep.
James saw the unmarked car pull up outside and hurriedly gave some last minute instructions.
"Remember what I told you both about responding to questions. Don't offer anything and wait until I give you the go-ahead. Don't speculate or engage in conjecture― just stay with the facts of what you witnessed."
I answered the door and brought the men into front room and introduced them to James. They weren't surprised at all that we retained counsel. Once again, the older detective took the lead and did all the talking.
"How did you come to be working at Haven, Mr. Chapman?" the older man asked.
"Sylvia Fisher persuaded her father to get me an interview and I was hired to teach English."
"Why did you want to teach in a private school?"
"I was a first year teacher on a probationary contract and was declared redundant in the public sector."
"So, you didn't have much choice?"
I nodded.
He turned his attention on Lorraine. "What about you, Ms. Brooks―how did you come to work for Haven?"
"Ginny Green, my roommate, was friends with a secretary who worked at Haven. Her friend asked if she'd be interested, but Ginny liked her job and recommended me. I went to an interview and was hired."
"So, apart from Mr. Chapman, you're not intimately connected with anyone at Haven?"
"That's right," she said.
"So, neither of you has any connection with Araby private school or Noel Taylor, the principal?"
We both shook our heads.
"Has either of you been offered another position, other than the one you currently possess?"
I looked at James, my lawyer, and he nodded slightly, indicating I should answer.
"Sylvia Fisher showed up announced and met me outside this house. She wanted to talk and we went for a walk. She told me her father wanted to offer me the position of English Department Head at Haven."
"Isn't that unusual for a headship to be offered to a novice teacher ?"
I nodded. "It is, but she said I was the only one on staff qualified because Tom Turner, the current head, was leaving."
"And why out of all those teachers are you the only one qualified?"
"She said the others were all 'Old Boys', former students who were hired presumably out of loyalty."
The grey-haired detective looked at his partner and smiled. I had no idea what that meant.
Suddenly, he stood up to leave. "I'd like to thank you both for taking the time to talk with us. You were both quite helpful. If we need to talk further we'll contact Mr. Quintrell, your lawyer. Have a good evening."
I couldn't believe the interview was over so quickly. I had no idea what we said that was 'helpful' but was relieved to see them leave.
Lorraine accompanied them out to the door and when she returned, James stood up as well. "You both handled that very well--I enjoyed meeting with you and if you have any further questions, you have my phone number. Don't hesitate to call."
I had expected James to go over what was said in the interview but obviously he didn't feel that would be appropriate. He did his job and protected our interests and for that I was thankful.
And within minutes Lorraine and I were left alone in my front room wondering what the police were after.
Lorraine went and let Tess out of her crate and took her outside to pee. I sat staring at the dark fireplace trying to figure out what just transpired.
Obviously we were simply viewed as witnesses but it seemed the many questions about Sylvia indicated she was viewed as a subject or even a target of investigation. That troubled me.
Sylvia had a lot of faults but she wasn’t malevolent or criminal in her intentions. But what if she were covering up for Todd, or perhaps even her father?
Being dragged into their crimes would be disastrous for her and the thought of her being indicted thoroughly depressed me.
It crossed my mind to warn her but James had instructed me to stick to the facts and keep a low profile. I knew I shouldn’t worry about her but that was easier to say rather than do—to sit back and say nothing.
But it was all we could do at this moment.