Hathaway – 'A Damn Good Thrashing'
It was mid-afternoon in Oxford and within the city's streets, shouts and calls from various voices were heard ringing through. A few young adults ran down the road holding what looked like various items in their hands, all filled to the brim. They were chasing a couple of other people their age calling after them. They ran down a passage way and past the Radcliffe Camera where they flung the items in their direction. The crash of the glass hit the cobblestones and the coloured contents spilled all over. The students' targets laughed out loud only to sprint away as the others gave chase.
Inside one student house, a young girl with dark blonde locks and brown eyes opened her dressing table drawers and took out a box. Inside were some items of jewellery and she chose some gold hoop earrings. She bent slightly so she could use the mirror as guidance whilst she slid them into her earlobes. Once done, she placed the box back into the drawer and closed it, locking it securely. She then placed the key into what looked like an old face powder container and took one more look at herself before grabbing a cloth bag from a chair by the door and walking out. As she closed the door behind her locking it, two of her housemates both with plastic containers in their hands walked past her down the corridor chatting away. They all wished each other a good one before they walked down the stairs. The girl watched as they disappeared, and her face fell. She slung her bag on her shoulder and followed them, walking out of the front door.
Detective Sergeant Stephen Hazel opened his eyes and saw the ceiling. He was still off sick but due to return to work any time now. He blinked a few times to get accustomed to the afternoon light and sat up, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. He noticed his reflection in a full-length mirror not far in front of him and sighed heavily. He didn't look very good. In fact, ever since the attempt on his life, his wellbeing had taken a battering: his light olive skin wasn't in the best condition and his brown eyes looked heavy with dark circles forming underneath. His dark hair wasn't in the best of health neither and he definitely needed a shave. He had lost a bit of weight in the process, too. Hazel groaned and got back into bed, covering himself with the duvet locking the rest of the day away.
James Hathaway meanwhile was sitting at his desk at the station finishing off some paperwork from an arrest he made not too long ago. That was another successful result to add to his tally and perhaps Bright will now leave him alone. He signed the papers off and chucked the folder into his out tray. He took a look at the empty desk of Hazel's and wondered when he would be coming back. An additional desk was currently being set up nearby, Fraise and his team installing the equipment and a contractor was busy adding Gemma's name plaque to the door. Hathaway watched them for a little while, his thoughts turning to his new junior officer and wondered how she was doing. Her mother had taken her back home to London to recuperate once she was fit enough to be discharged but he had heard nothing since. She came worse off than Hazel and Hathaway knew it may take longer for her to return. He had nothing against the rest of the detectives in the unit, but he had become accustomed to Gemma and knew she had loads of potential to be successful. Besides, he had grown used to being called 'guv'. His thoughts were rudely interrupted by his phone ringing. Hathaway sat up straight and picked up his desk phone glancing at his mobile and wondered why that didn't ring instead. He put the phone down once the call had finished and grabbed his suit jacket from behind his chair as he walked out.
The dark blonde student walked through the city centre trying to avoid the duels that were taking place around her. It wasn't going to be easy as it seemed half of Oxford were involved! She quickly moved out of the way as two students ran past her and nearly bumped into someone in the process. She quickly apologised and went on her way. She saw a sandwich shop and decided to go in.
The photographer took pictures of the body as it was lying quite gruesomely in a heap by some bushes near a car park. Doctor Aurora walked through the undergrowth and stepped out. She took off her gloves and walked over to Hathaway, who had not long arrived, and noticed he was on his own. Hathaway took off his shades to greet her and noticed the look on the pathologist's face. He smiled somewhat cheekily at her and Aurora could not help but break into a smile.
"Your troops deserted you, have they?" she asked. Hathaway grinned as a reaction. If it worked with Laura Hobson… "The body in there. It's not a pretty sight. Decomposition has taken place and I am going to be lucky if I can get hold of their dental records."
The grin on Hathaway's face disappeared. He sighed, and Aurora looked at him with empathy. "Could you tell me anything about what happened?" he asked, hoping there was something basic to work with. Aurora walked over to her car and he followed.
"You want my honest opinion – ask the animals that saw them as a tasty meal." Hathaway squirmed. "Exactly why I will be lucky to get something from their teeth!" She opened the boot of her car. "You want something to work on… I think the victim was part of a joke gone wrong."
"What do you mean?" Hathaway asked. He took the metal case from the car for Aurora.
"Thank you, James." Aurora took her belongings from him and he closed the door securely. "It's thrashing season." They began retracing their steps. "There are some coloured bits and pieces nearby. My team are looking for the container it came in."
"Could it be something else you think?"
"Confetti? You think this as a stag or hen do?" Hathaway took note of the tone of her voice. "No. This is definitely thrashing. Except our victim was subject to another kind of thrashing instead." Hathaway stopped by the undergrowth as Aurora walked ahead. She stopped and turned. "I will do my best for you, James," she told him before walking back up. Hathaway watched as she disappeared and didn't like the sound of this one bit. He knew he had to wait for Aurora's report as he walked back to his car. Once inside, he took out his phone and placed it to his ear waiting for the other person to pick up only to get a voicemail greeting instead.
"Caroline, it's me. I'm just seeing how you are. I know you weren't yourself this morning. Give me a call when you can. Love you." He placed his phone inside his jacket pocket and turned the key in the ignition.
The female student came out of the sandwich shop having had something to eat. She walked down George Street turning the corner into Cornmarket and became lost in amongst the throng of locals and tourists. She could hear the sound of horns in the distance behind her and the cries of the students. She managed to get through the crowd and saw a bus turning a corner into St. Aldates. Quickly, she sprinted and just managed to make it in time, stepping inside and taking a spare seat once she showed her pass to the driver.
The sound of a mobile phone vibrating was heard from a side table and what followed caused Hazel to sit up almost immediately. He realised it was his ringtone and shook his head violently trying to get shot of the sleep in his eyes. He reached over to pick it up and upon seeing Hathaway's name immediately answered.
"Sir?" he asked rather sleepily. He listened carefully. "What now? But, sir, I am not due back for another few days! It's…" He picked up his wristwatch which was lying nearby, "nearly 4pm!" But, he knew from the tone of Hathaway's voice it was urgent. "All right. Give me an hour, sir. Dinner's on you!" He quickly cancelled the call before Hathaway had even a chance to respond and chucked his phone away towards the foot of the bed. He would definitely be claiming this as overtime! Hazel groaned loudly and rubbed his eyes and scratched his head. He stood up and dragged his feet towards the door, stopping by the mirror. He noticed the rather obvious wound in his neck, the skin still sore. Hazel covered it with his hand and tried not to think about that fateful day. He grabbed a towel from a chair and opened his bedroom door heading for the bathroom.
Chief Superintendent Bright looked at both Hathaway and Hazel later on that day. She was being kept back, which didn't impress her, but was aware of the urgency. She took more note of how Hazel was in front of her and was concerned about his demeanour. Although he made an effort like he always did, Hazel wasn't altogether himself. He was dressed smartly, that wasn't the issue, but rather the exhausted and fatigued look about him. Bright knew he was asked back just a little too early; and she should have rather have had him been given the once over by the station doctor and getting the all clear from him before even thinking of expecting him back. She glanced at Hathaway, who was feeling a tad guilty and sighed.
"Well… Let's have it," she said. "What is the urgency?"
"Dead body, ma'am."
Bright continued to stare at Hathaway.
"And this couldn't wait until the morning, could it?" She glanced at Hazel who was giving a look of gratitude.
"No, ma'am." Hathaway continued to look straight ahead.
"Well, go on then!"
"A body was discovered by a car park just outside the city," Hathaway began. "According to Aurora, the body was well past decomposition."
"Dental records?"
"Yes, ma'am. That is what she will try and obtain. She has a guess it is to do with thrashing."
"Thrashing?"
"There were some coloured bits and pieces found nearby." Bright thought about things for a moment letting the information sink in. She looked at Hazel.
"You know what that is don't you?" she asked.
"I do, yes, ma'am." Hazel replied. He reached up to massage his neck.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay, ma'am." Hathaway glanced at his junior officer. Bright looked back at Hathaway.
"Well, before you two go off to investigate this, I want Stephen here to see the station doctor. Now, I want no objections from you, Hathaway! Stephen has been through a lot. I just want him to be okay so he can assist you properly, James. I know it hasn't been easy for you." The look on Hathaway's face relaxed slightly. He nodded eventually and Hazel was more at ease. "I'll arrange it for the morning, Stephen."
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am."
"I've heard from Shirley about Gemma."
"Ma'am?" Hathaway's ears pricked up.
"She is struggling to get the sensation back in her neck and right shoulder. Her right arm is also suffering as a consequence. She is seeing a specialist."
Hazel bowed his head. Hathaway didn't like what he heard. The two officers walked out upon dismissal and they headed for their office.
They sat down at their desks without a word passing between them, the news of Gemma displeasing them. Hazel took a look at the newly set up desk of his friend and hoped she will be okay. Hathaway was feeling the same.
"So, nothing is known about the body yet, sir?" Hazel asked. Hathaway shook his head. "And it is definitely to do with thrashing?"
"Looks like it. Aurora is trying to obtain the dental records."
"A student prank gone wrong you think?"
"If it is, it was a hell of a prank!" Hathaway sighed.
"Is everything all right, sir?" Even though Hazel was inconvenienced, he still cared about Hathaway. Hathaway didn't answer and took out what looked like some flyers from inside his desk drawer.
"Have a choice," he told him throwing them on the desk as he walked past. Hazel looked at the take away menus as Hathaway left and, although he wasn't overly hungry, he knew Hathaway would need him at least for a few hours. He chose one and took a pen from the pot in front of him circling a few dishes from the list.
Hathaway woke up the next morning by the soft call of the alarm on his mobile phone. He groaned and reached over expecting Caroline to be there. As his arm flopped down hitting the covers, Hathaway opened his eyes fully. He was alone. He finally silenced the alarm and sat up on the edge of the bed. There were some items missing from the dressing table and as he opened up the wardrobe to take out a clean shirt, he saw that Caroline's side was half empty with only a few items of clothing left on the hangers. He closed the door and turned. His reflection in the full-length mirror startled him, but he noticed a familiar red dress hanging on a cupboard handle. Hathaway studied it carefully, imaging Caroline in it, but also the style of the dress itself. He took note of the time on the clock nearby and hung his shirt on a hook by the mirror as he opened the bedroom door, heading for the bathroom where he closed the door, the sound of the shower bursting into life behind it.
Stephen Hazel took deep breaths as the doctor started his once over. The pad of the stethoscope was cold. The doctor said nothing as he walked behind to place the pad at various points on his back. Hazel took more deep breaths wondering what the verdict was. As he stood up to tuck his shirt in, he was asked to take a seat by the desk and to roll up his sleeve. Hazel slowly did as was asked. This was not over yet.
The sound of thumping and laughter echoed through the walls of a darkened bedroom followed by a half drunken 'ssh'. The female student with dark blonde hair opened her eyes upon hearing the noise and blinked slowly. She was in bed, the curtains drawn. A shaft of sunlight was shining through the gap lightening up the fairly bright paint on the walls. The student sighed heavily and got up.
She walked out of her room in her dressing gown, her feet crunching the coloured bits and pieces underneath and walked down the stairs. The landing was a mess. She kicked some loose newspaper pages aside as she made her way past various empty wine bottles strewn to the sides and other unsavoury items towards the kitchen. What met her was an even bigger and untidier mess. There were empty and half empty pizza boxes on the dining table and ledges with the sink full of crockery and the big chrome pedal bin open with rubbish nearly overflowing. The recycling crates were also full of glass bottles and jars. The student turned up her nose at the slight stench and managed to open a couple of windows. She turned her attentions to the fridge and opened it only to find it more or less empty. Not even a decent supply of milk was inside. She closed the door, looked around with a sigh and began to tidy things up.
Hazel handed over the doctor's report to Bright and she sat down in her chair to read it quietly to herself. The look on her face wasn't best pleased, but this would have to do. She sat up and leaned forward to take up her fountain pen to sign it off. Hazel, smartly dressed as always, waited patiently in front of her.
"How are you feeling?" she asked him again.
"Not bad, thank you."
"Hathaway didn't keep you back for long last night, did he?"
"No, ma'am. I was back in bed by ten."
"Good." She finished signing off the report and fixed the cap back on the pen. "If you feel you cannot do this at any time, Stephen…"
"Thank you, ma'am. I'll be sure to let the guv know." He stopped suddenly as he realised what he just said. To his surprise, Bright nearly laughed. Before she could speak, the sound of her phone made her pick up. She nodded and politely dismissed Hazel. He closed the door behind him and walked down the corridor towards his office. Hathaway was already there looking at some papers he had in front of him. He looked up upon hearing shuffling and saw Hazel walking in. He set the papers aside and watched as his junior officer sat down at his desk and logged back into his computer.
"How did it go?" he asked.
"I passed, sir," Hazel replied stretching the truth slightly. "Bright signed the paper."
Hathaway nodded pleased Hazel was back. He would need him more now. Their brainstorming didn't come to any fruition the night before. As Hazel began going through his emails, he snuck a quick look at Hathaway, who had long gone back to his paperwork. He knew something was wrong with him personally, that perhaps he needed company and Hazel felt for him. He wondered if everything was all right between him and Caroline as Hathaway wasn't his usual self… Actually, when was he ever his usual self! He noticed Hathaway always had his phone near to him, ready to pick up as soon as it rung. He wanted to enquire, try to get him to speak, but Hazel knew better. As he went back to his emails, the sound of Hathaway's phone rung and was picked up within one ring. Hazel tried to concentrate on deleting a few emails when he heard the last sentence of the conversation. He looked up as Hathaway unslung his jacket from the back of his chair.
"Let's go," he told him. "Aurora wants us." Hazel nodded as Hathaway walked past him out the door and he quickly locked his computer. He noticed what looked like a red piece of clothing poking out of a plastic bag by Hathaway's desk. "HAZEL!" Hathaway's voice bellowed from outside.
"On my way!" Hazel made sure his phone was in his jacket pocket before following Hathaway out the door.
Gloucester Green Coach Station was quite busy, mostly with tourists and students. One by one, the coaches going to various destinations departed only to be replaced by ones that were arriving with people piling out. The dark blonde student dragged her suitcase behind her, a heavy looking rucksack on her shoulders. She was wearing grey loose slacks and a white T-shirt. Her hair was untied with a pair of shades perched on the top of her head. She made her way slowly to a particular stop to wait. It was already busy, the conversations both in English and different languages ringing in her ears. The girl carefully unslung her rucksack placing it between her feet and she opened up one of the front compartments taking out a folded white piece of paper. She checked the details on it before folding it back up and putting it away. The coach pulled up slowly and she joined the queue, slinging her rucksack back on her shoulders. She placed her contactless card on the reader collecting her ticket and placed her suitcase into the luggage compartment inside. As she took her window seat, she unslung her rucksack again and smiled at a middle-aged couple who took the two seats opposite her. She placed her book and a bottle of water on the table and placed the rucksack on the seat next to her. The female of the couple noticed the title of the book and smiled.
"How are your studies going?" she asked kindly. The girl looked up at her but smiled her response. The female looked at her husband, and despite not taking offence, decided not to pry any further. The girl stared out of the window as the coach pulled out, the familiar George Street disappearing far behind as it turned left and gradually out of the city.
Doctor Aurora was deep in conference with one of her pathologists when Hathaway and Hazel walked in. They both waited patiently for her to finish although Hazel was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. He gently massaged the side of his neck. Hathaway glanced at him. The movements of Aurora got his attention and he watched as she picked up a clipboard.
"Good morning, gentlemen," she greeted. She noticed Hazel shuffling on the spot but said nothing. "I managed to get a hold of your victim's dental records." She handed the clipboard over to Hathaway. "You have a female in her early twenties. Her ID is within those papers. I'll leave the next of kin notification to you." Hathaway looked up from the clipboard. "The cause of death I am still trying to decipher." Aurora walked around the empty slab. "She was devoured pretty badly." She paused to look at Hazel, who was still in some discomfort. "Ants in your pants, Hazel?" Hathaway, holding the clipboard at his side, looked to the floor in amusement. Hazel looked at the pathologist.
"Sorry, doctor," he said realising how rude and unhelpful he must have looked. Aurora caught Hathaway's amused look.
"I'll see what I can find out anything more, detectives," she said.
"Thanks, Doctor Aurora." Hathaway turned to leave. Hazel began to follow him but was called back. He turned as Aurora approached him.
"You came back too soon," she told him gently.
"I will be okay," Hazel replied trying to reassure himself more than her. Aurora, despite her height, noticed the obvious wound on the young sergeant's neck.
"Go easy," she said. "Hathaway can be determined but also stubborn. Did you see the station medic?"
"Yes; and he passed me." He couldn't look Aurora directly in the eye. Aurora nodded. "I needed to come back," he suddenly said. "I have an Inspector assessment pending. I need to at least solve one case…"
"But not at the expense of your wellbeing, Stephen." Aurora's voice was soft but firm. She was concerned about Hazel, like he was a younger relative. Hazel looked at the floor, knowing she was right. He then became aware of his phone ringing and looked to see who it was.
"Yes, sir," he answered upon hearing Hathaway's voice. He sighed heavily as the call ended. "Thank you, Doctor Aurora," he said to her politely forcing himself to smile. He walked out of pathology and down the corridor.
Hathaway decided he wasn't going to head back to the station when Hazel finally came out to meet him. He was sick of the place and wanted a fresh approach with a different atmosphere. He took a look at the clipboard with the details of the victim.
"Sorry about that, sir," Hazel said to him apologetically.
"That's fine," Hathaway replied. He took off his shades to read the papers properly. Hazel noticed the look on his face.
"Everything all right, sir?"
"Yeah. Actually…" He balanced the clipboard on his knee to release the top paper. "Before you call, look at this name. Do a bit of research. I have seen this name before but can't quite put my finger on it."
"Sure thing." Hazel was grateful he wasn't going to accompany Hathaway on a potential wild goose chase. "What will you be doing?"
"I have an idea I want to pursue," he replied as Hazel took the paper from him. "Tell Bright if she asks."
"I don't think this will surprise her one bit, sir," Hazel said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Hathaway took one look at Hazel and grinned before leaving. Hazel watched as his superior walked away and sighed heavily. A sharp pain hit his neck suddenly and he hissed in pain, covering his wound with the palm of his hand. As he slowly walked away, Aurora was standing on the steps of the building, her eyes following the young sergeant as he walked past towards his car. She shook her head slowly in disapproval but also with concern as she took a deep breath of fresh air before scanning her ID card on the reader, the buzz and the sound of the door coming off the latch letting her back in.
The slamming of a couple of doors along a corridor and the voices of the young were heard breaking the silence that enveloped the landing only a short moment before. Three or four students congregated near the top of the stairs, chatting and laughing. One of them broke away to use the bathroom.
"Hey! Where's Serena?" one of them asked. "I haven't seen her since yesterday."
"I'll go," her friend said in mock weariness. He walked over to a closed door and started knocking. "Yo, Serena!" he hollered at the top of his voice to giggles from his housemates. "Open up!" He knocked again. He was tall with brown hair and blue eyes. He was wearing jeans, trainers and a striped polo shirt. His housemate who enquired in the first instance, a female with long, crimped 80s style bubblegum coloured hair and dressed in blue denim dungarees and a white T-shirt, walked over and tried herself.
"Serena?" Her voice was less evasive than her friend's. "It's Clarissa. If you're in there, open the door." She paused before speaking again. "We're all going punting on the Cherwell…"
"ISIS!" her friends corrected her using the Oxford nickname for the Thames. Their voices rose in unison before laughter took over.
"The Cherwell!" Clarissa corrected with amusement. But, she gave her male friend a look of concern at the lack of response.
"Guys, she's cleaned the kitchen!" The two students leaned over the banister to look down at another of their housemates who was standing at the foot of the stairs.
"Who? Serena?" Clarissa asked.
"Yeah!" The bunch of friends all looked at each other, the laughter and mirth subsiding and they all ran down the stairs and followed their friend into the kitchen. Clarissa walked further inside and saw all the signs. She turned to look at her male friend and his face grew with worry.
"Guys, we'll meet you by the Magdalen in about an hour," she told them making her way out. "If you can't get hold of me, then call Brian." Her male friend nodded and followed her out the door. There was a table near the front door, with three jars on top next to each other, each one filled with colour.