Chapter 6 – The Appeal

There was a loud screech of feedback as the school tannoy came to life and several hundred people jumped. Moments later Jack's voice resounded throughout the whole building.

'Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Detective Inspector Jack Mooney speaking…'

'Bon matin messieurs et mesdames…' Florence repeated the announcement in French.

'First of all, I am sorry to have to tell you that there has been no change in the weather today so it is unlikely we will be allowed to leave the school at any point today…' The hall erupted into moans of displeasure. Again, this announcement was repeated in French.

'But most importantly, as I am sure many of you are aware by now, a murder was committed in the art corridor of the school last night. A twenty-nine year old man appears to have been stabbed and his body was seen held by a suspect at around eleven thirty pm. We would like to appeal to anyone who may have seen anything that could shed light on what might have happened. There are two police officers stationed in the school foyer, just outside the assembly hall, ready to speak to anyone who may have information. A suspect is in custody, however it is unlikely we will be able to conclude our investigation until the storm is over and we can get the body to Guadeloupe for a post mortem…' Nikki's ears pricked up at this last sentence.

'We need to speak to Miss Tiffany Smith. Could Miss Smith please come to the staff room on the first floor – again my officers will be able to show you the way…'

Tiffany had by now stopped crying and for the last hour or so had just been sitting on a bench staring ahead, still numb and not feeling like speaking to anyone.

'Will you be alright, love? Would you like me to come with ye?' Jenny put her hand on Tiffany's shoulder as she stood up'

'I-I'll be fine, thank you' she found the words and walked out to the foyer.

'Thank you for listening' Jack concluded.

'Merci de votre attention' Florence translated and there was another howl as the tannoy was switched off.

The disgruntled populous in the hall were fed up and many were unsure of how to pass the time. Frustration reigned as more and more people reluctantly had to put away their mobile phones, kindles and tablets as they ran out of charge. Those who were not so outgoing struggled to think of things to ask their neighbours to make conversation. The fresh food in the canteen was running low and it would not be long before only basic rations were served. Karen, David, Jenny and Pete were now sitting on mats together.

'I hope that appeal brings in witnesses who can testify to Adam's whereabouts at the time of the murder' Karen tried to remain hopeful.

'Adam and I were together until eleven twenty five' Pete reminded them. 'I can vouch for him up until then but I didn't see where he went after he left the hall, supposedly to go to the gents'

'You don't think he did it, do you?' Karen tensed up at the thought.

'No, of course not. My best friend wouldn't kill someone!' he raised his voice back at her.

'Sorry, I'm just a bit tense and anxious' she tried to calm down.

'It's not surprising' Jenny assured her. 'If it was Pete up in that room I'd be upset as well'

'I imagine the police will want to speak to us all since we were the only people the young couple met since arriving on the island' David announced and received looks of disbelief.

'Will they think one of us did it if not Adam?' Jenny became unusually fidgety.

'It's nothing to worry about, just procedure' David assured them. 'They can have no evidence against us since we were nowhere near the murder scene!'

'True' said Pete and they all started to relax a bit.

'Gosh, what are we going to do to pass the time until we get news?' Karen gave her friends attention again.

'Why don't we play I spy?' Pete said jokingly. David took him seriously though.

'OK. I spy with my little eye, something beginning with…W'

'Really, David?' Karen almost laughed. But Jenny played along.

'I know, water!' she guessed, pointing at a discarded water bottle beside a nearby mat.

'No' David declared seriously.

'Alright…is it walking stick?' Pete joined in, pointing to an elderly lady using one.

'No'

'Witness!' Karen looked out the door and spotted a woman speaking to one of the police officers.

'That's right!' David touched his nose and pointed at her.

'You saw her already?' Karen was surprised David used the game to tell them what could possibly be good news'

'She's been speaking to the big man in the brown suit for a couple of minutes. I can't see her properly…they're going upstairs'

'Oh well, we'll soon know if her testimony helps' Pete tried to assure Karen.

'Yes, let's keep playin' and not worry for now. You're up Karen!' Jenny insisted.

'OK. I spy with my little eye something beginning with…T'

'Trainers!' Pete pointed to his.

'No…'

'Come in and sit down, Miss Smith. May we call you Tiffany?' Jack looked at the distraught young woman with compassion as she nodded. 'Thank you Ruby' he dismissed his officer who had brought her up to the staff room. Tiffany, Florence and Jack sat down at the teachers' table. Jack continued.

'Tiffany, I'm Detective Inspector Jack Mooney as this is Detective Sergeant Florence Cassell. I am so sorry for your loss. I know this is difficult but we need to ask you a few questions in order to fully understand what happened last night. Do you understand?'

'Yes' Tiffany briefly looked up.

'Is there anyone else over here with you, or anyone you have met that you would like to come in here with you?' Florence asked her.

'No. Someone did offer…but she and her husband are close friends of the man who…did this! So it's awkward'

'OK I understand' said Jack. 'Now, Tiffany, did you actually see Mr Harper being stabbed?'

'No, but I was with him when we arrived here and I only went to the ladies for five or ten minutes, and when I came out I saw Adam holding his body!'

'I see. So what time did you and Gavin arrive at the school?'

'We arrived on the second bus from the Honore Palace and got off here at eleven fifteen'

'And you went to the bathroom as soon as you arrived?'

'Yes. Gavin was waiting outside for me. We were going to queue for a place in the hall afterwards, but when I came out…' Tiffany's eyes began welling up as she thought about it again. Florence was writing down the details.

'So that would have been about eleven twenty five?' Florence enquired. 'When you're ready' she allowed Tiffany some time to compose herself.

'Eleven thirty. It took us five minutes to find the bathrooms, then there was bit of a queue'

'And was Gavin himself when you left him outside the bathrooms? I mean, he didn't feel unwell or he wasn't behaving differently from normal?' Jack asked.

'No, he was just the same Gavin that I knew so well!'

'And did you see anyone around you at that point acting suspiciously? Or watching Gavin?'

'No, I didn't notice. We were too busy worrying about the storm and the thought of sleeping here, and finding the bathroom of course' Tiffany looked worried.

'It's alright, that's natural' Florence assured her.

'So, you said that you and Gavin came to Sainte-Marie just yourselves? There is nobody else with you?' Jack moved on.

'That's right'

'When did you arrive on the island?'

'Just yesterday at five thirty'

'And did you or Gavin know anyone on the island?' Florence asked.

'No, it was our first time in the Caribbean and we have no connections'

'And did you meet anyone when you arrived?'

'Just the group Adam Williams belongs to. He sat next to Gavin on the plane and he is here with four friends including his girlfriend'

'And how did you get on with these people?' Jack continued.

'Well, Gavin was unsure of them at first. I think they had argued before take-off or something and he felt a bit awkward having to sit in the middle of them. But we ended up spending most of the evening with them and they seemed really nice. Jenny and Pete, one of the couples, have looked after me since it happened'

'So they don't strike you as the kind of people who would commit murder'

'No, not at all'

'Can you give me their names?'

'Jenny and Pete as I said, and Karen and David. I don't know their last names'

'And did you speak to anyone else? Was anyone hostile to Gavin at all?'

'Well, there was this one man. He was on our plane and staying at our hotel and was giving the waitress grief for not getting him a drink he ordered quickly enough. Gavin stood up to him which may have made him angry. He seemed like a very unpleasant person'

'I see. Do you know his name?'

'No'

'What did he look like?'

'Thin, average height, around late fifties or early sixties, thick moustache and always frowning'

'OK. And did you or Gavin see this man again or have any further confrontation with him?'

'No'

'OK' Jack looked at Florence who was still writing notes. He paused to give her time to write everything down before moving on.

'Now Tiffany, I am really sorry to have to ask you this, but how was your relationship with Gavin recently?'

'Why?' Tiffany tensed up.

'It's standard procedure for us to look into everyone a murdered person had contact with'

'Are you suggesting I killed him?' she seemed shocked, hurt and afraid. Florence could not help but regard her with compassion and had to restrain herself from taking her hand.

'No, we are not suggesting that at all, but as Inspector Mooney said we do have to ask'

'OK. Our relationship was good. We were getting married next year!'

'So you weren't having any second thoughts?' Jack enquired.

'No! We were truly happy and looking forward to our future together'

'OK no further questions about your relationship' Florence saw herself six months ago echoed in this young woman's countenance and was confident she was telling the truth. Jack conceded.

'Alright, I think that's all our questions for now, Tiffany, but we may need to speak to you again if we get any leads. We will speak to Adam Williams and his friends and also try to identify the unpleasant man you spoke about. In the meantime thank you for your time'

Tiffany left the room. Jack turned to Florence.

'How do you feel?'

'Fine. That was unpleasant but necessary and I think I managed to be professional'

'Yes you did. I sensed your empathy towards Tiffany and don't think it is misplaced, but you know of course that we cannot rule her out as a suspect until we have solid evidence to do so or implicate someone else'

'Of course. I just feel so lucky not having been interrogated after Patrice's murder. It must make the whole thing so much more difficult for this girl'

'I imagine you are right, but I'm sure it goes without saying that now you are part of the investigation team you will have to refrain from offering your shoulder for her to cry on until we have concluded our enquiries'

'Of course. I just hope she will be alright for now'

'I do understand. This is not an easy job. I'm glad you are coping though as I have missed you'

'I've missed you too!' They looked at each other for a few seconds before tearing their eyes away and focusing on the case they were investigating.

'You know, I encountered a man last night who fitted the description of the difficult man Tiffany described. He was rude to Catherine about her soup and appeared, quite frankly, to be a narcissist. It wouldn't surprise me if it was the same man'

'Oh no, poor Catherine.'

'I know. Well, I think it's time for you to meet our prime suspect'

J P and Ruby had finished taking witness statements outside the hall and were now waiting outside the staff room for the Commissioner and his instructions for the search for the murder weapon.

'Did you learn anything helpful from anyone you spoke to?' J P asked Ruby.

'I think so' she replied. 'Three different people said they saw Adam Williams either going in or coming out of the gents so he is telling the truth about that at least'.

'Someone told me they saw Gavin Harper in the canteen corridor without Tiffany though so I don't know what to think'

'I wonder how the killer got the body into the mannequin display without anyone seeing?'

'Yes, strange isn't it?'

At that point there was a strong gust of wind and the building shook slightly. Ruby screamed and grabbed J P's arm.

'Are you alright?' he asked as her breathing returned to normal.

'Yes, I just…didn't expect that' she assured him, still clutching his arm.

'Are you afraid of storms?'

'Me? Um…no I'm not afraid of anything!'

'Really? Um…me neither!' he faked the same confidence that Ruby was putting on.

'I can't believe Uncle Selly has time for chatting up women in the middle of all this!' Ruby changed the subject by nodding towards the Commissioner who was coming up the stairs with an attractive, blonde English woman.

'Ah, Ruby, Officer Hooper' the Commissioner began. 'Is the Inspector still speaking to the victim's fiancee?'

'Um, no she left a few minutes ago. I think he is discussing her testimony with Sergeant Cassell' Ruby informed him.

'OK then I think we can go in' the Commissioner turned the door handle and almost bumped into Jack who had just reached for the handle at the other side.

'Oh, Commissioner!' Jack gasped and almost backed into Florence who had been about to exit the room behind him.

'Shall we all sit down for a few minutes?' the Commissioner suggested. 'I have some good news'

The police team all looked at each other as they gathered around the teachers' table once again and the Commissioner invited the woman he had been talking to, to join them.

'This is Dr Nikki Alexander' the Commissioner began. 'She is a Home Office pathologist from London, currently on vacation on the island. She is fully qualified to carry out a post mortem and has agreed to use whatever tools are available in the school to perform as thorough an examination of the body, and any other evidence, as is possible'

'Well…it's nice to meet you Dr Alexander' said Jack, unable to believe this turn of events. 'I'm Detective Inspector Jack Mooney. This is Detective Sergeant Florence Cassell, Officer J P Hooper and Officer Ruby Patterson'. The team shook hands with Nikki.

'It's good to meet you all too. And please, call me Nikki'

'OK. Now, I have spoken to the janitor and Dr Alexander will be given the use of the largest of the science classrooms and whatever tools she requires in order to do her job' the Commissioner continued. ' I will allow you all some time to help Dr Alexander get set up, then I would like Officers Hooper and Patterson to go down to the hall and search everybody's pockets and bags for the murder weapon while Inspector Mooney and Sergeant Cassell resume the investigation. I will leave you to do your job now, Inspector'. The Commissioner stood up and left the room and everyone else relaxed a little.

'Well Nikki, we are delighted you are here at this time…although I don't suppose you feel the same when you were expecting a relaxing holiday?!' Jack smiled.

'Of course, I was looking forward to a holiday and wasn't expecting this situation, but I am more than happy to do what I can to assist in these circumstances' Nikki replied.

'Wow you're a pathologist!' exclaimed Ruby enthusiastically. 'I have seen a lot of pretend post mortems on TV dramas, but what is it like in real life? Do you really cut open bodies and take all the organs out?' Jack and Florence looked at her as if to tell her not to ask this kind of question, and J P looked utterly aghast. Nikki just laughed.

'To be honest, yes I do, where it is necessary' she clarified. J P's horror intensified. 'Is this your first murder case?' she looked between the two uniformed officers.

'Hell, no. I've worked on about a dozen since I joined this team seven months ago' Ruby assured her. 'And you've been doing this for years, haven't you?' she turned to J P who simply nodded. Nikki looked puzzled.

'We don't have any pathologists on the island' Florence explained. 'We are too small. We normally send bodies and evidence to the labs on Guadeloupe and we just get the results emailed over to us'

'Ah' Nikki understood.

'So, what tools will you need in order to carry out the post mortem?' Jack changed the subject.

'At the very least I will need a scalpel, scissors, forceps, a bone saw and rib shears', Nikki informed them. 'I don't know about over here but at home a school science lab would have at least the first three items. It would be useful to have the use of a microscope, finger print powder and some swabs as well'

'We have finger print powder' J P tried to put his discomfort aside and help.

'Why don't we go to the classroom and see what we can find' suggested Florence and they all headed out of the staff room.

The science classroom was divided into two areas, the row of workbenches where the pupils carried out their practical experiments, and the group of desks where they did written work. Nikki and the police team spent fifteen minutes or so looking through all the drawers and cupboards to see what items were available.

'OK so scalpel, check, forceps, check, scissors, check and microscope, check' Jack took an inventory of everything they had managed to find, which was just as expected. 'I don't recall cutting bones, shearing ribs or doing finger print analysis in biology class at school, though. Did anyone do anything like that in school more recently?' he looked at his younger colleagues.

'Not in my time' said Florence.

'Or mine' J P's face was still screwed up.

'No, not five years ago when I left school' Ruby concluded.

'OK so I don't think we will find a bone cutter or rib shears' concluded Jack. 'Will that prevent you from carrying out a full post mortem, Nikki?'

'Well, I can still do an examination of what I can see, but if the victim was stabbed through the heart I will not be able to determine the depth of the wound or the extent of the organ damage or get an accurate profile of the weapon used without being able to cut through his bones'

'Do you have to have this specific tool?' asked Ruby 'or could you use, say, a knife from the canteen?' Her colleagues rolled their eyes and shook their heads at the suggestion, but Nikki was nothing but impressed.

'You know, that's good thinking. I could cut through the ribs with a clever or chef's knife. But I would really need a saw for any bigger bones, preferably one for cutting metal rather than wood'

'Um…shall I try the craft and design department?' suggested J P, keen to get out of the lab. 'They teach metal work'

'Good idea J P. Ruby, why don't you go to the kitchen and see if you can procure a chef's knife' suggested Jack and the two officers left.

'You mentioned you needed swabs – is that what you use to get a DNA sample?' asked Florence.

'Yes' said Nikki. 'Do you know where I could get some of those? It would help identify the DNA of any suspect on the body or weapon'

'Would cotton buds work? It's possible someone in the hall brought some and I am sure they wouldn't mind donating them in the name of justice for the victim'

'Yes, that's essentially what they are, although the ones we use are generally larger'

'Well, I'll ask J P and Ruby to ask around while they carry out the weapon search' decided Jack.

'And where is the body? Has it already been removed from the crime scene?'

'Yes, we had to remove it last night. We couldn't leave it in an open corridor' said Jack 'but the corridor has been sealed off and preserved otherwise. Would you like to take a look at the scene before examining the body?'

'Yes, that's where I would normally start. Oh, would there be any protective clothing available anywhere? I didn't pack scrubs!'

'Well, there are aprons in the art and home economics departments' said Florence '… or did I see a couple of lab coats in that cupboard over here?...yes!' Florence pulled out a long, white lab coat and handed it to Nikki.

'Great, this will do' said Nikki. 'Now, could you please arrange access to the crime scene for me? I offered to help last night but the army soldier guarding the corridor didn't speak English and didn't understand my rusty French'

And with that they left the lab.