CHAPTER 14 : TWO HUNDRED ODD ROOMS
Toby was ready to go, he crossed the corridor and banged on Merlin's door. No answer so he figured he'd gone down ahead of him. He searched the dining room and decided he'd gone ahead with the girls. He went off to his first tutorial but when Merlin never showed up, he excused himself explaining that he felt rotten. He went directly to Merlin's room, again banging on the door and calling his name. Then didn't hesitate but went the Porters' Lodge and told them that he was worried as Merlin was nowhere to be found and they should open his room to see if he was all right.
Dunn checked the ledger and said, "Well, he's still in the building, are you sure you just haven't missed him in wandering back and forth?" Toby shook his head and Dunn seeing the look of panic in his eyes said, "Sit, here, I'm here alone so I will have to get someone to open his door." He took the phone and said, "Right! No he's still here, I'll tell him."
Toby's hopes raised, they knew where he was. But no, as Dunn explained security would have to open the door as Mr Emrys's name had been flagged and security needed to be involved. "You know, the porter Caserne?" Toby nodded. "Well, he'll meet you upstairs."
Toby nodded and said, "Thank, I didn't know who else to tell."
"You did right in coming here. Hope he turns up soon!" Dunn hoped he sounded upbeat however, deep down he was worried. Would this year never end? He knew someone whom he would quite happily kick out of the college and then hopefully everything could get back to to normal well as normal as things could be when you have hundreds of students wandering around.
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Adi Chawla on the third floor, had had a disturbed sleep. Someone must have been having a party in the adjoining room as there was coming and going and muffled noises. It had settled down and he'd glanced at his watch it was nearly five and if he was lucky he might be able to get a couple of more hours sleep. He'd thought of banging on the wall but the room's owner a character called Barkley was less than pleasant. He'd be glad when the year was over and the majority of students were gone. It would be quieter having holiday guests on the floor. He woke the next morning thinking no further about last night's disturbance.
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Toby waited with Caserne no longer than ten minutes. Things moved quickly. Merlin's door had been unlocked but he wasn't there. Toby was only allowed to glance in the room not step inside. The curtains were still closed, so the lights had been turned on.
Merlin might not have been there but some of his possessions had been damaged. Toby felt sick as his computer had obviously been stood upon and the screen and keyboard damaged. Someone had tried to rip the cover off but had only managed to wrench it so that it was detached one end and crooked. His photo board seemed intact and nothing seemed to have been touched on his shelves. His good camera had obviously been of little interest as it was still on Merlin's desk. Toby noticed that his shoes were still on the floor.
He was escorted back downstairs by Caserne and Arthur arrived as Toby had contacted him just to make sure that Merlin hadn't returned to his place. Arthur was allowed upstairs but not into the room itself. He returned to Toby who was sitting downstairs. "You look as if you could do with a cup of hot tea. I'll leave my phone number with Dunn so we can be reached. Let's get something as I'm sure they are doing everything they possibly can."
Arthur felt like screaming at someone and going to occupy the security offices but he realised that Toby was really upset and the staff were doing their best and also needed time to get on with their job. He'd kill someone if Merlin had been hurt but as the hours passed, he settled a little and realised that the most important thing was getting him back safe and sound…then he'd consider killing someone!
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Once security had received the news, they were on it. Their two security videos were removed and viewed. Three figures with knitted caps pulled down over their faces were caught on camera going along Merlin's corridor at twenty minutes after two. Seven minutes after three, four figures were on camera leaving the corridor one of whom was being half dragged and seemed to be shoeless. There was no record of anyone going up or down the stairs.
The people on the tapes had originated from within the building. They had come along the corridor walking in single file with their heads down. Bates was sure that they were well aware of the existence of the cameras.
Security took no chances, not only was the room sealed but also the dead end corridor with only Toby, Richard and Dev permitted access as their rooms were there. Richard and Dev were both asked if they had heard anything. Dev shook his head but Richard said that he had heard someone in the hallway but had listened carefully and had heard nothing more, until Toby was calling Merlin that morning.
However, one surveillance camera was still hidden on the shelf in Merlin's room. Arthur managed to tell a very busy Bates that Merlin had made reference to a baby-cam which he had set up in his room. Someone was sent to find it which they did, almost hidden by two books on the shelf opposite the door and it was taken away.
It was the tape on Merlin's camera which had security buzzing. Two of the men had pulled up their hats once they were in the room. The third person had not. The view from the camera was limited but it was obvious that the fourth person had been unsteady on his feet and had not gone willingly and force had been used. The tapes were reviewed until the faces of their own security men were once again seen as the door had been opened that morning.
As the police would not begin a search until twenty-four hours had elapsed, security was working hard to find Merlin before then. All security cameras including those on the 'late gate' were viewed. There had been a few late arrivals but no one had left the building overnight.
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Later that afternoon, Claudio contacted Arthur and asked him to drop by his room and had handed him a report from the Discipline Council which had been forwarded to the various discipline committees. He explained the information enclosed within was confidential. "It's a preliminary report which once accepted by the committees, will be tabled at the next Discipline Council Meeting, voted upon and subsequently released to the public with a need to know classification. Nevertheless, in light of what happened overnight, Dr Malloy asked Dr Caruthers that you be permitted to read a copy.
"You will not be able to take it away or copy it however, you may have time to read it and if necessary ask me about anything which you don't understand. Dr Malloy also asked me to tell you that you should only discus the contents with someone whose name is on the list of recipients."
Arthur glanced down and was satisfied to see that Dr Angus Quilley's name was listed.
"I have some papers which need to be corrected, would you care for a drink? I think after this morning's news, you might join me for something a little stronger than tea or coffee." He reached into a cupboard and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. "I'm sure they are at this very moment trying to track down Merlin's whereabouts. He's resourceful and is probably trying to make his position know."
Arthur nodded and said quietly, "That is if he is able…" He took the offered drink and picking up the report, sat near the window.
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He took a deep breath, opened the cover of the report and read:
Confidential - Preliminary Report
Property of the Discipline Council of Magdalen College
The Council sends the enclosed preliminary report to all concerned committee members regarding findings on the Waynflete-Carter situation.
Mr Baxter J. Waynflete-Carter, a junior student and resident at Magdalen is accused of initiating disturbances, attacks and trespasses against college students and property, as well as withholding internal mail regarding reports and missives from College Porters, Security and Maintenance, Students Representatives and various other college employees from reaching Council and representatives.
He will before the end of this academic year be called before The Council to answer such charges. From now until the end of his third year, he will be refused physical admission to college property except for tutorials and lectures. All privileges as a junior are revoked. As of today's date, he will be permitted to take exams.
His college room is to be vacated by end of this day (NB The defendant as of Friday the fifteenth, handed in his room keys and left the residence.)
It has been proven without a doubt that he had masterminded the diversion of internal mail which had not been opened or destroyed. Said mail was found in his rented premises in the town of Oxford. Royal Mail is intending to proceed with a charge of theft against him and his accomplice.
His questionable conduct in the residence against Mr Emrys a freshman and three other AC students will not be condoned and will be settled within the college including those charges of bodily harm, trespassing, vandalism, and arson. If deemed advisable the police will become involved.
We have other college students who have come forward as witnesses.
I would like to thank the members of the various committees as well as Security, Maintenance and the Porters for their help and also apologise to them for our apparent lack of interest or consideration of their reports. Which reports have now been studied and concerns noted with recommendations being made.
As a member of any of the committees dealing with this issue, please read the enclosed and send comments to my secretary.
Signed and dated…
After reading the introduction, Arthur read specific parts of the report which interested him He finally turned to Claudio and said, "May I come back to finish this. I find its very difficult to concentrate knowing that Merlin is missing."
"Certainly, just phone to find out if I am here…"
-0-0-
Once the security people suitably gloved, had gone over Merlin's room and bagged anything damaged, one of them found a rag under the toilet. He lifted it up, it was damp and he could get an ether-like scent off it, so he bagged it. Another piece was in the toilet bowl and someone had peed on it but he was sure that someone had first tried to flush it and it hadn't gone down. He bagged that too.
Nothing was overlooked, security took everything of interest and would be responsible for all testing.
They also worked on a time line. Toby had seen Merlin around eleven Sunday night, then he'd retired. He never showed up for breakfast or his tutorials on Monday Toby reported that he was missing around nine thirty and the Porters notified security.
The time of the figures on the videos were between two thirty and just past three early Monday morning. There had also been a report that there was a disturbance on the third floor around four in the morning. Once security started checking the residents they hoped to get more information.
Like Toby, Arthur had not been allowed in Merlin's room. It was now locked again and security assured him that he would be notified once they had more information. He dropped by their office and answered their questions but apart from, the Quilley's, his condo and the residence Merlin had no place to go.
While he was in the security office, word came back that the liquid on the rags had been chloroform, Arthur felt sick.
He was advised not to unduly worry Merlin's family by giving them partial information. He was asked if there was any chance that Merlin might have left Oxford or gone home but Arthur assured them that he wouldn't have willingly left the city without notifying him and he hadn't seen him since the previous evening.
Arthur glanced at the clock, it was five, Merlin had been missing fourteen hours. Not being a resident he had no room to go to so he got a coffee in the common room and sat in a quiet corner to try to get his thoughts straight. When Toby realised that he had spend time there he told him he could use his room.
He had an overpowering feeling that Merlin had not even left the college and knew that he was being held against his will as he would have somehow got in touch with him.
Once his day was over at Oriel, Angus phoned inviting him to join him and his wife for supper and although he had reservations, Arthur left the college.
Arthur felt better as he went through everything which had happened and allowed Angus free access to any other information he had. In passing he mentioned he'd been approached by Claudio with the interim discipline report. He said that he was pleased that the college was finally taking the matter seriously.
"Honestly, Angus, I am at the moment, more interested in what they are accomplishing with Merlin's disappearance. I have an overwhelming feeling that Merlin is still in the college, in the residence even, as with all the security whoever is behind this would be really stupid to try to just walk him out. He'd fight it unless he was sedated."
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Merlin's baby-cam had helped identify two of those involved and then hadn't the person who seemed to be the leader, readjusted his hat and inadvertently turned looking straight at the shelves, before pulling it back on. Staring out from the video was the student known as Baxter.
"Got you, you bastard!" Bates said as he rose from his desk. They had all they needed to charge Baxter with Merlin's disappearance, now they had to find him.
The camera's view was limited but enough to see actions which tied in with things being destroyed below the camera's view. Bates thought to himself that if any of his grandkids decided to go to college and stay in residence, he would feel secure in recommending a baby-cam for personal security purposes.
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Merlin's legs were killing him, especially the knee which had been damaged in his fall. He needed to stretch it but he couldn't in the cramped quarters.
By the lack of noise, he hazarded a guess that he might be in the residence as it would be practically empty during the day so he dozed as best he could. He would have two good opportunities to alert people that he was there. Early morning when they were getting up and he could gauge that by what he was sure were the sounds of the plumbing and then after supper when many students returned to their rooms to study.
He couldn't see his watch but he could feel it vibrate on the hour. Each time that happened, he yelled and knocked his head against the door or the wood or whatever it was in front of his head. He also planned that when Big Tom chimed one hundred one times at nine o'clock at night, he would yell and when his voice was raw, he would bang his head using Morse code.
He had no intention of being a submissive prisoner, he didn't intend to go without a fight. Then he laughed bitterly, trussed up as he was the likelihood of that happening was unlikely.
He tried not to think of his Mum. She'd be devastated if anything happened to him and Gaius was not the young man he had been when his father had been killed…and Gawaine, he'd probably blame himself for not getting into Oxford and being here to help him.
He kept his thoughts about Arthur separate. It hurt physically to even think about him. He would doze and it would be Arthur who would wake him up with his arms around him and then he would come to the realisation that he was alone and the arms he felt were his own chained across his chest.
He wondered how Toby was managing. Had he really not heard the noise as those people entered his room? Then he realised that he hadn't either so they must have had a key as he had awoken to something over his mouth and nose with a pillow covering his eyes.
That was all he remembered except for whispering voices until he came too feeling nauseous and realised that he was securely tied up, chained in effect. His watch buzzed and as there was still the slit of light in the cupboard so he assumed that it was daytime, so he yelled and banged his head. He waited…nothing. No one must have been around.
But someone was whose guilty conscience was playing havoc with him. This was more that he had bargained for, it was supposed to be a joke but it had gone too far.
-0-0-
Arthur was still on campus at eight o'clock in the evening. Nothing had happened. Eighteen hours had passed and still there was no sign or trace of Merlin. To say that Arthur was annoyed would have been an understatement, he didn't know what he wanted the college to do but he wanted them to do something and immediately. They could at least notify all the students in Merlin's residence that a freshman was missing and to keep their eyes open or insist that the police were called in.
Laurence came over and between them, Angus and he convinced Arthur to go home, have a shower and get some rest. "You'll have to have your wits about you tomorrow when we find him!" Laurence had said.
Against his better judgement Arthur had agreed, sitting around the residence would prove nothing and they wouldn't let him sleep in Merlin's room which was off limits to everyone. It had gone ten when they reached the condo and only because Laurence had promised to get him back to the college by seven o'clock the following morning.
Merlin had now been missing twenty hours.
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Merlin was in the empty room next to Baxter's old room. Even though he had technically vacated his room he had a second set of keys. He had also managed to steal from one of the workmen keys for next door which was undergoing renovations.
Baxter never thought things out completely and he had not planned what he intended to do with Merlin once the high of having absconded with him passed. The planning before hand had been fun but sooner or later he'd have to get rid of him.
Merlin heard the key in the door and froze. Was this the police, security or this room's resident returning after a long weekend? He heard someone in the room and something being set down then the footsteps came directly to the cupboard and he knew that security or the police would by now have identified themselves.
He heard the latch turning and light blinded him. "Well, you've got yourself into a real pickle, haven't you?" a voice said.
Merlin said nothing his eyes were still burning with the bright light, however his stomach dropped as he recognised the voice.
"What do you know?" It looks as if you were sick on yourself and like a baby you wet yourself. Arthur is fastidious, doubt that he'd be interested in you in your current condition!"
A hand grabbed his arm and he could hear a clasp being released, chains falling and his upper body was free. At that moment his legs gave way and he crashed onto the floor bruising his face, hurting both knees and wrenching his calf muscles.
"Stupid fool! Can't even stand upright. Should just have left you where you were until the workmen found what was left of you during the holidays."