Silent Scream

Five

Kim followed Courtney, the school receptionist, through the hallways of Saint Joseph’s on their way to the office of the Acting Principal. From behind, Kim marvelled at the woman’s ability to move so swiftly in four-inch heels.

Bryant sighed as they passed classroom after classroom. ‘Weren’t these just the best days of your life?’

‘No.’

They turned into a long corridor on the second floor and were led into an office with a discoloured oblong on the door where the name plate had already been taken off.

The male behind the desk stood. His suit was expensive and his tie was a sky blue silky number. The flat black colour of his hair indicated it had been recently dyed.

He offered his hand across the desk. Kim turned away, examining the contents of the walls. Any certificates or memorabilia containing the name of Teresa Wyatt had already been removed.

Bryant accepted the extended hand.

‘Thank you for accommodating our request, Mr Whitehouse.’

‘You’re the Deputy Principal, I understand,’ Kim noted.

He nodded and sat. ‘I will be stepping in as Acting Principal and if I can be of any assistance in the investigation ...’

‘Oh, I’m sure you will be,’ Kim interrupted. There was something disingenuous about his manner. Too well rehearsed. The fact he had already moved into Teresa Wyatt’s office and removed all traces of her existence was distasteful to say the least. The woman had been dead for less than twelve hours. She guessed that his curriculum vitae had already been updated.

‘We’d like a list of all staff members. Please arrange for them to be available to speak with us in alphabetical order.’

The set of his jaw indicated that he didn’t respond all that well to instruction. Kim briefly wondered if that was the case with all women or just her.

He lowered his eyes. ‘Of course. I’ll have Courtney arrange that for you immediately. I’ve made available a room down the hall that will more than meet your needs to conduct the interviews.’

Kim looked around and shook her head. ‘No, I think we’ll be just fine right here.’

His mouth opened to respond but good manners prevented him laying total claim to the workspace so soon.

Whitehouse gathered some belongings from the top of the desk and headed towards the door. ‘Courtney will be with you shortly.’

As the door closed behind the Acting Principal, Bryant chuckled.

‘What?’ she asked, taking the chair behind the desk.

‘Nothing, Guv.’

He moved one of the chairs to the side of the desk and sat down.

Kim assessed the placement of the remaining chair for the interviewees.

‘Move that one back a little.’

Bryant moved the chair so that it was closer to the door. Adrift. There was nothing to lean on or sit against. Now she could observe the body language.

A light knock sounded on the door. They both shouted ‘come in’ at the same time.

Courtney entered with a piece of paper and a smile that was trying to climb out of her mouth. So, Mr Whitehouse was not all that popular.

‘Mr Addlington is outside when you’re ready.’

Kim nodded. ‘Please show him in.’

‘Can I get you anything else? Coffee, tea?’

‘You most certainly can. Coffee for both of us.’

Courtney headed to the door and reached it before Kim remembered. ‘Thanks, Courtney.’

Courtney nodded and held the door open for the first interviewee.