Skinner's rules

58

Like the House of Commons, Edinburgh University was on vacation, but its administration was working as usual. Henry Wills, the Registrar of the University, had never met Andrew Martin, but he had enjoyed a cordial relationship with Alec Smith, his predecessor. There had been occasions on which Smith had advised on political organisations within the student body. Equally, Smith’s job had often been made easier by Wills’ accommodating stance.

Wills was effusive in his greeting. ‘Good morning, Chief Inspector Martin. I had heard of your appointment from Mr Smith, and I was expecting a visit eventually.

‘Forgive me for saying this, but you look very young for the job. I have known your three immediate predecessors, and not one was under forty when he was appointed. Bob Skinner and Jimmy Proud must have a high regard for your judgement.’

Martin smiled. ‘I don’t know whether I’m lucky or lumbered. I always fancied this job, but I never realised how much there is to it.’

‘Yes, indeed. I imagine that our occasional worries are among the least of yours.’

‘From what Alec told me, the University won’t be a worry at all. One thing you might watch out for, though. We have information that the Trotskyite Front are planning something against student loans. They’ve been a bit of a back number lately, and they’re trying to make a come-back. We’ve had a tip that they’re lining up student support for an extended occupation of the offices here, at Heriot Watt, and at Napier. It’s due to start in the first week of the new term. Let me know if you need help to back up your own security. I’d rather they didn’t succeed, because we’d have to crack heads to get them out, and we don’t want it to get to that stage.’

‘Thank you indeed, Chief Inspector. I had heard no whisper of this. We have contingency arrangements to supplement our own security as necessary, with people from outside firms. Of course if they hit all three institutions at once, even that resource might be stretched. I may have to take you up on your offer. And of course, if there is anything I can do in return … ’

Martin smiled. ‘Well as a matter of fact …’ Both men laughed. ‘I’m trying to trace a former student, from ten or twelve years back. He’s a mathematician, by the name of Andrew Harvey, birthplace Airdrie, Lanarkshire. I know your Graduates’ Association is pretty tenacious when it comes to keeping track of people, and I wondered if you could point me in the right direction.’

Wills nodded. ‘Leave it with me. When did he graduate, do you think?’

‘Some time after 1981, I believe. It would be in character for him to have joined the Graduates’ Association. The bugger seems to have joined everything else while he was here!’

Martin rose to leave. ‘I know the type,’ said Wills, following him towards the door.

‘One thing more, before you go, and this is important. There’s to be a major debate in the Union next term, on a Middle Eastern political motion. I’ve just heard that our pro-Palestinian lot have invited the new President of Syria to speak, as a representative of his bit of the PLO. Mind you, I don’t suppose he’ll be encouraged to come.’

Martin was taken by surprise. ‘I hope not. But since the Gulf War, the Government has been keen to keep the Syrians on-side, so you never know.

‘Thanks for the tip. I’ll pass it on down South. There’s a bloke in the Foreign Office whose day I’d just love to ruin!’

‘Be my guest!’