Two-Way Cut

chapter 20

It was a twenty-minute cab ride to Penleigh Hall Church of England Girls Grammar School. What a mouthful, and it all denoted snooty indifference, if the woman at the front desk was any indication of the spirit of the establishment. She tipped back her head and stared down her nose at Leah.

I’m afraid that Dr Heyward does not see anyone without an appointment.

Already she had lost interest in Leah and was closing down her computer, flicking intercom switches and checking her handbag for car keys.

Which is her office?

The woman stopped what she was doing and stared at Leah, appalled. Are you applying for a teaching position with us? I’m afraid youll have to follow standard procedures and

I’m not after a job, certainly not in this place.

The woman peered at Leah. An expensive, eye-watering perfume, stale as the day was long, wafted from her. Are you related to one of our pupils? A staff member? Unless its an emergency, we have certain rules

It was time to cut through the suffocating formalities. Its about Tess Quant.

The woman froze. Oh.

I need to see the principal at once.

Do you have information for us? I’m afraid theres no reward.

Leah put her hands on the wooden rail that encircled the reception desk, seat and switchboard, and leaned in, snarling, Because this stinking school stuffed up, someone tried to murder Tess. I saved her. I know where she is. So unless you want me to go to the media, I suggest you get off your fat arse and take me to the principal. Now.

The woman went white, reached for the intercom. Like a whip, Leah slapped the womans hand away and said, No, take me there.

Leah followed as the woman hurried along the corridor. Doors on either side opened on to high-ceilinged offices and conference rooms. The wood panelling gleamed from a hundred years of polishing; original oil paintings hung on the walls; the ornate plasterwork was free of dust. Leah thought there was probably some credence to Tess’s claim that the school placed its public image ahead of the education and welfare of its pupils.

The receptionist came to a heavy, partly open door marked Principal, knocked and was about to poke her head around it when Leah pushed past, finding herself in an airy corner office lined with books. Ivy on the cloistered walkway outside filtered the afternoon sun and dust motes winked in the gauzy light. Books and folders were heaped on an antique table and there were files and a laptop on the desk, which sat solidly on a densely woven rug.

Dr Heyward, the receptionist said, this person has news

Leah cut her off. I’m here about Tess Quant.

The principal regarded her gravely for a moment, then nodded at the receptionist. Thank you, Mrs Webb. Ill handle this now.

If you’re sure?

I’m sure.

With a sniff, the woman was gone. Dr Heyward rose from behind her desk. She wore a linen jacket over designer jeans, dangling earrings and bright lipstick. Her hair was long, chaotic, scraped back from her assessing face by a pair of huge red hair clips. Half-lens spectacles hung from her neck by a fine gold chain. Her nails were short, pink, and well cared for. She was no more than forty years old; Leah had been expecting a stern, remote, sixty-year-old.

Are you a detective from Abbotts ? Have you found Tess?

Yes, Ive found Tess, no, I’m not a detective, Leah said. She paused. But I used to be a police officer.

Dr Heyward stared at her for a long moment. Are you from the press?

No.

A frown. Then who are you?

Leah decided to be frank. My name is Leah Flood. I was

The police whistleblower! Dr Heyward exclaimed, her brow clearing.

Yes.

Brave woman. But whats your relationship to Tess? And where is she?

Shes somewhere safe, and not coming back to school. And shes not hurt, not that you’ve asked how she is.

The principals lips had gone thin and tight. Whats your role in this?

I’m looking after Tess’s interests, since no one else seems to be.

Dr Heyward raised an elegant eyebrow. I see. And you’re including myself and the school in that judgment.

Yes.

It might interest you to know that Tess has been a problem child ever since she came to us, but lets forget that for the moment. Please, make yourself comfortable. Would you like tea, coffee, something stronger?

Leah remained standing. I want answers. I want action.

Oh, bully for you, Ms Flood.

You may call me Leah.

Leah it is, the woman said dryly. And what, exactly, do you expect me to do for you?

Leah felt obscurely as if she were a kid again, hauled before the principal for some wrongdoing. Thered been several such occasions when she was young. You can be straight with me. for a start.

Dr Heyward seemed to curl her lip but said nothing.

Tess told me that she was sexually abused by a member of your staff and you did nothing about it.

Dr Heyward didn’t move a muscle. Long seconds ticked by, and then something seemed to go out of her, as if shed deflated by a minute degree. Brian Vale, the swimming coach.

Yes.

Dr Heyward began a series of slow nods. Finally she said, I did do something about it. I acted promptly, but Tess had already made up her mind about me and run away. I very quickly found two other pupils who have been abused or claim abuse.

Leah hadn’t realised how on edge shed been, waiting to hear something like this, until she let out a long, ragged, relieved breath and sank into a chair. Thank God.

Dr Heyward nodded and also sat. She wasn’t about to admit dereliction of duty, though. She wasn’t about to admit something that might get her, or the school, sued. She was watching and waiting to see what Leah would do or say.

Leah said, You hired Abbotts to find Tess?

With her familys permission of course.

The detective who was following Tess passed news back to Mr Abbott, who kept you informed.

Correct.

Who was in the loop?

I don’t follow.

Its all a matter of timing. Before investigating your friend, the child molester, did you absent-mindedly or carelessly or viciously pass on to him any information from the detective following Tess?

I don’t like your tone. As soon as

Leah wouldn’t let her finish. Vale had a very good reason for wanting to get rid of Tess before anyone else found her. He feared exposure, and needed her dead. He almost succeeded.

Dr Heyward went white. I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Vale hired a hitman. All the hitman had to do was follow the detective, all the way to Tess. He killed the detective. Tess and I were next, only we got lucky.

What nonsense. Get out. If you have Tess, I should like to see her at once.

If you don’t believe me, check with Mr Abbott, Tess said. He has a dead agent and a live killer on his hands, and would welcome some answers from you.

Dr Heyward regained her composure. Brian Vale was never in the loop, as you put it. He had no way of knowing anything about the search for Tess. No access to me, my office, my phone. In fact, I suspended him immediately.

Leah swallowed. Had she got it all wrong? If Vale had no access to information, then who had hired the killer?

It might interest you to know, Dr Heyward went on, that the police found evidence on Brians laptop that he belongs to a paedophile ring. As a result, theyve been through the entire school, confiscating computers, interviewing staff and students. Its been hell.

Leah went cold. Maybe the members of Vales paedophile ringsome of them wealthy, all of them secretive and in constant contact with each other via the Netwere behind this. But how had they got their information?

Dr Heyward was staring at her with mingled compassion and triumph. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to—

Who else? Leah demanded. Who else knew where Tess was at any given moment?

Why, her family, of course.

What, you just kept phoning and e-mailing India?

Dr Heyward gestured in faint embarrassment. Well, not exactly. We contacted the High Commission as soon as it was apparent that Tess had run away, and some time later got a return call from Tess’s mother who, it turns out, is in Paris. Apparently she has left her husband. She said she didn’t want the police involved and asked us to hire Abbotts to find Tess. Dr Heyward shook her head wearily, a woman obliged to deal politely with the rich, careless parents of indulged and neglected children. I could be charitable and say that Tess’s mother is a tad distracted at the moment. Ive been sending her regular updates by voice mail. Meanwhile her husband is traveling around India on official duties and is content to leave it up to his runaway wife. Dr Heyward shook her head again. That is one seriously dysfunctional family, if you don’t mind my saying so.

Leah nodded. Ain’t that the truth.

Meanwhile the best cooperation we’ve had is from Tess’s half-brother.

Leah froze.

A moment later she sprang out of her seat, and was running before she reached Dr Heywards highly polished door.