The car park was more empty than it had been. The main doors of the university building were closed. The lights in the windows of the classrooms were out.
He thought about Stephen. Last night. Was he now a factor in what had happened? Did his actions make him a part of the crime his best friend had committed? He wanted to go to the police, tell everything. He couldn’t. They’d been best friends for years.
Gareth opened his car door and moved to the front seat. His body was numb as he stretched to rid the paralysis. He felt heavy, sluggish, like he was suffering a carb overload, although he hadn’t eaten for hours.
Suddenly, Dr Norris came out from the main doors and moved towards the back of the car park, pushing his hand into his pocket and retrieving his keys. His suit was immaculate, his hair perfect. His shoes were glistening.
Hatred rose from the pit of Gareth’s stomach.
The lights of Norris’s expensive jeep pinged to life with a small beep as he stepped gracefully into his vehicle. The lecturer waited in the driver’s seat, the lights on, unaware that Gareth was watching him.
Why aren’t you going, you arsehole? What are you waiting for?
Gareth was about to leave when he saw the jeep pulling out from the car park.
Gareth couldn’t explain why he followed Dr Norris, why he needed to get into his private life and interfere in the business of someone he knew little about.
But he followed him.
Gareth struggled to keep up with the jeep in front. The lecturer drove erratically, taking turnings at the last second without indicating, racing through a village and ignoring the signs stating the speed limit.
Gareth despised him. He wanted to crush Norris for the way he humiliated him in lessons. If there was anyone to blame for the deterioration in his education, it was this man.
He thought about ramming the jeep into a ditch or pushing it into the oncoming traffic at the lights. Of course, it wasn’t in Gareth’s nature to do something like that, but it didn’t stop him taking pleasure in fantasising about it.
He pulled back from the jeep as it wound up a steep hill, while keeping close enough to see it.
Suddenly the jeep slowed down, the brake lights blinking, and the lecturer pulled into a small car park in the middle of the countryside.
Gareth knew this place. It was a picnic area with amazing views over Surrey. On a clear day, you could see for miles. He slowed the car, stopping in the middle of the road. He needed to wait for the lecturer to settle. If he drove straight in, he’d risk being spotted.
Gareth waited, watching in the rear-view mirror, prepared to leave if another vehicle approached.
He gave it five minutes, then slowly pulled forward.
As he approached the entrance for the car park, he rolled the car into a space and turned off the lights. He looked further down. Norris was parked roughly fifty yards from where Gareth sat. He saw another car about ten yards from where the lecturer had parked. Someone was in the driver’s seat with the internal lights on.
Dr Norris sat still, so did the driver of the car next to him.
‘What the hell is going on? It must be a drug deal. Dr Norris has a dealer?’
Gareth stepped out of the car, making sure to keep obscure. He left the driver’s door open and moved slowly towards where both people were parked. He crouched, edging closer.
Suddenly, the other person opened the driver’s door and stepped out. She stretched, pushing her arms above her head. She shook the cramp from her legs, adjusted her skirt and made her way towards the lecturer. Dr Norris opened the door, walked around his jeep and stood beside her.
Gareth gasped. He recognised the person the lecturer was meeting.
Marette Donoghue. His classmate. So she’s a dealer. Wow. I have you now, you bastard. You wait until I get this out on social media.
They stood beside each other; a smile passed between both participants, nothing more, then Dr Norris undid his belt, dropped his trousers and Marette knelt beside him.
‘No. No. No. You sick bastard! She’s your student!’ Gareth realised he’d said it too loud. He waited, holding his breath. He felt sick. She was nineteen; Norris was mid-sixties at least. This was how he dealt with grades and achievements.
Gareth grabbed the phone from his pocket and started clicking, photographing their every move. Gareth didn’t realise the flash was on.
Dr Norris turned, spotting Gareth in the darkness. ‘Who’s there?’ He quickly pulled his trousers up and tightened his belt.
Gareth ran, he slid and tripped on the stones, falling forward and landing on his hands.
The lecturer was charging towards him, his footsteps loud on the gravel. Gareth managed to get to his feet and wiped his hands on his jeans. He had to get out of there. The lecturer would kill him for what he’d seen. Gareth would never get through his course. The lecturer would make it impossible for him. He couldn’t contemplate future classes and how this man could destroy his education at the drop of a hat.
Gareth reached the Volkswagen, and Dr Norris stopped in his tracks, turned and ran back to his own vehicle.
He was going to give chase, and was determined not to let this get out.
14
The Coach
Ben and Stephen ran along the road, never taking their eyes off the figure stood beside the coach.
They expected at any moment to hear gunshots.
As they approached, Ben shouted, ‘Move away. Don’t do it. Leave them alone.’
Laura was making her way down the steps. She joined the person standing by the coach.
Now Ben was close enough to make out the figure. It was Edward, the elderly guy who’d been sat at the front.
‘What the hell is going on here?’ Ben asked as he reached the door of the coach. His voice was raised, authoritative. Edward was putting the other passengers in immediate danger.
Laura turned. ‘Ben. Thank God. He won’t listen to me.’ She moved forward, holding her husband.
‘What in heaven’s name are you trying to do?’ Ben directed the question at Edward. He saw Milly standing on the steps of the coach with a confused expression.
‘Milly and I were looking after the passengers. She was talking to Lydia, and I was speaking with Abigail. Suddenly I saw Edward stand and move towards the door. Somehow he managed to free himself.’
Ben turned towards Edward, his voice critical. ‘Do you realise you’re putting yourself and the others in severe jeopardy? The caller instructed that no one leaves the coach. That includes you.’
‘I’m not staying in that wretched thing for a second longer,’ Edward shouted.
‘What about your wife? Your daughter-in-law? Your son? So you’re just going to leave and think only of yourself?’ Ben asked.
‘I’m going to get help. I can make it. I’m stubborn enough to succeed.’
‘I don’t doubt that, Edward, but think about your family for a second,’ Ben suggested. He was desperate to get through to the older man. This was a deplorable task that could go either way.
‘I’m not deserting them. I’ll get help goddamn it, I can make it.’
Ben grabbed Edward and pulled him closer. ‘I’m telling you, we stay here. No one leaves until it’s safe to do so. Do I make myself clear?’
‘You’re not giving me instructions, young man. I’m too long in the tooth to listen to anyone. I make my own decisions. Now move out of my way,’ Edward insisted.