Murder in the Fens: An utterly gripping English cozy mystery novel (A Tara Thorpe Mystery Book 4)

by Clare Chase

  ‘He put pressure on you to get closer to him than you wanted?’ Tara held her breath.

  The student paused for a moment, but then, at last, she nodded. ‘I made it clear I wasn’t interested, and he’s had it in for me ever since.’

  Tara glanced at the other females present. ‘Have any of you had similar experiences?’

  Slowly, they nodded. All of them.

  ‘And you never complained to anyone?’

  ‘It’s our word against his,’ the blonde girl said. ‘I get the impression he’s got the ear of the master, for some reason. I often see them together. I’ve always suspected we’d only be making trouble for ourselves if we tried to bring things to a head.’

  Tara felt her chest tighten with pent-up fury. How could they be trapped like this? And why were Balfour and Sir Alistair Lockwood so close?

  ‘And I’m afraid, once in a while, Balfour’s efforts pay off,’ one of the other female students said.

  There were more glances exchanged.

  ‘You’re thinking Bella Chadwick?’ the blonde girl said.

  The other student nodded. ‘Yes, I’m pretty certain Bella slept with Balfour.’ She shuddered.

  ‘Even if she seemed willing, it’s not okay for someone with a duty of care to initiate that kind of relationship with a student,’ Tara said. ‘There’s an imbalance of power that ought to make that absolutely off limits.’ She was desperate to get her message across, but in the back of her mind, she was also processing the information about Bella. She’d had an affair – possibly? Maybe? – with Lucien Balfour, and Blake also suspected she was sleeping with Stuart Gilmour. What did those links mean, if anything?

  The student with the blonde bob was speaking again. ‘I’ll tell you, I’ve been very careful to make sure I keep my nose clean. If ever I got into trouble, I have a feeling he’d use it as a lever.’

  Tara felt the hairs on her arms rise. Balfour had known about Julie carrying a knife on a protest against Lockwood’s, but he hadn’t admitted as much to the police. And he hadn’t disciplined her about it either. And then she thought of what Blake had told her about Louise Fellows’ statement. She’d overheard Balfour tell Julie that one good turn deserved another. Yet Louise had seen Julie shake free of him, a look of fury in her eyes. She hadn’t given in to intimidation. Had Balfour decided to take his revenge?

  ‘So, based on what the students told you, we can assume Lucien Balfour is a sexual predator who tries it on with just about every female undergraduate he deals with.’

  Tara was in Blake’s office, reporting back. She nodded. ‘Looks that way.’

  He swore. ‘I wish we’d got onto that sooner. You and Max had your doubts about him from the beginning. The added detail about his affair with Bella Chadwick is interesting.’

  Tara had been trying to work it out too. It seemed that Bella had wanted to be like Julie – but Julie would never have given in to Balfour’s advances, even under pressure. Had Balfour got something on Bella? Some bit of information that meant he’d been able to coerce her into a relationship? Her secret affair with Stuart Gilmour perhaps? Would that have been enough?

  Blake’s dark eyes were on hers. ‘And we know Balfour was aware of the gossip about John Lockwood and Julie. Maybe he was jealous – he’d been turned down where another fellow had made headway. Or so we assume.’

  ‘It could be.’

  ‘We need to know where he was the night Julie was killed. And what’s all this about him and Sir Alistair being best buddies?’

  ‘I’m not sure, but I’ve got a theory about that. According to LinkedIn, they went to the same posh school – it’s a place with a bit of an old-boy-network reputation. That might be enough to make Sir Alistair treat him differently. I doubt he’d ignore hard-and-fast proof of Balfour’s wrongdoing, but it might make him happy to look the other way.’ It was the worst sort of approach, as far as Tara was concerned: cowardly and lazy with it.

  Blake stretched in his seat. He looked exhausted – but of all the people she’d ever met, he wore exhaustion well. She tried to think of the smile Jez had given her on her way in, and not of Blake’s stubble and rumpled shirt, coupled with the exceptionally well-cut suit he was wearing that day. It must be one of the ones designed by his sister. She guessed he’d never have chosen it himself, but wore it in the same way a dutiful child wore a Christmas jumper from their parents. He’d mentioned his sister once or twice – it was clear they were close.

  ‘Must be hard, dealing with all this and a new baby too.’ Her voice had come out low and husky, despite herself.

  For a long moment, Blake didn’t reply. When his eyes met hers, she felt the pull of him so strongly it was all she could do to sit still in her seat. ‘You don’t know the half of it.’

  And she never would, thanks to the way their dice had fallen.

  ‘I’ll get over to see Balfour,’ Blake said. ‘Are you still digging into the Lockwood side of things?’

  He knew about the feedback she’d got from Josh, but although her ex had felt Julie’s research wouldn’t have made her a target, there was still John to consider. You couldn’t ignore a man who’d apparently been having sex with a student under his care, and who’d seemingly taken an overdose just after that same student’s murder.

  She nodded. ‘I’ve been trying to track down John’s contacts using the records on his mobile. A lot of the numbers ended up being for work or service providers. It doesn’t look as though he was the sociable sort. But I’ve found a couple of leads, including one guy that goes all the way back to his school days. I thought I’d start with him; find out what his teenage relationships were like.’ The man might be aware of exactly when John had first gone off the rails, too.

  Blake nodded. ‘Sounds good.’

  ‘And then, this evening, Max and I have an open invitation to attend the master’s event for new students at St Oswald’s.’

  ‘They’re still holding it, after John’s death?’

  She could relate to the shock in his eyes. ‘I was surprised too. I got in touch to double check. Sir Alistair’s PA told me the Lockwoods intend to go ahead for the sake of the students. They want to gather them together and reassure them – not cry off because there’s been another death. Even if it was of their son.’ She couldn’t imagine ploughing on for a minute if it were her. But it seemed they could keep their emotions in check, for the greater good.

  As she reached the door Blake spoke again. ‘Take care.’

  Forty-Six

  Blake was determined not to expose Louise Fellows to any fallout as a result of the information she’d given the police. He didn’t need to lead in with what she’d told them about the dynamic between Lucien Balfour and Julie anyway. He had another plan. They’d agreed that Megan would start.

  ‘Tell us about your relationship with Bella Chadwick, Dr Balfour.’

  The guy flinched, and Blake felt a tiny rush of satisfaction. It took the tutor several seconds to respond.

  ‘I have a very good relationship with Bella, as I hope I do with all my students.’

  ‘Yes, we heard it was good.’ Blake smiled and was delighted to see Balfour squirm.

  ‘I can’t imagine who you’ve been talking to.’ Balfour was spluttering.

  Blake checked his collar for spit. Clear, surprisingly. ‘Multiple people, as it happens.’

  The man drew himself up in his chair, his frown deepening. Blake imagined he was trying to guess what evidence they had. The conversation could go either way.

  ‘Well, if any of these people substantiate their accusations with proof, then I’ll be most surprised.’

  Blake cursed inwardly. But they could still speak to Bella Chadwick again – she might give them what they needed.

  Megan took over once more. ‘We understand you told Sir Alistair that his son John was in a relationship with Julie Cooper.’ They’d agreed to switch tack each time a direction seemed to peter out. They wanted to stop him from predicting their questions.

/>   ‘I told him there were rumours,’ Balfour said. ‘Nothing more. But it was right that he should know about them.’

  ‘Because his son was involved, and his reputation was under threat?’ Blake cut in.

  ‘Because it was a serious accusation affecting the well-being of one of the students.’

  He’d been prepared for that question all right. It didn’t make his answer any more convincing, and two could play at that game. ‘You must have been upset to hear the “rumour” about Julie and John Lockwood.’

  Balfour’s eyes narrowed. ‘What are you insinuating?’

  That was a pleasingly revealing reaction. Blake raised an innocent eyebrow. ‘Because she was under your care. Her welfare must have been important to you.’

  The man was angry now, which was just as Blake intended. ‘Indeed.’

  ‘How did you find discussing something so personal with Julie? Do you often have to talk about sexual relationships with your students?’

  His cheeks reddened. ‘I didn’t have to be explicit.’

  ‘But you tackled her about it, obviously. Was she angry?’

  ‘Were you angry?’ Megan followed up.

  ‘No. Of course not.’

  ‘You were supportive? You told her it was okay for her to be in that kind of relationship?’ Blake leant his head to one side.

  ‘That assertion is preposterous, as well you know. It was wholly wrong for her to be in the relationship.’

  ‘So you believed the rumours were true then,’ Blake said. ‘I’d certainly agree with you. It’s very wrong for anyone to instigate sexual relations with someone under their care.’ His eyes met Balfour’s.

  ‘How did you tackle the matter?’ Megan said.

  ‘I told her she was behaving dangerously.’

  Megan paused then.

  It took Blake a moment to recover from speechlessness, too. ‘That she was behaving dangerously?’

  Balfour looked at his hands, which were pressed hard down on his desk. ‘That the pair of them were putting their careers and reputations at risk.’

  Blake drew in a deep breath. ‘When my colleagues interviewed you, you told them Julie was too savvy to get involved in anything that might damage her prospects. Odd, given that you were aware she’d marched through town carrying a knife, and that she was sleeping with a member of university staff.’

  ‘There is such a thing as student confidentiality.’ The man puffed out his chest, but the act wasn’t convincing.

  ‘And there is such a thing as withholding evidence. I’d like to know why you didn’t ask the college to discipline Julie Cooper for carrying a knife – or instigate further enquiries into John Lockwood’s behaviour.’ Blake’s eyes were on Balfour’s the moment the man looked up.

  ‘I wanted to give her a chance.’

  ‘A chance to do what?’ Megan’s eyes were on the man too. She’d got the tone just right, Blake noticed – it told Balfour exactly what they thought of his excuses.

  Balfour remained silent.

  ‘I’ll be talking to the dean to ask how you handle discipline normally,’ Blake said. ‘Only it would be interesting to know if it varies at all from student to student.’ And from one gender to the other, too. ‘Just for the record, where were you from seven on Saturday evening until seven on Sunday morning?’

  Balfour opened his mouth and closed it again. After a moment, he made a fresh attempt to speak. ‘I had dinner with a friend at the Chop House on King’s Parade. I returned home at around ten.’

  ‘We’ll take your friend’s name and contact details, thank you.’ Blake waited for the man to write the information down. ‘And what about after that?’

  The man looked scared now. ‘I went home. I live alone.’

  He wasn’t surprised about that. For a second, Blake’s mind ran from Balfour’s current students to his own daughters, who might one day find themselves dealing with a toad like the one in front of him. Whether Balfour was involved in Julie Cooper’s death or not, Blake was going to make damned sure he never worked as a tutor again.

  Forty-Seven

  Stuart’s heart rate ramped right up when he thought of Bella. She’d texted him an hour after he’d chased her down the road. She was threatening to drop in on him later. For God’s sake, why didn’t she understand where to get off? For a moment he wondered if she could have overheard what he’d said in the café, but he didn’t think so. He’d only noticed her when she’d walked out of the place. Although he hadn’t seen where she’d been sitting, there’d been no one he knew on the tables next to him. He’d had a careful look.

  He glanced down at the notepad he’d taken from Julie. It was ironic – if she hadn’t accused him of stealing from her in the first place, he might never have got the idea. Her paranoia had made him so angry, he’d been prepared to go further to get what he wanted.

  He thought back to when she’d first accused him of messing with her papers. She’d gone wild, turning up on his doorstep, hurling abuse. Stupid cow.

  He looked down at the pad now. He’d gone to such lengths to get it – convinced that it would contain some hidden gems – but in fact, he’d found nothing to justify her secretiveness. She was kidding herself if she thought she’d got anything decent there. For a second, he frowned. She’d written ‘Scotland?’ in block caps on one of the sheets and put three circles around it, driving her pen hard into the paper. That was the one thing that didn’t compute. But he had no way of working out if it was significant.

  He’d have to start again from scratch, do all the research himself – he’d make a better job of it. And the potential payback, now that Julie was dead, was way higher than it had been. Get it right, and he’d be made for life.

  He’d be able to laugh in the face of the dean who’d suspended him from college. For all the risks he was taking, the prize would be worth it.

  Forty-Eight

  ‘You don’t look like a detective.’

  John Lockwood’s friend from schooldays – Edward Morpeth – sat opposite Tara at a table to the rear of the Cambridge Blue. Outside, the rain was still lashing down and Tara’s hair was dripping. She wasn’t sure if it was her unkempt appearance that had put Edward off the scent, or if it was just the usual – her relative youth and possibly the fact that she was female. Get with the programme, Edward…

  ‘It helps when I’m undercover.’

  He laughed. She knew he was contemporary with John, but he’d gone grey young, having that black hair–blue eye combination that tended towards that. His colouring was attractive and so was his smile, but the latter faded quickly.

  ‘I still can’t believe John’s dead.’

  She nodded. ‘I’m so sorry. And that you had to hear it from me, too.’ She’d had to break the news when she’d made contact out of the blue. ‘I guess Sir Alistair and Lady Lockwood will work their way through John’s friends to pass on what’s happened in a more personal way, but it’s bound to take time.’

  Edward shrugged. ‘I might hear from them. I used to go round to their house here in Cambridge when I was at school with John – in the early days anyway. But his relationship with his parents broke down. I expect you knew that?’

  Tara nodded, despite having almost no details. She hoped he’d unbutton if he assumed she already understood the full story.

  ‘I don’t suppose they’ll contact the friends he made in adulthood. They probably wouldn’t know where to start. That’s something I could do, to an extent. I’ll make a list of those I’m aware of.’ He shook his head sadly. ‘It won’t be a long one.’

  ‘He kept himself to himself, I gather.’ She’d understood that much, just by looking at his phone records.

  Edward nodded. ‘So why do you need my help?’

  Tara would have to watch what she said, but she wanted to share enough to get him to talk. ‘There’s a bit of a question mark over John’s death,’ she said at last. ‘We know he hadn’t been in good health for a while, but we want to understand any other
factors that might have played a part in what happened. Anything that could have made him depressed or influenced his behaviour.’ She met his glance and the sad but knowing look he gave her. ‘Please don’t read too much into this. We’re just asking as a precaution, but as an old friend, I thought you might understand why his life panned out the way it did.’

  ‘Okay.’ Edward sipped his pint of Woodforde’s.

  ‘When did you last see John?’

  He grimaced. ‘It’s got to be three or four months ago now. You know how it is, life just takes over. We got together for a drink just before the summer break.’

  ‘How was he?’

  Edward frowned. ‘Anxious. He’d got major money worries – but I think there was something wrong at work, too.’

  ‘Did he go into details?’

  Edward frowned. ‘He was muttering about some research or other. Something a student was doing maybe?’ He shook his head. ‘I couldn’t imagine why it would be important, but he was wound up about it. He didn’t want them to pursue it.’

  Tara felt a chill creep down her spine as she remembered the transcript of Blake and Megan’s interview with Sandra Cooper. Julie said she was doing some research to help this person out. John, I think she said his name was.

  Was this what Edward had picked up on? Was it something Julie had wanted to pursue but John hadn’t? Had John killed her to stop her in her tracks? She tried to refocus on the rest of her mission. ‘I gather John’s problems started back when he was a youngster,’ Tara said. ‘Do you remember him before that?’

  Edward nodded. ‘The change in him was marked, and sudden. He lost a lot of friends at that stage. He withdrew into himself.’

  ‘Do you remember what year that was?’

  He frowned. ‘No, sorry. But we were still at prep school, and near the end. I’d guess he was around twelve years old? Something like that. Rumours went round about him taking drugs, and I got the impression some of the parents told their offspring to give him a wide berth at school.’