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setting her car in motion.
The journey to Markham Hall was conducted in stony silence. Lennox planned the imminent interviews by flicking through his notebook and Wednesday gripped the steering wheel, focusing on the road.
As they drove up the gravel driveway, to the left they saw a group of boys playing rugby, and to the right a group of girls playing Lacrosse.
As their windows were wound down slightly, they could hear the male sports teacher hollering abuse at the sportingly challenged youths.
“He’s got a voice that carries,” commented Lennox.
They made their way into the building, where the receptionist waved a bony hand in the direction of Stuart Cleveland’s office.
“Detectives, to what do I owe this pleasure?”
“There’s no pleasure in our visit, Mr Cleveland. As you are aware, one of your students has been murdered and another one is still missing,” Wednesday informed him. “We think it would be useful to address the whole school, including the teachers, about the boys. It might jog someone’s memory. Any small detail they might have thought inconsequential could open up the enquiry.”
“It’s not very convenient right now,” he replied, looking down his arched nose. “We could arrange it for tomorrow?”
“No, Mr Cleveland, this is too serious to put off. For all we know, the same fate that happened to Tom may be awaiting Darren.”
Cleveland inhaled deeply before phoning through to his secretary to round up all the students and teachers into the main hall. The detectives heard the woman’s irritated tone on the other end which only seemed to exasperate Cleveland more.
It took twenty-five minutes for the hall to fill with curious and excitable students, followed by harassed teachers. In the far corner of the hall, Wednesday spotted Reverend Olong trying to merge into the shadows.
Wednesday relaxed when Lennox said he would address the gathering after noticing her twisting her hair tightly around her middle finger. She admired Lennox’s composure for public speaking.
Most of the students had heard the news already, but Lennox was careful to remind them that they should all be cautious when out. He made a strong request for information regarding the two boys.
After his speech, they watched the subdued students file out, followed by pale-faced teachers. His words seemed to have had the desired effect in reaching the teenage brains. They now hoped someone would come forward with a snippet of information that would prove to be a lead they required.
Wednesday scanned the room to see that the reverend had already disappeared. Never mind, she thought to herself, he will save for another time.
They sat in the only available room, the nurse’s room, awaiting any students who would hopefully have something to impart.
The nurse had been amenable in relinquishing her work space, and had even made them a mug of instant coffee which they gratefully sipped.
Just as they began wondering if they were wasting their time, there was a tentative knock at the door and a teacher entered the room. He stood before them in black chinos and a beige roll-neck jumper. Thick round-rimmed glasses framed his treacle-coloured eyes.
“I’m not sure if I’m wasting your time,” he began.
“We’ll be the judge of that, Mr?” Wednesday said.
“Mr Cannon. Harvey Cannon. I’m a French teacher.”
His name duly noted down, she waited for him to continue.
“I know that Tom Dolby had been experiencing some difficulty in PE lessons with Mr Gould. Saying it aloud sounds a bit foolish and melodramatic now,” he said faintly.
“Could you expand on that, Mr Cannon?” Lennox said, wishing to move things along.
“Well, Mr Gould seemed to dislike Tom. Perhaps because he was slightly overweight. Anyway, sometimes he would make Tom do PE in just his boxer shorts merely to show the other boys what their bodies would be like if they didn’t exercise.”
“Were Mr Gould’s actions reported to the head?”
“I had a quiet word with