Shame the Devil, page 14
And Molly believed them. Whoever was killing the people involved in Noah Daniel’s death, it wasn’t his parents.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Alice Hennicke greeted Denning and Neeraj with a warm smile when they pitched up at Thomas Blake Primary School and showed her their ID, asking to speak to Rachel Atherton. They’d phoned ahead to make sure she was free to see them; neither had the time nor the inclination to wait outside her office like a pair of naughty schoolboys. This was a murder investigation and Denning was already suspicious as to why the head teacher had felt the need to deliberately mislead Molly.
‘I’ll show you to her office,’ Alice said, still smiling. ‘I believe she is expecting you.’ She led them along a short corridor that smelled of boiled cabbage and beeswax. Alice tapped lightly on the door and waited until a voice shouted to come in.
Rachel Atherton was sitting behind her desk, unsmiling and looking annoyed. Denning and Neeraj showed her their ID and explained why they were there.
‘I went over all this yesterday,’ she said, indicating for both men to take a seat. ‘I spoke to a DS…’ She shook her head trying to remember.
‘DS Fisher,’ Denning said. ‘And I appreciate that. However, you didn’t actually tell DS Fisher the whole story, did you?’
She pulled a puzzled face. ‘I don’t know what you mean. I confirmed that the members of staff she mentioned worked here and all had now left the school. I was sorry to hear about what had happened to them, but I don’t see what more I can tell you.’
‘You could tell us exactly what happened two-and-a-half years ago,’ Denning said. ‘The accident in the park. Noah Daniel being knocked down and killed.’ He looked directly at her, ensured he held her gaze. ‘You worked here at the time, Mrs Atherton, as deputy head teacher, so you must have been aware of exactly what happened that day.’
She stared back at Denning; an intimidating look that probably worked with young children, and possibly their parents, but its effect was wasted on Denning. McKenna had perfected the gimlet stare and this wasn’t even in her league.
‘I really don’t know what you’re insinuating,’ she replied icily. ‘It was a terrible accident and a member of staff resigned as a consequence. As far as I’m concerned, the matter was handled appropriately at the time and the school was in no way responsible. It was also over two years ago. I don’t want to lecture you on your job, Inspector, but as I told DS Fisher yesterday, these awful murders have nothing whatsoever to do with this school. The connection is nothing more than circumstantial. I would be looking elsewhere for your motive.’
Denning had read up on Rachel Atherton and Thomas Blake Primary School before coming round to see her today. The school certainly had a reputation to be proud of: it had been judged Outstanding by Ofsted the previous year, while Rachel Atherton had generally been credited with turning the place around after two or three years of average results and mixed grades. She had a trenchant reputation: both for getting results and for running a good school. Although there had been some minor grumblings about her on social media and intemperate letters to the local newspaper, parents liked her. She was strong on discipline and attendance. There was no suggestion she was anything other than a hundred per cent professional and dedicated to her job. But there was something about her approach to the school that he’d found uncomfortable: there seemed to be almost too much of an emphasis on discipline and following the rules, and not so much focus on enjoyment and creativity. Rules were all well and good, but it was his belief that children – particularly young children – should be allowed to express themselves and be encouraged to be individuals rather than well-turned-out robots. He was glad Jake didn’t go to Thomas Blake Primary School.
‘Well, thank you for your advice, Mrs Atherton, but I’ll conduct the investigation into the murder of three of your former employees as I deem appropriate. And that means exploring all the possible motives behind their murders. We now believe the day in question is significant. Perhaps you could talk me through exactly what happened in the park that afternoon.’
She tried to outstare him again, but eventually acknowledged defeat. ‘I imagine you know the basics,’ she said. ‘Most of it was covered in the very public inquiry that followed the death of Noah Daniel.’ She looked at Denning and Neeraj, a steely glint in her eye. ‘There was a full inquiry. The school was found not to have breached any health and safety regulations. There were sufficient teaching and support staff supervising the children on the day. The school had undertaken numerous trips to that park before Noah Daniel’s accident, all without incident. The inquiry absolved us of any blame.’
‘I’ve read the inquiry findings. I accept that officially the school was found to have done nothing wrong. But it’s now clear someone feels otherwise. Perhaps you could fill in some of the blanks for us. Tell us what the inquiry left out.’
She sighed heavily and sat back in her chair. ‘Our year one teachers had decided to take the children to the park as a treat. This was something they often did, though usually towards the end of the summer term. But we’d been enjoying a spell of pleasant spring weather and someone had suggested to Euan that the children might benefit from a trip to the local park. I was against the idea and said as much at the time. I don’t think it’s good to take the children out of school too often, unless it’s directly beneficial to their education. I’ve personally organised trips to the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. We were even talking about a trip to the London Transport Museum later this year. But these trips need to be properly organised. Parents notified; risk assessments undertaken and obviously an assurance given that we have sufficient members of staff to supervise the children. We have a duty of care towards these children.’
‘I don’t see how taking them to a nearby park was placing them in danger,’ Neeraj said. ‘Especially as what happened was an accident.’
‘I take it you don’t have children, sergeant?’ she said witheringly. ‘It only takes a couple of disruptive influences and the whole group dynamic changes. Believe me, I have a degree in child behavioural psychology, and I’ve worked in schools all my life. I know what I’m talking about.’
Neeraj didn’t answer. Denning, who was very familiar with the sometimes-challenging behaviour of children, spoke for both of them. ‘I’m sure my colleague wasn’t trying to question your running of the school, Mrs Atherton. We just need to get a clear picture of what happened that day and how someone might have come to the conclusion that the school was in some way to blame for a child’s death.’
His comment seemed to propitiate her and she even offered a wintry smile. ‘I’m sorry, Inspector, I don’t mean to come across as unhelpful, but I really feel we’re in danger of going round in circles here. The school did nothing wrong. You’ve said yourself the inquiry absolved us of any blame. I can’t see how this discussion is helpful.’
‘Three people who were on that school trip are now dead, Mrs Atherton. You yourself may yet be in danger. We don’t know why this person is doing this, but they clearly have some kind of vendetta against the school, and it would appear to relate to the incident in the park. Anything you can tell us will help us catch this person.’
She gave another heavy sigh. ‘Like I told you, I was against the decision to take the children to the park that day. It’s different in the summer: the school year is coming to an end, the children are naturally getting restless and can’t wait for the holidays. It’s especially difficult for the youngest ones: Years One and Two. School is still is a relatively new experience for them. OK, I know a lot of them have been to nursery and pre-school, but primary school is very different. We’re preparing them for life in a grown-up world. Yes, I know what you’re thinking. I can read it in your faces. They’re children. But the development from childhood to adulthood is a process. This is where that process starts. They learn the basic skills that will hopefully see them turn into fully rounded adults: social skills, discipline, the desire for knowledge. A solid work ethic. This is where that all begins.’
Denning thought about Jake. These were the things he wanted for his son, but these factors didn’t take into account the children who couldn’t understand them. The children who were in danger of being left behind. Children like Jake. And Noah Daniel.
‘I know you probably see me as some kind of monster.’ She offered another cold smile. ‘I’m not. I just believe in getting the best from the children in my care. Nurturing their potential. Giving them hope.’
‘That’s all very laudable, Mrs Atherton. But can we get back to the day in question. You’ve made it clear you were against the decision to take the children to the park, but you were obviously over-ruled by Euan Livingstone. Can you tell us what happened next?’
‘I admit that this particular trip might have been planned, but it was poorly organised. No arrangements were put in place to deal with…well, to put it bluntly, to deal with children like Noah Daniel. Noah could be difficult. Well, perhaps that’s unfair. Maybe difficult is not the right word. Challenging would be the correct term.’
‘Challenging?’ Denning asked. ‘In what way?’ Though he could already sense which direction the conversation was heading in.
‘Minor behavioural issues. For instance, if you asked him to do something, he wouldn’t do it. Equally, there would be times you would tell him not to do something and he would deliberately do it to spite you. In a classroom environment such behaviour can be managed, but outside, with more children than staff and numerous stimulants that can distract a child, it can be much harder to manage that behaviour.’
Denning found himself starring at a novelty mouse mat on her desk when she was explaining this. To hear about children with special needs referred to as though they were nothing more than an inconvenience was slowly making his blood boil. But he was here to find answers that would help him catch a killer before they struck again; his personal feelings were not relevant. ‘But he never received a formal diagnosis of autism or ADHD?’
‘The school contacted Noah’s parents on numerous occasions about his behaviour, but nothing was ever done beyond empty promises about how they would speak to him.’
‘How come?’ Neeraj asked.
‘Noah’s parents were what I suppose we would have called hippies in days gone by. I imagine “free spirit” would be the modern equivalent. They didn’t want their son labelled or stigmatised. They insisted he should be free to develop at his own rate and not be saddled with something he might not have that would dictate the direction his life would take.’
‘So, what exactly happened the day he was killed?’ Neeraj asked, drawing everyone’s attention back to the matter in hand.
She looked at Neeraj, throwing him what Denning suspected was the look she used when dealing with a child whose behaviour she defined as challenging. But the effect was lost on Neeraj, who just stared back at her, mouth open slightly.
‘The TA who was responsible for looking after Noah was momentarily distracted. Before anyone could react, Noah was running towards the gate that led on to the road which ran along the western edge of the park. It wasn’t a particularly busy road – it even, I believe, had a 20mph limit.’ She rubbed a hand over her eyes, then continued. ‘The other TA on duty that day – Kieran Judd – ran to try and stop him.’ She rubbed her eyes again. ‘He wasn’t quick enough. Noah was out the gate and straight on to the road before he had a chance to catch him. He’d spotted an ice cream van in a nearby road, apparently. It was just bad luck that there was a car going along the road at the time. The driver wasn’t going fast – as the inquiry clearly stated – but Noah ran straight into her path. He bounced off the car and hit his head on the kerb. The whole thing only lasted a matter of seconds. An ambulance was called, naturally, but the paramedics couldn’t save him. Laura Grieve, the TA who was supposed to have been looking after Noah, resigned from her job shortly afterwards. Although she wasn’t directly to blame for what happened, she felt responsible.’
‘It seems a lot of the staff on duty that day left the job in the wake of the accident,’ Denning said. ‘Susan Elliot and Kieran Judd both either left teaching or went to another school. Euan Livingstone took early retirement.’
She looked impassive, sitting behind her desk, making it clear what had happened was nothing to do with her decision-making. ‘It’s not uncommon for staff to either leave the profession or to move to other schools. Euan had been talking about retiring before the accident, and felt no reason to change his mind.’
And I bet you were quick enough to jump into his shoes, Denning thought.
‘When you say Laura Grieve was distracted, how exactly was she distracted?’
‘Laura had personal issues going on at the time. I understand her marriage had recently ended and she was struggling to cope with it. In hindsight, we – Euan – should have either offered her more support or even insisted she took some time off until she was better able to cope with her situation. However – and again, against my better judgement – she insisted she was coping OK, so it was agreed she could carry on working.’
‘Although you stated she wasn’t directly to blame for what happened, I get the impression the school didn’t try to dissuade her from resigning?’
‘She admitted that her mind wasn’t fully on the job. She accepted that it was her momentary lapse in concentration that resulted in Noah’s death. She took responsibility for what happened, even though there was no suggestion that the school held her personally responsible. Euan was very clear that he didn’t blame her.’
The school still accepted her resignation, Denning thought, suggesting an element of blame had been apportioned.
‘You should seriously think about accepting police protection yourself,’ Denning said.
‘Me?’ She sounded incredulous. ‘I had nothing to do with what happened. I wasn’t anywhere near the park that day. As I’ve already told both yourselves today and your colleague yesterday, the members of staff involved have all now left the school. The school itself is now under new leadership. As far as I’m concerned, this has got nothing to do with me.’
‘You were deputy head at the time,’ Denning said. ‘Whoever’s responsible for these killings was prepared to go after Euan Livingstone. It’s possible our killer may feel this makes you as responsible as the staff members who were there on the day. Your life could be in danger, and I would advise you to take some precautions.’
‘But that’s different. Euan was head teacher at the time. He took overall responsibility for what happened. I was against taking the children to the park. If I’d been listened to in the first place, then none of this would have happened.’ Her tone was indignant, but Denning was firm.
‘All the same, it’s possible the person responsible for these killings is unaware of that.’
‘I’m sorry, but I can’t have my life disrupted. Or the running of the school for that matter. We’ve got an assessment coming up next term and we need to prepare for it.’
‘Your life might be in danger, Mrs Atherton, so I would advise you to put up with a little inconvenience for now, just to ensure your personal safety.’
She smiled another wintry smile. ‘I appreciate your concern, Inspector. Believe me. But I don’t scare easily. And I’m certainly not about to go into hiding at the exact time this school needs me.’
‘OK. In that case, I suggest you take some precautions. Change your route to and from the school. Keep an eye out for anyone acting suspiciously. Maybe have a word with your local crime prevention team about beefing up your home security. The school’s too, if necessary.’
She gave an awkward laugh. ‘My husband and I have more than adequate security at home, and as you would be aware from when you arrived on the school premises, entry and exit to the main building is by key fob, and all visitors have to be buzzed into the building by the school secretary. There’s CCTV covering the main entrance, which is supervised by at least two staff members at the start of the day, the end of the day and during playtime and lunchbreak. Short of having armed guards patrolling the corridors, there’s not much else we can do.’
It all sounded very impressive. ‘OK, Mrs Atherton. My colleague and I have made you aware of the situation. If you choose not to accept our suggestions, that’s entirely up to you. I don’t think there’s any more we can say.’
‘Of course, the best thing you could do to guarantee my safety, and that of the remaining staff members, is to catch the person responsible as quickly as possible,’ she added cuttingly. ‘And I would very much appreciate it if you try and keep the school’s name out of it. What happened was so long ago it’s hardly relevant.’
‘I’ll do my best, Mrs Atherton,’ Denning said politely. ‘Of course, I can’t promise the press won’t make the connection. In which case, the matter is out of my hands.’
* * *
When they were back in the car, Neeraj turned to Denning. ‘Blimey, she was a bit scary. You gotta feel sorry for those kids. I read somewhere that she used to make them walk round the playground for fifteen minutes every morning, in all weathers.’
‘Why?’
‘Something to do with tackling childhood obesity. Apparently, she won some award for it.’
Hmm, no fat kids here, Denning thought to himself. Or children with developmental issues… There was something too quaintly authoritarian about Thomas Blake Primary School for Denning’s liking, or, more to the point, about Rachel Atherton’s approach to running the school. OK, she got results, but at what cost to the children’s overall wellbeing.
‘I’m more curious about why she kept things from us,’ he said.
‘You think she was lying?’
Denning thought about this. ‘Not lying, just holding something back from us. Whatever happened that day, I don’t think we’ve been told the whole story.’
