He’s going to offer to draw me a diagram next. But I’ve got the message. Loud and clear. Both the college and the University are going to do their damnedest to prevent this woman going down. And taking them with her.
‘Mr Morgan said the incident took place at Professor Fisher’s house, last night.’
Reynolds raises an eyebrow. ‘Yes – that’s what he claims.’
I register the nuance of that ‘claims’, and wonder in passing if Reynolds’ facade of scrupulous objectivity is starting to crack.
‘So what was Morgan doing there?’
Reynolds frowns now, and I press my advantage.
‘You just told me that Professor Fisher was at a University dinner, so she must have got back quite late. So I’m going to ask again – what was Morgan doing in her house at that time of night?’
Reynolds’ frown deepens. ‘I’m afraid I don’t know. Your officers will have to ask Mr Morgan, but I cannot think of any reason why he should have been there.’
‘Is Professor Fisher in the habit of inviting students to her home?’
‘I doubt it – indeed, it is explicitly prohibited by college policy, as Professor Fisher will be well aware. We make an exception for occasional social gatherings – Christmas drinks, for example. But Fellows are strictly forbidden from holding one-to-one meetings or tutorials in their private residences. Not least, in these litigious times, for their own protection.’
He’s looking unsettled now – as if he’s only just realized how disquieting Morgan’s story is.
‘Who else lives in Professor Fisher’s house? Does she have a family?’
He shifts in his seat, making the leather creak.
‘I will need to be mindful of privacy issues here, Inspector. Data protection and so on. Someone in your position, you know how it is. But it’s common knowledge that Marina lives alone, with her son.’
‘How old?’
‘Eight, I think. Perhaps nine now?’
I sit back, allow the pause to lengthen a little.
‘The address you gave DC Quinn – it’s a very desirable part of town.’
That’s an understatement. Georgian town houses. Golden stone, sash windows, wrought-iron balconies; even Pevsner was impressed. A lot are offices now, or flats, but judging from her address, Marina Fisher has the whole three storeys. That’s some chunk of real estate.
Reynolds reaches to pour tea. And – apparently – buy time.
‘Marina’s former husband was a financier,’ he says eventually, lifting his cup. ‘He returned to Boston after the divorce. I believe Marina got the Oxford house as part of the settlement.’ He looks at his watch. ‘Now, if you will forgive me, I promised my wife I’d be home over an hour ago.’
There’s something he’s avoiding here, and it’s not just the quagmires of the Data Protection Act. But I’ll play the game. For now.
The door opens and the guard-dog PA stands there once again, waiting to show me safely off the premises.
‘I trust I can rely on you to keep me in the loop, Inspector?’ says Reynolds as I get to my feet. ‘This is going to be challenging enough, without being blindsided into the bargain.’
‘I’ll do my best, sir. But I’m sure you can appreciate that there’s only so much I’ll be able to tell you.’ I allow myself a small smile. ‘Data protection and all that. Someone in your position, you know how it is.’
* * *
Thames Valley Police
INITIAL INVESTIGATIVE REPORT
Rape and Sexual Offences
LOCATION AND IDENTITY OF THE PERSON MAKING THE REPORT
Professor Hilary Reynolds, Principal, Edith Launceleve College, Oxford OX2
THE EXACT LOCATION (WHERE POSSIBLE) AND TIME OF THE INCIDENT
Monmouth House, St Luke Street, Oxford OX1
06/07/2018 11.30 p.m.
WHETHER THE PERSON MAKING THE REPORT IS THE VICTIM, THIRD PARTY OR WITNESS, AND THE CAPACITY IN WHICH THEY ARE MAKING THE REPORT
Third party (head of the college, to which report was initially made)
NATURE OF THE INCIDENT
SEXUAL ASSAULT
Suspect made sexual advances to the victim, which he rejected. The suspect persisted, leading to a minor physical altercation, which resulted in minor scratches being sustained by the victim, and intimate touching in the groin area. It is not yet known if the suspect sustained any injuries. After this altercation occurred, the victim was able to leave the premises.
IDENTITY AND LOCATION OF THE VICTIM (IF KNOWN)
Caleb Owen Morgan, DOB 09/11/1995
Address: Flat 34, Graduate Accommodation Block, Edith Launceleve College, OX2
IDENTITY AND LOCATION OF THE SUSPECT (IF KNOWN)
Marina Imogen Fisher, DOB 17/01/1976
Address: Monmouth House, St Luke Street, Oxford OX1
WHETHER MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED AND DETAILS OF ANY INJURIES
N/A
Superficial scratches
A FIRST DESCRIPTION OF THE SUSPECT
IC1 Female, 42, 5' 6", approx. 150 lbs
IF THE SUSPECT IS KNOWN TO THE VICTIM, WHETHER THERE IS A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL OFFENCES
None
WHETHER STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO PRESERVE EVIDENCE
Victim advised not to wash and still wearing clothing that he was wearing during incident.
Scene is suspect’s address and will be secured upon arrest.
Suspect outstanding at this time.
WHETHER THERE ARE ANY PARTICULAR CONSIDERATIONS, FOR EXAMPLE, DISABILITY, LANGUAGE AND WHETHER AN INTERPRETER IS REQUIRED
N/A
DETAILS OF THE DEMEANOUR OF THE VICTIM OR REPORTER
Victim was calm, articulate and coherent, and did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
PREFERRED CONTACT POINT IF NOT AT THE SCENE
N/A
IF THE REPORTER WISHES TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS, THE REASON FOR THIS
N/A
ATTENDING OFFICERS
DI A. Fawley
DC G. Quinn
DC V. Everett
DATE AND TIME
07/07/2018
15:45
* * *
Taking Morgan to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre by squad car was only going to crank up the rumour mill, so Ev drives down to St Aldate’s and picks up a car from the CID pool. It’s only a Corsa, and the air con is struggling, which makes the small space even more oppressive. She’s uncomfortably aware of Morgan’s sheer size, crammed into the back seat behind them, so close she can feel his breath on the back of her neck.
No one says very much. Ev’s learnt over the years that it’s best to talk as little as possible in these circumstances, even when the Gen
