The Daily Dormouse. (aka Bike, est. 2007) Part 2875 by Angharad Copyright© 2016 Angharad

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This is a work of fiction any mention of real people, places or institutions is purely coincidental and does not imply that they are as suggested in the story.
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“D’you mind if we lose the levity, Professor?” asked Waterhouse, “As it seems you claim to be worried about the absence of your father but spend much of the time cracking jokes.”

“I often do when I’m anxious.”

“Now, back to this trade in bogus students...”

“I actually only know what I read from the data, my father had collected. It appears he’d had suspicions that something was happening with O’Connor but he wasn’t sure what. He said nothing until he knew I was experiencing trouble with the vice chancellor.”

“Oh, what sort of trouble?”

“He wanted us to sign new contracts which were effectively gagging orders.”

“To stop you telling what?” Waterhouse seemed to be doing all the talking.

“I don’t know. Most of the things I say about the university are positive or were until O’Connor got the job, he has the ability to make anything feel tarnished or tainted.”

“I’d heard you were one of the more powerful professors in the university?”

“In some ways, since O’Connor’s been here he tends to predicate against anyone but him having much say in anything of any significance. I run the most popular courses, we’re oversubscribed by a factor of two or three. We pay our way and my links with High Street banks help us with occasional sponsorships—it’s all above board and examined by all sorts of auditors at the bank, the university and even the charity commissioners.”

“Why the latter?”

“The bank offered us a long term lease on some woodland which we’ve turned into a nature reserve and have been building a field study centre there for all sorts of study from local schools to post graduate levels. I’m nominally the director and it’s named after a daughter I lost a couple of years ago.”

“Who I believe started out as a boy?”

“What has that to do with anything?”

“Nothing directly, but it does seem a rather regular occurrence to boys who come to stay with you.”

“Is that why you’ve come, you have me down as a terrorist trying to overthrow the tyranny perpetrated by those with a Y chromosome; or is it just good old fashioned transphobia?”

“Neither, although I would take a dim view of anyone who was persuading boys against their wills to turn into girls.”

“I think that makes two of us, three including your mute colleague, or is he just taping the conversation?” I glanced at Fielding and he blushed. What they didn’t know was my iPad was doing exactly the same.

“It makes it easier to clarify statements.”

“Including your prejudices?”

“I wasn’t aware I had any.”

“Apart from the previously mentioned transphobia and misogyny.”

“Misogyny—I fear you are mistaken, Lady Cameron.”

“I think not, I feel a sense of hostility in you. I’m trying to help you as best I can but to start with, isn’t it customary to have a female colleague with you when interviewing women? Or perhaps you don’t consider me female?”

“I believe you are legally female, your past history is of no concern to us...”

“So why did you raise it? Just bully-boy tactics or your own prejudice? I have told you I am concerned about the disappearance of my father and you’ve said nothing about it so far. Just what is your game, Mr Waterhouse?”

“When did you last see the Vice Chancellor?”

“Last night, why?”

“What time?”

“Between six and seven.”

“Do you normally meet him out of office hours?”

“No. I was responding to my investigator’s text.”

“Oh?”

“James Beck asked me to meet him at Southsea Castle. I’d asked him to have a look into O’Connor’s affairs. He’d been out of touch for a few days so when he texted me, I went to see what he wanted.”

“A bit dark and cold for a meeting wasn’t it?”

“Yes—but if he knew where Daddy was, it would be worth it.”

“And did he?”

“No, he was a captive of O’Connor and two other men.”

“So what happened?”

“He told the two men to deal with me and kill James.”

“So how come you’re still here?”

“I ran away.”

“And Beck?”

“I managed to rescue him and we both got away.”

“Leaving a trail of bodies behind you, no doubt. Your reputation goes before you, Lady Cameron.”

“There was some unarmed combat, but I used no weapons and both men were still alive when James and I came back here.”

“So the naked body of a man washed up on Southsea beach had nothing to do with you?”

“I killed no one nor put them in the sea.”

“As we have no evidence to link you at this time, but we do have video evidence of you being around the castle last evening.”

“I don’t recall denying it. If there’s evidence of me I presume there is of O’Connor as well?” I knew there was but I wondered if he did.

“He was seen on camera, but not since. His body isn’t going to turn up needing new teeth and floating in Portsmouth harbour, is it?”

“After what he instructed his men to do to us, if it does, I won’t shed any tears, but I can categorically state that he was alive when he walked off last night. Where he is now—I have no idea. If I did I would tell you.”

“I’m not sure I entirely believe you, Lady Cameron.”

“That’s your problem. I admit I did have a bit of a confrontation with the two henchmen but they walked away from it—well they actually ran away. One of them did have some sort of gun, because he threatened me with it.”

“The man died from a single shot to the head. You didn’t shoot him with his own gun, did you?”

“You seem to have read your background material, so you will also know I have an abhorrence of firearms.”

“Didn’t stop you using one up in Scotland though did it?”

“We were fired upon and in desperation I responded with the only weapon we had.”

“Four people died as a consequence.”

“It was upheld as self defence, especially as it resulted in the protection of my family and two injured police officers.”

“I’m well aware of that, but you still took lives—though you’ve restored some since then, haven’t you?”

“If I’ve helped the professionals, the paramedics, the doctors and nurses once or twice—why do you make it sound like I committed some sort of crime? Isn’t it what anyone would do?”

“I doubt just anyone could raise someone who’s been pronounced dead, Lady Cameron. The last person who did got himself crucified.”

“Is that what you’re trying to do to me?”

“Not at all, but we are aware of most things, even if you think we aren’t.”

“But why are you watching me? You don’t consider I’m a threat to national security, surely?”

“Not at all, but you do have a habit of becoming involved in things other people would run away from.”

I shrugged.

“Thank you for your time, if we hear anything about your missing father we’ll let you know. If you remember something else about the possible whereabouts of Mr O’Connor, do let us know. We’d really like to talk to him.”

“You must be about the only one.”

“It appears no one has seen him since that night at Southsea Castle.”

“Well I had nothing to do with his disappearance, in fact until you told me, I was unaware of it.”

“So you said, Lady Cameron; good day.” His colleague nodded and they both left together.