Black Ops: The 12th Spider Shepherd Thriller (10 page)

Eventually the door to the headmaster’s office opened and the man appeared. He was in his fifties, tall and thin and wearing a shabby brown cardigan over brown corduroy trousers.

‘Mr Shepherd, come on in,’ he said. ‘I apologise for my casual attire but I’m not usually in the office on a Saturday.’

The headmaster’s office overlooked the school’s playing fields. There was a large desk that looked antique, on which sat a keyboard and a computer monitor. There was a leather high-backed chair behind the desk and two wooden chairs facing it. The wall behind the desk was lined with books and framed certificates and degrees hung on the wall by the door.

‘Please, sit down,’ said Turner, waving at the wooden chairs. As Shepherd sat, Turner walked around the desk and slid into his executive chair. ‘Can my secretary get you a tea, or a water?’

‘I’m fine, thank you,’ said Shepherd.

The headmaster nodded at his secretary and she closed the door. ‘Well, we don’t often get to see you at our school, Mr Shepherd, I’m just sorry that it couldn’t be under better circumstances.’

‘I don’t really understand what’s happened,’ said Shepherd.

Turner frowned. ‘No one’s told you?’

Shepherd shook his head.

Turner sighed. ‘I’m afraid a quantity of cocaine was discovered in Liam’s locker. A not inconsiderable quantity as it happens. Half an ounce, pretty much.’

Shepherd’s jaw dropped. ‘I’m sorry – what?’

‘Half an ounce of cocaine was found in Liam’s locker this morning. The police were called and he has already been questioned.’

‘Why the hell wasn’t I told?’ said Shepherd.

‘We tried to contact you, several times. The phone number we have for you seemed to be switched off and there was no voicemail. We phoned Liam’s main contact number, a lady by the name of Katra, I believe?’

‘Our au pair, yes.’

‘Well, we explained that we needed to talk to you as soon as possible.’

‘You didn’t tell her about any drugs.’

The headmaster looked pained. ‘There is a problem in that she isn’t a family member or a legal guardian. There are data protection issues.’

Shepherd nodded. He was still flustered and his mind was going around in circles. ‘Where is he?’

‘He’s in with one of our student councillors. I’ll bring him in as soon as we’re finished.’

Shepherd frowned. ‘Finished?’

‘You have to understand that the school has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to drugs.’

‘You’re expelling him?’

‘Our hands are tied, Mr Shepherd. As I said, we have a zero tolerance policy.’

‘There has to be some mistake,’ said Shepherd. ‘Liam doesn’t take drugs. He’s not that sort of lad. They must have belonged to someone else.’

‘Liam has already admitted that he knew the drugs were in the locker.’

Shepherd sat back in his chair and sighed. ‘I don’t believe it.’

‘We were surprised, I must say. Liam has never been in trouble before. But the facts are beyond dispute. He had half an ounce of cocaine in his locker and as such …’ he shrugged. ‘As I said, we have a zero tolerance policy.’

‘But there has to be an explanation,’ said Shepherd.

‘He told the police he was holding the drugs for a friend.’

‘When did the police talk to him?’

‘Before lunch. We called them as soon as the drugs were discovered.’

‘How did you know they were in his locker?’

‘We conduct regular random searches,’ said the headmaster.

‘Does the school have a drugs problem?’

‘No, we do not. We make it clear that we conduct regular searches and that we remove anyone found with drugs from the school.’

Shepherd shook his head. ‘This is a nightmare,’ he said. ‘Was Liam charged?’

‘I don’t believe so.’

‘You don’t know?’ snapped Shepherd.

‘I wasn’t present during the questioning.’

‘Where did they talk to him?’

‘They used an office here. We thought that better than taking him to the police station. Liam admitted everything, and the police are now deciding what action to take.’

‘Presumably they don’t know for sure it was cocaine?’

‘The police seemed sure, but they are having it tested.’

‘Who was with him when the police questioned him?’

‘One of Liam’s teachers.’

‘What about a lawyer?’

‘It wasn’t felt necessary.’

Shepherd frowned. ‘Who didn’t feel it was necessary?’

The headmaster squinted at Shepherd. ‘I understand the police said he could have a solicitor present if he wanted, but Liam said he was happy to answer their questions.’

‘I’m not sure that should have been his decision to make. He’s a child.’

‘He’s seventeen, Mr Shepherd. Anyway, I think it probably best that you talk to Liam. And then perhaps you could take him home.’

‘Excuse me?’ said Shepherd. ‘What do you mean, take him home?’

‘As I’ve already explained, we have a zero tolerance policy.’

‘But he’s innocent until proven guilty, surely?’

‘Mr Shepherd, Liam has already admitted he knew about the drugs. He’s hardly innocent.’

‘So that’s it? He has to leave?’

‘I’m afraid so, yes.’ He stood up but Shepherd stayed where he was.

‘Look, Mr Turner. Liam’s a good kid, you know he is. And he’s had more than his fair share of problems. His mum died when he was very young and I’ve been away a lot. I was in the army, and then the police. I wasn’t around much …’

The headmaster sat down again. ‘I understand that, Mr Shepherd. But a lot of our pupils come from broken homes …’

‘I didn’t say Liam came from a broken home,’ interrupted Shepherd. ‘He lost his mum. What I mean is that I’m the one to blame, I wasn’t around enough while he was growing up. Isn’t there some way you could give him a second chance?’

‘It’s called zero tolerance for a reason, Mr Shepherd.’

‘I get it. And I’ll punish him. We can both punish him. But it can’t be right ruining his education because he made one mistake. This could ruin Liam’s life.’

‘You’ll find another school, Mr Shepherd.’

‘I don’t want to find another school. I want Liam to stay here.’

‘I’m afraid that isn’t possible.’

Mr Turner stood up again and walked over to the door. He opened it and waited for Shepherd to leave. Shepherd could see there was no point in arguing; he sighed and stood up.

‘Thanks for your time,’ he said. ‘And I’m really sorry this happened.’

Mr Turner forced a smile. ‘You and me both, Mr Shepherd.’ He walked through to the outer office and Shepherd followed him. ‘Laura, could you take Mr Shepherd along to see Liam? And please give him the card the detectives left. I’m sure he will want to talk to them.’

Shepherd shook hands with the headmaster and went with the secretary down a corridor, across a quadrangle and along another corridor. She knocked on a door with a sign saying ‘STUDENT SUPPORT AND WELFARE’ and opened it. Liam was sitting on a chair by the window and he jumped to his feet when he saw Shepherd.

A middle-aged woman in a dark suit was sitting behind a desk. ‘Mr Shepherd?’ she asked.

Shepherd nodded. Liam was shaking and seemed close to tears.

‘I’m Sarah Weinstein,’ she said. ‘I’m Liam’s guidance counsellor.’

‘I didn’t realise he had a guidance counsellor.’

‘All the students do,’ she said. ‘Now, I’ve got some papers for you to sign and then you can take Liam home. The school will forward you a cheque for the portion of the school fees that aren’t applicable.’

Shepherd glared at Liam and the boy folded his arms and averted his eyes.

‘Ms Weinstein, is there anything that can be done? I really don’t want Liam to leave.’

She smiled sympathetically. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said. ‘The school has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to drugs.’

‘So I’ve heard,’ he said. ‘Fine, show me where I have to sign.’

S
hepherd said nothing as he walked to his SUV. Liam walked half a pace behind him, towing the wheeled trunk that contained all his belongings. Shepherd was holding two carrier bags of clothing that wouldn’t fit into the trunk and a tennis racket. They loaded the stuff into the rear of the vehicle in silence and then climbed into the car. It was only when Liam slammed his door shut that Shepherd turned to him, eyes blazing. ‘What the hell were you thinking?’

Liam stared into the footwell and bit down on his lower lip.

‘I asked you a question, Liam.’

Liam looked up, his eyes brimming with tears. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘Sorry doesn’t cut it,’ said Shepherd. ‘What were you doing with drugs in your locker?’

‘A friend gave them to me.’

‘A friend gave you half an ounce of cocaine? Do you have any idea how much half an ounce of cocaine is worth?’

Liam shrugged. ‘I dunno. Fifty quid.’

‘More likely three times that. Why would anyone give you a hundred and fifty quid’s worth of drugs?’

‘He said it was cannabis.’

‘Who did?’

‘Roger. My mate.’

‘And you told the police this? You told them that this Roger gave you the drugs?’

Liam nodded.

Shepherd ran a hand through his hair. ‘Even if you thought it was cannabis, what were you thinking?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘Someone gives you drugs and you just say thank you very much and put it in your locker.’

‘He said he didn’t want to be walking around with it. He was going to a rough pub, he said.’

‘You know how serious this is, right? You’re not a kid any more. You’re playing Big Boys’ Games now, and Big Boys’ Rules apply. As of next year you’ll be an adult, and the way things are going you’ll be an adult with a criminal record.’ Shepherd shook his head. ‘What the hell were you thinking? Cocaine, Liam? You could go to prison, you know that?’

‘Dad, I thought it was cannabis.’

‘Oh, that makes it better, does it? Cannabis is a Class B drug. You can still go to prison for it.’

‘Not for small amounts. It’s been decriminalised.’

Shepherd’s eyes narrowed. ‘Are you telling me you smoke cannabis?’

‘Everybody does, Dad. It’s no biggie.’

‘No biggie!’ Shepherd looked up at the roof of the car and fought the urge to scream at his son. He took a deep breath and forced himself to stay calm. ‘Liam, not everybody smokes cannabis. And those that do are breaking the law, no matter what you say about decriminalisation. It’s a gateway drug. It leads to other things.’

‘Dad, I smoke the odd bit of puff. I’m not going to start injecting heroin, if that’s what you’re afraid of.’

‘What I’m afraid of is you going to prison, Liam, because that’s on the cards at the moment. You’re being charged with possession of a Class A drug with intent to distribute. That could put you behind bars and kill off any chance of a decent career.’

‘Dad, I thought it was dope. Roger said it was dope. I was just holding it until the weekend.’

‘Who is this Roger?’

‘Roger Flynn. He’s a mate.’

‘He goes to the school?’

Liam shook his head. ‘I met him outside.’

‘Outside? What do you mean, outside?’

‘I met him at a party.’

‘A party? Where?’

‘Leeds.’

‘The school lets you go to parties in Leeds? Since when?’

‘Dad, look, everyone does it. Roger has a car, he runs us there and back.’

‘How old is he?’

‘Our age. Pretty much.’

‘How old is he, Liam? Don’t go all vague on me. You’re in big trouble and I need specifics.’

‘He’s eighteen. Nineteen maybe. He’s got a driving licence. And he never drinks and drives.’

‘Does he sell drugs to the kids at the school?’

Liam shrugged. ‘Maybe.’ Shepherd pointed a warning finger at his son’s face. ‘Yes. I think so.’

‘And you’ve been buying drugs from him?’

Liam shook his head. ‘No. Of course not.’

‘But you’ve taken drugs, right?’

‘I smoke pot now and again. And Roger gives me the odd tab of E.’

‘Ecstasy?’

Liam nodded. ‘So this guy is a drug dealer, not a mate. Now did you tell the police it wasn’t yours?’

‘I had to. They said if I didn’t they’d take it that the drugs were mine. But now Roger’s denying it’s anything to do with him.’

‘Well he would, wouldn’t he?’ Shepherd ran a hand through his hair. ‘This is a hell of a mess, Liam.’

‘I know, Dad. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.’

Shepherd forced a smile. ‘Okay, one step at a time,’ he said. ‘The school won’t have you back, so we’ll have to get you in somewhere else. You’re going to have to help me with that. Go on to Google and see what boarding schools are available. Come up with a list.’

‘I don’t have to go to boarding school, Dad. There are schools in Hereford. I can live at home. Katra’s there, it won’t be a problem.’

‘I thought you liked boarding?’

‘When I was a kid and you were away all the time, sure. But I can take care of myself now. One more year and I’ll be going to university.’ His face fell as he realised he was making plans that might well never come to fruition. ‘You know what I mean,’ he said. ‘Hereford would be a better bet for me. And cheaper for you.’

Shepherd nodded. ‘Okay, I’ll get that sorted for you, I’ll see what schools are available. Second, we need to get you a lawyer. You didn’t have one when the police questioned you, did you?’

‘They said I could have one but I said it wasn’t necessary. I figured I hadn’t done anything wrong. Was that a mistake?’

Shepherd pulled a face. ‘It depends. Sometimes you can clear things up by just telling the truth, but you had Class A drugs. A lawyer might have been a good idea. But there was an appropriate adult with you?’

Liam nodded. ‘Mrs Grainger, from the school. She’s one of my teachers.’

‘And she didn’t say you should have a lawyer?’

‘She didn’t say much, actually. The police did most of the talking. She just said that I should tell the truth.’

Shepherd sighed. Sadly it wasn’t always true that honesty was the best policy, especially when dealing with the police. ‘And what exactly did you tell them?’

‘The truth. That Roger gave me the package to hold for him until the weekend. He said it was cannabis and he’d let me have some at the party.’

‘And why did Roger give it to you?’