Lost Lad (34 page)

           
"But you don't think he had anything to do with Brian vanishing?

           
"Again, no evidence.  Over the following years, local boys were questioned as, and when they came to our attention.  But not a sniff.  Now Guzzly Granddad
did
like young boys and by all accounts these street urchins liked Guzzly
Granddad.  He was quite a legend in the back alleys of Derby."

           
"So where does that leave us?"

           
"It leaves us to consider 'opportunity' rather than 'motive'.  Over the years we've had to re-think our perception of children after some appalling examples.  Remember the Bulger case?
 
I know we're speaking about your friends, Simeon, but in my experience many crimes are committed by the chap on the spot.  Sometimes the decision to commit murder is taken in an instant of opportunity.  They seize the moment.  They take their chance."

           
"Go on."

           
"For some years now, I've focused on those minutes from the time that you five lads had arrived at the bottom of the hill, to the time when Scott and Rex went back to the top of the hill after their search.  Brian Forrester had not made it to the bottom.  Logically you all thought he'd fallen off his bike somewhere between the top and the bottom of the hill.  Scott took charge and sent Danny Forrester to the waterfall in Water-cum-Jolly Dale to make sure that Brian had not overtaken you.  What happened next, Simeon?"

           
"Scott and Rex pedalled up both parts of the hill to look."

           
"Exactly.  I've pored over that statement dozens of times.  Scott took the shorter, more steep route, where he assumed an accident was most likely to occur.  Rex took the longer, more gradual gradient with the hairpin bends, which met the other road near the top.  Between them they satisfied themselves that Brian was not on any part of that hill.  They assumed that he'd gone down the driveway to Cressbrook Hall."

           
"Where else could he have gone?"

           
"He could be injured at the side of the road - as was most probable."

           
"But they didn't see him!"

           
"They
said
they didn't see him.  It took about 20 minutes for both lads to reach the meeting place at the top of the hill.  Scott was there first.  That means that both lads were alone during those 20 minutes.  Neither could corroborate the actions of the other.  I don't think we will ever know what happened, or who was guilty - if indeed either Scott or Rex
were
guilty - but the opportunity was there."

Simeon spoke his next words slowly and politely, but was unable to hold back a touch of derision -

           
"Motive?  Means?  And while you're at it, John, have you any idea of what they did with the body?"

           
"We underestimate kids.  They can be very adept at disguising their true feelings.  At the time, you felt it was a case of 'all pals happy together' - but are you so sure?  You said it yourself - Brian Forrester was a joker, a teaser.  He could have hit a raw nerve with either of 'the two leaders'.  They were both proud, both powerful.  Just suppose that Scott found Brian on the roadside, unconscious ... Well, you never know
. 
He was strong.  He could have throttled him, dragged his body quite a good way into the woods - by all accounts he was a weedy youth and there wasn't much of a body to drag.  Our search really didn't get going properly until the next day.  It would have been no problem for a youth as fast, strong and fit as Scott North to cycle back there in the middle of the night, drag the body even further away, drop it down a shaft (plenty to choose from) or bury it in soft earth.  Animals would do the rest.  We didn't search everywhere.  Rex had the same opportunity.  It was less likely, but just possible that they acted together.  Then they knock at Dr Hardman's door and say 'Can we have our friend back please'."

A sad sounding female voice meandered up the stairs -

           
Gary's 'ere.  Yal av ta go ta Derby now if ya goin' on t' wireless at ten o' clock."
 

Chapter 27

An Appeal on BBC Radio Derby

In truth, neither Gary nor Simeon would confess to each other their low level of confidence for a successful conclusion to their quest.  Gary believed in his own theory that Brian Forrester was dead somewhere in the vicinity of Cressbrook Hall and that the true details of his demise would go to the grave with those responsible.  Simeon was less sure but equally pessimistic.  He took the view that an investigation, however amateurish, would in itself be a therapeutic process and a token to the memory of his long lost friend.  And there was always that small, slender hope that somewhere, within the range of the BBC Radio Derby transmitter, somebody would recognise a description of Brian Forrester or recognise any features of his personality: or, there was still the tiny outside chance that, somewhere out there, a man now aged 58 might just recognise himself.

Simeon was excited, it was his first ever radio broadcast.  He had not given the experience much thought but was pleasantly surprised by the warmth of welcome and high level of cheerful courtesy.  Gary was bubbling with excitement even though it was his third visit to a local radio studio.  In San Francisco he was helping to promote 'Gay Rights' during the early 1970's and another time in New York he belonged to a militant group and went on the radio to denounce the gay equivalent of the black 'Uncle Tom'.  Simeon harboured the distinct feeling that Gary was probably speaking about him! 

After passing through several secure doors and being led through a labyrinth of passageways, they were finally shepherded into the inner-sanctum of the broadcasting studio.  John Holmes was most pleasant.  Surrounded by an intimidating futuristic galaxy of high-tech switches, buttons, knobs, levers and lights - he beamed a comfortable smile which put them immediately at ease and reassured Simeon (who was anxiously looking for the 'red light') that their current conversation was private between the three and not (at that moment) being shared by millions beyond.  Incidental to the initial small talk, at a low volume, the music going out live could be heard.  Simeon was delighted to discern familiar pizzicato strings and the strains of Adam Faith singing 'From Now Until Forever'.  Very apt, but an unlikely coincidence as the following subject would be the William Howitt Secondary Modern School in the summer of 1960.  The red light went on.

            Simeon was intrigued by it all.  He admired the smooth skills of the professional broadcaster, seen at first hand for the first time.  The coaxing, rich, cultured voice welcomed -

           
" ... Simeon Hogg and Gary Mackenzie, my guests this morning.  They've travelled all the way from Detroit, Michigan in the hope of solving an old mystery which has baffled the police for the last 43 years.  Now, Simeon, welcome to the programme, you were actually one of those six boys who ... "

The interview tripped along nicely within the cosy confines of John Holmes's gentle probing questions, until he turned his attention to Gary ... Simeon was panic stricken!  Until that moment he suddenly realised that they had completely failed to 'get their act together' with regard to procedure.  Would Gary, manic as ever, now, with enthusiasm, take the public opportunity to vent his suspicions and launch into his attack on Algernon Hardman?  He understood the dead could not be slandered but what about co-operation from the living?  Detective Inspector Derek Russell, in his long letter, had stressed the importance of winning the trust and speaking to the local author Charles Hardman - who himself had been interviewed by Mr Holmes on BBC Radio Derby several times.  Russell had always believed that Hardman's son, a twelve year old at the time, probably knew something but remained silent due to loyalty or fear of his father.  And, God forbid, would Gary, even as much as imply that one of 'the six' might be somehow involved!  The world might be listening this morning - and the world included Scott North, Rex Lloyd, Danny Forrester and Tom Day - and all their relatives!  Simeon stared at the threatening red light listening to Gary's animated exotic Midwestern accent, racing along with no brakes, contrasted to the more controlled, calm, deeper tones of his host, the familiar re-assuring voice of the BBC.

The crisis passed.  Gary Mackenzie had been the soul of sensitivity and diplomacy.  He had spoken of the possibilities of a loss of memory.  He mooted mine shafts.  He paid tribute to the police, sympathised with their colossal job and the sheer impossibility of looking everywhere in that area of North Derbyshire.  The dreaded words of 'paedophile' or 'rent boy' were never uttered, save for the fact that abduction or murder could not be ruled out.  Nobody mentioned Cressbrook Hall until a woman from Bakewell telephoned the station -

           
" ... so if you'll just put on your headphones, gentlemen, we have Anne Dean on the line.  Good morning, Anne, what are your thoughts on this mystery?"

           
"Could I ask Mr Mackenzie if he's a policeman or private investigator?"
  The voice was hard and suspicious.

           
"No way!"
replied Gary
"Simeon and I are just a couple of old
chums trying our hand at a little detection.  As a school teacher he's more of the academic.  I can poke around and bring a measure of Detroit street knowledge - and that can be pretty sharp!  I may be able to see a different angle.  We already have a few theories, but, like Poirot, we'll keep 'em to the last page."

The hard unfriendly voice returned in sardonic tone -

           
"'Trying your hand at a little detection'!  Do you realise that this game of yours, your so called 'detection', is turning lives upside-down?"

           
"What's your point, Anne?"
  asked John taking a hold of the situation.

           
"My point, Mr Holmes, is to put the case for my dear friends the Hardman family who are just as much victims in this business as the Forrester family.  The late Algernon Hardman suffered a double blow in 1960.  First he lost his wife in a tragic motor accident and immediately came under suspicion of kidnapping (or worse) when he returned home with his son Charles.  As all your older listeners know, the press made a meal of it at that time.  Algernon was hounded by reporters for months and the stigma of suspicion blighted the remaining years of his life.  That cloud of notoriety which hovered over Cressbrook Hall, very slowly, eventually, dissipated with the passage of time and coming of new generations.

           
But what do we have now?  We have Messrs Hogg and Mackenzie over here, uninvited, playing detectives to stir it all up again!  Can't you leave that poor family in peace?"

The two 'detectives' wearing headphones sat rather forlorn looking like a couple of reprimanded little boys.  Gary was sorely tempted to 'lay into the bitch' but, aware of the huge audience and his own frightful temper - restrained himself.  John Holmes was about to take over when Simeon indicated his willingness to respond.

           
"You're quite right, Mrs Dean.  It has been difficult for Algernon and Charles Hardman.  I gather they were very close and sympathise with their situation, but I would like to answer your quite understandable concerns by making two points.  Firstly,
you
are the one who has put Cressbrook Hall, once again under the spotlight.  We have never mentioned the Hardman family.  Secondly, just as you care for your friends, so I hold affection for my friend - Brian Forrester who might be out there somewhere."

           
"Mr Hogg!  That impressive address will
not
get you off the hook.  You know full well that the media will, once again, focus on Charles's poor father.  You know full well all about the sordid and lascivious speculation which will, yet again, result from digging up the past.  Charles and Helen were hoping that all this business had been laid to rest years ago.  Must you throw more mud at them?