Her Perfect Family(27)

Matthew takes the coffee cup handed to him as Ms Brockenhurt holds up a bowl with sugar. He shakes his head to the sugar and watches Mel out of the corner of his eye. She’s playing her usual, clever game. Silent. Waiting.

‘We need to make this decision about the final graduation ceremony. Whether to go ahead on Friday. I need to let everyone know by the morning. Parents want to know whether to claim refunds on hotels. It’s getting tight.’ The chancellor clears her throat. ‘I’m sorry. Insensitive of me. I meant to ask first if there’s any more news on the poor girl’s condition. My staff have been in touch with the hospital, but not being family—’

‘Stable. No change. Gemma’s still in a coma.’ Melanie’s tone is steady, and Matthew likes that she emphasises Gemma’s name. ‘We’re all under pressure, Chancellor. I do understand. Been a tough weekend.’ Mel puts her own cup down on the edge of the desk.

‘And are we any nearer finding who did this, DI Sanders – since we last spoke?’

‘We’re doing everything we can and I have good people.’ Mel turns to Matthew.

‘Right. Good. Of course. I’ve asked our head of communications Amanda to join us, by the way.’ The chancellor starts sifting through papers in front of her. ‘She’s drawn up the report you wanted on all the extra security arrangements. Also the press statement we’d put out when – or rather if – we go ahead.’ The chancellor looks at her watch. ‘She’ll be with us in just a few minutes. I just wanted to give us some time alone in case you have anything you wish to share with me privately. Do you have any leads?’

‘As you know from the papers, we have someone in custody but no firm evidence yet. We have to assume that the person who shot Gemma Hartley could still be at large. There’s no denying that cancelling Friday is the safest option.’

‘And is that what you recommend, Inspector?’

Matthew watches Mel closely. He knows that senior officers want the public reassured. They don’t want to signal that the force can’t keep the peace; can’t keep people safe.

‘We don’t want the public thinking we can’t keep them safe. It’s a balancing act.’ Mel reaches for her coffee cup again.

‘I’m going to be frank, Inspector. We already have foreign students cancelling their courses. The blow to income is considerable. Parents are ringing in constantly. I want people to be safe too. But I also want my university to survive. It would be a lift if we could end the summer with a happier memory.’

There’s a knock at the door before Mel can answer.

‘Ah, that will be our press officer.’ The chancellor lowers her voice. ‘I should mention, strictly between us, that she took it hard – what happened in the cathedral. Amanda. She’s having counselling. Great asset to the university. Very capable. She’s been working round the clock – all weekend.

‘Come in.’ The chancellor shuffles the papers in front of her into a neat pile.

A tall woman then enters the room, carrying a stack of reports, and Matthew recognises her as the woman who helped him with the students in the two holding rooms at the back of the cathedral directly after the shooting. She was very shaken, he remembers, but impressively capable, nonetheless. She didn’t flee.

‘You may remember Amanda from the cathedral, Matthew. She tells me you were marvellous.’

Matthew nods and Amanda’s eyes look strained suddenly. He can understand why it would haunt her too. Ice cream. Ice cream. He feels a little guilty for asking so much of her and Tom that day. Must have been difficult. The student panic in the locked rooms. The reason for the counselling?

‘Amanda did very well,’ he says. ‘And Tom. There was a marine who stepped up too. I’d have struggled without your help. Both of you.’

‘Thank you.’ She pauses, then shakes his hand and Mel’s too before passing each of them a document. ‘Right. So here, we’ve summarised all the extra security suggestions.’

Matthew quickly glances through it. The list includes use of a specialist consultancy and a range of measures, including airport-style scanners in marquees outside the cathedral.

‘We’re assuming the police would also offer extra support?’ The chancellor’s looking directly at Melanie again. ‘Amanda’s drawn up a draft statement for the press.’

‘If we go ahead,’ Amanda says suddenly.

‘Quite.’ The chancellor’s expression is difficult to read.

‘We’ll do a sweep of the cathedral and have uniformed officers for reassurance,’ Mel says. ‘Senior officers don’t want an obvious armed presence. But we’ll have backup on standby.’

Matthew glances at Amanda who’s still looking tense. The chancellor seems to notice.

‘Look, I like directness so you should know that we have divided opinions in the senior management team over what to do.’ The chancellor clears her throat. ‘Our head of student counselling has concerns. But we have terrific support in place. For the students and the staff too. The bottom line here is we have to get past this and, like it or not, we have to think of the bigger picture. The future of the university. So you’re not advising against going ahead, Inspector?’

Mel narrows her eyes. ‘It’s a difficult call but – no, I’m not.’