Alex Gray - Never Somewhere Else

In two strides Norman Yarwood had reached the door and pulled it open. Lorimer and Solomon made their way out into the hall where Mrs Singh emerged from the shadows. Neither of them was surprised as the door slammed loudly behind them.

Art School Link in St Mungo’s Murders

Exclusive by Martin Enderby

Police investigating the death of postgraduate student, Janet Yarwood, have not ruled out the possibility that her killer may also be responsible for the murders of three girls found in St Mungo’s Park last year. Ms Yarwood, who was 29, had been a close associate of Lucy Haining, the second victim who was, like the others, brutally strangled and mutilated. The postgraduate student was found in her Garnethill flat on Wednesday after failing to turn up at the School of Art where she worked as a research assistant .

In a bizarre twist to the series of killings, it has been revealed that Dr Solomon Brightman of Glasgow University Psychology Department, who has been assisting police in his role as criminal profiler, was seriously assaulted in his own home only hours after interviewing Ms Yarwood. Neither Dr Brightman nor Chief Inspector William Lorimer, who is leading the murder inquiry, was available for comment. However, sources close to the investigation team indicated that a thorough questioning of students and staff at the School of Art is taking place .

Christopher Inglis, a fellow research student, told our reporter, ‘We are all stunned by Janet’s death. She was a quiet, hardworking artist with immense talent.’ Meantime the taxi service which is a security measure for students travelling from the Postgraduate Centre at Bellahouston Park back to the Art School in the city centre has been extended for all female students travelling after dark, at the discretion of the Principal .

Leader comment page 14 .

Lorimer rustled the pages furiously to see what the news editor had made of his refusal to channel information to the Press Office. As he expected there was harsh criticism of the police force and of himself in particular: ‘Even with the help of a professional like Dr Brightman, the police appear no further forward in their search for this killer.’

Comparisons were made with the Yorkshire Ripper and statistics bandied about concerning the cost of mounting police operations. Lorimer’s mouth was set in a grim line. At least there’d been a passing reference to that sore spot. Of course manpower cost money, and of course the Home Secretary would be under pressure to provide additional resources. Lorimer threw the paper down in disgust. It was all talk. There might be a public outcry but the Chief Constable’s budget was unlikely to be stretched to provide extra manpower. The latest round of Home Office cuts had hit the force with a vengeance. The public was entitled to a continuation of the success of the Urban Policing Programme but now all areas of police work were seriously strapped for cash. Martin bloody Enderby should maybe give some space to that, thought Lorimer.

He was still on a high of fury after his telephone conversation with the reporter.

No, he wasn’t about to reveal his sources.

No, he wouldn’t say how he knew about Dr Brightman.

But did the Chief Inspector have any comment to make? The Chief Inspector was bloody well damned if he had but saved his expletives until he’d rung off.

How in hell’s name had that reporter found out so much? What ‘sources’ in his investigation team had spoken to the Press? According to Alistair Wilson they were all as amazed as their Chief. Remembering Solomon’s insinuations, Lorimer turned his thoughts towards the members of his team, then felt a surge of anger that he could begin to doubt them. Someone other than the student, Inglis, had spoken to Enderby, and he had to find out just who that someone was.

At least Solomon had been told to keep his mouth shut.

The psychologist was at HQ to discuss statistical data from his cross-checking of the house-to-house investigations but he listened in silence as Lorimer ranted on about the Gazette ’s revelations.

‘Wouldn’t say how he knew it all! Bullshit!’ Lorimer thumped the desk between them. ‘You were right. Someone in here’s been feeding them a line.’

Solomon stared past the Chief Inspector at a spot on the horizon. It was as if he hadn’t heard a word. Disconcerted by his silence, Lorimer tried to catch the younger man’s eye and failed. At last, however, Solly turned his head and looked straight at him. Lorimer took in the man’s heightened colour and the way his lips parted to speak then closed helplessly. But it was the abject look of apology in his eyes that spoke volumes.

‘ You ?’ Lorimer exclaimed in disbelief. The psychologist nodded unhappily. Whatever Lorimer had expected, it certainly wasn’t this. ‘But why? How?’ He broke off, then his expression hardened. ‘I think you have some explaining to do.’

Solomon sighed, then spread his hands upwards in resignation.

‘It seems I gave an interview to Enderby’s girlfriend.’

‘ You what ?’

Slowly Solomon unfolded the way he had been interviewed by Diane McArthur and the passing reference he had made to Lucy Haining.

‘I’m sorry. It didn’t seem like talking to the Press in quite the way you meant.’

Lorimer shook his head as if he still couldn’t believe Solly’s stupidity but then he suddenly leaned back, crossing his arms and gazing at the ceiling.

‘Enderby’s been doing his own investigating, has he?’

The policeman’s voice was thoughtful. Solomon looked up, sensing the change of tone.

‘His was one of the names Janet Yarwood gave me. It didn’t mean much at the time. Apparently he’d been to see her at the House for an Art Lover.’

‘Go on.’

The light of anger was gone from the pale blue eyes, and they had narrowed in speculation.

‘He claimed the Gazette wanted to help mount a retrospective exhibition. At least that was his cover for talking to Janet Yarwood.’

‘And what do you think?’

Solomon hesitated. ‘His was one of the names on my list. Men who might have known Lucy.’

‘That was the list on your back-up disk?’

‘The very one.’

Lorimer pushed back his chair and paced restlessly across the room.

‘And how did you find out that this McArthur woman was Enderby’s girlfriend?’

Solomon blushed again. ‘I telephoned the Gazette .’

‘And?’

‘I was unhappy about the interview. She was too sweet and wholesome about it all. So I checked up. There was no feature on my work planned at all.’

Solomon sounded slightly aggrieved and Lorimer managed a thin smile at what he presumed was the young man’s vanity. Solomon’s next words dispelled this notion, however.

‘The features editor at the Gazette seemed to think it was a mix-up on my part. She said it wasn’t Ms McArthur who’d been trying to contact me, but Mr Enderby. She said Ms McArthur must have been doing her boyfriend a favour. Actually,’ — and here Solomon’s smile was faintly embarrassed — ‘I don’t think she believed I’d been interviewed at all. I do believe she thought I was trying a bit of self-publicity.’

Lorimer hooted derisively.

‘You’ve got all the publicity you’ll want now!’

‘Yes,’ Solomon assented vaguely but Lorimer could see his mind was already elsewhere. The psychologist leaned forward suddenly and shook his finger thoughtfully. ‘But if Enderby did know Lucy Haining, then maybe that’s the reason for his sudden interest in me.’

‘OK, I’m with you on that,’ Lorimer said, his eyes bright with interest. A few things were beginning to make sense. ‘But why would Enderby …’