Free Riven by A J McCreanor Page B

stores. Where did he buy his petrol? They must have CCTV in the forecourts. Which garage did he use to get his car MOT’d? Check all of the usual background information.’ He paused. ‘Education personnel have emailed Gilmore’s file and it chimes in with what Ms Paton said about the other schools. James Gilmore’s mother is in a home in Milngavie. She’s recovering from a minor operation but I’ve sent two uniformed officers and an FLO to break the news to her.’
    ‘The death knock,’ muttered Ross.
    ‘And DI Wheeler will go see her today,’ said Stewart. ‘Now, did you get anything else from the head teacher?’
    Wheeler glanced at her notes. ‘Nothing much, boss. She said James Gilmore was one of the good guys, tried to help the kids at school. He worked with one child in particular, George Grey. Gilmore had no real conflict with any of the kids, no run-ins, he was generally seen to be on their side,’ she paused, ‘and Ms Paton was particularly adamant that neither Alec Munroe nor Rab Wilson could’ve been involved in his death.’
    ‘She said she’d bet her whole career on it,’ added Ross.
    ‘Well that’s understandable, given that she was their head teacher, but let’s not just take her word for it – let’s try to keep an open mind, shall we?’ Stewart steepled his fingers. ‘They’re neither in nor out of the frame. At this point good police work is about gathering information and evidence – it’s too early to eliminate anyone unless we know conclusively that they had no involvement in the murder.’
    Wheeler drummed her fingers on the side of her chair. ‘The kids definitely couldn’t be involved. No blood spatters, boss, no scratches, nothing.’ She’d spoken her thoughts out loud.
    ‘Remember, Wheeler, theirs are the only footprints we have at the scene,’ said Stewart.
    ‘The killer was careful, boss, wiped the place down before he left. He’s a pro. These kids are less than amateurs,’ said Wheeler.
    ‘But they could’ve known whoever did it,’ suggested a female uniformed officer sitting at the back of the room. ‘It could’ve been one of their pals – a school like that, who knows?’
    ‘Or a brother, father, uncle,’ agreed Boyd. ‘Gilmore could have upset someone associated with the school.’
    ‘It would have to have been a very bad upset to result in a murder,’ Ross said.
    Stewart tapped his fingers on his notes. ‘So for the moment it’s too early to dismiss the idea that the murder isn’t linked in some way to the school. What do we know about the place?’ He looked around the room, ‘Anyone have any direct dealings with Watervale Academy in the past?’
    Only one person nodded.
    ‘Well, spit it out Robertson.’
    All eyes were on him and Robertson flushed. ‘It was personal business, sir.’
    ‘Not now it isn’t. Go on. Shoot.’
    ‘Outreach, sir.’
    ‘Sorry, come again?’
    ‘My hall—’
    ‘Your hall?’ Stewart interrupted.
    ‘The Gospel Hall I belong to, sir, we do outreach. We go into schools, give a wee talk about God and try to get to know the kids. We spend a bit of time telling them how to accept God, try to get them to listen to . . . the right side of things.’
    ‘And that’s it?’
    ‘Well, we also encourage them to come to Sunday School and Bible-study class. To turn to the Lord and be saved.’
    ‘Bible-bashers,’ said Ross under his breath, ‘happy-clappies.’
    Stewart looked at Ross. ‘Unhelpful.’
    ‘So did anyone from Watervale come to the classes?’ Boyd asked.
    ‘A few,’ Robertson replied, ‘but not recently. This was over a year ago. A couple of kids came for a few Sundays, then they tailed off. By that time we were recruiting in . . . I mean we were visiting . . . other schools.’
    ‘And Gilmore?’
    ‘I only met him once or twice, in passing. We didn’t have a real conversation.’
    ‘He didn’t want to be saved then?’
    Sniggers around the room.
    Robertson ignored them. ‘He’d no interest