‘Does his father think he’s being bullied?’

Jenny shrugged. ‘I’ve got no idea, but something’s rattled his cage.’

The door opened and a man stormed out of the headmaster’s office. He was flushed with anger and dressed as if he’d thrown on the first thing that fell out of his wardrobe. Jazz could read the desperation in his eyes.

‘Christ! What do you have to do in this place to see your own child?!’ Ignoring Jazz, he leaned over Jenny’s desk. ‘For God’s sake, something is wrong with Rory. He’s my son, I know him and he wouldn’t have telephoned me like that unless he needed help. Why can’t I see him?’

‘Mr Millar.’ Robert Jones was standing in the door of his office, looking flustered. ‘As I’ve just said to you, I checked with Matron and she said Rory seemed fine at breakfast this morning. I really don’t think it’s beneficial to Rory to be dragged out of class, especially when you’re in such a state of . . . agitation.’

‘I just need to see him, to talk to him! Please let me see my son!’

‘As I said, I’ll make sure Rory calls you tonight. It’s only a couple of days to the weekend and Rory will be at home.’

David Millar raised himself upright and turned to Jones. ‘Yes, he will be at home, with his mother. Unfortunately, as you well know, I no longer live there and, strangely enough, am not welcome as a guest.’

Then the fight seemed to go out of him and his shoulders slumped forward wearily. ‘Please, I beg you, get Rory to call me today.’

Jazz watched as David walked slowly out of the lobby.

‘I do apologise, Inspector Hunter.’ The head took out his handkerchief and wiped it across his forehead. ‘Would you like to come through?’

‘The boy is Rory Millar? Is that right?’

‘Yes.’ Robert closed his study door behind him and ushered Jazz to a seat. ‘I do my best to meet parents’ demands, but I think it’s hardly in Rory’s best interests to see his father so distressed. And, I regret, drunk.’

‘Did Rory know Charlie Cavendish?’

‘They were in Fleat House together, but Charlie was five years Rory’s senior, so they would have had little to do with each other outside that. Now’ – it was obvious the head wished to move on – ‘I think it might be best for you to start with Charlie’s housemaster. Sebastian Frederiks was in day-to-day charge of Charlie and will be the best person to talk to to find out more about Charlie’s circle of friends. And Fleat’s house tutor, Hugh Daneman, who is also our Latin master, would be the other, but unfortunately he’s off for a few days with the flu. Now’ – the headmaster shuffled his papers on his desk in a pointed way – ‘I did talk to your DS Miles earlier and told him all I could about Charlie. Is there anything else I can do for you?’