‘We don’t know if there was any damage,’ said Erika. ‘So you’re telling us that if you have an intruder in student accommodation, nothing is done about it?’
Sheila sat back and folded her arms.
‘No, I’m not saying that. Pastoral care for students is a high priority, officers. We have strong security measures in place. Since 2017, all of our student halls entrances have a video camera. And back since 2000, we’ve had a card key entry system on all entrances and exits into halls. And the windows have bars on them,’ she said.
‘This person who broke in unscrewed the bars,’ said Erika.
‘I’m unaware of this.’
‘How does the card key entry system work?’ asked Peterson.
‘Each student has a magnetic card key, and they use it to open the door. No one can get in without a card key.’
‘Someone could borrow or steal a card key, though?’ said Erika.
‘Technically, yes. But we’re very careful about security, and we upgraded the security to include a camera system in 2017.’
‘Only last year?’ asked Erika.
‘Yes.’
‘Why did you wait until only last year?’
‘Officer, I don’t make policy. I am merely the administrator for student welfare. I don’t control budgets.’
‘Were you the administrator for student welfare back in 2012?’
‘Yes.’
‘Would you be able to give us all records that you have of break-ins and assaults in student accommodation?’ asked Erika.
‘I told you. I don’t have anything for the dates you specify,’ said Sheila. She seemed defensive now.
‘But you do keep records about students. We can come back with a warrant, and make a big old fuss, and say that Sheila the welfare officer is obstructing a police officer,’ said Erika.
‘I’m not obstructing you.’
Erika was now deeply annoyed with this jobsworth.
‘Good. So you will comply with my request as a police officer, and hand over all of your files.’
‘I would need to look through quite a lot of data. I don’t even know if we would have this information.’
Erika rummaged in her pocket and took out her card.
‘This is my number. When the files are ready, contact me, and we will arrange for a secure transfer. I will expect you to call promptly.’
‘Yes,’ said Sheila, chastised.
‘Were you contacted by a former student about these assaults? A woman called Vicky Clarke.’
Sheila seemed to think about this for a moment.
‘No, not that I remember.’
‘Okay, thank you. Just before we came into the building, we saw a man enter with Cilla Stone. Who was that?’
Sheila went back to her computer, and Erika saw that she’d pulled up the CCTV images from the front door.
‘That’s Colin McCabe.’
‘Does he have an office here?’
‘His office is up on the top floor. Fourth floor.’
‘What does he do here?’
‘He’s a senior lecturer in Classical Drama, and he’s on the school board. If you follow me I’ll buzz you through,’ she said.
When she let them through the door, Erika and Peterson started up a poky staircase. On each floor was a fire door with clear safety glass leading onto a corridor.
‘What a jobsworth,’ said Peterson, stopping at the second landing to catch his breath.
Erika stopped with him. ‘You see how she spoke to that young student whose essay was handed in a second past the deadline? Do you think she knew anything, or it was just her general demeanour to be obstructive?’
‘I dunno. Jobsworths don’t tend to care about the substance of what they do. They just tend to get a kick out of denying you information.’
42
Colin McCabe’s office was at the end of a long corridor with windows looking out onto the busy main road. They heard a murmur of voices coming from inside. Erika knocked on the door. The voices stopped and then Colin opened the door. He had the slightest stubble on his face, and carried with him a strong scent of aftershave. Something woody and expensive. They could see through into the office, where Cilla was perched on his desk. Her long thin legs encased in lime-green tights poking out from under the tartan cape made Erika think of those episodes of The Muppets, when Kermit the frog sat on a wall to play a guitar and sing a song.
‘Good afternoon, can I help you?’ he asked, smiling broadly at Erika and Peterson. They introduced themselves and held up their warrant cards.