Midnight Runner - Jack Higgins [57]
"Oh, yes."
"And can you confirm they had a relationship?"
"It was common knowledge amongst the other students."
"Were you aware of any ill feeling between them?"
"On the contrary. They seemed to live in each other's pockets."
"On the day in question, the coach trip to the rally in Whitehall, you were on the coach, I understand?"
"Yes. We'd heard that the rally might get violent, and we feared that the students would become embroiled, and so we begged them not to go."
"Did they listen?"
"Only half a dozen."
"You said 'we'?"
"Rupert Dauncey was with me, representing the Rashid Educational Trust. They fund Act of Class Warfare, the group I belong to."
"A curious name. What does it signify?"
"A dislike of capitalism. We aim to re-educate people, change their thinking."
"You mean, catch them young," the Coroner said dryly. There was laughter in the Court. "You may go."
The Clerk called Rupert Dauncey, who moved to the stand. He looked imposing in an excellent navy blue flannel suit. The Coroner didn't keep him long.
"I've read the list the corporation sent over of the charities supported by your Trust, Mr. Dauncey. All very laudable, I'm sure."
"The Countess of Loch Dhu and Rashid Investments have spent millions worldwide on these enterprises."
"But you weren't happy about the trip to London?"
"Not at all. When I heard that the United Anarchist Front was behind it, I was horrified. I went to Oxford to back Professor Percy in asking the students not to go."
"And you saw Helen Quinn and Alan Grant there?"
"I sat next to them. I'd been introduced to her on a previous visit by Professor Percy. I urged her in the strongest terms not to go. Grant told me they were spending the weekend in London at his brother's house, so I suppose that was a reason for them to go anyway. However, I deeply regret my failure to persuade Helen to listen."
"You had no personal responsibility, Mr. Dauncey."
"Yes, but it was an organization backed by Rashid that ended up at that rally and she went along for the ride. If she hadn't been in London, things might have turned out differently."
"I doubt that, sir, but your self-questioning does you credit. Stand down."
Rupert returned to his seat, having obviously made an excellent impression, and Professor George Langley was called.
The Coroner said, "I have before me autopsy reports on both the deceased. You performed them yourself?"
"Yes."
The Clerk of the Court was passing copies to the jury. The Coroner said, "I suggest a quick look, ladies and gentlemen, to familiarize yourselves. I'll give you five minutes."
"That's good of him," Dillon murmured.
"Behave yourself," Hannah told him.
"Don't I always?" He turned to Quinn. "Are you all right?"
"So far."
They waited while the Coroner examined more papers and looked up. "We'll proceed. Professor Langley, what are the essential facts here?"
"That Helen Quinn drank a sizable amount of vodka and took an Ecstasy tablet at a later stage."
"Not first?"
"Oh, no, the chemical breakdown would have been different if she'd taken it before the vodka."
"You don't say alcohol, you specify vodka."
"Yes. We can differentiate. We can even ascertain the brand, the type."
"And is that important in this case?"
"Absolutely. It links Helen Quinn to Alan Grant."
"So, let us come to him. Once again, what are the essential facts?"
"That Alan Grant had drunk a very great deal of the same vodka consumed by Helen Quinn. I identified the brand, and, at my urging, the police searched the house at Ten Canal Street and found an almost empty bottle."
"And the Ecstasy?"
"A small paper bag was discovered in Grant's left-hand jacket pocket containing two chocolates, each containing an Ecstasy tablet. I had a lab analysis done."
"And?"
"They were the same batch as the one taken by Helen Quinn. No question."
"Now let us come to the manner of his death."
"By drowning. There was no suggestion of foul play, no bruising. I visited the scene and examined the wharf."
"And what was your conclusion?"
"There is no rail at