Why was she positioned that way? Was it a message from the killer?
‘Doctor Cavendish?’
George started at the sound of her name and glanced at the woman who had called it. ‘Yes.’
‘DCI Whitney Walker.’ The officer, a short, attractive, dark-haired woman, who looked to be in her late thirties, held out her ID which George took a quick look at. ‘I’d like to run through the events of this morning.’
Walker stood a few feet from her and looked George up and down. George’s hackles rose, not liking the scrutiny. What had she done wrong?
‘I’ve already told the other police officer,’ George replied, harsher than she’d intended.
‘I’d like you to tell me.’
‘I was on my way to work at the university, and I came across Millie Carter, under the tree.’
‘What time was this?’ Walker took a notebook and pen from her pocket and began writing notes.
‘Around eight. Maybe a few minutes earlier. I’m not sure.’
‘Do you usually walk to work at this time of day?’ Whitney asked, looking up.
‘No. Most days I have a lift. Today I decided to walk.’
‘Why?’
She wasn’t about to discuss her run in with Stephen. It had nothing to do with finding the body.
‘I wanted the fresh air,’ George replied, immediately regretting it as Walker’s face showed disbelief.
‘It’s not even ten degrees.’ Walker shook her head.
‘I wrapped up warm.’ That sounded crazy and made her seem suspicious. ‘Okay. I walked this way so I could have a cigarette before class.’ Why did the admission make her feel guilty?
‘So, walking here is unusual for you?’
‘Yes. Even if I don’t get a lift and do decide to walk to work, there’s a shortcut which takes me along the side of my building.’
‘What was different about today?’
She now had no other choice than to explain. ‘I had an argument with my partner and wanted some time to relax before work.’
‘I can relate to that.’ Walker’s expression softened. ‘Was there anyone else around when you found the body?’
‘No. Yes. Well, a colleague was walking fairly close, so I ducked behind the tree. She turned off and headed towards the psychology building over there.’ George pointed in the direction of the old Victorian building where she worked. ‘That’s when I noticed Millie’s legs sticking out. I went to investigate and found her body. If I hadn’t come off the path, I would never have seen her.’
‘What did you do then?’
‘I phoned 999 and reported it. It appeared to be a suspicious death. Is it?’
Despite being a forensic psychologist, she’d never been to a murder scene. She’d sat in on autopsies, and worked alongside other forensic psychologists doing profiling, but this was different.
‘It’s too early to say. The pathologist is over there.’
She glanced across at the crime scene and saw a familiar figure exiting the screen they’d put around Millie’s body.
‘Claire Dexter.’
‘You know her?’ Walker asked, frowning.
‘Yes, she guest lectures for me.’
‘For you?’
‘I run the forensic psychology programme. We look into criminal behaviour and try to establish patterns, motives, and mindsets.’ Was she trying to impress the woman? Why?
Judging by Walker’s flat stare, it hadn’t worked, anyway.
‘Tell me about the victim.’
‘Millie Carter was a third-year student in my department. She was also in my personal tutorial group.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘Students are all allocated a tutor to look after their academic needs. Millie’s one of mine. We have a personal tutorial once a month to discuss her progress.’
‘And how was she doing?’ Walker asked, once again scribbling copious notes.
‘Millie was an above-average student. Her assignments were usually submitted on time, and she did reasonably well in her examinations last year.’ Her impersonal words made Millie seem like a number and not a person.
‘Did she confide in you about anything?’
When had she last spoken to Millie? She hated to admit it, but tutorials seemed to blend into one another. When you had over thirty personal tutees, it was impossible to remember every encounter. But she would’ve remembered if there was anything which stood out as troublesome. She was sure of it.
‘Occasionally, students talk about their personal lives. Millie was no different. She didn’t tell me anything indicating she was in trouble.’ George cringed. It sounded like a fob off.
‘Did she have a boyfriend?’
George wracked her brain but couldn’t remember. ‘I’m not sure. I don’t recall her mentioning anyone.’
‘What about friends?’ Walker’s tone was impatient.
‘I don’t know her friends, but I can give you the names of others in her tutorial group. They might be able to help,’ George offered, glad she could at least do something.
‘I thought you saw them individually?’
‘The tutorial group meets fortnightly, and there are also individual tutorials. It’s standard practice,’ she explained.
‘Well, I didn’t go to university, so wouldn’t know.’
George stepped back. Had she touched a nerve? ‘Sorry. The way the body was posed, have you considered that yet?’ she asked, changing the subject.
‘We haven’t established whether it was posed. That’s for the pathologist to decide.’
‘Of course, I understand you have to wait for Claire’s findings. But if Millie was murdered, which it certainly looks like, then the position of the body can tell us a lot about the person who did it. Let me help you with that.’
She didn’t want to sit back and do nothing when she had the skills to assist.
‘Dr Cavendish, I’m sure you mean well, but why don’t you leave the investigation to the experts? I’m fully aware murderers leave signatures. But you’re jumping the gun here. Dr Dexter will do her analysis, and we’ll do the investigative work from there.’ Walker closed her notebook and replaced it in the back pocket of the navy trousers she was wearing.
‘I appreciate I’m not a police officer, but my skills could help.’ George stared down at her. She wasn’t used to having her knowledge brushed aside and didn’t like it.
‘I’ll remember that, thank you. You can help by letting me have a list of the others in your tutorial group.’
‘The list is in my office. I’ll bring it down to the station later.’
‘No need. Here’s my card. Just email it to me.’ Walker held out her card which George took.
‘I’ll do it as soon as I get into my office.’ She glanced at her watch. She was already late for her first class and should’ve thought to text the departmental administrator. Unless the Head of Department had cancelled all classes for the day, under the circumstances.
‘Thank you. I’d also like details of your movements over the weekend, leading up to when you found the body.’
‘Why?’ Surely Walker wasn’t implying she had anything to do with Millie’s murder.