‘Good God.’
Groves raised his eyebrows at Steven’s expression. ‘I still remember what he said to me after seeing Lawler for the last time. He said, “It’s not repentance Lawler needs... it’s exorcism”.’
Steven thought about this for a few moments before saying, ‘I really came here today to talk about the growing influence that Lawler has been exerting over Owen Barrowman. I think the fact that he’s a scientist and was aware of the dangers and could even talk about them tended to disguise the fact that he was succumbing to them.’
‘I thought he was managing well,’ said Groves. ‘He’s had a few bad experiences of course, when hearing what Lawler did first hand, but I thought he was on top of things. And then the attack happened... and I did wonder when he didn’t want a fuss...’
‘Why was he left alone with Lawler?’
‘He wasn’t,’ replied Groves.
‘I understood from his wife that he was alone when Lawler attacked him?’
‘You’ve spoken to his wife recently?’
‘Yes, his boss and his colleagues have all been noticing changes come over him since he started working with Lawler and, of course, his wife, Lucy, was subject to dealing with them more than anyone else. I saw her last night: she’s a nervous wreck. She’s afraid of him. His paranoia even includes her in some imagined conspiracy to steal his research. He mustn’t be allowed anywhere near Lawler ever again.’
‘Good God, I knew there was a risk,’ said Groves, ‘but I really believed he could handle it... but maybe that’s what I wanted to think.’
‘In many ways he has himself to blame,’ said Steven. ‘He believes Lawler is the key to a big scientific discovery and he’s the one who’s going to make it, nobody else He needed Lawler for access to samples and data and hasn’t been willing to let anything or anybody get in his way.’
‘And now the tail is now wagging the dog,’ said Groves.
‘I think so,’ said Steven.
Groves told Steven about Clements and his part in the attack on Barrowman. ‘That’s the way it seems to happen,’ said Steven. ‘One minute you’re full of loathing for an individual, then quite suddenly it’s replaced by unquestioning admiration and a willingness to lay down your life for them.’
‘I should have cottoned on...’ said Groves, hanging his head. ‘It must have been the attack that opened up Owen’s mind to suggestion from Lawler. His defences would have been minimal having been in fear of his life and it left him completely susceptible to what Lawler was filling his mind with... Lawler got to him. It was my fault.’
‘I’m sure Barrowman’s decision to have no action taken against Lawler would have sounded perfectly rational to you at the time,’ said Steven. ‘It may have been what you wanted to hear for other reasons, but you had no good cause to doubt him. It’s hindsight that’s illuminating the scene for both of us.’
‘Thanks for that,’ said Groves.
‘I take it you’ve been told the inspection report is going to make the papers if the government can’t make a D notice stick?’
‘I had heard. Someone from the Home Office rang me to apologise for the inspection — said it was all a mistake and should never have happened, but it was too late to do anything about it.’
‘A nice touch,’ said Steven sourly. ‘It’s amazing what damage a loose-tongued drunk at a party can end up doing.’
‘Damn him to hell,’ said Groves.
Steven asked a few questions about the organisation and running of Moorlock Hall, but this was more to justify his visit rather than be the basis of any kind of formal inquiry. Mrs Leadbetter’s conclusions had changed all that. It was clear that there was no chance that the government was going to be able to hide her findings behind a D notice. He personally had decided that Groves was a perfectly decent man who was about to be pilloried in the press because some self-important politician had seen the chance to parade her precious liberal values on a stage provided for her by the press and all to catch the eye of the voters and advance her career.
‘Did you particularly want to meet Lawler?’ Groves asked.
‘I don’t think so.’
‘I’ll show you around anyway.’
Steven called Barrowman’s lab number at Capital from the car, only to be told that he hadn’t been in so he tried his home number again. A male voice answered but it wasn’t Barrowman.
‘Who is this?’ Steven asked.
‘Who’s asking?’
‘Dr Steven Dunbar. Who are you?’
‘Detective Sergeant Riley. Can I ask your business please?’
‘I’d like to speak to Owen Barrowman, what’s going on?’
‘I’m sorry, I can’t tell you that.’
Steven said who he was, adding that he was on an active investigation and telling the policeman he could check his status with the Home Office. It was important he speak with Barrowman.
‘Sorry sir, I can’t see your ID over the phone.’
Steven ended the call and called John Macmillan.
‘Steven, we’ve been trying to get in touch with you. Barrowman’s wife is in hospital and he’s disappeared.’
‘Hospital?’
‘She was badly beaten.’
Steven felt a crushing weight land on his shoulders. ‘By Owen?’ he asked in trepidation.
‘They think so.’
‘Oh my God, which hospital is she in?’
Macmillan told him.
‘I’m going there.’
Eleven
‘I’d much rather you left it until tomorrow?’ the young doctor said when Steven asked to see Lucy.
Steven put away his ID and went for a more personal approach. ‘I understand you want what’s best for your patient, doctor, and if you say no, I’ll accept that without question, but I’m a doctor myself and I assure you I won’t upset her in any way... if I could just have a few words?’
The doctor, who looked all of fourteen, took an age to weigh up imaginary pros and cons before stroking his chin and conceding. ‘Five minutes, no longer.’
‘Absolutely.’
Steven was accompanied by the doctor to Lucy’s room where he had to show his ID again when asked by one of the two constables standing there. Steven wondered if the police really believed her life to be in danger.
‘Five minutes,’ he was reminded.
Steven had to swallow when he saw the state of Lucy’s face. The bruising and swelling had made her practically unrecognisable. The only plus he could take from that was that the flesh around her eyes was so swollen that she probably couldn’t see the look of shock on his face.
‘Lucy,’ he said gently. ‘It’s Steven Dunbar, they told me Owen did this to you. I’m so sorry, it must have had something to do with my visit last night?’
‘Not your fault,’ came the slurred reply through cut and swollen lips. ‘You gave me your card... I left it lying around... Owen found it when he came home... didn’t match with what I’d said in my note... had to tell him you’d been there... went crazy angry... lost it... clear you and I were part of the conspiracy... establishment had it in for him... going to steal his research... told him he needed help... made things worse... cue punch bag time.’
Steven winced at the thought. ‘Do you know where he’s gone Lucy?’
‘He wasn’t there when I came to.’
‘The police were at your flat when I called.’