The Fern Valley Conspiracy: Richard West #5

DEDICATION

This story is for Elaine who patiently endures the isolation of being a writer's wife.

DISCLAIMER

This novel is a work of fiction.  Names, places, characters, organisations, events and incidents are the creation of the Author's imagination, or are used fictitiously.  Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Five and twenty ponies,

Trotting through the dark -

Brandy for the Parson, 'Baccy for the Clerk.

Them that asks no questions isn't told a lie

Watch the wall my darling while the gentlemen go by !

-  Rudyard Kipling: 'A Smuggler's Song'.

PART ONE: RARAUHE VALLEY AREA SCHOOL

1.

The old soldier hid among the trees, concealing himself as he had learned long ago in a forgotten Asian war.  He watched the man and the woman drag the ginger-haired man down the slope among the trees.  It was a struggle as the young man was quite well built, a forester with large shoulders that the thin man had his arms under.  The woman lifted the young man's legs.  The ginger haired man's backside kept dragging on the ground. The man muttered something and the woman replied, Tim, I'm doing my best.  Change places.  You take the uphill side.

They rested the body and changed places, turning the unconscious man's body so the legs were downhill.  The man, Tim, was able to keep the body raised enough to stop it dragging on the ground.

Far enough, I think, said the man.  They set the limp body down on the ground.  The old man watched while the man went back to the utility.  After a few minutes he came back with a chainsaw. 

He eyed the body and the tree, then made a cut in the trunk of the tree, sawing at an angle until he was nearly half way through.  Then he made a horizontal cut until the two cuts met. He went to the uphill side and made a third cut, a little below the V-shape he had cut.  When the third cut was close to the angled cut, the tree began to sway.  The man cut a little further then stood away as the big tree started its fall, slowly at first then gathering speed. 

As the top of the tree hit the ground it bounced viciously and crushed the ginger-haired man's body.  The thin man stopped the chain saw.  Still wearing heavy leather gloves, he pushed his way into the fallen foliage and placed the chain saw beside the dead man. 

The man called Tim glanced round the scene.  The older woman with him said, Nice job.  They'll call on me, of course, as soon as they find his body. Another tragic forestry accident.

They turned and walked up the slope, leaving the old man with the cell phone wondering what he should do.  He was a witness to a murder.  He didn't want to be.  His knowledge made him a target for the crooked foresters guarding their secrets. There was no point in running away from the world and living the life of a hermit if he told the police: they would make a fuss and then the criminals would know and would come after him.  He needed to think about this.

2.

Lying beside his wife Alex, Dr Richard West yawned and stretched, enjoying a last few minutes in bed before the day began in earnest.  Daylight saving had begun and bodies were still adjusting to having to wake an hour earlier.  Richard was tired even though he had slept well.  Because he was on a secondment to the University of Christchurch from his teaching job at St Angela's College in Weatherston, he had felt compelled to mark all of his students' assignments and enter their grades into the system as early as possible so that he could go back to St Angela's after the university year ended in early November and before the high school year ended in December.

It was October, Springtime in New Zealand.  The majority of students at Christchurch University worked independently as they prepared for Finals which would begin at the end of the month and run into November. 

Tea, murmured Alex, pushing him gently in order to make him move. Richard stretched his arm out, then rolled over so his arm reached across Alex's chest.

Tea, Alex said firmly, lifting his arm from her body.  He snuggled his face into her neck and breathed on her soft skin.  Alex shuddered and let his arm fall back under her breasts. 

The phone rang.  Richard rolled over and got out of bed. 

Ben Carruthers, said a familiar voice.  Ben was the Principal of St Cuthbert's, the counterpart for boys of St Angela's, where Richard was Deputy Principal. Get up you lazy slob!

Alex grabbed the  phone from Richard.  I heard that, Ben Carruthers, she said.  Actually, your call just interrupted my plan to put Richard to work.

It's work I want to talk about, said Ben. Richard, grab the other phone.

I'm on it, said Richard, using the second cordless phone. What news have you got for me, esteemed colleague?

Richard, I know you will be finishing up soon, as the university is preparing for its exams.  We still have a lot of teaching to do, and I know you are planning to get back to St Angela's as soon as possible.  But...

There's always a but, said Richard. What's the problem?

The Ministry of Education rang with a request.  Apparently you have a big reputation with them.  I can't think why.  The Principal at Rarauhe Valley Area School has disappeared, the school is a mess, the community has fallen apart, and they want someone to sort it all out before school ends in mid-December.  They asked specifically for you.  You're the only person stupid enough to take it on, they said.

Ha ha, said Richard. How would that work out?

We want you back but we don't need you here until late January, when school starts again. We will still keep paying you, but the Ministry is offering us a juicy contract out of which we can give your salary a bonus rate of fifty percent.

For what?  Running a school?  Re-instating a community? Finding a missing man?  How hard can that be?

Well, the Ministry lady who called me yesterday said it requires the kind of skills you showed after you were accused of sexual molestation.  I had a Board meeting last night and I put it to them that they should extend your leave.  When the university job ends, we collect the two hundred for Passing Go, pay you plus fifty percent and laugh all the way to the bank.

While I sort out World War Three. Very nice of you to speak on my behalf, Richard joked. 

He liked and trusted Ben, who had stood beside him when a fifteen-year-old girl had made false allegations of sexual molestation against him.  The school and the town community had shunned him but his obvious integrity and his skill as a leader had eventually won through.  After the girl withdrew her complaint, his stocks rose even higher.  The Ministry of Education got involved in the ensuing investigation, even though the St Angela's and St Cuthbert's School Board was a private institution.

Ben, we've been through a lot lately, said Alex on the other handset. Richard came here to Christchurch University to get away from controversy.  Since we've been here, life has been hectic, as you know.

Alex was referring to their involvement in helping a Japanese student find her missing Thai friend, an episode that had been both dangerous and exhausting.

I know, said Ben. You did all the hard work, Alex.  Richard didn't do much at all

They knew that Ben was kidding, deliberately understating the incidents in which Alex had very nearly lost her life, and Richard had made a superhuman effort to save her.  They had also lost a good friend.

Joking aside, something is very wrong in Rarauhe Valley and the best person I could think of to sort it out is you.  The kids will respond to you and through the kids, the parents.  You needed something to bring you out of your doldrums, Richard.  The university work has done that.  Now you can build on your success.

There was a clatter as Alex hung up her handset and went to pour the tea.  Her mother and father, Syd and Wiremu Paki Paki, had no time for tea bags and cups.  It was always tea leaves brewed in a pot with scalding water, left standing for no less than three minutes and no longer than five.

Say yes, she called out. But tell him it's pronounced 'rah-roe-hay'. The name means bracken fern, and it also means trash."

Okay, said Richard.  Alex says yes, so tell me what's involved.

3.

There were thirty people in the room.  At his meeting with a senior official at the Ministry of Education, Richard had been briefed with his task: bring law and order to the school. Now, as he waited for the Chairman of the School Board to introduce him, Richard tried to match what he had learned at the Ministry to the faces in front of him.

The room was a standard high school staff room: a rectangle with seats around the walls.  There was a door in the narrower wall at the north end of the room where people could enter and leave.  To the right, a long wall ran uninterrupted seven or so metres to the corner.  Posters and notices covered the wall.  Richard could see that most were old and many had been disfigured with graffiti.  The end wall was empty, its pale blue paint rubbed at shoulder level by teachers lining up to get their coffee from the service hatch set in the fourth wall.  Richard did not like the eggshell blue paint.  It was cold and depressing.

The service hatch was about two metres long.  A roll-up wooden screen was open, rather like an old roll top writing bureau with its lid up.  Next to the service hatch  was an open entryway into the small kitchen area.  Windows filled the rest of the fourth wall, giving much-needed light to the interior of the staffroom.  Richard sat opposite the fourth wall, looking directly into the bright light coming through large windows.

Fred Archer stood up.  He was not an imposing man but he had a raw energy gathered from years as a farmer who had to go out in all weathers and get the job done.  Today he looked strained and tired as he peered about him.  Richard realised that Fred Archer could not really see the people sitting against the fourth wall.  The light was shining in his eyes, rather like performing on a stage.  He and Fred were in a bad place to command attention.

Richard stood up.  There was immediate silence. He turned to face a young man sitting against the end wall and said, Alan?  Yes?  Alan, please change places with me.

One could have heard a pin drop.  Alan was surprised that Richard knew his name because they had never met.  He stood and changed places with Richard.  Suddenly the dynamics of the room had changed.  Richard now commanded a view of everyone in the room, and he had their full attention.

Fred Archer had been in Federated Farmers for many years.  He had held office in that organisation, and was on several committees in Fern Valley.  He was fully aware of what Richard had just done, and grateful that the murmuring of continuing conversations had been stilled.

Good morning everyone, this is Richard West.  He is here to run the school until Harry returns to work.  Richard comes highly recommended.

Isn't he the one who assaulted a girl student? asked a woman whose face was not on the list the Ministry had supplied.  If so, what was she doing at this special Staff meeting?

Richard stood.  He looked around the room as if he was taking a class of unruly fourteen-year-olds.  A tension developed as Richard waited.  What is your name, please?  Shirley.  Thank you.

Richard knew there was no 'Shirley' on the staff list. He looked straight at the woman and said, Teaching is a profession where men are vulnerable to false allegations, and that is what happened to me.  It was extremely unpleasant at the time but I came through the ordeal stronger and wiser.  Now, I notice we have thirty-one people in the room.  You have met me now, so would the people not on the Board or who are not paid employees please leave us now.

There was consternation and protest. 

But they are paid! 

I'm on the payroll!

Shh.  They're not official.

Don't make trouble.  He doesn't know yet.

Richard stood firm.  Thank you.  I will speak to you a little later, but just for now I wish to speak to my staff.

As Chairman of the School Board, Fred had always been uncomfortable with parents being privy to staffroom business.  He was pleased Richard had taken action.  He added his voice to the request. 

Thank you ladies, he said.  Your work is appreciated and the teachers will join you in the classrooms shortly. Nurse Morrow, please wait behind.

Nurse Morrow sat down on the nearest chair. When the parents had left, Richard said quietly, This is the best-equipped school I have ever seen.  I know your parent helpers receive payment for their work  Tell me how that comes about from the miserly funding you get from the government.

Why do you want to know? asked a man with a North American voice.  'Isaac,' thought Richard.  He ignored the comment.  Then he said, Isaac, please give me a number between three and five.

Why?

Because you want to continue working here.

Two, said Isaac hurriedly.

Richard counted two to the right.  I am sorry, I don't know your name, he said.

Anne Marie Stratford, said the woman.  She was in her early thirties, plainly dressed and was looking Richard straight in the eye.

Thank you Anne Marie. Richard addressed the whole group again. Now, what is the secret to this school's obvious wealth? he asked.

At the weekends the Forestry guys have working bees in the gullies which can't be harvested, Anne Marie said.  The money from those trees is given to the Board.

Richard marked her down as an ally.  Anne Marie's comments drew glares from other staff.  Richard couldn't see why that should be.  However, the bank accounts did not show large or regular deposits.  He would ask Fred Archer about it in due course.

Thank you, Anne Marie.  It's a relief to know the school isn't growing marijuana on a grand scale.

Everybody laughed.  Now that's a great idea! joked someone.  You didn't really think that, did you Richard? said someone else.

Richard felt he was making progress.  It was the first time he had been called Richard.  In fact, it was the first time he had been called anything.  He decided to take one more gambit.

He said, Now, tell me about the fire in the School Hall.

A tense silence followed.  Nobody spoke.  Nobody made eye contact.  What was everyone hiding?

Alan, said Richard, Please give me a number between three and five.

Four, said Alan.

One, two, three, four, said Richard, pointing at successive teachers on Alan's left. What is your name, please?

Helen Rivers.  I teach juniors, Helen replied.

Please tell me about the fire in the School Hall.

It was a week ago now.  We are not meant to talk about it.

Why not? Surely with so many parents wandering freely about the school, there are no secrets?  Please tell me what you know.

A thin man sitting against the fourth wall interrupted. From staff photographs, Richard recognised him as Tim Stenhouse.  It was nothing.  A minor incident blown up out of all proportion.  Just a  misunderstanding.

Who are you? asked Richard.  He marked Stenhouse down as an enemy.

I'm Tim Stenhouse.  I teach shop, mainly woodwork and drafting.

Thank you for your contribution Tim, but I have asked Helen to tell me what she knows.  Please let her finish.  Helen?

Helen had never liked being told to keep the fire a secret.  She wondered how Dr West knew about it, but realised that a report had been sent to the Ministry and Dr West had been briefed on its contents.

There is bad blood between the forestry village and the farm kids.  It boiled over when a fourteen-year-old  village boy hit a thirteen-year-old farm girl with a piece of four by two timber.  She had to go to hospital.  The boy got beaten up that night, so someone, I don't know who, broke into the school hall and lit a fire.

Thank you Helen, said Richard.  I am beginning to understand the stress you guys are working under.

There was an audible sigh from people.

Then Tim Stenhouse said, I've got a class to teach.  Are you going to delay us much longer?

Richard recognised the direct challenge to his authority. Mr Stenhouse, you will wait until I am finished.  You obviously didn't catch my name or you would have used it to address me. I want you and everyone else to know that I am Dr Richard West.  In collegial meetings like this and on social occasions, please call me Richard.  Not Ritchie.  Not Dick.  Richard.  On all other occasions, you will be helping yourselves and the school gain respect if you refer to me as Dr West, or the Principal.

Hear, hear, said Fred Archer.  To get respect you've got to give respect.

Richard spoke again.  Thank you Helen for your report.  Does anyone here disagree with the basics: two kids had a quarrel that got out of hand, one seriously assaulted the other and got beaten up later.  The school hall was set on fire.  Anyone want to comment?

Nobody wanted to comment but as Richard looked slowly at each staff member in turn, he managed to make eye contact with several people.  He would start by chatting with them. 

Thank you everyone.  I have one request to make before you leave for your classes.  In a small district like this, there are no secrets.  I want to know the names of the fire bugs.  Write the names on a piece of paper and push it under my door.  Now the Chairman, Fred Archer, has something to say about the future of the school.

Thank you Dr West, said Fred.  "I am pleased Richard cleared parents from the room. What I have to say is for officially paid staff only, and for Nurse Morrow,  and stays within your immediate family.  If you can't trust someone in your immediate family, then say nothing.  The Ministry of Education has put this school on notice.  You are all stressed out.  Your Principal has done a runner and can't be found.  The school should have a roll of three hundred and twenty students but more than one hundred and twenty kids of all ages are travelling for over an hour to find alternative schools, leaving only two hundred behind.

At best, the drop in the roll means a cut of six teachers in the New Year.  At worst, the Ministry has indicated they wish to close the school if it can't function as a safe and welcoming environment.

Dr West asked about the School Hall for very good reasons.  The fire damage will cost several hundred thousand dollars to repair,  and to be quite frank, the Ministry is questioning whether the school is worth it.  As Ms Rivers said, the Hall is symptomatic of what is happening here in Fern Valley.

Thank you Fred, said Richard.  He looked at each person in turn. Then he said slowly and clearly, "I will be loyal to you and protect you professionally, but in return