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Chapters 13 and 14
Chapter 13
A Clerical Murder
Tony’s first patient on Friday morning had just left his surgery when the time honoured 11am coffee arrived with the local newspaper. Tony read the headline. It made him catch his breath. He opened out the tabloid and brushed it flat with his arm. His mouth was agape and his fingers ran through his hair. The headline was unambiguous. The former Imam was found dead last night. Police have cordoned off the area around his home and are making their door to door enquiries.
A murder inquiry. The report did not say how he died, but a police statement would follow at mid-day. He had to hear that.
Tony’s hand was on the phone cradle. He was thinking through the consequence of what he might say. Farook was dead; Frank was dead. Anything said would no longer be in breach of his rights. The call was answered promptly.
‘Hello, police?
‘Yes sir. How may we help?’
‘It’s about Farook, the Imam’s murder. Who can I speak to about it?’
‘You need to speak to Superintendent Graham. I’ll put you through, now.’
Tony’s knuckles turned white on the phone, matching his face.
‘Hello, Dr Scriven?’
‘Yes. Er...I should say Farook or Frank as he recently became, was one of my patients. I knew his background as I am sure you know too...you know...the bridge and river incident?’
‘Yes, we have a lot of intelligence from that day but this was not a cry for help this time. This was pure murder possibly by someone who knew him.’
‘You are certain about that?’
‘As certain as I can be at this stage. Mind you it’s early still. Don’t be repeating what I’ve said. The statement should clarify these details. Farook or Frank as you say was stabbed nine times, on his bed.’ ‘Good grief. I see what you mean,’ Tony said as the scene dominated his mind. The thought frightened him. Nine times he considered. God, how he must have suffered.
‘Anyway, you have some information to share?’
‘Yes, I think so. My case notes are complete. They may assist you.’
‘Then can I call to see you, today?’
Tony looked at his diary on line. ‘Last patient is at three. I’ll be free by four if that’s okay for you?’
‘Four it is then Dr Scriven. By then we will have issued a statement.’
They met for three hours that afternoon. The reason for Farook’s referral was analysed; his failing to return as the Imam; his disputes with the elders; his enthusiasm for the musical group finding a role in transporting the musicians; his change to western clothes and looks, his becoming a Methodist and finally his name change. It all pointed to one thing. Killed by apostate intolerance.
‘Yes, the dominating factor. But I fear the Islamic community will close ranks.’
‘I am sure they will but this is the UK not the North West Frontier Provence. They ought to respect the police enquiry.’
Superintendent Graham nodded. ‘After we find the murder weapon, that’s my next port of call.’
‘And what was the weapon used to murder Frank, may I ask?’
‘Dr Scriven, you will appreciate I cannot give you police intelligence at this stage, other than he was knifed to death. That is in the public domain. That’s all I can say.’
‘I see.’
Chapter 14
Taking Stock
ALAN
It was time for Tony to review his mentally ill musical patients individually. He was particularly keen to hear from Alan. Appointments were made.
Alan arrived in good time for his meeting. He was a much more relaxed individual and felt he probably did not need any more counselling or medical intervention, but his guitar practices had resumed and he liked being part of a musical group.
‘How are you coping now, Alan?’
‘It’s not a cure I’m after, because that’s a solution. It’s more of a recovery. That’s a process.’
‘Good point. Is the recovery on track?’
‘Derailed by what happened to Frank.’
Tony nodded like a back-ledge car dog. ‘How do you see it?’
‘His murder?’
‘Yea.’
‘Open and closed I should think. It all lies in his past surely.’
‘I suppose so. I think that’s Superintendent Graham’s view too. Difficult to break down.’
Alan strode over to the window. His hands rested on his hips. He half turned round.
‘You know he began to attend my church?’
‘Yes he told me, remember?’
‘He sat with Paul. Two new members. They stood out of course. Paul led Frank in the singing as only a Salvationist can and Frank was making a grand effort to absorb his new faith.’
‘So Paul and Frank hit it off then?’
‘I should say so. Similar ages, I think.’
Tony stood up and placed his hands in his pockets. He walked round his office with Alan’s eyes watching his progress.
‘You know Alan, this murder ...perhaps it was overdue.’
‘What. You mean someone planned it sometime ago?’
‘If the murderer was from his own community, then there have been many opportunities before yesterday to cause him harm.’
Alan nodded wisely. ‘But the changes were all of a sudden more radical.’
Tony nodded. ‘Well Superintendent Graham seems to be getting to the bottom of it. Perhaps we should leave it at that.’
‘I wish I could.’
‘What do you mean?’ Tony asked showing concern.
‘If Farook died a Muslim, then his funeral should be underway; if Frank died a Christian, well, I will hold the service next week but it might be a difficult service.’
‘You mean doctrinally?’
‘Yes, but also security will be necessary, just in case.’
‘I see what you mean. Superintendent Graham should be kept informed. I can let him know if you like. And I’ll leave you to consider an appropriate service.’
‘Thanks.
‘But you, still on the tracks?’
‘Yes, I can say I’m almost back to normal. Sermons in good time and all the other parts of the job going well too.’
‘Almost?’ asked Tony raising his eyebrows.
‘Yup, it will always be now. Marriage I don’t treat lightly. I’m getting the balance right at last.’
LIZZIE
‘So probation it was. No prison. First time offender and a period of time to reflect on how your life should be. Not so?’ asked Tony wiping his nose.
‘A fine to compensate the driver and his car, £600 that was. But a years’ probation? That’s too long, far too long,’ she said throwing her hands into the air.
‘Shorter than a prison sentence you must agree when you consider probation is only once a week.’
‘Twice a month actually, providing I fully cooperate with the social worker. He’s a man, Colin something. You know what these social workers are like, all on first name terms on first meeting.’
‘And you are still taking the proscribed mediation?’
‘Well actually my GP and I had a sort of contretemps over the lomotrogine.’
Tony could imagine the scenario but enquired further. ‘Why?’
‘My body is God’s creation. A pill is like alcohol or drugs. They are not natural.’
‘You are sounding like a Christian Science member. They don’t go for treatment either.’
‘No, I’m not like them. It’s simple. Put into your mouth what God has approved.’
‘So does God approve of an obese person having a chocolate bar?’
‘God gives us a free will to do as we wish. It’s the thinking behind the action that determines the outcome.’
‘I see,’ said Tony having difficulty digesting what he had heard.
‘Well I think some very clever people have worked out how to make medication that works for specific individuals and that to me is a work of God.’
A moment of silence ensued as minds worked out the conversation.
‘My GP won the argument. I am still taking the pills you will be pleased to know.’
Tony relaxed. Thank God she was taking her medication. But her mind had already travelled in a different direction.
‘Frank, you know the former Farook; what a shock. Do you know who could have possibly killed him?’
‘No, but possibly from his own community.’
‘I never really knew him. I mean really knew him,’ said Lizzie pulling her cardigan zip up and down.
‘Yes, he was quite quiet.’
‘I don’t think he was married. Quite a lonely life perhaps.’
‘Yes, I believe so. I never heard of him speak about any partner.’
‘Will you be going to his funeral?’ asked Lizzie leaning her head forward.
‘Yes, I think I should. I was part of his life at its close. Will you attend?’
‘Of course I’ll attend. We want him to reach heaven don’t we?’
KAREN
Dr Karen Kane arrived for her appointment a little out of breath.
‘Relax Karen, you are not late.’
‘I am you know, seven minutes late. I am sorry.’
‘Don’t worry.’ Tony recalled her forwardness and wished to stay aloof as much as he could despite the warm feeling he had for her.
‘So how have you been?’
‘Probation for one year.’
Tony was surprised she had not confided in him about a court appearance. It disappointed him. ‘So it was a court case?’
‘A court case? Oh no, not that. The General Teaching Council gave me a year off. Subject to medical reports I will be able to return as a teacher in eleven months now. A bit less when you consider the long holidays we get at Christmas, Easter and summer.’
‘Ah then that’s promising.’
‘Yes,’ she said crossing her legs. ‘And it’s on full pay.’
Tony’s eyebrows arched in surprise.
‘Are you taking your Proloxin?’
‘No, not now. Loxapine, better on my stomach. I had issues with Proloxin.’
‘Some do,’ said Tony without enquiring any further. The moments passed seeking further conversation.
‘Terrible tragedy, you know, Farook.’
‘Yes, a big job for the police.’
‘I suppose the culprit came from his community.’
‘Yes, which community though. He had recently thrown in his weight to the Methodists and taken on a British identity.’
Karen’s stare fixed on the coconut shell on Tony’s desk. She ruffled her hair.
‘What’s in the shell?’
Tony followed her gaze to her desk. ‘Paper clips. Perhaps the odd elastic band.’
‘Very ethnic.’
Tony smiled gently. It had been an arts and crafts present from the ten year old who lived next door to him in Manchester. He had been a friend of his daughter.
‘The funeral. Will you be going?’ she asked.
‘Not sure when it will be. I suspect I should give it priority.’
‘That’s good.’
‘How do you mean?’
‘I’ll be there too. Alan asked me to play the church organ. His usual organist will be on holiday.’
‘Karen, you are taking your medication. You have a year to relax from work and you are responding well. Perhaps I can conclude our medical appointments as long as you keep your medication under review at your GP surgery. How does that sound?’
Karen showed no delight in the suggestion. Worry was the look on her face. Tony was disappointed having satisfied himself he could take the premature risk.
‘Don’t you think you could manage on your own? With your keyboard playing with Sink or Swim, of course? I’m seeing you swim,’ he said hoping she might bite this bait.
‘I think you are a good psychiatrist. I’d miss my appointments.’
‘Don’t forget I play sax in the group. So you can contact me any time if you think an appointment is needed.’
Karen wondered if she was being snubbed but there was something in Tony’s smile which was comforting. ‘Should I read anything into your wish to see less of me, professionally?’
God, she’s on to me, thought Tony. I’m trapped.
‘Less of you professionally, yes. That’s my goal.’
There was a silence which seemed to last forever. Karen stood up. ‘Well, if this is the last consultation, I must thank you for seeing me through my trauma.’
She thrust her hand forward across the table. Tony stood up and shook it firmly and held on a few moments longer. Karen felt the connection made.
‘Then I look forward to our playing, together.’
Tony smiled. ‘Not as much as I do. I look forward to being with you again.’
It was an awkward moment, for them both. Tony had implied a new relation had been launched and Karen, having shaken his hand went to the door, a little confused.
She opened the door and turned round. She smiled and slightly opened her mouth but no words came out. The door shut and the moment was over as Tony sank back into his chair.
PAUL
Paul declared that his life was on a new footing. He was freed from a loveless marriage and left the Salvation Army to break from the restrictions he had felt. The waiting room was however empty.
Tony waited for him as Paul’s first priority was the loo. By the time Paul returned, Tony had his questions ready and in order.
‘But the Sally Ann was there for you when you needed them most,’ stated Tony.
‘That was a long time ago.’
‘Yes, but you were indebted to them, surely, weren’t you?
Paul checked his i-Phone. He looked up and Tony had gone. A metallic rumble came from behind. Tony had gone to pull down the blinds as dusk was falling and in response he replied curtly.
‘Are you really in a better place as you say, Paul?’
Paul put his phone away. He sighed. ‘I should never have married.’
‘Surely you wanted your marriage to last a lifetime when you got married.’
‘I fell into marriage. Pretty girl, fellow musician in the army.’ He laughed a snigger. ‘Didn’t like her bows on her bonnet mind you.’
Tony smiled as the picture appeared to him in his mind.
‘So what went wrong?’
‘It wasn’t just the court case. Bottom line is, I am gay. She could not handle that.’
‘You just come out?’
‘I guess you are the first I’ve really told.’
Tony wondered if the other Salvationists had come to that conclusion. Perhaps that was also a stumbling block.
‘So do you have a partner, a support?’
Paul scratched his arm. Not yet. I’m going on-line to find someone my age.’
‘That takes time. I wish you success. Your health, any other problems?’
Paul uncrossed his legs and placed his hands on his thighs. ‘Mind if I go to the loo again?’
Tony was crouched looking for a book in his bookshelf when Paul returned. ‘How often are you up in the night, Paul?’
Paul looked towards the ceiling as Tony returned his chair. ‘I think four or five times.’
‘Have you mentioned that to your doctor?’
‘No, should I? Isn’t it just aging?’
‘Maybe, but get it checked anyway. Looks like you may have an enlarged prostate.’
Tony straightened his tie with a tug.
‘Will you be coming to Farook’s funeral?’
Paul’s response was quick. ‘Hardly knew him.’
‘Well, it’s up to you.’
Paul drew in his cheeks and took a deep breath. ‘Then count me out. Religion is less of an attraction these days. I want to wean off it, for a while.’
Marty
Marty appeared in a warm orange heavy jumper wearing jodhpurs. She carried her helmet and a whip in her left hand.
‘Just come from a pony hack,’ she said stating the obvious.
‘You are a keen rider?’
‘Yes, four hours this morning. I should have made it less. I nearly forgot the appointment.’
Tony threw his sport jacket on to his desk chair. ‘Drums still sounding?’
‘They certainly are, but not at night. The neighbours are not back till seven most nights so, I’ve got an hour or two to practise. Harmonica then takes over.’
Tony saw Marty as a woman ready to accept her parent’s untimely death, as long as she had support.
‘Is it a large Baha’i community here in town?’
‘Twenty six strong with many sympathisers in attendance.’
‘A good support group?’
‘Yes, I’d say all of them are. They are an all embracing religion with respect for every religion and every person.’
‘You’ll be with them on the run up to Christmas, then?’
‘I could, I want to.’
‘Marty, I think you should take the lead in making that happen.’
Tony caught a whiff of perfume. He was not sure if it was an expensive concoction or the sweet smell of some horse sweat but it wasn’t either off putting or unpleasant.
‘About Farook,....’ she ventured. ‘Such a shock. We were only getting to know him. I simply cannot imagine what happened.
‘There’s still no word about who did it. Police are frustrated, I hear. They’ve got nothing to say to calm the general public’s fears,’ said Tony.
‘You mean the murder might do it again?’
‘No, not very likely but he remains loose in the town perhaps and that worries folk. With no concrete evidence the mind sometimes creates worry and unrealistic and sordid expectations.’
‘I would think the Muslim community would have more to be afraid.’
‘Why?’
‘Because the police will think one of them did it, surely?’
‘That’s the way most people see it,’ said Tony.
Marty cleared her throat.
‘Frank was not musical. Yet I feel he was looking forward to being the roadie.’
‘Yes, he was becoming more westernised by the day,’ said Tony scratching his elbow through his shirt.
‘That was his downfall. Pity that. A dreadful way to go,’ she said with her eyes fixed on the wall behind Tony. ‘The musical group will continue?’
‘Oh I think so. I think we all get something good out of it.’
‘Yes, we certainly do,’ she said.
‘Will you attend the funeral?’
‘You know I hadn’t thought about that. I suppose I should, shouldn’t I.’
‘I leave that to you. I’ll be there. After all he was one of my clients.’
The telephone rang the next day as Tony drank a glass of water. He placed the glass down on his desk and lifted the phone. It was the Methodist pastor.
‘Hello, Alan.’
‘Thought I’d tell you about Frank’s funeral. It will be next Friday.’
‘Next week Friday? How will that go down with his community?’
‘His community? Farook was Frank to us. He died on the cusp of becoming a Methodist. He loved singing the hymns. He’s not a Muslim anymore.’
‘No, he’s not. Not to you and me but what about his community?
‘I did have one threatening call.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes, he did not leave a name but his accent gave it away. He talked of us stealing their brother. I simply thanked him for his call and placed the receiver down.’
‘Did you tell anyone?’
‘I phoned the police. Superintendent Graham took the message and told me he and some other plain clothed policemen would attend the funeral, on duty.’
Ivan
Ivan’s appointment was early. 9 a.m. early. It rarely suited Tony for such an early consultation but Ivan was an early bird and insisted that was when he’d attend.
‘So Ivan tell me how you’ve been over the last week or two.’
Ivan took a deep sigh. Then he smiled at Tony.
‘You will hardly believe it. I’ve gone and bought myself a new clarinet.’
‘Really?’
‘As real as I am before you now.’
‘So what’s brought about the change?’
‘Reflection. You don’t know what you have until you lose it.’
Tony looked at Ivan. He seemed to have lost some weight or perhaps his peppermint longitudinal striped shirt made him look more lanky. His clothes looked fresh and his shoes had been polished that day. He had made an effort.
‘You know some of my clients have formed a musical group. Sink or Swim we call ourselves. All amateurs like me with the sax.’
‘You play the saxophone? Well, I’d never have guessed.’
‘Why not? Even a medic has to relax sometime. The point is we have no high expectations. We gladly welcome the bum notes and no one blushes,’ Tony said with a degree of optimism in his smile. ‘You know Ivan a clarinet would be greatly welcomed to steady the ship. We have no prima donnas. Are you interested?’
‘You know I am. That’s the standard I need. No need to prove myself. Just turn up and play,’ Ivan said at a hurried pace. ‘When do the group meet next?’
‘We’ve hardly got off the ground. You may have heard about the recent murder.’
‘That Muslim guy, you mean?’
‘Yes, that Muslim guy we knew as Frank. He was to be our road manager, carting instruments and some folk to our playing venues. He was really looking forward to that. So we won’t meet up till after the funeral.’
‘Is he not buried yet? The murder was about five days ago.’
‘Ivan, Frank was not a Muslim at death. He was a Methodist.’
‘Wow, big change there. What’s the difference anyway? They are all searching for God, aren’t they?’
‘Big difference Ivan. Methodists say it in music; Muslims in a chant in unison.’
Ivan bit his bottom lip. ‘I don’t know much about their faith but they do say Inshallah a lot, as if anything done seeks God’s approval.’
‘You know Ivan; sometimes I feel music is the real religion. It’s a sound that speaks to us, interprets our thoughts and delivers moods and feelings. So good in its own way. That’s what I like in religion,’ said Tony leaning back.
‘I’ve still to find a church home. I’m in no rush. The Salvationists are a lifestyle. I just want to be a church member.’
‘You can meet some of the band, at Frank’s funeral Ivan.’
‘No I won’t be there. Don’t like funerals. Not the place to meet folk in my opinion.’
‘Okay, then I’ll phone you and let you know when the next practice will be, after the funeral.’
‘Suits me.’
‘I’m glad you are back on board with your music. It’s as good as medicine.’
‘It certainly is.’
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Web Site:
A Clerical Murder
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I noted some college missing, i-Phone should just be iPhone and I would prefer, "he sniggered" over "he laughed a snigger." Here in America, tabloids don't usually carry news, just gossip.
Seems to be evolving into a classic whodunit with any number of suspects. Is Tony becoming a detective? Here in the US, he would probably have stay pretty closed mouth about the whole thing, given doctor-patient privilege.
Ron