Sins of the father

Chapter 1 – 16 years ago

8.12am, The Grid

“Harry, there is someone on the phone for you. Tony Little. And it is about Alec McCarthy.” Malcolm told Harry. Harry nodded, frowning. “Put the call through to my office. I wonder what happened this time.” He mumbled and went into his office shutting the door.

Jo frowned. “Who is Tony Little?” she asked a little confused. “Head Master of Eton College since 2002.” Malcolm replied, shrugging. He had no idea what the Head Master of Eton had to do with Harry.

“Yes, Tony, this is Harry Pearce.” Harry said as he picked up the phone. “Sir Harry, good morning. I am sorry to bother you with my call, but Alec McCarthy was brought into the London Royal Hospital this morning.” Harry sat up straighter. “What happened?” he asked. “Apparently the boy has been outside during the night, I cannot tell you what he did or what might have happened but this morning he almost got overrun by a car. I witnessed the whole scene from my office. It did not look like an accident, but like an attempt on the boy’s life.” Harry took a deep breath as he listened to this. “Have you noticed anything else?” “No, Sir Harry, I am afraid not. I could not identify the car or a license plate. But I am sure this was planned.” Harry nodded. He trusted Tony. He had spent a lot of time with him over the last couple of years. “I understand. How is Alec?” “I had him brought into hospital by my PA, Mrs Keppel. She has not yet returned but informed me the young Mr McCarthy is fine except for a few bruises and a broken left arm.” Harry let out a small sigh of relief. “Thank you Tony, I will have my section chief pick Alec up and he will be kept safe until we know what you witnessed this morning.” “Thank you, Sir Harry, I hoped you would. I don’t know what Mr McCarthy has got himself into, but I don’t think it is all that innocent.” “When is it ever, with Alec McCarthy?” Harry asked rhetorically. “Tony, could I maybe ask you if it is possible for me to talk to you in person after I have spoken to Alec? I would like to know what you saw in detail.” “Yes, certainly. I expected that. I can meet you this afternoon at 4pm, is this a suitable time for you?” “Yes, it certainly is.” Harry replied. “Very good. I will meet you in your office at 4pm, Sir Harry.” “Until then Tony.”  Harry said and hung up.

He kept staring at the desk in front of him for a few more minutes. Alec McCarthy. One of the best kept secrets he had. He got up and went outside. “Ros. I need you, please get to the Royal London Hospital right now and pick up Alec McCarthy there. He is being treated for a broken arm and some bruises after a traffic accident. Vickie Keppel is keeping an eye on him at the moment, she will expect you. Please bring him here immediately.” Ros looked at Harry. “Who is Alec McCarthy?” she asked. Harry sighed. “I’ll explain later. Please just get to him now and… get him here without any delays… he has a talent for… getting out of line.” Harry said. Ros nodded. “I’ll make sure to keep him in line then.”

8.37am, The Royal London Hospital

Ros entered the hospital and looked around. Soon a woman in a smart grey tailored suit walked over to her. “Miss Myers, I presume.” Ros smiled. “Yes.” “I am Vickie Keppel, PA of Mr Tony Little, the Headmaster of Eton College. He told me to expect your arrival.” Ros smiled. “I was asked to pick up Alec McCarthy by Harry Pearce.” Vickie nodded. “Yes, he’s just with the doctor, but I was told he will be here in a few minutes.” Ros nodded. She was curious as to who she was supposed to pick up there. Was the boy a student at Eton? How did Harry know him?

“Is Mr McCarthy a student at your college then?” she asked. Vickie Keppel nodded. “He is indeed. A very gifted young man, but unfortunately he is a little… rebellious.” She said with a small smile. Ros assumed the boy was a charming trouble-maker then, by the look she was given. Always the worst. And an Eton one had to be a very special one.