"Do it!" Matt shouted just as a police van pulled to the kerb. "Come on," he said to Ryan who followed him into the back. It was a tight squeeze for two police dogs sat at the rear in a wired off section.
"They won't get far, Sergeant Latimer, the policeman in the front passenger seat said. Our dogs will stop them if they try to make a run for it."
"I hope so," Matt retorted. "It's damned lucky we had you on standby."
*
Before the police car could get near the main entrance to the airport, the traffic had backed up. Ryan followed Matt and the two dog handlers out along the footpath. The dogs trotted along with their masters with wagging tails and alert eyes as if they were ready for any command.
"There it is," one of the officers said.
Ryan saw a white van in a line of vehicles ahead while, from the opposite direction another police officer was rushing towards it. Doors in the vehicle opened and two men scurried out and headed across a side garden to a parking area beyond.
"Go Royal!" the dog handler commanded while the second officer gave a similar command to his dog.
The dogs were off! They streaked across the garden, zigzagged around parked cars and dived at the running men. Both were brought down and were trying to defend themselves against snapping jaws when the two police dog handlers arrived. Ryan couldn't hear the words spoken but within seconds the two men were on their feet and handcuffed as the dogs sat back watching as if they almost dared the victims to try to get away.
"Come on," Matt said.
Ryan followed him along to the van and grabbed the back door. It slid back and there staring at him with wide eyes was Savannah. She was sitting on the floor but when she tried to rise she staggered and crashed sideways like a drunk.
"I'm not feeling too well," she muttered and collapsed onto her knees. "Can't seem to..." She attempted to get up again but collapsed into Ryan's arms.
"She'd been drugged," Matt said from behind them. "I'll call for help."
Within moments all the traffic started moving again, another police car arrived and a groggy but walking Savannah was taken back to The Airport Doctors medical facility in the terminal building. Meanwhile Ryan and Matt headed across to the car park where a dour looking Hortmyre and the van driver were being placed in a police van that had arrived.
Matt nodded grimly. "We did well," he said. "That driver was one of the other paedophiles that Isabelle's Petal Life page found." He grinned at Ryan. "You were right on one other thing, too."
"What was that?"
"I've just received initial reports on the raids on Hortmyre's Sports and Outdoor Life and the other places. We found a flash drive in the shop safe that contained dozens of photographs of both teenage boys and girls as well as enlarged pictures of the enoon and enoemos signatures used in the faked pictures. As well, the stupid idiot had photos of over twenty victims including several of Isabelle and the other girls helping us, as well as many of unknown girls and some boys, too. With this evidence and the accounts by the girls who will testify at his trial, I see no problem in getting a conviction."
"So are we going to thank Isabelle, Stella and Jasmine for their help?"
Matt grinned. "Officially I doubt it but I heard that our Victims' Support Account will be making a bulk purchase of the latest iPad tablets. I heard that all the girls who helped including Isabelle, Stella and Jasmine would be presented with one in the not too distant future."
Ryan grinned. "That'll cost a packet."
"Possibly but in these cases a guilty criminal will be ordered to pay reparations to their victims. Isabelle who was actually raped could receive quite a large amount, possibly as a trust to help pay for any higher education or training courses she may wish to take after she graduates from high school."
"Sounds great but what if he has no money?"
"Assets used in any crime, in this case the Hortmyre's Sports and Outdoor Life business will be confiscated and sold. I've also heard that he owns the complex the shop is in and he is being investigated for other unrelated crimes, embezzlement of an elderly couple for one."
"Pleasant character," Ryan muttered.
"He is but his criminal days are over. I'm sure he'll be found guilty of multiple charges including sexual violation of minors and kidnap. By the time he's out of jail he'll be able to apply for national superannuation."
Ryan grinned. What a tale he had to tell Karla that evening!
*
CHAPTER 13
A surprisingly mild winter, especially compared with Karla's last one in the South Island, was over. It was October and spring in New Zealand with warmer days and daylight saving. She had six weeks to go before the birth of her child and already knew it would be a little girl who would give three-year-old Alexis a little sister. Her pregnancy was going well but she did get tired and felt she was even larger than at this time before Alexis was born. Of course, one does forget those details when it is repeated.
It was lunch hour and she sat in her office perusing the applications for positions at Joseph Ward Junior High. There were four; three because of their roll growth in the following year and one older teacher was retiring. All were basic classroom positions but varied in type. In accordance to their new policy, one was earmarked for a newly graduated first year teacher, one for taking English and Social Studies for Year 9 and 10 classes and two for Year 7 and 8 class teachers. The applicants were permitted to use one form to apply for any or all of the vacancies.
The positions had just closed and she was amazed at the number of applicants. Over a hundred applied for the first year position with most of those optimistically ticking the other squares to apply for all vacancies. Another eighty had applied for the other three positions, again with most ticking the three vacancies and a few just opting for the Year 9 and 10 position.
As she did down south, she used Ryan's computer program to draw up short lists but still liked to personally read through the applications. The evening before Ryan had pointed out something unusual that his computer had produced, there were fifteen applications from Westview Intermediate, including one teacher who was on the senior staff there.
She knew that Peter Niles was unpopular but this seemed to be more than that. Vivian could give her the local gossip but most of it she now already knew. Instead she picked up the phone and called one of the Westview Intermediate applicants who had actually made it to their list of twelve short-listed names. The woman who answered must have been in the staffroom phone for there was talking in the background.
"Carol here!" she said in a casual voice.
"Good afternoon, this is Karla Spicer from Joseph Ward Junior High speaking."
"Karla Spicer!" she gasped. "Sorry, I was expecting my partner to call."
Karla chuckled. "Sorry to interrupt your lunch hour but I have your application for three of our basic teaching positions in my hand. However, nowhere on your form do you say why you are applying for a basic grade position when you are now a senior teacher."
Except for the background voices, there was silence for a moment before Carol replied in almost a whisper. "Does that exclude me?"
"Not at all. The applications are still being finalised but I can say that you have been shortlisted for both of the Year 7 and 8 positions."
"I have?" Her voice sounded excited before dropping to almost a whisper. "I'm in the staffroom now so can I call you back?"
"Of course. I'll give you my mobile number. I'll be in my office all afternoon until four so anytime that is convenient for you will be fine." Karla read out her number and clicked off. Less than five minutes later her mobile rang.
"Carol Dodunski speaking. I'm in my room. There are too many ears in the staffroom."
"That's understood, Carol. We will be emailing you before the end of the week offering you an interview but my call is more informal. You have every right to apply for a basic position here and also you are not required to give a reason for wanting to return to a basic grade position."
"Oh I don't mind telling you why, Mrs Spicer. Your school has a huge reputation for being a wonderful place to teach and, shall we say that the climate here is almost toxic. There are others on our staff here who have applied for those positions aren't there?"
"We have received some but I am not at liberty to state the number. Like for yourself, we must respect everyone's' confidentiality."
"I know at least five who told me they were applying and I suspect there are others."
"I will tell you that eight teachers at your school have nominated you as a referee. Would you like their names?"
"Oh my God, eight! Yes, you can give me their names."
When Karla read the names out from a list showing on her computer monitor she realised something else. Only two of the fifteen applicants from Westview Intermediate had nominated Peter Niles as a referee. This was unusual for usually one's principal was included as a referee. She said nothing to Carol but remained curious.
Carol told her a little about the unhappy state at the school but Karla was impressed about how she remained professional and never openly criticised her principal. It was obvious though, that she wanted to shift from the school.
*
After the call, Karla was still curious so decided to send an email to John Cosgrove, her friend at the Ministry of Education. Forty minutes later her mobile chirped.
"John Cosgrove, here. My God, you're on the ball. Are you running a school or detective agency?"
Karla laughed. "Hi John. No, I was curious that's all." She continued on to explain about all the applications from Westview Intermediate, including the one from Carol Dodunski who was prepared to drop a grade to get out."
"I was thinking of calling you about the situation there but you got in first."
"I did? That's interesting!"
"Yeah, you're still on our books as a Executive or Change Principal. How'd you like to help us out at Westview Intermediate?"
"You're joking!"
"No deadly serious. Half the Westview Intermediate Board of Trustees have resigned and we are about to fire the others and place a government commissioner in the school."
"That bad, is it?"
"It is. I'm visiting the school next week. What say I call in and bring you up to date?"
"Doubt if I'd be interested in any job though. I've got over a thousand students here to keep me busy."
"Yeah, and four new classrooms coming from China. Quite a few eyebrows were raised about them at the Ministry here, you know. There were a few grumbles too, but it's all legal and we do have a free trade agreement with China. Will you get the rooms by the new year?"
"Late November, I think."
"Right. Must away. I'm actually at one of those boring meetings one has to attend. See you early next week."
"Right John. Good to hear your voice."
"Likewise. Bye now!"
*
The following Tuesday morning, Karla arrived at work a little before eight to find two gigantic truck and trailer units and a mobile crane on the grounds between Gannet and Tern Blocks. She went out, just as a container was lifted off the first truck and lowered to the ground next to the concrete floor the contractors had laid a few days earlier.
A huge guy with scruffy beard and wearing a bright orange safety jacket and helmet, shorts and hobnail boots ambled over to her. "You the boss lady?"
"I am." Karla had been called lots of titles but this was a new one.
"Got yah classrooms here, two rooms in each container. Came in on a container ship on Saturday from Warm Sunshine Construction in Shanghai. Funny, the English names the Chinese use. I reckon the sunshine would be hot, not warm" He laughed, walked back and reached for a clipboard from his cab. "You gotta sign along the dotted line." A dirty finger pointed to a place on the document.
"Thank you," Karla replied and signed the paper.
The man stood back and grinned. "Flash school. Different in me day. When's Bubs due?" He glanced at her swollen tummy.
"November."
He nodded and rolled himself a cigarette. "Me too! Well the Good Girl is due then. Our third. You's got any others?"
Karla grinned. "A three year old daughter."
"Me too. Hoping for a boy but another gal's coming." He grinned. "Not that I really mind. Anyway, nice talkin' to yah."
"Thanks for bringing the containers."
"No problem." He ambled back to his now empty truck, gave Karla a toot on the air horn and moved it away. She watched for a moment as the container was lifted off the second truck and the three vehicles drove away before she swung around and noticed two men watching her from a school doorway. She recognised John Cosgrove at once but not the other quite elderly man dressed like John in a suit.
"Hi John," she said. "These are our new classrooms. They arrived a month earlier than expected."
"Sounds like the typical Chinese. What would take a year to build in New Zealand takes them a couple of weeks and what's the bet, they will be exactly what you ordered." He turned and opened his hand out to the other man. "May I introduce Stuart McGrail, the new commissionaire over at Westview Intermediate?"
Karla shook hands with Stuart and welcomed him to the school while John stood back and grinned. "My God, you never told me you were going to be a mother again. How many now?"
"There's just Alexis and now my second daughter."
John turned to Stuart. "I know Karla from way back and as I was telling you, she straightened out half the schools in Central Otago for us."
"That's an exaggeration, John," Karla cut in. "Anyway, come along to my office or would you rather have a coffee in our cafeteria? They're serving breakfast now." Karla gave Stuart a brief account of how their cafeteria operated.
Stuart smiled and glanced at John. "I could do with a coffee. How about you?"
"Love one."
The cafeteria was already half full with yellow and navy blue uniformed students as well as a handful of adults. Several greeted her as they got their coffee and moved to a corner table. Stuart was impressed by the place and asked about the two different uniforms.
"The navy ones are from the senior high a block away," Karla explained. "This is a perfect example of having a private company contracted in. Anyone can come in for breakfast or a coffee and the company also has the contract to provide morning and afternoon refreshments in our staffroom."
"Nice tone," Stuart glanced at John. "Different from Westview Intermediate. I always said I could watch the pupils arrive at a school's gate and to sum the place up."
"Stuart was an intermediate school principal before working on the Education Review Office team for five years and finally retiring last year," John explained.
Stuart smiled. "Before they dragged me back to help over at Westview." He glanced around. "We never had facilities like this in my day. Our canteen sold pies and coke from an old prefab beside the football field."
"Yes, we're proud of facilities," Karla replied and grinned at the difference between the two men she had met that morning, one rough and ready and the other a perfect gentleman. Both though had that pride in what they were doing and she enjoyed speaking to them both.
*
In her office twenty minutes later, John finally began to explain everything that was happening at Westview Intermediate and why it was necessary to remove the board of trustees. He produced a ring binder file and handed it to her.
"This is confidential and I'll give you a brief summary on what we have gathered about our friend over at Westview. Even if you are not interested in a permanent Executive Principal's position, we'd like you to attend a meeting in that capacity with Peter Niles that is arranged for Thursday morning."
He explained everything while pointing out various parts in the document that had numbered paragraphs and clauses, like in a legal document. Karla frowned as she listened. It was serious but not as bad as it could be with nothing sexual or thief as a servant involved.
"So how did he get away with it for so long?"
she asked.
It was Stuart who replied. "His personality, I guess. He oozes confidence and comes across as a leader, if you like that sort of person. I know of many principals and managers in large corporations who rule through intimidation and fear. It's not my style and obviously not yours."
Karla nodded. "Okay, but how did this affect the Westview Board of Trustees?"
"I guess he became over confident. At the last board elections he didn't falsify any votes but actively encouraged parents who supported himself to become candidates while discretely tried to discourage those that he knew would oppose him on the board. He was partially successful and ended up with a divided board more or less split down the middle. Even the staff representative was too scared to oppose him at meetings.
It was also similar with the appointment of staff. He had long term relieving positions for many vacancies that expired, usually after two years. Again the system is legal but morally wrong and never intended to replace permanent positions. With this, anyone he didn't like found their position expired and they were without a job."
"But most of those who applied for our positions are permanent staff there," Karla said. "Did he stop the practice?"
Stuart nodded. "The ERO team warned him about doing this and he backed down over the last couple of years."
"But still intimidated staff?" Karla asked.
"It appears so. Finally we decided to step in after four of the parent representatives on the board resigned en masse after backing a PTA complaint about bullying and racial discrimination," John said. "This other stuff came to light when I decided to check on his earlier career to see if anything similar had happened at other schools."
"So if he wasn't so arrogant he would have probably got away with it?" Karla said.
"Probably. Sometimes we are a little too trusting here in New Zealand," John said. "So will you come to Wednesday's meeting as a seconded Executive Principal?"
Karla nodded. "But I'm not interested in stepping in as an acting principal there or even as a change principal. Perhaps if I wasn't pregnant I might consider it but even then..." She grinned. "My hands are filled here, the school may appear to run itself but it still needs a guiding hand."
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