Dawson parked the car beside a Range Rover Discovery that sat in front of a spacious barn conversion. This was nearer to the picture in his mind for the registered address of a Heathcrest Academy pupil.

The door was answered by a woman he guessed to be in her early sixties. Her hair was a short shock of white atop a naturally tanned skin tone. Simple stud earrings adorned her lobes, and a silver chain around her neck accentuated skin that had spent time outdoors.

But this woman was too old to be the mother of the boy he was seeking.

‘May I help you?’ she asked, pleasantly.

‘I’m sorry, I’m looking for Tristan Rock,’ he said. The family must have moved in the nine months since he’d attended Heathcrest.

‘You know Tristan?’ she asked, stepping aside.

Dawson shook his head as he entered the property. ‘Is Tristan here?’

The woman nodded and offered her hand. ‘Louisa Rock,’ she said. ‘Tristan’s paternal grandmother.’

Dawson shook her hand and introduced himself.

She looked puzzled but invited him to sit.

‘What business do you have with my grandson?’ she asked, reaching for a small china cup on the coffee table.

‘I’d just like a moment with either your grandson or his parents, if I may,’ Dawson replied, assuming she was living here in her son’s house. If Tristan was home, he guessed he must be home-schooled now.

‘I’m afraid Tristan’s parents don’t live here. This is my home, and Tristan lives here with me,’ she said, protectively.

‘I didn’t realise that. Are you his legal guardian?’ he asked, trying to keep the open challenge from his voice.

There was something sinister going on at that school that may or may not be linked to the death of two children, and he had a feeling that Tristan Rock could offer him some help.

‘Tristan has lived with me since he was four years old because of my proximity to the school. And the fact that his parents are very rarely in the country,’ she said, unable to keep the disapproval from her voice. ‘My son lives off his inheritance from his father, who gave him too much money and not enough sense, I’m afraid.’

Dawson was forming a picture in his mind.

‘They didn’t want Tristan?’ he asked, lowering his voice.

‘There’s no need to whisper. He can’t hear you. They wanted him at first but not when he became an inconvenience to their lifestyle. I’m afraid to say my son is very spoiled and has never worked a day in his life. He chose an equally fickle wife, and they have much in common. The main thing being that they both love themselves more than anything else in the world.’

Dawson couldn’t help the smile that touched his lips. ‘Mrs Rock, your candour is refreshing.’

‘I blame myself, of course, and my late husband. No one wants to see their child struggle but having the financial means to remove all adversity isn’t always the kindest thing to do for one’s children.’

‘Does Tristan see his parents?’ Dawson asked. Her honesty made him feel he could ask her anything.

‘Not for a few months now,’ she admitted.

Dawson realised that so far he’d found nothing to envy among these privileged kids at Heathcrest. The only thing that had kept him going through the misery of his school days had been the closeness of his family.

‘You still haven’t explained why you’d like to meet my grandson,’ she said. ‘Or offered me any reason to allow it.’

Well, Tristan might not have the love of his parents, but Dawson wouldn’t want to take this woman on. Thank goodness the kid had someone in his corner.

Her own honesty prompted the exact same response from him. ‘Mrs Rock, there have been incidents at the school that are currently being investigated. In the course of that investigation we’ve stumbled across what appear to be episodes of bullying, hazing, intimidation, and I wondered if your grandson could help me better understand exactly what is going on.’

She shook her head. ‘I’m afraid Tristan can’t help you.’

‘But, if I could just speak to him for a moment. Or if you could explain why he left the school in the middle of the year…’

‘He can’t explain anything to you, officer,’ she said, resolutely.

Dawson tried to hide his frustration. ‘Mrs Rock, there are children being intimidated into silence, forced to join elite clubs and compete for popularity and acceptance. It is sickening and cruel and I really need—’

‘Follow me,’ she said, standing.

He fell into step behind her as she returned to the hallway and entered a door on the right.

‘Officer, I’d like you to meet my grandson, Tristan.’

Dawson felt his eyes opening wide as he stepped into the room.