10. Dr Philip Harcourt

Transcript of Tape-Recorded Interview conducted at St Aldates Police Station on Tuesday 27^th October 1998. Present: Sgt S. Blackbird, Dr P. Harcourt.

SB: Dr Harcourt…

PH: I don’t mind if you call me Phil, please

SB: Phil, then. Phil, we’re looking into the disappearance of Gideon Buckland and you were one of the last people to see him. I’m sure you appreciate that any information you can give may be very useful. Also that we are not ruling out any possibilities at this stage, so we are going to have to account for your movements.

PH: I understand. Well, I clearly wasn’t the last person to see Gideon. That would have been James. I left at the same time as Jim, just before Last Orders. The others will all confirm that.

SB: And you went straight home. I understand you live quite close to the Butchers Arms.

PH: Yes, Britannia Lane in Headington. About eight minutes’ walk from the Butchers. I pushed my bike – I wasn’t really in a state to cycle at that stage.

SB: And what then?

PH: I..

(Loud knock on the door and door immediately opening)

EM: Ah, Dr Harcourt, so glad I’ve caught you. Chief Inspector Morse of the Detective. Carry on, Sergeant.

SB: For the benefit of the tape, DCI Morse has entered the room and is now seated. Please, Phil, what happened next?

PH: I crashed out on the sofa at home. Woke up at about 10.30 in the morning. I had a splitting headache. I’d missed the start of the bike ride, so I stayed at home, had some food and regretted my follies. I went to the supermarket just after lunch time and started looking at some students’ essays in the afternoon. Didn’t go anywhere else. Got a call from Kate first thing yesterday asking if I’d seen Gid and then you lot turned up at the College.

SB: Can anyone confirm your whereabouts?

PH: Well, no, I live alone. (Pause) I’ve probably got some receipts from Smiths and from Safeway. I don’t suppose they really prove anything though.

SB: Not really, Sir, I’m afraid. Now, Phil, I’m also going to have to ask some more delicate questions. We have reason to believe there might be something between you and Kate Buckland..?

PH: No! You must be joking! Look, I guess you’re referring to the most stupid thing I’ve ever done in my life. Well, I paid for that long ago.

SB: Yes, we were, Sir. Do you still have feelings for Mrs Buckand?

PH: (Pause) Yes, of course I do. I love her. I always have. Right from first meeting her. I… I often wonder what things would have been like, if we’d met before she and Gideon got together. But, you know. It wasn’t to be, was it?

SB: And she knows this?

PH: Yes, it’s a bit difficult to hide something like that.

SB: And she’s never shared those feelings?

PH: Never. She knows how I feel. It’s so very awkward. That’s why she always puts on the Holier Than Thou when we’re together. Christian chastity and fidelity. Yeh, right.

SB; And her husband has now disappeared and you aren’t able to prove your movements over the…

PH: (interrupting) Look, I know it looks bad. But if you lot honestly think I’ve got anything to do with this... Yes, I’m in love with his wife, but Gideon is, well, we all know that he and James are best mates, but I would always regard Gid as MY best friend. I told him about the job at St Peter’s, helped him speak to the right people before the interview. If you think I’d do away him to open my way up to Kate, who has never been interested in me, then you’re all fools. Incidentally, what does she say about… well, I’m just saying: I’m not the one to watch.

(Pause)

PH: Is that, er, is that today’s Times?

EM: Hmm? Yes, sorry, yes it is.

PH: Chariot.

EM: Pardon?

PH: Five Down. Chariot.

EM: I don’t… ah! Yes, I see. It rather had me stumped. Well, thank you. You do The Times, sir?

PH: Every day. Nine minutes, usually. Not on Sundays, though, can’t handle it with a bad head.

EM: I’m nine to ten as well. Usually have all bar one or two done in six and then spend the next few minutes agonising over the last tricky buggers. Speaking of which, Sir, would you mind giving me your envelope of clues for the next pub crawl?

PH: I… yes, I suppose. Just give me a second. (pause and rustling) I’ve got it here in my coat pocket. Here’s you go.

SB: For the benefit of the tape, Dr Harcourt has stood up, taken an envelope out of his coat pocket and handed it to DCI Morse. He has retaken his seat.

PH: Inspector, I’d say you’ve been drinking!

EM: Chief Inspector, sir, but yes. I find a couple of pints of Burton Ale always stimulates the little grey cells.

PH: Agreed, or a Speckled Hen or two.

EM: Indeed. You’ve opened this envelope?

PH: Yes, I thought, in the circumstances…

SB: I thought you had an agreement, Scout’s Honour.

PH: None of us is a Scout, as far as I’m aware. Anyway, I thought it might explain what the hell is going on.

SB: And does it?

PH: Not entirely.

EM: Thank you, sir. Let it be known for the recording that the contents of the envelope are the same as those possessed by Dr Andrew Shelley. There was nothing else in the envelope, sir?

PH: You’ve seen for yourself.

EM: And since you’ve seen the puzzle, is there any comment you’d like to make on potential solutions?

PH: (pause) No, I don’t think I can say anything about it.

SB: You do know, Sir, that withholding evidence or obstructing the Police in their enquiries is a serious…

PH: (interrupting) What am I being accused of, exactly? I’ve come here of my own accord to try to help find my friend. As far as I can see, no crime is known to have been committed and I am not obliged to answer anything. If you are stupid enough to charge me with something then my lawyer will have a field day.

SB: Sir, I…

EM: (Interrupting) That’s quite enough, Sergeant. We’re all very grateful to Dr Harcourt for aiding us in our enquiries. Tell me, did Gideon have a favourite pub at all?

PH: I… What a strange question, but yes, he did. He was partial to a pint of Palmers at the Lamb and Flag – it was just down the alley from the Museum of Natural History where he kept most of his rocks.

EM: Agnus Dei?

PH: Indeed! (pause) Anyway, Chief Inspector. I quite like the Lamb but my favourite pub has always been the Crown.

EM: The Bass is always in decent nick.

PH: And they have their quiz tomorrow night. Starts at 8.30.

EM: I’ve never been into that kind of thing myself.

PH: Oh, you should, Chief Inspector. I’d thoroughly recommend it.

EM: Thank you, Dr Harcourt. You don’t mind if I hang on to these clues? Anyway, this interview is concluded.