In the Light of Madness (15 page)

As they got out of the car, Greg and Lucinda Edwards pulled up behind them in their convertible BMW. Greg Edwards’s face looked gaunt yet composed, whilst his wife’s demeanour shrieked of fragility and numbness.

Wednesday and Lennox followed the Edwards into the church and sat on a pew at the back. The organist was playing sombre music which cast a weighted shroud onto the congregation. A tight sensation compressed Wednesday’s lungs, and the giant wooden cross on the wall behind the altar loomed over her. Her skin prickled with sweat.

Just as Wednesday considered running from the scene, Reverend Olong stood up to address the throng. He gazed around then spoke. “How shallow has society become that we no longer value—”

He was interrupted by the church door as it swung open, allowing Judith and Des Wright to tumble in, along with some autumnal leaves caught up in the wind. He stopped talking as everyone turned around to look at them.

“What are you lot staring at?” slurred Judith Wright. “We ain’t done nothing wrong and neither has my Darren.”

Des Wright grabbed her by the elbow and led her to a space against the back wall. The reek of alcohol drifted around the congregation. Judith tried to hold her head high but it kept lolling forward as she kept drifting off to sleep.

Reverend Olong made a coughing sound to bring everyone’s attention back to him.

“As I was saying, how shallow society has become, that we no longer value the community spirit that once bound us together. Don’t look at your neighbour through guarded or mistrustful eyes, look at them with respect, honour, and love so we can live in harmonious peace. We need to cherish the children amongst us so they grow up knowing about the values of God and accord between brethren.”

He paused to allow the words to filter into the congregation’s thoughts and minds, and he took that moment to look towards his wife who sat at the end of the first pew. Wednesday could not see her face, but she noticed the reverend looked strained.

He continued with the service, and when the time came for the congregation to rise, Wednesday noticed that Greg Edwards remained seated, even though his wife was desperately tugging on his arm.

Wednesday could also clearly see Scarlett relishing the occasion as she kept jotting down words in her notebook. Trepidation about Scarlett’s next article was rearing its ugly head.

“I’m surprised James Dolby hasn’t accompanied his wife,” whispered Lennox.

“I’m surprised any family member wishes to be here, it’s so depressing. I wouldn’t have thought this was helpful.”

“Ah, but God can bring some semblance of peace to those that seek it.”

“Are you a believer, Jacob Lennox?”

“Maybe I am and maybe I’m not. You can’t deny that religion has lasted for thousands of years in various forms. That shows it has the ability to withstand a country full of cynics. There is some measure of meaning behind the prayers and the sermons.”

“Religion has only created a powerful source for manipulative human beings to rule the weak of mind.” Wednesday noticed her hissing was getting louder, and some people were turning around to look at her.

Reverend Olong mentioned in prayer the names of Tom Dolby and Claudia Edwards, who had both had their young lives cut short. He then mentioned the desire for the safe return of Darren Giles, and that was when the disquiet erupted with a low rumble from the congregation. Wednesday and Lennox watched as people whispered behind cupped hands, and turned around to look at the Wrights.

“You people think my Darren has done something to those two kids. It would be our fault wouldn’t it, as we ain’t as good as you lot.” Judith was shaking from head to foot with her cheeks as rosy and shiny as gala apples. Des stood by her side with his arms folded across his paunch.

The detectives observed the spectacle then Lennox decided to stand up and motion to Judith to calm down. However, her voice had become shrill and her actions theatrical, so she did not notice his request.

In a stream of swear words, Judith fled the church, leaving a trailing stench of stale sweat and alcohol behind her. Wednesday moved to follow her out, when she saw Vera Olong stand up and make her way up the aisle. Her quickening steps echoed around the stone walls, as did the increased droning of voices from the parishioners.

Wednesday signalled for Lennox to remain inside whilst she followed the women outside. Reverend Olong appealed for calm, and with the wave of his hand, instructed the organist to commence playing the next hymn.

Stepping out of the dingy atmosphere, a ray of autumnal sun with remnants of warmth left in it, sliced through the clouds and touched her face. Wednesday squinted as she moved towards the pair. She could hear Judith’s erratic speech, tempered by Vera’s soothing tones.
She fulfils the duty of a vicar’s wife well
.

“You’ve got a nerve, you owe me,” said Judith as she lashed out and slapped Vera across the face.

“I owe you nothing; you live for alcohol, not for your son,” replied Vera as she put her hand to her cheek. The crumpled lines on Vera’s face erased as Wednesday caught her attention.

“Is everything all right here, ladies?”

“Yes, I’m trained to counsel those in emotional distress. We’re fine I can assure you,” replied Vera as she took her hand away from her face, revealing a red mark.

“How are you getting home?” Wednesday asked Judith, conscious of her alcohol consumption.

“With my Des of course; and no, I ain’t driving. You coppers are all the same.”

Wednesday let the sarcasm wash over her head, preferring to observe the two women. They both shifted around on their feet due to the cold breeze whipping around them.

“Any news on Darren’s whereabouts, Detective?” Vera asked.

“I’m afraid not.” Her eyes flicked briefly towards Judith then back to Vera. “Could I see you and your husband after the service?”

Vera nodded, turning to see people filing out of the church, shaking hands with the reverend as they left. Vera excused herself and went and stood at his side; she leaned in and whispered something in his ear.

Eve was about to speak to Judith when Des came marching over to where they were standing.

“Hope you’re not bothering her,” he said in a deep voice, towering above Wednesday.

Before she had time to reply, Des had put his arm around Judith’s shoulders and guided her away. Wednesday watched as Judith shrugged her shoulders in order to release his grip on her. As the couple disappeared out of view, Wednesday strained to check she could not hear Judith’s cries for help.

Lennox walked up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder.

“Time to talk to the Olongs, Boss?”

Wednesday turned to see Emily Dolby talking to the reverend, but as they approached, she finished her conversation quickly and walked straight past them with her head bowed low.

Reverend Olong smiled at the detectives. “Come to the vicarage, it’s warmer than standing here. Could you take the detectives back, dear, whilst I just tidy up,” he said to Vera as he headed back inside.

They followed Vera back and soon found themselves in a large farmhouse kitchen heated by a range. The walls were painted pea green with a mismatch of crockery displayed on a shabby welsh dresser. Vera made a pot of tea and put an assortment of plain biscuits on a chipped plate.

“This had taken its toll on George. He’s never experienced such shocking acts of violence within a community. He’s dealt with natural deaths within families, even of children, but never something like this.” She shook her head slowly whilst she poured the tea and then placed the teacups in front of everyone.

Reverend Olong blustered into the kitchen, blowing warm air into his cupped hands.

“Did you notice anything unusual at the service, Reverend?” asked Wednesday.

George looked up at the ceiling. “I was very sorry to see Emily Dolby alone; I think James may be suffering a lapse in his faith. They’re normally regular church goers. I was, however, surprised to see the Wrights as they rarely attend. Stress can make people behave in uncharacteristic ways, so I believe.”

“We’ve received an anonymous tip that Darren Giles has been spotted around the church,” began Wednesday before taking a sip of the overly milky tea.

“Really?” replied Reverend Olong.

“Yes, and in light of this, would you allow us to search the grounds and the church again, including the vicarage?”

Reverend Olong turned to his wife then back at Wednesday. “Will it cause much disruption?”

“We’ll try and keep it to a minimum.”

Reverend Olong nodded then turned away to look out the window. “Then I can only agree.”

He excused himself as he had a sermon to write and felt Vera was more than capable of dealing with police matters.

Vera watched her husband amble out of the kitchen before turning to them.

“I do hope we’re not going to experience the trouble we had in the last parish,” she said quietly as she offered them more tea.

“What trouble would that be?” replied Lennox, declining a refill.

“It was nothing but malicious gossip, and although unfounded, the damage was done so we had to leave.”

Lennox took out his notebook whilst Wednesday coaxed Vera to continue.

“George used to teach the choirboys in church, and one day a boy made an allegation about him. It caused quite a stir, as you can probably imagine. But when no proof was found, they moved us here. That’s why I now run the choral sessions, so as not to leave us open to a repeat scenario.”

Wednesday and Lennox looked at one another.

“I’m telling you this in confidence, mind, he gets really upset when he’s reminded of that period.”

“Where was your last parish?” Wednesday asked.

“Bethnal Green in London.”

Wednesday excused herself and called the station, requesting sniffer dogs for the grounds. Whilst waiting for the support, the detectives decided to make a start, so they requested that Vera accompany them around the rambling vicarage.

The space inside was deceptive, with a large damp cellar providing pockets of rooms leading off from the main area, which housed boxes of church paraphernalia. The kitchen itself had a walk-in larder, with shelves full of tinned foods and homemade pickles and jam. There were nooks and crannies all over the house suitable for hiding purposes, although the spaces were generally crammed full of junk and books.

They moved to the upper floor and became privy to the night habits of the couple. Wednesday noticed that two of the four bedrooms appeared to be in use.

“Do you and the reverend sleep separately?” asked Wednesday.

“I’m not sure that is pertinent to the investigation, but yes we do. George sleeps facing the church and my room overlooks the garden.”

The only place left to search was the loft. Wednesday followed Lennox up the ladder and was surprised by the sizable space they found themselves in. She could hear Vera climbing up the ladder behind her.

“Can you smell chips,” Lennox said quietly, as he dusted a cobweb off his shoulder.

“Faintly. Perhaps you’re feeling hungry and you’re having an olfactory hallucination.”

Lennox frowned and pressed forward through the large trunks and boxes. They weaved about in the loft, until suddenly they came across a disturbed pile of blankets and quilts. Wednesday bent down and moved the blankets using her pen. She prodded something hard, and when she pulled the blanket back, she saw a notebook. She picked it up and noticed Darren Giles’s name scrawled across the cover.

“Take a look at this,” she said, passing it to Lennox.

He flicked through the pages of mainly legible writing, with a scattering of crosses in red pen and the occasional tick. It was a history exercise book. Lennox turned towards Vera and showed her the book; her face showed no emotion.

“Any idea how this got here, Mrs Olong?”

“I’ve never seen it before. What is it?”