Forgive Me Father by Paul Gitsham

Author:Paul Gitsham [Paul Gitsham]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2019-05-15T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 50

‘I’ve finished reading the printed manuscript in the lever arch folder,’ said Pymm. Her tone was reproving. ‘It was a bloody mess, if I’m honest, nowhere near a complete first draft, and it was covered in red pen.’

‘What have you found out?’

Pymm shifted slightly in her chair.

‘First, the good news. In amongst far more than I ever wanted to know about the funding model for a thirteenth-century abbey, and some admittedly cool plans showing priest holes and escape tunnels, there was the deathbed confession that Vernon Coombs told you about.’

‘And did it match his account?’

‘Well, the way it was told in the manuscript was the same as the way you said he relayed it to you. He also cites other accounts from diaries around the time it occurred. Fortunately, he is a great believer in the numbered footnote, so my next job will be to pull out those references from the cardboard box mountain that is blocking my sunlight.’

‘What’s the bad news?’

‘It looks as though that was the chapter he was working on when he became too ill to write any more. He only names one of the alleged abusers, the one that was drowned. IT have finished scanning the computer files on the memory stick you supplied for malware and emailed me a copy. I’m going to see if he has any more complete drafts that he hasn’t printed out yet, but it won’t be quick. He wasn’t the most organised worker, everything is in separate numbered files that don’t correspond to the chapter numbers in the printed manuscript.’

‘Do what you can. I presume that you are here to ask for more help?’

‘Yes please. Those boxes are filled with reams of copied documents and scanned pictures. I had a look inside and they’re numbered, but they aren’t in order and the photocopier wasn’t the best.’

She held her hands out; the fingers shook slightly. ‘I don’t have the dexterity to go rooting through these boxes, especially if I’m wearing gloves, and I can’t deal with that much paper sitting down.’

‘Of course, I completely forgot. I’ll arrange that team immediately,’ said Warren, embarrassed that the welfare of a member of his team had slipped his mind.

‘Thanks, Chief.’ Pymm gave a small smile. ‘I’m working from home tomorrow as I have a hospital appointment in the middle of the day. I’ll tackle the computer files, assuming the remote access server isn’t down again.’

She heaved herself to her feet as Warren handed over her crutches.

‘Well, don’t overdo it.’

‘Don’t worry, sir, I know my limits.’ She paused. ‘Sorry, I get a little snappy when I’m tired.’

Warren took the hint. ‘I’ll put in the request to HR immediately.’

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