Silencing the Dead by Will Harker

Author:Will Harker [Harker, Will]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: End House Publishing
Published: 2021-03-07T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

“The slaughter of witches,” I echoed. “I wonder why you’d use an expression like that?”

The doctor shrugged. “It’s just a turn of phrase.”

“Is it? You also referenced witches in your press conference just now, didn’t you?”

“Well, considering the circumstances of your aunt’s murder—the ritualistic nature of it—I suppose a natural association of ideas came to mind.”

“Then tell me, Dr Gillespie, where did you get your information about Tilda Urnshaw’s death?”

He stared at me through those tortoise-shell glasses, his suddenly wary eyes magnified. “I believe… uh… I mean, it’s the gossip of the area, isn’t it? Perhaps I overheard one of the reporters talking about it. I really can’t recall.”

“You can’t recall where you learned the explicit details of a ritual murder, even though you probably only heard about it in the past few hours?” I let the question hang. “All right. Let’s see if your memory is any better concerning the events of yesterday. You were standing right on this spot when you likened people such as Darrel Everwood to a brain tumour that had to be cut away. Burned out. You’re also on record as saying that you’d stop at nothing to eradicate belief in the supernatural. Just how far would you go to achieve that aim, Doctor?”

“You think I’d murder each and every psychic in existence?” He laughed. “My boy, I really wouldn’t have the time.”

“But maybe one or two would do, as a warning to the others? Could you fit that into your schedule of after-dinner speeches, Joe?” I knew I had only moments left before the doctor’s bluster gave way to questions of his own. “What time did you leave the fair last night?”

“It’s Joseph,” he corrected. “And I left at eight-twenty. Before the murder, certainly.”

“You’re very precise in your timekeeping.”

“I happened to glance at my watch. I was running late for another engagement.”

“Another engagement? But you’d finished delivering your speech to the crowds at least half an hour before you left. Why would you hang around if you were needed elsewhere?” When he didn’t answer, I tried a different tack. “What did it feel like when you lost control of the audience last night? I bet that was a unique experience for such an accomplished performer. Did it make you angry?”

“It was… unfortunate,” he admitted.

“You should never let your disciples see you weakened, Doctor,” I advised. “If they realise that their god is just flesh and blood—perhaps even as fallible as the believers he laughs at—what might they do then? There are always other gods, aren’t there? Just waiting in the wings, ready to steal your halo.”

“I must get on,” Gillespie snapped and began to move away.

“I’ve just been speaking with Genevieve Bell’s sister,” I called after him. He stopped and turned back to face me. “Not your biggest fan, I’m afraid. Though, like me, she has some time for your arguments. Can I ask one last question before you disappear? What did you really think of Genevieve? I’m not talking about as a psychic, I mean as a person.

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