Crisis at the Cathedral by Jeanne M Dams

Author:Jeanne M Dams [Jeanne M. Dams]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2017-12-14T00:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

Alan wasn’t home when I got there. The rain was still pelting down, and I was cold and wet. I got out of my wet clothes and took a hot shower, and then, since I was in the bedroom and clad in a bathrobe, lying down to rest for a moment seemed a good idea. I pulled up the eiderdown and the animals settled around me. Blissful warmth. Ten minutes …

Alan woke me at teatime. ‘Good rest, darling?’

‘Oh, dear. I hadn’t meant to go to sleep.’ I yawned and stretched. ‘How did it go with Derek and co today?’

‘Not well, I’m afraid. Get dressed while I make tea, and we can talk.’

‘Can you actually tell me anything? I ran into Derek briefly and he was very close-mouthed about the whole thing.’

‘I can give you some general outlines. Not much more. I’m sorry.’

‘Goes with the territory. I’ll be down in five minutes.’

Well, it was ten, because I had to dress, and then the cats decided they needed some extensive cuddling, but when I got downstairs Alan had made the tea and set out some jam tarts. ‘Heavens, I just had a big lunch!’ It was a ritual comment; Alan paid no attention, but put two on my plate and poured my tea. ‘Shall I recount my day first, or you?’ he asked.

My mouth full, I pointed to him.

‘I met Derek and we went to MI5 headquarters to meet with Carstairs and Duncan.’

‘And Jonathan?’

‘No. Jonathan’s unofficial. They allow him to meddle, up to a point, but Duncan in particular is pretty testy about him.’

I sipped my tea. ‘Duncan is pretty testy about a lot of things.’

‘As well he might be! Dorothy, think of what he’s facing. He’s under enormous pressure because of the escalation in terrorist activity, not just here in England, but all over the world. His job is to be suspicious of everyone, and that suitcase full of money points suspicion squarely at the Ahmads.’

‘But—’

‘We, you and I, want to believe them innocent. And perhaps there are innocent explanations for the money, but I admit I find few of them convincing. And I know and like the family. I can’t blame Duncan for his attitude.’

I held up both hands in concession. ‘Okay, okay. So you met. At MI5 HQ, I suppose. Where is it, by the way? Or can you not tell me that?’

‘My dear girl, you can find it yourself online. There’s no secret about it. It’s just across the Thames from Lambeth Palace.’

‘Ah. So the archbishop can keep an eye on them. Good.’

‘I doubt my Lord of Canterbury has much influence over Duncan’s domain. However. We met. We told both the bigwigs about the infamous suitcase. Duncan was furious with Derek for not finding it earlier, and with the Endicotts for “concealing” it. I had a bit of trouble holding onto my temper at that point.’

‘I should say so! As if any of them were at fault!’

‘Duncan is the sort who has to blame someone when anything goes wrong, and things have gone badly wrong.

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