Salvation Hall by Kingdom Mariah

Author:Kingdom, Mariah
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2018-08-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Nancy paused on her way down the stairs and turned to look out of the small, leaded window on the landing, across the lawn to the lake. She had worked so hard yesterday evening to keep the household on an even keel, comforting Richard, pandering to David, even ministering to Stella’s complaints to keep her quiet. She might as well have saved herself the trouble.

DCI Price had arrived at Salvation Hall just after seven that morning, in the first of a succession of police vehicles, marked, unmarked, some laden with officers, others carrying what appeared to be diving equipment. From the window Nancy could see events unfolding, more blue and white police tape being unravelled around the ornamental lake, DS Parkinson in conversation with the Chief Inspector, and other officers moving to and fro, preparing for the dive to search the cold, unwelcoming waters beneath the trembling lilies.

And she could see Becca.

She could almost believe that Becca hadn’t moved since yesterday evening, since she – Nancy – had tried to persuade the girl to go home. If she had gone home, Nancy thought, we wouldn’t be watching this pantomime now.

‘Do you think they’ve found the gardener?’ A brittle voice behind Nancy broke the silence.

She didn’t turn to answer. ‘I have no idea, Stella. All I know is that Becca’s brother claims that he dived the lake last night, and found a body down there.’

Stella had reached the landing now, and she peered over Nancy’s shoulder out towards the lake. ‘God, what a terrible thing to do for a living. Diving for dead bodies.’ She gave a shiver so fierce that Nancy could almost feel it. ‘What on earth made Becca’s brother dive into the lake at night in the first place?’

‘I suppose Becca persuaded him to go in and look for Philip.’

‘Would it have occurred to her that he might have committed suicide? In remorse for murdering Lucy?’

‘I have no idea. The only thing I know is how distressed Richard is by all of this. If they confirm it is Philip, he’ll be heartbroken. He’s had a dreadful night. I don’t think he’s slept at all.’

Stella uttered a quiet groan. ‘I suppose he’s going to mope all over the place today.’ Unseen by Nancy she rolled her eyes. ‘He was very fond of Philip, wasn’t he? Do you think there was a reason for that? There was a resemblance between them. I’ve often wondered whether he was Philip’s father.’

A sudden blush of anger suffused into Nancy’s cheeks. ‘I’ve never thought about it. But if he was, I suppose that would have made him your brother-in-law, wouldn’t it?’

‘It would have made him Lucy’s uncle. That would have been incestuous, wouldn’t it? Uncle and niece?’

‘Just as well, then, that they weren’t related.’ Nancy smiled through gritted teeth, and made a conscious effort to steady her breathing. ‘I hope, Stella, that you’re going to be supportive to Richard today. He’s an old man, and he’s already grieving Lucy’s death. You might show him a little compassion.

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