Murder Club - Mark Pearson [73]
‘Is that really necessary right now?’
‘As you know, a body was found in the church your husband used to be the vicar of. The victim was murdered and buried there, about the same time as your husband’s brother went missing.’
‘I really don’t see the relevance. This has waited twenty years for your attention. Do you not think it could wait a little longer?’
‘I know this is a difficult time for you, Mrs Hunt, but if you could tell me anything about the last time you saw or spoke to him.’
‘Do you think it is him then, Inspector?’
‘We’re not ruling it out.’
‘It can’t be Jeremy.’
‘You’re sure?’
‘I am not sure of anything any more, Inspector. As a young girl, and later as a lecturer in theology, I was pretty sure. Pretty sure about most things. Now that I am just a silly old woman, it is quite the opposite.’
‘You have lost your faith?’
‘Not in God. Never in him.’
‘The Reverend Jeremy Hunt had been in Africa …?’
‘Yes.’
‘For how long?’
‘Oh I am sure if you check his records, you’ll see he had been over there for many, many years. He would pop back to England every so often. But rarely. More as a holiday. Taking care of affairs, that kind of thing.’
‘What kind of affairs?’
‘The usual. Banking, investments. Like I say, it was more of a holiday and he didn’t ever stop long. We didn’t see much of him.’
‘Your husband had had a falling-out with him?’
‘Not at all. Why do you ask that?’
‘The way you say you didn’t see much of him.’
‘They are both busy men. And some families … well they are not all the same, are they, Inspector.’
‘Certainly not.’
‘Do you have any siblings?’
‘I have a sister.’
‘And do you see much of her?’
‘Sadly not. She lives in America. In Pennsylvania.’
‘Once a very religious part of the world.’
‘Not these days. My sister’s married to a cop. Seems he is kept pretty busy.’
‘I can imagine.’
‘So the last time you spoke to Jeremy …’
‘He had come back from Africa. Twenty years ago. He had phoned us.’
‘Did he speak to you or your husband?’
‘He spoke to me, Inspector.’
‘And what did he say?’
‘Very little. He said he’d come to attend to some matters of pressing urgency and arranged to come to the vicarage for dinner a couple of nights later.’
‘Did he say what the matters were?’
‘No. But he did say that he had left the missionary society that he was working for.’
‘Was that a surprise?’
‘I really couldn’t say, Detective. He didn’t really say much.’
‘Not even at dinner?’
‘He never turned up, Inspector Delaney. And we never saw him again.’
‘And you have no idea what happened to him?’
‘One phone call, a message left on our answer-phone to say he was fine and would be in touch. But that was the last we heard.’
‘He just vanished?’
‘We prayed every night for him. But, no. That was it. We never did find out what happened.’
Delaney made a note in his small, black notebook. ‘Do you know if your husband’s brother had any enemies, Mrs Hunt?’
‘Enemies? What do you mean?’
‘Anyone who may have wanted to do him harm?’
‘No. Why would they?’ She took a sip of water and blinked back some tears. ‘Please, if there is nothing else. I am not up to this at the moment.’
‘Of course.’ Delaney closed his notebook and stood up. ‘I’m sorry to have troubled you.’
‘Inspector,’ she said, as he walked over to the door. ‘Don’t give up on your prayers.’
52.
KATE WALKER APPROACHED Dave Matthews, who was back in his usual spot behind the desk.
‘Doctor,’ he said with a smile and a nod.
‘Hello, Slimline,’ Kate responded. ‘Just to let you know I’m expecting a package couriered over to me sometime soon, I hope. Let me know when it gets here, will you?’
‘Of course I will.’
Kate smiled, but made no attempt to move away.
‘Was there anything else?’
Kate leaned on the desk, keeping her voice neutral, but low. ‘Dr Laura Chilvers,’ she said.
‘Yes.’
‘Friday night – how did she seem to you?’
The desk sergeant shrugged. ‘Much as she ever is, I suppose.’
‘I don’t know,’ said Kate. ‘She seemed a bit … I’m not so sure. Can’t put my finger on it.’
‘She was in a hurry to get out. Some kind of date, I think.