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.Once she’d dried out, she spent a long time helping the pastor deal with women in a similar situation, or who had become homeless, or were escaping from an abusive relationship.‘The pastor told me he all but lost contact with her after she joined what he referred to as a “quasi-religious sect”.I say all but, because he still receives a Christmas card from her every year.The last one showed a picture of the headquarters of the sect, which, as he remembered it, was based in an old country mansion somewhere in the Scottish borders.‘I rang various local authorities and got lucky.The sect is based in the Kelso area and is known as The Children of the One True Light.I rang them’ – Clara grinned – ‘and after I’d waited for them to announce their title, I spoke to someone who referred to herself as their almoner.She was quite open, said they didn’t believe in hiding anything and that Sister Evangeline, as Mrs Perry is now known, is one of their most respected elders.I asked if it would be possible to speak to her, but was told she was instructing some novices in the ways of the brotherhood and would be tied up for most of the day.I also asked about the possibility of a visit, and was told that was quite permissible.I said I’d ring back after I’d spoken with you.’‘That’s extremely good work, Clara, and I’ve been doing a bit of thinking.’ Nash smiled as he heard Mironova groan.‘Let’s face it, we’re making little or no progress as things stand, with either end of the case, so here’s what I suggest.We believe that the same person killed Graham Nattrass and Max Perry, even though there is a quarter of a century gap between the two murders and half the length of the country.At about the time that Nattrass was being killed, Max Perry’s nephew Raymond was also being attacked only a few miles away.Conclusion?’‘That all three events were linked, even though we’re not sure what the link is.’‘OK.Any ideas?’‘It could be the missing woman, Frankie Da Silva, although I’m not sure in what way she could be connected to Nattrass.Similarly, it could be this talk of diamonds.’‘I don’t see how Nattrass could be connected to the diamonds, Clara.He wasn’t born at the time, besides which the diamond story is just a rumour.’‘Which leaves the woman.’‘Possibly, but without more fact, more background, we’re snookered.’‘That was what Wellings told us, barroom gossip I think he called it, all those years ago.’‘I think we have to try and force things to happen.’‘How?’‘Let’s start with background on the people concerned.Begin with Ray and Max Perry.I think we should visit the Children of the Whatever-Their-Name-Is and interview Sister Angelica, or whatever Ray Perry’s mother calls herself these days.If anyone can shed any light on their activities, she can.Besides which, she needs to know what’s happened to Ray.’‘Her name’s Evangeline.OK, I’ll phone for that appointment, shall I?’‘Please, and when Viv gets in ask him to concentrate on Graham Nattrass, find out more about his parents and upbringing.He can make a start on that.It will make a change from his trawl through theatrical agencies, although I’m still hoping that will yield something about the mysterious Frankie Da Silva.’‘And what will you be doing whilst we’re busy with that? Nothing, same as usual, or sitting here pretending to think?’‘No, I’m going to go through these files again and then phone my friend Brian in the Met.He might be able to tell us more about what happened to Max Perry’s organization after he was murdered.He might also be able to shed some light on what became of the one person involved in all this that we haven’t given much thought to.’‘And who might that be?’‘Max Perry’s widow, Corinna.It might be interesting to find out where she is and what she’s doing these days [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]