NO AGE TO DIE: The release of a dangerous prisoner leads to murder (DCI John Blizzard Book 9) by John Dean (free ebook reader for android .TXT) 📗

‘You get on well with the people at St John’s then?’

‘I’m a member of the congregation, if that’s what you mean.’

‘You born-again?’

‘Na, but I get a lot of business from folks there and it pays to show my face. There’s quite a few young people who have moved into the area so that they can attend services. I hadn’t gone for years but you’ve got to show willing when you run your own business. I don’t really have much time for all that clapping and waving your hands in the air. Why so interested anyway?’

‘We’re looking for anyone who can offer us an insight into what’s been going on in the church,’ said the sergeant.

‘What do you want to know?’

‘Everything. There’s something not right.’

‘That’s why I did not want to be seen talking to you.’ Calvert took a large gulp of whisky and leaned forward. ‘Listen, I don’t want my name dragging into this, right? I don’t want anyone to know I have spoken to you.’

‘Why not?’

‘Let’s just say that it would not be good for business, shall we? Rose-Harvey and his pals have plenty of influential friends.’

‘So he keeps reminding us,’ said Colley.

‘St John’s was a nice church before him and his cronies arrived,’ said Calvert. ‘I went there when I was a kid. I was a Scout – only because it got me in with the Guides, mind.’

Colley smiled at the joke.

‘I drifted away when I got older,’ continued Calvert, ‘but my grandparents kept going. They left a few months after the new people arrived. Didn’t feel welcome. They’re at St Cuthbert’s now.’

‘And who exactly are these new people?’ asked Colley. ‘They don’t seem to be an official group that I can identify.’

‘All anyone knows is that they are from the evangelical arm of the church.’ Calvert drained his glass and filled it up again. ‘Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind born-again Christians. Those stuffy old services bored the arse off everyone so something had to change, but this lot are creepy.’

‘Creepy?’

‘Yeah.’ Calvert glanced toward the office window. ‘You feel like they’re always watching you, in case you do something wrong. And anyone who disagrees with them gets frozen out. That’s why there’s virtually none of the oldies left.’

‘But the older members did save the church from being demolished, didn’t they? Wasn’t it going to be sold off as part of some property deal?’

‘That was the word,’ said Calvert. ‘I don’t know any of the details but, if you ask me, it was all talk. There didn’t seem to be much substance to it and it all fizzled out pretty quickly. I always wondered if the idea might come back some day but when the new folks arrived, congregation numbers grew rapidly and the church is pretty much secure now.’

‘Although current events can’t be helping?’

‘They’re not, no. In fact, I did hear that a number of people have said that they won’t attend services until things quieten down. Henry Sanders had warned Edgar Rose-Harvey and his pals that the hostel would be trouble, but they just shot him down.’

‘From what we hear, the vicar did not get on with the new people,’ said Colley.

‘Not at all. He seemed spooked by them. Edgar Rose-Harvey can be a nasty piece of work if he wants to be. It was like Henry had no influence after the new people arrived. They make all the decisions and Henry looks terrified whenever Rose-Harvey or one of his pals walk into the room. And, like I say, he didn’t like the idea of the hostel.’

‘But I thought that was the church’s big project?’ said the sergeant.

‘But it was their project, not Henry’s. Rose-Harvey said that it was a way of the church showing how the power of prayer can transform even the darkest of hearts. His words or Jacob Reed’s. Can’t remember which one. They all like their grandiose statements. Henry hated the idea of criminals staying so close to the church.’

‘So why didn’t he leave if he was so against it?’

‘It’s not that easy in the church.’ Calvert took another gulp of whisky. ‘Got to jump through lots of hoops if you want a posting – and all it needs is a word in the wrong place from Rose-Harvey and his bunch and he’s snookered. Pity, Sanders is a decent kind of fellow.’

Colley hesitated then decided to take Calvert into his confidence.

‘Not so decent, actually,’ he said. ‘Not to be bandied round but we think that he has stolen a lot of money from the church. I don’t suppose you have heard anything about that?’

‘Nope,’ said Calvert. He gave a low whistle. ‘Never had him down for that sort of thing.’

‘And also between you and me, Mr Calvert, he was the last person to see Jacob Reed before he was injured. I take it you don’t know anything about that either?’

‘That’s right. You sure about that?’

‘Pretty much,’ said Colley.

‘Jesus.’

‘No, we’ve got a witness to say he was elsewhere.’

There was a moment’s silence then Calvert burst into laughter.

‘Sorry, bad taste,’ said Colley but he was grinning as well. The levity did not last long. ‘Tell me, did you know Jamie Holdsworth?’

Calvert was suddenly solemn.

‘He came to the occasional service with his mum,’ he said. ‘And he was in the Scouts.’

Calvert hesitated, as if unsure whether or not he should keep talking.

‘Is there something else you want to tell me?’ asked Colley.

Calvert thought for a few moments then nodded.

‘The vicar was friendly with the family,’ he said in a low voice even though they were the only people in the room. ‘Well, with the kid’s mother, if you get my drift. There were rumours.’

‘And were the rumours true?’

‘All I can say