Page 65 of Five for Silver

Chad led her away from the vehicle. “Vincentpoured salt in a wound.”

“Ashley?”

“What?”

Lucy shot a look over her shoulder. “Thatwas James’s daughter. She’s buried at the church in Little Wren.There were complications… She only lived a day.”

“I had no idea.”

“He … He met Harriet at the church. She usedto sing in the choir.”

James started the engine and took off fromthe car park.

“What do we do now?” Lucy asked.

Chad glanced at the prison, then away again.“Actually, I was wondering if I could meet your dad…”

****

Chad met Lucy and Harriet’s father, Michaelin The Swan and Oak’s restaurant. He was already seated at a table,but climbed to his feet to kiss Lucy on the cheek, and shake Chad’shand. His fingers were spindly, and his grip weak, and as soon asChad let go he eased himself back onto his seat with a creak in hisspine.

His skin was tanned, and sunspots coveredhis cheeks and the backs of his hands. He had the same deep browneyes as both Lucy and Harriet.

“It’s nice to meet you, Chad.” Michael said,gesturing for him to take the seat opposite. “I’m sorry Vincent hasdragged you into this. It’s probably all the press youreceive.”

Lucy shrugged off her coat. “What do youmean?”

“Chad is always in the newspapers, evenabroad. Why else would Vincent choose him to be involved if it’snot for publicity?”

Chad decided not to mention he and Vincenthad history.

“Tell me honestly, Chad, do you thinkVincent is going to tell you where my daughter is?”

“No. I don’t think he is.”

“This is all a farce then, an added insultto my family before he dies, and he’s dragged my other daughterinto it, too.”

“I’m doing it for mom,” Lucy whispered.“Even if there’s a microscopic chance of finding Harriet, I’ve gotto take it, right?”

Michael shook his head. “I saw how the needto find Harriet consumed your mother. She couldn’t move on. Vincentgets some kind of kick out of that, knowing the pain and terror hecaused lingers. I don’t want you to be consumed with it when youdon’t find her. I don’t want you to waste away to a shell ofyourself like your mother did.”

“That won’t happen. But I need to try forher.” Lucy said.

Michael turned his attention to Chad. “Youwere at Wiltknot this morning?”

“Yes—”

“James drove Vincent to Little Wren church.”Lucy interrupted. “He mentioned Ashley.”

Michael exhaled hard from his nose. “I feltsorry for him when she passed away. Losing a daughter,” he shookhis head. “It’s a pain I understand more now than I did then, butit doesn’t excuse his behavior. He met Harriet at the service forAshley, she sang in the choir. He continued to go to church, atfirst with his wife, but then on his own. He’d stay long afterSunday service and that’s how this all started.”

“What started?”

“His obsession with my daughter. Theletters. The gifts. The walks around the graveyard and the driveshome. She told me they were friends, but I could see what he wasdoing. I saw the way he looked at her.” Michael’s top lip curled.“He tried to kiss her, tried to force himself on her, and she toldme. I went down to the police station to report him, and guess whatthey said…”

“What?” Chad asked.

“They said that James was under a lot ofstress,” he snorted. “That’s all they said, like his behavior wasexcusable, and I should let it continue. Two months later, I wentback to the station with Harriet. She was distraught, and theyfiled away my complaint and request for an injunction. I heardnothing back from them. It was swept away.”

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