‘Oh yes. I don’t know how we managed without him. I’m all right at the research, and ferreting out facts and details, but he can hold a crowd in the palm of his hand. When he came along to a demonstration outside the London HQ, he even got passers-by joining in. We passed out flyers to commuters and got dozens of email addresses, and hundreds of pounds in contributions for the campaign. Whatever he puts himself into he commits a hundred and ten per cent.’

Gillard nodded.

‘Detective chief inspector, I’ve always believed in redemption through atonement. Matthew is the living embodiment of that. He’s done wonders for our community, not just the church.’

Chapter Thirteen

It was Sunday evening, seven p.m., when Gillard’s grey Vauxhall turned into his home street. His thoughts shifted from work worries to domestic worries. They were every bit as challenging. Trish had agreed to move into her bungalow tomorrow. She had her cats back, and Sam had given the place a thorough airing. It was about time, but he didn’t expect it to go smoothly.

So as he reversed up the drive, he took a deep breath to prepare himself for the difficulties that the evening was bound to bring. But they didn’t come from quite the expected direction. He was just getting out of the car when his mobile rang. He answered it expecting it to be the office, but it wasn’t. It was Sheila Ransome.

‘Mrs Ransome, I think I’ve told you not to call this number directly.’

‘When you hear what I’ve got to say you’ll be glad I did. You know my Stewie; he does some gardening for the Rev Cleaver. A bit of lawn mowing, usually. Well, this afternoon he was asked to dig out the old compost heap, and he found something quite interesting.’

Gillard tried to be patient, but this meandering introduction was the last thing he needed. ‘And that was?’

‘Fingers. What looked like two human fingers, underneath. All black and horrible.’

She had his full attention now. ‘When exactly did he discover them?’

‘Well, I’m not really sure. He was being a bit evasive…’

‘Has anyone mentioned this to Rev Cleaver?’

‘No. He says he hasn’t, neither have I.’

‘Good. Where are these two digits now?’

‘In a plastic food box in my fridge.’

‘Good. Do not tell anybody, understand? Keep it entirely to yourself, and keep Stewie at home and away from people until I get an officer to you. I’m off duty at the moment, but I’ll come and interview you about it tomorrow.’

‘Stewie told me that the Rev Cleaver was a murderer, but I just thought he was being silly.’

‘Yes, he mentioned that to me too,’ Gillard said. ‘In relation to Cluedo.’

‘On the stairs, with the dagger,’ she said. ‘That’s what he kept saying.’