‘Oh, I won’t be drinking it. It doesn’t hurt to remind some people that they may be able to take the lead in some meetings, but for others they’re the tea boy.’

Chapter 62

Two weeks later

Joel ran his fingers over the weathered brass bolts that were visible in the thick wood of the ancient door. It struck him as a little odd that there was such an impregnability to British churches and how this contradicted the message of a warm welcome from inside. Today the welcome had indeed been warm. Only the vicar and an elderly woman tutting over paperwork were present and both were quick to understand the situation – as out of the ordinary as it might have been.

When he stepped away from the church the sun flooded over him, justifying his decision to leave his suit jacket in the car. It had meant his cuffs, baton and spray were out on show, digging into his solid chest and back in a spindly holder that he had only agreed to wear as a trade-off with DS Rose. She hadn’t wanted to come here at all and had made it clear why: how it was an unnecessary risk, stupid even – the sort of decision that wouldn’t have to go very wrong for it to be career-ending; and how she couldn’t think of a single good reason for their diversion. Joel had only disagreed with her on the last part. There was a very good reason for their diversion and he was still standing where Joel had left him, his weight upon crutches under each arm, with DS Rose standing close by his shoulder. She still looked unimpressed.

‘Just the vicar and an elderly-looking woman. Hardly an elite escape team,’ Joel said.

Richard Maddox smiled. ‘Dammit,’ he said softly.

‘Ten minutes,’ Joel said, ‘and I mean it.’

‘Okay then.’ Richard seemed to hesitate. He was looking straight ahead across the graveyard of Lympne Church. ‘Is it strange to feel nervous?’

‘Nervous?’

‘This is the first time I’ve been up here since … Well, there’s just a lot to tell her. I know what she’ll say, about me being a hothead. She always told me it would get me in serious trouble one day.’

‘I’m sure she’ll understand.’

‘It’s just over a year ago now. I hated the person who took everything away from me, but not as much as the person who showed me what was left. I was duped. I am a hot-headed old fool. If I’d just taken a moment to think …’

‘You were never supposed to think. Just react,’ Joel said.

‘Well, I certainly did that.’ Richard still hesitated, and his eyes looked heavy as he turned them towards Joel. ‘Tell me, Inspector Norris, is this the last time I ever get to come here? Is that why you broke so many rules to bring me?’