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Chapters (70)
  1. Cover
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  3. Map of Rutland
  4. Map of Oakham
  5. 1
  6. 2
  7. 3
  8. 4
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  10. 6
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  67. 63
  68. On Borrowed Time
  69. Acknowledgments
  70. Adam Croft

‘Alright, alright. So fifty years ago a bunch of families were displaced from their homes, yeah? They’d probably lived there for generations, tended the land, been part of the community. Then a big company comes in and decides to flood the lot. That’d fuck you up good and proper.’

‘Is that the official psychiatric term?’

‘Don’t forget the reason Normanton Church got deconsecrated was because of the flooding of the villages and the creation of Rutland Water. Otherwise, it’d still be a totally normal church on top of a hill, rather than a tourist attraction halfway underwater. Some of the families who lost their homes probably would’ve gone to that church.’

‘What, you think someone’s held a grudge for fifty years? And if that’s the case, why Roger Clifton? He was only a kid when all that happened. He’s hardly responsible for it, is he? Anyone who was involved is going to be long gone now. And anyway, attitudes have mellowed. Everyone knows it was for the best. The county’s booming now.’

‘Yeah, but what if they haven’t mellowed? What if someone’s been sitting there with it brooding for fifty years?’

‘Then why now? And why Roger?’

Dexter sighed. ‘I dunno. But we’re close. I’m sure of it. There’s got to be something we’re missing. I can feel it.’

Caroline looked at him. ‘Is that an admission that gut feelings are alright now, then? When they’re your gut feelings, I mean.’

‘No, I didn’t mean it like that. If I’m right, the religious thing might have more legs than I thought. But I don’t think it’s the motive in itself. We’ll get there. Just thought it was something worth mentioning. Maybe we might be able to put our heads together on it tomorrow.’

‘Yeah. Tomorrow.’

‘Perhaps Arthur Clifton’ll be able to shed some light on things. Alice seems convinced he’s been after the company for a while. Either way, I think we’re getting closer than you reckon. These things don’t take much. Only needs someone to slip something into conversation or make one wrong move, and we’re in.’

‘Thanks for covering for me, Dex. And thanks for dropping me home.’

‘Most of the way home. Get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning. We’ll get this figured out, alright?’

Caroline nodded. ‘I know we will.’