The Long Call (Two Rivers #1) - Ann Cleeves Page 0,84
do a proper audit, the place would probably be shut down.’
‘And you think you’d be able to help with that?’
‘Well, yes. Actually, it would be a challenge to sort out their systems. Their invoicing at the moment is a nightmare. All those different organizations renting rooms, employing staff. Different pots of money coming from social services and a variety of arts and welfare charities. I’m sure that the Woodyard itself is missing out. The whole thing needs to be simplified.’
Matthew wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that. He thought Marston was probably right, but it seemed like a betrayal to Jonathan to agree.
Marston must have picked up on the ambivalence. ‘Oh, I’m sorry. That was tactless, wasn’t it? I’d forgotten that your…’ he hesitated, looking to find the right word ‘… partner runs the show.’
He didn’t sound sorry and Matthew thought it unlikely that there had been a lapse of memory. There had been something snide, accusatory about the comments. Matthew wondered if the whole conversation had been a second-hand pitch for the role of administrator. Perhaps Marston was missing the status he’d had when he was working or the couple had run out of money and he was looking for employment again. Matthew could understand the man wanting an escape from Hilary.
‘My husband. Yes. But he just runs the centre day to day, tries to keep all the different organizations happy. A board of trustees manages the show, as you call it.’ He forced a smile. ‘I’m sure they’d be delighted if you volunteered your services on the administration front, and they’re always looking for board members with specific skills.’
‘Well, that has been mentioned.’ But still, the man seemed pleased. He looked at his watch. ‘I have to move on. It’s time for the next census point.’
‘Do you know the Shaplands? They live in one of the cottages on the creek close to the nature reserve. You must pass it most days while you’re out birding. Christine is a woman with Down’s syndrome. She goes to the day centre at the Woodyard.’
‘She’s the person who went missing?’ Marston said.
‘Yes.’
‘I’m sorry, Inspector, Hilary and I keep ourselves to ourselves. As you’ll have realized, we don’t have a lot to do with our neighbours. I’m afraid I can’t help you.’ He was already moving away along the bank. ‘Do get in touch again if you have any more questions.’ He slid down the bank to the beach and walked off towards Crow Point. Soon, he was no more than a shadow in the mist. Matthew stood for a moment looking out at the water.
In the car again, he checked his phone. There’d been a call from Maurice Braddick. An awkward message, as the man stumbled over his words. ‘I wonder if you’d mind calling to see me. There’s something I should have told you when you were here the other night. It’s been troubling me.’
Matthew called him back. ‘I got your phone message. How can I help?’
‘It’s not something I feel I can talk about on the phone. I wanted Lucy to stay at home until all this has been cleared up, but she’s as stubborn as her mother was and made sure I took her over. I dropped her at the Woodyard and I’m home now, but I could come back to Barnstaple if you like.’
‘No,’ Matthew said. ‘I’ll come to you.’ Because he thought Maurice would speak more easily in his own home, and besides, when he was on the move he felt he was making progress, on his way at least to achieving a result.
* * *
They sat as they had before in the kitchen, looking out on the long back garden, with its neat vegetable plot and the chicken run at the end. The hens had been let out to forage. Tea was made and poured, before Maurice started speaking.
‘You were asking about Dennis and Grace Salter.’
‘Yes. The night before she went missing, Christine Shapland was staying with them. Do you have something to tell me about them?’
Maurice was clearly anxious, but Matthew saw something else on his face. Discomfort? Fear? It could simply be prejudice triggered by members of a small religious community, who kept themselves apart, who held views that seemed odd and outdated. Matthew had experienced fear and ridicule from his peers when he was growing up. He knew how that felt. But is seemed that Maurice’s antipathy was based on more than the distrust