Betrayal of Innocence (A New Adventure Begins - Star Elite 1)

Both Graham and Vanessa nodded.

“What I can’t understand is why Weeks didn’t arrest Curtis when Vanessa first noticed Geraldine’s things had gone,” Graham grunted. “I mean, what more proof could there be?”

Justin shook his head. “He seems to go on personal assumptions, not hard evidence, and that is something my boss will hear about. If it is evident he isn’t doing his job properly, and is being unprofessional, he has to be removed from his position. We will sort it out. Right now, we have to focus our attention on finding the missing and stopping anyone else from being taken.”

“Let’s hope all of this is over quickly, eh?” Graham murmured. He turned his attention to his goblet and seemed to forget Vanessa and Justin were even in the room with him.

“Can I have a word with you for a moment?” Justin asked her when they had spent several moments in companionable, if solemn, thought.

Vanessa followed him out of the room.

“Are you all right now?” he murmured, unsure why he was asking. She was hardly likely to say yes given the emotional upheaval she was having to deal with.

“Yes, thank you,” she replied with a small smile. “I had suspected that Geraldine was dead, but it still comes as a shock to hear it officially.”

“Just remember that it isn’t definite yet,” Justin warned.

Vanessa nodded.

“Who would you recommend is a reliable source of information in the village? You know, someone who will be prepared to talk to us openly about Jemima, and Lisa?” he asked gently, painfully aware of the intimate atmosphere in the hallway.

“Monica down at the tavern will have heard a lot of gossip, I am sure,” she replied only to stop when Justin shook his head.

“We don’t want gossip,” Justin replied. “We want facts. If we ask anybody at the tavern, the owner will have heard half a dozen accounts, all of which will be different and embellished in some way. No, we want facts from someone who won’t be inclined to add their own twist to the story.”

Vanessa thought carefully for a moment. “There is Magda, from the orphanage, but she doesn’t get out much, so might not be aware of what is going on. The only other person is the vicar, I suppose. He can go around the village freely and has the confidence of the villagers. I am sure he would answer your questions given the circumstances. Other than that, I think the only other person around here who is like father and keeps an eye on the village from his front room window will be Horace Frewer, but he is on the other side of the village, on the main Morgan Road.”

Vanessa gave him directions on where to find Horace and escorted Justin to the door.

“Stay indoors please,” he murmured.

“How long do you think it will take you to find whoever it responsible?” Vanessa sighed.

“Why do you stay here?” Justin blurted out. Everything inside him was screaming at him that this was neither the time nor the place, but the words were out before he could hold them back.

“This is my home,” Vanessa replied simply. “Where else would I live?”

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“Don’t you have any inclination to travel further afield? I mean, this village is pretty but there is nothing to do here. Haven’t you ever wanted something – more?” he asked.

“Like what?” It was clear from the look on her face that she had never contemplated it before.

Justin squinted at the door. “Well, you could travel to London. I mean, there are theatres there, and museums, and all sorts of sights and sounds to experience. It is always busy and would give you plenty of opportunity to do something different with life.”

“Like what?” Vanessa challenged.

“Anything,” Justin replied. “This place is so quiet. It is perfect for someone who is waiting out the rest of their days but doesn’t have much to offer someone who needs to experience life.”

“But I do experience life,” she protested. “I have everything I want here and can go to town whenever I please. What else could I need? Besides, London holds no appeal to me. Why would I go to a city full of people bustling this way and that? Why would I want all that noise, chaos and confusion?”

“It can be good to be challenged occasionally,” Justin countered. “Have you never been to London?”

“I have, and I didn’t care for it. In fact, I can distinctly recall being glad to leave the place behind. I shouldn’t wish to go back. Why would I want to leave here to go to someone dark, smoke laden and cramped? No, I am happy where I am, thanks,” she replied with a shudder.

Justin, somewhat defeated, nodded thoughtfully but had to work hard to keep his disappointment off his face.

“Why do you ask?” Vanessa wondered if there was a personal reason for his question. She realised then how foolish she had been to answer him so quickly. “I am sorry. You come from London, don’t you?”