NO AGE TO DIE: The release of a dangerous prisoner leads to murder (DCI John Blizzard Book 9)

said Blizzard. He was wary of giving anything away. ‘I am sure that there is a perfectly innocent explanation.’
Agnes relaxed.
‘I am sure there is,’ she said. ‘Henry is such a kind man – but always so worried. I blame those young people at the church. From what I hear, they make his life a misery.’
After chatting for a few more minutes, and declining her offer of another cup of tea, the detectives stood up to leave.
‘Just one more thing,’ said Blizzard. ‘You didn’t happen to know Martha Raine when you attended St John’s, did you?’
‘I did, yes,’ she said. ‘Nice old stick. What happened was terrible. She lived for the flower arranging but they told her she wasn’t wanted. It was a cruel thing to do, it really was. She was never the same after that.’
Once they were outside, it was Colley who spoke first as the detectives walked to the car.
‘Why did you ask about Martha Raine?’ he asked. ‘The DI said it was all straightforward.’
‘It probably is.’ They reached the vehicle and Blizzard looked across at the sergeant. ‘But I want to get a sense of what’s been happening at the church and I don’t like what I’m hearing.’
‘Me neither,’ said Colley. ‘What do you think about what she said about the vicar?’
‘That we had better pay him another visit. The good reverend would appear to have some questions to answer.’

Chapter thirteen
‘The Lord may well move in mysterious ways,’ said Blizzard. ‘But he’s got nothing on Reverend Henry Sanders.’
‘Certainly looks like he’s gone to ground,’ said Colley.
It was 7.00pm and the detectives were sitting in Blizzard’s office at Abbey Road Police Station, sifting through reports of the inquiries conducted by the investigation team during the day. Of Henry Sanders there was no sign, even though his description had been circulated to uniformed patrols and Blizzard and Colley had made two further visits to St John’s. As the officers left the church the second time, they had spied a group of protestors standing nearby with placards demanding that the hostel be closed. At their head, as ever, was Margaret Hatton, giving interviews to a national news television crew. The detectives had made a hurried exit and, now back in the office, they sat drinking from mugs of tea. Blizzard tossed the file he was reading onto the desk in frustration.
‘We’re getting nowhere fast, David,’ he said. ‘Pissed-off old folk and idealistic young people a murder case do not make. We’ve got nothing to tie anyone to the killing of Jamie Holdsworth and that includes Henry Sanders.’
He paused for a few moments.
‘What do you make of Margaret Hatton?’ he asked.
‘Why do you ask?’
‘I don’t know,’ said Blizzard. ‘She’s playing a game and I can’t help feeling that I don’t know all the rules. Be interested to hear your thoughts on her.’
‘Well, she’s a smart cookie,’ said Colley. ‘A right troublemaker and, like you say, one who knows how to play the game. She likes getting her face on the telly and in the papers, and she’s got the media eating out of her hand. In fact, just before I came here, she was on the radio news saying that we should have arrested Macklin the moment he got out.’
‘Yeah, but on what charge?’ said Blizzard.
‘She said that it didn’t matter, society had to be protected from men like that, blah blah.’
‘She’s certainly stirring things up. I’m just not sure why someone with her reputation would be so interested in a scuddy hostel in a place like Hafton.’ Blizzard glanced at the wall clock. ‘I’m going to call it a day. Didn’t you want to get away for rugby practice?’
‘I assumed you’d want me here.’
‘No, you go. I suspect we’re in this one for the long haul and we’ve got to keep our people as fresh as we can. I’ve let Chris go to his karate club so I’m happy for you to go to rugby practice.’
‘Well, if you’re sure.’ Colley stood up and reached for his anorak. ‘I’ll have the mobile if you need me. Where will you be?’
‘I thought I’d go down the shed.’
‘Won’t Fee be expecting you home?’
‘I’ll have missed Mikey’s bedtime by the time I get there. Again. Besides, I need to do some thinking first.’
‘Ah. That kind of a visit.’
Once Colley had gone, Blizzard pulled on his jacket and was about to leave the office when two young constables appeared at the door. He recognised them as the rookies who had been struggling to police the protest. They looked nervous.
‘Evening, gents,’ said Blizzard. He gestured for them to enter the room. ‘How can I help you?’
‘Our sergeant sent us,’ said one of them. ‘DI Ramsey told us that you needed help finding an old lady.’
Blizzard eyed them dubiously.
‘And you’re the best we’ve got, are you?’ he said.
‘Yes, sir.’
‘What are your names?’
‘I’m PC Rowan,’ said the first one. ‘This is PC Leighton. We’re the neighbourhood beat officers for the area including St John’s Church.’
Blizzard picked up the file from his desk and handed it over.
‘Well, PC Rowan and PC Leighton,’ he said. ‘Familiarise yourselves with this. It’s about the disappearance of a woman called Martha Raine. Were you here when it happened?’
They shook their heads.
‘We were finishing our training,’ said Leighton.
‘When you have read the file, I want you to get in touch with her husband and retrace every step that she might have taken. She’s out there somewhere and I want her found.’
‘Can I ask why CID are involved?’ asked Leighton. ‘Is her disappearance being treated as suspicious?’
‘No. I just want to know what happened to her.’
‘It happened last year,’ said Rowan, glancing at the top sheet in the file. ‘We’re unlikely to turn up anything new, are we?’
‘You