Chapter 36

The man approaching the car was five-and-a-half-foot tall, fingernail-thin with neatly trimmed silver hair that matched his piercing grey eyes. He was wearing a tan safari jacket, one of those numbers with pleated breast pockets and a cotton belt. He looked like an extra from It Ain't Half Hot Mum, which Poe reckoned was probably the exact opposite of what he'd intended. He was probably the kind of man who'd brag about once owning a wheelie-bin cleaning business. His face was set to ‘hostile and suspicious' as he glared at them through the car window. He gestured for Poe to wind it down.

Poe did as he was asked. ‘What?' he said.

‘This is private property,' the man said. His voice was pinched and officious. ‘Unless you have business here, please leave immediately.'

Poe reached into his pocket and opened his ID. Bradshaw did the same. Linus didn't bother. The man leaned in to examine them.

‘And you are?' Poe said.

‘Joshua Meade,' he said, straightening up. ‘I'm the chief instructor here.'

‘Ah, just the man we're looking for. I understand you're in charge, Josh?'

‘I would appreciate it if you could make the effort to use all of my christened name, Sergeant Poe, not just the bits you can be bothered with.'

‘Fair enough,' Poe said. ‘What was it again?'

‘Joshua. And the local constabulary was here yesterday. May I ask why the National Crime Agency is now involved?'

‘No, you may not,' Poe said.

‘Then might I ask what you are here for?'

‘I haven't decided yet.'

Joshua folded his arms and pressed his thin lips together. ‘This is a place of worship, study and meditation; I hope you're not here simply to be disruptive.'

Poe turned to Bradshaw. ‘Are you feeling disruptive, Tilly?'

‘I'm never disruptive, Poe.'

‘How about you, Snoopy?'

Linus shook his head.

‘Seems none of us is in a disruptive mood today, Joshua,' Poe said, opening the car door and climbing out. He arched his back and removed the cricks. ‘But we would like a look around.'

‘But—'

‘We'll be as quiet as church mice.'

‘I'm afraid that won't be possible.'

‘No?'

‘No.'

‘Why not?' Poe asked.

‘Half the staff are in Keswick for the convention and the rest are either teaching or getting ready for tonight.'

‘What are they doing in Keswick?'

‘The convention is on,' Joshua said, holding his gaze. ‘They're spreading the word.'

‘Jolly good,' Poe said. ‘And what's happening tonight?'

‘A ceremony for graduating students. A small presentation followed by a chance to relax and socialise.'

‘Guess we're stuck with you then.'

‘I'm sorry, Sergeant Poe,' Joshua said. ‘I'd like to help, but Cornelius's death has hit us all hard. It wasn't just a terrible tragedy; given his founder-member status, it was also a huge blow to the organisation. The board is meeting soon to discuss his replacement and there is much to do.'

‘Murder,' Poe said.

‘I'm sorry?'

‘You said "Cornelius's death". Did you not mean Cornelius's murder?'

‘Slip of the tongue, Sergeant Poe,' Joshua said. ‘Now, I'm sorry this has been a wasted journey for you all, but I really must be getting on.'

‘Am I right in thinking that the Children of Job still has aspirations of getting charitable status, Joshua? In fact, don't you have another application pending right now?'

Joshua's eyes narrowed. ‘How could you possibly know that?'

‘I think you'd be surprised at what I know,' Poe said. ‘And I imagine a positive word from the Church would go some way to help you achieve that goal?'

‘That goes without saying, Sergeant Poe. However, many of us feel that the modern church is now too liberal for our organisation, and I'm sure they feel the Children of Job is too conservative for theirs. I fear a positive reference might be too much to ask.'

Poe found the most recently entered number on his phone. He pressed call and when it was answered he spoke quietly. He then passed his phone to Joshua. ‘The Bishop of Carlisle would like to speak to you, Joshua.'

‘Excuse me?'

‘He said the Bishop of Carlisle would like to speak to you, Joshua,' Bradshaw chipped in. ‘He's called Nicholas Oldwater and he's our friend, isn't he, Poe?'

‘He certainly is, Tilly.'

Joshua took Poe's phone. ‘Hello?' he said uncertainly. It was clear he thought he was being pranked.

‘Oh, and don't forget to tell the bishop how the Children of Job is spreading the word in Keswick,' Poe said. ‘I think he'll find that particularly funny.'

Joshua scowled and stepped away to take the call. He returned two minutes later. ‘Very well,' he said. ‘Let's get this over with.'

‘Splendid,' Poe said.