Immaculate Deception

by Hannah Weston Price

  She felt her neck get hot and felt embarrassed suddenly. She was being rude and now he’d called for her to speak her mind.

  Oh, why must I always be so confrontational?

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Blackwell,” she said. “That was rude of me.”

  “No, no,” he replied, his expression now curious more than annoyed. “Say what it is you want to say. I prefer forthrightness in all things.”

  There was no avoiding it, so she asked her question. “You and Elsa were seeing each other.”

  “More of a statement than a question,” he replied. “Who told you that?”

  “Nobody, I found a photo of the two of you together.”

  He let out a breath and his expression shifted ever so slightly before settling into the cool disinterest he’d been wearing. But Reggie couldn’t quite shake the image of a coiled snake, holding still, staying low, biding its time while it waited for that opportune moment.

  “Where’s this photo now?” He asked, his voice barely audible.

  “I gave it to Detective Thornton.”

  He did one of those slow blinks that meant he would like to do something very violent but was too polite and strictly disciplined to raise his voice.

  “So, you think I murdered Elsa Murphy?”

  Reggie tittered nervously. “Well, I’d be pretty thick headed to allow myself to be alone in the middle of nowhere with a murderer.”

  “Indeed.”

  Her eyes narrowed but she didn’t move as her words and the warning from Detective Thornton rang in her head.

  Marcus Blackwell tipped his head to the side and rested his arms on the desk, leaning closer to her.

  “I didn’t kill Elsa Murphy. Why would I, we’d broken up years ago and I am engaged to a very beautiful, very proper woman.”

  “Why did you break up?”

  “Because she was a lying little …” His words dropped off and he sucked in a breath. “She told me she couldn’t have children. I plan to be Prime Minister one day, I can’t have a barren wife. So, I broke it off.”

  Reggie gasped both at his words and the sheer coldness of them. But he wasn’t done talking.

  “Turns out though, the joke was on me. The conniving little witch was just testing me. Seeing if I really loved her unconditionally and I guess she got her answer. I won’t lie, when I heard she was pregnant and fully understood the game she had been playing, I was angry. But not enough to kill. She wasn’t worth the effort or the risk.”

  The words lingered in the room for a long time. This man was a heartless, calculating snake. There was nothing in him but empty ambition and greed.

  “Was there anything else?” He asked.

  “I think I’ve heard enough,” Reggie muttered, getting to her feet. “Thank you for your time. I’ll find another sponsor and won’t bother you again.”

  She was turning for the door when his condescending tone made her pause.

  “Have I offended your tender sensitivities, Reverend? I thought you church types never turned down money, even from the despicable.”

  Gritting her teeth, she spun and locked him with an angry gaze. “Elsa Murphy was misled into believing she might be pregnant. But she wasn’t, in fact the coroner said that it was impossible for her to conceive a child at all.”

  Reggie knew she should just go, but her temper was in control now and her mouth had taken the wheel. “She didn’t lie to you, she confided something deeply personal and painful and you failed her in every way a man can fail a woman.

  “If this—” She pointed at him. “Is the kind of man you want to be. Don’t bother coming to services in future. There is nothing for you in my church.”

  He’d gone very pale but when he didn’t respond, Reggie turned her back and marched out.

  She was halfway down the driveway before she felt herself deflate. Tears slipped down her cheeks and it was all she could do to draw breath. Her hand covered her mouth and she leaned heavily against a tree as she gathered her senses.

  Detective Thornton had been right, visiting Marcus Blackwell had been a terrible mistake.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Vicar?” Sarah said with growing concern after finding the door to the parsonage unlocked.

  In the middle of the sitting room there was a box half filled with books and Maggie was sitting on the sofa, flicking her tail as someone rummaged in the kitchen.

  “Vicar?” She stepped closer to the hallway, already pulling out her phone to dial the police when an almighty burp made the walls shudder.

  In the kitchen she found the Vicar sitting on the floor in a very unladylike fashion with a half empty bottle of rum resting at her side.

  “Sarah!” Reggie called out and waved as though they’d just spotted each other across a crowded party. “Come on in, grab a pew and join the party.”

  “You’re drunk.”

  Reggie grinned. “Yes. And do you want to know why?” She waved her closer, as though about to reveal a secret. “It’s because I’m a bad priest.”

  Sarah couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Dropping down to her haunches she looked the Vicar in the eye.

  “Come on now, Vicar,” Sarah said. “You’ve only been here a week and already you’ve volunteered to drive the elderly to do their shopping, found a dead body, earned the disapproval of the parish council, and adopted a cat. That would be an entire season if we were on the tele.”

  The Vicar pouted and took another swig.

  “Has that nasty Ms. Wilcox had another go at you?”

  “She hates me.”

  “She hates everyone.” Sarah crouched down in front of her. “But I like you. And the other parishioners like you.”

  “Sexy detective doesn’t like me,” the Vicar sighed. “They never like me. Guys want pretty girls, all boobs and no—” She belched again then giggled.

  “And that’s enough of that for you, I think.” Sarah snatched the bottle and poured the remainder down the sink. “Come on, I’ll make you some coffee.”

  “I don’t want coffee. Why’s the rum gone.”

  “I threw the rum away because it makes you say naughty things,” Sarah said. She couldn’t help smiling as she held out a hand to her.

  Reggie took Sarah’s and let herself get pulled to her feet. She wobbled and giggled, then look very seriously at her verger. “But why’s the rum gone?”

  Sarah led the vicar to the kitchen table and helped her sit, then sat on the other side. She didn’t know what had happened to upset their new reverend, but she would find out and if necessary, punish someone with a sharp kick in the backside.

  “I’m a bad vicar,” Reggie said again.

  “No, you’re not,” Sarah soothed. “You’re just new, still settling in. You’ll soon get the hang of things again.”

  “That’s not it,” Reggie slurred. “I’ve …” Her shoulders started to shake and her face crumpled as she started to cry. “I think I’m losing my faith.”

  “Oh, Vicar,” Sarah replied, reaching out and taking her hands. “I know these last few days have been difficult but.”

  “No,” she said, shaking her head. “It started before – before I came here. I’ve been doubting my calling for a long time. I was even thinking of leaving the church, but then I got the letter telling me that I’d been appointed to a small village parish. It’s what I’ve always wanted so…

  “I’m not just a bad priest, I’m a selfish lying fraud!”

  Sarah couldn’t believe what she was hearing. All the same she would not allow it to continue one moment more.

  “Regina Watson, you stop that right now!”

  Reggie sniffed and stared, blearily up at the verger.

  “Do you think you’re the only one who struggles with faith? You think I haven’t? Even Jesus doubted.”

  “I know,” Reggie replied.

  “I don’t think you do,” Sarah said, her voice rising. “All we can do in this life, is our best. Our Lord doesn’t expect us to be perfect every mom
ent of the day. That’s why there’s so much talk of forgiveness.

  “Jesus Christ didn’t heal all the sick, he didn’t give comfort to all the hopeless, he didn’t raise all the dead. In the end he was just a man. He did what he could, healed who he could, shared his teachings to whomever would listen. He did everything in his power to make his tiny corner of the world better. Because he was a good man. And that’s all any of us can do.”

  Reggie just stared up at Sarah for a long time. Her words were both wise and soothing and exactly what she needed.

  “I think it’s time for some coffee.”

  As Sarah busied herself with the kettle, the phone rang, and Reggie reached out to answer.

  “Reggie’s God emporium. No soul too small, no sins too big.”

  There was silence on the other end, then some rough breathing. “Reverend?”

  It was like ice water down her back and she was immediately alert. “John?”

  “Reverend, I’m sorry, I know it’s late.”

  “It’s no problem, John. How can I help?”

  “I’m in trouble.” He sniffed and cleared his throat. “I’m at the police station.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  When Reggie arrived at the police station, she wasn’t sure what to expect. But Harry was waiting for her when she walked in the door and the look of relief on his face warmed his tense expression.

  “John called,” she said.

  “Yeah,” Harry said with a frown. “I expected him to call a lawyer but instead he called a priest.”

  He motioned her to sit and she did so. Honestly, she wasn’t used to him looking almost glad to see her. Mostly he just seemed annoyed when they were in each other’s presence.

  “Is he under arrest?” the Vicar asked.

  “Not yet, we’re holding him for questioning. We just wanted a statement and he started raving that it was his fault, that he’s the reason she was dead, then he tried to jump off the balcony.”

  Reggie puffed her cheeks and blew out a breath. “Do you think that was a confession?”

  “I don’t know.” Harry pinched at the bridge of his nose. “John’s a good guy. But I don’t know what to think. He hasn’t said a word other than asking for a phone call since we brought him in.

  “We have enough to make an arrest and Blackwell is going to start pulling strings if this drags on much longer. They’ll send a city detective and he’ll probably just arrest John himself.”

  “You don’t think he did it.” It wasn’t a question.

  Harry pointed to his head and said, “This says John’s our guy. But my gut says no.” He sighed and dragged a hand down his face. “Maybe I’m not the right man for this case. I’m too close. I’ve known John his whole life.”

  Reggie felt an odd sense of déjà vu and without thinking she reached over and rested her hand over his. “For what it’s worth, I think you’re exactly where you’re needed the most.”

  He didn’t reply, instead he stared down at her smaller hand covering his larger one. Then, lifting his eyes to meet Reggie’s, he turned his hand over, so his fingers wrapped around hers.

  His hand was warm and strong, and their palms pressed together as they sat in silence.

  The door swung open and both Reggie and Detective Thornton jumped to their feet, their hands separating as though from a scolding hotplate.

  “Sorry, sir,” a young constable said. “John has been asking if the Reverend is here yet.” Her eyes slid to Reggie. “Oh, hello there, Vicar. I guess that would be a yes.”

  “I don’t think we’ve met,” Reggie said, holding out her hand to the younger woman.

  “Of course,” Detective Thornton stepped around the desk and smiled a little too brightly at the constable. “Reverend Watson, this is our newest recruit, Esme Clark.”

  “I saw your service on Sunday,” Esme said, shaking hands with the Vicar. “Very moving and I mean no disrespect to our late Father Benjamin, but it was a relief to have a poignant sermon rather than the dry readings of the last few years.”

  “I wish I could promise all my sermons would be so interesting.” She slid a glance at the detective. “I am hoping that livelier and some more inclusive services might bring in some more of those missing faces.”

  Detective cleared his throat. “Yes well…” His face flushed slightly, and Reggie couldn’t help smiling. He was so fun to needle. “It has been quite busy here of late. I’m just sorry that our new Constable Clark had to join us during such a dark time.”

  “Oh no!” Esme gasped. “The academy warned me that being a small village plod would be awful boring, but I’ve only been in a week and we’ve already had a murder! It’s all terribly fascinating…” Her words faulted, and her eyes went wide. “I – I didn’t mean.”

  The detective compressed his lips, but Reggie was quick to smile.

  “I understand,” Reggie said. “Back at the rectory my shelves are overstuffed with Agatha Christie novels. There’s nothing wrong with taking pride in bringing a despicable killer to justice.”

  “Except those are fiction books,” Detective Thornton said, crossing his arms with a disapproving expression. “In real policing, amateur sleuths are more of a hinderance than a help.”

  “If you say so, Detective,” Reggie said. “While we’re on the subject, I should fill you in on what I learned from Marcus Blackwell this afternoon. I’m sad to say that as horrid a man as he is, I don’t believe he was involved.”

  The constable covered her laugh with a cough and Reggie sent her a wink as the detective growled and led the way to the interview room.

  At the door, Harry slid his fingers around Reggie’s wrist, not tightly, just enough to gain her attention. “We’ll talk about Blackwell later. For now, just try and get John to talk. I’ll be behind the glass and the entire conversation will be filmed so try not to incriminate yourself or say anything ridiculous.”

  “I think we both know I can’t promise that,” Reggie replied.

  His mouth twitched. “You’re maddening.”

  “Detective!” She said, mocking shock. “You’ll make me blush.”

  And to her shame, under his warm gaze she did indeed feel her face flushing.

  Quickly she turned, opened the door and smiled brightly at the tired looking John. Taking a seat, she eyed his heavy cuffs and dark ringed eyes. He looked so thin and tired.

  “I came to see you a few times,” she said, mainly because she didn’t know what else to say. “Did you get the cupcakes I left?”

  He let out a rasping laugh but smiled. “I did, thank you. I’m sorry I didn’t open the door. That was rude.”

  “Don’t worry about that,” Reggie said. “I know you were hurting. Losing someone you love so suddenly is more painful than words. I understand. But I’m glad you called me.”

  “I didn’t know who else to call,” he whispered. “It’s my fault.” His face crumpled and fat tears slid down his cheeks. “It’s all my fault. I’m so sorry. God, forgive me, I’m so sorry.”

  Reggie’s head filled with cold air and she felt as though she were watching the exchange from outside her body. John seemed like such a sweet boy and part of her wanted to stand up and run from the room.

  But she wouldn’t do that. Not now.

  “John, listen to me,” Reverend Regina said, resting a comforting hand on his arm. “The Lord’s forgiveness is never out of reach. You need only seek it. Tell me what happened and let me help you.”

  His shoulders slumped slightly, and a shuddering breath escaped his lips. After another moment, he nodded and began to speak.

  “Elsa and I have been together for almost a year. She wanted to keep it quiet and that was fine with me at first. With everyone knowing your business, sometimes it’s nice to have something that’s just – you know – yours.”

  “I understand,” Reggie said then sat quietly till he started speaking again.

  “But – I loved Elsa and even after a few weeks together I knew I didn’t want
to be with anyone else. So we talked about making it public.” He let out a shuddering breath. “We were – I was – I was going to propose at the next church service.”

  “John, that would have been lovely,” Reggie couldn’t help saying but immediately regretted speaking at the sound of his pained wail.

  “I failed. I wasn’t worthy.”

  Taking his hands, Reggie forced him to look at her. “Tell me what happened.”

  “That night, she came to my flat. She was so happy. I’ve never seen her like that. It was like she was glowing.”

  Reggie swallowed hard. She remembered how joyful and angelic the young woman had looked that last night.

  “I’d never seen her so beautiful. I think…” he frowned down at his hands. “I think maybe I was intimidated by her. Like I wasn’t good enough. Like I didn’t deserve someone so perfect. Like it was all a dream.

  “She told me she had amazing news…” He sucked in a breath, but it was like it got caught in his throat. “Then she showed me the box for the pregnancy test.”

  He shook his head as though trying to shake something free from his hair, then he banged his head on the table once, twice… Reggie cupped his face and forced him to look at her.

  “John,” She whispered. “It’s okay. Tell me what happened.”

  “I – I got scared. I thought we’d have time together and I’m barely twenty-five. I’m not ready to be a dad. I…”

  “What did you do?”

  “I – asked her how she could be so stupid. We weren’t even publicly together yet. It’s not like we’d even – done it – that many times.”

  He gasped, his mouth wide as he sobbed uncontrollably.

  “The second those words were out of my mouth I regretted them. I didn’t mean it. I was just shocked and – I don’t know. I’m an idiot when I get scared and I say stupid stuff that I don’t mean. But she wasn’t supposed to…”

  “What happened after you said that?”

  “What do you think? She dropped the test on the ground and walked out of the flat. But it was the look on her face. I can’t forget it. I knew right away that I’d done something far worse than... She wasn’t angry, it was so much worse than that. It was like something broke inside her.”