Free Death Marks (The Symbolist) by Katy Walters Page A

sacrifices.'
    'Sacrifices?'
    'It was a different mind-set in those times; today neo-druids are completely different and are non-violent, they see neo-druidism as way of life, a philosophy. She paused; her hands gripped together, the knuckles white. 'Actually - I have to tell you this before we go any further, I'm a neo-druid.'
    'Oh ... err ...' for a few seconds Redd was lost for words. Would this complicate matters? 'So, you'd have lots of contacts with the neo-druids?'
    'Yes - there are a lot of interactions between the groups, especially at the festivals.'
    He saw her face whiten. 'You okay?'
    'No, not really, these crimes you've told me about cast a slur on today's druids.'
    'These are different Tess - psychopaths looking for an excuse to kill.'
    'Mud sticks.'
    'Nonsense - look at this way, I think I've struck lucky. You can lead us into the groups.' Trying to make her feel easier, he said, 'You any good on the ancient languages? A scroll of rough old parchment was left with the body; we can't make head or tail of it. I have a copy of it here.'
    Taking it from him, she studied it for a few moments. 'This is the Ogham alphabet of the ancient Celts; they used a system of lines in various positions. Just let me get down one of my books.' Rising she went to the bookshelves, picking out a black leathered volume. Coming back, she leafed through. 'Ah yes, here we are - a list Oghams and the meanings.' Frowning, she picked up the pad and pencil from the table, her finger trailing down the lists, as she wrote. 'Ah yes - got it. How strange ... so let me see ... yes, I have it. It says, "The Oracle is defiled." That sounds ominous.'
    'So the Druids used the Oracle?'
    'The ancient ones - yes. They had many forms of divination, some quite benign - leaves, clouds, flight of birds, the weather. But, they had a gruesome side; they used the human body in its death throes to predict important events.'
    'Christ.' Her words cast a shadow over his heart. 'It looks like we're in deep shit. We had our suspicions that it was more than one, but a group? How the hell would a group work as one in such a vicious crime?'
    'It could be one or two leaders working together, moulding the group. Being psychopaths, they know the members' strengths and weaknesses; know how to push their buttons. Aided by drugs, they enslave them.'
     

Chapter 16
    Jeanette Walker plumped up the last cushion, looking around the small room, her impish face framed in dark curls, beaming. Neil would be so surprised. As she went to arrange the fruit bowl on the coffee table, the phone bleeped. Recognizing Neil's number she smiled, as she said, 'Hi babe ... What? ... Hey, that's great.' She laughed, hugging the phone to her ear. 'Tonight, at Two Blues? Wow ... How did they pick you? .... Anyway, that's fantastic. I'll have tea ready when you come in, then we can get there early.... Yeah, see you.'
    Putting down the phone, she clapped her hands rushing to the bedroom picking out underwear, a gold sequin top from the chest of drawers, and from the wardrobe, a black satin mini skirt. Laying them on the bed along with a black lace bra, matching thong and net tights, she went to the tiny bathroom.
    They moved in a couple of weeks ago, and since then had painted the entire flat. Yesterday, they both had long shifts returning home at eight PM, time only for a hurried meal of egg, bacon and chips followed by a gooseberry yoghourt. After an hour's TV, they fell into bed. It was an early-morning shift, so they needed their sleep -no time for sex or late-night talks.
    Her pride and joy consisted of a small lounge, kitchen, two bedrooms one of which was really a box room with just enough space for a single bed and a chest of drawers. The tiny bathroom held a toilet and shower, which was far better than the sink at the other flat with the daily quick shower at the hospital. They were ecstatic, their first home together. Up until getting the flat, they'd made do with a bedsit, for which they'd