Free The Trespass by Scott Hunter Page B

shushed her into silence. He read the letter aloud:
     
    Mrs Hunter
    c/o Forest Avenue Baptist Church,
    Aberdeen
     
    Dear Mrs Hunter,
     
    As we haven’t heard from you for a while, I thought I’d drop you a wee line to see how you were. We always appreciate Pastor McPhee’s visits – and all the wonderful things your church does for the home. Things here are busy as usual – we’ve had the builders in for quite a time now and the dust makes a terrible mess. But we are looking forward to the finished results and the new lounge extension should be ready by Christmas. We’re hoping to hold the carol service there as we’ll at last have plenty of room! Now, I must mention that Mr Churchill is asking for you – he won’t listen to us when we tell him you’ll no doubt pop in soon. He keeps on asking! Well, you know that he does so enjoy your visits and is keeping awfully well considering he’ll be 105 in November and is our oldest resident by a long way!
    Anyway, I mustn’t keep you any longer but do accept all our best wishes. Hoping to see you soon.
     
    Yours sincerely,
     
    Joan Mayfield
    Matron
     
    Sara looked blankly at him, searching for significance. Dracup watched their faces for any glimmer of understanding. His words tripped over themselves as he tried to explain. “My aunt – she was a member of the local church – she did a lot of charity work in the nursing homes in the area. There was one in particular that was a favourite. Now I know why.”
    “Churchill?” Sara’s eyes reflected the light Dracup was searching for. He could almost hear the penny drop.
    “Yes! Churchill!” Dracup shouted. “ Reeves -Churchill. Theodore’s colleague on the expeditions. He’s still alive!”
     
     
     

Chapter 7
     
     
    The time is now , Ruth told herself. He will listen . She hesitated and then heard herself speak, surprised at how calm she sounded. “Forget this Professor Dracup,” Ruth told Kadesh. “He cannot harm us.”
    “He has already harmed us. Harmed me .”
    Ruth pressed on, heedless of the risk she was taking. He was grieving, but she had to know. She had chosen the time carefully. They were resting, breaking their long journey in the anonymity of the French countryside. Kadesh was quiet, thoughtful; pondering his next move. In this mood he was approachable. “It was not the Englishman’s doing,” she appealed. “It was his father’s father. He was the one who transgressed.”
    Kadesh drew himself up to his full height and Ruth shrank before him. He towered above her, though she herself was tall – like all her kind; her ancestry had fashioned her that way.
    Kadesh glowered and then seemed to check himself. “The Englishman has taken a life; my brother’s life. He must reap the consequences. And the law must be fulfilled.”
    Ruth changed tack. If she acknowledged his success, then surely he would reconsider. “You have completed your mission. Our treasure will be restored to its rightful place. Surely there is nothing to be gained –”
    Kadesh held up his hand in a dismissive gesture. “Gained? There is much to be gained. Justice will be done. And then I will be satisfied.”
    “What will you do with the girl?” Ruth asked. “She cannot be any use to you.”
    “We shall see.”
    “Have compassion on the child, Kadesh. She is innocent.”
    “No one is innocent in the sight of God.” Kadesh motioned to Natasha. She was playing with a doll that he had found for her. Perhaps, Ruth hoped, this was a sign of some latent paternal instinct. They could hear the girl chattering quietly to the doll in her make-believe.
    “And when it is finished,” Ruth asked, “will you allow him to keep what he has taken?” She held her breath, terrified at her boldness. He knew what she meant; she could see it in his eyes.
    “Water will find its own level. Like must cleave to like.” He fixed her with his dark, hooded eyes. “It has always been so.”
    “Yes,” Ruth replied, “we must