CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Like moths to a shining light we were being drawn together to meet once more...one final time. It was approaching ten-thirty and the stage was almost set. Mulvey, who had disappeared into the vestry almost as soon as his unexpected arrival had frightened the life out of me, was sat in the back pew resplendent in his mourning suit not looking out of place at the sombre occasion. I wondered what thoughts were reverberating through his mind...surely he was more nervous than he looked?

Mary and Jessie were there too, both sat in the front pew, both looking more than a little agitated. I gripped the knife in my jacket pocket tightly as the church organ suddenly sprang into life, its desolate resonance adding to the feeling of impending doom...the impending doom that only a few of us knew about. The congregation was scattered sparsely around the church and I guessed there were fewer than twenty people...all about to witness a truly gruesome act.

I watched from my secret hiding place as Dean's coffin was carried into the church, a single floral tribute placed upon its lid. Tom walked a few paces behind. He was wearing the right clothes, white shirt, black tie but he still managed to look unkempt. An air of contempt seemed to emanate from him as if the whole ordeal was something of a chore...hurry up and get it over with so I can go home.

Little did he suspect that it soon truly would be over but there was no way he was going home...

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