Read Online BLOOD SECRETS a gripping crime thriller full of suspense by Gretta Mulrooney - Free Book Online

in him had sent him scurrying to stay at his Aunt Lily’s house, where he could operate unscrutinised and pour his anguish into the Thames as he rowed.
    He returned to his laptop and looked up the significance of animals and birds for Druids. The hind indicated positive change and happiness to come. The raven was regarded as a messenger between this world and the next and was believed also to represent healing and protection. He read Teddy’s note again. What was he a victim of or needing protection from and what secrets had troubled him? Had his bitterness and despondency stemmed purely from the loss of his father or had he been speaking of some other betrayal?
    A web search brought up a contact number for a Druid group near Belsize Park. Swift rang the name given, Lochru Adamsbreath. The man who answered sounded cheerful and eager to help when Swift explained his role.
    ‘Has your group been in existence for long?’ he asked.
    ‘Since 1921. I’ve been in the group for twenty-five years.’
    ‘I wonder if you’ve ever heard of or been contacted by an Edward or Teddy Bartlett. We’d be talking about the 1990s and he was in his early teens.’
    ‘Doesn’t ring a bell. We’re a small group, you see, and there’s not much coming and going. I’d say we get a new member every couple of years and it would be unusual to be approached by someone so young. If you’d like to hold on, I can look in my record book. It’s in the study, so I’ll be a few minutes.’
    Swift waited, hearing the chimes of a clock in the background. When Adamsbreath returned, he was panting.
    ‘Study’s at the top of the house. I’ve looked through enquiries and membership from 1990 to 2000 but there’s no one of that name or age group. We only had five newcomers in that time and they were all women, which is usual these days.’
    ‘Are there any other groups in that area of north London?’
    ‘No, not to my knowledge. Although, of course, belief in the Druid way doesn’t necessitate joining a group. That is what many people like about it. You can attend ceremonies or gatherings as you wish, or not at all. It can be a private, spiritual search. Would you like me to send you some information about our beliefs?’
    ‘No, that’s fine, thanks. I can look on the web. Can you tell me about the significance of blackthorn and whitethorn and why someone might carry both in their pockets?’
    ‘Well, you know there can be different interpretations. Generally speaking, I would say that blackthorn would be used for strength against adversity. Whitethorn could be to protect from harm and help to communicate with the spirits of the Otherworld. Someone carrying both would probably be feeling the need for support in their life and in their spiritual quest.’
    ‘I see. Thanks for that. I’m interested also in the significance of the yew tree for Druids, if you can tell me anything about that.’
    Adamsbreath was clearly delighted at these enquiries. Swift thought he probably didn’t get many phone calls like this, where he could air his particular knowledge.
    ‘I can indeed. The yew tree has a reputation for long life. It has always been a symbol of death and rebirth, from the time of the ancients. It speaks of the new springing from the old. The yew grows in a particular, quite unique way. The branches grow down into the ground to form new stems. They then rise up around the old growth as separate but linked trunks. After a while, they become indistinguishable from the original tree.’
    ‘That’s very helpful. Thanks so much for your time.’
    ‘We’re having a mistletoe thanksgiving ceremony next month, if you would like to come. It’s in my garden and you would be very welcome.’
    ‘I’ll think about it. Thanks again for your help.’
    Swift rang off, not wishing to be sold any belief systems. It seemed that Teddy was planning to enact some kind of ritual in The Yew Grove that symbolised leaving his old life behind and moving to