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Authors: In The Light Of Madness
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the press meetings, Wednesday felt more comfortable that way.
Dana Booth walked up to Wednesday and gave her a faint smile. “I saw them earlier. Are they any better now?”
“As much as they can be,” she replied with a shrug of her shoulders.
The room filled with a low buzz of chatter. The melange of cheap aftershaves and perfumes helped mask the smell of fear and alcoholic fumes radiating from the Wrights sitting at the front of the room. Behind them on a blue board, was a photograph of Darren, and the hotline number for the public to call with claims of sightings or snippets of information.
Noticing Judith Wright’s increased tremors, she walked up to her and put a reassuring hand on her arm.
“I don’t need pity from the likes of you,” she said, whipping her arm away.
She was defensive and agitated, but there was no time to appease her as a hush fell over the room. Booth sat next to Judith Wright and opened proceedings by talking about the missing young person. She placed a gentle hand on Judith’s arm, making her forehead crease like parchment paper.
“Darren,” she began before glancing down at her note. “We want you to come home. You’re not in trouble.”
After the incessant clicking and flashes from the cameras, the room returned to stifling silence. Wednesday noticed there was no mention of loving or missing Darren by Judith. It was Hunter’s turn to speak, giving the hotline number for the public to use. The press then began hurling questions towards him, and he batted them back saying it was still early days in the investigation.
In truth, the police hoped Darren would reappear in a couple of days, which was a possibility in the case with teenage runaways.
“Is there a connection with Darren and the death of the graveyard boy?” said a voice.
“I’m sorry but I’m unable to comment on another investigation.” Booth stood up and led the Wrights away from the glare of the lights. Hunter followed closely behind.
Wednesday recognised Scarlett’s voice as the one asking the last question. She could see her sitting next to a rotund reporter, wrinkling up her nose at being rebuffed. Scarlett was used to getting her own way.
Following her gaze, Lennox moved closer to her side. “Something troubling you?”
“No, not really.”
The press were on their feet and shuffling out the door.
“That wouldn’t happen to be your sister asking that question?”
“Half-sister. And yes that was her.”
Lennox let out a low grunting sound and folded his arms. “She looks nothing like you.”
“I know.”
“I hope she’s not going to cause us any trouble.”
“No more than any other inquisitive reporter.”
“What about insider information?”
Wednesday turned to face him. “That’s a line we never cross,” she hissed. “I’m going for a cigarette. Join me if you wish.”
Lennox watched her strut out of the room with a subtle grin on his face. He liked working with her, even though he already hated her beautiful sister.
Wednesday felt a rush of cold air engulf her as she opened the door onto the courtyard. The harshness of the outdoor security light shone onto the barren space, making the area inhospitable. Igniting the lighter within her cupped hand, she welcomed the heat for the few seconds before her cigarette was lit.
When she heard the door opening behind her, she did not turn around. Instead, she walked over towards the bench and perched herself on the edge. Pulling her jacket tightly around her, she blew a cloud of dirty smoke into the icy air.
“Well, how do you think it went?” asked Lennox as he stood over her.
“Not sure that Judith looked genuinely concerned, and Des was a non-entity. We’ll know more after the papers have gone out.”
“Depends if the press write favourably.”
“If by that you’re inferring to what Scarlett may report, then I don’t know. She doesn’t consult me or ask for my permission before submitting an article.”
“Perhaps she should.”
“Oh that would
Dana Booth walked up to Wednesday and gave her a faint smile. “I saw them earlier. Are they any better now?”
“As much as they can be,” she replied with a shrug of her shoulders.
The room filled with a low buzz of chatter. The melange of cheap aftershaves and perfumes helped mask the smell of fear and alcoholic fumes radiating from the Wrights sitting at the front of the room. Behind them on a blue board, was a photograph of Darren, and the hotline number for the public to call with claims of sightings or snippets of information.
Noticing Judith Wright’s increased tremors, she walked up to her and put a reassuring hand on her arm.
“I don’t need pity from the likes of you,” she said, whipping her arm away.
She was defensive and agitated, but there was no time to appease her as a hush fell over the room. Booth sat next to Judith Wright and opened proceedings by talking about the missing young person. She placed a gentle hand on Judith’s arm, making her forehead crease like parchment paper.
“Darren,” she began before glancing down at her note. “We want you to come home. You’re not in trouble.”
After the incessant clicking and flashes from the cameras, the room returned to stifling silence. Wednesday noticed there was no mention of loving or missing Darren by Judith. It was Hunter’s turn to speak, giving the hotline number for the public to use. The press then began hurling questions towards him, and he batted them back saying it was still early days in the investigation.
In truth, the police hoped Darren would reappear in a couple of days, which was a possibility in the case with teenage runaways.
“Is there a connection with Darren and the death of the graveyard boy?” said a voice.
“I’m sorry but I’m unable to comment on another investigation.” Booth stood up and led the Wrights away from the glare of the lights. Hunter followed closely behind.
Wednesday recognised Scarlett’s voice as the one asking the last question. She could see her sitting next to a rotund reporter, wrinkling up her nose at being rebuffed. Scarlett was used to getting her own way.
Following her gaze, Lennox moved closer to her side. “Something troubling you?”
“No, not really.”
The press were on their feet and shuffling out the door.
“That wouldn’t happen to be your sister asking that question?”
“Half-sister. And yes that was her.”
Lennox let out a low grunting sound and folded his arms. “She looks nothing like you.”
“I know.”
“I hope she’s not going to cause us any trouble.”
“No more than any other inquisitive reporter.”
“What about insider information?”
Wednesday turned to face him. “That’s a line we never cross,” she hissed. “I’m going for a cigarette. Join me if you wish.”
Lennox watched her strut out of the room with a subtle grin on his face. He liked working with her, even though he already hated her beautiful sister.
Wednesday felt a rush of cold air engulf her as she opened the door onto the courtyard. The harshness of the outdoor security light shone onto the barren space, making the area inhospitable. Igniting the lighter within her cupped hand, she welcomed the heat for the few seconds before her cigarette was lit.
When she heard the door opening behind her, she did not turn around. Instead, she walked over towards the bench and perched herself on the edge. Pulling her jacket tightly around her, she blew a cloud of dirty smoke into the icy air.
“Well, how do you think it went?” asked Lennox as he stood over her.
“Not sure that Judith looked genuinely concerned, and Des was a non-entity. We’ll know more after the papers have gone out.”
“Depends if the press write favourably.”
“If by that you’re inferring to what Scarlett may report, then I don’t know. She doesn’t consult me or ask for my permission before submitting an article.”
“Perhaps she should.”
“Oh that would
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