Read Online The Plantagenet Vendetta by John Paul Davis - Free Book Online Page B

flanking a round head that had seen over eighty winters.
    “The Sons of York are one of the most dangerous societies known to man,” the old man said, struggling to keep pace. “Their influence spans far and wide; you underestimate them at your peril.”
    Thomas shook his head, doing his best to ignore him. He knew the man well, and had done his entire life. To the wider world he was James Gardiner. Earl of Somerset and brother of the late queen.
    Also former tutor to the prince.
    “Not now, Jim,” Thomas said, heading toward the car.
    “So you keep saying…Tom, you must listen.”
    “You know you’re not supposed to be here. My uncle won’t be pleased if he finds you.”
    The old man was getting het up. “You never change, you know. You’re always the same, always incapable of looking beyond the end of your own nose.”
    “Later, Jim.”
    Gardiner shook his head while he muttered under his breath.
    Not for the first time, the boy refused to listen.

10
     
    Jen waited until closing time before leaving her seat at the bar. She said goodnight to Brian and Gavin, tentatively agreeing that she would see them again the following evening.
    In truth, she had enjoyed the evening. Without question, the harmless banter of the locals made a refreshing change from interviewing relations of victims and hunting for memorial stones. She knew that their accounts of people and events could be subject to inaccuracy – both of them were pissed come closing time – but she was satisfied their stories were worth following up.
    Even if they were wrong, during the final hour she had learned of some useful contacts. Helen Cartwright, supposedly Debra Harrison’s favourite teacher. Francis Lovell, full name Francis Lovell the 23rd, another man of long ancestry and with another bizarre nickname, the Dog. Apparently he was something of a character, until four years ago headmaster of St Joseph’s, now retired.
    Thanks to Hancock, she had also obtained an address for Rankin’s mother, Susan Rankin, an emotionally drained widow still coming to terms with the loss of her only son. She knew from her producer that Rankin had declined the opportunity to be interviewed as part of the documentary; hardly surprising given her son was the chief suspect – the only suspect – regarding Debra Harrison’s disappearance. Jen knew that following up that lead would be a risk, but she decided it was worth it.
    After all, she reminded herself, her job was to document the facts, not to take sides.
    She walked up the stairs and continued along the landing. The hallway was quiet, with no obvious signs of life from inside any of the rooms. According to Tara, there were four guests in total.
    For all she knew, she was the only one.
    She entered her room and closed the door behind her. The lateness of the hour and the effects of a long day’s work were finally catching up with her.
    She was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
     
    Outside the Hog, the young brown-haired girl watched as the light came on in one of the upstairs rooms. She’d heard rumours that day of a newcomer in the village, following in the footsteps of a year ago. Though she was still to see the woman herself, the facts didn’t seem out of place. It was just like a year earlier.
    History repeats itself.
    She waited until the light went out again before making her way down the footpath toward the old part of the village.

11
     
    Less than an hour after leaving the palace, Thomas had reached his destination. Though the King had been unspecific in telling him where the prisoner was being held, he knew from experience there was only one such place.
    It was the same place where traitors to the Crown had always been held.
    He breathed in deeply, attempting to rid himself of the feeling of claustrophobia as he waited for the lift to reach its destination. As the doors opened, he saw before him a lengthy silver corridor, its appearance uncannily reminiscent of a top-secret nuclear