In the Light of Madness by In The Light Of Madness

so transfixed by the photographs that she did not notice Hunter standing next to her.
“Share your thoughts, Wednesday?”
Her shoulders jerked as her cheeks donned a faint pinkish bloom. “I was speculating Darren’s involvement in the death of the other two. Is he our murderer?”
“By all accounts he’s not muscularly but rather fat. He’d need help to contain Tom, let alone hoist a sixteen-year-old girl up a tree.” He looked directly at her and tilted his head, suggesting that she was a little off beam in his opinion. He moved to the desk at the front and clapped his hands to gain everyone’s attention.
“Right everyone, let’s focus. I want Arlow and Damlish to concentrate on the missing boy, Darren Giles; get more background on relatives and friends who live further away.”
He took a sip of water before continuing. “Wednesday and Lennox, I want you to chase up forensics on Tom Dolby and Claudia Edwards. Whilst you’re at it, visit the Edwards again; find out where she’d go and who she’d meet. Don’t tell me a sixteen-year-old is that perfect. Visit the Dolbys too. Remember, parents always lie.”
A murmur crackled across the room.
“Oh and I also want you two to attend the church service tomorrow, see who’s there and who isn’t. Talk to Reverend Olong as he might be able to give you more details about the congregation. Press him about the rambling club too.”
Arlow smirked at Wednesday, knowing her immense dislike of any form of religion. He was about to walk over to her, when he was accosted by Jones who was busy organising everyone.
“Do you think Hunter has a penchant for worrying about the clergy and young boys?” said Lennox.
“That would be stereotyping all clergy by the acts of the clergy. Besides, I don’t know what his thoughts are on that matter. I couldn’t second guess Hunter’s thoughts, and neither should you.”
She knew she sounded clipped. But she also knew that if only he would mention last night, she would be in a smoother frame of mind. In order to initiate a firmer grip of her slipping emotions, she suggested they have a smoke on their way down to the forensic laboratories.
“You’re a bit disengaged this morning,” she said as she lit her cigarette.
“Sorry, I’m a tad preoccupied. I got home last night to a message on the ansaphone from my ex.”
Wednesday waited to see if he’d say more whilst she blew grey fumes into the crisp morning air. She maintained visual contact in an effort to be empathic; remnants of her listening-skills training pulsating through her mind.
“Archie, my eldest, is in trouble at school for fighting, and Lucy is blaming me.”
“How come?”
“Because I keep cancelling my weekends with them because of work. She says it’s making him angry.”
“I see, but it’s not your fault.”
“That means nothing to Lucy. Do you know, she actually said Brian, her new boyfriend, is more of a father than me?” He drew in a deep lungful of poisonous smoke then let it swirl out of his mouth as he continued speaking. “I suppose she’s right, as always.”
Wednesday flicked the ash from her cigarette whilst contemplating the most appropriate response from someone without children. “I’m sorry.”
She wanted to touch his arm, being a tactile person, but she didn’t want her gesture of compassion to be misread as an offer of sympathy sex.
“Anyway,” she began, “what’s your view on the Edwards?”
“Their alibi is solid. Neighbours in London confirmed their presence in their flat.”
“I just can’t make them out as individuals. The father appears to dominate his wife. I wonder what his relationship was like with his daughter?”
She turned towards Lennox and saw that he was staring into the middle distance once more, so she stubbed out her cigarette and told him they should get going.
As they were making their way down, Arlow caught up with them.
“We had an anonymous tip about the missing lad; he was spotted late last night near