‘I’m sure you are all aware that the body of Julie Ann cannot, for legal reasons, be here with us today and a full funeral service will be held at a later date. However, we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient but the things that are unseen are eternal. I welcome George and Mary Collins, family and friends, to this special service for God’s beloved child Julie Ann, who is here with us in spirit. A regular at our Sunday service she enjoyed singing with the church choir, a delightful spontaneous young girl, who was blossoming into a beautiful young teenager. We all share the grief of her parents at a young life so tragically cut short.’
The vicar continued and Jane could sense Bradfield’s impatience as he stood beside her sighing and shuffling his feet and twice looking at his watch. The vicar announced the hymn ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’, which they sang before Mr Collins stepped up to the lectern.
‘I thank you all for coming today. My wife and I have been touched by the care and kindness so many of you have shown us. Your words, cards and letters of sympathy are helping us both come to terms with our tragic loss, although I am unsure if we will ever recover fully from losing our only daughter. We have been able to recall and keep in our minds the joy Julie Ann brought to us. She was an adorable little girl, always full of fun and with so many gifted talents. She especially loved to dance and we were proud beyond words to watch her progress through her dance classes and grade exams, but the sadness that...’ He faltered and took a moment before he continued, recalling how much hope they had had for her future and how they believed that one day she would dance professionally on stage.
Bradfield turned over the page of the order of service card, trying to estimate in his head how long it would be before it ended. Two more hymns and a psalm to be read by a relative, and a solo hymn by one of the girls in the choir. Jane kept on flicking glances at him and he leaned close to her.
‘I reckon we won’t get out of here for at least another half-hour!’
It was longer, three quarters of an hour later, when the vicar ended the service with a bidding prayer and he and Mr and Mrs Collins left the church to stand outside and thank everyone for coming. Mrs Collins was visibly upset, her eyes red-rimmed from weeping.
Jane and Bradfield were the last to exit the church and George and Mary Collins were just getting into a friend’s car. The vicar approached Bradfield with a weak smile.
‘Thank you for coming to pay your respects to Julie Ann. It meant a lot to Mr and Mrs Collins. They are having a small gathering at home, family and close friends, and they asked me to say that you’re both welcome.’
‘Well, I’m not sure—’ Bradfield started to say.
‘I think it would be most helpful to their state of mind if you were there. I know they are finding it difficult to cope with the fact Julie Ann’s body has not yet been released for burial, and they feel there are still so many unanswered questions.’
‘Yes I understand, but—’
‘Good. I’ve a few things to attend to, but I will see you there,’ the vicar interrupted and sauntered off.
‘Shit, I suppose we have to show our faces now,’ Bradfield said belligerently.
‘Well, if it helps Mr and Mrs Collins through the day it can’t be a bad thing,’ Jane said.
‘All right, we stay no more than ten minutes and I’m only speaking to them about the case. You can fend off anyone who’s nosy and wants to know how the investigation is going.’
‘But what should I say?’
‘That it’s sub judice to talk about it with anyone other than the parents.’
‘I thought that only referred to a case already under judicial consideration?’
‘I know that, but they don’t. If you don’t like it then you can stay in the car for all I care.’
It took a while to get to the address as Bradfield made a wrong turning, which didn’t help his already irritable mood.
Cars were parked in the Collinses’ drive and on the road. Bradfield parked opposite in the street, got out and ran his hands through his hair before heading towards the house. He stopped and turned to see where Jane was and she was still sitting in the car. He walked back and tapped on the passenger window, which she wound down.
‘What are you doing?’ he asked.
‘I thought you wanted me to wait in the car.’
‘I was being sarcastic, Tennison, but please yourself. I won’t be long anyway.’ Bradfield walked off.
Jane was upset by his attitude and, feeling she’d be a hindrance rather than a help, stayed put.
The front door of the house was wide open, people going in and some still parking outside. Jane sat looking from the car window, watching the mourners walking sedately up the path. Ten minutes passed and Jane crossed and uncrossed her legs as she desperately needed to go to the bathroom. She began to feel uncomfortable and eventually couldn’t wait any longer.
She left the car and entered the house where she saw the young girl who had sung the solo holding a tray of white wine ready for the guests to take into the living room.
‘I need to use the bathroom,’ Jane said, feeling embarrassed.
The young girl grinned. ‘The vicar just went into the downstairs one. He’ll probably be a while, what with his cassock and surplice to contend with, but if you go straight up the stairs there’s a bathroom just along the landing.’
‘Thank you,’ Jane said and hurried up the stairs.
Bradfield felt cornered as Mr Collins stood close to him. Everyone else was talking quietly and Mrs Collins was sitting on the sofa crying profusely. Mr Collins was eager to know if there were any developments in the police investigation. Bradfield told him that they were still trying to track down whoever supplied Julie Ann with drugs and they had a couple of positive leads they were currently following up on. Mr Collins asked what had happened to the young boy they had arrested. Bradfield knew he was referring to Eddie Phillips and not wanting to distress Mr Collins further just said he had been released pending further enquiries, but it would seem he wasn’t involved in her death.
Bradfield saw Jane attempting to attract his attention from across the crowded living room. She was surreptitiously raising her hand, but when he didn’t respond she threaded her way through the guests and moved to stand just behind him.
‘Sir, could I have a word with you, please?’
He turned to face her, and excused himself to Mr Collins.
‘Can’t you see I’m busy talking with Mr Collins, and take your ruddy hat off inside the house,’ he whispered.
‘Please — it is very important I speak with you in private.’ Jane removed her hat, causing her hair to fall loose.
‘I’ll be with you in a minute,’ he said sternly and turned back to Mr Collins.
He made his excuse to leave and shook hands with him and then spoke briefly with Mrs Collins telling her how nice the service for Julie Ann had been.
At last he made his way to the front door, placing his empty wine glass onto the young girl’s tray as he edged past her.
‘That was a very nice solo,’ he remarked as Jane trailed behind him feeling something akin to a lap dog.