In the Light of Madness by In The Light Of Madness Page B

misery. They’ve got ‘the whole world’s against me’ attitude.”
“I’m sure there’s more to it than that. I’ve got this gut feeling.”
Lennox rolled his eyes. “Women’s intuition, eh?”
She chose to ignore him.
They cleared their trays and headed for the Press Room, where they were to meet up with the Wrights and Parker. Wednesday had the sinking feeling it was going to be painful watching Judith slur her way through the appeal.
She caught sight of her reflection in a window, and saw strands of hair sprouting out from the bun, giving her a bohemian look. She hurriedly redid her hair as they walked towards the Press Room.
Parker was sitting with the Wrights at the long table. She had provided the pair with a cup of coffee at Wednesday’s request. Even though they had had a period of sobriety, Judith still looked inebriated and Des looked bored.
Dave Arlow entered the room and positioned himself at Wednesday’s side.
“Just to let you know, Des Wright’s story about being in a brawl outside the pub hasn’t been corroborated. The landlord wasn’t aware of an affray in the car park, so we still don’t know where his bruises came from.”
Wednesday thanked him and drew a deep breath before addressing the couple. “Okay Mrs Wright, let’s run through what you want to say before we start.”
“I don’t know whether someone has taken him, or whether he has run away, but he’s got to come home.”
“That’s a good start, although perhaps address Darren directly when you look at the camera. Let’s try that again.”
“Darren, we want you home. You’ve caused enough trouble, so get yourself home, now.”
Wednesday closed her eyes and dug her fingernails into the palms of her hands. She heard Lennox expel a long breath of air.
“Mrs Wright . . . Judith, we don’t want Darren to think that he’ll be in trouble when he returns home—”
“But he will be,” she interrupted. “He’ll be in serious shit. He ain’t causing me and my Des all this hassle and getting away with it.”
Judith became red in the face, whilst Des remained placidly by her side, disengaged from the proceedings. Lennox leant closely into Wednesday so she could feel his hot breath on her earlobe.
“If the unthinkable has happened, and Darren is involved in Tom’s death, then after watching this pair, the public may feel poor parenting is a contributory factor.”
“God preserve us from that route,” she whispered back.
Wednesday bent over the table and wrote a more appropriate appeal on a scrap of paper. Judith read it then shoved the paper back to her.
“This don’t sound like me, Darren would know these ain’t my words.”
“They sound . . . softer, shall we say?”
Judith rolled her eyes, but nevertheless, took the sheet of paper back and read silently whilst mouthing the words. After repeating the action a couple of times, she spoke the words aloud.
“If someone’s got Darren, please send him home. We miss him. Please come home, Darren, you’re not in trouble. We love you.” She put the sheet down on the table. “Do I have to say that last bit?”
“I think it would sound better. It would also look better if you didn’t read it.”
Judith let out an audible sigh then stared at the paper in her trembling hands.
“I hope her shakes make her just look nervous to the viewers,” said Wednesday, quietly.
“Not to those who know her. I’m not sure that Hunter has made the right call on this one.”
“It wouldn’t be right not to do this.”
“But with this pair? You’re bound to take Hunter’s side, anyway.”
The tweak of taunting in his voice riled her. Her cheeks stung with heat as she watched the unsympathetic pair before her.
The doors swung open and in strode the press officer, Dana Booth, followed by the local news crew and journalists. Wednesday saw Scarlett sashay in, her flame-red hair tumbling over her shoulders in pre-Raphaelite curls. They had an understanding not to acknowledge one another at