Page 214 of The Silent Appeal

Femi

It’s affecting every aspect of Fran’s life. Her performance in the play is suffering. Her work colleagues have noticed a change too.

Femi

She says, “We haven’t been together for a week and it’s killing me.”

Charlotte

There’s no sign of Father Josh leaving Elizabeth. Would Fran get pregnant to force his hand? Is that why she’s below par?

Femi

She’s seen Georgia do that and it didn’t work. Doesn’t seem to be Fran’s style, somehow.

Charlotte

Do you believe in karma?

Femi

No.

Charlotte

Fran won’t tolerate Issy’s obsession. Yet Issy’s behavior and Fran’s “obsession” don’t differ so very much.

Femi

I don’t follow.

Charlotte

Fran’s obsession with Father Josh is comparable to Issy’s obsession with Fran. Karma is therefore teaching Fran to be more sympathetic by making her experience the pain of unrequited/forbidden love.

Femi

Is karma guilty of murder? No. We need to extract a victim and a killer from the evidence, not have an existential debate.

Charlotte

Speaking of which, we should discuss Emma. She tells Sarah-Jane that Kevin is meeting secretly with Fran when he was supposed to be at the cash and carry.

Femi

Emma may be mistaken—she says it’s hard to see exactly who he’s with. Could it be someone else?

Charlotte

Emma uses a picture of Sarah-Jane with her eyes blacked out in the statue she made for the play. She’s gone behind SJ’s back in every case we’ve reviewed. Just when will she realize Emma isn’t her friend?

Femi

Kevin may have been with Fran because she’s a lead actor whose performance has slipped. Perhaps he knows about the affair with Josh?

Charlotte

Would he keep that from Sarah-Jane?