Page 235 of The Silent Appeal

Yours sincerely,

Bella Moretti

Judge, National Amateur Drama Awards

Article from the Lockwood Gazette online dated June 6, 2025:

BODY FOUND IN LANE

Police have opened a murder inquiry after the discovery of a body in Lockwood Lane. The gruesome find was made by an audience member leaving the church hall late last night (June 5) after watching a performance of Agatha Christie’s play The Hollow, staged by amateur drama group the Fairway Players.

Lockwood Lane is situated between St. Barnabas vicarage and the church hall. It is a pedestrian cut-through that, according to locals, is badly lit and therefore not often used at night.

Police would reveal only that the victim is male, and have cordoned off the lane as part of their ongoing inquiry.

Cochair of the Fairway Players, Kevin MacDonald, advised that anyone with tickets to see the play tonight and tomorrow (June 7) should use the main entrance as usual.

News update from the Lockwood Gazette online dated June 6, 2025:

LOCKWOOD MURDER VICTIM NAMED

The man found dead in Lockwood Lane last night has been named as the Reverend Joshua Harries, 41, vicar of nearby St. Barnabas church. Police have appealed for anyone who was in the area between 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. last night to get in touch.

Message exchange between Isabel Beck and Kevin MacDonald on June 6, 2025:

9:43 a.m. Issy wrote:

Sorry to bother you.

9:45 a.m. Kevin wrote:

Bother away.

9:45 a.m. Issy wrote:

I’ve just read online that it was Father Josh who died last night. OMG!

9:47 a.m. Kevin wrote:

Sadly, yes. It’s shocking.

9:49 a.m. Issy wrote:

Did he see the show last night?

9:51 a.m. Kevin wrote:

No. He and Elizabeth had tickets for Saturday.

9:54 a.m. Issy wrote:

There were a few people behaving strangely though, don’t you think?

9:54 a.m. Kevin wrote:

Not at all. The play went very well for a first night.

9:55 a.m. Issy wrote: