Page 249 of The Silent Appeal

Our theory is this: Elizabeth finds out about Josh’s affair with Fran. Perhaps she follows him to the lane and sees them together. She kills him, right in front of Fran.

Femi Hassan

Fran is consumed with shock, grief, and guilt. She stumbles back through the secret door in the scouts’ kit cupboard and plays Lady Angkatell in the second half of the play. She delivers a quirky but brilliant performance. She reasons that Josh’s death is ultimately her fault and, when the play’s run is over, confesses to the murder.

Roderick Tanner, KC

Very well deduced. And before you’ve read the final messages too. Well done.

Femi Hassan

Are we there, or thereabouts?

Roderick Tanner, KC

Well, I’ve finished reading myself now and have had time to think. As I see it, you’re not even close.

Police interview with Francesca Elroy-Jones. Present: Sergeant Crowe and Inspector Cooper of Lockwood Police, and duty solicitor Ms. Priti Anand at 11:45 a.m. on June 8, 2025:

Ms. Anand: Contrary to advice, my client has asked me to read a prepared statement.

Insp. Cooper: Please.

Ms. Anand: “My name is Francesca Elroy-Jones. I have an apartment on Hayward Heights, but I am temporarily living in a studio flat on the Grange estate. On the evening of June 5, 2025, I was playing Lady Angostine in the Fairway Players’ production of—”

Ms. Elroy-Jones: Angkatell.

Ms. Anand: Anchor-tell? “In The Hollow. I had arranged to meet the Reverend Joshua Harries, whom I have been seeing in secret for around three months. I’d heard something earlier that evening that made me both angry and confused. Our date was to be during the interval at 8:45–9 p.m. in the lane between St. Barnabas church hall and the vicarage. When I left the stage, several pages before the interval, I took the Edwardian moletrap from the stage mantelpiece. The starter pistol and stage gun were set out on a table behind the trellis. I was carrying a garden tote and as I passed, I hid the starter pistol under a cloth in the basket with the moletrap. Before the act had finished, I accessed the lane via a door in the back of a cupboard in the green room, and met Reverend Harries as planned. When he arrived… I think I must’ve realized it was just a starter pistol and wouldn’t fire, so I took the moletrap from my tote and stabbed him with the spikes wherever I could, until he seemed… dead. I think the wound in his neck was the worst. I wiped the moletrap with the cloth and put it in the props box. Later in the green room, I concealed the gun in the costume of another actor, then played the role of Lady Angkatell for the rest of the evening, and again on Friday and Saturday night.”

[Silence]

Sgt. Crowe: Thank you, Ms. Anand. Francesca, can you tell us why you murdered Joshua Harries?

Ms. Anand: Remember what I said about “no comment.”

Ms. Elroy-Jones: It just happened. It was as if I… couldn’t think straight. I got home and… when that feeling, or lack of feeling, wore off… I vomited nonstop. I… I’ve never felt for anyone the way I feel about Josh. I decided to wait before… We’ve worked so hard on the play, it’s up for NADA awards, I didn’t know when the judge was coming, and didn’t want to ruin it for everyone.

Insp. Cooper: Okay. I think that’s all for now, Francesca. Thank you.

Sgt. Crowe: Wait. What did you find out earlier that made you so angry?

Ms. Elroy-Jones: No comment.

To: The Fairway Players mailing list

From: Kevin MacDonald

Date: June 5, 2025

Subject: Opening Night!

Dear all,

Tonight’s the night! THE night, when it is most crucial to bring your A game to the stage.

As always, the Fairway Players diaspora is cheering us on. I’ve received a great many “break a leg” wishes from friends and former members. I’ll print out the full list and display it on the green room wall, but for now, this little lot will keep you going:

Once more unto the breach, dear friends! Good luck to Fairways for The Hollow. Look after the props you’ve borrowed and they’ll look after you.