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“I understand what you’re going through,” said Gardener. “My son was kidnapped about nine months back. Held hostage by some lunatic hell-bent on getting me back for simply doing my job.”
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged,” replied Summerby. “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-3. So, were you doing your job, Mr Gardener, or were you judging unfairly?”
Gardener had absolutely no intention of going down the religious road, but wondered how he would be able to stop Summerby spouting quotes. He would find one for everything. Reilly simply shook his head and smirked.
Summerby noticed it. “Another non-believer. Come Judgement Day you will have to answer for your sins.”
“I take comfort in knowing I won’t be by myself, sunshine.”
“Can we get back to the question?” Gardener asked. “How are you finding life at home at the moment?”
“Our daughter is missing, and we have to carry on as if nothing has happened. So yes, as you pointed out it’s hard. It’s tough, but I have to go to work every day to continue providing for my family because I know things will return to normal. We will see her again, she will come back, and when she does I want her to know that everything can go back to normal in her world.”
“And you and Sally are getting on okay? It must be a strain.”
“It is. But I understand her loss, what she’s going through. I respect her privacy, and I’m there for her when she wants me. And every evening we sit and pray for the return of our daughter. And God will answer those prayers, because we believe in him.”
Gardener was keen to try and steer the man away from his favourite topic. Reilly had been right. They love nothing better than to ram it down your throat.
“And how is work? That must be helping to take your mind off things.”
Gareth Summerby smiled, one of those irritating lop-sided grins that Gardener disliked and distrusted.
“I enjoy my work. We’re always busy, especially at this time of the year. We harvest; we have to continually mend fences and walls and repair equipment. The animals always need looking after. We have our own slaughter yard. We slaughter our own animals, and we have contracts for other local farmers.”
“How are the animals slaughtered?”
“Pigs and sheep and chickens are stunned so they know nothing of what’s happening. I’m afraid cattle have to go through the usual – the bolt gun. But at least it’s quick.”
“Are you responsible for that?”
“Sometimes. We breed them properly, outdoors. They’re given the best of everything, and then when it’s time, we go for a nice stroll down the lane.”
Summerby made it sound wonderful. Perhaps how Gardener would like to go.
“You’ve mentioned the repair work. Is there a lot?” Reilly asked.
“Yes, there’s always something to do.”
“You ever use sealing wax?”
“Sealing wax? Don’t think so. I’ve never used it, don’t know about the others, but I’ve never seen any on the farm.”
Gardener changed tactics. “You obviously work long hours, do you have much of a social life?”
“We sometimes use the pub in the village.”
“What about further afield?”
“We haven’t always had a car, but now that we have, if we get the chance, we’ll take Chloe to the seaside sometimes.”
“Do you and Sally ever have nights out that don’t involve the car?”
“Sometimes, but not often.”
“Would you use taxis?”
“Yes.”
