Sins of the Fathers by Ruth Rendell Read Free Book Online Page B

again, only this girl was holding a boy's hand instead of a bloody rag.
    "Very charming," he said dryly. "I hope she'll make your son happy." He handed the photograph back. "No reason why she shouldn't."
    A mixture of emotions, anger, pain, resentment, flared in the clergyman's eyes. Interestedly, Wexford watched him.
    "I do not know what or whom to believe," Archery said unhappily, "and while I'm in this state of uncertainty, Chief Inspector, I'm not in favour of the marriage. No, that's putting it too coolly." He shook his head vehemently. "I'm bitterly, bitterly against it," he said.
    "And the girl, Painter's daughter?"
    "She believed—perhaps accepts is the better word—in her father's innocence, but she realises others may not. When it comes to it, I don't think she would marry my son while his mother and I feel as we do."
    "What are you afraid of, Mr. Archery?"
    "Heredity."
    "A very chancy thing, heredity."
    "Have you children, Chief Inspector?"
    "I've got two girls."
    "Are they married?"
    "One is."
    "And who is her father-in-law?"
    For the first time Wexford felt superior to this clergyman. A kind of schadenfreude possessed him. "He's an architect, as a matter of fact, Tory councillor for the North Ward here."
    "I see." Archery bowed his head. "And do your grandchildren already build palaces with wooden bricks, Mr. Wexford?" Wexford said nothing. The only sign of his first grandchild's existence was so far envinced in its mother's morning sickness. "I shall watch mine from their cradle, waiting to see them drawn towards objects with sharp edges."
    "You said if you objected she wouldn't marry him."
    "They're in love with each other. I can't..."
    "Who's going to know? Palm Kershaw off as her father."
    "I shall know," said Archery. "Already I can see Painter when I look at her. Instead of her mouth and her eyes I can see his thick lips and his bloodlust. It's the same blood, Chief Inspector, the blood that mingled with Mrs. Primero's, on the floor, on the clothes, down the water pipes. That blood will be in my grandchild." He seemed to realise that he had allowed himself to be carried away, for he stopped suddenly, blushed, and shut his eyes briefly as if wincing at the sight he had described.
    Wexford said gently, "I wish I could help you, Mr. Archery, but the case is closed, over, finished. There is nothing more I can do."
    Archery shrugged and quoted softly, almost as if he could not stop himself, " 'He took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person...' " Then he jumped up, his expression suddenly contrite. "Forgive me, Chief Inspector. That was an appalling thing to say. May I tell you what I intend to do?"
 
    "Pontius pilate, that's me," said Wexford. "So see you show more respect in future."
    Burden grinned. "What exactly did he want, sir?"
    "Firstly to tell him Painter may have been unjustly executed, which I can't. Damn it all, it would be tantamount to saying I didn't know my job. It was my first murder case, Mike, and it was fortunate for me it was so straightforward. Archery's going to do a spot of enquiry on his own. Hopeless after sixteen years but it's useless telling him. Secondly, he wanted my permission to go around hunting up all the witnesses. Wanted my support if they come round here, complaining and foaming at the mouth."
    "And all he's got to go on," said Burden thoughtfully, "is Mrs. Painter's sentimental belief in her husband's innocence?"
    "Aah, that's nothing! That's a load of hooey. If you got the chop, wouldn't Jean tell John and Pat you were innocent? Wouldn't my wife tell the girls? It's natural. Painter didn't make any last-minute confessions—you know what the prison authorities are like for watching out for things like that. No, she dreamed it up and convinced herself."
    "Has Archery ever met her?"
    "Not yet, but he's making a day of it. She and her second husband live in Purley and he's got himself an invite for tea."
    "You say