Page 77 of Fire Must Burn

‘Do you know why?’ asked Mrs Bainbridge.

‘Because she carried the fruits of her sinfulness within her,’ said Mrs Spurlock.

‘She was pregnant?’

‘She was, and will burn in everlasting hellfire, all because she wouldn’t follow the true path that the Lord set before us.’

‘Did she say who the father was?’

‘She said nothing to us. We only learned of her condition after the autopsy. It wouldn’t have mattered. It was God’s justice.’

‘You had no interest in justice for her?’ asked Sparks.

‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord,’ she replied. ‘I would not be so arrogant as to usurp His will. My daughter reaped what she sowed. So you see, ladies, why I have absolutely no interest in keeping any memory of her alive any longer. Let her story die with me. I am sorry you wasted your time. Lottie! You may show them out now.’

‘Once again, I am sorry for your loss, Mrs Spurlock,’ said Sparks as she got to her feet.

‘You and your daughter will be in my prayers tonight,’ added Mrs Bainbridge.

Mrs Spurlock nodded to them briefly, then left the room without saying anything further.

Lottie, the maid, walked them to the front door. She looked quickly around the hall to make certain that her mistress wasout of sight, then whispered, ‘Please know that despite your reception, I’m sure she appreciated your visit. She doesn’t get many visitors any more. Not since Mr Spurlock left her.’

‘It’s like that, is it?’ said Sparks.

‘They say he has another woman in Guiana,’ she said. ‘And another daughter with her. The new apple of his eye.’

‘Then may God have mercy upon all of them,’ said Mrs Bainbridge. ‘I will come visit again. Thank you.’

They left, waiting until they had gone past several houses before speaking again.

‘There were no brothers or sisters?’ asked Gwen.

‘None,’ said Iris. ‘They put all of their hopes and dreams on her. She told me once that the pressure was almost unbearable.’

‘Did you know she was pregnant when she drowned?’

‘No,’ said Iris. ‘I did not.’

‘I can understand how, having betrayed her father’s trust and her mother’s faith, the poor girl felt she had no other recourse,’ said Gwen.

‘There were other options available,’ said Iris. ‘She never looked for them.’

‘If she was with child, I would think she would have at least confronted the man responsible,’ said Gwen.

‘Maybe she did,’ said Iris. ‘Maybe his refusal to help or accept responsibility sent her into the river.’

‘Do you suppose he could have pushed her in himself?’ asked Gwen.

‘It’s a thought, isn’t it?’ replied Iris. ‘It’s crossed my mind more than once over the years. But if Kevin or Bruce did it, they’re gone beyond the reach of any justice, earthly or otherwise.’

‘And Mrs Spurlock seems content to let justice rest in God’s hands, while the father has moved on to greener plantations across the seas. Which, if smiting there be, doesn’t explain the recent hellfire visited upon Tony.’

‘It doesn’t sound like it came from this quarter, in any event. Fine. Let’s continue on.’

Gwen looked back at the Spurlock house for a moment, a sad, compassionate expression on her face.

‘What is it?’ asked Iris.