Chapter One

"Hello everyone, why are you all out here? It's pouring, you'll get soaked, and then where will we all be with the Easter services to prepare for?"

Hector Matheson, Director of Music of St Mary's Church edged his way through a group of very grumpy and soggy choristers to reach the side door of the Church, fumbling as he did so for his keys.

"It's locked, Mr Matheson," complained one of the tenors.

"Well, it shouldn't be. Young Thomas was supposed to be here half an hour ago to get out the Brahms for you all, surely he hasn't locked himself in?"

There was no answer to that, beyond more grumbling. The door was finally opened and the choir tumbled through it, shaking hats, coats and umbrellas like so many Labrador puppies, with scant regard for the wax candles stacked in the alcoves to either side of the door.

Matheson led the charge into the main body of the church, tutting to himself and muttering about the unreliability of library assistants. Turning to head to the organ loft and unlock that, though, he stopped short. Swallowing hard, he blinked several times and grasped the end of the nearest pew to steady himself.

As he did so, he heard someone approaching from behind him.

"Mr Matheson, we can't get into the music cupboards either OH MY GOD!"

The Director of Music and his most trusted bass stood next to one another and tried not to believe that the body hanging from the organ loft, by a rope around its neck, was that of Thomas Rose, alto and assistant librarian.

They were unsuccessful.