With the CCTV footage downloading, D.I. Pond poured over the questions of the case with D.S. Oswald. "Danny's stakeboard and mobile are still missing, that's top priority. Also, main suspects, you know the town so who's the most likely? The boy was killed before he was left on the beach so where's our murder scene?"
Clara could feel the pressure of her unanswerable questions mounting. "Jack who runs the paper round said he saw the postman fighting with Danny once. That could be something."
"Good." Amy walked away and left Clara standing somewhat dumbfounded before she ran after her.
They later questioned the postman but he said he never recalled any argument. "What would I be arguing with a paper lad about? You don't think I had anything to do with it.."
"It's just to rule things out. Nothing to worry about." Clara smiled and said their goodbyes.
"Don't do that. 'Nothing to worry about.' " Pond frowned as they reached their car. "Don't reassure them, let them talk."
"Excuse me..." Clara finally began to crack. "You can't just come up here and try to mold me. I know what I'm doing and I know how to handle people and you can keep your broody bullshit shtick to yourself."
Amelia Pond seemed completely unfazed by her colleague's outburst and kept walking. Which infuriated Clara all the more. Oswald couldn't do anything to get on Pond's good side as hard as she tried. Clara required positive affirmation and Pond was giving her nothing. She wished to get Amelia's attention more than anything. She knocked on Pond's office door with some trepidation the next morning with chips to share. "Postman's alibi checks out. He was with his mates all Thursday night. But Jack said he'd seen them fight."
"Does Jack Marshall have any reason to lie to us?" Pond asked the question but continued to speak before Clara could answer. "Have you looked at the list of suspects the family gave you?"
"It's depressing. It's got all their friends and neighbors on it." Clara's face was melancholy as she scarfed down a handful of chips. "They're not thinking straight." She spoke with her mouth half full.
"They're smart." Pond hadn't touched the bag of chips Clara had bought her. "Perhaps they're trying to redirect our attention away from their own household."
"They didn't kill Danny." Clara was surprised by the accusation.
"You need to learn not to trust. If you can't look at things objectively you're not the right fit." Pond slowly put one chip in her mouth with a look of disgust in her face.
"No, it's you who isn't the right fit!" Clara lost her cool again. "You swoop in here stealing jobs from people and you can't accept a cup of coffee or a bag of chips without a great big sigh! ... Sorry, ma'am." Oswald sat back down and quietly ate her chips.
Same as before, Pond was unfazed by Oswald's outburst but her tone and demeanor did soften a bit. "You have to understand, Oswald. Anyone's capable of murder under the right circumstances but murder gnarls at the soul. The killer will reveal themselves sooner or later. I'm going to a service at the church on the hill. Danny's family goes there and I'm sure they'll be discussing his death at the service. I'll bet Danny's killer will show up, either to clear his conscience or to quietly gloat." Pond put on her coat and left for the church.
There was hardly 20 people at the Sunday service, a rather small crowd. The vicar wasn't what Pond had expected. He was a young man who seemed fresh out of seminary school but she herself was a bit young for her status. She was a Detective Inspector in charge of an entire murder investigation and she'd only just turned 30. And this wasn't her first time being in charge. She worked hard for what she'd accomplished and she didn't get where she was by being soft, no matter how much Clara tried.
"I know we're all struggling to understand what's happened in the last few days." The young reverend took a deep breath. "It's times like these that we question our faith. Why would a benevolent god allow this to happen?" He raised a powerful question and didn't give a clear answer either.
Pond was intrigued by the way he spoke. He was unafraid of pointing out the flaws in his own faith in a very candid manner. She stayed behind to see everyone as they walked out. Danny's grandmother was the only member of the family in attendance and she stayed behind to speak with the Vicar. She watched from afar how they spoke, they seemed close. How close was he to Danny? Amy wasn't like Clara, Pond knew there was a dark side to all people.
"Excuse me.." Pond approached Rev. Coates after Danny's grandmother had left. "I'm Amelia Pond, I'm investigating the recent tragedy. You're close to the Latimers, are you?"
"His grandmother mostly, sometimes Beth and Mark would stop by with the kids but not always." Paul replied. "I spoke with Beth just yesterday actually, poor thing's a wreck."
"Did she come to you for help?" Amy asked.
"No, she was just crying in the car park all alone and I went to her to make sure she was alright. I told her she could talk to me if she ever needed it. I just wish there were something more I could do." Paul looked up to the heavens. "I've tried everything. You saw how empty it was in here today. I've been here about 2 years now but I still feel like an outsider really."
"How do you like it here? I only just moved here myself a few weeks ago." Amelia attempted chit chat. "I personally don't think I fit in much either."
"I like it here, it's quiet. Peaceful... until all this." Paul looked down at his feet. "Am I allowed to ask how the investigation's going? Have you any idea who could have done this?"
"Whoever they are, I know they aren't far." Amelia smiled. "The truth will expose itself. Let it simmer long enough and the man responsible won't be able to stand the heat any longer."