"So let's have a look then, open it up."

We all sat on the floor around the newly unrolled map. Jez started to mark with pencil various points pertaining to woods, areas void of houses, and the outskirts of town. Soon we were staring at a very different picture although it still didn't yield any clues for me.

"I don't see anything particular," I pointed out. The crosses circled the outer perimeter of the town with a few exceptions but there was nothing out of the ordinary.

"I don't either," Hannah said.

"We're missing something. We need to go back further in time. Before Agatha Millard's death," Morgan said.

"How long has Ben Deverill been Governor?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Eight years," Morgan said with certainty.

"I think I need to check the locations again and the histories. Just to see if I've missed anything," Jez said thoughtfully. A new spark had ignited in him; his approach was more hurried now as if he had purpose again.

"Okay, Jez, you start on that, but tell me," I said. "What exactly was your father researching? It might be the key to all this," I said and pointed to the map that he was now pinning to a pin board.

Jez handed me a book.

"Well, this is what I started with. You can read through the passages and see if you can see or find anything useful," I opened the cover and flicked through the first pages. The book was dated 1947 and was simply called "Imber - A history."

"What an original title," I looked at the book and laughed.

"Look for anything in it about St Giles Church, the Parish or the wall paintings," Jez said handing me some sheets of paper and different coloured pens.

"For different references you think might be appropriate," he said at my quizzical expression.

"Ah, okay," I answered. "Blue Peter style."

"You've got it," Jez turned and handed a pile to Hannah who had been sitting quietly. She wasn't always a giver in conversation but when she had her mind made up and had reached some verdict, she would give her opinion and she was normally right. It was one of her most endearing qualities.

While Hannah and I were reading Jez and Morgan popped downstairs. I could hear them in full discussion but I didn't listen closely. They arrived a little while later with a plate of sandwiches and cans of drink. We had missed lunch, having been so preoccupied with our search. We all ate and drank in silence, lost in our own endeavours.

I started reading through the fragile pages, and nibbled on my last sandwich. Much of the book was written in such complex text, it was difficult to extract exact mentions of the church as most related to the parish in general. There were a few vague references, one mentioned the church font which was apparently priceless, and another couple mentioned murals on the walls.

"Were the murals in the church any good?" I asked.

"Yes, they were quite innovative apparently. Way ahead of their time. The artists are, of course, unknown. Here's another book, with pictures," Jez said, opening another book and handing it over.

"Ah, I like pictures," I grinned at him.

The pictures were crude pen and ink copies of the murals made before the walls of the church had been destroyed. The usual churchlike images of Mary, Jesus, God and Angels were all included. I flicked through a couple but they were all similar in artistic style.

The last picture was of something I hadn't seen before. It was a mural depicting a scene of a house, possibly a farmhouse. On the wall of the house was a circle with three stars like points of an equilateral triangle. It seemed out of place in a church, that much was clear.

"Have you ever seen this before?" I asked, holding the page open for them all to see.

"Maybe it's a symbol for the three wise men?" Hannah said putting her book down.

"But on the side of a house, in a mural?"

Morgan rubbed his forehead in frustration. "Does it give any information about the house? Has the mural got a name?"

"There's nothing," I said as I searched again. "I'll look through some others, see what I can find."

I started flicking through an old history of Wiltshire and had a thought. "I wonder if we're looking in the wrong place. I mean, these are history books. What about an art book? We need something from local artists back through the ages?"

"I don't know. I think I've seen the house before, and the symbol but I can't think where," Jez said thoughtfully. He turned and started flicking through other books.

"Here. What about this?" He showed a page from a newer paperback. The picture was of a shield used in old warfare. The three stars made up an emblem in the centre of the wooden circle. This time the stars were clearly shown, they each had five sides much like a pentagram, one was white, one red and the other was blue.

"That's got to be it but isn't it too much of a coincidence? There must be lots of three-starred icons around," I said, not wanting to dash any hopes.

"Where's this shield from?" Hannah asked.

"It was used by King Alfred during his battle at Edington," Jez said reading the description quickly. "It says 'he had in his employ a soothsayer who implored him to use the shield for it would save his life'. He also had an alchemist in his camp who tried to find an elixir for long life," Jez looked up at us.

"Where is the shield now," I asked.

"Salisbury Museum."

"So do we think this is a clue?" Morgan said.

"It's got to be. I'm going to look on the internet for any more information," and he turned and switched on his computer. "Maybe I can find some more references to the three stars and the origins."

"So the big question now is," I pointed out. "What has the Imber church got to do with Ben Deverill buying land around Warminster? It doesn't make sense."

We all stood for a moment staring at each other. Not one of us could think of an answer.

"Tell me about Ben Deverill. What do you know about him?" I asked, trying to find a new angle.

Hannah and Jez both looked at Morgan, who appeared to be considering my question with great thought.

I breathed out a frustrated sigh. "Yet again, I'm missing something, and you won't tell me what it is."

"Rose, please don't." Morgan muttered as I grabbed my coat ready to put it on. I'd had enough. If they didn't trust me, then they could do without me.

"You told me I could trust you earlier, remember Morgan? So why can't you trust me?" I implored. "Thanks a lot."

"I do trust you, Rose," he murmured. "I'll tell you the basics."

"The basics?" I whined.

"Yeah. The basics. Ben has been around forever. He's been head of the Council for eight years. He's Aiden's grandfather and rules Aiden with an iron fist. Now, Aiden works for him. The Deverill's have always been bad news, but, somehow Ben always seems to win back his seat as Governor," Morgan explained.

"So, Ben's a tough cookie. Is he married? Any other children or grandchildren?"

"He's not married; at least, I don't think so. He's only ever had Aiden to look after," Hannah answered.

"Yeah, after your parents refused to have the evil, conniving swine-bag," Jez sniggered at Morgan who glowered back.

"You're going cryptic again," I declared at them all while Morgan's stare darkened.

A pregnant pause ensued and Hannah interjected awkwardly. "Look guys, we're not getting anywhere. Why don't we call it a day? Jez, you carry on your research. I'll do some of my own. Rose, search Daisy's study, she's bound to have something there and Morgan, you help Rose."

It was agreed by all, but I glared at Morgan again, and he refused to meet my gaze, turning away.

Hannah shrugged at me when Morgan turned his back. Jez saw but said nothing.

"Jez, thank you for lunch. I hope I've been useful," I said, hoping that Morgan would turn again so he could see how much I meant it.

"You're welcome," he said and handed me a piece of paper. "Here's my mobile number. Call me if you find anything."

"Sure," I folded it and pushed it into my bag.

"Do you want a lift home? I've got a spare helmet," Hannah asked at me.

Morgan was still being obstinate filling his backpack and muttering to Jez.

"That'd be great, thanks," I said overenthusiastically.

"Okay, I'll see you later," Morgan said without looking back and left the room. His speedy paces down the stairs and slamming of the front door did not go unnoticed by us. We three stood in silence as we listened to his car revving, and then the sharp roaring engine grew fainter into the distance.

"Oh god, what on earth did I say?" I cried out to both Jez and Hannah.

"You weren't to know," Jez said. "Morgan's very touchy about it. I mean, I think he overreacted, what do you think?"

Hannah nodded. "Sit down, Rose. We'll tell you."

I sat back on the bed and dumped my bag down again. Jez leaned forward with his elbows on his knees.

"All I know is that after Aiden's parents died, Morgan's parents, who are his closest relatives, refused to look after Aiden. At the funeral of Aiden's mother, Ben agreed to take full custody of young Deverill. I think Aiden did some terrible things to Morgan's family before that time, and that's why they refused to look after a twelve year old boy. It's not a question of money, Morgan's family is rich. He won't talk about it, and Aiden avoids everyone anyway. So who knows?" Jez said.

"Hannah, you know Morgan well, has he ever said anything?" I asked.

"We've never talked about it. Morgan's open about most things but when Aiden is mentioned he closes up. Just like a book. There's history there but I've never wanted to pry."

"Maybe I could talk to Morgan," I uttered. "If he'll ever speak to me again."

"I think he's working later, at the Brokerswood Timber Mill," Hannah offered. "He won't be coming tonight to the Watch."

I nodded in understanding; my thoughts flew back to our encounter this morning. I had felt Morgan's goodness; it seeped from every pore in his body. So why had he clammed up on me when I asked about Ben Deverill's family.

This mysterious Ben Deverill, however could be wholly responsible, but was Daisy involved too? This was something I couldn't understand.

If people thought Ben Deverill was bad then why had Daisy tolerated him? How was she involved? The puzzle pieces were moving further apart, we were in danger of over assuming with only a few hard facts.

I needed to talk to Morgan, more than anything now. It hurt inside that he could think badly of me. And I selfishly wanted, and needed him on my side.

Hannah checked her watch. The time had flown, I hadn't released it was so late, after seven pm.

"Do we have to go? This is pretty important," I said earnestly.

"We promised Mira we'd be on time, we can't back out now. I need to drop you off and get ready myself," Hannah replied and I understood. To not turn up would appear rude but I couldn't shake the feeling that I should be helping Jez more.

"Jez, we've got to go. The watch?" She said. I know she was jogging his memory of the event and was not surprised with his response.

"You go. I want to check into this some more. Maybe I'll pop by later. Are you going to the usual place?"

"Yep, by the barn."

"Okay. Listen," he said standing up. "Thank you, both of you for this. I don't expect any help but you've helped me a great deal."

"You're welcome. Let me know how it goes with the shield. I'll have a look in Daisy's library too, and see if I can find anything. Hopefully I'll see you later?" I said smiling.

Hannah hugged him tightly. "I'll call tonight, see how you're getting on," she said. "Chin up, we'll get through this."

"Can I ask one thing?" he said looking sorrowful again. "Can this be kept secret, just between us? I don't want the others to know anything yet."

"Sure, no problem," we both assured him. His need for secrecy was understandable, he was scared. Anyone could see that.

"Rose, Morgan will come around. He'll be fine tomorrow, I promise," he pledged. Jez sat down again and turned back to his computer. Hannah and I took our cue to leave and let ourselves out.

"What am I going to do?" I wheezed through my teeth when we were standing by the bike. "Was I out of line?"

"No, you weren't and I'm going to have a few words of my own later with Morgan McCaw," she whispered back. "He was out of line, not you."

"Okay," I whispered.

"By the way," she continued. "You were amazing up there with Jez. I haven't really known the right thing to say, to console him, and Morgan and Jez have been friends since they were tiny, but guys are guys. But you? You've given Jez a direction, a purpose, that we didn't. He's a great guy, and he won't forget this."

"Let's just hope we find his dad, that's the most important thing now. By the way, are you two... you know?"

"No."

"Really, 'cos it looked to me that you both want to," I said boldly.

"My mum doesn't approve of him."

"So? Do you do everything your mother tells you to do?"

"Well, no but, I don't know, she'd get really mad at me, I don't want the hassle."

"So you'd rather be miserable without him, I get it," I said with mocked sarcasm.

"You don't know my mother."

"True." I actually didn't remember much about Hannah's mother from my holidays, but she was always someone to be afraid of. Fearsome, almost, the only run in had been when Mira and I had upset Hannah. She was a large, but rude and outspoken woman. I didn't envy Hannah, I even understood her reticence.