Steps to Heaven: A Sgt Major Crane Novel Read Online Free

what you’re trying to imply. I rather think you’re the one that’s being persistent.”
    Exasperated, Crane fished the pamphlets from the Church of Jesus is King out of his pocket. Realising he would have to be rather more direct, Crane pushed the papers across the table towards the Chaplain.
    “I found these pamphlets in Lance Corporal Crooks’ bedroom,” he explained and then leant back in his chair. “I wondered what you knew about this church and their methods.”
    “Ahhh…” said the Chaplain after looking at the papers for a few moments and then adopting a reflective position with his chin resting on clasped hands.
    “Ahhh, sir?”
    “Yes, well, this is a little delicate.”
    “Let me spell this out for you, Padre. There is nothing delicate about a murder and suicide by one of our lads. Not the crime and not the investigation that follows. I need answers and I need them now. So let’s forget sensibilities and diplomacy and tell me about this church.”
    “Really, Sergeant Major, there’s no need for that kind of attitude,” rebuked the Padre, standing and folding his arms.
    “Really, Padre, there is.” Crane refused to be bullied, even by a superior officer. “I’ve been tasked by Colonel Pearson to find out what happened to one of his boys and I intend to follow orders. I’m sure he doesn’t want to hear that you were unwilling to assist in that investigation.”
    After a moment’s reflection, the Padre sat down again and began to talk.
    “If I may be frank.”
    Resisting a more sarcastic reply, Crane inclined his head and said, “Please do, Padre.”
    “The Church of Jesus is King in Aldershot had concerned me a little I must admit. Their methods are, well, a trifle over enthusiastic, when it comes to persuading people to join their church.”
    “Over enthusiastic?” Crane leant forward over the table.
    “Yes. It seemed that once you attend the church for a service, they are, shall we say, reluctant to let you go. They pile on the pressure to make you keep going. Ensnare you with invisible threads as it were. Also it’s a very evangelical type of worship.”
    “Meaning?” Crane was more than a little perplexed by the description.
    “Well, the congregation are encouraged to, ah, let themselves go. You know, fully join in, shout out when the need takes them and,” continued the Chaplain dropping his voice to a whisper, although there was no one else in the room, “I’ve heard reports of members of the congregation speaking in tongues.”
    Not liking what he was hearing, Crane wanted to know if members of the Church of Jesus is King were actively recruiting on the garrison.
    “Not as far as I’m aware, but I couldn’t say for certain.”
    Crane stood and paced the room for a moment, before turning back to address Symonds. “Thank you for your frankness, Padre, but I need to know if this church is active on the garrison. If our soldiers have been attending and getting ensnared by invisible threads, as you put it. Also, more specifically, if Lance Corporal Crooks was a regular attendee.”
    “But, Crane, I can’t just go along and start accusing them of what I deem to be inappropriate religious behaviour!” The Chaplain looked at Crane as though he had just suggested that God was the devil in disguise.
    Crane remained standing but placed his arms on the desk, closing the space between himself and the Padre. “Of course not, sir. But you could go and meet with the leader of the Church, as a result of the tragic events here on the garrison. Ask for any help and information on the Lance Corporal that he may be able to give. You know the drill, I’m sure. All in the spirit and love of Jesus and mutual co-operation in the community. That sort of thing.” Crane tried hard to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
    A gleam appeared in the Padre’s eyes and he smiled. “Of course, I see now. Very clever, Sergeant Major.”
    Sitting back down, Crane said, “Not really, sir, just