Vince the Invincible: The Mystery of the Missing Vicar

By Peter Garner

The old Gothic-style church is a place of shadowy echoes from the past and a grim reminder of a time, hundreds of years before, of dark and dreadful deeds. The ancient cemetery, with its sixteenth century gravestones, breathes an atmosphere of awesome mystery.
But when the vicar disappears, another kind of darkness enters the carefree world of Vince and his friend Simon. Simon was supposed to be the last person to see the vicar. But was he? And what of the new headmaster at the school? What is he up to? The police are on the case, but what exactly are they doing? Who is the mysterious drug addict and why are the two boys being targeted?
It soon becomes clear that their lives are in immediate danger. The vicar must be found. But what has happened to him? The race is on and time is running out. THEY MUST FIND THE VICAR BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Jun 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524634988

Peter Garner

The author is a former Comprehensive School teacher who has been involved with young people for most of his adult life. He has led youth clubs and worked as a leader in youth camps and youth holidays. He has written in a series of “Camp Talks” for young people. Born in north Wales and educated at Grove Park Grammar School Wrexham, he subsequently studied at Manchester University. He now lives with his wife in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, writing novels for children and young adults. His hero VINCE in this novel is a departure from his earlier series of BONDY thrillers. These are, in order of publication: THE CAVE; HIDDEN CITY; WHEN THE BELLS FELL SILENT; FACE OF EVIL and NIGHT OF THE SHADOW - all available from Author House.

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© 2016 Peter Garner. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/09/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5246-3499-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-3498-8 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1. OUR VICAR'S MISSING!

CHAPTER 2. THE LAST PERSON TO SEE HIM.

CHAPTER 3. SCHOOL IS BORING!

CHAPTER 4. WHO IS THIS NEW CARETAKER?

CHAPTER 5. TAKING CARE OF THE CARETAKER?

CHAPTER 6. WILD GOOSE CHASE?

CHAPTER 7. THE MYSTERY DEEPENS

CHAPTER 8. A LITTLE BIRD TELLS ME....

CHAPTER 9. THE WAITING POLICE CAR

CHAPTER 10. SOMETHING ROTTEN GOING ON?

CHAPTER 11. THINGS AREN'T WHAT THEY SEEM!

CHAPTER 12. I MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT THOSE BOYS!

CHAPTER 13. THE HEADMASTER.

CHAPTER 14. THE HOUSEKEEPER'S STORY

CHAPTER 15. A BIT OF IMAGINATION.

CHAPTER 16. WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?

CHAPTER 17. TRAPPED?

CHAPTER 18. ILL MET BY MOONLIGHT!

CHAPTER 19. SO WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT THEN?

CHAPTER 20. VINCE DISCOVERS THE GREATEST MYSTERY OF ALL

The young man ran down the darkened streets as if his life depended on it, hardly daring to risk a look behind -- lest it slow down his pace. His face a mask of anxiety and fear -- even terror; his life did depend on it! He had to find refuge and there wasn't much time. He could hear the roar of the car engines, the screech of breaks, the squeal of tyres -- his pursuers were gaining on him.

He shot down an alleyway, then a short cut through someone's drive and over their back garden wall. Hopefully that would throw them off his trail, or at least cause some confusion. But they would not give up their relentless pursuit. They had too much to lose -- though not as much as he had. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that his very life was at stake. He glanced briefly over his shoulder -- no sign of them, but he could still hear them! They would probably guess where he was going anyway. But it was his only hope, the only slim chance he had of escape. What he would do when he got there, he did not know. That would depend on his reception. Would his story be believable? It had to be, please God, it had to be!

But then, what could be done for him anyway? What possible way out of this nightmare could be found? Where could he go to escape the clutches of these relentless and ruthless men? They would stop at nothing, he knew and the thought gripped his heart like a vice, crushing all sense of hope. They would stop at nothing -- perhaps he should stop at nothing too? Would he have to use force? He had tried to put all that behind him, but he was desperate, so desperate. Maybe there was no other way?

Ahead of him lay the church graveyard, would they be looking at his grave stone soon? Was his end in sight? Was there no hope, no hope at all? Against the black sky he could just make out the outline of the ancient church -- a symbol of hope for centuries. He heard the sound of the cars along the main road -- they were not far behind.

He staggered up to the old door of the church -- would it be open? Hadn't the vicar said it would always be open -- even for him? Yes! It was open! He dashed down the aisle heading for the small vestry door underneath which a faint light was showing. He was there, but would there be time to tell him enough to convince him of the truth of his desperate plight? And if the vicar did not believe him what would he do?

He had to believe him and he had to help him, somehow, by some miracle. But if he would not help him -- then he would have to find some other way, maybe a way that he did not want to choose. And yet....he might be driven to it as a last resort.

CHAPTER ONE

OUR VICAR'S MISSING!

Our vicar's missing! said Simon. He was phoning Vince on a wet Sunday afternoon, during the school holidays.

What do you mean, missing? asked Vince, who was in the middle of a very exciting computer game and wasn't listening too carefully.

Exactly that! said Simon. He's just plain missing and there's nothing else you can say.

How long has he been missing? asked Vince, his eyes now creeping away from the computer screen and his mystery and investigation antennae beginning to rise.

It must be two Sundays now, replied Simon. They kept it quiet at first so as not to alarm people; but this morning at church they told us all, sort of, officially. They said the police have been informed. He wasn't ill as they told us at first -- he was just missing and they have no idea what has happened.

Apparently the vicar was not married and his housekeeper had no idea what had taken place. He just seemed to have disappeared into thin air.

Was he depressed or anything? asked Vince as gently as possible.

Our vicar depressed! said Simon -- a note of annoyance creeping into his voice. He's the last person on earth I would expect to be depressed!

Vince, realising how seriously Simon was taking this affair, replied, Hey Simon, I didn't mean to be disrespectful in any way. I'm sure you're right. From what you've told me about him he's not the sort to get really badly depressed.

The thing is , said Simon ruefully, I was the last to see him. I'm going to confirmation classes as you know and I'd been with him the best part of an hour, going through some stuff about faith.

Vince was quiet for a while; then he said, Why don't you come round here Simon and we'll talk about it?

Thanks Vince, I'll be round in about ten minutes.

Vince answered the doorbell on Simon's arrival about fifteen minutes later. He could see he was upset and put a reassuring arm round his shoulder as they walked into the hallway. Vince had told his mum the reason for Simon's visit and she was happy for them to go straight up to his room.

The police have known about it for some time, said Simon as they settled down in Vince's bedroom. Detective Inspector Wright is on the case and he rang me the other day. He's coming to see me tomorrow -- you know, with me being the last person to see him. I 'm not looking forward to it!

I don't blame you, said Vince sympathetically.

There was a pause and an awkward silence; then Simon looked at him, his expression speaking volumes about the closeness of their friendship.

Look Vincey, I don't like to ask you because I know what you went through when you solved that last mystery, but... He was interrupted by an enthusiastic outburst from Vince.

Hey, Simon, come on, you know me! How are you going to keep me away from this one! I can't wait to get started and especially as it involves you and your friend the vicar.

Simon's face lit up. Somehow, I just know that if you get involved, you'll sort it. I don't call you 'Vince the Invincible' for nothing!

Well it's got me stumped at the moment, said Vince, frowning and shaking his head, but something will come up, you'll see. Then he looked at Simon, shaking his head and frowning once again.

There is one condition of course and it is not to be argued about. Simon's face broke into a huge grin; I know, I know, you want me to help you with the maths homework.

How did you guess? said Vince returning the broad grin.

The next day Vince's telephone rang again, early in the afternoon. It was Simon. Hey, Simon, any news about your vicar? asked Vince enthusiastically. Not really -- but could I come round again, Vincey? He sounded depressed. He arrived later and they were soon settled in Vince's room. Simon sat looking mournfully at Vince. You should have heard the questions that inspector asked me about the vicar. Like for instance: Did he seem nervous about anything? Did you think he was hiding anything? Was he in a hurry as if he might be expecting someone to call? Did he tell you where he was going after your class finished? Was there anything unusual in his manner?

Vince looked thoughtful and then said; Well, I suppose those are fairly standard sort of questions that you might expect -- he does have to do his job after all.

I suppose you're right, but I just feel somehow he's barking up the wrong tree. He may be called Inspector Wright, but I don't think he's right at all. He thinks that perhaps the vicar has done a runner, taking off with some of the gold stuff from the church. Apparently it's really valuable stuff, worth thousands of pounds. It's missing and it's been missing since the vicar's disappearance.

Vince looked shocked and whistled through his teeth. Well, I don't believe it either, he said. I don't go to church, but I think your vicar's a great guy. There's no way he'd do something like that. I always think of him as kind of 'holy' without being all stuffy and things.

It's a really old church, said Simon and it's got these really old things like candlesticks and other stuff and they're incredibly valuable. Can't put a price on them, the policeman said.

Why does he think the vicar would do that? asked Vince his eyes wide in disbelief.

"Well, he points out that the vicar is getting rather old -- into his seventies now -- and he's perhaps had some sort of depression and gone and done something stupid."

Simon was quiet for a while, then looking at Vince he said, his face expressing the horror he felt; The other thing he suggested was that maybe the vicar had acted purely in a criminal fashion -- you know, not because he was depressed but because he was dabbling in something shady!

But why would he think that? exclaimed Vince raising his voice in protest.

Well, the vicar involves himself with people with real problems -- you know, like prisoners and drug addicts. He tries to help them and he not only tries but he does in some cases succeed. Like one guy I know of in the church who turned around completely and he's a member of the church and he helps guys who are like he once was. Some people in the church think the vicar spends too much time in that way, but I don't think so.

Simon carried on talking excitedly about the whole business, pausing when Vince interjected with some important question. He told Vince that the vicar had been challenged when reading Victor Hugo's book -- Les Miserables

I've heard about the musical and heard some of the songs, said Vince. It's very popular, I know and my mum loves the songs. She hums them sometimes when she's cooking in the kitchen.

Well, said Simon, "the vicar told me that in the book there's this bishop of the church in France and this escaped prisoner on the run is desperate to hide and this woman sees him and tells him to go to the bishop's house, because, she says,