The running grave, p.1
The Running Grave, page 1
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. Any connection between the music referenced in the story and cults is purely fictitious and the use of lyrics in the work is not intended to be associated with any cults or groups in real life.
Copyright © 2023 by J.K. Rowling
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ISBN 978-0-316-57213-2
E3-20230828-JV-NF-ORI
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Epigraph
Prologue
PART ONE Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
PART TWO Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
PART THREE Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
PART FOUR Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
PART FIVE Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
PART SIX Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
PART SEVEN Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Chapter 99
Chapter 100
PART EIGHT Chapter 101
Chapter 102
Chapter 103
Chapter 104
Chapter 105
Chapter 106
Chapter 107
Chapter 108
Chapter 109
Chapter 110
Chapter 111
Chapter 112
Chapter 113
Chapter 114
Chapter 115
Chapter 116
Chapter 117
Chapter 118
Chapter 119
Chapter 120
Chapter 121
PART NINE Chapter 122
Chapter 123
Chapter 124
Chapter 125
Chapter 126
Chapter 127
Chapter 128
Chapter 129
Chapter 130
Chapter 131
Chapter 132
Chapter 133
EPILOGUE Chapter 134
Chapter 135
Chapter 136
Acknowledgements
Discover More
Credits
Also by Robert Galbraith
Praise for Robert Galbraith
To my goddesses,
Lynne Corbett, Aine Kiely and Jill Prewett,
Juno, Ceres and Astarte
Explore book giveaways, sneak peeks, deals, and more.
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When, like a running grave, time tracks you down…
Dylan Thomas
When, Like a Running Grave
It took a long time for things to go so far. It came about because things that should have been stopped were not stopped soon enough.
The I Ching or Book of Changes
PROLOGUE
All individuals are not equally fitted to consult the oracle. It requires a clear and tranquil mind, receptive to the cosmic influences hidden in the humble divining stalks.
Richard Wilhelm
Introduction to The I Ching or Book of Changes
Letters between Sir Colin and Lady Edensor and their son William
13 March 2012
Will,
We were appalled to learn from your personal tutor yesterday that you’ve dropped out of university and joined some kind of religious movement. We’re even more astounded that you didn’t discuss this with us, or bother to tell us where you were going.
Unless we’re being lied to by the woman who answers the phone at the headquarters of the Universal Humanitarian Church, handwritten letters are the only means of contacting members. She gave me her word that this letter would be passed to you.
Your mother and I don’t understand why you’ve done this, why you didn’t talk to us first, or what can have persuaded you to abandon your course and your friends. We’re extremely worried about you.
Please get in touch IMMEDIATELY you receive this.
Dad
16 April 2012
Darling Will,
The lady at the church headquarters says you’ve received Dad’s letter, but we still haven’t heard from you, so we’re still very worried.
We think you might be at Chapman’s Farm in Norfolk. Dad and I will be at the New Inn, Roughton, this Saturday at 1 p.m. Please, Will, come and meet us, so we can talk everything over. Dad’s been doing a bit of research on the Universal Humanitarian Church and it sounds like a very interesting organisation with worthy aims. We can certainly see why it would appeal to you.
We aren’t trying to run your life, Will, we really do just want to see you and know that you’re all right.
With lots of love,
Mum xxx
29 April 2012
Dear Will,
Yesterday, I visited the UHC’s Central Temple in London and spoke to a woman who insisted that our previous letters have been passed on to you. However, as you didn’t come and meet us on Saturday or send us any word, we have no means of knowing whether she’s telling the truth.
I therefore feel it is necessary to state, for your benefit or for the benefit of whoever might be illegally opening your mail, that I know for a fact that you’re at Chapman Farm, that you never leave it unaccompanied and that you’ve lost a substantial amount of weight. I also know that it’s impossible for anyone except members of the church to visit the farm.
You’re a highly intel ligent individual, Will, but the fact remains that you’re autistic and this isn’t the first time you’ve been manipulated. Unless I hear back from you by phone, or in a letter written in your own handwriting, by the 5th, I will contact the police.
I’ve been in touch with an ex-member of the Universal Humanitarian Church whom I’d like you to meet. If the church has nothing to hide and you’re remaining at Chapman Farm of your own free will, they can have no objection to you meeting us, or speaking to this individual.
Will, I repeat, unless I hear from you by the 5th of May, I will contact the police.
Dad
1 May 2012
Dear Colin and Sally,
Thank you for your letters. Everything is fine. I am very happy in the UHC and I now understand many things that I never understood before. In fact, I am not ‘on the spectrum’. That’s a label you’ve attached to me to justify the levels of control you’ve exerted on me all my life. I’m not your flesh object and, unlike you, I’m not motivated by money or materialist considerations.
I understand from your last letter that you’ve been having Chapman Farm watched. I’m an adult and the fact that you continue to treat me as an infant who should be spied on just proves how little I can trust you.
I also know exactly which ‘ex-member’ of the UHC you want me to meet. He’s a very dangerous, malicious man who’s done harm to many innocent people. I advise you to have no more contact with him.
The Drowned Prophet Will Bless All Who Worship Her.
Will
2 May 2012
Darling Will,
We were so happy to get a letter from you, but we’re a little bit concerned by it, because it really doesn’t sound like you, darling.
Will, please meet us. If we can meet you face-to-face, we’ll be reassured that you’re happy and know what you’re doing. That’s all we ask, a face-to-face meeting.
Darling, I want to be completely honest with you. Dad did have somebody watching Chapman Farm because he was so worried about you, but I promise that’s all finished. Dad’s cancelled the arrangement. Nobody’s spying on you and we don’t want to control you, Will. We only want to see you and hear from your own lips that you’re happy and that you’re acting of your own free will.
We love you, and I promise we only want the best for you.
Mum xxx
12 May 2012
Dear Colin and Sally,
I will meet you at the Central Temple in Rupert Court, London, on 23rd May at midday. Do not bring anyone with you, especially any ex-member of the church, because they won’t be admitted.
The Drowned Prophet Will Bless All Who Worship Her.
Will
24 May 2012
Dear Colin and Sally,
I agreed to meet you yesterday to prove I’m completely happy and fully in control of my own choices. Both of you demonstrated high levels of egomotivity and were disrespectful to me and abusive towards people I esteem and love.
If you contact the police or start having me watched again I will bring charges against you in court. The Church has arranged for me to be assessed by a doctor who will testify that I have full capacity and that you are the ones trying to exert undue influence on me. I have also consulted the UHC’s lawyers. My trust fund is my own and as Grandpa left me that money, not you, you have no right to prevent me from using my inheritance for good.
The Drowned Prophet Will Bless All Who Worship Her.
Will
16 March 2013
Darling Will,
I know I say it in every letter, but please, please contact us. We understand and respect the fact that you want to remain with the UHC. All we want is to know that you’re happy and well. Most of all, we’d like to see you in person. It’s been over a year, Will. We miss you so much.
I sent your birthday present to Chapman Farm. I hope you got it all right.
Please, Will, get in touch. Nobody’s going to try and persuade you to leave the UHC. All we want is your happiness. Dad deeply regrets some of the things he said when we last met. We aren’t angry, Will, we just miss you desperately.
Dad’s going to add his own note, but I just want to say that I love you with my whole heart and simply want to know that you’re OK.
Mum xxxxxx
Will,
I sincerely apologise for what I said about the church last year. I hope you can forgive me, and that you’ll get in touch. Mum misses you very much, as do I.
With love,
Dad x
Extracts from a letter from legal firm Coolidge and Fairfax to Mr Kevin Pirbright, former member of the Universal Humanitarian Church
18 March 2013
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL LEGAL CORRESPONDENCE
NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST OR DISSEMINATION
Dear Sir…
This letter is written on the understanding that you are responsible for the blog ‘Exposing the Universal Cult’, which you write under the name ‘Ex-UHC Member’…
Blog Post of April 2012: ‘The Aylmerton Connection’
On 2 April 2012 you published a blog post titled ‘The Aylmerton Connection’. The post contains several false and highly defamatory claims about the UHC. The opening paragraphs read:
Unbeknownst to the vast majority of its booming membership, who’ve been drawn to the church by its message of equality, diversity and charitable service, the Universal Humanitarian Church was born out of the Aylmerton Community, a notorious Norfolk-based commune, which in 1986 was revealed as a front for the paedophiliac activities of the Crowther family.
Most members of the Aylmerton Community were arrested along with the Crowther family, but those who were lucky enough to escape prosecution remained on the community’s land, which they re-christened ‘Chapman Farm’. This diehard group would become the founding members of the UHC.
Any reasonable reader would understand by this that the UHC is, in effect, a continuation of the Aylmerton Community under another name, and that the UHC’s activities resemble those of the Aylmerton Community, specifically with relation to paedophiliac activity. Both assertions are false and highly defamatory of our clients.
Furthermore, the phrases ‘lucky enough to escape prosecution’ and ‘diehard group’ would suggest to the reasonable reader that those who remained on the community’s land had committed unlawful acts similar to those for which the Crowther family and others were jailed. There is no truth whatsoever in this assertion, which is false and highly defamatory of the UHC’s members and Council of Principals.
The True Position
In fact, only one member of the UHC was ever part of the Aylmerton Community: Mrs Mazu Wace, the wife of the UHC’s founder and leader, Jonathan Wace.
Mazu Wace was fifteen years old when the Aylmerton Community was disbanded and she gave evidence against the Crowther brothers at their trial. This is a matter of public record and easily discoverable through court documents and press reports of the case.
Mrs Wace has talked openly of her traumatic experiences at the Aylmerton Community, including at church groups you personally attended. Far from being ‘lucky enough to escape prosecution’, Mrs Wace was herself a victim of the Crowthers. The imputation that she was complicit in, or otherwise approved of, the Crowthers’ vile, unlawful behaviour is highly defamatory and has caused Mrs Wace significant hurt and distress. It has also caused, and is likely to continue to cause, serious reputational harm to Mrs Wace, and to the UHC. This exposes you to significant liability.
Blog Post of 28 January 2013: ‘The Great Charity Con’
On 28 January 2013, you published a post titled ‘The Great Charity Con’, in which you state:
In fact, the sole purpose of the UHC is generating money, and it is remarkably good at this. While better-known members are allowed merely to proselytise in press interviews, the rank and file are expected to be out on the streets with their collecting tins every day, and to remain outside, no matter the weather or their own state of health, for as long as it takes for them to make their ‘offering’. This is the minimum one hundred pounds per day each foot soldier must return with, unless he or she wishes to face the wrath of the church’s volatile enforcer Taio Wace, who is the elder of Jonathan and Mazu Wace’s two sons.
The description of Mr Taio Wace as a ‘volatile enforcer’ will be understood by the reasonable reader to mean that Mr Taio Wace is aggressive, unpredictable and a bully. This categorisation is highly defamatory of Mr Taio Wace and likely to cause significant reputational harm to him, as a Principal of the Church, and to the UHC itself.
