Web of Lies by Sally Rigby (classic novels for teens txt) 📗

only friend of his he’s had for many years is Tony Yates. You might have met him at our silver wedding party.’

‘I didn’t meet anyone of that name, but considering there were around two hundred people there, that’s hardly surprising.’

‘Tony was Donald’s best friend from university. We used to go out occasionally as couples, his wife is Pauline. To be honest he was more Donald’s friend, and although Pauline was pleasant, we didn’t hit it off enough to meet up outside of any couple’s activity we did together. In fact, I can’t even remember the last time I saw them.’

Tony Yates. Seb’s mind was filtering information he’d seen. ‘Is his proper name Anthony?’

‘Yes, I believe it is. Why?’

‘He was one of Donald’s investors. I will definitely contact him.’

‘Would you like his number?’

‘I already know it, from the records. Are you sure you can’t think of any other friend I could talk to?’

‘No, sorry,’ she said, shaking her head.

‘Did Donald ever mention Bert and Pearl Black, they were clients of his for many years?’

‘I haven’t heard their names before. Should I have?’

‘Bert knew Donald from the Rotary club.’

‘Donald was a member for many years, and I went to their charity events with him, but I don’t recall ever meeting them.’

‘No problem. I spoke to Edgar yesterday, and he’s still bitter about what happened. He’d actually made two large investments with Donald and neglected to tell Celia about the latest one, which was the reason behind them losing everything as he’d cashed in all his other investments to fund it.’

‘Goodness … he kept it from Celia. That’s a surprise. Edgar has kept well away from me since Donald’s death. I don’t blame him, I suppose, but he has to know it was nothing to do with me. Does he hate me?’

‘No, he doesn’t. He realises that you wouldn’t have known anything about Donald’s scheme. To be honest, the issue is more with Celia.’

‘That doesn’t surprise me. Has he been forbidden to see me?’

‘Give them time and I’m sure they’ll come around. Birdie and I went to Foxton Locks to the location Donald was found, and then we went into the pub close by. The manager knew Donald as he often used the place for meetings with prospective clients. Did you ever go there with him?’

‘Yes, occasionally I did. Maybe a couple of times a year. It’s a lovely location, and the food is good.’

‘Donald was there with someone on the day he died.’

‘I told you he went out to meet a client, but he didn’t give me their name and it wasn’t in his diary, nor did he tell me exactly where they were meeting.’

‘Did the police ask you about it?’

‘No because I think they thought he’d made it up, to give him an excuse for going out that day. It didn’t help that I couldn’t give a name or provide any record of the meeting.’

‘It’s an understandable conclusion to make. According to the report, Donald’s car was left in Foxton village itself and not in the car park where his body was found.’

‘Yes, that’s right.’

‘Did the police explain why they thought it was left there?’

‘I didn’t think to ask and no one mentioned it to me. The first I knew of it was when the tow truck brought his car back.’ She sighed. ‘That makes me sound so stupid, but at the time I wasn’t thinking straight.’

‘You’re not stupid. It’s hard to think rationally when you’re grief-stricken. Could I take a look at the car?’

‘I no longer have it. I sold it a few weeks ago. The man who does the lawns took it to the car auctions in Northampton as I couldn’t face doing it myself. I’m sorry.’

Damn. It would have been cleaned by now so nothing for him to look at.

‘It’s not important, don’t worry about it.’

‘After what you’ve done so far, do you think I’m justified in my beliefs about the death?’

‘It’s too early to say. Yes, there are some anomalies, but none so far which have caused me to question the police and coroner’s verdict. But that doesn’t mean I’ll stop investigating.’

Chapter 14

10 May

Seb parked in Newarke Street car park and headed down York Road until reaching Oxford Street. He pressed the button on the crossing and waited for the green man to show so he could cross the busy Leicester road. He’d arranged an appointment for two o’clock with Donald’s friend Tony Yates who had a large quantity surveying practice in the city. Birdie had moaned that he was going without her, but she was working and he wasn’t prepared to sit twiddling his thumbs waiting for when she was available. He’d never visited the city, although he’d recently read that it was in the top ten places for people to live in terms of quality of life, ahead of London, Nottingham, and Derby. From what little he’d seen of it, so far, he liked the vibe.

Yates and Co was in a large office block, and after studying the board listing the companies housed there, he took the lift to the seventh floor. The reception was chrome and glass, and behind the desk sat a twenty-something man wearing a suit and tie.

‘Good afternoon. The name’s Clifford and I’m here to see Tony Yates. I have an appointment at two.’

‘If you’d like to take a seat over there, I’ll let him know you’ve arrived.’ The receptionist pointed him to a waiting area where there was a black leather sofa and matching chairs.

Seb headed over and sat down. He picked up a book on iconic buildings around the world from the glass-topped coffee table in front of him, and flicked through the pages. Buildings had always fascinated him.

‘Mr Clifford?’ He glanced up at the woman standing a short way from him, smiling. ‘I’m Dawn, Mr Yates’s executive assistant, if you’d like to come with me, I’ll take you to his office.’

He followed her down the corridor until they reached an open door with Tony Yates Managing Director