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

decided to cut all ties. It was more of a defence mechanism against missing the career he’d forged for himself. He had missed Rob, though, as he’d been the closest friend he’d had at work. Had he made a mistake?

‘It’s complicated. I’m actually after a favour.’

‘Fire away.’

That was what he liked about Rob. They hadn’t spoken for ages, but he clearly didn’t hold that against Seb.

‘Does your wife still work at the TV station?’

‘Yes, why?’

‘I want an interview with Andrea Wood who presents the breakfast show.’

‘What do you mean interview? Don’t tell me you’ve joined the press. I know your views on the media.’ He laughed. ‘Or do you want to ask her out?’

‘I’m working on a case and her name has cropped up. I don’t want to make a big deal of it, just speak to her quietly.’

‘How can you be working on a case when you’ve left the force?’

‘Between you and me, this is something I’m doing on the side for my cousin, Sarah. Her husband was Donald Witherspoon, and he died about a month ago. You may have heard of him.’

He could trust Rob to keep it to himself.

‘I have indeed. He was the bastard who swindled hundreds of people in a Ponzi scheme and then committed suicide. A nasty piece of work by all accounts. And you’re related to him? Bloody hell. How on earth did the family take that?’

Rob knew all about Seb’s family, as on one drunken night, when they were both attending the same training course, they had a deep and meaningful heart-to-heart. Seb trusted him implicitly never to mention their conversation, the same as he kept to himself everything that Rob had confided.

‘Let’s put this way. It hasn’t been easy, especially for Sarah. She doesn’t believe it’s suicide, and has asked me to investigate.’

‘Oh, so now you’re a private investigator? I’d swear that in the past you didn’t have any time for them. Have you now changed your mind?’

‘I’m doing this as a favour and certainly don’t intend on becoming a PI, as my views haven’t changed. Anyway, the point is that Andrea Wood invested some money with Donald, and I’d like to speak to her about it. I don’t believe it’s common knowledge, so I’m trusting you not to repeat any of this.’

‘We’re mates. My lips are sealed. I might be able to get you in there, not actually through my wife, because I don’t know if she could, but I do have another contact.’

Excellent. He knew his friend would be able to help.

‘Sounds interesting, who is it?’

‘Just someone I know. Leave it with me and I’ll see if I can arrange for an interview, but I can’t promise anything, considering you’re not actually police. You’ll have to be prepared to go whenever it suits the woman.’

‘Of course. Who’s this person you know?’ he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

‘I’m not saying,’ was the cagey response.

Seb didn’t want to push it. It could have been anybody, ranging from an informant to a friend and if Rob wasn’t prepared to tell him then it proved his general trustworthiness.

‘If you can get me in there, I’ll owe you one big time.’

‘I won’t let you forget it either,’ Rob said, laughing. ‘So you really like Market Harborough?’

‘I’ve only been here a few days, but it certainly makes a change from London. It’s quiet and pretty. There are lots of walks to go on, and the best thing is there’s no rush hour traffic to contend with.’

He hadn’t realised quite how much he liked the place until saying it out loud.

‘You’ve only left the force a short while and now you’re turning into a country bumpkin. Mind you, you were never suited to city life. Not with your background and all those country pursuits your lot get up to.’

‘When have you known me to engage in country pursuits?’

‘You might have done if it wasn’t for the demands of the job, although … maybe not. That aside, I still think you didn’t fit in the force. Not in terms of doing the job because you were brilliant at that. But you never liked going out and letting off steam. I didn’t ever witness you being loud and crazy like the rest of us.’

‘We can’t all be like you.’

‘I’m not like that, now. That’s married life for you. That and getting older. It’s been great to hear from you. We’ll catch up soon. I’ve got to go as I’m due in a meeting. I’ll be in touch as soon as I’ve got any news.’

Chapter 18

13 May

Seb spent the rest of the morning researching Donald’s social activities. There was plenty of recent publicity regarding the Ponzi scheme, but he was more interested in what the man did leading up to it, over the previous eighteen months and even further back. It seemed Donald was very active in the social scene and there were many photos of him attending events. Often Sarah was with him, but sometimes he went alone.

In particular, Donald was photographed at charity events and would always bid for items in charity auctions. Interestingly, although media stories mentioned bidding by different people for items, rarely did Donald win. He mostly dropped out towards the end. A clever ploy to appear benevolent without having to pay up, Seb suspected. Donald had cultivated an image of being very wealthy and philanthropic until such time as it all imploded. After his death.

Seb’s phone rang, interrupting his deliberations. It was Rob. Had he worked his magic already?

‘Clifford.’

‘You owe me big time for this one, mate,’ his friend said. ‘It wasn’t easy, but I’ve managed to secure you an interview with Andrea Wood.’

‘I knew you could do it. Thanks.’

‘The only problem is, it’s tomorrow. She’s on the telly from six until nine and after that she has a production meeting. But she can see you at midday. I’ve been told that the interview can only be for a short time, maybe fifteen minutes tops, as then she goes