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

your job, but it’s certainly affected you being allowed to do your job.’

Right again.

‘It’s something I do. Let’s leave it at that.’

‘I’d hate to see your talent go unnoticed because of this one issue.’

‘I never miss anything, I’m just a bit late, sometimes.’ He tilted his head to one side. ‘Okay, most of the time,’ she acknowledged.

‘It can be frustrating for people. Take today, we only have fifteen minutes to interview Andrea Wood. If we’re late for that, by even five minutes, that would cut down our time with her by thirty per cent. We could lose valuable information.’

‘But we won’t be late.’ She tipped her head back and drew in a frustrated breath. ‘We’ve got plenty of time. We’re actually way early.’

‘You’re deliberately being obtuse.’

‘Whatever.’

She folded her arms and looked away, not wanting them to fall out over her timekeeping as it was going to be a fun day. Informative, obviously, because they were working on the case, but as she’d never been to a TV studio before, or spoken to a celebrity, still fun.

At ten minutes to twelve they left the café and walked around the corner and into the studio.

‘My name is Sebastian Clifford, and I’ve got an appointment with Andrea Wood at midday. It was arranged by Rob Lawson.’

‘One moment, please,’ the receptionist said. She made a call announcing their arrival. ‘If you take the lift up to the fifth floor, it’s the third room on the right. The Edison Suite. They’re expecting you.’

She swallowed hard. ‘Do you have stairs?’ Birdie asked the woman.

‘Yes, you’ll find them just before the lift, but they’re very steep.’

‘I’m in training.’ They walked away from the reception and when they reached the stairs, she turned to Seb ‘I’ll meet you up there.’

‘It’s five flights. Surely you don’t have to train now.’

She sucked in a breath. ‘I get a bit claustrophobic and only go into a lift if it’s absolutely necessary.’

‘You were fine on the tube.’

‘Because it’s more spacious. It’s really lifts I can’t stand. We don’t have time to discuss this now. I’ll meet you there.’

She jogged up the stairs. The woman wasn’t wrong, they were steep and she had to stop several times before her legs gave way. When she reached the top Seb was waiting for her.

He knocked on the door, before she even had time to catch her breath, and a woman answered.

‘Mr Clifford?’ she said.

‘Yes, and this is B … Lucinda Bird.’

Seriously? She glared at him, but he didn’t seem to notice.

They were ushered into a large room with a black leather three-piece suite on one side and a circular table with chairs around it on the other side, next to the window.

Andrea was seated alone at the table and standing in the corner was a thickset man dressed in a dark suit, with a shaved head, who stood with his arms folded. He looked to be in his late thirties or early forties. Was he security? He’d picked the wrong people to try to intimidate, if so. She’d handled much worse.

‘This is Sebastian Clifford and Lucinda Bird. They’ve an appointment with you,’ the woman who brought them in said.

Was she even aware they were going to interview her?

‘Come and sit down,’ Andrea said, flashing a set of perfect white teeth as she smiled and looked directly at Seb, totally ignoring Birdie.

‘It was good of you to spare the time,’ Seb said, as they sat opposite her.

‘It’s my pleasure. How may I help you?’ Andrea said.

‘We’d like to ask you about Donald Witherspoon.’

She cleared her throat, panic etched across her face. ‘Who?’

‘You know who I mean.’

‘Are you from the press? I wouldn’t have agreed to speak to you if I’d known.’

‘No, we’re not the media.’

‘Aaron, I’m worried that the alterations on my dress for tomorrow won’t be made on time. Could you go to wardrobe and check with Annie?’

‘Okay.’

He scowled at Seb and Birdie before leaving the room. What was that all about?

‘I don’t know what you have heard, but my connection with Donald Witherspoon isn’t public knowledge,’ she said.

‘I’m investigating his death, on behalf of his wife.’

‘He committed suicide. What’s there to investigate? He stole all that money and took the coward’s way out rather than facing everyone.’

‘His wife isn’t convinced that’s what happened, and I’ve agreed to investigate.’

‘What do you want from me?’

‘At the beginning of the year, you invested some money with him and we wanted to discuss it with you.’

‘How do you know about this?’

‘I’ve examined Witherspoon’s financial records. How much money did you invest in his scheme?’

‘A hundred thousand. It was what he recommended.’

‘Why so much?’

‘I’d decided to diversify and believed investing with him would be a good idea.’

‘Did you take any financial advice before investing?’ Seb asked.

‘No, I decided not to involve my business manager in this particular investment.’

‘Why not?’

‘I wanted it to be kept under the table, in case my soon-to-be ex-husband got wind of it. We’ve separated and divorce proceedings have been decidedly acrimonious. I wanted this investment to be kept out of the equation. It’s not like I have the money now, anyway.’

Something wasn’t adding up. Unless …

‘Did you already know Mr Witherspoon before investing?’ Birdie asked.

‘Vaguely,’ Andrea answered, her cheeks flushing.

‘When you say vaguely, what do you mean exactly?’ Birdie pushed.

‘Our paths crossed a long time ago, and when I was looking to invest the money and his company’s name popped up, I decided to go with him. That’s all.’ She waved her hand dismissively.

There had to be more.

‘How did your paths cross?’

‘We met at a charity event, if I remember correctly. It really was a long time ago and I can’t remember exactly.’

‘Between first meeting him, and then investing at the beginning of the year, did you see each other at all?’

‘I meet a lot of people in this job. I really can’t tell you.’

‘Although it was because you knew him that you decided to invest on the side and not involve your business manager.’

‘Partly. But I fail to see why this is relevant.’

‘And—’

‘How often