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

far too fragile at the moment. You know, despite there being some questions surrounding it, the verdict of suicide might be correct and we’re looking for evidence which doesn’t exist. Sarah could be wrong.’

‘Are you saying you want to end the investigation? Earlier you decided we were going to do some more investigating into Donald and the other investors.’

‘I’m going to think about it overnight. Let’s meet up tomorrow to discuss it,’ Seb said.

‘I’m working during the day. Meet me in town at six forty-five in the Diablos bar. We’ll have a drink and talk it through.’

Chapter 21

15 May

Birdie had aimed to leave work dead on six and she almost made it. Almost. She drove home, quickly showered and changed and went to meet Seb for a drink at Diablos. She’d decided to walk so that she didn’t have to worry about driving, and when she arrived, she glanced at her phone.

Seven-twenty. Not bad for her.

She walked in and scanned the room. Seb was sitting at a table by the wall with a pint in front of him. She stopped at the bar, ordered half a cider and a bag of crisps, and went to join him.

‘Been here long?’ she asked, sitting down and placing her glass on the table. She opened her crisps and took out a handful.

‘You were meant to be here at six forty-five,’ he said, drumming his fingers on the table impatiently.

‘Come on, Seb, I’m only thirty-five minutes late. That’s nothing for me. I made a real effort to get here on time and didn’t even have anything to eat. Hence these.’ She picked up the bag and shook them in front of him. ‘Want one?’

‘I couldn’t deprive you of your food,’ he said, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

‘Wise man, because I’m not a pretty sight when hungry. Did you come to a decision regarding the investigation?’

She hoped he wanted to continue, although it wouldn’t surprise her if he didn’t, based on what they had so far. Although she’d never admit it out loud, she’d really enjoyed the time they’d spent together working. He’d have made an awesome partner. Nothing against Twiggy and the others, who were great, too. But this had been different.

‘So far nothing has persuaded me that the police and coroner’s verdicts were incorrect. Donald might have acted out of character in his suicide note, but that’s not unusual for someone in his frame of mind. We have to accept that if he wasn’t of sound mind, and in my view he wasn’t, then it was suicide. Irrational thinking might have led him to not consider Sarah and what would happen after his death. We know that he wanted to be liked and admired, and that went hand in hand with having a successful business. He was depressed at his failure and couldn’t face the consequences, both socially and economically. He saw ending his life as his only way out. An alternative to incarceration which he most surely would have got.’ Seb picked up his glass and took a drink.

‘He could have gone bankrupt, and then he wouldn’t have been charged.’

‘He would because the Ponzi scheme was illegal. Most definitely he would have ended up in prison.’

‘Like that chap from America. What’s his name?’

‘You mean Bernie Madoff?’

‘Yeah, that’s the one. So you think that Donald committed suicide to avoid prison. What about the insurance policy?’

‘All I can deduce is that he either forgot about the exclusion period or thought it was twelve months, which many policies are.’

‘That makes sense, especially if he was depressed and not thinking straight. He might have got muddled about it.’

‘Yes, that’s what I believe happened,’ Seb said.

‘Which means Sarah really is left with nothing apart from the massive big house.’

She’d love to visit and take a look around. She’d gone onto Google Maps and checked it out, but it wasn’t the same as seeing it in real life.

‘Yes.’

‘Does this mean you’re going to call it a day on the investigation?’ Her heart sank at the prospect. The last ten days it had given her a sense of purpose which she’d missed.

‘We’ve done all the research we can, bearing in mind it was a stab in the dark. It would have been impossible to interview every single one of his clients, and we’ve spoken to those who stood out. All that’s left now is to inform Sarah of our progress. Or lack of.’

‘Are you going to leave Market Harborough and return to London after you’ve spoken to Sarah?’

‘There’s nothing to keep me here.’

‘Why not stay for a few days and have a holiday? You like it here, don’t you?’

‘It’s not a good time as I have my future to sort out.’

‘Relaxing away from home in a different place might be perfect for making a decision about what to do next,’ she suggested, noting the indecision in his eyes.

‘It’s not practical. I’ve got a flat in London that I need to get back to.’

Chapter 22

15 May

Seb glanced at his phone. It was already nine-thirty. ‘I’d better go. I don’t want to leave Elsa on her own for too much longer.’

‘Are you sure you don’t want one more drink as you’re not driving?’ Birdie asked, holding up her empty glass. ‘Are you?’

‘No, I walked here, but two pints are enough for me. My book’s calling.’

‘I’d hate to keep you from Harlan Coben, although I could think of better things to be doing on a Saturday night, but each to their own. When are you going to see Sarah?’

‘Tomorrow, then I’ll leave for London first thing Monday.’

Her eyes widened. ‘I didn’t think you’d be leaving so soon. Does that mean I won’t see you again? I suppose it does,’ she said before he could answer. ‘Well, it’s been an experience, that’s for sure.’

‘Likewise. Although maybe not in the same way?’

‘What’s that meant to mean?’ she asked, narrowing her eyes.

‘Only joking,’ he said, hoping he hadn’t hurt her feelings. ‘Usually I’m happier working alone, but you’ve added a certain