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

to him at his workplace will offer a level of protection. No one is going to pounce on me there.’

‘Do you want me to lend you some make-up?’

He frowned. ‘Make-up?’

‘Have you seen the state of your face? You’ll need something to tone it down.’

‘It will have faded a bit by tomorrow.’

‘I’ll drive you.’

Seb was quiet for a few seconds. ‘Okay,’ he agreed.

‘Bloody hell, you must be feeling bad to agree straight away. I’ve just got to go to the loo and then I’ll get you back to the house.’

Twiggy walked into the room and did a double take at the burly guy sitting at Birdie’s desk. Was that the Clifford bloke? Judging by the state of him it had to be, but on principle he wasn’t going to admit to knowing him. The man was no longer a copper, and he certainly wasn’t going to kowtow to him because he’d been a DI.

‘What happened to you?’ he said, marching over and standing beside him. Even sitting down, the man was almost up to his chest.

‘Beaten up on Saturday night. I’m Sebastian Clifford, you are?’

‘DC Branch.’

‘Aka, Twiggy.’ He nodded knowingly. ‘Birdie has mentioned you.’

‘Where is she?’

‘She’s gone to the ladies.’

‘What are you doing here? And how come she left you alone?’

‘I’m looking through some mugshots, to see if I can identify the men who mugged me. As to your second question, she trusts me. I’m ex-job.’

‘Birdie said that the attack was linked to the Witherspoon’s death and not a mugging.’

‘She told you that?’ Seb frowned.

‘Yep. We’re partners, and that’s what partners do. Confide in each other.’

‘What else did she tell you?’ Seb pushed his chair back from the desk and stared directly at Twiggy.

‘That Donald Witherspoon’s wife is convinced it’s not a suicide, despite all the evidence pointing otherwise.’

‘What’s your view?’

‘I was one of the officers at the scene and saw the body, the gun, and the note. There was nothing that pointed to it being anything other than suicide. And it wasn’t just us who thought so. The coroner agreed.’ Twiggy clenched his fists. He’d done a good job. He hadn’t missed anything. This murder business was nonsense. Surely, it had to be. ‘So are you just stringing this woman along to make some money out of her?’

He shouldn’t have said that. Birdie had a nose for stuff and if she was convinced then maybe there was something in it.

‘This woman happens to be my cousin and I’m not being paid. I’m doing it as a favour,’ Clifford replied, his voice cold, and his lips set in a flat line.

‘Even if what you say is true, I’m warning you … Don’t you go getting Birdie into trouble.’

Clifford gave a wry smile. ‘She can look after herself and as her partner surely you, better than anyone, would know that.’

‘You’re right,’ he acknowledged. ‘But if she gets into any trouble, you’ll have me to answer to.’

‘Noted.’

‘Just because you used to work at the Met doesn’t mean you can intimidate her into helping you. She …’ His voice fell away. He should shut up. Even he could tell he was getting out of line.

‘Do you know Birdie?’

‘What’s that meant to mean?’

‘She’s not going to let me intimidate her.’

‘You say that, but she’s still in awe of you, even if you did leave the force under a cloud.’

‘Twiggy … nothing I’ve done in the past will have any impact on Birdie. I promise.’

‘Hey, what are you doing here? I thought it was your day off.’ Birdie said as she headed over to them.

‘I popped in to check something and was talking to Mr Clifford,’ he said, taking a step away from where the man was sitting.

‘What’s in the bag you’re holding?’

He hastily put his hand behind his back, not prepared to admit that he’d come in to eat the meat pie he’d sneakily bought while in town. He needed somewhere he wouldn’t be spotted as Evie had her spies everywhere.

‘Nothing important.’

‘I’m about to take Seb back home to rest. We’ve looked at some mugshots but so far found nothing.’

‘What about the CCTV footage?’ he asked.

‘Not much to go on there. These guys had obviously cased the street in advance and made sure to keep out of the way of the cameras.’

‘Well, let me know if you want a hand. I know most of the young kids around here, especially those on drugs.’

‘They weren’t kids,’ Clifford said, shaking his head. ‘That I know for certain.’

‘The offer’s here if you want it,’ he repeated.

‘Thanks, Twig,’ Birdie said. ‘Come on, Seb, let’s go.’

Twiggy watched as she helped the chap up from his seat and slipped her hand under his arm, guiding him out of the office. Surely he wasn’t that incapacitated that he needed someone of her size to help him along.

There was something about the man that he didn’t like, especially the influence he seemed to have over Birdie.

His partner.

Chapter 27

17 May

Sarah stared at her phone for ages before finally plucking up the courage to call. She half-hoped it would go to voicemail so she could leave a message. Except after four rings it was answered.

‘Hello, Auntie Charlotte, it’s me, Sarah,’ she said to Seb’s mother. Would she hang up without talking to her?

After Seb and Birdie had left, Sarah had deliberated for ages whether to tell her aunt what had happened. She hadn’t asked Seb whether his mother knew, but she was certain that he wouldn’t have told her. In the past her aunt had moaned that he didn’t keep the family informed of what he was doing, and it worried her because of him working for the police.

Sarah hadn’t spoken to her aunt since before Donald’s death, but she had to tell her about Seb. How could she not? If she was in her aunt’s situation, she’d want to know.

‘Sarah, good to hear from you. How are you?’

‘Soldiering on, as one has to.’

‘I’m sorry we couldn’t come to the funeral, but with Uncle Henry, as you would appreciate, we have to