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

don’t know. I just assumed. I’m more than happy for CID to take this over, especially if the sarge lets me in on the case.’

‘And what’s the likelihood of that if he believes you’ve been working on something you shouldn’t? It wouldn’t be beyond the realm of possibility that he’ll exclude you.’

Was that what he truly thought, or did he say it so she’d agree to continuing with their investigation?

‘Crap. I hadn’t thought of that. Why are you right all the time? Did Yates say what he was being blackmailed over?’

‘He asked me not to tell you because you’re a police officer.’

‘And you’re going to let him dictate what you do, are you? Because if you do—’

‘I was telling you what he’d said,’ he said laughing out loud. Birdie was very easy to wind up.

‘Ha. Ha. Very funny. Now tell me,’ she demanded.

‘One night when they were at university, Yates and Donald were out together drinking. Yates was driving even though he’d been banned following a drink-driving charge. He was involved in a hit-and-run incident, leaving the victim in a wheelchair. He didn’t get caught, and only the two of them knew about it. They swore themselves to secrecy.’

‘What a bastard. I could tell he wasn’t a nice person,’ Birdie snapped.

‘You’ve got to remember he was a kid when it happened, and it’s haunted him ever since.’

Why was he sticking up for chap when he thought the same as she did?

‘Sorry, but he wasn’t much younger than I am now, so that’s no excuse. I don’t dispute that he felt guilty about it. But not guilty enough to make amends and admit to what he’d done. So, it sounds like Donald had him over a barrel. He got money out of him once and wanted more.’

‘Except, as I’ve already said, Yates said not. He had to take out a bank loan to cover the first amount, he had no way of accessing more money, and Donald was fully aware of this.’

‘He would say that. And if it was Yates, he must have arranged for someone to beat you up. What now?’

‘I want to pay another visit to Andrea Wood and question her about being blackmailed.’

‘Would someone famous like her admit it, even if she was? Not to mention, will she even see us again, considering you had to ask Rob to arrange our first meeting?’

‘Not us, this time. Just me. I’ll take the train to London tomorrow and wait for her outside the studio at the time we know she usually leaves. I don’t want to go inside as it’s too public. This is the best way, as we don’t even know if she’d agree to another meeting, especially if she’s the one involved. It’s more low-key if I go alone. And if I don’t see her at the studio, I can go to her London flat and wait there.’

‘How do you know where she lives?’

‘Donald’s records. He had the addresses of both of her residences listed.’

‘What if she refuses to speak to you?’

‘Then that might be the time to officially involve the police. At the moment, I’m going to make it informal. A further chat on the QT and we’ll take it from there. Low-key for now is the best option.’

‘I’m not happy about this. If she’s the one who murdered Donald, then she could come after you, especially once she finds out you know about the blackmail.’

‘I’m not going to put myself in a compromising situation. I know what to look for. Nothing’s going to happen to me, I promise.’

‘So you say, and I hope you’re right, but I don’t like it when I’m not with you, because that’s when you end up in trouble.’

He laughed to himself. He was twice her size, yet she thought she could protect him.

‘Honestly, Birdie, I’ll be fine.’

‘Keep in touch and let me know what’s happening. What about Elsa, do you need me to check on her?’

‘She’ll be okay. I’ll only be gone a few hours, but thanks for offering. You go to work and let Sergeant Weston see how committed you’re being. That way when the case gets passed over to them, he’ll consider letting you work on it.’ His phoned pinged, letting him know Sarah was calling. ‘I’ve got another call, I’ll speak to you soon.’

‘Okay, be careful.’

‘Hello, Sarah,’ he said after ending the call with Birdie.

‘I called to tell you that I have Donald’s phone.’

‘Where was it?’

‘The people who bought the car found it hidden under the passenger seat and they returned it to the auction rooms who then gave it to the man who does my lawns and he’s just given it to me. I’ve no idea how it got under there, even if it did fall out of his pocket.’

Was it Donald leaving another clue?

‘I’m on my way back from Great Bowden. I’ll be with you shortly.’

He took the quickest route, and was there in less than fifteen minutes. As he pulled up the door opened and Sarah stood waiting for him.

‘You’re looking better than the last time I saw you,’ she said, staring at his face.

‘I’m feeling better, thanks. I had a call from my mother.’

Sarah’s cheeks turned pink. ‘I had to phone her. All I could think of was how I’d feel if it was one of the boys. I’d want to know. Sorry if it caused you any problems.’

‘None I couldn’t deal with. I can’t be too long as Elsa’s been on her own for a while now, so if you could fetch the phone for me.’

‘Come in, it’s in the kitchen.’

He followed her and on the table was a phone. She passed it to him.

‘Do you know his passcode, by any chance? It wasn’t in his password notebook or I’d have seen it.’

Sarah shook her head. ‘I’ve no idea. You could try his birthday, it’s the tenth of November.’

Seb keyed in 1011 but it didn’t open. ‘That’s not it.’

‘Try my birthday the twenty-fifth of July.’

He tried 2507 but still nothing. ‘No, it’s not