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

a very understanding neighbour, Jill, who’s always happy to look after her.’

‘I’m not surprised, she’s such a lovely dog.’

‘By the way, have you heard anything yet from your friend in forensics regarding Donald’s phone?’

‘Nothing. I can’t push him, though, because he might have lots of other legitimate work. I told him we needed it as soon as possible, so we’ll just have to wait.’

‘Damn. I have the feeling that they’ll be stuff in there which will assist us.’

‘I can speak to him again in the morning, but I don’t want to harass him as he’s doing us a favour.’

The drive to Coventry took forty-five minutes and when they reached the flats in Windsor Street, they parked in the small visitors’ car park.

Birdie pushed open the entrance door and wrinkled her nose. ‘Someone needs to clean in here, it stinks of stale urine and weed.’

‘I’ve been in a lot worse. Surely you must have, too, being in the job for a few years,’ Clifford said.

‘Yes, but that doesn’t mean I like it.’

They walked up the stairs to the third-floor flat and she knocked on the door. There was no answer, but the door adjacent opened and a young woman in her late teens poked her head out. ‘You looking for Katy?’

‘Yes. Do you know where she is?’ Birdie asked.

‘Who are you?’

‘Friend of a friend,’ Birdie said, not wanting to admit who they were for fear of her clamming up.

‘I saw her go in a few minutes ago and she looked all right.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘She wasn’t off her head or pissed or anything. Try knocking again,’ she said going back inside and closing her door.

Birdie banged hard on the door.

‘Hang on,’ a voice called. The door opened and there was a woman who was only about five foot tall, in her late thirties. Her face was thin and drawn, and she had straight mid-brown hair which came to her shoulders.

‘Katy Burns?’ Seb asked.

‘Why?’

‘I’m Sebastian Clifford, and this is Birdie. We’d like to talk to you about Aaron Dunkley.’

‘Are you police?’

‘I’m an investigator,’ Seb said.

‘I’m an officer,’ Birdie admitted. ‘But not here in an official capacity.’

Katy eyed them suspiciously. ‘Oh, well, I suppose I’ll talk to you. Come on in.’

The flat was practically bare, apart from a worn green sofa, a television, a wooden chair, and a small dining table in the corner. There were no photos, ornaments, or anything personal on show.

‘I was in the kitchen making myself a coffee, would you like one?’

‘No thanks,’ Seb said.

Katy disappeared for a few minutes and came back with a mug in her hand. Birdie got a whiff of whisky as the woman walked past her to sit on the chair.

‘What do you want to know about Aaron?’

‘A bit of background would be good. When you were together, he was known as Ross Burns. Do you know why he changed his name?’

‘To get away from you lot,’ she said nodding at Birdie. ‘He thought with a different name no one would know about his past.’

‘He did it after you divorced?’

‘Yeah.’ She took a large swallow of coffee and visibly shuddered.

‘Do you see much of him now?’

‘Not if I can help it. Sometimes he visits.’

‘What for?’ Birdie said.

‘I don’t know. A reminder of his old life, maybe. I wish he wouldn’t bother as it always ends up in a fight.’

‘What can you tell us about the woman he works for now? Andrea Wood. Do you know her?’ Seb said.

‘Yeah, of course I do. We all went to school together.’

Birdie exchanged a glance with Seb. His eyes reflecting her thoughts. They hadn’t expected that.

‘You, Aaron, and Andrea Wood, aka Ann Smith, went to the same school … Where?’ Birdie asked.

‘Here in Coventry.’

‘She doesn’t have a Coventry accent,’ Birdie said.

‘Not now, but at school we all sounded the same. She must have had elocution lessons or something. Andrea was clever and stayed on to do her A levels. I don’t know for definite, but she might have gone to university after that.’

‘Were you friends at school?’

‘She was one of the popular kids and out of my league. Ross always had a thing for her and liked to think they were friends.’

‘Did they ever go out together?’

‘He wished. But he was always there to do her dirty work. He beat up a few boys in his time if they were annoying her too much.’

‘In other words, she used him,’ Birdie said.

‘You got it in one.’ Katy looked at Seb. ‘She’s smart, that one.’

‘When did you last see her?’ Seb asked.

‘Not since I left school at sixteen and got a job at Primark. Apart from on the telly sometimes, but she looks nothing like she did when I knew her.’

‘Tell us about your relationship with Aaron Dunkley.’

‘He left school the same time as me and worked at a tyre factory. We were going out together then and drifted into marriage.’

‘Do you have any children?’

Her face clouded over. ‘We had a little boy, Jeremiah, who died when he was two. Ross was looking after him at the time. That’s what caused the split between us.’

‘How did he die?’ Birdie asked, gently.

‘The coroner said it was an accident, but I didn’t believe them. Ross used to lose his temper so easily, especially when JJ was being naughty. It all happened a long time ago. Eighteen years. But you don’t forget. You never forget …’ Her voice faded away.

‘What exactly happened?’

‘JJ drowned in the paddling pool when Ross was meant to be taking care of him. He told the police that he was playing hide and seek with JJ and that he must have run into the garden to hide. Ross found JJ lying face down in the water.’

‘And you’re not convinced that’s what happened.’

‘Ross was beside himself when JJ died, and I know his grief was genuine, but the way he told the story to the police seemed made-up. He’d never played hide and seek with JJ before. He hardly ever played with him at all.’

‘What do you think might have