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

‘I have no proof, and I didn’t accuse Ross because if I had he’d have leathered me. But I think JJ was being naughty and Ross put him outside in the garden and locked the door so he couldn’t get back in. He’d threatened to do it in the past but I wouldn’t let him. JJ went to go into the paddling pool and slipped. It had rained the day before and there was a few inches of water in the bottom.’

‘I’m so sorry,’ Birdie said. What else could she say? It was such a tragedy.

‘Did Aaron keep in touch with Andrea over the years?’ Seb asked a few moments later.

‘Not that I know of. He might have followed her career, the same as I did. As soon as she was on the telly, we knew it was her, even though she’d changed her name.’

‘What about the job he now has working for her? Do you know how that transpired?’ Seb asked.

‘Ross, or Aaron as he was by then, bumped into Andrea in Coventry one day out of the blue about two years ago. She’d returned for a funeral. One of her parents, I think. I’ve no idea where they met, but they did, and they chatted. She told him she’d been looking for a driver and someone to do odd jobs. He said he wanted to apply, and she told him the job was advertised online. He came straight round here and wanted me to help with the application form. He applied, went for the interview with Andrea and someone who works with her. On his way back home he received a call from her offering him the job. She told him that she could trust him to take care of her. It was like being back at school all over again.’

‘She definitely said to take care of her?’ Birdie asked.

‘According to him.’

‘Did she mention that she needed protection from anything?’

‘You’ll have to ask him, I don’t know.’

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

‘I can’t remember. One good thing about this job is I hardly see him at all, now, which I’m extremely grateful for.’

‘Do you know the name Donald Witherspoon?’

She shrugged. ‘No. Never heard the name in my life. I’m going out again soon, so if you’re done, I’ll see you out.’

‘Thank you very much for your help,’ Seb said, standing up.

‘I’ll tell you one thing, if you suspect Ross of anything then you’re probably right. He’s always been on the wrong side of everything.’

She showed them to the door, closing it behind them.

‘Very informative. Do you think Andrea and Aaron are in it together?’ Birdie asked.

‘Possibly. Or he’s doing it to protect her and she doesn’t know. If he’s seen himself as her protector ever since they were at school, then he could easily have done this off his own bat. It makes more sense because, as I said, based on the conversation in her car, it was like she wanted to keep the blackmail quiet and not let him know. We’ll drive back to Market Harborough, via Foxton Locks. I want to show the manager of the pub the photo of Dunkley to see if he recognises him as the man who was with Donald on the day he died.’

Chapter 37

20 May

It was almost six o’clock when they arrived at the Foxton Locks pub and as they pushed open the door the low hum of voices and the smell of beer invaded Seb’s senses. It was much busier than the last time they’d visited. He was sure he could smell chips, which reminded him he could do with something to eat.

They headed towards the bar and as they approached, Seb signalled for the bartender to come over. ‘Is the manager, Freddie Evans, available?’

‘It’s his night off,’ the bartender said.

‘Do you know where he is?’

‘He’s upstairs and doesn’t wish to be disturbed, can I help? I’m in charge this evening.’

Birdie stepped forward and held out her warrant card. ‘I’m DC Bird from Market Harborough police, please contact Mr Evans and ask him to come down to speak to us immediately.’

The bartender glanced from Birdie back to Seb, his brow furrowed. ‘I’ll phone upstairs and let him know.’

As he disappeared to the rear of the bar and picked up the phone, Seb turned to her. ‘Hasn’t your shift officially finished?’

‘We’ll call this overtime. I didn’t have a choice in making it appear as a police matter as it was the only way we were going to get to see Evans this evening.’

‘Let’s order a drink,’ Seb said as he stepped up to the bar. One of the guys standing behind the bar came over. ‘I’ll have half a pint of stout and …’ He glanced at Birdie.

‘It’ll have to be lemonade now I’m back on duty. And a packet of cheese and onion crisps. We haven’t eaten since the doughnuts this morning.’

‘No wonder I’m feeling hungry,’ Seb said. ‘Make that two packets.’

‘Shall we stay here for a meal?’ Birdie suggested. ‘Their lasagne and chips is to die for.’

‘Not this time. I want to get back to the house after we’ve spoken to the manager.’

‘Perhaps a drive-through burger on our way then?’ she suggested.

‘Let’s see what time we get out of here,’ Seb said.

‘Okay, but—’

She stopped as the bartender arrived back. ‘Freddie said would you mind going upstairs to his flat as he’s in the middle of cooking his dinner.’

‘No problem,’ Birdie said.

They picked up their drinks and crisps and followed him through the pub, to a door marked private. ‘Go to the top of the stairs and into the flat. The door’s unlocked so you can go straight in.’

They headed up the narrow, dark wooden staircase typical of buildings of this age, and into the flat.

‘Hello,’ Seb called out.

‘I’m in the kitchen,’ Evans called out.

They went in the direction of the voice and into the kitchen, where the manager was standing at the hob. Two saucepans were on there, a delicious smell of tomato sauce coming