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

into the garden. It was a lovely day, hardly a cloud in the sky. The flowers were in full bloom and everything smelt fresh after the rain they’d had the previous night.

‘The most important thing you need to know is that the police have arrested someone for the murder of Donald.’

She faltered, grabbing hold of Seb’s arm to steady herself. ‘M-murder. I was right after all,’ she whispered. ‘Poor Donald. Even right at the end he was thinking of me and the boys by leaving clues so his murder would be discovered and his insurance policy not be invalidated. Thank you so much. If you hadn’t looked into it, he’d have been classed as a suicide for ever.’

‘You persuaded me. Initially I thought you were wrong but thank goodness you convinced me to investigate.’

‘Do you know why?’

She might regret the poor Donald remark once she learnt of his actions.

‘It seems that Donald was blackmailing several people into investing. He needed the money to keep himself afloat.’

‘Blackmail,’ she said, raising a hand to her mouth, a low moan escaping her lips.

‘Yes, in total he got nearly six hundred thousand pounds.’

‘Six hundred thousand,’ she repeated. ‘Yet the business still went down. Was it one of them who murdered him?’

‘One of their employees, but it’s unclear how much they actually knew.’

‘Who?’

‘I suppose it’s going to come out anyway, but you must keep this to yourself. It was a woman called Andrea Wood. She’s a presenter on breakfast television. Her driver, who’d known her since school, took it into his head to commit murder, after she’d asked him to warn Donald off. He was one of the men who attacked me, thinking I was getting too close to finding out the truth. Now it’s classified as murder, you should be able to cash in your life insurance policy. You’ll need to wait until the case goes to court though.’

‘It feels like dirty money. If I do get it I’ll keep just enough to help the boys through university and the rest I’ll pay back to some of his clients. It probably won’t help much but it’s something.’

‘I know of just the couple who would benefit greatly from your donation. I’ll forward you their details,’ Seb said, remembering Pearl and Bert Black, and the situation they were in.

‘Thank you. I also have some news, and you’re the first person I’ve told. I’ve decided to go travelling. The boys are at university and don’t need me, so I’m free to do what I want. I’m fed up of rattling around in the house.’

‘Who are you going with?’

‘On my own. I’ve always wanted to go to South America, and that’s my first port of call.’

‘How long will you be away for?’

‘I’ve no idea and not knowing feels great.’ A warm smile swept across her face.

‘What about this place?’ He gestured to the house standing behind them.

‘Well …’ She hesitated. ‘I’ve had an idea. Hear me out before saying anything.’

He frowned. What was she going to suggest?

‘I’d like you to move in. You can live here for free. All I want you to do is look after the place and pay the day-to-day bills.’

‘You want me to move to Market Harborough?’ he said, trying to process her suggestion.

‘Why not? It’s not like you’ve got anything else to do now you’ve left the police force, is it? You could become a private investigator and work from here, you’re clearly good at it.’

‘That’s an option, but I need to think about it.’

Starting a new career from there wouldn’t be easy, especially as a PI. He had no contacts, unlike in London. He shook his head. He didn’t want to be a PI so why was he even considering it? Then again …

He surveyed the glorious view surrounding them and breathed in the country air.

Would he really miss London?

‘No rush. If you could let me know in the next few days.’ She laughed and her face lit up. It was the happiest he’d seen her since he’d arrived.

‘What would I do with my flat?’ he said, more to himself than her.

‘Rent it out.’

Did he want other people in there? He didn’t have a mortgage as he’d brought the flat in Notting Hill outright with his small trust fund.

‘Or I could leave it for when I need to stay in the city.’

‘Does that mean you’re saying yes already?’

Was he? The idea was becoming appealing.

‘If I do say yes, and I haven’t yet made up my mind, any time you wish to come back, do so. I don’t need any warning. This is your house.’

‘I don’t envisage returning for a long time, especially if I know the house is going to be in good hands.’

‘The boys can stay here during their uni holidays or at any other time and they too don’t have to give me notice, they can just turn up. And I’ll be here for them, if they need money, or advice and can’t get hold of you.’

‘So is that a yes, then?’ Sarah asked, her eyes sparkling.

Was it? He’d never been rash in his life before. But what did he have to lose? He had no job. No girlfriend. He was a totally free agent.

‘If that’s what you want, then... Yes. I’ll move in.’

Book 2 - Sebastian and Birdie return in Speak No Evil when they investigate the case of a young child who was abandoned on the streets of Market Harborough.

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Read more about Sebastian Clifford

WEB OF LIES: A Midlands Crime Thriller (Detective Sebastian Clifford - Book 1)

A trail of secrets. A dangerous discovery. A deadly turn.

Police officer Sebastian Clifford never planned on becoming a private investigator. But when a scandal leads to the disbandment of his London based special squad, he finds himself