The Worst Lie

by Shauna Bickley

  ‘That first time we met you said you did bottom-of the-pile stuff initially.’

  ‘Everyone does, unless their father owns the paper or is rich. I wrote obituaries and covered small-time local events.’

  ‘Until you broke the Philpot fraud story.’

  An expression of surprise mixed with grudging approval crossed Eden’s face. ‘You’re not too bad at this either, considering your previous jobs had nothing to do with journalism.’ Eden spoke with a hint of satisfaction in her voice, as if to say “you’re not the only one who does their research”.

  ‘True, but I managed people and in my previous job I worked with small businesses to help them expand and realise their potential. That means good listening and solid research. Essential skills for what I do now.’ The sparring sense of the conversation made Lexie feel they were searching for each other’s weak spot, trying to score points; that hadn’t been her intention.

  Eden presumably felt the same as she reverted to Lexie’s comment about the Philpot case. ‘Breaking the fraud story was essential to getting out of the dead-end tasks. I knew I had talent and was good at what I did, but that was never going to be enough on its own.’

  Someone else might have spoken lightly and with some self-deprecation; Eden’s tone was solid steel.

  ‘Why are you here in Nettleford?’ The question that had been running around Lexie’s head finally made it to her mouth. Damn, she’d probably lost the chance of the interview for the magazine now. Whatever. This dancing around the subject with Eden was too exasperating.

  Eden’s eyes widened. She obviously hadn’t expected that question. Lexie kept quiet as Eden picked at the sticky label on her water bottle.

  ‘How much do you know about Madelaine?’ Eden asked eventually.

  ‘Only what’s in the public domain and there’s precious little of that.’

  ‘We were closer than sisters,’ said Eden. ‘We never argued or fought.’ She stopped talking, staring towards the lake in the centre of the park.

  Lexie remained quiet for a moment, before speaking more softly. ‘What does Madelaine have to do with your visit here?’

  ‘Everything.’

  ‘I don’t understand.’

  ‘Most people assumed Madelaine killed herself. She didn’t. She would never have done that, not without talking to me. Madelaine was murdered and I need to find out who was responsible.’

  ‘Murdered?’ Lexie couldn’t stop the shock in her voice.

  Eden gave a single sharp nod.

  Lexie spoke the next words carefully. ‘Do you think Gareth and Helen were involved? Is that why you’re here?’

  Eden’s answer was a politically correct soundbite. ‘I think there’s a strong probability that someone in the group could have been involved.’

  Not a good thing to have to consider about your friends. A second thought followed on close behind.

  ‘I asked the question, but I’m a little surprised at you telling me this.’

  ‘Not as surprised as me.’ Eden slumped against the back of the park bench. ‘I came back to England because I need to find out who killed my closest friend and why. I felt sure I could manage without any help. But after meeting you and doing a little research, I think you could be useful.’

  ‘Useful?’

  ‘That’s probably not the best way of phrasing it.’

  ‘I agree with you there.’

  ‘Would you help me to find out who killed Madelaine? Please.’

  The please surprised Lexie. ‘Does Hunter know about this?’

  ‘No, nothing. Only that I wanted to catch up with old friends.’

  ‘You’re sure that Madelaine was killed?’

  ‘The official verdict doesn’t agree, but yes, I’m sure.’

  The conversation had taken the weirdest turn. Now she’d had a moment to digest Eden’s words, Lexie should have been shocked or surprised, but she wasn’t. Coming from anyone else, Eden’s statement might have provoked a level of ridicule that she was trying to turn a decade-old conclusion into something else entirely, but Lexie took her seriously.

  ‘You have to know that I find it very difficult to believe that Helen or Gareth would murder someone. The others, well, I’ve never met them.’

  ‘But you’d keep an open mind?’

  Lexie frowned, but nodded.

  ‘Does that mean you’ll help me?’

  Her friends couldn’t have murdered someone, but Eden was obviously on a mission. Nothing she said here would change Eden’s mind and so it would be better that she was part of this. Able to be objective where Eden could not. Lexie pushed away the thought that told her she’d already made a lie of her own objectivity.

  ‘I’ll need to know more about the others who are involved.’

  4

  Eden Sandiford

  Bristol

  15 years earlier

  Eden studied the liquid options in the fridge and opened a bottle of beer. Madelaine called out from her bedroom that she’d only be five minutes, which meant at least thirty. Eden didn’t consider herself super-speedy at getting ready to go out, but Madelaine always took much longer.

  Twenty minutes later, Madelaine burst into their living room and twirled around.

  ‘What do you think?’

  Eden gave an exaggerated glance at her watch. ‘You’re fifteen minutes later than you said you’d be, and ten earlier than I thought.’

  Madelaine gave her friend a shove. ‘The dress, silly.’

  ‘It looks great.’

  ‘I got it from that vintage clothes shop just off Park Street.’

  Madelaine had the looks and luck to be able to wear clothes from the likes of New Look or Dorothy Perkins and still appear as stunning as she did in the vintage designer dress she was presently parading around in.

  ‘Are you seriously wearing that tonight?’

  ‘But you said you liked it.’

  ‘I do, and you look amazing, but we’re only going to the pub and the guys won’t be dressed up.’

  Madelaine disappeared back to her room and Eden kicked herself for her comments as Madelaine would probably take another fifteen minutes, but she was back within five wearing jeans and a white top.

  ‘Let’s go before Renelle gets back,’ said Eden, putting down the empty beer bottle.

  ‘Don’t be so mean. Besides, I scribbled a note and left it in her room telling her where we’ve gone,’ said Madelaine. Eden pulled a face. ‘Oh, come on, we’re going to our usual place, so it won’t be difficult for her to find us,’ Madelaine added.

  ‘She’s such a pain.’

  ‘You’re only saying that ’cos she fancies Mitch.’

  ‘Hell will freeze over before she’s able to take a man away from me, if I’m still interested in keeping him, that is.’

  Madelaine giggled as they wandered down the four steps to the path and out of the metal gate that never closed.

  If they were lucky Renelle would have made other plans for the Friday evening, but Eden didn’t rate luck that much. How the hell did they get stuck with her as a flatmate? She must have been drunk when Madelaine suggested it. Madelaine generally only saw the best in other people and tried as much as possible to keep away from any areas of conflict. The only good reason not to get drunk was to avoid getting stuck with flatmates like Renelle.

  ‘Are you coming to watch the match tomorrow?’ Madelaine asked.

  ‘I guess so. Haven’t got anything else planned and Mitch will probably want to go.’

  During the rugby season they generally watched the Bristol University matches. Gareth, Madelaine’s boyfriend, captained the team, so she always went to watch. Eden wasn’t interested in the sport, but Mitch shared a flat with Gareth and liked to support his friend. The away matches were enjoyable as it gave them the opportunity to travel somewhere different, although they always ended up in a pub.

  As they were late setting out, they skipped the window shopping in Clifton Village and Park Street and went straight
to the guys’ flat. Mitch and Gareth must have spotted them as they turned the corner because they were outside waiting as the girls reached their flat.

  ‘How were your lectures today?’ Madelaine asked them. Mitch and Gareth were taking the same business management modules.

  ‘Not bad. Way better than accounting last year.’ They both shuddered.

  ‘We’ve been studying some specific small to medium size companies,’ explained Gareth. ‘Looking at how they started, their sales and marketing practices, and their management structure. Today we met with some of the entrepreneurs who started the businesses.’

  ‘It was helpful being able to talk to them and ask questions,’ said Mitch. ‘It puts a lot of the stuff we’ve covered into context.’

  Mitch gestured with his hands when talking about subjects that he was passionate about. With his dark hair and expressive eyes Eden guessed he had some European heritage in the family. Spanish, or Italian perhaps. Two girls on the other side of the road turned to look at him as they passed. That happened a lot. She could never quite decide if it annoyed her or if she was pleased that other women fancied her boyfriend. Mitch was aware of many of the second glances, but grounded enough not to believe he was the hottest male on earth.

  As they approached Bristol centre the streets became crowded and Eden and Mitch walked behind the other couple. From this vantage point, Eden noticed the guys who did a double-take when they caught sight of Madelaine. She sometimes wondered how Gareth felt about it.

  ‘The new Matrix film is out next week,’ said Mitch. ‘Want to go and see it.’

  ‘No. I can’t imagine the plot will be any more understandable than the last one.’

  ‘At least it had a plot, which is more than you can say for the film you dragged me off to see last week.’

  ‘Hey, you two, there’s Laurence up ahead.’ Gareth called out to Laurence to wait for them.

  ‘What happened to the redhead he was going out with?’ asked Mitch in an undertone.

  Madelaine shrugged. ‘I don’t know, but don’t mention it unless he says something. You guys are awful to him sometimes.’

  It had become a standing joke that while Laurence had plenty of girlfriends, they never lasted more than one or two dates. Fortunately he was easy-going and never got upset when he became the butt of the jokes. His upper body was as muscled and bulked up as any body builder, which was at odds with his fresh-faced features. He looked too young for uni. At some point he might be glad about that, but for now Eden guessed he’d sooner look his age.

  Madelaine and Eden made for a table in the corner of the pub while the others bought the drinks. The men were talking rugby tactics by the time they got to the table.

  ‘Enough of that,’ said Eden. ‘It’s Friday night and we’re out to enjoy ourselves. No shop talk, plenty of time for that tomorrow.’

  ‘I’ve found a great jazz club just off King Street,’ said Laurence. ‘We could go there later.’

  Mitch made a rude noise and Eden jabbed him in the ribs. ‘Sorry,’ he said, ‘but it’s just not my thing.’

  ‘Then you come up with somewhere for us to go,’ said Eden.

  They had a long, friendly argument about what they should do, which then included Saturday night after the match.

  About twenty minutes later, Spike joined them. ‘I need a drink. To be more precise, I need a lot of drinks. Bloody lecturers. They think they’re gods, but they’re not above cheating as well as being bigoted and narrow-minded.’

  ‘Bad results?’ said Madelaine.

  Spike’s mouth tightened as he glanced around the group, He sighed dramatically. ‘Not that bad I suppose, but I expected an A at least.’

  Eden sniggered. ‘Modest as always. I guess Mamma and Papa want nothing but A-pluses from their blue-eyed boy.’

  ‘The oldies can go stuff themselves.’

  ‘As long as the monthly allowance comes through.’ The others all thought the same, but only Eden would dare say it.

  Spike shrugged. ‘What can I say? Not my fault they made heaps of filthy lucre.’

  ‘Talking of filthy lucre, we’ve finished our drinks,’ said Mitch. ‘Your round.’

  Spike went to get the drinks and Eden followed to help him carry them back. The pub was busy and it was several minutes before they were served. Once Spike had given their order he leaned against the bar. ‘I thought she was away for the weekend.’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Resentful Renelle.’ He nodded towards their table.

  Renelle was sitting next to Mitch, doing her super-interested doe-eyed look at everything he said.

  ‘She said she was going to a wedding. Cow.’ It irritated her, but Renelle wasn’t the only female who checked Mitch out when he walked past.

  ‘Never mind, sweetie, I’m here.’

  ‘You’d change sides for me?’

  ‘No, but I’ll think up some more delightful names to call her. There’s revolting Renelle, rude Renelle. How about ruthless Renelle.’

  ‘Probably a lot of truth in that one.’

  Spike lowered his voice. ‘It isn’t just my results, but I didn’t want to say anything in front of the others. Featherstone copied some of my work, used it as his own.’

  Eden tapped her foot against the metal footrest running the length of the bar. Spike was over-protective of his writing.

  ‘Are you absolutely sure?’

  ‘Latest edition of Catalyst.’

  ‘Why would he take your work for the uni mag?’

  ‘The submissions in this edition are being entered into the national competition.’

  ‘Have you got the original?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Is it an exact copy?’

  ‘No, he’s not that stupid. He’s taken the idea, the flavour of my work and made some changes. I set it in Italy. He’s moved it to Greece. Changed the names, but some of the phrasing is there.’

  Proving plagiarism by a lecturer would be difficult. Perhaps Featherstone came up with his work after subconsciously being influenced by Spike’s, or even others’.

  As Spike paid for the drinks, someone kissed the nape of Eden’s neck. She turned and pulled Mitch’s mouth to hers. Hope you’re looking, Renelle.

  They took the drinks back to the table. Although everyone had shuffled around, Eden noticed that Renelle managed to manoeuvre herself into the seat next to one of the empty chairs. Although she kept what she hoped was a neutral expression, internally she sighed and called Renelle a few more names. She didn’t usually let people get to her like this. Sharing a flat with Renelle was becoming unbearable. Eden nodded at Mitch to sit down next to Renelle and then took the last empty seat. She wouldn’t give anyone an indication of how annoyed she was.

  Spike sat at the end of the table next to her and gave a cynical grin. She couldn’t help herself and grinned back. Mitch caught hold of her hand and squeezed it. Bloody typical. He was happy enough for Renelle to drool over him, but jealous of Spike. Men!

  ‘Four beers,’ said Spike. ‘Madelaine, here’s your favourite vodka and tonic. Renelle, I didn’t realise you were joining us.’

  Renelle glowered at Spike. ‘I thought you noticed me waving at you while you were at the bar.’

  ‘You know me. Too busy talking to the entrancing Eden.’

  ‘Never mind, I’ll get a drink in a minute.’

  What she meant was she’d wait until someone else went to the bar. She probably didn’t want to give up her seat next to Mitch.

  ‘I’ll go and get it,’ said Laurence, ever the gentleman.

  Renelle made a show of pulling her purse out of her bag. An unsealed envelope fell out with it.

  Spike picked it up. ‘Damien Featherstone. Why are you sending love notes to Dirty Damien?’

  ‘It’s not a love note.’ Renelle leaned across to wrench it from Spike’s grasp, but he held it out of her reach.

  ‘Racy Renelle and the aging lothario.’

  ‘Spike, that’s not nice,’
said Madelaine.

  ‘Let’s have a read.’ Spike turned over the envelope. ‘There’s even a little sticker with your name and address. I bet you’ve got matching cards or notepaper.’

  ‘The stationery was a present. Come on, Spike, the letter is a thank-you for some help he gave me.’

  Both Spike and Laurence sniggered.

  ‘You’ve got filthy minds.’

  ‘Spike, give Renelle back her letter,’ said Madelaine.

  ‘Perhaps raunchy Renelle would be better. Don’t know what you’re getting so upset about. Featherstone only goes for the good-looking ones. It’s a compliment.’

  ‘Spike,’ said Madelaine again, lengthening the middle vowel. ‘You can’t say things like that about people without proof, especially not lecturers.’

  Mitch spoke over her. ‘Cut it out, Spike.’

  Eden gave him a sideways glance; even though they’d been going out for months he always stuck up for Renelle.

  ‘Rancorous, or perhaps more rapacious.’

  Mitch leaned towards Spike. ‘Didn’t you hear me?’

  Spike feigned innocence. ‘I’m merely considering a scene in my script.’ He handed the envelope to Renelle.

  ‘Is there a character called spunky Spike?’ asked Eden with a grin.

  ‘More like sardonic Spike,’ muttered Renelle.

  ‘I can live with either of those,’ said Spike.

  Madelaine nudged Gareth.

  ‘Let me get another round,’ said Gareth. ‘Renelle, usual?’ He did a quick check on drinks, although they’d barely started on the current ones, and strode through the Friday night crowds to the bar.

  Eden leaned against the fake red leather back of the bench seat and took a gulp of her wine. Different topic, same dynamics.

  Eden spent the night with Mitch and got back to her flat around ten the following morning. Renelle was using the living room mirror to check her make-up.

  ‘You’re all glammed up for a Saturday.’

  ‘I’m off to my cousin’s wedding in London.’ Renelle flicked back her dark hair and then picked an invisible speck of fluff off her shoulder.