by Sally Rigby
‘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 that either. I’ll take the phone and see if Birdie knows anyone who can get it unlocked. There might not be anything of use on here, but it’s still worth checking. I’ll be in touch soon.’
He left the house and on his way back to Market Harborough he called Birdie.
‘You’ve changed your mind and want me with you tomorrow,’ she said by way of any answer.
‘Nice try but I’m still going alone.’ He laughed. ‘I called into Sarah’s on the way back because she has Donald’s phone. The people who bought his car from the auction found it hidden under the passenger seat and managed to get it returned to her.’
‘What was it doing there … unless …’
‘My sentiments exactly,’ he said pre-empting her response. ‘If we say, for argument’s sake, that we believe Donald was murdered, then by hiding the phone it would be yet another clue he was leaving.’
‘Is there anything on there we can use?’
‘That’s the issue. I can’t get into it. Sarah doesn’t know the code and it isn’t in the book Donald kept of all the passwords. I was hoping you might have a self-service kiosk at the station and you could open it for us.’
‘You’ve got to be kidding. This is Market Harborough CID we’re talking about. We don’t have such luxuries. But … there’s a guy in forensics who owes me one … don’t ask why because I won’t tell you.’
‘Excellent. Meet me at my place in fifteen minutes and I’ll give it to you.’
Chapter 33
19 May
Seb bought a coffee to go from the café close to the TV studio and positioned himself against some railings so he could see the entrance. Several people who walked past him stared at his face. He wished he’d asked Birdie to put some make-up on him again, but he hadn’t thought of it. Nor had she, or she’d have said. She’d already texted four times wanting to know where he was and whether he’d seen Andrea Wood yet. She also told him that the guy she knew in forensics had agreed to unlock the phone, but she wasn’t sure how long it would take.
He waited for over half an hour and was about to give up, thinking Andrea had left early or out of another entrance, when he caught sight of her coming out of the double doors.
She was alone.
Perfect.
He walked purposely in her direction. She was wearing a cream shirt and dark blue trousers, with a long gold necklace, and was fully made-up.
‘Andrea?’ he called as he got close.
She stared at him, narrowing her eyes slightly. ‘I know you. We met the other day, didn’t we, in my dressing room?’
‘Yes, that’s correct I’m Sebastian Clifford.’
Her eyes travelled from his feet to his face. ‘How could I forget someone of your size? What have you done to your face? It looks dreadful.’ She grimaced.
‘I was mugged several nights ago.’
He scrutinised her facial features for any telltale signs of already knowing what had happened but it was difficult to g
auge.
‘Oh dear, how awful. Did they catch the person who did it?’ She rested her hand on his arm.
‘I was attacked by two men and, no, they haven’t been apprehended yet. But I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before the police find them, they have some strong leads.’
Again, he looked to see if his words made any impression on her, but they didn’t appear to.
‘I hope so. They shouldn’t get away with it. Is there a reason for you being here, or just a lucky coincidence?’ She gently squeezed his arm.
‘I’d like another word with you about Donald Witherspoon.’
She bit down on her bottom lip and withdrew her arm, taking a step backwards. ‘I have nothing else to add to what I’ve already told you.’ Her body tensed, and she glanced anxiously from side to side.
‘My investigation has progressed since we last spoke and I’d now like to talk to you about something we’ve discovered regarding Donald.’ He paused. ‘He blackmailed several people, and we believe you might have been one of them.’
Colour drained from her face, and she blinked furiously. ‘I’m not prepared to talk about it here in the street,’ she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
‘Where can we talk?’
‘My driver, Aaron, has gone to fetch the car. You can travel with me and we’ll talk on the way. Then—’
‘Andrea, Andrea. I’m such a fan,’ a middle-aged woman said as she ran up to them waving her phone in the air. ‘I record your show every day and watch it when I get home. I’d love a selfie to show my daughter that I’ve met you. She’ll be so jealous.’
‘Of course,’ Andrea said, smiling, but it didn’t reach her eyes, which remained troubled.
‘I’ll take the photo for you,’ Seb said, holding out his hand.
‘Thanks. Are you famous, too?’ the fan asked as she gave him her phone.
‘No, I’m not.’ He stifled a chuckle.
He took a couple of photos and returned the phone to the woman. ‘Thank you so much, Andrea. I knew today was going to be good, it said so in my stars.’ She left them, and as she headed down the street, she kept turning back to wave.
‘It must be extremely frustrating if this happens all the time,’ he said, once the fan had done her final wave and was now out of sight.
‘I don’t mind,’ she said, giving a small shrug. ‘Most fans are very nice, like she was, and don’t outstay their welcome. But it can get frustrating, like when they follow you into the ladies’ loo and want a photo when you’re desperate for a pee.’
‘Seriously, people do that?’
‘I wish I could say it’s a rare occurrence, but it isn’t. There’s no such thing as privacy when you’re on the telly. You become the property of the public. I’m used to it now. Mostly.’
‘How long is your driver going to be?’ Seb looked up and down the road, unsure the direction he’d be coming. Or the car he’d be driving.
‘I’m not sure where he parked. When we arrived this morning, there were no spaces in the studio car park, so he dropped me off outside.’
‘Don’t you have your own space?’ Surely a star like her wouldn’t have to chance her luck when parking.
‘You’d think I should, but only the top management are so lucky. I’m a self-employed presenter and don’t count. He shouldn’t be too much longer.’ She tapped a foot impatiently on the ground. ‘He’s taking me back to my flat as I need to get some sleep. I’m usually in bed by seven-thirty because I have to get up at two-thirty in the morning, but last night for some reason I couldn’t sleep and now I’m exhausted. And there’s only so much the make-up artist can do.’ She stared up the road. ‘Ah, here he comes.’
Was this nervous chatter, or what?
A black Mercedes E-Class Saloon drew up beside them and the driver jumped out to open the back door. Andrea got in first and moved along to make space for Seb.
‘Thank you,’ he said as the driver closed the door behind him.
‘Mr Clifford is coming with us, Aaron,’ she said to the driver who nodded.
‘Where do you live?’ Seb asked, wanting to make sure it was the address he’d seen in Donald’s records, and he wasn’t being taken somewhere else.
‘In Battersea, close to the docks.’
Yes, that was the same.
‘It’s a nice area.’
‘If we don’t finish talking in the car, maybe you’d like to come inside, and we can finish up there.’ She placed a hand on his knee and squeezed.
Was she coming onto him? He glanced at her and she smiled. What was going on? Only a few moments ago she was shocked and panicked about him wanting to discuss Donald and blackmail.
Her driver pulled out into the heavy traffic and headed south.
He gently removed her hand from his leg and placed it on her lap. ‘As I said, we’ve found out that Donald was blackmailing some of his clients, in particular those who made a large investment recently. Were you one of them?’
Andrea nodded slightly at the driver whose head was tilted as if he was listening to their conversation. ‘I don’t think this is the right time and place to discuss that,’ she said quietly. ‘Wait until we get back to my place.’
Seb glanced again at the driver and caught his eye, as he was staring back at him through the rear-view mirror. His eyes were narrowed, and he looked away. Seb continued staring at him and then he glanced down at the steering wheel. The driver was gripping it so tightly his knuckles were white.
Seb did a double take.
On the man’s hand was a tattoo of an eagle.
The same eagle that was tattooed on the hand on his attacker.
Fuck. Was this a trap?
Was Andrea in on it?
She had to be.
How could he have been so stupid as to get in the car with the pair of them? He could just imagine what Birdie would say when she found out.
He averted his gaze from the driver to Andrea, not wanting him to suspect that he’d recognised him. She stared back at him with a smile on her face. But what sort of smile? Sly? Complacent? Knowing? Machiavellian? It could be any of these.
He had to get out of the car. And fast. Without letting them know he’d sussed them.
They were coming up to some traffic lights. He had a plan. If they stayed red until the car reached them, he could use it to his advantage. He sucked in a breath as they approached, bracing himself to jump out of the car, but they turned green and the driver continued driving.
Damn.
There had to be more lights coming up, London was littered with them. He’d be more prepared the next time.
‘Tell me about today’s show,’ he said, deciding the best course of action was to take Andrea’s mind off the blackmail and act as if he was talking normally, while he edged slightly over to the door, and positioned his arm so his fingers were close to the handle. It helped that he was so large because it made it more difficult for her, or the driver, to see what he was doing, as he already filled the space.
‘We had Hugh Jackman on via satellite to talk about his new film, and Graham Norton came in to talk about his latest book. Have you read it? I loved it.’
‘No, I haven’t, but I’ve heard he’s an excellent writer. I’ll look out for it the next time I’m in the bookshop.’
‘And, of course, we had our usual cookery spot,’ she continued, seeming happy to discuss it. ‘Today they made a vegan chocolate mousse. I could’ve eaten the lot, it was so delicious, though jam-packed with calories. Then Sam Smith came in and sang his latest. I do love his voice, it’s so haunting.’
‘Do you always enjoy the show this much?’
‘Most days, especially when we have guests like today. Sometimes it gets a bit repetitive, but the pay’s good and I enjoy the perks, of which there are many.’ She paused and pulled a face. ‘Please don’t mention that to anyone, it wouldn’t look good for my image.’
‘My lips are sealed. We can’t be expected to enjoy our work all of the time
.’
Through the front window he could see that they were approaching another set of lights and they were red.
‘I knew you’d understand,’ she said, smiling at him. It was weird that now she was acting as if he hadn’t even mentioned the blackmail. Why? Part of her plan to disarm him? Too late, as he already knew what was going on.
But he had to be careful how he played this. He couldn’t just jump out when the traffic lights had just turned to red in case the driver was able to get out and stop him. Or he might turn on the child lock. Whenever Seb decided to make a run for it, it had to be done quickly and take both the driver and Andrea by surprise.
He’d wait for that split second when he thought the lights would go from green to red. He’d watch the lights for cars crossing in front of them, and wait for those cars to stop which would give him a couple of seconds to make his move.
The cars coming across them came to a halt, and he made a show of looking at his watch.
‘Crap. I’m meant to be somewhere. Got to go.’ He opened the door and jumped out just as the lights went to green and the driver drove forward.
‘What?’ he heard Andrea say.
He tried to land on his feet, but his legs gave way from under him, and he fell forward, doing a roll on the pavement. He grimaced as every movement sent pain rocketing through his already battered body. But he couldn’t dwell on it. He needed to get moving and with great determination he pulled himself up and took off down the street, in the opposite direction from where the car was heading, to give him as much time as possible before they could turn around and come after him. If Andrea was in on it as she wouldn’t want him getting away.
He half-ran, half-jogged down the street, looking for somewhere safe to stop, so he could call Rob and ask him to get in touch with his contact at the TV studio to find out what he could about Andrea’s driver.
Chapter 34
19 May
Seb stopped at the entrance to a Tube station and dragged in some raspy breaths. There wasn’t a part of him which didn’t hurt. He wasn’t unfit, but having to run after rolling out of the car, on top of his other injuries, was pushing him to the limit. But he’d had no choice other than to escape from the car. If Andrea Wood and her driver were in it together, his life could’ve been in danger.