Web of Lies

by Sally Rigby

  ‘It was teamwork. Donald’s phone was found, and Tim in forensics rushed through getting the call log for me. All I had to do was check them against what Dunkley had said.’

  ‘You got forensics to rush it through? Well, that’s some feat in itself. I’ve no idea how you managed it.’

  ‘Oh, well, you know what they say, Sarge. It’s not what you know, but who you know.’ she grinned.

  ‘Right. Fun time over. It’s time to question Andrea Wood. I had a text while we were in with Dunkley to let me know she’s arrived with her solicitor and they’re waiting in interview room four. I'm going to let you take the lead if you’d like to.’

  ‘You bet I would. Thanks, Sarge. I really appreciate the chance.’

  Birdie had been involved in loads of interviews in the past but she hadn’t led in a murder investigation before.

  ‘Don’t let me down.’

  She led the way into the interview room and after starting the recording equipment sat opposite Andrea. ‘Interview on 21 May, those present Detective Constable Bird, Detective Sergeant Weston, and please state your names for the recording.’ She looked across the table.

  ‘Andrea Wood.’

  ‘Kim Jones, solicitor for Ms Wood.’

  ‘Thank you for coming back in to see us, Andrea,’ Birdie said, deciding to take a less formal approach, because it often lead to a suspect being less on their guard and then they’d let things slip.

  ‘Well, yet again, I didn't have much choice.’ Andrea said.

  ‘As you know, we’ve arrested Aaron Dunkley for the murder of Donald Witherspoon.’

  ‘It’s dreadful. I had no idea that he would do anything like that.’

  ‘Yes, that's what he told us, too. He said he acted off his own bat. The trouble is, it doesn’t quite add up and that’s what I'd like to discuss with you.’

  ‘I fail to see how I’ll be able to assist,’ Andrea said, a tremor in her voice.

  ‘We believe you might have known what Dunkley had planned to do. In fact, you might have asked him to do it.’

  ‘You've already asked me this and my answer hasn’t changed. It was nothing to do with me.’

  ‘I’m asking you again.’

  Andrea’s solicitor leant in and whispered something which Birdie couldn't hear.

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘That’s your prerogative, but you might find that cooperating will help you in the long run. We’ll put that to one side for the moment and return to the blackmail. You told us that Donald Witherspoon, having blackmailed you once, approached you again at the end of March, with a view to getting more money from you.’

  ‘Yes, that’s correct and I told him there was no more.’

  She hadn’t said that earlier.

  ‘You also told us that Dunkley must have overheard you on the phone and took matters into his own hands.’

  ‘That is also correct,’ Andrea said, sounding much more relaxed.

  ‘According to you, there was one conversation with Witherspoon in March and prior to that one early in the year when he blackmailed you for the first time.’

  ‘Yes,’ Andrea said, nodding.

  ‘So the only way Dunkley would have known was from that one phone conversation in your car when he was driving you to the station for your journey back to Market Harborough, where you stayed for the whole weekend.’

  ‘You’re wasting my time, going over what we’ve already discussed.’ Andrea scowled in her direction.

  ‘I wanted to get your movements clear in my head because it’s actually slightly confusing. You say you spoke to Witherspoon on the Friday, yet Dunkley says it was the Monday.’

  ‘One of us must have got it wrong,’ Andrea said.

  Birdie pulled out the sheets of paper from the file and held them up. ‘I have here the call log from Donald's phone. According to this, he didn't speak to you on the Friday, or the Monday. He spoke to you on the Sunday. The one day when we know categorically that Dunkley couldn’t have heard because you were here and he was in London. So, how did he find out?’ She paused and locked eyes with Andrea, but she wouldn’t maintain the contact and looked away.

  ‘What does it matter? He’s admitted killing Witherspoon and said I didn’t know a thing about it,’ Andrea said.

  ‘You know why it matters. What I think happened is that, knowing Dunkley would do anything for you, you asked him to sort out Witherspoon to stop the blackmail. You knew that if you paid him for the second time, there would probably be a third and fourth and if you refused he’d put the film in the public domain. You had no choice but to ask Dunkley to kill him’

  ‘No. No. That’s not what happened. I didn't ask Aaron to kill him. I just asked him to make it stop. I …’

  Gotcha

  ‘And you didn't think for a moment that make it stop meant he would kill him?’

  ‘No, I didn't. At the time I thought Aaron would warn him. Like he did with that Clifton chap …’ Her face visibly sagged.

  ‘That leads me onto the next thing, Clifford.’ Birdie said, accentuating his correct name. ‘He was attacked by Dunkley and another male. From what you’ve said, I take it that you authorised it.’

  The solicitor whispered to Andrea and then faced Birdie. ‘I’m instructing my client to refrain from answering further questions.’

  It didn’t matter, Birdie had got what she needed.

  ‘Andrea Wood, I’m arresting you for being an accessory to the murder of Donald Witherspoon, and an accessory in the grievous bodily harm to Sebastian Clifford. You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Do you understand?’ Andrea just stared at her. ‘I repeat, do you understand?’

  ‘Yes, I understand.’

  ‘You will be escorted to the custody suite where you will be officially charged and dealt with,’ Sarge said.

  After the prisoner was taken away, Birdie and Sarge headed back upstairs.

  ‘We've done it,’ she said, unable to stop her smile which went from ear to ear.

  ‘I was very impressed at the way you handled the interview and your whole input into the case.’

  ‘Thanks, Sarge. But let's not forget Clifford. Without him we wouldn't have even known there was a murder to solve.’

  ‘I suppose you're right,’ he said gruffly. ‘But I still don't like private investigators, if that's what he is now, interfering.’

  She wasn't going to say anything as she didn't want to get in his bad books again.

  ‘I’ve got some paperwork to do, and I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning, Sarge,’ she said as they reached the door to his office.

  ‘Yeah, that’ll be the day,’ he replied, rolling his eyes.

  Chapter 45

  22 May

  ‘Let’s go,’ Birdie said to Seb as she came out of the station and saw him sitting on the bench outside. ‘It’s my treat.’

  She still felt guilty about the way he’d been treated by Sarge yesterday. There was no need for her boss to have been so blunt. If it hadn’t been for Seb, the case would’ve gone unsolved.

  ‘Where are we going?’

  ‘To the pub for something to eat. My stomach thinks my throat’s been cut.’

  ‘I wouldn’t say no to something to eat either. Whose car?’

  ‘It will have to be yours as I doubt you’d even get one leg in mine. It’s not called a Mini for nothing. You can drop me back here later.’

  She directed him to a pub on the outskirts of town.

  ‘Is this one of your locals?’ he asked, as they parked outside the old pub.

  ‘Lots of pubs are my local,’ she said, flashing him a smile. ‘As you already know.’

  They headed to the bar, and she picked up two menus, passing him one.

  ‘I’m going for a Caesar salad,’ he said.

  ‘Don’t be boring. The steaks here are to die for. Trust me.’ He nodded his
acceptance of her decision and she turned to the girl behind the bar who she knew. ‘Meg, please could you get us two steak and chips. Medium rare for me, and …’ She glanced at Seb.

  ‘Same for me.’

  ‘Plus, half a cider and a pint of stout?’

  ‘That’s thirty-eight pounds,’ Meg said.

  Birdie reached into her handbag which was hanging over her shoulder and pulled out her purse. She rummaged through the cards which were all in a zipped section. ‘Crap,’ she muttered.

  ‘Problem?’ Seb asked.

  ‘You’re not going to believe this. I’ve only gone and left my card at home. Again. Could you—’

  ‘Pay? Of course I will. I’ve subsidised your food every day so far since I’ve been here, so once more won’t hurt.’

  ‘Look, I’m really sorry. I truly meant—’

  ‘I’m joking,’ he said, holding up both hands. ‘I don’t mind.’ He opened his wallet, took out a credit card, and paid.

  They took their drinks to a table towards the back of the room, under the window.

  ‘Seriously, I owe you one,’ she said after they’d sat down. ‘I really had intended to buy you a meal, to thank you for everything.’

  She was back in Sarge’s good books and there’d been no more mention of her having to sit behind the desk. In fact, he’d even consulted her on a spate of carjackings they were currently investigating.

  ‘Call it my farewell meal.’ He held up his glass and clinked it against hers.

  ‘I’m sorry about the way Sarge behaved towards you after the Andrea Wood interview. It was uncalled for when you think of how much you put into this case, and that’s even before considering the beating you took.’

  He shrugged. ‘Don’t be. I get it. He didn’t like me interfering as I’m no longer a serving officer.’

  ‘I expect you having worked at the Met didn’t help, either.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter, I wasn’t offended. Has Andrea been interviewed again?’

  ‘Yes. I was going to update you on everything. We interviewed Dunkley first, and he accidentally dropped Andrea in it by saying he’d overheard a conversation she had with Donald on the Monday.’

  ‘She said it was the Friday,’ Seb said.

  ‘And it turned out to be on the Sunday when she was in Market Harborough. I had Donald’s phone records and could check. Slam dunk to us. After Andrea was questioned again, she finally admitted that she’d asked Dunkley to deal with the blackmail. She thought he’d just give Donald a warning and not actually kill him. But she would say that. Although according to Dunkley he hadn’t intended to murder Donald initially, just warn him off. But we’ll never know.’

  ‘Yet, when I was in the car with Andrea, she acted like she didn’t want Dunkley to hear our discussion. She was a bloody good actress, that’s all I can say. She must have already been covering her back knowing that we were getting close to what had actually happened. Did she admit to sending Dunkley to attack me?’

  ‘Eventually, but she said Dunkley was to warn you and nothing more. We’ll have to see what the jury has to say about it. Have you thought about what you’re going to tell Sarah?’

  ‘She needs to know what’s happened as she’ll find out when the case gets to court and all the details are released. I’ll let her know that she was right about Donald and then take it from there.’

  ‘When are you going to see her?’

  ‘Tomorrow morning before I leave.’

  Her heart sank, which was stupid as it wasn’t like she didn’t know he was going to be leaving.

  ‘Are you going to miss Market Harborough?’

  ‘Maybe. Under different circumstances, I’d have enjoyed it better.’

  ‘What about work? You should really think of being a PI, you’re so good at it.’

  ‘I admit to enjoying the investigation, apart from being attacked, obviously. But PI? I don’t think it’s me. What about you, happy the case is over and you no longer have to act covertly?’

  ‘You did me a good turn letting me help because now I’m sort of in the good books at work for helping solve a high-profile murder case. It means I’m no longer desk-bound, as Sarge has already allocated me some work.’

  ‘But for how long will you remain out of trouble?’ Seb said, tilting his head to one side.

  ‘Meaning?’

  He could read her like a book. Which was most disconcerting.

  ‘You need to pull your socks up and make sure you get to work early and do what you’re meant to be doing. There’s no doubting that you’re good, but you can’t just rely on gut instinct when you’re working in CID.’

  She sighed. ‘You’re right, of course. I’ve decided to turn over a new leaf and buy a couple more alarm clocks. With long-lasting batteries.’

  ‘How are you getting on with your seeking your birth mother?’

  She frowned as she remembered the email. ‘Not good, I’m afraid. I heard back from the Adoption Contact Register and it seems my birth mother contacted them to let them know that she doesn’t want any contact with me.’ Tears filled her eyes, and she blinked them away.

  ‘Does that mean you won’t be pursuing it?’

  ‘No, it means that I’ll investigate myself without their help. I’ve no idea why she put in this request. But I need to know where she is. Even if we don’t ever meet face to face.’

  ‘Have you discussed it further with your parents?’

  ‘They haven’t mentioned it since I told them what I was going to do.’

  ‘Are you going to tell them of your progress?’

  ‘I don’t think so. It’s better if I keep it to myself as I don’t want to cause them any more upset.’

  If they asked her, then she’d let them know what she was doing. She wasn’t going to lie to them. If they didn’t ask, then she’d stay quiet.

  ‘If you do want someone to talk to about it, you know where I am.’

  ‘Thanks,’ she said. ‘I really mean it. You’re the nicest older man I know.’ She got up and gave him a hug.

  ‘Ouch. You know, I am still bruised from the beating.’

  ‘Don’t be such a big wuss. Look at the size of you. A hug from someone like me isn’t going to hurt.’ She squeezed him tighter, and he responded by hugging her back. ‘I’m going to miss you, you big lump. A lot.’

  Chapter 46

  23 May

  Sebastian put out the rubbish and tidied up. Considering what had gone down in the place it was amazing that everything was in one piece. He’d packed his belongings last night and loaded them into the back of his car. Elsa’s lead was hanging on a hook and when he picked it up she bounded over to him, her tail wagging in circles.

  ‘Come on, girl, we’ve got one last stop.’ He placed the key on the table, as instructed, and they left out of the front door which self-locked. Elsa hopped into the back of the car and lay down on the floor.

  He drove them out to Rendall Hall and as Seb was opening the back door for Elsa to jump out, Sarah headed down the steps towards them.

  ‘I heard a car on the drive and thought it was you. I’ve been on tenterhooks ever since you phoned. The finality in your voice set my mind in overdrive. Have you some news?’

  ‘Yes, I do. Let’s have a chat in the garden so I can give Elsa a run before we drive back to London.’

  ‘You’re leaving today? You didn’t say.’

  They walked around the house and 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?’