Web of Lies by Sally Rigby (best book club books of all time .txt) 📕

from the way they were walking when following you there’s nothing to suggest they were. You were attacked after we’d interviewed several people. Was anything said to you during the attack?’

‘I was replaying the scene in my mind when you arrived.’

‘Because of your memory thing … of course. That’s going to help greatly.’

‘I hope so, but my HSAM suffered because of the beating. Last night I didn’t remember, but now I can tell you that before they took my wallet one of them told the other to stop the attack because I’d have got the message to back off by now.’

‘You could have told me this as soon as I arrived.’

Surely that made it conclusive. His attack was down to the investigation into Witherspoon’s death.

‘Cut me some slack, will you? I’m in pain here.’

‘And here was me thinking you were tough. Was it the man with the tattoo who did the talking?’

‘I believe so, but it was dark so I’m not a hundred per cent.’

‘So what are we going to do now?’

‘I’m going to discharge myself as I can’t leave Elsa on her own any longer.’

‘I can take care of her.’

‘You’re at work all day. If you can wait to take me home, I’d be grateful. I also need to see Sarah and update her. I don’t want her to find out about the attack from the media, or she’ll be worried sick. I’d rather see her in person than talk about it on the phone, or she’ll imagine all sorts.’

‘Not today. If you go in that state, she won’t even recognise you.’

‘Point taken. I’ll go tomorrow and take it easy for the rest of today. I also think we should revisit everyone we’ve interviewed so far.’

‘Is that a good idea, after the warning?’ she asked.

‘Do you have any other suggestions?’

‘You could let the police handle it from here.’

She should report back to Sarge, but he might decide to pass the case over to Twiggy and she wanted to carry on with it. She should be able to keep it on the down-low for a while longer at least.

‘You are the police.’

‘True. And now I’m officially working the case, I’m not doing anything wrong. But what if these men come after you again?’

‘I’ll be prepared next time.’

‘You have a gun?’

‘No. But I’ll be on my guard.’

‘If you say so. I’ll take you home, now, but I still need an official statement. Why don’t I drive you to see Sarah tomorrow, to save you having to, and then we can go to the station and I’ll show you the rest of the CCTV footage and not just the small amount I downloaded?’

‘Will you be allowed to do all this? Won’t your sergeant kick up about it, as he’s viewing it as a mugging?’

‘It doesn’t matter what his opinion is, you can still look at the footage. It’s part of my investigation and as I’m no longer chained to my desk, I can take you wherever you need to go.’ She paused. ‘Within reason, of course.’

‘Of course,’ he repeated, wincing as he grinned.

‘I’ll wait in the corridor while you get dressed.’ She patted the bed.

‘Ouch,’ he moaned.

‘Sorry. Shall I get a nurse to help you get dressed?’

‘I can manage myself.’

‘Suit yourself. I’ll let them know you’re leaving.’

Chapter 25

17 May

Every breath Seb took was a monumental effort. Thank goodness he’d arranged for Birdie to take him to Sarah’s because he wasn’t sure he’d manage to drive that far. It had been a mission to get up and feed Elsa. And as for the short walk he’d taken her on, the pain was still permeating throughout his entire body. She’d been playing in the garden for a while which hopefully would tire her out. He didn’t want to take her to Sarah’s because they were going to the station after.

Elsa seemed to understand that he was injured. Instead of sleeping in her bed in the kitchen, she’d insisted on coming upstairs and sleeping on the floor beside him, and he hadn’t the heart to tell her no. She knew better than to try to climb on the bed, even though Birdie had allowed her to the night before.

After phoning Sarah to make sure she’d be there, he’d arranged for Birdie to pick him up at eleven, and he was now sitting in the kitchen nursing a mug of coffee he’d just made. He hadn’t given Sarah an exact time, knowing what Birdie was like. It was already ten minutes past eleven and if she ran true to form, she’d probably be there in ten minutes. He lifted his mug to his lips to take a sip of coffee, when there was a knock at the door. ‘It’s me,’ Birdie’s voice called through the letter box.

He hobbled to the front door and opened it.

‘You’re early … for you.’

‘Still looking beautiful,’ Birdie said, smirking.

‘It’s a good job we’re not working together on a permanent basis. I don’t think I could take your sense of humour.’

‘Ouch. You know how to hurt. How are you doing?’

‘My head hurts, I’m bruised all over, including places I wasn’t even aware could bruise. Apart from that I’m fine.’

‘You do actually look better than you did yesterday. But that wasn’t hard. Are you ready?’

‘I’ve got a coffee on the go. We’ll leave when I’ve finished it.’

‘It’s after eleven, the time you wanted to leave.’

‘I was working on Birdie time, so thought I had time to finish it. I wasn’t expecting you for another ten minutes or so.’

‘That’s the last time I make an effort to be on time. Well, almost on time. But if we’re waiting, have you got anything to eat? I’m starving because I didn’t have time for breakfast.’

‘Mi casa es tu casa.’

‘What?’

‘It’s Spanish for my house is your house. So, come in and help yourself. I’ve got toast or cereal.’

‘I’ll have crisps and a couple of biscuits if you’ve got some.’

‘I can do those, too.’

He’d bought them a couple of days ago, specifically for Birdie if she came