Paparazzi by Jo Fenton (best free e reader .txt) 📕

and would pop in there for the odd evening in between. We’re only a ten-minute walk from the station, so it was easy enough for her to get here, even though she doesn’t drive.”

“You said ‘until recently’. Why?”

“The girls had a big row. I didn’t hear it myself, I was out that day, but Jen told me all about it afterwards. She was in bits. She was the closest of all the girls to Penny, and they’d apparently said some awful things to each other.”

“Did Jen say what it was about or when it occurred?” Will picks up the questioning. He’s stayed pretty quiet until now, but has been jotting in a spiral-bound notebook.

“No. Well. It wasn’t that she wouldn’t say, it was that she didn’t know. She said it just exploded out of nothing. Penny could be a bit volatile. Dead quiet and polite and reserved, then suddenly it would all erupt, and you’d find out she’d been heading towards a meltdown for ages. So this wasn’t the first time she’d done this sort of thing, but according to Jen, she hadn’t previously directed at all three of the girls before. It was usually either Leigh or Kim, but never Jen until now. I don’t think Jen mentioned the exact day, just asked if I’d heard. I hadn’t, so I assumed I must have been out.”

“How did the girls get on with the neighbours on the other side?” Will looks up from scribbling.

“They’re scum, specially him. Barry!” Her voice is full of contempt. “He’s been trying it on with those girls ever since he moved in. Won’t take no for an answer. Jen says just after the row with Penny, he was round on the pretence of borrowing some milk, and digging for the dirt. He’d obviously heard the noise. Then when he realised that Jen was alone that evening, he jumped her, and raped her.”

“What did she do? Did she report it to the police?” The stories are differing quite a bit here, and although it could be down to perspective, I want to understand if Barry’s version can be trusted, or if Jen’s making excuses to her mentor. I’m inclined to believe Jen, but years in the police have taught me that not everything is straightforward.

“She was terrified. He threatened to do worse than that if he suspected she’d told on him.”

“Do you think he might have been the burglar?” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I can see it wasn’t the wisest thing to say. Her face blanches.

“Oh God, I hadn’t thought of that! I hope the police are checking him out.”

“We’ll discuss this with them and find out. We’ll keep you informed as far as we can. I’m sure it would be good for you to know your neighbourhood is safe.” I reassure her as well as I can, but I can see she’s still quite alarmed. “He’s never attacked or threatened any member of your family, has he?”

“Not my immediate family, but Jen’s like a younger sister to me. How could he have done this?”

“We don’t know if it was him. It might have been a random burglary that went wrong. Will and I are working with the police. We’ll find out who did this.” I probably shouldn’t be wondering just now how the hell we’re going to get paid for any of these investigations. Our best bet is Troy, but he’s only going to pay us if we find out who killed his family. Currently, the link between this and Troy’s case is tenuous. And Penny, the link, is also one of our clients. We’re no closer to finding her stalker either, although… “Actually, can I just ask a slightly odd question?”

“Ask what you like if it will help.”

I check my notebook, and ask Carly if, to the best of her knowledge, Barry was home on the dates Penny had told us she was followed.

“I can’t vouch for all those dates, but he usually plays darts in the local pub on Fridays. Frederick’s in his darts team. I can let you know about those specific dates when he gets home. If you give me a number or an email?”

We exchange numbers, so I can also let her know how the burglary case is going.

We pop into the station afterwards to see Ellie. The officer on duty at the front desk asks our names.

“I’m an old friend. Please can you just tell her Becky’s here to see her?”

He looks a bit doubtful, but picks up the phone. I suppose I could have texted her, but I have a gut feeling that this is the right thing to do. She emerges a couple of minutes later, wearing a black trouser suit and cream blouse. She’s lost a few pounds since I last saw her, and looks thinner than she should, and tired. Despite the professional attire, she greets me with a hug, before turning to Will.

“Who’s your friend?” There’s an admiring twinkle in her eye. She always did go for the geeky type, and Will’s quite attractive.

“He’s my business-partner’s son, and will probably join us as an associate in the next few weeks. He’s been helping us out and is very good.” I inject a repressive tone into my voice. “Will, meet Ellie.”

He grins at me, then at her. “Nice to meet you, Ellie.” He offers her his hand for shaking, but she gives him a peck on the cheek instead, blushing slightly.

“Great. Now we’re all friends, how about we find somewhere to chat?” I’m conscious of the looks we’re getting from the front desk officer. Fortunately, the waiting room is empty.

She leads us into an interview room a short distance from the entrance, and after a few minutes catching up on news, gets to the point.

“So were you right, Becky?”

“Yes. Penny had a huge row with the residents of Number 19 a few weeks before the burglary. Awful things were said, and it seems the rift was permanent. Both Barry