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

on the way to the station to catch the train back here,’

‘Well, I’m not a mind reader. You didn’t say where you were, or where you were going. For all I knew, you could have approached this Dunkley chap at his house and he’d locked you up somewhere.’

‘I’m not that stupid. What did you find out about him?’

‘Nothing, other than a couple of parking tickets. No record. No nothing. I was surprised, considering what he did to you.’

‘I’m not convinced that he doesn’t have a record.’ He helped himself to a second doughnut. Birdie was right, these made a much better breakfast than his usual cereal. ‘I’ve got an idea. I know someone who may be able to help with some more digging.’

‘Who? I have access to the police databases and can usually find stuff.’

‘I’m sure you can, but there’s a DC who works at the Lenchester force, whose skills are extraordinary. I’ve no idea how she does it, but if there’s anything to find on Dunkley she’ll find it.’

‘Well, ask her then. What are you waiting for?’

‘It’s not that simple. I can’t contact her directly, I’ll have to speak to her DCI first, but it shouldn’t be a problem.’

Birdie shook her head, disappointment shining in her eyes. ‘And you reckon this DCI will let you use her DC? I’d put money on her saying no, especially as you’re no longer a DI and this isn’t an official police investigation yet. Note the emphasis on the word yet as we’re at the stage of passing it on.’

‘Don’t waste your hard-earned cash, I see no reason for her refusing to help.’

‘Are you friends?’

‘No.’ He grinned.

‘What then, and why are you making this so mysterious?’

‘We worked together on a case before I left the force. You’d get on with her, there are certain similarities between the two of you. She’s not your average DCI.’

‘I don’t know whether to take that as a compliment or what?’

‘I’ll leave that for you to work out.’

He pulled out his phone and pressed DCI Whitney Walker’s number which he still had on speed dial, even though they hadn’t spoken since he’d left Lenchester rather abruptly.

‘Walker.’

‘It’s DI Clifford. I mean ex-DI Clifford.’

‘Seb, how are you? I was only talking about you the other day to George, wondering how it turned out for you. You said ex, so now I know.’

‘You didn’t follow it in the media?’

‘I did, but everything reported was about the squad generally. Nowhere was there anything published about you specifically.’

‘I had no choice but to leave the force as the only job left open to me was going back in uniform. I couldn’t do it.’

‘That sucks. I’m sorry.’

‘Don’t be, it’s fine. How are you and George, and Tiffany?’

‘We’re all doing well. What can I help you with?’

‘I’m phoning for a favour.’

‘Go on,’ she said, hesitancy in her voice.

‘I’m in Market Harborough doing a bit of PI work for my cousin. Long story, but her husband’s death was recorded as suicide and we now think it could be murder. My enquiries got too close to the truth, and I was beaten up as a warning. I have the name and address of one of the men, but records are coming up with zilch.’

‘I’m assuming you mean police records, in which case, how are you manging to access them?’

‘I’m working with a DC from the local force.’ He started as Birdie nudged him, and she did a zip sign over her mouth. He mouthed ‘it’s okay.’ He wasn’t about to let Whitney know Birdie’s name, even though he trusted her.

‘Surely this should be a police matter now?’ Whitney said.

‘Agreed, but initially the attack on me was classified as a mugging, because as an afterthought, they took my wallet. I wanted to investigate a little more myself before handing it over and seeing what the police think.’

‘I never had you down as a rebel. What do you want from me?’

‘Ellie’s help. Is there any chance she could check this man out for me?’

‘We’ve hit a lull at the moment … Crap why did I say that. Now I’ll be jinxing it. Text me his details and I’ll get her onto it. But not a word to anyone at the Market Harborough force, I don’t want them thinking I’m treading on their toes.’

‘My lips are sealed. How soon will Ellie be able to get the details for me?’

‘So now you want to put a deadline on it?’ Whitney sighed. ‘No need to answer. If she starts now, she should have something soon. I’ll give you a call later.’

‘Thanks, guv, I owe you one.’

‘Whitney, not guv, now you’re not in the force.’

‘Thanks, again, Whitney.’ He ended the call and grinned at Birdie.

‘I take it your friend came through.’

‘I told you she would, you should have trusted me. I’ll text her the details. Ellie won’t take long.’

‘Fingers crossed she comes up with the goods. Show me a photo of your attacker so I can remind myself what he looks like.’

Once he’d finished texting, Seb held out his phone, showing Birdie the photo of Dunkley. ‘Now do you remember him from when we spoke to Andrea?’

‘Yes, but I didn’t pay much attention to him other than noting how he stared at us trying to be intimidating, but failed as I wasn’t bothered. Are you sure he was the one who attacked you? It was dark, remember, and you’d been drinking.’

‘I’d only had two pints and yes I’m sure. Not just the tattoo on his hand, but the icy expression in his eyes when he noticed me staring at him in the mirror was further proof.’

‘You said you didn’t think he’d realised that you recognised him?’

‘That didn’t stop him from glaring at me in that insidious way. I expect he assumed that I wouldn’t recognise him because it was so dark. He wasn’t to know that I’d seen the tattoo or that I was able to recall the incident later in glorious technicolour.’

‘Let’s hope you’re right. Did Andrea say anything in the car