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

“I don’t give a shit about Nigel. He was a convenient means to an end.” She dives at me with the knife, but my own judo skills have significantly improved since my student days, and I’m able to dodge the lethal weapon, duck under her guard, and have her arm twisted up behind her back before she takes another breath. The knife falls to the floor, and I kick it away from her.

“You bloody bitch. Now what? You can’t arrest me. You’re not police any more.”

“No, but we are.” Finn enters the room with a posse of armed and uniformed officers. “Well done, you three. I saw Troy and his little girl coming out and figured this was the time to come in. Then I saw your message, Becky. Thanks.”

Arrests are swift and neat, and Penny and Nigel are taken into custody. One of Finn’s officers bags up the knives as evidence.

I’m just calming down when a memory returns. Finn’s face in the aftermath half a year ago. His expression of relief is overlaid with fear. I didn’t make sense of it then, but there’s a click as pieces slot into place.

Chapter Forty-One

Finn betrayed me. As he approaches me now in that warehouse, I can see the shock in his eyes as he notices the shock in mine. He glances round. I follow his gaze and see Joanna talking quietly to Will in the corner as the police do their work. We have a moment or two of privacy. We really need hours, or maybe no time at all. What is there to say to a friend who puts your life in danger? Only one word.

“Why?”

His shoulders slump.

“I’m so sorry, Becks. I was in such trouble. Gambling debts had got me into deep shit. They offered me a way out: to get you into that warehouse at that particular moment. Someone wanted you out of the way. I never found out why. Without them knowing it, though, I put precautions in place. I can’t describe how relieved I was when they worked, and you were still alive. I was gutted about Rachel; she wasn’t supposed to be involved, but at least it wasn’t you.” His voice shakes, and despite my horror at his revelations, I’m inclined to believe him.

“Who made you that offer?” Perhaps there is more than one question I need to ask.

“I don’t know. The letters came by post, with instructions on what to do, and what the consequences would be if I didn’t.”

“So you were blackmailed, and you didn’t pursue the criminal who was threatening you?”

“I wasn’t in my right mind. That whole period, from about a year earlier, I got caught up in addiction. I had problems with alcohol as well as gambling. And there was a bit of coke too. Seriously, I was a mess. After what happened to you, I took some time off. I said it was shock, but I went into rehab. I badly let you down. I’m so sorry.”

“I need time to think about this. I’ll get back to you. Are you clean and dry now?”

“Yeah. Sober, clean and gamble-free for fourteen weeks, three days and eight hours.” He puts a hand on my shoulder.

There are none of the usual flutterings. In contrast, my stomach clenches in something akin to hatred. I vow to myself to get past it somehow. But for now, there’s business to attend to. I grit my teeth. I don’t know if he senses my reaction, but he quickly drops his hand to his side.

“So, I assume Penny and Nigel will be charged with the abduction of Troy’s daughter and possession of lethal weapons. What about the murder charges?”

“I had a call from Ellie over in Huddersfield. She said you’d been to see her, and that you suspected Penny was more involved than she should be in the recent murder of her ex-housemates.”

“Given the evidence, I think it’s a serious possibility.”

“I agree. Same MO as Troy’s wife and parents,” Finn seems more relaxed now we’re back on neutral conversation, and my antipathy eases. “Anyway, well done for all your work on it. I have to admit, the forensics and our team hadn’t even considered Penny as a suspect.” His uneasiness returns slightly. “I hope we can continue to work together, Becks, despite what’s happened. I hope you can forgive me.”

***

Forgiveness or otherwise needs to be shelved for the moment, as there are things to be done. The evening is progressing quickly, and I take to my phone for a minute to tell Matt and Cheryl that I’ll be back late, but that this case is almost over now.

“Just loose ends to tie up now, but you know what that’s like, Matt.”

“Sure. Are you okay? You sound a bit… I don’t know… maybe a bit traumatised.”

“It’s been a tough day. I’ll tell you about it later, or depending what time I get home, tomorrow. Finn’s invited us to the station to fill him in on our findings, then to observe the interviews with the suspects.”

Finn had obviously felt guilty for his previous actions, but I think his invitation sprang more from the need to fill in his knowledge gaps. Despite his shortcomings, he’s a practical soul.

Will drives us to the police station. Unusually, we’re all quiet. Too much has happened, and too recently for us to celebrate, but after about ten minutes of quiet, I rouse myself to speak.

“Well done, both of you. You’re amazing, and I’m proud to work with you.”

“Does that mean I can be part of White Knight permanently?”

“I’d be happy for you to be a permanent fixture on the team, as long as your mum agrees. But what about your computing job?”

“I got an email today, offering voluntary redundancy, but with the option to call on me as a consultant. So I can do some freelance work on the side to keep my hand in, and help with finances, but the redundancy package would help tide us over for a