Web of Lies

by Sally Rigby

  ‘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 that implicated her?’

  ‘This is what I can’t quite sort out in my mind. If anything, it was the opposite. She wanted to talk in private and lowered her voice when I mentioned other investors being blackmailed. If she was in cahoots with Dunkley, then why talk in hushed whispers? It doesn’t make sense.’

  ‘I know I’ve mentioned this before, but what if the attack on you was nothing to do with Andrea being blackmailed? I’m not saying that Donald wasn’t murdered, but could we be looking at two separate things and the murder and the attack aren’t connected.’

  ‘What other reason can you think of for me being beaten?’

  ‘Your work at the Met. Could Dunkley have been involved in something illegal that was linked to you in some way, and when he saw us during our interview with Andrea, he believed he’d been recognised?’

  ‘Until we hear back from Walker, we won’t know, but I doubt it because, as I keep on saying, that work is over for me.’

  ‘Would he know that?’ Birdie persisted. ‘He could have thought you questioning Andrea was a ploy we’d pulled off in order to see him.’

  ‘Okay, I accept that it could be possible. Someone from my past could’ve seen me at the funeral, if I’d been caught in any of the photos, but I’m still of the opinion that it’s less likely than our investigation into Donald. But that doesn’t mean we won’t keep the other possibility on the back burner.’

  ‘Good. Because we shouldn’t narrow our focus until such time as we’re convinced one way or the other.’

  ‘Agreed. But, assuming for the moment that they are linked, I think that if Donald was murdered and it was to do with the blackmail then it’s most likely my attacker was also the murderer. In which case we—’ His phone rang. ‘It’s Walker.’ He answered. ‘Whitney, you have something for me already?’

  ‘And hello to you, too. Yes. Ellie has come up trumps. I’ll pass you over to her.’

  ‘Hello, guv,’ Ellie said.

  ‘Seb will do fine, I’m no longer in the force. How are you, Ellie?’

  ‘Very well, thanks. You wanted more information about Aaron Dunkley. Well, there’s nothing to be found regarding anyone of that name and address, other than minor infractions.’

  ‘I’m sensing a but …’ He gave a nod in Birdie’s direction.

  ‘You’re right. He—’

  ‘Wait a moment, Ellie. I’m going to put you on speaker so my colleague here can listen.’ He rested the phone on the kitchen table. ‘Fire away.’

  ‘Aaron Dunkley legally changed his name four years ago. He was previously known as Ross Burns and he comes from Coventry. He has a long record sheet under that name and was in prison three times for grievous bodily harm. He was married and several times was accused of domestic violence, but his wife wouldn’t press charges, so it never got any further.’

  ‘Do you have her details by any chance?’

  ‘Yes, her name is Katy Burns, formerly Peters before she married him. She lives in a flat in Windsor Street, Coventry.’

  ‘Thanks, Ellie. I knew you’d be able to help. Thank the DCI also, for allowing us to borrow you.’

  ‘It’s my pleasure. Let me know if I can help further.’

  ‘I will do, but not without running it by the DCI first.’

  He ended the call.

  ‘The girl’s a genius,’ Birdie said.

  ‘The best I’ve come across. And she’s only your age, maybe a little younger, I’m not sure.’

  ‘I’m impressed. We might have got there eventually, but to find all that out in such a short space of time, is ridiculous. So, what’s our plan?’

  ‘I’m going to see Dunkley’s ex-wife in Coventry.’

  Chapter 36

  20 May

  ‘What do you mean you’re going to see her,’ Birdie said. ‘I’m coming, too.’ Why was he continually trying to exclude her? Did he want her off the investigation all together?

  ‘You’re on duty.’

  ‘That doesn’t matter. I can take your statement on the way in the car. I’ll record it and then transcribe it later.’

  ‘I don’t want to get you in trouble. I’m happy to go see Katy Burns on my own.’

  ‘I’m meant to be assisting with this case, and if I go back I’ll be stuck in the office because Sarge hasn’t given me anything else as he thinks I’m working on the mugging.’

  ‘Has he asked you how it’s going?’

  ‘I told him I’ve still got to take your statement, because you weren’t up to it before
now, and that we’re continuing to look at photos. He seems to have left me to my own devices for some reason, which I’m pleased about.’

  ‘Okay, you can come with me.’

  ‘Shall I drive?’ It wouldn’t be a hardship, she’d enjoyed her time behind the wheel, and it wasn’t like she’d get another opportunity to drive such an awesome car once he’d gone back to London.

  ‘Not necessary, I’m able to drive now.’

  He was looking a lot better than he had, but there were still purple and yellow bruises on his face which didn’t look good. ‘Want some more make-up? I could put a bit more concealer on the bruises?’

  ‘No thanks. I got it all over the pillowcases when you plastered me in it before. They were an awful mess, and are currently soaking in the sink.’

  ‘That’s very domesticated of you.’ She arched an eyebrow. ‘But first of all, you weren’t plastered in it, it was a light covering to hide the state of your face, which it did. And second of all, you were meant to wash it off before going to bed. I can’t do everything for you.’ She gave an exasperated sigh.

  ‘Point taken. I didn’t think about it as I was too tired. It’s not like I’m used to wearing make-up on a regular basis.’

  ‘You’ll know for next time. Shall we bring Elsa with us? She might like the drive.’

  ‘No, she’ll be fine left here. I’ll let her out before we go and give her a treat. She’ll most likely sleep until we get back.’

  ‘How did you manage with her when you were at work all day or if you were away on a case?’

  ‘I have a very understanding neighbour, Jill, who’s always happy to look after her.’

  ‘I’m not surprised, she’s such a lovely dog.’

  ‘By the way, have you heard anything yet from your friend in forensics regarding Donald’s phone?’

  ‘Nothing. I can’t push him, though, because he might have lots of other legitimate work. I told him we needed it as soon as possible, so we’ll just have to wait.’

  ‘Damn. I have the feeling that they’ll be stuff in there which will assist us.’

  ‘I can speak to him again in the morning, but I don’t want to harass him as he’s doing us a favour.’

  The drive to Coventry took forty-five minutes and when they reached the flats in Windsor Street, they parked in the small visitors’ car park.

  Birdie pushed open the entrance door and wrinkled her nose. ‘Someone needs to clean in here, it stinks of stale urine and weed.’

  ‘I’ve been in a lot worse. Surely you must have, too, being in the job for a few years,’ Clifford said.

  ‘Yes, but that doesn’t mean I like it.’

  They walked up the stairs to the third-floor flat and she knocked on the door. There was no answer, but the door adjacent opened and a young woman in her late teens poked her head out. ‘You looking for Katy?’

  ‘Yes. Do you know where she is?’ Birdie asked.

  ‘Who are you?’

  ‘Friend of a friend,’ Birdie said, not wanting to admit who they were for fear of her clamming up.

  ‘I saw her go in a few minutes ago and she looked all right.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘She wasn’t off her head or pissed or anything. Try knocking again,’ she said going back inside and closing her door.

  Birdie banged hard on the door.

  ‘Hang on,’ a voice called. The door opened and there was a woman who was only about five foot tall, in her late thirties. Her face was thin and drawn, and she had straight mid-brown hair which came to her shoulders.

  ‘Katy Burns?’ Seb asked.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘I’m Sebastian Clifford, and this is Birdie. We’d like to talk to you about Aaron Dunkley.’

  ‘Are you police?’

  ‘I’m an investigator,’ Seb said.

  ‘I’m an officer,’ Birdie admitted. ‘But not here in an official capacity.’

  Katy eyed them suspiciously. ‘Oh, well, I suppose I’ll talk to you. Come on in.’

  The flat was practically bare, apart from a worn green sofa, a television, a wooden chair, and a small dining table in the corner. There were no photos, ornaments, or anything personal on show.

  ‘I was in the kitchen making myself a coffee, would you like one?’

  ‘No thanks,’ Seb said.

  Katy disappeared for a few minutes and came back with a mug in her hand. Birdie got a whiff of whisky as the woman walked past her to sit on the chair.

  ‘What do you want to know about Aaron?’

  ‘A bit of background would be good. When you were together, he was known as Ross Burns. Do you know why he changed his name?’

  ‘To get away from you lot,’ she said nodding at Birdie. ‘He thought with a different name no one would know about his past.’

  ‘He did it after you divorced?’

  ‘Yeah.’ She took a large swallow of coffee and visibly shuddered.

  ‘Do you see much of him now?’

  ‘Not if I can help it. Sometimes he visits.’

  ‘What for?’ Birdie said.

  ‘I don’t know. A reminder of his old life, maybe. I wish he wouldn’t bother as it always ends up in a fight.’

  ‘What can you tell us about the woman he works for now? Andrea Wood. Do you know her?’ Seb said.

  ‘Yeah, of course I do. We all went to school together.’

  Birdie exchanged a glance with Seb. His eyes reflecting her thoughts. They hadn’t expected that.

  ‘You, Aaron, and Andrea Wood, aka Ann Smith, went to the same school … Where?’ Birdie asked.

  ‘Here in Coventry.’

  ‘She doesn’t have a Coventry accent,’ Birdie said.

  ‘Not now, but at school we all sounded the same. She must have had elocution lessons or something. Andrea was clever and stayed on to do her A levels. I don’t know for definite, but she might have gone to university after that.’

  ‘Were you friends at school?’

  ‘She was one of the popular kids and out of my league. Ross always had a thing for her and liked to think they were friends.’

  ‘Did they ever go out together?’

  ‘He wished. But he was always there to do her dirty work. He beat up a few boys in his time if they were annoying her too much.’

  ‘In other words, she used him,’ Birdie said.

  ‘You got it in one.’ Katy looked at Seb. ‘She’s smart, that one.’

  ‘When did you last see her?’ Seb asked.

  ‘Not since I left school at sixteen and got a job at Primark. Apart from on the telly sometimes, but she looks nothing like she did when I knew her.’

  ‘Tell us about your relationship with Aaron Dunkley.’

  ‘He left school the same time as me and worked at a tyre factory. We were going out together then and drifted into marriage.’

  ‘Do you have any children?’

  Her face clouded over. ‘We had a little boy, Jeremiah, who died when he was two. Ross was looking after him at the time. That’s what caused the split between us.’

  ‘How did he die?’ Birdie asked, gently.

  ‘The coroner said it was an accident, but I didn’t believe them. Ross used to lose his temper so easily, especially when JJ was being naughty. It all happened a long time ago. Eighteen years. But you don’t forget. You never forget …’ Her voice faded away.

  ‘What exactly happened?’

  ‘JJ drowned in the paddling pool when Ross was meant to be taking care of him. He told the police that he was playing hide and seek with JJ and that he must have run into the garden to hide. Ross found JJ lying face down in the water.’

  ‘And you’re not convinced that’s what happened.’

  ‘Ross was beside himself when JJ died, and I know his grief was genuine, but the way he told the story to the police seemed made-up. He’d never played hide and seek with JJ before. He hardly ever played with him at all.’

  ‘What do you think might have happened?’

  ‘I
have no proof, and I didn’t accuse Ross because if I had he’d have leathered me. But I think JJ was being naughty and Ross put him outside in the garden and locked the door so he couldn’t get back in. He’d threatened to do it in the past but I wouldn’t let him. JJ went to go into the paddling pool and slipped. It had rained the day before and there was a few inches of water in the bottom.’

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ Birdie said. What else could she say? It was such a tragedy.

  ‘Did Aaron keep in touch with Andrea over the years?’ Seb asked a few moments later.

  ‘Not that I know of. He might have followed her career, the same as I did. As soon as she was on the telly, we knew it was her, even though she’d changed her name.’

  ‘What about the job he now has working for her? Do you know how that transpired?’ Seb asked.

  ‘Ross, or Aaron as he was by then, bumped into Andrea in Coventry one day out of the blue about two years ago. She’d returned for a funeral. One of her parents, I think. I’ve no idea where they met, but they did, and they chatted. She told him she’d been looking for a driver and someone to do odd jobs. He said he wanted to apply, and she told him the job was advertised online. He came straight round here and wanted me to help with the application form. He applied, went for the interview with Andrea and someone who works with her. On his way back home he received a call from her offering him the job. She told him that she could trust him to take care of her. It was like being back at school all over again.’

  ‘She definitely said to take care of her?’ Birdie asked.

  ‘According to him.’

  ‘Did she mention that she needed protection from anything?’

  ‘You’ll have to ask him, I don’t know.’

  ‘When did you last see Aaron?’ Seb asked.

  ‘I can’t remember. One good thing about this job is I hardly see him at all, now, which I’m extremely grateful for.’

  ‘Do you know the name Donald Witherspoon?’

  She shrugged. ‘No. Never heard the name in my life. I’m going out again soon, so if you’re done, I’ll see you out.’

  ‘Thank you very much for your help,’ Seb said, standing up.