Amanda Cadabra and The Hanging Tree by Bell Holly

Author:Bell, Holly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-03-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 35

Awkward Calls

Having made up her mind what her course of action must be, Amanda hoped Trelawney would not linger. He left at seven for dinner at his mother’s.

Amanda had been doing her homework. She knew the kind of place Lee was going to, and she knew where he took the train from. She’d narrowed it down, phoned, and was first time lucky.

‘Hello. This is an urgent call on official business on behalf of Inspector Trelawney of the Metropolitan police. Please could you put me through to a Mr Lee Lewis staying at your facility?’

‘Please hold.’

‘Hello?’ said a wary voice.

‘Lee? Is that you?’

‘Amanda! How did you find me? Pen doesn’t know, does she?’

She spoke calmly but insistently.

‘No, but there’s trouble. In Sunken Madley. There’s been a car bomb and a murder. You have to let me tell the inspector why you went off and where you are, Lee.’

‘Oh no. What if it gets back to Pen before I’m … oh but … he won’t talk to her, will he?’

‘He’ll want to interview you. We have to clear your name, Lee. You must admit it looks suspicious. You left hours before the murder victim arrived, and no one knows where you were when it happened. And more importantly, there might be something you can remember or think of that could help the investigation.’

‘Well … put like that,’ Lee wavered. ‘Only … I can’t come back to the village just yet. Not until it’s all completely decided.’

‘All right. What if we come to the centre?’ Amanda suggested.

Lee’s anxiety returned.

‘What will they think? The police turning up!’

‘We’ll make it all right. I promise,’ Amanda soothed. ‘I know you haven’t done anything wrong. Besides, I already said on the phone that I was calling on official business, on behalf of the Met and the inspector,’ she admitted.

‘Amanda!’

‘I thought they might not put me through, or you wouldn’t pick up if I said who I was,’ she explained.

‘Hm,’ he grunted. ‘Fair do’s. Oh my days. Ok. But at lunchtime. All right?’

‘Tomorrow? 12.30?’ she suggested quickly before Lee could change his mind.

‘Yeah, I s’pose.’

‘If I have to change the appointment, I’ll contact you. And Lee, you have to promise to pick up if I call and respond if I text you.’

‘Yes, Amanda,’ he assented resignedly.

‘It’s all going to be fine, Lee. Let’s just get this out of the way so you concentrate on your try-out. How’s it going?’ Amanda asked to give his thoughts a more cheerful direction.

‘It’s looking good. Someone’s coming to see me work out the day after tomorrow. The man who signs the cheques, I think. If he’s happy, it’s all go, Amanda. I’ll be set!’

‘Oh, that’s wonderful, Lee; I’m so happy for you. And Pen will be too once she … calms down.’

‘You’ll help me with her, won’t you, Amanda?’ Lee half-pleaded.

‘I’m sure you’ll get whatever support you need,’ she replied diplomatically.

She hung up and leaned back. Tempest was regarding her ironically. His question sounded clearly in her head: Well? Are you

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