Death In The Closet (Edward Crisp Mysteries Book 3) by Peter Boon

Author:Peter Boon [Boon, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Meadowcroft Publishing
Published: 2021-06-06T16:00:00+00:00

18

‘Hi there,’ Troy said to us in a polite but clearly uninterested way, as he took a seat at the opposite end of our corner and paid immediate attention to his phone rather than us.

Fiona wasn’t that easily defeated. ‘We’ve met a couple of times before. I’m Fiona Turtle, the journalist.’

He looked up as if he resented it, paying attention to her for the first time. ‘Oh yes, the vintage lady, I do know you. You write for that tiny village next to the football stadium, don’t you?’ It wasn’t a question he seemed interested in getting an answer to.

‘That’s the one,’ she said with a grin. I knew she was getting ready to play her trump card. I just wish it didn’t involve me. ‘And this is my friend, Edward. But he’s just told me he’s seen you before.’

‘Oh yes?’ He looked back at his phone; I could tell he wanted this conversation to be over so he could go back to posting on social media or whatever he was doing.

‘Yes. He said he saw you last night, at the celebration at the stadium.’

Troy’s head shot up. I could tell she’d knocked him for six. ‘No, he must be mistaken. I wasn’t there last night.’

She didn’t take her eyes off him. ‘No, it was definitely you. I mean, you’re quite distinct, and Edward doesn’t make mistakes often. It was Troy you saw coming out of the VIP toilets, wasn’t it, Edward?’

A year ago, I wouldn’t have been able to deal with a situation like this; I’ve always hated confrontation. But I’d dealt with far worse than Troy in recent months. ‘Yes, it was definitely you.’

He took a sip of champagne as he considered me. ‘I told you, you’re mistaken. I wasn’t there.'

But Fiona wasn’t done. ‘Oh, it’s okay. Edward’s friend Patrick saw you too. He’s over there dancing with everyone, but he should be able to clear it up.’ She went through the whole pantomime of standing up to get him.

‘Alright, alright, sit down,’ he hissed at her. ‘Yes, I was there, briefly. I just popped in to see Chloe and some of the other girls for an hour.’

‘No, I don’t think so. I was with Chloe, or in sight of her, for most of the night. I didn’t see you with her at any point.’

‘Look, what’s this about?’ I examined his demeanour as he spoke. It was a combination of anger, embarrassment and… sadness?

‘I’ll tell you what it’s about,’ Fiona started, but I nudged her to stop her. I had something to say instead.

‘I’m sorry for your loss.’

‘Sorry, what?’ He definitely wasn’t expecting that.

‘I’m sorry for your loss,’ I repeated gently. ‘If we’re right about why you were there last night, this must be a terrible time for you. I can’t even imagine. And I just wanted to say I’m really sorry.’

Troy looked like the world had crashed in on him. When he spoke, he sounded completely different from before. Emptier. ‘You know nothing. Just leave it alone. Please.

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