The Glass Room (Vera Stanhope 5)
really know.
‘Have you talked to Alex about the idea?’ Ashworth had swallowed the scone and had almost finished his coffee. He stared at her.
‘I haven’t. I’m sure Chrissie has; she talked about going to see him the other day. It’s her project.’ Still Nina couldn’t work out what the detective wanted from her. Had the fat woman sent him to get information? Was Alex having second thoughts about hosting the party? Nina wouldn’t blame him if he was. Chrissie might dress it up as a memorial celebration, but it would be a party nevertheless. Had Alex complained to the police that he was being bounced into something he didn’t care for?
Ashworth said nothing. He gazed out of the window and she saw that he was watching the mother and daughter too.
‘Is there any news on the investigation?’ she asked. The silence between them was becoming awkward. ‘I suppose I should think about moving back to my flat. I can’t hide out at North Farm for ever.’
He turned towards her sharply. ‘Stay there for a little while longer. At least until after the event at the Writers’ House.’
‘Why until then?’ she demanded. ‘What difference would a book launch make?’
‘Probably nothing.’ He gave a strange little laugh. Nervousness? Or to cover the fact that he was lying to her? ‘We just hope that we’ll have a result by then.’
‘You’re close then?’ He looked at her as if he didn’t quite understand and she added, mimicking his words, ‘To getting a result?’
He didn’t answer and instead came back with a question of his own. ‘Who will be there from the “Short Cuts” course?’
‘Everyone who’s contributed to the anthology: Giles Rickard donated a special story; Mark Winterton has written a true crime piece; Lenny Thomas, Joanna Tobin, me. And Chrissie will be there of course, even though she hasn’t written anything for the book. Is it important?’
‘Probably not.’
But it seemed to Nina that it was the most important thing in the world to him at the moment.
‘Why did you come to the university to find me?’ The words seemed to be propelled by a blast of energy inside her mouth. They emerged sharp and staccato, like gunshots.
He seemed shocked by her bluntness. ‘I wanted to check you were all right.’
‘Did the inspector send you?’
‘No!’ he said. ‘I suggested it.’
‘But she knows you’re here?’ Nina thought he was here to gain information after all. Why couldn’t Vera Stanhope do her own dirty business? She was in touch with Chrissie. She stood up. It seemed to her that the exchange was going nowhere. ‘I should be getting back to North Farm. I promised Chrissie I’d go shopping with her. Stuff for the memorial party.’
He got up and they stood for a moment side by side. The elderly cafe owner continued to read his book – oblivious, it seemed, to any tension, though Nina could feel it. Physically, like static electricity.
Ashworth put a hand on her arm. ‘Take care,’ he said. ‘Yeah?’ And he hurried off and was swallowed up by the Christmas shoppers. She stood for a moment, still unsure of the purpose of his visit. Had it all been about those last few words? Had he come into town just to warn her?
Chapter Thirty-Five
Joe Ashworth hurried through the busy streets and thought he should never have come into town. What had he hoped to achieve? He stopped for a moment outside Fenwick’s department store, drawn by the crowds staring at the window. It was a Newcastle institution, Fenwick’s Christmas window. He and Sal always brought the bairns in to see it and the trip marked the start of the festive season. This year it had a space theme: mechanical astronauts bouncing on the moon, whirling stars and a rocket that took off in one window and landed in another. Real sparks from the engine. Santa Claus and his reindeers all wearing space helmets. The kids would love it.
But he was only distracted for a moment and pushed on, past the grandmothers with wide-eyed toddlers strapped into buggies, the street pedlars, the working people who’d sloped off early to avoid the rush. Usually he liked being in town, but now he felt hemmed in. He’d spent too long with Vera and her need for the hills.
He’d paid the visit to Nina Backworth because Vera had asked him to: ‘Just call in on your fancy friend in the university.’ Her voice amused. ‘Find out what she’s up to. Or what her publisher’s up to. It’s one way of making things
Weitere Kostenlose Bücher