Page 73 of Joker in the Pack

“Absolutely. They all love a bargain.”

Thanks, Nye—at least if Carol was going to spread lies about me, she could also drum up business for one of my clients.

“So, now we’ve established Olivia isn’t the girl you thought she was, you wouldn’t happen to know where the rumours about her originated, would you?”

“I heard them from at least six different people. In the pub, at the WI, in the shops. I can’t quite remember who told me first.”

Nye’s smile faded.

“But I can ask around,” Carol added hastily. “Someone must know, mustn’t they?”

He let her have it, full beam. “I’d be very grateful. And about the break-ins—has anything like that happened before?”

“Our low crime rate is one of the wonderful things about living in the Foxfords. We’ve got an excellent neighbourhood-watch scheme.”

“Nobody’severgot burgled before?”

She shifted in her seat, and Nye didn’t take his gaze off her.

“There may have been a few small incidents, but that was several years ago.” Carol lowered her voice to a whisper. “We don’t tend to talk about those.”

“Why not?”

“The lad’s father was the chairman of the parish council. It all got a bit awkward when Graham had to arrest his son.”

“What was the son’s name?”

“Christopher Johnston. But he went to juvenile detention. You’re not planning to rake up the past, are you? People won’t like that.”

“I’ll try not to cause trouble, but I’m not going to stand by while Olivia gets terrorised.”

“No, no, of course not.”

Nye shoved one last piece of fried bread into his mouth, chewed, and pushed his chair back. “You make a great breakfast.”

“You’re welcome back any time. Both of you. I do hope I’ve been helpful.”

He bent to kiss her on the cheek, and she turned bright red. I understood exactly how she felt.

“Very much so, Carol.”

We left Carol clutching Nye’s business card at the front door, still basking in his aura. With the village about to be set straight over the rumours flying around, even getting back on the bike didn’t seem like such a hurdle.

“What do you think?” I asked Nye as he steadied the bike. “Could it be Christopher?”

“I’ll get the team at head office to find out whether he’s still locked up.”

“I’m pretty sure I’ve never met him.”

“You might not have realised it at the time.” He squeezed my hand, now fastened securely around his chest with what was left of my fingernails digging into his leather jacket. “Don’t worry, I’ll find out.”

The ride back to Lilac Cottage didn’t leave me with the same feeling of terror as the first trip, and I even managed to get off without falling over. Nye followed me inside and checked every room plus all the doors and windows before he left.

“I’ll be in touch tomorrow, but if you think of anything in the meantime, call me. Or if you get worried. I’m only at the other end of the phone, okay?”

“Okay.”

“And the patrol will check on you again tonight. Same vehicle.”

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