Page 84 of Don't Believe A Word

Matis Albescu – Romanian.

There were plenty of men with the same name in the same line of business, so clearly it couldn’t be the same Albescu as the one who’d been killed in a police raid back in 2002. Nevertheless, it was quite the coincidence. Worth exploring further?

Anyway, Camille was right about one thing, no one on this list was likely to be the kind of character she, Cristy, would want to run up against. She couldn’t even see herself trying, at least not at this stage, which didn’t mean they wouldn’t send someone to make contact with her if Symmonds-Browne got another mention onHindsight.

Putting her laptop aside she heard her stomach rumble as Hayley set down two mugs of their favourite raspberry infusion and a plate of toasted buns.

For the next hour, having apparently exhausted even herself with the dilemma over Hugo and Stefan, Hayley helped go through some of the letters from Lottie’s box. They were all from children Lottie had sponsored over the years, some unbearably sweet and simplistic, others difficult to decipher, while some – most in fact – were begging her to visit them, or to let them come and live with her.

Interestingly, they all addressed her asDear Carlotta, orDear Carla.

Yawning and stretching as she set aside a postcard, Cristy jumped as Hayley suddenly cried, ‘Oh my God! Is that the time already? I need to go.’

‘What?’ Cristy asked, confused.

‘I told Dad I’d be there by six. Can you give me a lift?’

Cristy blinked as Hayley flew off the sofa and disappeared into the hall. ‘Can I borrow your silver dress?’ she shouted from the bedroom. ‘The one with the drop back? And the shoes?’

‘Where are you going?’ Cristy shouted back.

‘Dad’s invited me to this amazing dinner tonight at Merchant’s House.’

As the words reached her Cristy stared disbelievingly at the door. Hayley was going to the MSFevent? Hayley, who’d cometo spend the weekend with her, was right now, this minute, ransackingherwardrobe to go and be her father’s plus-one at a gala dinner where Robert was the speaker, while she, Cristy, having turned Robert down and put David off from coming, was apparently being left at home to FaceTime Marley on her own.

CHAPTER TWENTY

‘Now this is interesting,’ Jacks declared as he absorbed the information he’d just downloaded onto his screen. ‘Seems Iz’s social media team is up to the task after all.’

Cristy put aside the lawyer’s letter they’d just received from Symmonds-Browne’s father – second cousin to the actual duke – informing them that their client had no wish to participate in their series and would appreciate not being contacted again. ‘We’re all listening,’ she told Jacks.

‘There’s a voicemail,’ Jacks explained, ‘from someone claiming to be Hilary Stokes.’

He had everyone’s attention now. ‘You mean, the Butlin’s bar manager who worked with Lukas Andris?’ Clover asked for clarity. ‘What does she say?’

‘Here, have a listen,’ and removing his earpods, he set the message to replay on speaker.

‘Hi, I’m Hilary Stokes and I think you might be looking for me – or more specifically for Lukas Andris. It’s been a long time since Lukas and I were in touch and I’m afraid I have no idea where he is now, but there is someone who might be able to help. Her name is Natalie Irwin. She worked at Butlin’s at the same time as me and Lukas, and they were always quite close. She knew his sister, Janina, as well, and the little girl. The last time I heard from Talia she was in Canada, as far as I know she’s still there. If you like I’ll try to get in touch and ask if she can throw any light on things. Or feel free to call me if there’s anything you’d like to discuss.’

‘OK, she sounds on the level,’ Connor declared, ‘so make your next task to contact her while Cristy and I go do this promo forIz’s Rapid Retail guys. Natalie Whatsit’s details are paramount so we can reach out to her ourselves, so make sure Hilary Stokes understands we’d like her to act sooner rather than later. Clove? You’re looking worried.’

‘Just googling the list of lowlifes Cristy passed on fromNice-Matin,’ Clover explained. ‘I’ve got to tell you, I’m not up for going anywhere near one of this lot …’

‘You won’t have to,’ Cristy assured her. ‘None of us will. It’s too dangerous.’

‘What are we thinking about this Matis Albescu?’ Clover asked. ‘It obviously can’t be the guy who got killed back in 2002, but it sure as hell looks like him – although this one seems younger … Maybe father and son?’

‘Could well be,’ Cristy agreed, ‘but don’t let’s get hung up on him. He’s never going to lead us to Symmonds-Browne, none of them will, there wouldn’t be anything in it for them. Luckily, there are other ways.’

‘All ears,’ Jacks piped up.

Resigning herself to the inevitable, she said, ‘Give Matthew a call and ask if he’ll sound out his contact at Interpolfor us – presuming the guy’s still alive and functioning.’ After a beat she added, ‘If Matthew wants to know what he gets in return tell him I spent over an hour on FaceTime with his wife and son on Saturday evening while he was schmoozing with the rich and famous at a black-tie charity dinner, soheowesme.’

Clearly amused, Connor waited until they were walking through to the studio before asking, ‘So how did that go for you?’

‘With Marley? It was horrible and cringey, I hated every minute, but at least I didn’t have to do much talking. She was too busy gushing over Boo Boo Bear – yeah, that’s really what she called him – and telling me all about the auditions she’s got lined up, the supernanny she’s about to hire, some new-fangled fitness regime to get herself back into shape, and how worried she is about Matthew.’

‘Why’s she worried about him?’