Page 111 of Dying Truth

Looking at their location on Hollytree, Kim found that hard to believe.

Rupert caught her look. ‘And I had a very nice home in Romsley,’ he said. ‘And in that time Monty had achieved career success as a chartered accountant.

‘We met again five years ago, quite by accident, and realised our feelings hadn’t changed. We both had disastrous, failed relationships behind us and suddenly we knew why. Because we’d never been with the right person. We realised that we were meant to be together.’

This should have been the point at which he told her they lived happily ever after, and there was a part of her that wished he was. It was like watching a film for the second time and hoping for a different ending.

‘So, we got together and for a couple of years our life was idyllic, perfect. We set up home together in a wonderful old chapel in Shipley and finally began to enjoy life.’

‘Until?’ Kim asked.

‘Three years ago, after we appeared together in a newspaper article for our charity work with an AIDS foundation. From that moment everything changed. Suddenly every one of my business loans was called in. I lost three major clients who collectively represented seventyper cent of my business. A few months later Monty was audited, and irregularities were found in VAT submissions made to HMRC on behalf of some global, influential customers. His reputation was destroyed overnight, along with his career.’

‘What happened next?’ Bryant asked.

‘We limped along for a few months, selling our possessions to pay bills. Sold our lovely home with negative equity because we couldn’t find the monthly mortgage payment but were forced to declare bankruptcy eighteen months ago anyway. We can’t get a mortgage, credit card, anything.’

‘And you think someone was behind all this?’ Kim asked.

‘No, officer, I thinksomeoneswere behind all this.’ He shook his head. ‘You really have no idea how deep these bonds and rivalries go. The rules didn’t just apply when we were at school. These ties are for life.’

‘But you were just kids?’ Bryant said.

‘But we swore an oath, sergeant, for life.’

‘And how did Monty react to this treatment?’ Kim asked.

‘It’s destroyed him,’ he said, sadly, extinguishing the cigarette. ‘The club always meant more to him than to me. He still tried to make contact with them, to beg forgiveness, to be allowed back in but they wouldn’t even take his calls.’

‘And who exactly are “they”, Rupert?’ Kim asked.

‘Very important and powerful people, Inspector,’ he said, standing. ‘And I think I’ve said enough, so if you don’t mind I need to try and find Monty before—’

‘Mr Downing, are you still so afraid of these people that you won’t offer us any names at all?’

‘Officer, I am far more terrified of their power than I am of yours. I have lost my business, my career, my home and possibly the man I love because of an oath I made over twenty-five years ago. Now I’d like you to leave.’

Kim stood and followed him along the hallway. ‘But we have crimes that are happening now, Mr Downing, children are being hurt at that bloody school,’ Kim said, frustrated.

This man had names and he wasn’t prepared to give them up.

‘You could help us if you chose to stop living in the past.’

He smiled wearily as he opened the front door.

‘You should remember, Inspector. That the past never stays in the past.’

Seventy-Seven

‘So, you think he’s being a bit overdramatic or what?’ Bryant asked, as they reached the car.

Kim gave it a little thought. ‘Not sure. Could be coincidence that everything went wrong at the same time but then again…’

‘You don’t care much for coincidences, do you?’ he asked as they got into the car.

She took out her phone and held out her hand for the photograph they’d asked Rupert for before he’d pretty much thrown them out.

She studied it. ‘Don’t you think there’s a sadness to this man?’ she asked.