Girls Of The Dark Read Free Page B

Dan grabbed his walkie-talkie from the glove compartment and shoved it into his pocket. ‘There you go, Sarge. That’s me being pro-active.’
     
    Abbot had headed for Anniesland station and took a train into the centre of town. The carriage was busy and Dan was able to follow her with ease. She finally stopped at a gastro pub in the west end, where Abbot joined a man seated by the window.
                  Dan took up position at the bar, ordering a bottle of beer. He wanted to blend in with the other lunchtime drinkers. Whilst keeping half an eye on his quarry, the DC considered Alice’s words of advice. His heart hadn’t been in the promotion to sergeant. He didn’t know why Nicholson had put his name forward. He’d cocked up during a case several months before and a young colleague was killed as a result. Dan supposed if he was honest with himself, he’d have to admit he sabotaged his own chances in that exam. He barely revised for it and got hammered in the pub the night before.
                  The couple in his peripheral vision had raised their voices. The man was of early middle age and wore a nice suit. Abbot leaned in close to his face and was saying something under her breath. She finished her drink and stood up, leaving him at the table before storming out.
                  Dan let her go. He knew that Alice was poised to pick up her trail when she stepped into the street. Instead, he lifted his bottle and moved over to the seat their suspect had vacated. The man opposite stared at him in surprise.
                  Dan held up his warrant card. ‘My name is DC Clifton. I’m with the Serious Crime Unit. Can you tell me what your business was with the lady who just left?’
                  ‘Sara? What’s that got to do with the police? She’s a personal friend of mine.’ The man smoothed his shirt irritably. ‘I really need to get back to the office.’
                  Dan could tell he was worried. ‘That woman, who you know as Sara, is in actual fact Lisa Abbot. She is being investigated by our unit on several counts of fraud and deception.’
                  The man shot to his feet. ‘This is outrageous!’
                  Half the pub turned to look at him.
                  Dan tilted his head. ‘Has she asked you for money?’
                  The man remained standing for a moment longer before slumping back down again. ‘Yes.’
                  ‘How much?’
                  ‘Four thousand pounds. But we’ve argued about it. I can’t release those kinds of funds without my wife becoming suspicious.’
                  ‘Why did Ms Abbot tell you she needed it?’
                  ‘I can’t get used to her being referred to in that way. Sorry, she needs it for her treatment. Of course I understand and I sympathise, but we only slept together a couple of times. I don’t really see why I should be responsible for her healthcare bills.’ He looked Dan straight in the eye. ‘Does that make me an awful person?’
                  ‘No, sir. It does not.’
     

Chapter 5
     
     
    ‘I ’d say she’s desperate. Lisa Abbot must know we’re investigating her, yet she’s still up to the old tricks.’ Alice took the lead in the de-brief taking place in DCI Bevan’s office. Dan was perched on the sofa behind.
                  ‘Who is this man and will he provide us with a signed statement?’
                  ‘His name is Nick McKenna,’ Dan pitched in. ‘He works for an insurance company in the city centre. McKenna met Abbot at a bar six months ago. She told him her name was Sara White. They’ve slept together a few times in hotels near McKenna’s work.’
                  Dani looked up from her notes. She beckoned to the DC. ‘Come closer, Dan. Sit at the desk and tell