A Raucous Time (The Celtic Cousins' Adventures) by Julia Hughes Read Free Book Online

clammed up.’ Wren spread his hands as he finished, inviting Crombie to agree with him.
    ’Or maybe you’re feeding me a pack of lies son.’
    Rhyllann felt a grudging respect, not too many people sussed Wren out so quickly. Now his clear blue eyes met Crombie’s belligerent stare unblinking. Streets away, an ice cream van chimed out merrily, breaking the spell.
    Crombie spoke again. ‘Alright. Have it your way. But know this young man. I’m convinced your intruders and Mike Stern’s death are connected. You’ve got a hairline fracture. Every bone in that old man’s foot had been broken. Almost certainly that’s what made his heart give out. Yesterday someone risked going back to your gran’s house in broad daylight. There’s something they want very badly. And Mikey Stern’s gone missing.’
    Wren seemed fascinated by a spot on the carpet and wouldn’t meet his eyes.
    Addressing Rhyllann he barked: ‘On your own head son. Social services might be round at some point. Maybe they’ll swallow your cock and ball story.’ He rose to his feet, jotting a few lines in a notebook before tucking it away in a pocket.
    ‘I’ll get control to change a couple of routes. You’ll see a few more police cars cruising around. That’s the best I can do for you.’
    Pulling out his wallet, he handed over a card. ‘Call me. If anything spooks you, call me. That’s my mobile number.’
    ‘You’re not going to report us?’ Disbelief mixed with gratitude flooded Rhyllann.
    ‘At least I know where you are. Better than having you running rings round social services.’
    Rhyllann stammered his thanks.
    ‘Okay young man? Are you certain there’s nothing else you want to tell me?’
    Wren raised his head looking tentative. ‘Detective Crombie?’
    ‘Yes son?’
     Wren hesitated, choosing his words. ‘If some money went missing, and one person got in trouble for it …’
    Crombie’s face hardened.
    ’…and another person paid it back.’ Wren continued. ‘Would that person still be in trouble?’
    ‘You’re talking about your mum aren’t you?’
    Wren flushed then nodded once.
    ‘I’m sorry son, I can’t say. I should think that would help.’ Crombie said. ‘Do you know where the money is? Do you want to tell me?’
    ‘Oh for …’ Rhyllann started. ‘This is wrong.’
    Crombie held up a hand. ‘Do you want to tell me?’ he asked again.
    Looking wretched, Wren shook his head. ‘You don’t understand. The money … she gave it away.’
    ‘Gave away nearly half a million pounds?’
    In a small voice Wren said. ‘I can’t tell you who she gave it away to. But they needed it.’ His eyes met Crombie’s, imploring, willing the man to understand.
    ‘It wasn’t her money to give away.’ Crombie stated the obvious.
    Wren’s face puckered. ‘But…’
    Oh hell, here we go thought Rhyllann, giving an indiscernible shake of his head. With a sinking feeling he saw the familiar flash behind Wren’s eyes as his chin jutted out.
    ‘She obeyed her conscience.’
    ‘Maybe – but if we all did that there’d be anarchy.’
    Rhyllann silently agreed.
    Wren still wanted an argument. ‘Maybe that’s what we need. Anarchy.’
    Rhyllann groaned. Crombie – probably the last person in the world to welcome lectures from a thirteen year old.
    ‘Careful son. Say that to the wrong people and you’ll find yourself in a world of trouble.’
    A threat or a concerned warning? Crombie’s tone gave nothing away.
    Thankfully Wren backed down: ‘You’re right. Of course. Not her money to give away.’ His face lit up expectantly. ‘Will they let her out to visit gran?’
    Crombie shot Rhyllann a look. ‘Ask your cousin. He can explain about that,’ and scooted for the door. Rhyllann followed on his heels with the pretence of asking him to return the hospital’s wheelchair. He expected a refusal but Crombie must have felt a twinge of guilt at leaving him to break the bad news.
     
    Rhyllann watched from the doorway