81 #NorthAgain

Edwina Tolan @QueenBee

Would you be interested in information that shatters the Bryce myth?

April Lavender @AprilReporter1955

Was always told you shouldn’t speak ill of the dead. But then again, the dead don’t sue! What myth?

Edwina Tolan @QueenBee

His pro-choice myth.

April Lavender @AprilReporter1955

Go on…

Edwina Tolan @QueenBee

I have got proof from two Bryce exs that he ordered them to have abortions.

April Lavender @AprilReporter1955

Proof?

Edwina Tolan @QueenBee

Baby scan proof. Sent them to a private clinic to avoid bad publicity. All during his pro-choice rantings about that dead cheerleader.

April Lavender @AprilReporter1955

Wow, can you email me the scans?

Edwina Tolan @QueenBee

No. Shall only meet face-to-face. I’m at my holiday lodge in Aviemore.

‘Great, another trip north. That woman’s a control freak. And I’ll need to take the bloody car this time as she’s in the back of beyond.’ April was moaning to herself when she was interrupted by her ringing mobile.

‘Miss Lavender, it’s your number one police confidant,’ DCI Crosbie said loftily.

‘Hello, detective,’ April replied in her usual cheery manner. ‘Do you have a nice little story for me?’

‘No. I have an April Lavender-sized story – i.e. fucking huge,’ Crosbie replied, straight-faced.

‘Oh, you are a cheeky one,’ replied April, who was not only used to insults, but also familiar with DCI Crosbie’s Tourette’s syndrome manner.

‘Do you remember that washed-up DJ you interviewed in Inverness recently? The one who had been shagging Bryce Horrigan and probably anything else that moved,’ Crosbie said.

‘Lacey Lanning? Of course. Why?’ April asked.

‘I’ll tell you why. The stupid cow has only gone missing,’ Crosbie said.

‘Oh no!’ April said, the colour draining from her face. ‘She left a voicemail last night saying she desperately needed to speak to me. She had something important to tell. She promised to call me after her show. I fell asleep in my chair waiting for the phone to ring. She never called back. I was going to call her again this morning.’

‘You’re not going to get her. Her phone is in her car, and there’s no sign of Lacey,’ Crosbie explained. ‘I’m assured she wouldn’t have walked out on her job at the radio station, as I understand it was something of a last chance saloon as far as her career goes. Have you still got the voicemail message from her?’ he asked hopefully.

‘Here’s the thing, I went to listen back to it this morning and it’s been deleted. I could have done it accidentally but I specifically remember pressing the “number two” to save it as I knew it was important.’

‘And I thought it was only journalists who hacked people’s phones. Anyway, we’re going public with it later today, but thought I’d give you a heads-up first. Just keep me in the loop if she gets in contact, would you?’ Crosbie asked.

‘Thanks. I’ll tell the newsdesk. You caught me just in time. I’m actually heading back up north shortly. Aviemore this time, to interview Edwina Tolan. Pasty’s mum. Yet another of Bryce Horrigan’s ex-lovers. There seems to be plenty of them about.’

‘Mind me asking what the story is?’

‘You know I’m not supposed to, but if you promise not to breathe a word to anyone else?’

‘Cross my arsehole and hope to die,’ Crosbie replied.

‘Think you got your idiom a wee bit muddled there, but anyway, Edwina says Bryce ordered his lovers to have abortions. Can you imagine that? The courageous campaigner for women’s rights,’ April said excitedly.

‘You do love a bit of scandal, don’t you? Well, stay in touch. Especially if you hear anything about Lacey. And be careful on the A9. It’s deadly. As the Doors once sang, “Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon my cock”.’

‘Er, I don’t think they did actually. But thanks all the same for your concern,’ April smiled. She reminded herself to DM Connor with the developments before heading for her car.