‘Seem?’ Kamran frowned.
‘He was a bit quiet, darling,’ Mum now said. ‘D’you remember? To say he’d been so looking forward to the production, he wasn’t quite as up for it as you might have expected him to be. Actually, said he was a bit tired.’
‘I bet he knows Darren Singleton,’ I said. ‘Because Rob Traynor was arrested as well.’
‘Rob Traynor?’ Mum and Kamran shook their heads.
‘Married to Miss Moorhouse, our games mistress when Robyn and I were at school.’
‘Your old games mistress was there as well?’ Mum sat down again. ‘How come she was there? I always rather liked her…’
‘No, Mum,shewasn’t there, but Rob, her husband, was. He was arrested – I saw the police take him, manhandled him into the van in cuffs. Rob and George certainly know each other – both from the hockey club and down at the gym. So, putting two and two together, George probably knows Darren as well.’
‘What are you trying to say, Jess?’ Kamran was cross. ‘There’s no way George would be mixed up with this drug lot. I’ve met Rob Traynor and, to be honest, his being there doesn’t surprise me. Bit shady…’
‘But he’s married to that nice Carole Moorhouse,’ Mum protested. ‘She was lovely with you, Jess, really encouraged you at hockey…’
‘Mum, I’m sure Ghenghis Khan’s wife was a nice woman. Doesn’t stop you being married to a drug dealer.’ I was feeling tense, needed to get out in the car and look for Joel.
‘Ghenghis Khan was a drug dealer?’
‘Mum!’ I reached for my jacket. ‘I’m going to look for Joel. He can’t have got very far, particularly with those blisters on his feet.’
‘I thought the police said you were under house arrest,’ Mum warned.
‘Oh, God, yes! Look, Mum, can you stay here? In case they come?’
‘But what am I going to say to them?’ Then she nodded, glancing out of the window. ‘My daffs need tying back,’ she said, zipping up her gilet. ‘I knew Dean wouldn’t get round to it. What do I say to them if they do come? The police I mean?’
‘Tell them it was an emergency and I’ll contact them. Robyn,’ I called, ‘we need your car. Vera’s still down at Queen’s Gardens.’
‘I’m here,’ she called back from upstairs. ‘I’m coming. Let’s see if we can find him.’
* * *
‘Gosh,’ Robyn breathed as she fastened herself into her seatbelt. ‘D’you reckon Miss Moorhouse is involved?’
‘Who knows?’ I said. ‘But I knew there was something shady about Rob Traynor. At the gym, when he and George met, they sort of avoided each other. You know, pretended they weren’t friends.’
‘Partners in crime by the sound of it.’ Robyn nodded. ‘I can’t believe what you’re telling me about George,’ she went on. ‘I’d got to really like him. You know, at school? He’s always popping down to the drama studio to watch rehearsals and chat…Andalways asking about you.’
‘Me?’
‘He took you round to look at his new barn, didn’t he?’
‘Only wanted my opinion as to the kitchen.’
‘Right. OK.’ Robyn appeared lost in thought. ‘Well, that’s a shame if it turns out that Georgeisshady…’
‘He’s got no scruples about knocking down St Mede’s,’ I put in.
‘Property developing doesn’t lead to organised crime, Jess. Hey,’ she went on, ‘maybe that’s how the Sattars have made all their money. Hell, d’you think we should be rescuing Mum from them? From the Sattars?’ Robyn was lost in thought. ‘And I thought George really liked you, Jess. As inlike…’ Robyn leered suggestively and, despite my worry over Joel, I laughed.
‘Get out of it…’ I paused, considering. ‘D’you think so?’
‘Definitely.’
‘Yes, but he’s got the fabulous Mina…’
