Sutcliffe carefully put the letter back in the envelope inside the bag. “Your agent doesn’t seem to think that the falland the letters are connected.”
“Do you think they are?” Newt asked.
“It’s possible. If it is the same person who changed that hold on the rock, they’ll be frustrated you survived and showing that frustration in the letters. But my colleague is right. The letters are unpleasant but not threatening. Of course, that could be because whoever is sending them wants to unsettle you and not risk tying themselves to the attempted murder, if that’s what it was. Your agent gave us a list of people who know you live here. I’ll read it out. Tell me a little about them and if anyone is missing from the list.” Sutcliffe read it out.
Newt wondered if River would give them Sean’s name, but he didn’t. Only a few names were added to the list the police had. The window cleaner, a windscreen repair company, Dila’s crew…
River shook his head. “More than I thought.”
“Can you get the letter checked for prints?” Newt asked. “DNA from saliva?”
“The envelope looks like a peel and press,” Pierce said.
“What next?” River asked Sutcliffe.
“We’ll hopefully interview the film crew we’ve not yet been able to speak to. Get samples of their handwriting. For the time being, be cautious. If the letters become more directly threatening, we can escalate the investigation. If you think of anything else that might be useful, contact us.” Sutcliffe offered his card.
Newt came back after he’d let them out of the gate. “Well, that was a waste of time. Be cautious? I mean, what the fuck? Someone tried to kill you. And that was a vile letter.”
River shrugged. “Just words.”
As long as they stayedjust words.
“We’re being careful. But don’t want to start…stay in house all the time.”
Newt looked at the window. “It’s a filthy day. Grey and rainy. Depressing.”
“Stay home today then.”
“Max has sent the questions he’s going to plant with the press. We need to work out what you want to say and you can practise.”
“Then we have fun?”
Newt laughed. “I’ll think of something to do tomorrow.”
“I’ve thought of something to do today.” River grinned.
Inevitably, they started with River’s fun and after they’d showered, Newt persuaded him to work on a few of the answers.
“First question is the most obvious. How are you feeling?”
“I’m feeling great, thank you.”
“That was quite a fall.”
“Luckily, I have a hard head.”
Newt smiled. “That sounded perfect. Here’s another. Any wedding bells for you and Dila?”
“She won’t let me have the TV remote, so no. Big…biggest issue is she doesn’t have a cock.”
Newt put his head in his hands, his shoulders shaking as he laughed.
While River was making lunch, Newt completed the application for a passport even though he suspected he’d never get the chance to use it. But if River asked, he wanted to say he’d done it.
Then he called Phelan.
“Newt!”
