‘OK, Clove, you should lead in gently with this,’ Cristy instructed. ‘If you manage to speak to her, simply say that we’re doing a podcast about the case as it unfolded back in the mid-Noughties, nothing about the investigation we’re conducting now.’
‘I know the drill,’ Clove reminded her, and as soon as Jacks had the number ringing, she sat forward, closer to the mic.
FEMALE VOICE: ‘Hi, you’ve reached Lizzie Patten’s mobile. Please leave a message and I’ll get back to you when I can.’
CLOVE: ‘Hi, Ms Patten, my name’s Clover St Jean. I’m calling from the podcastHindsight.Our presenters Cristy Ward and Connor Church would really appreciate having a chat with you about the Nicole Ivorson case, which I believe you worked while you were with Avon and Somerset Police.
‘I’ll text all our contact details to this number as soon as I ring off. Hope to hear from you soon. We’re around all weekend – weekdays too, obviously. Thanks. Once again, my name is Clover St Jean.’
They heard nothing back from Elizabeth Patten either that day or the next two, as they continued to script, brief, view, edit and research ready for Tuesday. Meena brought in supplies both days and generally made herself useful, while Harry entertained himself with a deep dive into UK cults and Iz organized a video chat with the supersleuths for three o’clock on Sunday.
As soon as that particular briefing was over, Cristy and Connor drove to her flat to meet Honey Blackwell. It was still just about light when they got there, but the sky was low and grey, the air damp and unpleasantly warm for the time of year.
Almost as soon as Cristy had turned on the lights and they’d taken off their coats, the doorbell rang, announcing Honey’s arrival.
‘Thanks for meeting us here,’ Cristy said, leading her through to the sitting-room-cum-kitchen. ‘There’s a lot going on at the studios today … You got my WhatsApp about us starting uploads on the backstory this Tuesday?’
‘Yes, yes,’ Honey assured her, looking around admiringly. ‘I’ve always wondered what these places were like inside,’ she said, ‘and it turns out they’re much bigger and lighter than I expected.’
‘Even better when there’s some sun,’ Cristy said wryly.
‘Actually, meeting here saved me unlocking the office and putting the heating on,’ Honey said, settling comfortably at one end of a sofa. Noticing the recording equipment on the coffee table, she said worriedly, ‘If you’re planning to record this …’
‘Only if you’ve got something we can use,’ Cristy assured her. ‘Otherwise, ignore it – it’s just something we never go anywhere without.’
Seeming to accept that, Honey opened up her briefcase and pulled out a legal pad along with three sharpened pencils.
‘Have you had anything back from the archives yet?’ Cristy pressed, disappointed not to see some files.
‘Some,’ Honey replied. ‘I’m afraid I can’t hand anything over to you, but I can tell you that there’s nothing so far about Claude Major or anyone of similar name.’
Frustrated, Cristy said, ‘So are you saying he mightnothave been interviewed by the police?’
‘I still have a way to go, so it’s too early to be definitive. At the same time, we have to keep in mind that the CPS might not have handed everything over. It happens sometimes – actually more often than it should. Nevertheless, I’ll keep looking.’
‘Do you have any idea yet,’ Cristy asked, ‘when you’re next seeing, or speaking to Nicole?’
‘We don’t have anything in the diary at the moment,’ Honey confessed, ‘but Maeve has asked me to call her on Tuesday or Wednesday. She’s going to let me know what works best for her.’
‘Do you know if there’s anything in particular she wants to discuss?’ Cristy queried.
‘She probably wants an update on what you guys are doing – and I’ll take the opportunity to ask if she’ll speak to you directly.’
‘OK, great.’ Cristy grimaced as she considered what had to come next. ‘I’m afraid I have a slightly awkward question for you before we go any further,’ she said. ‘We need to be certain that you – on behalf of Nicole – aren’t in discussions with one of the major newspapers or TV stations to speak exclusively to them further down the line?’
Honey looked up from her notepad in surprise.
Cristy waited. Catching her off-guard like this wasn’t kind; however, it was a pretty foolproof way of finding out if there was any double-play going on that they needed to know about.
Fortunately, Honey showed no signs of artifice or hedging or even embarrassment, only pique as she said, ‘I’m sorry you felt the need to ask that. I’d have thought me being herewould have put your minds at rest, but as it hasn’t, let me assure you that neither I, nor anyone at my firm, is talking to anyone else about this case. As you know, any suggestion of press contact, or of trying to row back on the confession, could have disastrous results for Nicole.’ She paused, eyes still flashing. ‘I will admit, however, that we’ve been approached by one or two organizations with some startling sums.’
Accepting the rebuke as well deserved, Cristy said, ‘Have you passed the offers on to Nicole?’
‘I have to, but I can tell you that money is the least of her concerns. She’s too relieved to be starting the journey towards freedom to have the process sabotaged now by getting involved with someone trying to buy her story. What matters to her, to all of us, is finding out what really happened to her twins.’
‘Has she finally shared any theories on what might have?’ Connor asked.
‘Not yet, but I think she will once she’s convinced you can be trusted.’
