‘What?’
‘You said he’d bought a new van, what was up with his old one?’ asked Robin with urgency.
‘Rob, are you OK?’
‘Just answer me Jack,’ hissed Robin impatiently.
‘He–he said his old van was sold for scrap… Why? Robin what’s the matter?’
‘Gotta go.’ Robin ended the call. With a pounding chest, he climbed inside his Range Rover and drove towards Adrian’s work yard with grim determination.
It didn’t take him long to catch up to the van and trailer. Luckily there was a car in front of Robin’s Range Rover, so Adrian wouldn’t notice he was being followed. Eventually, Adrian’s van turned left at a junction, leaving the car in front to set off in the opposite direction. Robin stayed behind the van at a reasonable distance, all the while adrenalin was pumping through his veins. A film of perspiration covered his skin at what he suspected he was about to uncover.
Robin waited discreetly at the side of the road whilst watching Adrian drive into his work unit. There was quite a lot of land at the back of the property. He noticed an outbuilding and an old garage at the rear end. He slowly drove closer to get a better look but stopped immediately when Adrian jumped out of his van and into a car parked next to it. Robin ducked his head down as Adrian began to drive past his Range Rover.
Taking a deep breath, he got out warily, looking around and making sure the coast was clear before quickly jogging into the yard. He glanced through the window at the front of the building, checking nobody was inside. It was empty. Then he made his way round the back. He tried the door of the outbuilding but it was locked. Walking to the side, he saw transparent panelling at the end of the roof. An old oil drum stood nearby and he pushed it to the edge of the building wall, climbing onto it to hitch himself up onto the roof. Looking through the translucent plastic, all he saw was machinery, obviously the outbuilding was just used for storage.
After getting down carefully, Robin then went to the garage behind the building. Wooden and clearly in need of repair, he easily pushed the doors open and stood in shock at what he’d found.
A white transit van.
What’s more, it had a large dent on the bonnet. Robin froze, gulping at the sight before him. He had to clear his head and act quickly. Taking his mobile, he pressed the camera on and took several pictures of the van, particularly the registration number. Then he speedily closed the doors behind him and ran back to his Range Rover at breakneck speed. He couldn’t be caught by Adrian if he came back, or anyone else that might be on these premises.
Panting, he leapt into the driver’s seat and drove back, his mind rattling with what he’d discovered. A white transit van, with a dent in it. It had obviously been involved in some kind of collision – not sold for scrap as Adrian had told Jack. He cast his mind back to Adrian’s strange behaviour and refusal of money. Was it all out of guilt?
Once back at the cottage, he sat on the doorstep, forcing himself to calm down. He then took his phone out again, this time to search the internet. He soon found the article he wanted.
Man Killed in Hit-and-Run Accident
Lancashire Constabulary are appealing for any eyewitnesses inconnection to the death of Thomas Boyd, who was killed in a hit-and-runaccident on Friday night. The collision took place at approximatelyeleven p.m. outside The Mariners public house on the high street inCarston. A white transit van collided into Mr Boyd, rendering him deadon impact. The vehicle sped off in a northerly direction.
Mr Boyd leaves a widow, Jasmine Boyd. Police are urging the public tocome forward with any information.
Lancashire Evening Standard, 9 October 2021
Oh my God. It had to be the very same van. It all added up: Adrian’s skittish behaviour, not taking Jasmine’s money, lying about his van… What the hell was he to do?
Just then Jack arrived, and he stopped short at seeing Robin sat on the doorstep looking pale and shaken.
‘Rob, what’s going on?’ He crouched down to look at him.
‘Jack, I’ve… found something out…’
‘What, mate?’ asked Jack with concern.
‘It’s Adrian Hall, he killed Jasmine’s husband,’ he whispered.
Jack’s eyes bulged in shock.
‘What?’
‘He lied about his old van. I’ve just seen it. Look, here.’ He showed Jack the photographs he’d taken. Jack let out a gasp, lost for words. ‘See, look at that, Jack—’ Robin pointed out the dented bonnet, ‘that’ll be where he hit him.’
‘But… we can’t just assume—’
‘Adrian said he’d sold his old van for scrap!’ cut in Robin, making Jack halt.
‘Yes, he did,’ he conceded. He inhaled deeply before looking Robin in the eye. ‘So, what do we do now, tell Jasmine?’
