Free Deadly Intent by Lynda La Plante Page B

you want to give me your number and I'll call you later?"
Anna hesitated. Then it sank in—he was asking her out. She laughed and shook her head, jotting down her number on a Post-it note.
He stuck it against his wallet. "Until later, then?" He gave her a grin as he walked out.
She was left with a smile on her face. His invitation made her feel good; he was a nice-looking guy. She had no more time to think about it, though, as her phone rang. It was Cunningham asking her to join her in her office: David Rushton had arrived.
The two were already in deep discussion when Anna joined them.
"I am obviously bound by client confidentiality," Rushton was saying. "I'm not prepared to divulge Mrs. Brandons financial situation, other than to say that she is well provided for and has substantial savings for both herself and her children."
"Now she's in line for a heavy pay out on her husband's life insurance policy," Cunningham pointed out.
"I am aware of that, as I myself arranged the life insurance for her husband."
"Why?"
"Why? I don't really think it is any of your business."
"It obviously is. Mr. Brandon has just been murdered."
Rushton paused a moment, then shrugged. "He was working in security as a chauffeur and bodyguard. The insurance was simply a precaution in case he was injured. As it turns out, I made the right decision."
"Who was he working for?"
"1 really don't know. All I knew is what Mr. Brandon told me. In fact, I don't think he had been given the job when we discussed the policy."
Cunningham glanced at Anna. Something wasn't right. "So he mentioned to you that he was going for a job?"
"Yes, I've just said that he was hoping for some work."
"But you have no idea who it was for?"
"No."
Cunningham sighed and doodled on her notepad.
Anna leaned forward. "What can you tell us about Mrs. Brandon's previous partner?"
Rushton tensed.
"You've said she was well provided for, so could you tell us who he was? I suppose we can start checking ourselves. It would be simpler, though, if you helped us a little."
"They were not married."
"Yes, we know that," Anna persisted, "but the children are his, is that correct?"
Rushton chewed his lips."Mr. Rushton, what on earth is the problem? You obviously know who he is, and you've stated that you take care of Mrs. Brandon's finances ..."
"The children were born two years apart, by IVF treatment. Mrs. Brandon's ex-partner is now living in Bermuda."
Cunningham looked to the ceiling. "Terrific. Could we just have a name?"
"He's unlikely to ever return to this country."
Cunningham leaned back, sighing. "His name, Mr. Rushton?"
"Anthony Collingwood .. .Well, that is the name I was told."
"Do you also handle his finances?"
"No, 1 do not. I have no business connection to him whatsoever. In fact, I've never met him."
Cunningham stood up. Rushton looked a litde confused.
"Thank you for your cooperation. I'll no doubt ask you to come in again. DI Travis will show you out." Cunningham left Anna with Rushton, who was now pinkish in the face and flustered.
"I didn't have any business dealings with Mr. Collingwood. I want that made very clear," he stated repeatedly as he left the station.
Anna returned to the incident room. Seeing Cunningham's door ajar, she went to get more details on Collingwood. She was about to knock, then stood listening.
"This case is really blowing sideways on me now. We've gone from a godforsaken drug squat in Chalk Farm to a connection with Christ knows who. 1 need someone from the Drug Squad over here to give me as much as they have on a guy called Collingwood. I've got a bit of a dozy team and could do with some backup."
Anna hung back, unsure whether or not she should make herself visible. Then she froze.
"Well, she's with me, but to be honest, she seems in a daze. I don't know about her being sharp—I haven't seen any sign of it. She seems loath to open her mouth. In fact, I've got a young redheaded DC who seems more on the ball. Whatever happened to her when she was working