Free White Gold by Rachel Amphlett Page B

of the investigation about?’ asked Lowe.
    David shrugged. ‘Your predecessor was worried about the lobbying problems in the United States spreading here. Particularly in relation to viable means of alternative energy.’
    ‘Go on.’
    ‘There’s a lot of scare tactics used there – as well as misinformation, scientists are being paid off by the coal and oil sectors to sell their side of the story.’ David paused and turned to look at Lowe. ‘And he was very concerned that members of our Parliament here might be receiving bribes to hold up the research into alternative energy.’
    Lowe blinked. ‘What have you found so far?’
    David shrugged. ‘Nothing – yet. But one or two energy organisations based overseas with vested interests in the United Kingdom energy supply keep cropping up. Both were targeted by Peter Edgewater in the lecture series he presented and was about to publish. Both are privately owned but by millionaires who, quite honestly, are megalomaniacs.’
    David walked over to his desk and sat down. He picked up his coffee mug, realised it was empty and put it down again in disgust.
    Lowe turned from the window. ‘So, what are your plans?’
    David shrugged. ‘I had wanted to speak with Doctor Edgewater’s ex-wife to see if she could shed any light but she seems to have disappeared – hasn’t been seen at her house near Abingdon for a few days.’
    ‘Perhaps visiting relatives in the circumstances?’ suggested Lowe.
    ‘Perhaps. I hope so. I’d hate to think she was in danger.’
    ‘Any grounds for that assumption?’
    ‘Well, Doctor Edgewater’s house was partially destroyed by an explosion yesterday.’
    ‘ What ?’
    ‘Yes, I know. We’ve told the local police to treat it as a gas explosion – no need to alarm the local community. It destroyed his study though, so it was a very targeted attack. Specialised too – the only damage was to that building.’
    Lowe stuck his hands in his pockets and paced the room.
    ‘I presume the lecture notes were destroyed then?’
    David nodded. Then smiled. ‘Apart from the set we think he posted to his ex-wife.’
    Lowe stopped pacing. ‘Really?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘And you can’t find her?’
    David held up his hand. ‘Relax. As you say, she’s probably just staying with relatives. Let’s face it, she’s had a tough week.’ He stood up. ‘If it makes you feel better, we are watching all the airports for her.’
    Lowe visibly relaxed. ‘Good. Make sure you do. Wouldn’t want any harm coming to her, eh?’ He brushed an imaginary speck of dust off his jacket. ‘Well you seem to have it under control, David. Just keep me informed about any developments.’
    David stood and walked across the room to open the door. ‘I will, Minister. Thank you for dropping by.’

Chapter 10
    Uffington, Oxfordshire
     
    As he drove the car out through the village and down winding country lanes, Dan thought about what he’d learned so far. Sarah was right – Peter must have stumbled across something during his research that he hadn’t yet published but which had endangered his life.
    Hopefully there would be a clue amongst all the papers he’d sent – if Dan could work out what they meant. Whoever was trying to stop his discovery getting out into the public domain was deadly serious about it too, first killing Peter then destroying his house to ensure any incriminating evidence wasn’t discovered. Dan still doubted the police explanation the explosion was caused by a gas leak; in fact he doubted whether the police believed it themselves.
    A lacklustre sky flicked through the tree-lined lane and Dan lifted his foot off the accelerator as he passed over wet leaves. Not far to go now, if his memory served him correctly.
    The road turned sharply and began to rise up a slight incline. Dan changed the gears down and the car surged forward. He winced as the wheels clipped a pothole, the winter frosts carving out more and more of the fragile bitumen with each