Free The Ten Commandments by Anthea Fraser

the phone to Mr Philpott, what did he say?'
    She flushed. 'I didn't listen, sir. A couple had sat down at my desk and I went over to attend to them. The police asked me the same thing, whether Trevor made any note of the man's name or anything, but all he wrote on the pad was: The Stag – nine pm. '
    'The Stag?' Frederick repeated. 'Not the Feathers?'
    'No, sir, the Stag, here in town. He must have arranged to meet the man there and then been – been taken to the Feathers later.' She bit her lip.
    Just as Judd had met someone at the Jester and been taken to the Nutmeg. Yet another similarity. So far, only the voice seemed different.
    Once again, Frederick courteously thanked his informants for their time and, deep in thought, returned with Paul to their car and settled down for the long drive back to Ashmartin.

5
    That same afternoon, Webb received a phone call from DCI Good.
    'Spot of good news, Dave: bloke by the name of Bragg rang in. He's been abroad for a couple of days and has just read all the hoo-ha in the press. Thinks he might have seen our lad arriving at the Nutmeg.'
    'Go on.'
    'Says he was leaving the pub and about to turn left towards Ashmartin when he saw this car approaching at speed with its indicator flashing, and it swerved into the "In" gateway. The chap in the passenger seat was lolling all over the place, only kept in place by his seat belt, by the look of it. Bragg remembers thinking he'd already had more than enough.'
    'Did he get a look at the driver?'
    'No, the passenger was on his side, and anyway it was all ever in seconds.'
    'What time was this?'
    About nine-fifteen, he reckons.'
    'And from his description, Judd was already dead?'
    'I'd say so, or close to it.'
    'What about the car?'
    'More help on that one: light-coloured Ford Escort, three or four years old, sun visor, faulty near-side brake light.'
    'Too much to hope for the reg.?'
    There was a smile in Good's voice. 'Have a heart, Dave. So, we've started another round of inquiries in the town centre and at local garages. Someone might recognize the description.'
    'Ten to one it'll turn out to be stolen.'
    'Even so, there could be bloodstains on the passenger seat.'
    'Well, let's hope the PNC comes up with something. Thanks, Harry.' Webb dropped the phone on its cradle, pushed back his chair and went into the outer office.
    'Come on, Ken, we're off to Ashmartin again.'
    In the car on the way there, Webb told him the latest development. 'I want another word with Mrs Judd,' he finished. 'She should be over the initial shock, and might have remembered something relevant.'
    Jackson slowed the car to allow a couple with a toddler to cross the road. Webb said, 'Sorry to keep you from the family on a Saturday, Ken.'
    'That's all right. Guv. In any case, Millie's taken the kids to her mother's for the weekend.'
    'You should have gone with them?'
    'I'll survive. Had Judd any kids?'
    'Two, I believe, five and seven.'
    They drove in silence into the town, took a left-hand turn before reaching the green, and followed the road uphill past the Queen Elizabeth Hospital to Chestnut Drive, where the Judds lived. The children Webb had just mentioned were playing in the front garden, chasing each other and laughing. Thank God kids were so resilient, he thought as he pushed open the gate.
    His ring was answered by a woman in her fifties. Webb introduced himself and Jackson, and she nodded.
    'I'm Ella's mother. You'd better come in.'
    Ella Judd came into the hall to meet them, drying her hands on her apron.
    'Sorry to trouble you,' Webb said, 'but we've a few more questions. I'm afraid.'
    She led the way into the front room and her mother, after hesitating a moment, went back to the kitchen.
    'Mrs Judd, I'd like you to tell me everything you can about your husband's friends and colleagues. Was there anyone he was particularly close to? At the office, for instance?'
    She pressed her hands together. 'He got on well with all of them, but I wouldn't say he was