A Room Full of Killers, Michael Wood [best books for students to read txt] 📗

‘I’m sure it did, but that was not at this school,’ he seemed quick to add that Hellesdon High School was not to blame for the making of a murderer.

‘Is there anyone else I could speak to who you think could help me find out more about Ryan Asher.’

‘Not that I can think of. Oh, wait, yes there is. Ryan was in the scouts for a while. You could speak to the scout leader. I believe there was an incident which led to Ryan being excluded from the group. He’d know all about it.’

Faith frantically searched her desk for a pen. ‘Do you have his contact details?’

‘I do, actually. He’s helped out with our school fetes a number of times.’

Faith took down the details, thanked Geoffrey Hillingdon for his time and hung up the phone.

‘Get anywhere?’ Sian asked.

‘I’m not sure. I’ve got another person to try. How’s it going at home?’ she asked, nodding at the mobile phone in Sian’s hand.

‘The carpet and sofas will have to be dumped but the rest of the furniture should be OK. There’s nothing we can do until all the water has gone and it’s dried out. Stuart’s been taking photos and videos for the insurance people. That carpet’s only been down a few months.’

‘Oh, Sian, I’m sorry. If there’s anything I can do.’

Before Sian could say anything her office phone began to ring. She smiled at Faith and was pleased the phone rang when it did as tears were welling up in her eyes.

‘DS Mills, CID,’ she said into the phone.

‘Hello, yes, I believe you’ve been asking after me,’ the voice was soft and shaking.

‘I’m sorry?’

‘I’m, well, I used to be Belinda Asher. I’m Ryan Asher’s mum.’

RYAN ASHER

Norwich. February 2016

I was in the kitchen making a sandwich and I overheard Mum and Dad talking. I wasn’t purposely listening, they never said anything worth listening to anyway, but one thing caught my interest. Dad had taken Gran to the bank that morning to get some money out for her holiday. She’d withdrawn five grand in cash. Dad was fuming. He said it wouldn’t be safe for an elderly couple to have that much money on them. Mum defended them; they were her parents after all. She said they didn’t believe in things like credit cards and traveller’s cheques. They preferred to deal with cash wherever possible.

It must have been the mention of the cash that pricked my ears up. Five thousand pounds. My grandparents had five thousand pounds in cash in their house.

They’d been talking about this holiday for ever. It was to be their last holiday as they were getting really old now, and they wanted to make it a memorable one. On their honeymoon, fifty-odd years ago, they went to a small village in the south of France. They couldn’t afford much back then but they wanted to go back, and now they were planning to stay in a swanky hotel.

I started properly listening to Mum and Dad talking about Gran and Grandad’s holiday plans. The night before they were due to go they decided to go out for a meal rather than cook. The house would be empty. That was when I’d go and help myself. It was only five grand, my grandparents were loaded, and Mum and Dad wouldn’t see them miss their holiday either. Besides, Grandad had been getting a bit forgetful lately; they’d probably put it down to him losing it. It was a victimless crime.

The table at the French restaurant was booked for eight. Just before nine I made some excuse about needing to go round to Jenson Bright’s house to get my homework back. Gran and Grandad didn’t live far away from us, only a few minutes’ walk. I was at the back door bang on eight thirty. I’d nicked the spare key from the hook on my way out. It was all going smoothly.

I pulled the balaclava out of my back pocket and pulled it over my head. I wasn’t going to bother wearing one but then wondered about someone seeing me run away. I had every angle covered. I unlocked the kitchen door and waited for the alarm to start beeping. It didn’t. Typical. They hated the alarm and hardly ever set it. This was going to be so easy.

I went into the living room and looked in the sideboard, but didn’t find anything. It wasn’t in any of the kitchen drawers, or the hallway either. It had to be upstairs. I tiptoed up. I knew they weren’t in, but that Mrs Cole next door was a nosey bugger. If she heard a noise she’d be straight on the phone to my mum.

I got the shock of my life when I opened their bedroom door and found them both in bed fast asleep. What the hell!? They must have changed their mind. I remember Mum talking to Gran on the phone earlier. Gran must have said she wasn’t feeling too well but Mum said they should go out and enjoy themselves. They obviously decided to have an early night instead.

Grandad always takes sleeping tablets as he’s a really light sleeper, so he wouldn’t be a problem; Gran could be. She often complained about getting cramp during the night and waking her up. I’d have to be very careful.

I went into the bedroom and slowly opened the drawers. I couldn’t see much as it was dark but I had a feel. There was nothing that felt like five grand. There was only one place left to try – the bedside cabinets. I’d come this far. It would be daft to leave now.

Grandad was snoring loudly; he was obviously in a deep sleep. I ducked down and crawled to the bedside cabinet. I eased the drawer open just wide enough to get my hand inside. I felt around and touched an envelope. It was full. It had to be the money. I was touching it. I was actually holding five thousand