Old Bones Read Online Free PDF Page A

understand.’
    â€˜Nearly a million copies, all in, and there’s talk of film rights.’
    â€˜Very successful then.’
    â€˜Yeah, and a good earner. I worked very closely with Jeff, and he was very generous. Half the royalties he paid over.’
    â€˜I see,’ de Lacy answered, thinking quickly as he realised that Whadcoat’s purpose in talking to him was simple extortion. ‘Unfortunately my publishers have been taken over by a bigger firm and they’d decided to drop the project, so I’m afraid I won’t be doing as well as Mr Tupper.’
    Whadcoat didn’t answer immediately, but as they turned into Brewer Street he once again took hold of de Lacy’s elbow, now pinching hard as he spoke again, his voice no longer calm and business-like but full of menace.
    â€˜You’d better be telling the truth, de Lacy, because we can check up on this and if you’re not you might find yourself in difficulty. We want three-quarters too, and I know how this stuff works. They paid you an advance, didn’t they, ten grand, and you get to keep that, don’t you?’
    â€˜Well, er … yes, but I’ve already promised half of that to Victor Hodges.’
    â€˜Not my problem. That’s my money, de Lacy you little ponce, every last fucking penny of it, and you’re going to hand it over, aren’t you?’
    De Lacy responded with a nervous nod, wanting only to escape.
    As de Lacy approached Solsbury University he weighed he weighed the advantages and disadvantages of reporting his encounter with Mark Whadcoat to Susan McIntyre. He had been threatened, but he had no proof, allowing Whadcoat and no doubt Hodges to deny everything. There was also the possibility that Whadcoat’s researches might expose the fact that the book had never existed, but again there was nothing he could do about it, while the facts were sure to come out once Hodges had been arrested. That in turn brought up a number of alarming possibilities, and as he parked the Jaguar he was earnestly wishing he’d never approached Hodges in the first place. It had seemed a good idea at the time, and had certainly provided a shortcut in allowing him to prove his theory, but it not been strictly necessary and becoming involved with Mark Whadcoat was a high price to pay for what he now saw as little more than showing off to Susan McIntyre. Going to her for help would ruin that effect, while it was almost certainly pointless in any case.
    He has asked her to meet him at a precise time and place, in the university car park, but he was a few minutes early and there was no sign of her. For a long moment he stood looking at the buildings of Solsbury University, a jumble of red brick and yellow stone structures in the Victorian style rising above newer, lower buildings to create an almost organic effect that seemed to creep towards the enormous car park rather than be bounded by it. The museum at least was pure unadulterated Victorian Gothic, and de Lacy allowed himself a smile as he considered what an appropriate setting it made for his revelation.
    A blue Mini had pulled up nearby and Sergeant McIntyre stepped in, looking far from official in jeans and a baggy T-shirt with her fine blonde hair moving in time with  the breeze. De Lacy greeted her with an extended hand and a cheerful smile, to which she responded with a question.
    â€˜Why the university?’
    â€˜All will be revealed,’ de Lacy assured her, ‘but as we walk, I’m sure you’d appreciate a little background?’
    â€˜Yes, I would.’
    Ignoring her slightly impatient tone, de Lacy started toward the university buildings, talking as he walked.
    â€˜As you may know, Solsbury University was originally founded as a medical college during the Napoleonic wars, although most of the older buildings date from the 1850s. These include the museum, which houses specimens going back to the late eighteenth