Page 54 of Fe
“Then you won’t mind if we search you and your things?” Charles pushed to his feet.
“Of course not.” Fen’s heart was hammering. “Scott too?”
“Yes,” Alistair said.
“Did you tell him that when he was in here?”
“Yes.” Alistair gave a quiet sigh.
“So he’s had time to plant it on me.” Fen glowered.
Charles gasped. “What? How dare you. You’re giving us an excuse for us finding it in your bag.”
Fen’s chest was hurting. He was sure that’s what Scott had done.
“Ask Tara if Scott went into the workroom,” Fen said.
Charles glared. “I want you and Scott in the workroom now.”
The two of them had to turn out their pockets, then their coat pockets. Scott didn’t have a backpack and when Alistair pulled a diamond ring from the front pocket of Fen’s, Fen was appalled but not surprised.
“Tara!” Alistair called. “In here for a moment.”
She came to the door of the workroom. “Yes?”
“Did Scott come into the workroom after he’d left the office?” Alistair asked.
“No. He was in the shop with me.”
“Thank you. Back into the shop, Tara,” Charles said.
Fen was disappointed Scott had been bright enough to make sure he had an alibi. Tara liked Scott. Of course she’d lie for him. Fen knew he’d been judged and found guilty.
“Christ!” Scott widened his eyes as he gaped at Fen. “You’re an idiot.”
Charles and Alistair should have spoken to them both at the same time. Now it was too late.
“Obviously, you’re fired,” Charles snapped.
“I didn’t steal it.”
“Charles,” Alistair said. “Don’t you—”
“Take your things and get out,” Charles told Fen.
Fen saw no point in arguing or protesting his innocence. He went over to his bench and packed up all his tools in the holdall where he stored them.
“Is that yours? That chisel? That file?” Charles stood at his shoulder and kept snapping at him.
Fen was hurt Alistair wasn’t standing up for him, but the ring had been found in his bag, what could Alistair do? When he had his coat and backpack on, he put the holdall over his shoulder and slotted his arm into his crutch.
One last statement and Fen would leave. “I didn’t steal that ring. I think Tara is lying. Probably because Scott asked her to. Scott gambles on his phone when he’s supposed to be working. He’s probably in debt. I don’t owe money to anyone and I’m not a thief.”
Charles made a scoffing sound. “If Mr Belmont wants to inform the police, you’ll have to answer to them. There is no evidence whatsoever that Scott was behind this. Now get out.”
The moment Fen was outside, he turned his phone to silent.
14
