Clickbait, p.23
Clickbait, page 23
Tom
Financially?
Dale
Yes. I didn’t realize at first. No one likes to admit they’ve made a bad decision, and this was Ed Lancaster – he played for England and was a top Premier League goalscorer, and he was on the TV all the time talking about looking after young footballers. He was the best agent out there. Or so I thought when I was fifteen and he was interested in me.
I was an idiot!
Tom
Can you talk me through how you met Ed?
Dale
Like I said, I was fifteen. I’d had some trials for the youth teams at some of the top clubs but I’d signed for Crystal Palace the year before. They weren’t the biggest club maybe, but they had a top youth set-up and pathway to the first team, you know? Anyway, things were looking really good for me. I thought I’d go all the way.
Then Ed turns up at one of my training sessions, and he’s a famous footballer and always on the TV, and my dad can’t believe it. Me and my dad signed a contract sitting in the back of his Merc that afternoon.
It was all good at first. I stayed on the youth teams for a while and then Ed got me a professional contract at Crystal Palace, but I wasn’t making any money. Ed set it up so the club paid him and then he’d take his cut and pay me the rest. And his cut was a lot. I wasn’t making anything like the money the other players were making.
I tried talking to Ed and Lynn about it, but they both harped on about doing what was best for me and trusting them. They told me they were investing my money for me, but I just wanted to earn what my teammates were getting. I think maybe it affected my training, and that’s why I wasn’t getting my shot. I kept trying to talk to Ed and Lynn about where exactly my money was being invested and when I’d get to see it, but they always fobbed me off. That was the other thing I wanted to talk to Ed about at the party.
So, after a few drinks, I decided I had to corner Ed. He wasn’t happy and pretty much threatened to end my career. He kept saying I’d signed a contract and there was nothing he or I could do about it. I was upset and really angry, and I went into the garden for a bit to calm down.
Cassie
Did you see something happen to Bradley?
Dale
No. Nothing like that. I sat on a bench by myself and then after a bit someone came up and asked if I’d seen Taylor. I hadn’t. He asked if I was all right and sat down and I sort of offloaded on him. Had this massive rant about Ed and the contract I was stuck in and how unfair it was.
The bloke was really nice. He told me that no contract was unbreakable and that he was sure if I took it to a solicitor they could give me some advice and I could find a different agent. I told him it was pointless though because Ed was friends with everyone. Ed had these meetings in Portugal where he took all the football managers, scouts, coaches, all the people who could make or break your career. I heard it was limitless booze and women all weekend. Everyone came away loving Ed.
So even if I could get out of the contract with him and maybe move clubs, it wouldn’t matter because my career would be over. Ed would make sure of that.
The bloke was really nice about it. Thought it sounded well dodgy, and said he knew Ed and would talk to him.
Then he got up to leave and I went and found my friends.
Tom
And the bloke, you think this could have been Bradley?
Dale
Yeah, I do. It was dark and I was fuming so I wasn’t really paying attention, but when I saw Bradley’s photo on the news the following week, I thought he looked familiar.
Cassie
It’s exactly the kind of thing Bradley would do – ask someone if they’re all right. He hated injustice. It’s why he wanted to study law.
Oh my God. That’s what happened, isn’t it? He went to confront Ed. Then Ed and Lynn killed him to stop him telling anyone that Ed was scamming his clients.
Ed had this massive image of being this great guy, and it’s the perfect cover if you think about it. Footballers desperate for a shot at the big time sign with him in a flash, and the whole time he’s screwing them over and keeping the money for himself.
Badru
Dale, have you told any of this to DS Ewings?
Dale
Not yet. I’m going there next. I just wanted to tell Tom first. No offence, but if anyone is going to find out what happened here, it’s probably him.
I just want to say … I’m sorry, Cassie. I shouldn’t have let Lynn convince me to lie and I should’ve twigged sooner that Bradley going to talk to Ed might’ve been connected to him going missing. If I was in any way responsible for his death, then I’m sorry.
Tom
You couldn’t have known what would happen to Bradley and you couldn’t have stopped it, Dale. Only Ed and Lynn could’ve done that. But you’re helping us get answers and justice for Bradley now.
Cassie, are you ready to go inside? If you need a minute, that’s OK.
Cassie
I’m ready.
Tom Isaac Investigates: What really happened to Bradley Wilcox?
Episode 14: Why was Bradley killed? We find the motive! (cont.)
PUBLISHED ON YOUTUBE AND SPOTIFY: FRIDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 2023
LOCATION: OUTSIDE LANCASTER HOME, HAMPTON WICK, WEST LONDON
INTERVIEW BETWEEN TOM ISAAC, CASSIE WILCOX AND BADRU ZUBIRA
[Footsteps]
[Keys jangling]
Tom
We’re just stepping into the entrance hall. It feels a bit weird being back here again after the last time. I can’t imagine how you must be feeling, Cassie. Does the house feel strange to you?
Cassie
It’s just cold, I think. No one has had the heating on for months.
Badru
Police officers searched the house and took items into evidence in September after Lynn’s death, and again last month after Bradley’s remains were discovered, so it’s extremely unlikely that we’ll find anything today, but as a precaution can I ask you both to put these gloves on?
Tom
Sure. Of course.
Let’s look in the living room first.
I’ve got to say, I’ve watched the party video so many times now I forgot the decor has changed. It’s so different from how I remember it.
Cassie
This big white corner sofa used to be a gold and red tapestry-style three-piece suite, which at the time I thought was the nicest piece of furniture I’d ever seen in my life, but looking back it was very nineties. Everyone had their designated place to sit. Ed always sat in the armchair and Taylor always curled up on the left of the three-seater. India used to get really annoyed when I was there and took her spot in the middle beside Taylor.
There’s less clutter than there used to be too, but I think I preferred it how it was. It looked like a home. Now, with the white walls and polished floors, it all feels a bit clinical.
Tom
I think the walls and floors might be about getting good lighting for filming, but I totally agree that it looks like a film set. Probably because that’s exactly what it is.
I used to think when I watched Living with the Lancasters that the show was built around the family, but now I think that the family was built around the show. Does that make sense?
Cassie
Totally. Like they’ve been prepped their whole lives to play a part.
Tom
Exactly.
Shall we sit for a second? Is that OK? I know we’re here to look around but I’d really like to talk to you about what Locke told me in our last interview relating to your friendship with Taylor.
Badru
I’ve got some emails to reply to. I’ll be in the kitchen. Let me know when you’re ready to look around.
[Pause]
Cassie
Locke is right. I was a total bitch in the last few years of my friendship with Taylor. I did pick on her and make her give me her clothes that she didn’t wear and ignore her sometimes. Obviously, it was all jealousy. Ed and Lynn were always so nice to me. No one in the family ever made me feel poor, but I knew I was. I used to get so angry that everything came so easily to Taylor.
She had the acting classes and got the lead roles in the school play. She had no idea how lucky she was, and I wanted it all. I didn’t realize how lucky I was to have a great brother and two parents who loved me until it all got snatched away.
I was a horrible person, but the day Bradley didn’t come home changed me. I should’ve told you what I was really like in our first interview. And I should’ve told you that Taylor and I were best friends but that we fell out all the time. I didn’t want you or anyone watching to think less of me. I didn’t want you to think I wasn’t worthy of help.
Tom
Oh, Cassie, of course I still would’ve helped you.
Cassie
[Crying]
Well, I know that now because you’re lovely.
Tom
Shall we look around?
Cassie
No, wait. There’s something else I have to say. The police questioned me about Lynn’s death. They found out that I was here the night Lynn died.
Tom
You were here when Lynn was murdered?
Cassie
Not in the house, but parked on the road. It’s difficult to explain. It’s not the first time I’ve driven here at night. I’ve done it for years. Ever since I moved back to London to look after Dad. I think at one point early on, I wanted to confront Lynn about what happened to Bradley, but I could never get up the courage to knock on the door.
I’ve driven here and sat in my car a hundred times over the years. I think it was also to be close to the last place Bradley was seen. I don’t know. But I never got out of my car. I never actually spoke to Lynn. Probably because I knew she’d never tell me anything.
It’s messed up. I’m messed up.
Tom
You’re not messed up, you’re human.
Cassie
[Sighs]
That’s what my therapist says. I was talking to her on the phone while I was parked here the night Lynn died. It must have been about eleven. She records all of our sessions and so the police were able to confirm that I was talking to her here and during my drive home. There’s no way I could’ve broken into the house and confronted Lynn while on the phone and you can hear me walking into my house while I’m talking.
They’ve got me on traffic cameras coming home around midnight too, which was before the time they think Lynn died.
Tom
OK, I get that you weren’t involved in Lynn’s death, but you do realize you could’ve seen something that night?
Cassie
The police already asked me, but I didn’t see anything.
Do you think there was something to see? You think Taylor is innocent?
Tom
I really don’t know. I’m keeping an open mind. That’s my job. Can you tell me everything you remember from the night of Lynn’s death? Did you see a black car, for instance?
Cassie
No, not that I remember. It was really quiet. The press were all standing on the pavement outside the house so I parked quite a way off. I don’t remember seeing any cars. There were a few dog walkers and a runner. That’s it. Nothing suspicious. No one turning into the Lancaster driveway.
Tom
So maybe that rules out Locke. Come on. Are you ready to look around?
Cassie
Yes, I’m ready.
Tom
Over here.
Badru, we’re ready to start snooping.
Badru
That’s the official term for it now, is it?
Tom
For sure.
So that’s where India sat that night, sneakily watching the party, and if we walk down here, we find the snug.
[Door opening]
Which I didn’t even know about. I can’t remember ever seeing it on any of the episodes of the show. In fact, does this room feel different to you than the rest of the downstairs?
Cassie
What do you mean?
Tom
We’ve got the gorgeous tiles, that beautiful open-plan kitchen and all the white in the living room. We both just said that it feels like a set, and then we have this. A poky room with pine bookshelves and a sofa that’s as old as I am. A red patterned rug on a carpeted floor. Look at those tassels on the rug. It’s so nineties, just like you said about the old living room.
And check out the dust in here. Even after the months of sitting empty, the rest of the house still feels spotless.
Cassie
It’s like no one has set foot in this room for years.
Badru
I know what you’re thinking, but Cassie, after we found Bradley’s remains, the entire house had a full forensic search, including this room, and no blood or other evidence was found.
Tom
Let’s look upstairs. I want to look in India’s room.
[Pause]
[Footsteps]
Tom
Here’s another film-set style room for you. Dark grey walls with fairy lights around the edge and those faux-fur cushions on top of crisp white bedding. A bit like an upmarket hotel room.
Cassie
What are we looking for?
Tom
This is probably nothing, but do you remember India with a recording device as a child?
Cassie
Yes. She carried it with her everywhere and then would write up what she recorded in a notebook. It drove Lynn and Taylor crazy.
Tom
That’s what Locke and Taylor said too. And India said she used to hide the notebook in her built-in wardrobe.
I’m going to open it up now. For those listening on the podcast, there is a massive wardrobe on one side of the room, but over here on the opposite side are two doors that open into a small built-in space. I’m opening it now and can see a rail of clothes – mostly dinner dresses – and shelves to the left and right.
India said she used to make a den in here on the floor with her duvet so it would make sense that her hiding place is somewhere in reach of the floor.
Cassie
Taylor was always looking for the notebooks but never found them.
[Pause]
Tom, I think we should look—
Tom
Javi, can you get a bit closer? I know there’s not much space in here.
Cassie
Have you found something?
[Pause]
Tom, what is it?
Tom
I’ve found a loose bit of skirting board in the corner of the wardrobe. It’s just wedged into place rather than stuck to the wall.
If I can just …
[Pause]
Yes, it’s coming loose. There’s some paper and— Oh my God, notebooks.
Black pocket-sized notebooks. They look pretty full. They must be India’s diaries.
Badru
May I see?
Tom
Yes, of course.
Badru
I’ve got a lot of what look like conversation transcripts.
Cassie
Are there any from the night of the party?
Badru
I’m afraid I need to take these into evidence now.
Tom
Do you think we could get some copies first?
[Pause]
No, of course not. Stupid idea.
LOCATION: TOM’S STUDY
Tom
Today was another big discovery at the Lancaster home. We don’t know yet what the diaries say and what answers they might contain, but we know from Dale that Bradley found out about Ed’s financial exploitation of young footballers and probably confronted him.
And from the party video, we can guess that Lynn stepped in to smooth things out and probably spiked his drink with Zalpodine and left him sleeping in the snug.
What happened next?
How did Bradley die?
Is his death connected to Lynn’s?
