Did Not Finish by Simon Wood

winner received a thousand pounds. Derek looked to be trying to buy his innocence.
    ‘Are you sure?’ Myles said.
    ‘Deadly,’ he said turning his attention to Myles then back to me. ‘I don’t race for the money.’
    ‘That’s very generous,’ I said.
    Derek shrugged the compliment away. ‘I’m a generous kind of guy. See you at the banquet,’ he said on his way out.
    It was a nice performance. He was responsible for Alex’s death and he was acting magnanimous. His philanthropic gesture would get back to the racing community. He was going to come out smelling like a rose.
    It was getting dark, so I stood up. ‘Look, I’d better go. I need to settle up at Chicane’s before they close.’
    Myles shook my hand before seeing me out.
    By the time I got back to Chicane’s, Chris and Paul had boxed up my order. I paid them and carried the purchases out to the Capri. Derek was leaning against the driver’s door.
    I unlocked the boot and put the box inside. As I came around to the driver’s side, Derek made no move to stand aside.
    ‘That’s a really decent thing you’ve masterminded,’ he said. ‘I didn’t realize you were so philanthropic.’
    Masterminded was an unusual choice of word. Philanthropy is never masterminded. I didn’t point out his poor choice of words.
    ‘It seemed the right thing to do.’
    Derek nodded his agreement. ‘I saw you and Alex chatting on race day. You looked very chummy. I didn’t know you two were so tight.’
    ‘We weren’t.’
    ‘So why the big effort?’
    ‘I know what it’s like to lose someone close.’
    ‘That’s right, your mum and dad. I remember your dad well. I raced against him here in Formula Fords. Did you know that?’
    I shook my head.
    ‘Nice guy. Terrible what happened to your parents. It just goes to show you can’t avoid accidents. Your parents couldn’t and Alex couldn’t.’ Derek stepped out from in front of my driver’s door and opened it for me. As I slid into the seat, he leaned in close and whispered, ‘Careful how you go, Aidy. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you too.’
    I’d just received my first warning.

Lap Seven
    A lex’s parents lived on a tree-lined street in an upscale neighbourhood in Guildford. They lived in an elegant Edwardian era detached house with a double garage and U-shaped gravel driveway. I parked Steve’s Capri alongside the familiar Range Rover I’d seen Mr Fanning drive to race meetings.
    Mr Fanning stood waiting for me on the doorstep. He took my hand and pumped it two-handed. His eyes shone with unspilled tears. ‘Thanks for coming.’
    ‘My pleasure,’ I said.
    He led me into the living room. It was tastefully furnished, if a little dated. Pictures of Alex ranging from when he was a toddler up to very recent covered a table underneath the window. Not one of the photos showed him racing.
    Alison sat on the sofa with her arm around Mrs Fanning. She looked up and gave me a half smile, but Mrs Fanning kept her gaze aimed at the carpet. Alison was an unexpected and unwanted surprise. I knew my presence would be upsetting to the Fannings. I didn’t need to upset Alex’s fiancée too.
    ‘This is Adrian Westlake,’ Mr Fanning said.
    ‘Call me Aidy,’ I replied.
    ‘He’s one of Alex’s racing friends.’
    Mrs Fanning tore her gaze away from the ground to look at me. She murmured a hello before rising to her feet. ‘If you’ll excuse me, I have some things to do.’
    She kept it together until she reached the stairs, then broke into sobs. Alison went to go to her, but Mr Fanning shook his head as he sat alongside Alison.
    ‘Myles says you’re spearheading a collection to buy Alex’s car,’ Mr Fanning said.
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Why?’ Alison asked.
    ‘To make sure the car isn’t raced again. It’s a mark of respect.’
    ‘I don’t think it’s in any condition to be raced,’ Mr Fanning said.
    ‘You’d be surprised. The car could be restored.’
    ‘I’m not sure anyone would want to