The Man Who Died Twice (A Thursday Murder Club Mystery 2) (Richard Osman)

Contents
PARTONE:YourFriendsareSuretoVisit
Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11
Chapter12
Chapter13
Chapter14
Chapter15
Chapter16
Chapter17
Chapter18
Chapter19
Chapter20
Chapter21
Chapter22
Chapter23
Chapter24
Chapter25
Chapter26
Chapter27
Chapter28
Chapter29
PARTTWO:AtTimes,YouWon’tBelieveYourEyes
Chapter30
Chapter31
Chapter32
Chapter33
Chapter34
Chapter35
Chapter36
Chapter37
Chapter38
Chapter39
Chapter40
Chapter41
Chapter42
Chapter43
Chapter44
Chapter45
Chapter46
Chapter47
Chapter48
Chapter49
Chapter50
Chapter51
Chapter52
Chapter53
Chapter54
Chapter55
Chapter56
Chapter57
Chapter58
Chapter59
Chapter60
Chapter61
Chapter62
Chapter63
PARTTHREE:SoManyDayTripsforYoutoEnjoy
Chapter64
Chapter65
Chapter66
Chapter67
Chapter68
Chapter69
Chapter70
Chapter71
Chapter72
Chapter73
Chapter74
Chapter75
Chapter76
Chapter77
Chapter78
Chapter79
Chapter80
Chapter81
Chapter82
Chapter83
Chapter84
Acknowledgements
AbouttheAuthor
RichardOsmanisanauthor,producerandtelevisionpresenter.Hisfirstnovel,TheThursdayMurderClub,wasamillion-copybestseller.CriticshavealreadydescribedTheManWhoDiedTwiceas‘hissecondnovel’.
‘Elegantandwitty…Itisdelightful’DAILYMAIL
‘Agrippingreadandrathermoving’SUNDAYTIMES
‘AsthebodiespileupandmoreisrevealedofthelivesandlovesofJoyce,Ibrahim,RonandElizabeth,youcan’thelpcheeringthemon–andhopingtomeetthemagainsoon’THETIMES
‘Oneofthemostenjoyablebooksoftheyear…Well-written,hilariousandjoyouslybig-hearted’DAILYEXPRESS
‘Pureescapism’GUARDIAN
‘Asgrippingasitisfunny’EVENINGSTANDARD
‘Christie-stylesleuthingwithbrilliantskill’WOMAN&HOME
‘Acharming,cleverdebut’STYLIST
‘Quirky,joyfulandoh-so-British’HEAT
‘Witty,warmandwisewithirresistiblecharacters.Thisisoneofthemostdelightfulnovelsoftheyear’DAILYMIRROR
‘Funnyandoriginal’SUN
‘Awittyandpoignanttale’DAILYTELEGRAPH
‘Keenlyobserved,drilyfunny…Delightafterdelightfromfirstpagetolast’RED
‘Acharmingadventure’HELLO!
‘Anabsolutelydelightfulread…Sofunandcharming’PRIMA
‘Chock-fullofhistrademarkhumourandcharm…Thisisgoingtobehuge’FABULOUS
‘Theintricateplotwillkeepyougripped,butit’sthesmartlydrawncharactersthatarethisstory’sheart’SUNDAYMIRROR
‘Justbrilliant:smart,charmingandwrylyfunny’GOODHOUSEKEEPING
‘RichardOsman’sremarkablyaccomplisheddebutisthatrarething:agenuinelyfunnycomicmysterythatsucceedscompletelyasacrimenovel’IRISHTIMES
‘Joyceandthegangwillbecomeyourfavouritecrime-solvingteaminthiscompellingread’INDEPENDENT
‘It’sthecharactersthatmakeTheThursdayMurderClubsparkle.Eachoneisartfullyandsparinglydrawn…Funny,cleverandmoving,thisdeservestobehuge’METRO
‘Funny,charmingandachinglyBritish’I
‘Smart,funnyandratherlovely…Literarysleuthsyoungandoldwillnotbedisappointed’DAILYTELEGRAPH
‘Blissfullyfunny,oftengenuinelypoignant…Thisisfirst-classentertainmentbysomeonewhoreallyknowshowtowrite’SUNDAYEXPRESS
‘Osmanmixesmirthandmurderinhisexceptionaldebut.[his]wittyproseisahighlight’PUBLISHERSWEEKLY
ToRubyandSonny–I’msoproudandsoluckytobeyourdad.SylviaFinchwondershowmuchlongershecandothis.Onefootinfrontoftheother,hersuedeshoesdarkeningintheautumnpuddles.Deathhangsaboutherlikeafinemist.Itisinherhairandinherclothes.Surelyeveryoneshepassescantell?Willsheeverberidofit?Sylviahopesso,andshealsohopesnot.Whenwasthelasttimesomethingtrulygoodhappened?Somethingthatgavehersomehope?AsSylviakeysinthesecuritycodeforthedoor,thesunbreaksthroughtheclouds.Inshegoes.PartOne
YOURFRIENDSARESURETOVISIT
1
ThefollowingThursday…
‘IwastalkingtoawomaninRuskinCourtandshesaidshe’sonadiet,’saysJoyce,finishingherglassofwine.‘She’seighty-two!’
‘Zimmerframesmakeyoulookfat,’saysRon.‘It’sthethinlegs.’
‘Whydietateighty-two?’saysJoyce.‘What’sasausagerollgoingtodotoyou?Killyou?Well,jointhequeue.’
TheThursdayMurderClubhasconcludeditslatestmeeting.ThisweektheyhavebeenlookingatthecoldcaseofaHastingsnewsagentwhomurderedanintruderwithacrossbow.He’dbeenarrested,butthenthemediahadgotinvolved,andtheconsensuswasthatamanshouldbeallowedtoprotecthisownshopwithacrossbow,forgoodness’sake.Hewalkedfree,headheldhigh.
Amonthorsolaterpolicehaddiscoveredthattheintruderwasdatingthenewsagent’steenagedaughter,andthenewsagenthadalongrecordofGBH,butatthatpointeverybodyhadmovedon.Itwas1975,afterall.NoCCTV,andnoonewantingtomakeafuss.
‘Doyouthinkadogmightbegoodcompany?’asksJoyce.‘IthoughtImighteithergetadogorjoinInstagram.’
‘Iwouldadviseagainstit,’saysIbrahim.
‘Oh,you’dadviseagainsteverything,’saysRon.
‘Broadly,yes,’agreesIbrahim.
‘Notabigdog,ofcourse,’saysJoyce.‘Ihaven’tgotthehooverforabigdog.’
Joyce,Ron,IbrahimandElizabethareenjoyinglunchattherestaurantthatsitsattheheartoftheCoopersChasecommunity.Thereisabottleofredandabottleofwhiteontheirtable.Itisaroundaquartertotwelve.
‘Don’tgetasmalldogthough,Joyce,’saysRon.‘Smalldogsarelikesmallmen:alwaysgotapointtoprove.Yappingitup,barkingatcars.’
Joycenods.‘Perhapsamediumdog,then?Elizabeth?’
‘Mmm,goodidea,’repliesElizabeth,thoughsheisnotreallylistening.Howcouldshebe,afterthelettershehasjustreceived?
She’spickingupthemainpoints,ofcourse.Elizabethalwaysstaysalert,becauseyouneverknowwhatmightfallintoyourlap.Shehasheardallsortsovertheyears.AsnippetofconversationinaBerlinbar,aloose-lippedRussiansailoronshoreleaveinTripoli.Inthisinstance,onaThursdaylunchtimeinasleepyKentretirementvillage,itseemsthatJoycewantsadog,thereisadiscussionaboutsizesandIbrahimhasdoubts.Buthermindiselsewhere.
TheletterwasslippedunderElizabeth’sdoor,byunseenhand.
DearElizabeth,Iwonderifyourememberme?Perhapsyoudon’t,butwithoutblowingmyowntrumpet,Iimagineyoumight.Lifehasworkeditsmagiconcemore,andIdiscover,uponmovinginthisweek,thatwearenowneighbours.WhatcompanyIkeep!Youmustbethinkingtheyletinanyoldriff-raffthesedays.Iknowithasbeensomewhilesinceyoulastsawme,butIthinkitwouldbewonderfultorenewouracquaintanceafteralltheseyears.Wouldyouliketojoinmeat14RuskinCourtforadrink?Alittlehousewarming?Ifso,howwould3p.m.tomorrowsuit?Noneedtoreply,Ishallawaitwithabottleofwineregardless.Itreallywouldbelovelytoseeyou.Somuchtocatchupon.Anawfullotofwaterunderthebridgeandsoon.Idohopeyourememberme,andIdohopetoseeyoutomorrow.Youroldfriend,MarcusCarmichael
Elizabethhasbeenmullingitovereversince.
ThelasttimeshehadseenMarcusCarmichaelwouldhavebeenlateNovember1981,averydark,verycoldnightbyLambethBridge,theThamesatlowtide,herbreathcloudinginthefreezingair.Therehadbeenateamofthem,eachoneaspecialist,andElizabethwasincharge.TheyarrivedinawhiteTransitvan,shabbyontheoutside,seeminglyownedby‘G.Procter–Windows,Gutters,AllJobsConsidered’,but,ontheinside,gleaming,fullofbuttonsandscreens.AyoungconstablehadcordonedoffanareaoftheforeshoreandthepavementontheAlbertEmbankmenthadbeenclosed.
Elizabethandherteamclambereddownaflightofstonesteps,lethalwithslickmoss.Thelowtidehadleftbehindacorpse,propped,almostsitting,againsttheneareststonepillarunderthebridge.Everythinghadbeendoneproperly,Elizabethhadmadesureofthat.Oneofherteamhadexaminedtheclothingandrifledthroughthepocketsofhisheavyovercoat,ayoungwomanfromHighgatehadtakenphotographsandthedoctorhadrecordedthedeath.ItwasclearthemanhadjumpedintotheThamesfurtherupstream,orbeenpushed.Thatwasforthecoronertodecide.ItwouldallbetypedintoareportbysomebodyorotherandElizabethwouldsimplyaddherinitialsatthebottom.Neatandtidy.
Thejourneybackupthoseslickstepswiththecorpseonamilitarystretcherhadtakensometime.Theyoungconstable,thrilledtohavebeencalledtohelp,hadfallenandbrokenanankle,whichwasalltheyneeded.Theyexplainedtheywouldn’tbeabletocallanambulanceforthetimebeing,andhetookitinfairlygoodpart.Hereceivedanunwarrantedpromotionseveralmonthslater,sonolastingharmwasdone.
HerlittleuniteventuallyreachedtheEmbankment,andthebodywasloadedintothewhiteTransitvan.‘Alljobsconsidered’.
Theteamdispersed,saveforElizabethandthedoctor,whostayedinthevanwiththecorpseasitwasdriventoamorgueinHampshire.Shehadn’tworkedwiththisparticulardoctorbefore–broad,red-faced,adarkmoustacheturninggrey–buthewasinterestingenough.Amanyouwouldremember.They’ddiscussedeuthanasiaandcricketuntilthedoctorhaddozedoff.
Ibrahimismakingapointwithhiswineglass.‘I’mafraidIwouldadviseagainstadogaltogether,Joyce,small,medium,orlarge.Atyourtimeinlife.’
‘Oh,herehecomes,’saysRon.
‘Amediumdog,’saysIbrahim,‘sayaterrier,oraJackRussellperhaps,wouldhavealifeexpectancyofaroundfourteenyears.’
‘Sayswho?’asksRon.
‘SaystheKennelClub,incaseyouwanttotakeitupwiththem,Ron.Wouldyouliketotakeitupwiththem?’
‘No,you’reallright.’
‘Now,Joyce,’Ibrahimcontinues,‘youareseventy-sevenyearsold?’
Joycenods,‘Seventy-eightnextyear.’
‘Well,thatgoeswithoutsaying,yes,’agreesIbrahim.‘So,atseventy-sevenyearsold,wehavetotakealookatyourlifeexpectancy.’
‘Ooh,yes!’saysJoyce.‘Ilovethissortofthing.IhadmyTarotdoneonthepieronce.ShesaidIwasgoingtocomeintomoney.’
‘Specifically,wehavetolookatthechancesofyourlifeexpectancyexceedingthelifeexpectancyofamediumdog.’
‘It’samysterytomewhyyounevergotmarried,oldson,’saysRontoIbrahim,andtakesthebottleofwhitewinefromthecooleronthetable.‘Withthatsilvertongueofyours.Top-up,anyone?’
‘Thankyou,Ron,’saysJoyce.‘Fillittothebrimtosavehavingtodoitagain.’
Ibrahimcontinues.‘Awomanofseventy-sevenhasafifty-onepercentchanceoflivingforanotherfifteenyears.’
‘Thisisjolly,’saysJoyce.‘Ididn’tcomeintomoney,bytheway.’
‘Soifyouweretogetadognow,Joyce,wouldyououtliveit?That’sthequestion.’
‘I’doutliveadogthroughpurespite,’saysRon.‘We’djustsitinoppositecornersoftheroom,staringeachotherout,andseewhowentfirst.Notme.It’slikewhenwewerenegotiatingwithBritishLeylandin’seventy-eight.Themomentoneoftheirlotwenttotheloofirst,Iknewwehad’em.’Ronknocksbackmorewine.‘Nevergototheloofirst.Tieaknotinitifyouhaveto.’
‘Thetruthis,Joyce,’saysIbrahim.‘Maybeyouwould,andmaybeyouwouldn’t.Fifty-onepercent.It’sthetossofacoin,andIdon’tbelievethatisariskworthtaking.Youmustneverdiebeforeyourdog.’
‘AndisthatanoldEgyptiansaying,oranoldpsychiatrist’ssaying?’asksJoyce.‘Orsomethingyoujustmadeup?’
IbrahimtipshisglasstowardsJoyceagain,anindicationofmorewisdomtocome.‘Youmustdiebeforeyourchildren,ofcourse,becauseyouhavetaughtthemtolivewithoutyou.Butnotyourdog.Youteachyourdogonlytolivewithyou.’
‘Well,thatiscertainlyfoodforthought,Ibrahim;thankyou,’saysJoyce.‘Abitsoullessperhaps.Don’tyouthink,Elizabeth?’
Elizabethhears,buthermindisstillinthebackofthespeedingTransitvan,withthecorpseandthedoctorwiththemoustache.NottheonlysuchoccasioninElizabeth’scareer,butunusualenoughtobememorable–anyonewhoknewMarcusCarmichaelwouldhaveknownthat.
‘BeatIbrahim’ssystem,’Elizabethsays.‘Getadogthat’soldalready.’
AndherewasCarmichaelagain,yearslater.Lookingforwhat?Afriendlychat?Cosyreminiscencebyanopenfire?Whoknew?
Theirbillisbroughttothetablebyanewmemberoftheservingstaff.HernameisPoppyandshehasatattooofadaisyonherforearm.Poppyhasbeenattherestaurantfornearlytwoweeksnowand,thusfar,thereviewshavenotbeengood.
‘You’vebroughtustabletwelve,Poppy,’saysRon.
Poppynods.‘Oh,yes,that’s…sillyme…whattableisthis?’
‘Fifteen,’saysRon.‘Youcantellbecauseofthebignumberfifteenwrittenonthecandle.’
‘Sorry,’saysPoppy.‘It’sjustrememberingthefood,andcarryingit,andthenthenumbers.I’llgetthehangofiteventually.’Shewalksbacktothekitchens.
‘Sheisverywellmeaning,’saysIbrahim.‘Butillsuitedtothisrole.’
‘Shehaslovelynails,though,’saysJoyce.‘Immaculate.Immaculate,aren’tthey,Elizabeth?’
Elizabethnods.‘Immaculate.’NottheonlythingshehasnoticedaboutPoppy,whoseemstohavesprungfromnowhere,withhernailsandherincompetence.Butshehasotherthingsonhermindfornow,andthemysteryofPoppycanwaitforanotherday.
Sheisgoingthroughthetextoftheletteragaininherhead.Iwonderifyourememberme?Anawfullotofwaterunderthebridge…
DidElizabethrememberMarcusCarmichael?Whataridiculousquestion.ShehadfoundMarcusCarmichael’sdeadbodyslumpedagainstaThamesbridgeatlowtide.Shehadhelpedtocarrythatbodyupthoseslickstonestepsinthedeadofnight.ShehadsatfeetawayfromhiscorpseinawhiteTransitvanadvertisingwindow-cleaningservices.Shehadbrokenthenewsofhisdeathtohisyoungwifeandshehadstoodbesidethegraveathisfuneral,asanappropriatemarkofrespect.
So,yes,ElizabethremembersMarcusCarmichaelverywellindeed.Timetobebackintheroomthough.Onethingatatime.
Elizabethreachesforthewhitewine.‘Ibrahim,noteverythingisaboutnumbers.Ron,youwoulddielongbeforethedog,malelifeexpectancyisfarlowerthanfemalelifeexpectancy,andyouknowwhatyourGPhassaidaboutyourbloodsugar.AndJoyce,webothknowyou’vealreadymadeupyourmind.You’llgetarescuedog.It’llbesittingsomewhererightnow,allalonewithbigeyes,justwaitingforyou.Youwillbepowerless,and,besides,it’llbefunforallofus,solet’sstopevendiscussingit.’
Jobdone.
‘AndhowaboutInstagram?’saysJoyce.
‘Idon’tevenknowwhatthatis,sofeelfree,’saysElizabeth,andfinishesherwine.
Aninvitationfromadeadman?Onreflection,shewillbeaccepting.
2
‘WewerewatchingAntiquesRoadshowtheothernight,’saysDCIChrisHudson,drumminghisfingersonthesteeringwheel.‘Andthiswomancomeson,andshe’sgotthesejugs,andyourmumleansovertomeandsays–’
PCDonnaDeFreitasslamsherheadagainstthedashboard.‘Sir,Iambeggingyou.Iamliterallybeggingyou.Pleasestoptalkingaboutmymumfortenminutes.’
ChrisHudsonissupposedtobementoringher,smoothinghereventualpathintoCID,butyouwouldn’tknowitfromthealmosttotaldisrespectwithwhichtheytreateachother,or,indeed,fromtheirfriendship,whichhadblossomedthemomenttheymet.
DonnahadrecentlyintroducedChris,herboss,toPatrice,hermum.Shethoughttheymightgetalong.Asitturnedout,theyaregettingalongalittlebittoowellforherliking.
StakeoutswithChrisHudsonusedtobemorefun.Therewouldbecrisps,therewouldbequizzes,therewouldbegossipaboutthenewDSwho’djuststartedatFairhavenandhadaccidentallysentapictureofhispenistoalocalshopkeeperwhowasaskingforadviceonsecuritygrilles.
They’dlaugh,they’deat,they’dputtheworldtorights.
Butnow?SittinginChris’sFordFocusonalate-autumnevening,keepingawatchfuleyeonConnieJohnson’slock-up?NowChrishasaTupperwarecontainerfilledwitholives,carrotbatonsandhummus.TheTupperwarecontainerboughtbyhermum,thehummusmadebyhermumandthecarrotbatonsslicedbyhermum.WhenDonnahadsuggestedbuyingaKitKathe’dlookedatherandsaid‘emptycalories’.
ConnieJohnsonwastheirfriendlylocaldrugdealer.Well,Conniewasmoreadrugwholesalerthesedays.ThetwoAntoniobrothersfromStLeonardshadcontrolledthelocaldrugtradeforsomeyears,buttheyhadgonemissingaroundayearagoandConnieJohnsonhadsteppedintothebreach.Whethershewasjustadrugwholesaler,orwhethershewasamurderertoo,wasopentoquestion,but,eitherway,that’swhytheywerespendingtheirweeksittinginaFordFocus,trainingbinocularsonaFairhavenlock-up.
Chrishaslostabitofweight,hehashadanicehaircut,andisnowwearingapairofage-appropriatetrainers–everythingDonnahadevertoldhimtodo.Shehadusedallthetricksinthebooktoencouragehim,toconvincehim,tocajolehimintolookingafterhimself.Butitturnedoutthat,allalong,theonlyrealmotivationheneededtochangewastostarthavingsexwithhermum.Youhavetobesocarefulwhatyouwishfor.
Donnasinksbackintoherseatandpuffsouthercheeks.ShewouldkillforaKitKat.
‘Fairenough,fairenough,’saysChris.‘OK,Ispy,withmylittleeye,somethingbeginningwithY.’
Donnalooksoutofthewindow.Farbelowsheseesthelineoflock-upgarages,oneofwhichbelongstoConnieJohnson,thenewdrugskingpinofFairhaven.Queenpin?Beyondthelock-upsisthesea.TheEnglishChannel,inkyblack,moonlightpickingoutgentlewaves.Thereisalightonthehorizon,farouttosea.
‘Yacht?’saysDonna.
‘Nope,’saysChris,shakinghishead.
Donnastretchesandlooksbacktowardstherowofgarages.AhoodedfigureonaBMXbikeridesuptoConnie’slock-upandbangsonthedoor.Theycanhearthefaintmetallicthunderevenuponthehill.
‘Youthonbicycle?’saysDonna.
‘Nope,’saysChris.
Donnawatchesasthedooropensandtheboywalksinside.Allday,everyday,thiswashappening.Couriersinandout.Leavingwithcoke,Esandhash,comingbackwithcash.Itwasnon-stop.Donnaknowstheycouldraidtheplacerightnowandfindanicelittlehaulofdrugs,aboredmiddlemansittingatatableandayouthonabicycle.But,instead,theteamwerebidingtheirtime,takingphotographsofwhoeverwalkedinorout,followingthemwherevertheyweregoing,tryingtobuildupafullpictureofConnieJohnson’soperation.Gatheringenoughevidencetotakethewholethingdowninonego.Withanylucktherewouldbeaseriesofdawnraids.Withabitmorelucktheywouldhaveatacticalsupportgrouparmedwithpneumaticbatteringramstosmashafewdoorsdownandoneofthetacticalsupportofficerswouldbesingle.
‘Yellowjacket?’saysDonna,seeingawomanwalkingalongthehighpathtowardsthecarpark.
‘Nope,’saysChris.
ThebigprizewasConnieJohnsonherself.That’swhysheandChriswerethere.HadConniemurderedtworivalsandgotawaywithit?
Occasionally,amongtheyouthsonbicyclestheywouldseemorefamiliarfaces.SeniorfiguresfromtheFairhavendrugscene.Everynamewasnoted.IfConniehadmurderedtheAntoniobrothers,thenshehadn’tdoneitbyherself.Shewasnofool.Soonerorlater,infact,shewouldnoticeshewasbeingwatched.Thenthingswouldbecomelessblatant,hardertotrack.Sotheyweregettingalltheirevidencelinedupwhiletheycould.
Donnajumpsasaknucklerapsonhersidewindow.Sheturnsandseestheyellowjacketofthewomanwhohadbeenwalkingalongthepath.Asmilingfaceappearsatthewindowandholdsuptwocupsofcoffee.Donnaregisterstheshockofblondehairandthesmearofredlipstick.Shewindsdownherwindow.
Thewomancrouches,thensmiles.‘Now,wehaven’tbeenintroduced,butIthinkyou’reDonnaandChris.Iboughtyoucoffeesfromthegarage.’
Shehandsthecoffeesover,andDonnaandChrislookateachotherandtakethem.
‘I’mConnieJohnson,butIthinkyouknowthat,’saysthewoman.Shepatsthepocketsofherjacket.‘Ialsoboughtsausagerolls,ifyou’dlikeone?’
‘No,thankyou,’saysChris.
‘Yes,please,’saysDonna.
ConniehandsDonnaasausagerollinapaperbag.‘I’mafraidIdidn’tbuyanythingforthepolicewomanhidingbehindthebins,takingallthephotographs.’
‘She’svegananyway,’saysDonna.‘FromBrighton.’
‘Anyway,justwantedtointroducemyself,’saysConnie.‘Feelfreetoarrestmeanytime.’
‘Wewill,’saysChris.
‘What’syoureye-shadow?’ConnieasksDonna.
‘PatMcGrath,GoldStandard,’saysDonna.
‘It’slush,’saysConnie.‘Anyway,businessalldonefortodayifyouwantedtogohome.Andyouhaven’tseenanythingIdidn’twantyoutoseeforthelasttwoweeks.’
Chrissipshiscoffee.‘Isthisreallyfromthegarage?It’sverygood.’
‘They’vegotanewmachine,’saysConnie.Shereachesintoaninsidepocket,takesoutanenvelopeandhandsittoDonna.‘Youcanhavethese.There’sphotographsofyouinthere,photographsofalltheotherofficersyou’vehadcrawlingaround,too.Twocanplayatthatgame.Betyoudidn’tseeanyonetakethem,eh?Followedafewofyouhometoo.Theytookaniceoneofyouonadatetheotherday,Donna.Youcandobetter,that’smyopinion.’
‘Yep,’saysDonna.
‘I’llbeonmyway,butnicetofinallysayhelloinperson.I’vebeendyingtomeetyou.’Connieblowsthemakiss.‘Don’tbestrangers.’
ConniestraightensupandwalksawayfromtheFordFocus.BehindthemaRangeRoverappears.ThepassengerdoorisopenedandConnieclimbsinandisdrivenaway.
‘Well,’saysChris.
‘Well,’agreesDonna.‘Whatnow?’
Chrisshrugs.
‘Greatplan,boss,’saysDonna.‘WhatwasyourIspy?SomethingbeginningwithY?’
Christurnshiskeyintheignitionandputsonhisseatbelt.‘Itwasyourmother’sbeautifulface.IseeiteverytimeIclosemyeyes.’
‘Oh,Christ,’saysDonna.‘I’maskingforatransfer.’
‘Goodidea,’saysChris.‘Notuntilwe’venickedConnieJohnsonthough,eh?’
3
Joyce
Idowishsomethingexcitingwouldhappenagain.Idon’tmindwhat.
Perhapsafire,butwherenoonegetshurt?Justflamesandfireengines.Wecanallstandaroundwatching,withflasks,andRoncanshoutadvicetothefirefighters.Oranaffair,thatwouldbefun.Preferablymine,butI’mnotgreedy,solongasthere’sabitofscandal,likeabigagedifference,orsomeonesuddenlyneedingareplacementhip.Perhapsagayaffair?Wehaven’thadoneofthoseatCoopersChaseyet,andIthinkeveryonewouldenjoyit.Maybesomeone’sgrandsoncouldgotoprison?Orafloodthatdoesn’taffectus?YouknowthesortofthingImean.
Whenyouthinkofhowmanypeoplehavediedaroundhererecently,itisquitehardtojustgobacktopotteringaroundthegardencentreandwatchingoldepisodesofTaggart.AlthoughIdolikeTaggart
WhenIwasanurse,patientswoulddieallthetime.Theywerepoppingoffleft,rightandcentre.Don’tgetthewrongidea,Ineverkilledanyone,althoughitwouldhavebeenveryeasyto.Easierthanadoctor.Theyusedtocheckupondoctorsalot.Theyprobablycheckuponeveryonethesedays,butIbetyoucouldstilldoitifthemoodtookyou.
Ibrahimdoesn’twantmetogetadog,butIamsureIcanchangehismind.Beforeyouknowit,he’llbedogthisanddogthat.Youcanbethe’llbefirstinlinetowalkit,too.IwishI’dgotmyhandsonIbrahimthirtyyearsago.
ThereisananimalrescuecentrejustacrosstheborderinSussex,andtheyhaveallsortsthere.Theusualcatsanddogs,butthenalsodonkeysandrabbitsandguineapigs.I’veneverthoughtthataguineapigmightneedrescuingbefore,butIsupposetheydo.Weallneeditonceinawhile,andIdon’tseewhyguineapigswouldbeanydifferent.TheyeatguineapigsinPeru,didyouknow?ItwasonMasterCheftheotherday.Theyjustmentionedit,theydidn’tactuallyeatone.
LotsofthedogsarefromRomania;theysavethemandbringthemover.Idon’tknowhowtheybringthemover,that’ssomethingIwillask.Idon’timaginetheyhaveaplanefullofdogs.Inabigvan?Theywillhaveworkedoutaway.Ronsaystheywillbarkinaforeignaccent,butthat’sRon.
Welookedontherescuecentrewebsiteandyoushouldseethedogs,honestly.ThereisonecalledAlanIhavegotmyeyeon.‘Indeterminateterrier’,accordingtohisprofile.Youandmeboth,IthoughtwhenIsawthat.Alanissixyearsold,andtheysayyoumustn’tchangetheirnames,becausetheygetusedtothem,butIwon’tcalladogAlan,whateverpressureIamputunder
MaybeIcanpersuadeIbrahimtodrivemeovernextweek.He’sgonecarmadrecently.He’sevendrivingintoFairhaventomorrow.Hehasreallycomeoutofhisshellsinceeveryonestartedgettingmurdered.Drivinghere,thereandeverywherelikehe’sMurrayWalker.
I’mstillwonderingwhyElizabethwasinafunnymoodatlunch.Listeningbutnotlistening.PerhapssomethingiswrongwithStephen?Youremember,herhusband?Orperhapsshe’sstillnotoverPenny.Eitherway,shehassomethingonhermind,andshewalkedawayfromlunchwithapurpose.That’salwaysbadnewsforsomeone.Youronlyrealhopeisthatit’snotyou.
Iamalsoknitting.Iknow,canyouimagine?
IgottalkingtoDeirdreatKnit&Natter.HerhusbandwasFrenchbutdiedsometimeago–Ithinkhefelloffaladder,butitmighthavebeencancer,Ican’tremember.Deirdrehasbeenknittinglittlefriendshipbraceletsforcharityandhasgivenmethepattern.Youmakethemindifferentcolours,dependingonwhoyoumakethemfor.Peoplepayyouwhatevertheychooseandallthemoneygoestocharity.Ialsoputsequinsonmine.Thepatterndoesn’tsaytoputsequinson,butI’vehadsomeinadrawerforages.
Imadeared,whiteandbluebraceletforElizabeth.Itwasmyfirstgoandwasratherraggedbutshewasverygoodaboutit.IaskedherwhatcharityshewantedthemoneytogotoandshesaidLivingWithDementiaandthat’stheclosestwehavegottotalkingaboutStephen.Idon’tthinkshecankeephimtoherselfformuchlonger,though;dementiajustploughsonthroughthewoodsandneverturnsback.PoorElizabeth.PoorStephenaswell,obviously.
IalsomadeafriendshipbraceletforBogdan.Itwasyellowandblue,whichIhadmistakenlythoughtwerethecoloursofthePolishflag.AccordingtoBogdan,thecoloursofthePolishflagareredandwhite,and,togivehimhisdue,hewouldknow.HethoughtthatperhapsIhadbeenthinkingofSweden,andperhapsIhad.Gerrywouldhaveputmeright.Likeallgoodhusbands,Gerryknewalltheflags.
IsawBogdanwearinghisbracelettheotherday.Hewasonhiswayuptoworkatthebuildingsiteatthetopofthehill,andhegavemealittlewaveandthereitwasonhiswrist,wrappedaroundhistattoosofgoodnessknowswhat.Iknowit’ssilly,butIcouldn’tstopsmiling.ThesequinsweresparklinginthesunshineandsowasI.
Elizabethhasn’twornhersyet,andIcan’tsayIblameher.Iamgettingbetteratitthough,and,besides,ElizabethandIdon’tneedabracelettoshowwearefriends.
LastnightIdreamtofthehouseGerryandIlivedinwhenwewerefirstmarried.Weopenedadoorandfoundanewroomwehadn’teverseenbefore,andwewerefullofschemesastowhattodowithit.
Idon’tknowwhatageGerrywas,hewasjustGerry,butIwasmenow.Twopeoplewhonevermet,touchingandlaughingandmakingplans.Apotplanthere,acoffeetablethere.Thestuffoflove.
WhenIwokeup,andrealizedGerryhadgone,myheartbrokeonceagain,andIsobbedandsobbed.Iimagineifyoucouldhearallthemorningtearsinthisplaceitwouldsoundlikebirdsong.
4
Itisanothergloriousautumnday,butthereisabiteintheairthattellsyoutherewon’tbetoomanyleft.Winteriswaitingimpatientlyroundthecorner.
Itis3p.m.,andElizabethiscarryingflowersforMarcusCarmichael.Thedeadman.Thatdrownedbody,suddenlyaliveasyoulikeandlivingat14RuskinCourt.ThemanshesawloweredintoagraveinaHampshirechurchyard,nowunpackingboxesandstrugglingwithhisnewWi-Fi.
ShewalkspastWillows,thenursinghomeattheheartofCoopersChase.TheplaceElizabethwouldvisiteverydaywhilePennywasthere,justtositandchattoheroldfriend,toplotandtogossip,notknowingwhetherPennycouldhearherornot.
NomorePennynow,ofcourse.
Thenightsarebeginningtodrawinalittle,andthesunissinkingbehindthetreesontopofthehillasElizabethreachesRuskinCourtandringsthebellfornumber14.Heregoesnothing.Thereisabriefwaitandsheisbuzzedup.
Thereareliftsinallthebuildings,butElizabethwillusethestairswhileshestillcan.Stairsaregoodforhipandkneeflexibility.Also,itisveryeasytokillsomeoneinaliftwhenthedoorsopen.Nowheretorun,nowheretohide,andapingtoannounceyou’reabouttoappear.Notthatshe’sworriedaboutbeingkilled,itdoesn’tfeeltoherlikethat’swhatishappeninghere,butit’salwaysimportanttorememberbestpractice.Elizabethhasneverkilledanyoneinalift.SheoncesawsomeonepusheddownanemptyliftshaftinEssen,butthatwasdifferent.
Sheturnsleftatthetopofthestairs,transferstheflowerstoherlefthandandknocksonthedoorofnumber14.Whowillanswerthedoor?Whatisthestoryhere?Shouldshebeworried?
Thedooropens,andsheseesaveryfamiliarface.
It’snotMarcusCarmichael,howcouldithavebeen?ButitiscertainlysomeonewhoknewthenameMarcusCarmichael.Andwhoknewitwouldgetherattention.
Anditturnsoutthat,yes,sheshouldbeworried.
Themanishandsomeandtanned,strandsofsandygreyhairstillgamelyholdingon.Shemighthaveknownhewouldnevergobald.
Howtoplaythisone?
‘MarcusCarmichael,Iassume?’saysElizabeth.
‘Well,Iassumeso,too,’saystheman.‘Goodtoseeyou,Elizabeth.Arethoseflowersforme?’
‘No,Ihavetakentocarryingflowersaroundwithmeasanaffectation,’saysElizabeth,handingthemoverassheisusheredin.
‘Quiteright,quiteright,I’llputtheminwater,nonetheless.Comein,sitdown,makeyourselfathome.’Hedisappearsintothekitchen.
Elizabethtakesintheflat:bare,notapicture,notanornament,notasinglefrilltobeseen.Nosignofanyone‘movingin’.Twoarmchairs,bothreadyfortheskip,apileofbooksonthefloor,areadinglamp.
‘Ilikewhatyou’vedonewiththeplace,’saysElizabethinthedirectionofthekitchen.
‘Notmychoice,dear,’saystheman,re-enteringtheroomwiththeflowersinakettle.‘IdaresayI’llgrowintoit,thoughIhopeIshan’tbehereforlong.CanIgetyouaglassofwine?’Hesetsthekettleonawindowsill.
‘Yes,please,’saysElizabeth,settlingintoanarmchair.Whatwashappening?Whywashehere?Andwhatdidhewantfromherafterallthistime?Whateveritwaslookedliketroubletoher.Aroombarelyfurnished,blindsdrawn,apadlockedbedroom.Number14RuskinCourthadthelookofasafehouse.
Butsafefromwhat?
Themanwalksbackin,withtwoglassesofredwine.‘AMalbecforyou,ifI’mnotmistaken?’
Elizabethtakesherglassasthemansitsinthearmchairoppositeher.‘Youseemtothinkthat’sastunningfeatofmemory,torememberthewineIdrankforthetwenty-oddyearswekneweachother?’
‘I’mnearlyseventy,darling,everythingisastunningfeatofmemorythesedays.Cheers!’Heraiseshisglass.
‘Andtoyou,’saysElizabeth,raisinghers.‘Longtime.’
‘Verylongtime.ButyourememberedMarcusCarmichael?’
‘Thatwasveryneat.’
MarcusCarmichaelhadbeenaghost,inventedbyElizabeth.Shewasanexpertinit.Amanwhoneverexisted,concoctedentirelytopasssecretstotheRussians.Amanwithapastcreatedfromfalsedocumentsandstagedphotographs.Anagentwhoneverexisted,passingsecretsthatneverexisted,totheenemy.AndwhentheRussiansgotabitcloser,andwantedabitmorefromtheirnewsource,itwastimetokillMarcusCarmichaeloff,to‘borrow’anunclaimedcadaverfromoneoftheLondonteachinghospitalsandburyitinaHampshirechurchyard,withayoungtypistfromthepoolbawlinghereyesoutasthegrievingwidow.Andburytheliewithhim.SoMarcusCarmichaelwasadeadmanwhohadneverlived.
‘Thankyou,Ithoughtitmightamuseyou.Youlookverywell.Verywell.Howis…remindme…isitStephen?Thecurrenthusband?’
‘Shallwenotdothis?’sighsElizabeth.‘Shallwecuttoyoutellingmewhyyou’rehere?’
Themannods.‘Certainly,Liz.Plentyoftimetocatchupwheneverythingisoutintheopen.IbelieveitisStephen,though?’
ElizabeththinksaboutStephen,backathome.Shelefthimwiththetelevisionon,sohopefullyheisdozing.Shewantstobebackwithhim,tositwithhim,tohavehisarmsaroundher.Shedoesnotwanttobehere,inthisemptyflatwiththisdangerousman.Amanshehasseenkillbefore.Thisisnottheadventureshewashopingfortoday.GiveherStephenandhiskisses.GiveherJoyceandherdogs.
Elizabethtakesanothersipofwine.‘I’massumingyouwantsomethingfromme?Asever.’
Themansitsbackinhisarmchair.‘Well,yes,IsupposeIdo.Butnothingtootaxing–infact,somethingyoumightthinkisratherfun.Yourememberfun,Elizabeth?’
‘I’malreadyhavingmyfairshareoffunaroundhere,butthankyou.’
‘Well,yes,soIhear.Deadbodiesandsoon.Readthewholefile.’
‘File?’asksElizabeth.Asinkingfeeling.
‘Ohyes,you’vecausedquiteastirinLondon,askingforallkindsoffavoursoverthelastcoupleofmonths.Financialrecords,forensicsreports,Ibelieveyouevenhadaretiredpathologistdownhere,diggingupbones?Youthoughtthatmightgounnoticed?’
Elizabethrealizesshehasbeenshort-sighted.ShehadcertainlycalledinfavourswhilesheandtheThursdayMurderClubwereinvestigatingthedeathsofTonyCurranandIanVentham.Andwhentheywereidentifyingtheothercorpsethey’dfound,buriedinthegraveyarduponthehill.Sheshouldhaveknownthatsomebody,somewherewastakingnotes.Youcan’texpectfavourswithoutbeingaskedtorepaythem.Sowhatwasittobe?
‘Whatdoyouneedfromme?’sheasks.
‘Justsomebabysitting.’
‘Babysittingwho?’
‘Babysittingme.’
‘Andwhywouldsomeoneneedtobabysityou?’
Themannods,takesasipofhiswineandleansforward.‘Thethingis,Elizabeth,I’mafraidI’vegotmyselfinaspotofbother.’
‘Somethingsneverchange,dothey?Whydon’tyoutellmeaboutit?’
Thereisthesoundofakeyinthelockandthedoorswingsopen
‘Bangontimeforonce,’saystheman.‘Here’sjustthewomantohelpmetellthestory.Meetmyhandler.’
IntotheroomwalksPoppy,thenewwaitressfromtherestaurant.Shenodstothemboth.‘Sir,ma’am.’
‘Well,thatexplainsanawfullot,’saysElizabeth.‘Poppy,Ihopeyou’reabetteroperativethanyouareawaitress.’
Poppyblushes.‘Tobehonest,I’mnotsureIam,I’mafraid.ButbetweenthethreeofusIexpectwecanmuddlethroughitallandstaysafe.’
Safehouses,inElizabeth’sexperience,rarelystayedsafeforlong.Poppymovestheflowersinthekettletooneside.‘Lovelyflowers.’Sheperchesonthewindowsill.
‘Safefromwhat,exactly?’asksElizabeth.
‘Well,letmestartatthebeginning,’saystheman.
‘Iwishyouwould,Douglas,’saysElizabeth,anddownsherglassofwine.‘Youwereanawfulhusband,butyoualwaysknewhowtotellagoodstory.’
5
IbrahimhasjustfinishedlunchwithRon.HehadtriedtopersuadeRontotryhummus,butRonwasintractable.Ronwouldeatham,eggsandchipseverydayifyoulethim.Andtobefair,hewasseventy-fiveandstillgoingstrong,sowho’stosayhewaswrong?Ibrahimpullsthecardoorshutandbuckleshisseatbelt.
Ronhadbeenexcitedbecausehisgrandson,Kendrick,iscomingtostaynextweek,andIbrahimisexcitedtoo.
Ibrahimwouldhavemadeawonderfulfather,awonderfulgrandfather,too.Butitwasn’ttobe,likesomuchelseinhislife.Yousillyoldman,hethinks,asheturnsthekeyintheignition,youmadethebiggestmistakeofthemall.Youforgottolive,youjusthidaway,safeandsound.
Whatgoodhasitdonehim,though?Thosedecisionshehadbeentoocautioustomake?Theloveshehadbeentootimidtopursue?Ibrahimthinksofthemanyliveshehasmissed,somewherealongtheway.
Ibrahimhasalwaysbeengoodat‘thinkingthingsthrough’,but,now,heischoosingtotaketheproverbialbullbythehorns.Hehasdecidedtoliveinthemomentalittlemore.HeischoosingtolearnalessonfromRon’schaoticfreedom,fromJoyce’sjoyfuloptimismandfromtheforensicwreckingballthatisElizabeth.
Don’tbuyadog,Joyce.That’swhathehadsaid.Butofcoursesheshould.Hewilltellherwhenhegetsback.Willshelethimwalkit?Surelyshewill.Terrificcardiovascularexercise.Everyoneshouldbuydogs.Menshouldmarrythewomentheyloved,andnotrunawaytoEnglandinfear.Ibrahimhashadalifetimetothinkaboutthatdecision.Hasneverevendiscusseditwithhisfriends.Perhapsonedayheshould?
HeturnsleftoutofthegateofCoopersChase.Afterchecking,andthencheckingagain,naturally.
Thereisawholeworldouthere,and,howeverfrighteneditmakeshimfeel,hehasdecidedheneedstogetoutofCoopersChaseeverynowandagain.Sohereheis,outamongthenoiseandthetrafficandthepeople.
Hehasdecided,onceaweek,totakeRon’sDaihatsuoutforaspinandvisitFairhaven.Hepassesthetownsign.Itisquiteabuzz.Justhim,byhimself.He’sgoingtodoabitofshopping,sitinaStarbuckswithacoffeeandreadthepaper.Andwhilehe’shere,he’sgoingtolookandlisten.Whatarepeoplesayingthesedays?Dotheylookunhappy?
Ibrahimisanxiousthathewon’tbeabletofindanywheretopark,buthefindsaspaceeasily.Heworriesthathewon’tbeabletoworkouthowtopayfortheparking,butthatisacinchtoo.
Whatsortofpsychiatristisfrightenedoflife?Allpsychiatristshesupposes,Imean,that’swhytheybecamepsychiatrists.Evenso,itwouldn’tdoanyharmtolettheworldin.AmindcouldcalcifyatCoopersChase,ifyouletit.Thesamepeople,thesameconversations,thesamegrumblesandgripes.InvestigatingthemurdershasdoneIbrahimaworldofgood.
Hequicklydiscoversbothself-servicecheckoutsandcontactlesspayments.Theabsoluteminimumofhumaninteraction.Youdon’thavetonodhellotosomeoneyouhavenevermet.Tothinkhemighthavemissedoutonallthis!
Hefindsalovelyindependentbookshopwherenoonemindsifyousitinanarmchairandreadforanhour.Ofcourse,hebuysthebookhehasbeenreading.ItiscalledYou,andisaboutapsychopathcalledJoe,forwhomIbrahimhasagreatdealofsympathy.Hebuysthreeotherbookstoo,becausehewantsthebookshopstilltobeherewhenhecomesbacknextweek.Therewasasignbehindthetillsaying‘YourLocalBookshop–UseItOrLoseIt’.
UseItOrLoseIt.Thatwasquiteright.Thatiswhyheishere.Outinthenoise,withcarsspeedingby,withteenagersshoutingandbuildersswearing.Hefeelsgood.Hefeelslessfrightened.Hisbrainfeelsalive.Useitorloseit.
Helooksathiswatch.Threehourshavegonebyinarushanditistimetoheadhome,hisheadfullofadventure.AftertellingJoycethatsheshouldgetadog,hewilltellherallaboutcontactlesspayments.Shewillknowaboutthemalready,butperhapsshewon’thavelookedintothetechnologybehindthem,whichhejusthas.Timeflieswhenyouarelivingit.
HehasparkedRon’sDaihatsunearFairhavenPoliceStation,becausesurelythat’sthesafestplacetopark.PerhapsoneweekhewillpopinandseeChrisandDonna.Areyouallowedtovisitpoliceofficersatwork?Heissuretheywouldbedelightedtoseehim,buthewouldn’twanttoholdup,say,anarsoninvestigationwhiletheyfelttheyhadtomakesmalltalk.ButthoseworrieswereoldIbrahim.NewIbrahimwouldjusttakethechance.Youwanttoseesomeone?Justgoandseethem.That’swhatRonwoulddo.ThoughRonwouldalsogotothebathroomandleavethedooropen,soIbrahimmustremembertherearelimits.
Hepassesthreeteenagersonacornernearthepolicestation,allonbikes,andallthreewithhoodsup.Hesmellscannabis.AlotofpeopleatCoopersChasesmokecannabis.Supposedlytorelieveglaucoma,butstatisticallynotthatmanypeoplecanhaveglaucoma,surely?Asayoungman,Ibrahimhadbeenpersuadedbysomeofhisricherfriendstosmokeopium.Hehadbeentoomuchofacowardevertotryitagain,butperhapsthatwasanotherthingheshouldputonhislist?Hewonderswhereyoucanbuyopium.ChrisandDonnawouldknow.Itwasveryuseful,knowingpoliceofficers.
ThesethreeyouthsareexactlythesortofpeoplethatIbrahimshouldbescaredof,heknowsthat.Buttheydon’tfrightenhimatall.Youngmenhadalwayshungaroundonstreetcornersonbicycles,andtheyalwayswould.InFairhaven,inLondon,inCairo
IbrahimseestheDaihatsuupahead.Hewilltakeitthroughthecarwashonthewayback.Firstly,tosaythankyoutoRon,butalsobecausehelikescarwashes.Hetakesouthisphone.Thiswasthefirstthinghelearnedtoday.Youcanpayforyourparkingonamobilephoneapp,whichisshortforapplication.Perhapsit’sOKthateveryoneislookingattheirphones?Perhapsifyouhavetheentirehistoryofhumanknowledgeandachievementinyourpocketit’sOKtospendyourtimelookingat–
Ibrahimdoesn’thearthebicycleapproach,buthefeelsitrushingpasthim,seesthehandgrabbinghisphone,rippingitfromhisgraspwithajerkthatsendshimtumblingtotheground.
Ibrahimlandsonhissideandrollsuntilhehitsthekerb.Thepainisimmediate,inhisarm,inhisribs.Hisjacketsleeveistorn.Willhebeabletogetitmended?Hehopesso–itisafavouritejacket,buttheriplooksbad,thewhiteliningshiningthroughlikebone.Hehearsfootsteps,running,andteenagelaughter.Asthefootstepsreachhim,hefeelstwokicks.Oneinthebackandonetothebackofthehead.Hisheadhitsthekerboncemore.
‘Ryan,comeon!’
Thisisverybad,Ibrahimunderstandsthat.Somethingserioushashappened.Hewantstomove,butheisunableto.Thedampofthegutterisseepingthroughthewoolofhistrousers,andhetastesblood.
Therearemorefootstepsrunning,butIbrahimhasnowayofprotectinghimself.Hefeelsthecoldofthekerbagainsthisface.Thefootstepsstop,butnokickthistime,insteadhefeelshandsonshoulders.
‘Mate?Mate?Jesus!Christine,callanambulance.’
Yes,theadventurealwaysendswithanambulance,itdoesn’tmatterwhoyouare.Whatwasthedamagehere?Justbrokenbones?Badenoughathisage.Orworse?Hehadtakenakicktothebackofthehead.Whateverhappenednextheknewonethingwascertain.Hehadmadeamistake.Heshouldhavestayedsafe.SonowtherewillbenomoretripstoFairhaven,nomoresittinginthearmchairinthebookshop.Wherewerehisnewbooks?Inthestreet,gettingwet?Heisbeingshaken.
‘Mate,openyoureyes,stayawake!’
Butmyeyesareopen,thinksIbrahim,beforerealizingtheyarenot.
6
ElizabethissippinghersecondMalbec,andlisteningtoherex-husband,DouglasMiddlemiss,talkingaboutinternationalmoneylaundering.Explainingthestoryofwhyamanofhisagemightneedbabysitting.
‘We’dbeenlookingathimforawhile,thischapMartinLomax,lovelybigoldhouse,plentyofmoney,butwiththepaperworktoprovewhereeverythingcamefrom.Thefinancialboyscouldn’ttouchhim.Butwhenyouknow,youknow,don’tyou?’
‘Youdo,’agreesElizabeth.
‘Therewouldbeallsortsturningupathishouse,atallhours.Russians,Serbians,theTurkishmafia.Allcomingtothissecludedhouseoutsideasleepyvillage.Hambledon,ifyouknowit?Theyinventedcricketthere.’
‘I’msorrytohearthat,’saysElizabeth.
‘RangeRovers,Bentleys,upanddownthecountrylanes.Arabsinhelicopters,thefullworks.AnIrishRepublicancommanderonceparachutedoutofalightaircraftandlandedinhisgarden.’
‘What’shisbusiness?’asksElizabeth.‘Unofficially?’
‘Insurance,’saysPoppy.
‘Insurance?’
‘Heactsasabankformajorcrimegangs,’saysDouglas,leaningforward.‘SaytheTurksarebuyingahundredmillionpounds’worthofheroinfromtheAfghans.Theywon’tpaythefullamount.’
‘Justasyoudon’thavetopaythefullamountforafreezeruntilit’sdelivered,’saysPoppy.
‘Thankyou,Poppy,’saysElizabeth.‘I’dbelostwithoutyou.’
‘Sothey’llgiveasecuritydepositof,say,tenmilliontoatrustedmiddleman,’saysDouglas.‘Asagestureofgoodfaith.’
‘AndMartinLomaxisthemiddleman?’
‘Well,theyalltrusthim.You’dtrusthimifyoumethim.He’sapeculiarfellow,quiteevil,butsolid.Itishardtofindevilpeoplewhoarealsoreliable.Asyouknow.’
Elizabethnods.‘Sohehasahousestuffedwithcash?’
‘Sometimescash,sometimesfarmoreexoticthings.Pricelesspaintings,gold,diamonds,’saysDouglas.
‘AnUzbekdrugdealeroncebroughtinafirsteditionofTheCanterburyTales,’addsPoppy.
‘Anythingwithavalue,’saysDouglas.‘Andthesethingssitinastrongroomatourchap’shouse.Ifallgoeswellwithadeal,hereturnsthedownpayment,oftentobeusedagain.Andifthingsgowrong,thenthedownpaymentispaidincompensation.’
‘Sothisstrongroomisquitetheplace?’asksElizabeth.
‘Isuspectatanyonetimeyoumightfindhalfabillionincash,thesameagainingoldandstones,stolenRembrandts,Chinesejadeworthmillions.Justsittingthere,afewmilesfromWinchesterifyouplease.’
‘Andhowdoyouknowallofthis?’
‘We’vebeeninthehouseanumberoftimes,’saysPoppy.‘Wehavemicrophonesdrilledintowalls,camerasinlightswitches.’
‘Allthetricksyou’dknow,’saysDouglas.
‘Eveninthestrongroom?’
Poppyshakesherhead.‘We’venevermadeitintothestrongroom.’
‘Butthere’splentyenoughjustlyingaboutelsewhere,’saysDouglas.‘WhenIbrokein,therewasaVanEyckonapooltable.’
‘Whenyoubrokein?’
‘Ihadhelp,naturally.PoppyandoneoftheboysfromtheSpecialBoatService.’
‘You’reahousebreaker,too,Poppy?’saysElizabethtotheyoungwomansittingonthewindowsill,legsdangling.
‘IjustdressedinblackanddidwhatIwastold,’saysPoppy,shiftingtogetcomfortable.
‘Well,thatsumsupacareerinthesecurityservices,’saysElizabeth.‘Sothetwoofyouandsomeinterestedfriendsbreakintothishouse,stuffedtothegillswithtreasure?’
‘Precisely,’saysDouglas.‘Justforalittlelookaround,youknow?Scopeitout,takeafewpiccies,dashoffwithnooneanythewiser.NothingyouandIhaven’tdoneahundredtimesbefore.’
‘Isee,anddoesthishaveanythingtodowithwhyyou’reinaflatwithtwoarmchairsandapadlockedbedroom,lookingforyourveryhappilyex-wifetobabysityou?’
‘It’sfairtosayit’swheremylittleproblembegan,yes.Areyouready?’
‘Fireaway,Douglas,’saysElizabeth,lookingstraightathim.Thattwinkleinhiseyewasundimmed.Thetwinklethatgaveanentirelyundeservedsuggestionofwisdomandcharm.Thetwinklethatcouldmakeyouwalkdowntheaislewithamanalmosttenyearsyourjunior,andregretitwithinmonths.Thetwinkleyousoonrealizeisactuallythebeamofalighthouse,warningyouofftherocks.
‘CanIaskyouaquestionfirst?’saysPoppyfromthewindowsill.‘Beforewetellyoueverything?’
‘Ofcourse,dear,’saysElizabeth.
‘Howmuchdotheyknowaboutyouaroundhere?Quitealot,Isuppose,givenwhat’sinthefile?’
‘Theyknowathingortwoaboutme,yes,’saysElizabeth.‘Myclosefriends.’
‘AndyourclosefriendswouldbeJoyceMeadowcroft,RonRitchieandIbrahimArif?’
‘Theywould.That’squiteafileyouhave,Poppy.JoycewillbethrilledwhenItellhershe’sinafile.’
‘CouldIask–I’vebeenaskedtoask–beforewegoanyfurther.HaveyouatanypointinthelastfourmonthsbrokentheOfficialSecretsAct?’
Elizabethlaughs.‘Oh,goodnessme,yes.Overandover.’
‘OK,I’llmakeanoteofthat.It’sveryimportantthatnoneofyourfriendslearnaboutDouglasorme.Canyouguaranteethatatleast?’
‘Certainlynot.IshalltellthemthemomentI’moutofthedoor.’
‘I’mafraidIcan’tallowthat.’
‘Idon’tseethatyouhaveachoice,Poppy.’
‘Youwillunderstand,ma’am,betterthanmostpeople,thatIhaveorders.’
‘Poppy–firstly,callmeElizabeth.Secondly,Ihaven’tseenyougetanorderrightintwoweeks,sowhychangenow?Now,let’shearthisstory,andI’lltellyouifIacceptthejob.AndthenI’lltellmyfriends,butyoumustn’tworryyourself.’
Douglasischuckling.‘Soyourfriendsknoweverythingaboutyou?’
‘Everythingtheyneedto,yes,’saysElizabeth.
‘Dotheyknowthatyou’reDameElizabeth?’
‘Ofcoursenot.’
‘Sonoteverything?’
‘Noteverything.’
‘Whenwasthelasttimeyouusedyourtitle,Elizabeth?’
‘WhenIneededtoborrowamotorcycletogetoutofKosovoinahurry.Whenwasthelasttimeyouusedyours,SirDouglas?’
‘WhenItriedtogetticketsforHamilton.’
Elizabeth’sphonerings.Whichisrare.Shelooksdown.Joyceiscallingher.Whichisrarerstill.
‘Forgiveme,Ihavetotakethis.’
7
Inaway,youhadtoadmireConnieJohnson’sconfidence.Shedidthingswithabitofstyle.Butthestakeouthadbeenacolossalwasteoftime,andiftheyweregoingtocatchConnie,theyweregoingtohavetothinkofsomethingagreatdealcleverer.ThoughquitewhatthatcleverthingmightbeiseludingDCIChrisHudsonforthemoment.And,toaddinsulttoinjury,heisnowonanexercisebike.
Ofallthemachinesatthegym,thebikesuitshimbest.Forastartyou’resittingdown,andyoucanlookatyourphonewhileyou’reusingit.Youcantakethingsatyourownpace–sedateinChris’scase–butyoucanalsospeeduptolookmoreimpressiveanytimeamuscledmaninasingletoramuscledwomaninLycrawalksby.AlotofChris’scolleaguesfromFairhavenPoliceStationusethissamegym.Heseesthemsometimes,andhisrankdoesn’tseemtocountforanythinghere.TheotherdayaPCslappedhimonthebackandsaid,‘Keepgoing,mate,you’llgetthere.’Mate?NexttimeChrisneedssomeonetositthroughthreedays’worthofCCTVfromatwenty-four-hourgarage,thatyoungconstablewillseejustwhohismateis.
RightnowChriscanseehisDI,TerryHallet,doingpull-upswithhistopoff.FortheloveofGod.
ButstillChrispedalsinhisloose-fittingT-shirtandbaggyshorts.Shorts?Thatiswhatithascometo.And,ofcourse,hepedalsbecauseofPatrice.Becauseforthefirsttimeinnearlytwoyearsawomanisregularlyseeinghimnaked.Admittedlyusuallyinaslowalightashecangetawaywith,butstill.Andsofar,sogood,Chrisishappy,Patriceseemshappy,althoughwhatwouldshesayifshewasn’t?Well,Chrissupposesthatshewouldn’tkeepsleepingwithhim,but,evenso,thereisnoharmintryingtoeatbetter,tryingtolosesomeweightandtryingtoecho-locatesomemusclesunderhisspongysurface.
ItwasstillearlydaysforChrisandPatrice,thedaysoflustandartgalleries.Perhapsinsixmonthstheywouldbeinloveandhecouldsafelyputtheweightbackon.Butfornowherehewas.
Theexercisebikeisaworkofart,fullofdialsandbuttonstoincreaseresistance,toreplicatehillyground,tomeasureheartrate,tomeasuredistancetravelled,timeelapsedandcaloriesburned.Chrishasmostofthedisplaysswitchedoff.Theheart-ratemonitorwasterrifying;Chrishadseennumbersthatsurelycouldn’tberight.Thecaloriecounterwasworstofall.Sixmilesofcyclingtoburnoffahundredcalories?Sixmiles?ForhalfaTwix?Itdidn’tbearthinkingabout.
Soinstead,he’swatchinganantiquesprogrammeontheTVscreenandglancingupattheclockonthegymwallroughlyeveryforty-fiveseconds,prayingforthehourtobeup.
AsanelderlymanontheTVhidesalookofdisappointmentthathisshipinabottleisonlyworthsixtypounds,Chris’sphonerings.Hegenerallytriesnottoanswerhisphoneinthegym,butheseesthatDonnaiscalling.SomethingaboutConnieJohnson?Fingerscrossed.
Chrisslowshisalreadyslowpaceandpicksupthecall.
‘Donna,I’monthebike.I’mlikeLanceArmstrongbutwithoutthe–’
‘Sir,canyougettothehospital?’
Donnahadcalledhim‘Sir’.Soitwasacase.
‘Ofcourse,what’sup?’
‘Amugging.Anastyone.’
‘Gotcha.Whymethough?’
‘Chris,’saysDonna.‘It’sIbrahim.’
Chrisisrunningbeforehehangsup.
8
JoyceisholdingIbrahim’slefthand.Shesqueezesitashetalks.Elizabethisholdingtheotherhand.Ronhasproppedhimselfagainstthefarwall,puttingasmuchdistanceaspossiblebetweenhimandhisfriendinthebed.ButRonhastearsinhiseyes,andJoycehasneverseenthatbefore,sohecanstandwherehewants.
Ibrahimhastubesinhisnose,heavybandagesaroundhistorso,aneckbraceandadripinhisarm.Heisentirelydrainedofcolour.Helooksbroken.Helooksfrightened.Helooks,Joycerealizes,old.
Butheisconscious;heissitting,proppedup,andheistalking.Slowlyandquietly,andclearlyinpain,buttalking.
JoyceleansintocatchwhatIbrahimissaying.
‘Youcanpayfortheparkingonyourphone,yousee.It’sveryconvenient.’
‘Whatevernext?’asksJoyce,andsqueezeshishandagain.
‘Ibrahim?’saysElizabeth,hervoiceasgentleasJoycehaseverheardit.‘Withrespect,wedon’twanttohearabouttheparking.Wewanttoknowwhodidthis.’
Ibrahimnodsasbesthecanandtakesashallowbreathagainstthepain.HereleaseshishandfromElizabeth’sgraspandtriestoraiseafingerbutgivesup.‘OK,buttheappisreallyveryclever.Youjust–’
ThedoorfliesopenandChrisandDonnarushin,andmakestraightforthebed.
‘Ibrahim!’criesDonna.
JoyceletsDonnatakeIbrahim’shand.They’veallhadaturn.Chriswalksovertotheothersideofthebedandtapstheheadboard.HelooksdownatIbrahimandattemptsasmile.
‘Youhadusworriedthereforamoment.’
IbrahimgivesChrisaweakthumbs-up.
‘Weshouldseetheotherguy,right?’saysDonna.
‘Youshouldcatchtheotherguy,certainly,’saysElizabeth.
‘Yes,forgiveus,Elizabeth,’saysChris.‘Wehaven’tmanagedtocrackthecaseintheninesecondswe’vebeenintheroom.’
‘Don’trow,’saysJoyce.‘Notinahospital.’
‘Canyouspeak,Ibrahim?’asksDonna,andIbrahimnods.‘Whoeverdidthis,we’llfindthem,andwe’llgettheminaroomwiththecamerasoffandthey’llregretit.’
‘That’smygirl,’saysElizabeth.‘That’saproperpoliceofficer.’
‘Hundredyardsfromyourstation,’saysRon,jabbingafingeratChris.‘That’swhatit’scometo.Whileyou’reoffarrestingsomeoneforputtingtherecyclinginthewrongbin.’
‘Allright,Ron,’saysJoyce.
‘Iwasatthegym,’saysChris.
‘Well,thatsaysitall,’saysRon.
‘Itdoesn’tsayanything,Ron,’saysElizabeth.‘SobequietandletChrisandDonnadotheirjob.’
ChrisnodstoElizabeth,thenperchesonthebedandlooksatIbrahim.‘Mate,ifthere’sanythingyouremember,anythingatall,thenitallhelpsus.Iknowitmusthavebeenablur,butevenasmalldetail.’
‘Onlyifyoucan,’saysJoyce.
Ibrahimnodsagainandbeginstospeak,slowly,withtheoccasionalpausewhenthepaingetstoomuch.
‘Idon’tremembermuch,Chris.YouknowI’mnormallygoodwithdetails.’
‘Ofcourse,mate,that’sfine.Justanything.’
‘Therewerethreeofthem.Twowhite,oneAsian–Bangladeshi,Iwouldsay.’
‘That’sgreat,Ibrahim,’saysChris.‘Anythingelse?’
‘Allonbikes.OneofthebicycleswasaCarreraVulcan,onewasaNorcoStorm4,andI’mafraidI’mnotquitecertainofthemakeofthethird,butprobablyaVoodooBantu.’
‘Right…’saysChris.
‘Allthreeworehoodedgarments,oneaburgundyNiketopwithawhitedrawstring,andtheothertwoinblackAdidas.TheirtrainerswerewhiteReebok,whiteAdidas,andIhaveforgottenthethird.’IbrahimlookstoChrisinapology.
‘Yes,Isee,’saysChris.
‘Idorememberthatoneofthewhiteboyshadawatchwithabeigestrapandablueface,andtheotherwhiteboyhadatattooofthreestarsonhislefthand.TheBangladeshiboyhadacnescarsdowntherightsideofhisface.Oneoftheotherboyshadashavingrash,butthatismoot,asIdon’timagineitwilllastlongerthanaday.Onehadaripinhisjeans,andonhisthighyoucouldseethebottomofatattoo,whichlookedtomelikeafootballcrest,BrightonandHoveAlbion,Ithink,andIcouldmakeouttheletters“r-e-v-e-r”whichItooktobetheendoftheword“forever”,butofcourseIcouldn’tsweartoit.That’sallIremember,I’mafraid.It’sabitofahaze.’
Joycesmiles.That’sherIbrahim.
‘Imean,I’llbehonest,’saysChris,‘thatwasmorethanIexpected.We’llfindthemonCCTVsomewhere,andthenwe’llfindthosebikes.We’llgetthemforyou.’
‘Thankyou,’saysIbrahim.‘Andalso,Iknowthefirstnameoftheonewhoattackedme,ifthathelps?’
‘Youknowhisname?’
‘AsIwaslyingthere,theyshouted,“Ryan,comeon!”’
‘Comeon,Ryan?’saysDonna.
‘There’syourman,’saysRon.‘Rightthere.StoppillockingaroundandgoandarrestRyan.’
‘IfIarrestedeveryRyanwithacriminalrecordinFairhaven,we’dneedmorecells,’saysChris.
AnursewalksinandJoycerecognizesthelookonherface.Joycestands.
‘Timetogo,everyone,letthenursesgetonwiththeirjobs.’
Ibrahimgetsgentlehugsandkissesfromeveryoneinturn,andtheystarttofileout.OnlyRonremains.
‘Comeon,Ron,’saysJoyce.‘Let’sgetyouhome.’
Ronshufflesfromfoottofoot.
‘Um,I’mstaying.’
‘You’restayinghere?’
‘Yeah,Ijust…Well,they’regoingtomakemeupacampbed,andtheysaidIcouldstay.’Ronshrugs;helooksalittleawkward.‘Keephimcompany.GotmyiPad,mightwatchafilm.’
‘ThereisaKoreanfilmIhavebeenlookingforwardto,’saysIbrahim.
‘Notthat,’saysRon.
JoycewalksovertoRonandgiveshimahug,feelinghisembarrassmentasshedoes.‘Youlookafterourboy.’Joycethenwalksoutofthedoor,lettingitclosebehindher,andseesChrisandDonnainconferencewithElizabeth.
‘Thephonewasjustsnatched,sothere’llbenoforensics,’saysChris,‘andfromwhatI’veheardwedon’thavewitnesses.There’snoCCTVthereeither,they’llhaveknownthat.Wecanfindthemforsure,withIbrahim’sdescription,butthey’lllaughinourfacesinaninterview.’
‘Andoffthey’lltrot,todothesamethingtosomeoneelse,’saysDonna.
‘You’regoingtoletthemgetawaywiththis?’saysElizabeth.‘AfterdoingthattoIbrahim?’
Chrislooksaroundhim,justtomakesurehe’samongfriends.‘Ofcoursewe’renotgoingtoletthemgetawaywithit.’
‘Oh,good,’saysJoyce.
‘We’llbringthemin,Ipromiseyouthat.We’llwasteabitoftheirtime.Butotherthanthat,there’snothingmeandDonnacando.’
Elizabethlooksathim.‘DonnaandI,Chris.Howmanytimesarewegoingtogothroughthis?’
Chrisignoresher.‘ButIknowyouwellenoughtoreckonthere’sprobablysomethingyoucoulddo,Elizabeth?YouandJoyceandRon?’
‘Goon,’saysElizabeth.‘I’mlistening.’
ChristurnstoDonna.‘WhodiditsoundlikeIbrahimwasdescribing,Donna?Fromthename,totheclothes,rightdowntothetattoo.’
‘ItsoundedlikeRyanBairdtome,sir.’
Chrisnods,andturnstofaceElizabeth.‘ItsoundedlikeRyanBairdtome,too.’
‘RyanBaird,’saysElizabeth.Astatement,notaquestion.Lockedintothevault,nevertoescape.
‘Sowe’llnipoffnowandarresthim,andquestionhim,andgetastringof“nocomments”,andthenwe’llhavetolethimgo,alittlesmirkonhisface,knowinghe’sgotawaywithitagain.’
‘Oh,hehasn’tgotawaywithitthistime,’saysElizabeth.‘NoonegetsawaywithhurtingIbrahim.’
‘Iwashopingyou’dsaythat,’saysChris.‘Youknowhowmuchthefourofyoumeantous,don’tyou?’
‘Ido,’saysElizabeth.‘AndIhopeyoubothknowthesame.’
‘Wedo,’saysDonna.‘Nowlet’sgoandarrestRyanBaird,andmayGodhavemercyonhissoul.’
‘Idon’tthinkevenGodwillbeabletohelphim,’saysJoyce,assheseesahospitalporterwheelingacampbedintoIbrahim’sroom.
9
Elizabethisfindingithardtofocus.AfterseeingIbrahiminthebedyesterdayevening,hookeduptotubes,justasPennyhadbeen.Shedoesn’twanttoloseanyoneelse.
Shehastokeepherwitsaboutherthough.Sheiswalkingthroughthewoods,highaboveCoopersChase,withDouglasMiddlemiss.Herex-husbandandhernewresponsibility.Ajobsheneveraskedfor.PeoplediedaroundDouglas.Toomanypeople.
Whyhadshemarriedhim?Well,hehadaskedataroundaboutthetimeshefeltsheoughttogetmarried.And,dangerousthoughhewas,hecouldalsobekind.Pretendtobe,atleast.Anditwasn’tasifshehadn’tkilledafewpeopleinhertime,too.IfRyanBairdwereinfrontofhernowshewouldprobablyaddanotheronetoherlist.
TrailingquitehappilybehindthemisPoppy,headphoneson.Thathadbeenthecompromise.PoppywouldneedtokeepDouglasinhersight,butDouglaswouldbeabletospeakfreelytoElizabeth.
‘Itwasasroutineasthesethingscanbe,’saysDouglas.‘Wetookourphotos,brokeintowhateverwecouldbreakinto,andoffwetoddled.Couldn’thavebeeninLomax’shousemorethanhalfanhour.Herarelygoesout,sowehadtobequick.’
Elizabethstopsforamomenttotakeintheview,CoopersChasebelowher,thebuildings,thelakes,therollingfields.Aboveher,thecemeterywherethenuns,whohadpreviouslycalledthisplacehomeforcenturies,wereburied.Stillbehindthem,Poppyhaltstooandtakesinthesameview.
‘Andyoumessedupsomehow?’
‘Idon’tknowaboutmessedupexactly,buttwodayslaterwegetamessage,throughcertainchannels.MartinLomaxhasbeenintouch.’
‘Hashenow?’saysElizabeth,astheyresumetheirwalk.‘Dogoon.’
‘Effingandblinding,theysay.Youbrokeintomyproperty,humanrights,flagrantdisregard,thewholeshootingmatch.Gutsforgarters,youknowtheroutine.’
‘AndhowdidheknowitwasMI5?’
‘Well,ahundredways,Isuppose.Youneverreallyleavethingsexactlywhereyoufoundthem,doyou?Ifsomeoneknowswhatthey’relookingfor.Andwhobreaksinwithoutstealinganything?Onlyus,dear,inthisdayandage.’
Thereisconstructionnoisefromfurtherupthehill,wherethefinalpartoftheCoopersChasedevelopmentisbeingbuilt.Douglasstopsbyanoldoakwithahollowpocketinitstrunk.Hepatsit.
‘Perfectdead-letterdrop,this,eh?’hesays.
Elizabethlooksattheoakandagrees.Shehashaddead-letterdropsallovertheworld.Behindloosebricksinlowwalls,hooksunderparkbenches,obscurebooksinoldshops,anywhereoneagentcouldhidesomethingcompletely,andanothercouldpickitupwithoutsuspicion.Thistreewouldbeperfect,wereitinWarsaworBeirut.
‘YourememberthetreeweusedinEastBerlin?Inthepark?’asksDouglas.
‘WestBerlin,butyes,Iremember,’saysElizabeth.Almosttenyearsolder,butmemorysharper,shewouldtakethatvictory.
TheystopadmiringthetreeandDouglascontinues.
‘SoLomaxisshoutingtheodds,andhe’sgotusbuggeredallwaystoWednesdaybecauseweshouldn’thavebeeninthere,andheknowsthatandweknowthat,andthenhedropsthebomb.’
‘Thebomb?’
‘Thebomb.’
‘Andthisbombiswhyyou’rehere?’
Douglasnods.‘Thereheis,MartinLomax,firingbothbarrelsandreloading,andthenhesays,“Wherearemydiamonds?”’
‘Diamonds?’
‘StopjustrepeatingwhatIsaidlast,Elizabeth,it’saterriblehabitofyours.Thatandadultery.’
‘Sothesediamonds,Douglas?’saysElizabeth,notbreakingstride.
‘Sayshehadtwentymillionpounds’worthofdiamondsinthehouse.Uncut.DownpaymentfromabusinessmaninNewYorktoaColombiancartel.’
‘Andtheydisappearedafteryourvisit?’
‘Thinair,saysourman.AccusingusofIdon’tknowwhat,seekingreparation,yellingtheceilingsoff.SoIgethauledin–quiterighttoo,protocol,nocomplaintfromme–andItakethemthroughtheoperation,meandanotherchap,Lance,SpecialBoatService,trustworthy,MI5likeshim.Poppyoutsideonlookoutduty,waitingforthehunterstoemerge.Nodiamondsseen,nodiamondstaken,chapmustbebluffing.’
‘Andtheybelievedyou?’
‘Noreasonnotto.Wecouldallseethegamehewasplaying.Gettingabitofleverageoverus.SobacktheygotoMartinLomax,sorrywebrokein,justdoingourjob,butcomeoffitwiththediamondsoldboy,andlet’sfindawaytobefriends.’
‘Andheisunamenabletothis?’
‘Thedefinitionofit.Swearsthisisnobluff,tellsushe’sgotColombiansreadytobreakthislegandthatlegiftheydon’tgettheirdiamondsback,andwhatarewegoingtodoaboutit?’
‘Andwhatdidyoudo?’
‘Nothingwecando.Theykeptatmeandtherestoftheteamforacoupleofdays,justtomakesureweweretellingthetruth,thentheyreportbackandtellMartinLomax,look,friend,ifthediamondseverexistedatall,whichfranklywedoubt,thensomeoneelsehasthem.There’sabitofbackandforth,andthenhedropsanotherbomb.’
‘Goodnessme,Douglas,’saysElizabeth.‘Twobombs.’
‘MartinLomaxsays,“I’msendingoveraphotograph,”andthroughitcomes,CCTV,ashotfromthesideofhishouse,it’syourstruly,fullface,clearasabell,maskoff.’
‘Youtookyourmaskoff?’
‘Iwashot,itwasitchy,youknowme,Elizabeth,andthebalaclavasaresyntheticthesedays.WhateverhappenedtowoolissomethingIwouldliketoknow.Sothere’smyface,andhe’sdonehisresearch,knowswhoIam,andunderthephotographhewrites“TellDouglasMiddlemisshehastwoweekstoreturnmydiamonds.Ifthediamondshaven’tbeenreturnedwithintwoweeksthenIwilltelltheAmericansandtheColombiansthathehasthem.”Kindregards,andsoon.’
‘Andwhenwasthis?’
Douglasstops,looksaroundandnodstohimself.HethenlooksatElizabeth.
‘Well,thiswastwoweeksago.’
Elizabethpursesherlips.Theyhavebrokenthroughthecoverofthetreesnow,andfindthemselvesbythepathleadingtothenuns’cemetery.Shemotionstoabenchupahead.
‘Shallwe?’
ElizabethandDouglaswalkovertothebenchandtakeaseat.
‘SoyouarenowbeinghuntedbytheNewYorkmafiaandbyaColombiandrugcartel?’
‘Neverrainsbutitpours,eh,darling?’
‘AndtheServicehavesentyouheretokeepyousafe?’
‘Well,ifImaybehonest,thatwasmybrightidea.I’dbeenreadingaboutyou,aboutyourrecentescapades,andaboutthisplace,CoopersChase,anditstruckmeastheperfectplacetohide.’
‘Well,dependswhatyou’rehiding,’saysElizabeth,lookingupatthecemetery.‘Butyes.’
‘Soyou’llhelplookafterme?Mobilizesomeofthetroopsaroundhere?Keepthemalerttostrangerdanger,butdon’ttellthemwhy?I’llonlybehereuntilthissortsitselfout.’
‘Douglas,youhavenoincentivetogivemeanhonestanswertothis,but,justsoI’veasked,didyoustealthediamonds?’
‘OfcourseIdid,darling.Theywerejustsittingthere.Couldn’tresist.’
Elizabethnods.
‘AndIneedyoutokeepmesafelongenoughsoIcanpickthemup,takethemtoAntwerpandcashthemin.ThoughtI’dstumbledacrosstheperfectcrime,didn’tI?IfIhadn’ttakenthatstupidmaskoffI’dbeinBermudaalready,Iassureyou.’
‘Isee,’saysElizabeth.‘Andwherearethediamondsnow,Douglas?’
‘Keepmealive,mydarling,andI’lltellyou,’saysDouglas.‘Ah,here’sourfriendHermioneGranger.’
Poppyhasreachedthebench.Shemotionstoherheadphones,askingifit’ssafetotakethemoff.Elizabethgivesheranod.
‘Ihopeyouenjoyedthewalk,dear?’asksElizabeth.
‘Verymuch,’saysPoppy.‘Weusedtodohikingatuni.’
‘Whatwereyoulisteningto?Grimemusic?’
‘Apodcastaboutbees,’saysPoppy.‘Iftheydie,we’redoomed,I’mafraid.’
‘ThenIshallbemorecarefulinfuture,’saysElizabeth.‘Now,Poppy,Douglashaspersuadedmetoacceptthepositionyouareoffering.IimagineIcanbehelpful.’
‘Oh,terrific,’saysPoppy.‘That’sarelief.’
‘Ihavetwocaveats,however.Firstly,thistask,keepinganeyeoutandsoon,willbesomucheasiertoperformwithmythreefriendstohelpme.’
‘That’simpossible,I’mafraid,’saysPoppy.
‘Oh,mydear,asyougetolderyou’llrealizeveryfewthingsareimpossible.Certainlynotthis.’
‘Andthesecondthing?’asksDouglas.
‘Well,thesecondthingisveryimportant.Moreimportantthandiamonds,andmoreimportantthanDouglas.IfI’mtoacceptthisjob,thenIneedafavourfromMI5.Asimplefavour,butonethatwillmeanagreatdealtome.’
‘Goon?’saysPoppy.
‘IneedalltheinformationyouhaveonateenagerfromFairhavennamedRyanBaird.’
‘RyanBaird?’saysDouglas.
‘Oh,Douglas,stoprepeatingwhatIlastsaid,it’saterriblehabitofyours.Thatandadultery.’
ElizabethstandsandcrooksanelbowsoPoppycantakeherarm.
‘Couldyoudothatforme,dear?’
‘ImeanIsupposeIcould,’saysPoppy.‘CanIaskwhatit’sfor?’
‘I’mafraidnot,no,’saysElizabeth.
‘ThencanyoupromisemethisRyanBairdwon’tcometoanyharm?’
‘Oh“promise”issuchabigword,isn’tit?Let’sallhaveanicewalkhome.Idon’twantyoutobelateforyourlunchshift.’
10
Joyce
SoIhavejoinedInstagram,ifyouknowit?
Joannapersuadedme.Shesaidyoucanseeallsortsofphotosfromallsortsofpeople.Nigella,FionaBruce,everyone.
Ijoinedthismorning.Itaskedmefora‘username’soIputinmynameanditsaid‘@JoyceMeadowcrofthasalreadybeentaken’andIthought‘Ishouldbesolucky’.ThenItried@JoyceMeadowcroft2,butthatwasgoneaswell.
ThenIthoughtaboutnicknames,butreallymostpeoplejustcallmeJoyce.ThenIrememberedanicknamefrombackinmynursingdays.Therewasoneconsultantwhowouldalwayscallme‘GreatJoy’.Wheneverourpathscrossed,hewouldsay,‘Ah,heresheis,GreatJoy,herbeautifulsmilespreadinghappiness.’Whichwaslovely,butnotwhenyou’rechangingacatheter.
Lookingback,Irealizehewantedtogetintomyapron,andIwouldhavelethim,hadIcaughton.Thepathsnottaken.
SoItried‘@GreatJoy’,butnothingdoing.IaddedmyyearofbirthsoIwas‘@GreatJoy44’butstillnoluck.ThenIaddedJoanna’syearofbirthand,bingo!SoI’mallsetupandregisteredas‘@GreatJoy69’,andamlookingforwardtohavinglotsoffun.I’vealreadyfollowedtheHairyBikersandtheNationalTrust.
Itwasanicethingtodo,tobehonest,becausetodayisSunday,andIsometimesgetblueonSundays.Timeseemstogoalittleslower.Ithinkbecauselotsofpeoplearespendingitwiththeirfamilies.Therestaurantisalwaysfulloffidgetingniecesanddisappointingsons-in-law.AlsoonSundaythedaytimeTVisnotasgood,theBargainHuntsarealwaysrepeats,there’snoHomesUndertheHammer,nothing.JoannasaysIcanwatchsomethingoncatch-up,andI’msureshe’sright,butthatfeelsevenloneliersomehow.I’dhonestlyrathershejustcamedownforlunchwithhermum.Shedoescomesometimes,tobefair.Shewashereanawfullotmoreduringthemurders,andwhocanblameher?Notme.
Intheabsenceofanymoremurders,though,Iimagineadogwouldbeadraw.ThoughJoanna’sprobablyallergic.Sheneverwasasachild,butpeopleseemtogetallergictoallsortsassoonastheymovetoLondon.
TodayIamgoingtogetataxidowntoFairhavenwithRonandElizabethtovisitIbrahim,sothatwillcheermeupatleast.Ilovehospitals,they’relikeairports.
IhaveboughtIbrahimaSundayTimes,becauseIoncesawoneathisplace.Goodnessme,itweighsaton.TolightentheloadIhavetakenoutanysectionsIthinkwon’tinteresthim,butthat’sonlyfashion,andaspecialpull-outreportaboutEstonia,soithasmadeverylittledifference.Ihavealsoboughthimsomeflowers,abigDairyMilk,andacanofRedBullbecauseoftheadverts.
Iknowtheotherswereshakentoseehimbruisedandbandaged,butIwasgratefultoseeitwasonlythat.Iwascertainlyrelievedtohearhimtalking.Relieved,andthenabitbored,becauseyouknowIbrahim,buttheboredomwasalovelyfeeling.
IhaveseenworseisallI’msaying.Agreatdealworse.Iwon’tgointodetails.
OnourwaythereonFridayIwasreassuringRonandElizabeth,nothingtoworryabout,he’singoodhands,theyfoundhimsoquickly.ButIhadfearedtheworst.Therearesomeinjuriesyoudon’trecoverfrom.RonandElizabetharenofools,ofcourse,sotheywillhaveknownIwasjustbeingreassuring,butthatdoesn’tmakeitanylessimportant.Atanygiventime,somebodyhastobecalm,anditwasmyturn.
WhenIgothomeIhadacry,andI’msuretheybothdidtoo.Butwhenweweretogether,wewereasgoodasgold.
IknowI’monlytalkingabouttheimmediateinjuries,bytheway.IrealizethereisanawfulroadaheadforIbrahimwhenwhathashappenedsinksin.Heisverywise,butheisalsoveryvulnerable.Perhapsheiswisebecauseheisvulnerable?Becauseheletseverythingin?NowI’mtheonewhosoundslikeapsychiatrist!IthinkIwouldtalktoomuchtobeapsychiatrist.Youwouldn’tgetyourhour’sworth.
Isitpsychiatristorpsychotherapist,bytheway?Ican’trememberwhichoneIbrahimcallshimself.I’llaskhimtoday.Iamlookingforwardtoseeinghimeversomuch.OnethingIknowisthatitwillbeimportanttohavegoodfriendsaroundhimwhenhegetshome,andIcanguaranteethat.
AnotherthingIcanguarantee?Theboywhodecidedtostealmyfriend’sphone,andaimakickatmyfriend’shead,andraceoffleavinghimfordead?Hewillwishhewasneverborn.
Idon’tthinkpsychiatristsreallyencouragerevenge.Idon’tknow,butIimaginetheymightpreachforgiveness,likeBuddhists?TherewasaquoteonFacebookaboutit.Eitherway,psychiatristsandIaregoingtohavetodisagreeonthisone.
PerhapsRyanBairdhashadadifficultupbringing?Perhapshisdadleftorhismumleft,ortheybothleft,orhe’shookedondrugs,orhewasbullied,orhedidn’tfitin.Perhapsallofthesethingsaretrue,andperhapsthereareplacesRyanBairdmightfindasympathetichearing.Buthewon’tfindonewithme,hewon’tfindonewithRonandhewon’tfindonewithElizabeth.Ryanisoutofwhateverluckhemayeverhavehad.
Ican’ttellyouhowtemptedIamtohavesomeofthisDairyMilk.IknowIbrahimwillletmehavesomeassoonasIhanditover,butyouknowwhatit’slikewhenit’sjuststaringyoustraightintheface?Ishouldhaveboughthimgrapes,thenIwouldn’thavebeentempted.
Iwillhaveabitofthechocolatenow.Don’tyouthink?I’lljustnipuptotheshopandbuyhimanewonebeforethetaxiarrives.Theneveryone’shappy,aren’tthey?
Iseethat@GreatJoy69hasalreadyhadafewprivatemessagesonInstagram.Thatwasquick!IwilltakealookatthemwhenIgetback.Howveryexciting!
11
ThewomanfromtheSundayTelegraphisveryfriendly,butMartinLomaxsupposesthat’sallpartofherjob.SheiscooingoverhisJapaneseanemonesandstrokingoneofhisornamentalboxhedgesastheywander.
‘Imean,I’veseensomebeautifulprivategardens,MrLomax,butreallythistopsthemall.Ittopsthemall.Wherehasthisbeenhiding?’
MartinLomaxnods,andtheykeepwalking.Sheseemsquitehappytalking.Itisabeautifulgarden,heknowsthat.Itreallyshouldbeforthemoney.Butthebest?Theverybest?Comenow.Butthat’sherjob,ofcourse.
‘Theuseofsymmetryisfascinating.Itunfurls,doesn’tit?Itrevealsitself.DoyouknowthefamousWilliamBlakepoem,MrLomax?’
MartinLomaxshakeshishead.Heoncekilledapoet,butthat’sasfarasheandpoetrygo.
‘Tygertygerinthenight,burningveryverybright.Whatimmortalsymmetry.Havethee.’
MartinLomaxnodsagainandthinksheshouldprobablysaysomethinglike‘beautiful’.Incaseshestartstothinkhemightbeasociopath.HehasreadThePsychopathTest
‘Beautiful.’
HehaswantedtobeintheSundayTelegraph’s‘Britain’sBestGardens’supplementforalongtime.Inthedistanceheseesthephotographerunderahedge,shootingupwardsintothecloudlesssky.Thatwillbeabeautifulphotograph.Thereisaboxcontaininghalfamillionemergencydollarsburiedunderthathedge,becauseyoushouldneverkeepallyourmoneyinoneplace.
‘Andyou’rehavingyourfirsteverOpenGardeneventthisweek?’asksthejournalist.
MartinLomaxnods.Hewaslookingforwardtoit.Toshowingoffwhathehadcreated.Hecouldwatchfromanupstairswindowaspeopleenjoyedthemselves.Ifanyonedecidedtotakealiberty,hewouldhavethemkilled.Buteverybodyelsewouldbeverywelcome.
‘Forthepiece,weweregoingtodescribeyouasa“businessman”.Doesthatsuit?Ireadallaboutyou–privateinsuranceservices,wasthatit?Iwonderifthatwouldjustconfusepeople.“Businessman”usuallydoesthetrick,orifit’sawoman,“mumandentrepreneur”.Sometimeswe’llsay“heirtothesomethingfortune”.Butyou’rehappywith“businessman”?’
MartinLomaxnods.HehadaUkrainiancomingtothehousethisafternoon.TheUkrainianhasjustagreedtobuysomedecommissionedSaudianti-aircraftmissilesfortwelvemilliondollarsandisplanningtokidnaparacehorseasdownpayment.
‘Thechrysanthemumsarebeautiful,’saysthewoman.‘Exquisite.’
Akidnappedracehorsewasnotideal,asfarasMartinLomaxwasconcerned,butifbothsideswerehappywiththearrangementhehasamplestablingbythepaddock.HehasdonebusinesswiththeUkrainiansbeforeandfoundthemviolentbuttrustworthy.MartinLomaxwillgetthelocalScouttrooptorunarefreshmentstallononeoftheOpenGardendays.Waterandsoon.Peopleneedwater,hehasnoticed.Theygocrazyforthestuff.
‘Dawn,’callsthejournalisttothephotographer.‘Canyougetsomeshotsofthismulch?It’simportedfromCrete.’
Noplasticwaterbottles,though;peoplewouldcomplain,andhewouldn’twantanythingtospoiltheexperience.Thinkingitthroughnow,herealizeshewillhavetokeeppeopleawayfromthestables,justincase.And,ofcourse,awayfromthehouse,thatgoeswithoutsaying.Andawayfromthebodiesinthecesspit,thoughwhowouldgonearthat,anyway?Andnodigging.Therearegrenadessomewhere.Forthelifeofhimhecan’trememberwheretheyareburied,butheknowstheyareinasafelocation,andhehaswrittenitdownsomewhere.UndertheVenetiangazebo?Onreflection,hecan’tevenrememberwhosegrenadestheywere,orwhyhehadagreedtoburythem,butthatcomeswithage.
‘Wedon’tneedanybiographicaldetail,MrLomax,butpeoplelikeitsometimes.CanImentionawife?Children?’
MartinLomaxshakeshishead.‘One-manband.’
‘That’sabsolutelyfine.It’sallaboutthegardens,really.’
MartinLomaxnods.AftertheUkrainian,hewouldhavetodealwiththatothermatter.Thebreak-in.Hehadhandleditverynicelysofar.Youshouldn’treallymesswithMI5,heknowsthat,andhewouldfarratherbefriendthanfoe.Buttwentymillionistwentymillionwhenall’ssaidanddone.Heiscertainthatsomebodywillendupdead,andhejustneedstomakesureit’snothim.
‘Doyouthink,Iwonder,thatImightuseyourbathroom?’asksthejournalist.‘Longtriphere,longtripback.’
‘Ofcourse,’saysMartinLomax.‘There’soneintheequipmentshed.Youseeit?Behindthefountain?Idon’tthinkthere’spaper,sousewhatever’sathand.’
‘Oh,yes,certainly,certainly,’saysthejournalist.‘Don’tsupposeIcouldbecheekyandgointhehouse?’
MartinLomaxshakeshisheadagain.‘Theequipmentshedisnearer.’
Nooneevercomesinthehouseunlessit’sbusiness.Noone.Firstit’stoilets,andthenyouneverknowwhat.MI5thinktheycanjustbreakin?We’llseeaboutthat.MartinLomaxhasmanyfriends.Saudiprinces,aone-eyedKazakhwithaone-eyedRottweiler.BoththeKazakhandtheRottweilerwouldripyouapartwithouthesitation.Noonecomesintothehousewithouthisinvitation.
MartinLomaxlooksaroundthegardensoncemore.Howluckyheistoliveamongsuchbeauty.Itwasawonderfulworldwhenyouthoughtaboutit.Butenoughreflectionforthemoment,hehadanti-aircraftmissilestoworryabout.AndmaybeheshouldbakesomebiscuitsfortheOpenGardentoo?Perhapssomebrownies?
Hehearsanancienttoiletflushand,inthedistance,thefirstvibrationsofanapproachinghelicopter.
Whitechocolateandraspberry?Peoplewouldlikethem,he’ssureofit.
12
‘Andthat’sitinanutshell.Noneedfordrama,andnoneedtolookatme,jawsagape.’
Elizabethfinishesherstoryandsitsbackinthelowchair.ForamomenttheonlysoundisIbrahim’sheartmonitor.
‘Butdiamonds?’saysIbrahim,pushinghimselfupinhishospitalbed.
‘Yes,’saysElizabeth.
‘Twentymillionquid’sworthofdiamonds?’saysRon,whohadstoodstillthroughoutthestory,butisnowpacing.Joycehadbroughthimfreshunderwearfromhome,andhehaddutifullychangedinthedisabledtoilet,eventhoughhispresentunderweareasilyhadanotherdayinit.
‘Yes,’saysElizabeth,rollinghereyes.‘Anymoreobviousquestions?’
Ibrahim,JoyceandRonlookateachother.
‘He’syourex-husband?’saysIbrahim.
‘Heis,yes,’saysElizabeth.‘Withrespecttothethreeofyou,thisistiresome.AnyquestionsaboutanythingIhaven’tcovered?’
‘Andwe’llgettomeethim?’asksRon.‘Intheflesh?’
‘Unfortunately,yes,’saysElizabeth.
RonandIbrahimareshakingtheirheadsinwonder.ElizabethturnstoJoyce.
‘Joyce,you’reveryquiet.Nothingtoaskaboutthediamondsortheex-husband?Orthemafia?OrtheColombians?’
Joyceshiftsforwardinherseat.‘Well,Ihaveplentytosayaboutitall,andI’mexcitedtomeetDouglas.Ibethe’shandsome.Ishehandsome?’
‘Abittooobviouslyhandsome,’saysElizabeth.‘Ifyouknowthesortofthing.’
‘Ooh,Idoknowthatsortofthing,’saysJoyce.‘Youcan’tbeobviousenoughforme.’
‘NotashandsomeasStephen,though,’saysElizabeth.
‘Oh,noone’sashandsomeasStephen,’saysJoyce.‘But,honestly,allIwasreallythinking,allthewaythrough,wasthatitexplainsPoppy’snails.’
‘Yes,Icouldseethepennydrop,’saysElizabeth.
AnursewalksintotheroomtofillIbrahim’swaterjugandthefriendsfallsilentandnodtheirthanks.Sheleaves.
‘Iamconventionallyhandsome,’saysIbrahim.
‘Notatthemomentyou’renot,’saysRon.
‘Soyouneedustolookoutforhim?’asksJoyce.‘Likebodyguards?’
‘Hardlybodyguards,Joyce,’saysElizabeth.
‘We’reguardinghisbody,’saysRon.
‘Allright,bodyguardsthen,Ron,asyouwish.’
Ronnods.‘Yep,Idowish.’
‘Well,theinvitationisthere,’saysElizabeth.‘Ifyou’retoobusy,thendon’t.’
‘Icanfititin,’saysRon.‘Wegettingpaid?’
‘Afterafashion,yes,’saysElizabeth.‘DouglasandPoppyhaveagreedtogiveusinformationonRyanBaird.’
‘RyanBaird?’asksRon.
‘That’sthenameoftheboywhostoleIbrahim’sphone,’saysJoyce.
‘Oh,’saysIbrahim.
‘RyanBaird,’saysRon.‘RyanBaird.’
‘Ididn’t…Idon’tthinkIlikehimhavingasurname,’saysIbrahim.‘Ithinkit’shardertopretenditneverhappenedwhenhehasasurname.Idon’t…sorry,I’mnotsureaboutthisatall.’
‘Iknow,’saysElizabeth.‘Iunderstand.We’retakingcareofit.’
‘Revengeiswhatyouneed,’saysRon.‘Beatenup,lockedup,whateverElizabeth’sgotinstore.’
‘Idon’treallybelieveinrevenge,’saysIbrahim.
‘Iknewit,’saysJoycequietly.
‘Well,Ido,’saysRon.
‘AsdoI,’saysElizabeth.‘Sothematterisdecided,I’mafraid.Now,let’sagreetospeakhisnamenomore.’
Theroomfallsquiet.Ibrahimtiltshisheadback.Hegrimacesslightly.
‘WhatdoyouthinkDouglashasdonewiththediamonds?’asksIbrahim.
‘Idon’tknow,’saysElizabeth.‘Butitfeelslikeitmightbefuntofindout.’
‘Let’sfindthemandsell’em,’saysRon.
‘Oohyes!’saysJoyce.‘Twentymillionbetweenthefourofus!’
‘WhatdoweknowaboutMartinLomax?’asksIbrahim.
‘Verylittle,’saysElizabeth.‘Butifwe’reprotectingDouglasthenIthinkweshouldfindoutabitmore.’
‘RonandIcanusetheiPadthisevening,’saysIbrahim.‘Doalittleresearch.’
‘You’restayingagain,Ron?’asksJoyce.
‘Well,justanothernight,youknow.Icanflirtwiththenurses,andtheymakeanicecupoftea.’
‘I’llbringyoumorepants,’saysJoyce.
‘Honestly,noneed,’saysRon.
13
PCDonnaDeFreitasissittingwithDCIChrisHudsoninInterviewSuiteB.OppositethemisRyanBaird,wearingalookofpoorlyattemptednonchalance,andhissolicitor,wearingasuitthatshouldbeinadrycleaner’sratherthanFairhavenPoliceStation.Whatwashethinkingwhenheputiton?Heevenhasaweddingring.Howdidthathappen?Beingamanwassuchaneasygig.TheworkDonnaputsintoherselfandshe’sstillsingle.Andhere’sthisguy.Anyway.
‘WherewereyouonFriday,Ryan?’asksChris.‘Betweenaboutfiveandfivefifteen?’
‘I’veforgotten,’saysRyan.
Hissolicitormakesanote.Orpretendsto.It’shardtoknowwhatthenotemightbe.
‘How’syourcupoftea?’asksDonna.
‘How’syourcupoftea?’repliesRyan.
‘It’sactuallynotbad,’saysDonna.
‘Welldone,’saysRyan.
Lookathim,acneandbravado.Achild,really.Alostboy.
‘Youownabicycle,Ryan,’saysChris.‘ANorcoStorm4?’
RyanBairdshrugs.
‘AreyoushruggingbecauseIsaiditwrong,orshruggingbecauseyoudon’tknowifyouownone?’
‘Idon’townone.Nocomment,’saysRyan.
‘Youhavetopickoneortheother,Ryan,’saysDonna.‘Youcan’tanswerthequestionandsaynocomment.’
‘Nocomment,’saysRyanBaird.
‘That’sbetter,’saysDonna.‘Notsohard,isit?’
‘Amanwasmugged,Ryan,onApplebyStreet,’saysChris.‘Phonestolen,thenkickedintheheadwhilehewaslyingontheground.’
‘Nocomment,’saysRyan.
‘Ididn’taskyouaquestion,’saysChris.
‘Nocomment.’
‘Again,noquestion.’
‘Hewaseightyyearsold,’saysDonna.‘Hecouldhavedied.He’lllive,ifyou’reinterested?’
RyanBairdsaysnothing.
‘Nowthatwasaquestion,’saysChris.‘Areyouinterested?’
‘No,’saysRyan.
‘Well,that’ssomehonesty,finally.Now,cameraspickyouandacoupleofyourbuddiesuponTheodoreStreet,that’sacoupleofminutesawayfromthemugging.That’satfiveseventeen,andwecanseeyouhereonaNorcoStormbikethatmayormaynotbeyours.’
ChrispassesaphotographovertoRyan.‘IamshowingRyanBairdphotographP19.’
‘Isthatyou,Ryan?’asksDonna.
‘Nocomment.’
‘Ineithercase,’saysRyan’ssolicitor,‘it’snotillegaltobenearacrime.’
Thishangsintheairforamoment.Christapshispenonhispadafewtimes,thinking.
‘OK,that’susdone,’saysChris,standingsuddenly.Donnaseesthesurpriseinthesolicitor’seyes.‘Interviewterminatedatfourfifty-sevenp.m.’
Chriswalksovertothedoor,opensitandmotionsforRyanandhissolicitortoleave.Ryanisfirstthroughthedoor,butthesolicitorholdsback.
‘Justwaitinthecorridor,Ryan,’saysthesolicitor.‘Iwon’tbeamoment.’
Ryanshufflesoffand,assoonashe’soutofearshot,thesolicitorspeakstoChrisinalowvoice.
‘That’sallyouhave?YoumusthavemorethanjustCCTV?’
‘We’vegotmore,’saysChris.
Thesolicitorcockshisheadtotheside.‘Sowhat’sthis?Atrap?Youknowifyou’regoingtocallhimbackinandshowhimmorefootage,orintroduceawitness,thenIneedtoseeitnow.’
‘Iknow,’saysChris.‘I’mnotgoingtoshowhimanymorefootage.’
‘You’renotgoingtosearchhisflat?’
‘Nope,’saysChris.
‘You’renotlookingfortheothertwoboys?’
NowthatDonnaisstandingatthesolicitor’sshouldershenoticesatidemarkofdirtonhisshirtcollar.DonnaisdelightedthatChrishasstartedtakingabitmorecareofhisappearancesincehe’sstarteddatinghermum.Therewerecertainmenyoucouldallowtodressthemselvesandcertainmenyoucouldn’t.Chriswasonthecusp.Soonhewouldbeabletorunfree.
‘What’sthepoint?’asksChris.
‘Thepoint?’asksthesolicitor.
‘Yep,what’sthepoint?Youknowwewon’tgetenoughtoconvicthim,weknowwewon’tgetenough,andGodknowswhatRyanthinksaboutanything,butI’mguessingheknowstoo,thelittlescumbag.’
‘Thewhat,sorry?’saysthesolicitor.
‘Wewon’tbebringingRyanbackin,’saysDonna.‘That’sallyouneedtoworryabout.’
‘We’renotgoingtositthroughanotherinterviewlikethat,’saysChris.‘Notthistime.Youcangoandbreakthegoodnewstohim.’
‘AmImissingsomethinghere?’asksthesolicitor,lookingfromChristoDonnaandbackagain.‘IreallyfeellikeI’mmissingsomething.You’regoingtolethimwalkfree?CanIaskwhy?’
Donnalookshimstraightintheeye.‘Nocomment.’
Shewalksoutthroughtheopendoorway.Chrislooksatthesolicitorandgiveshimashrug.
Donnapopsherheadbackroundthedoor.‘Look,thisisn’tajudgementatall,butwithsuitsyouneedtodrycleanthemonceamonthorso.Honestly,it’llmakeabigdifference.’
14
‘Itwasanaccident,really,’saysPoppy,wipingthecrumbsofacoconutmacaroonfromthecornerofhermouth.
‘Oh,itoftenis,’saysElizabeth.
‘IwasatWarwick,studyingEnglishandMedia.AwomanfromtheForeignOfficecamealongandgaveatalk,andthereweredrinksafterwardssoweallwent.Anyway,shesaidthestartingsalaryattheForeignOfficewas￡24,000andsoIapplied.’
‘Notverycloakanddagger,’saysJoyce,walkinginwithmoretea.
‘No,’agreesPoppy.‘IhadaninterviewwiththeForeignOffice;thatwasinLondonsoIwentdownwithmystudentrailcard,andI’dpreparedallsortsofthings,readingupaboutRussiaandChinaandwhatevertheymighttalkabout,butitwasjustachat,really.’
‘Italwayswas,’saysElizabeth.
‘TheyaskedmewhomyfavouriteauthorisandIsaidBorisPasternak,eventhoughit’sreallyMarianKeyes.Buttheylikedthat,andIwasinvitedbackforasecondinterview.ItoldthemIcouldn’treallyaffordtocomedowntoLondontwice,andtheysaid,“Don’tworry,we’llpaythefare,we’llputyouupsomewhere,”andIsaid,“Honestly,I’mhappierjustgoinghome,Idon’tneedtostayover,”andtheysaid,“Weinsist,”andonthenextinterviewtheytoldmewhotheywere,andtheytookmeoutandgotmehammeredandputmeupinroomsinaclubinMayfair,andthenextmorningthatwasthat.Theysentmehomewithmyownlaptopandtoldmethey’dbeseeingmewhenIgraduated.’
Joyceispouringtea.‘IrememberJoanna,that’smydaughter,leavinguniversity.ShewasattheLSEinLondon,ifyouknowit,andIwasterriblyworriedwhensheleftbecauseIdidn’tknowwhatshewasgoingtodo.ShesaidshewasgoingtobeaDJ,andIsaid,well,IknewoneofthepeoplewhodidthehospitalradiowhereIworked,DerekWhiting,andIcouldputinawordandgethersomeworkexperience,butshesaiditwasn’tthatsortofDJ–apparentlytherewasanothersort–andshe’dbetravellingroundtheworld,thatwastheplan.ThentwodayslatersherangmeandsaidshehadaninterviewatGoldmanSachs,andcouldIlendhersomemoneyforsmartclothesfortheinterview?Andthatwasthat.’
‘Shesoundsacharacter,’saysPoppy.
‘Shehashermoments,’agreesJoyce.‘DerekWhitingeventuallydiedfallingoffacruiseship.Youneverknowwhat’sroundthecorner,doyou?’
‘Andyouenjoyit,Poppy?’asksElizabeth.
Poppytakesasipoftea,consideringheranswer.‘Notreally.DoyoumindifIsaythat?’
‘Notatall,’saysElizabeth.‘It’snotforeveryone.’
‘Ijustfellintoit.Ineededajobanditseemedexciting,andI’dneverhadanymoneybefore.ButIdon’thavethetemperamentforit.Doyoulikekeepingsecrets,Elizabeth?’
‘Verymuchso,’saysElizabeth.
‘Well,Idon’t,’saysPoppy.‘Idon’tliketellingonethingtopersonAandonethingtopersonB.’
‘I’mthesame,’saysJoyce.‘Evenifsomeonehasahaircutthatdoesn’tsuitthem,Ican’tkeepquiet.’
‘Butthat’sthejob,’saysElizabeth.
‘Oh,Iknow,’saysPoppy.‘It’sabsolutelywhatIsignedupfor.Theproblemisme,it’sjustthewrongjobforme.Ihatethedramaofit.Meetingsyou’reinvitedto,meetingsyou’renotinvitedto.’
‘Whatwouldyouratherdo?’asksJoyce.
‘Well,’startsPoppy,thenpauses.
‘Goon,’saysJoyce.‘Wewon’ttellanyone.’
‘Iwritepoetry.’
‘Idon’thavetimeforpoetry,’saysElizabeth.‘Neverhave,neverwill.DoyoumindifwegetontoRyanBaird?’
‘Oh,yes,’saysPoppy,andreachesoverthesideofherchairforherbag.ShepullsoutafileandhandsittoElizabeth.‘Name,address,email,mobilenumberandrecentcalllog,nationalinsurance,NHSrecords,browserhistory,mobilenumbersofcloseassociates.I’mafraidthat’sallIcouldgetatshortnotice.’
‘Thatwilldoforstarters,thankyou,Poppy,’saysElizabeth.
‘Don’tthankme,’saysPoppy,‘thankDouglas.Ifitwasuptomeyouwouldn’thavethem.I’msorrytosayitdoesn’tfeelentirelylegal.’
‘Oh,nothing’slegalanymore,youcanbarelywalkdownthestreetthesedays.Youhavetobendtherulessometimes,’saysElizabeth.
‘Butthat’sjustit,isn’tit?’saysPoppy.‘Idon’twanttobendtherules.Itdoesn’tgivemeathrill.Itgivesyouathrill,doesn’tit?’
‘Yes,’agreesElizabeth.
‘Well,notme.Itmakesmeanxious.Andmywholejobisbendingrules.’
‘I’dbethesame,’saysJoyce.
‘Oh,Joyce,getoveryourself,’saysElizabeth.‘Youwouldhavemadetheperfectspy.’
‘IstillthinkPoppyshoulddoherpoetry.’
‘Thankyou,’saysPoppy.‘That’swhatmymumsaystoo.Andshe’susuallyright.’
‘Don’tgetmewrong,Ithinkyoushouldtoo,’saysElizabeth.‘Idon’twanttohearit,butyoushouldcertainlydoit.First,though,wehavethisjobtodo.ToprotectDouglas.’
‘Ican’twaittomeethim,’saysJoyce.‘AreyouworriedI’llfallinlovewithhim?’
‘Joyce,youwillfindhimveryhandsome,butyouwillseethroughhiminamoment.’
‘We’llsee,’saysJoyce.‘Poppy,canIaskwhyyouhaveatattooofadaisyonyourwrist?Iwouldhavethoughtyou’dhaveatattooofapoppy?’
Poppysmilesandstrokesthesmalltattoo.‘Daisyismygrandmother.ItoldheronceIwantedatattooandshesaidoverherdeadbody,anchorsandmermaidsandsoon.SoIwentaway,hadthisdoneandshowedittoherthenexttimeIvisited.Isaid,“Daisy,meetdaisy,”andtherewasn’talotshecouldsayaboutitthen,wasthere?’
‘Clevergirl,’saysJoyce.
‘ThentwoweekslaterIwentroundagain,andsherolleduphersleeveandsaid,“Poppy,meetpoppy.”Agreatbigpoppytattooallthewayupherforearm.ShesaidifIwasgoingtobeanidiot,thenshewas,too.’
Elizabethlaughs,andJoyceclapsherhands.
‘Well,shesoundsjustourtype,’saysElizabeth.‘Poppy,ifthisisyourlastjobwiththeService,sobeit,butIpromisewe’lldoeverythingwecantomakeitafunoneforyou.’
‘Wewill,’saysJoyce.‘Anothermacaroon,Poppy?Youenjoyedthelastone.’
Poppyraisesahandtodeclinetheoffer.
‘Wewon’tletanyoneinherewhoshouldn’tbehere.Douglaswillbequitesafe,which,ofcourse,meansyouwillbequitesafe,too,’saysElizabeth.
‘Unlesstheyshowupthiseveningwhilewe’reeatingmacaroons,’saysPoppy.
‘And,whileweallsitaroundwithnothingtodo,I’msurewecancrackthemysteryofwhatDouglashasdonewiththediamonds.’
‘Well,hedeniesstealingthem,asyouknow.And,besides,that’snotourjob,’saysPoppy.‘OurjobistoprotectDouglas.’
‘Poppy,Ihonestlydon’tmindyoubeinganxious,Idon’tmindyoubeingconflicted,Idon’tevenmindyoubeingarty,butIabsolutelywon’ttolerateyoubeingboring,becauseIcantellyouarenotaboringhumanbeing.Dowehaveadeal?’
‘Don’tbeboring?’
‘Ifit’snottoomuchtoask?’
‘YoubothreallythinkIshouldwritepoetry?’
‘Oh,yes,’saysJoyce.‘What’sthatpoemIlike?’
PoppyandElizabethlookateachother.Theydon’tknow.
WhilesheislookingatElizabeth,Poppysays,‘Intheinterestofnotbeingboring,canIaskyouaquestion?’
‘Uptoapoint,yes,’saysElizabeth.
‘HowdidyouendupintheService?Didyoufollowyourdream?AndIneedthenon-boringanswer,please.I’mnotatourist.’
Elizabethnods.
‘Ihadaprofessor;IwasstudyingFrenchandItalianatEdinburgh.Anyway,hehadfriendswhohadfriendswhowerealwaysonthelookout,andhefloatedtheideaanditwasn’tforme,butthenhe’dfloatitagainandagain.’
‘Andwhydidyoufinallysignup?’
‘Well,hewasdesperatetosleepwithme,thisprofessor–peoplewereinthosedays.SoIknewhewantedtosleepwithme,andIknewhewantedmetointerviewfortheService.AndIhonestlyfeltIshouldprobablydooneortheother–youknowhowmencanbewithrejection.SoIhadtoeithersleepwithhimorinterviewwiththeService,andIchosethelesseroftwoevils.AndoncetheServicehasitshooksinyou,theydon’tliketoletgo,asyouwillfindout.’
‘Soyourcareerwasjusttoavoidsleepingwithsomeone?’asksPoppy.
Elizabethnods.
‘Whatdoyouthinkyouwouldhavedoneotherwise?’
‘Iknowyoudon’tliketokeepsecrets,Poppy,butyouhavebeenveryhelpfulwithRyanBaird.Sohere’ssomethingIdon’tthinkI’veevertoldanyonebefore.Notmyfamily,noneofmyhusbands,notevenJoyce.Ialwaysfanciedbeingamarinebiologist.’
Poppynods.
‘Marinebiologist?’saysJoyce.‘Whatisthat?Dolphinsandsoon?’
Elizabethnods.
Joycereachesoverandplacesherhandonherfriend’sarm.‘Ithinkyouwouldhavemadeawonderfulmarinebiologist.’
Elizabethnodsagain.‘Thankyou,Joyce,Imighthave,mightn’tI?’
15
DouglasMiddlemissisinbed,readingabookaboutNazis,largelyanti,whenhehearsthenoise.Itisthedoortotheflatopening,veryslowlyandveryquietly.Itisn’tPoppy;shecamebackanhourorsoago.Wherehadshebeen?CollaredbyElizabeth,perhaps?ThatwouldbeElizabeth’sstyle,killingthenewgirlwithkindness.
Speakingofkilling,thedoorbeingopenedquitesosoftlyisbadnewsforDouglas.OnlyheandPoppyhavekeys,andtheonlyotherwaytoopenadoorthatquietlyistobeaprofessional.Sowhatwasthis?Aburglaroranassassin?
Hewouldfindoutsoonenough.
Douglaswisheshehadagun.Intheolddayshewouldhavedone.Once,inJakarta,heaccidentallyshotaculturalattachéfromtheJapaneseembassythroughthearmduringaboutofvigorouslove-making.Shewasterrificallygoodaboutit.TheNationalGallerywaspersuadedtolendaRembrandttoaTokyomuseumandnothingmorewassaidaboutit.Butfromthatdayonhewouldtapehisgununderthebedratherthanleaveitunderthepillow.
Hethoughtallthisashetookoffhisreadingglasses,didupthebuttonflyonhispyjamabottomsandslippedoutofbed.Poppyhadagun.Shedidn’tseemthetypetoeveruseit,butshemusthavehadthetraining,surely?Hadsheheardthefrontdooropen?Perhapsnot.Douglashadgrownalerttodangerovertheyears,butPoppywouldnothave.Perhapsneverwould.He’dmetPoppy’stypemanytimesbefore,andshewouldbeoutoftheServiceandhavingbabiesbeforeyouknewit.Notthatyou’reallowedtosaythatthesedays.Worldgonemadetc.
AsDouglasstartstostraightenthebedclotheshehearstherattleofthepadlockonhisbedroomdoor.So,anassassinratherthanaburglar?Douglashadsuspectedasmuch.SentbyMartinLomax,perhaps?TheAmericans?TheColombians?Itseemedridiculous,really,butDouglaswouldprefertobeshotbysomeoneBritish.Englishideally,butbeggarscan’tbechoosers.
Boltcutterswouldgetthroughthepadlockwithinaminute.Butnotwithoutmakinganoise.NotwithoutwakingPoppy.HejustneedsPoppytoreachtheintruderbeforetheintruderreacheshim.
Thebedisstraightened,anditnowlooksuntouched,asifnoonehassleptthere,asiftheoccupantisstilloutenjoyingthenightair.Douglaswalksquietlyovertothewardrobe,opensthedoorsandstepsin.Thiswillprobablybuyhimonlytenorfifteenseconds,butthatmightbeenough.Heclosesthewardrobedoorsbehindhimandstandsinthedark.
Youalwayswonder,inthisjob,whereitmightendforyou.Douglasmighthavedied,variously,onaglacierinNorway,inacarbootontheIran–Iraqborder,orinamissileattackonanAmericanbaseinKinshasa.Butperhapsitwasallgoingtoendinatattywardrobe,inhispyjamas,inanoldpeople’shome?Douglaswasinterestedtofindout.Scaredtoo,certainly,butstillinterested.Ofallthethingsthatweretohappentoyouinlife,deathwasoneoftheverybiggest.Douglashearsthepadlockgiveway.SurelyPoppyheardthat?
Throughthethincrackbetweenthewardrobedoors,Douglascanmakeoutamanwalkingintotheroom,gunraisedandpointedatthebed.Apalelightfromastreetlampshinesasinglethincolumnthroughthecurtains.
Hewatchesthemanturnandlookaroundhim,havingseenthebedisempty.Douglasisnotbreathing.Mightneverbreatheagain,herealizes,asthemanturnstofacethewardrobe.Ifsomeoneishiding,thenthisistheonlyconceivableplace.AndanyonewhocansilentlyopenadoorwithoutakeyandcutthroughanMI5padlockwithinaminutewillknowthat.
Themantakestwostepstowardsthewardrobe,gunstillraised.White,Douglasthinks,maybeforty?Sohardinthislight.Whatwashisname,Douglaswondered.Itfeltlikethatwasinformationheshouldbeallowedtoknow.Hadtheyevermet?Passedonastreetlikefuturelovers?
Poppywasn’tcoming.Howhadshenotheard?Unless?Oh,ofcourse.Ofcourse.PerhapsPoppyhadnotbeenwithElizabeththiseveningatall.Perhapstherehadbeenabriefing?Ordershandeddown.Wewantthisproblemtogoaway.Justturnablindeye,noone’stoknow.We’llsendinoneofourmen.Douglasdoesn’thaveanyrelatives,nokidstobeaskingquestions.Poppywasjuniorenoughtofallinline.Shewouldbeinherroomnow,cowering.Whentheyfoundhisbody,wouldElizabethworkoutwhathadhappened?Aridiculousthought,noonewouldfindhisbody.ASpecialOpsgroupwouldbeonhandtocleareverythingup.Amilitarycoronerwouldbewaitingforhimsomewhere.Allthepaperworkdoneright.Probablyasuicide.Elizabethwouldnevergetcloseenoughtoknowanydifferent.Elizabethreallywaslookinggood,Douglashadtoadmitit.Hewouldhavelovedanothercrackather.Willshefindhisotherletter?Ofcourseshewill.
Themanhooksanoutstretchedfootunderoneofthewardrobedoorsandpullsthemopen.HesmilestohimselfasheseesDouglasstandingthere.
ThemanlooksEnglish.Thegunisn’tServiceissue,butsometimestheyemployedfreelancers.‘Worthago,’saysDouglas,hishandsindicatingtheinsideofthewardrobe.
Themannods.Douglaswaitsforanepiphany,asuddenflashofclarityabouthislife.Somethingtotakewithhimonwhateverjourneyheisabouttoembarkupon.Butthereisnothing.Justamanwithagun,andthelabelofhispyjamatopitchingagainstthebackofhisneck.Whatawaytogo.
‘Wherearethediamonds?’askstheman.AnEnglishaccent.ThatbringsDouglassomepeace.
‘Afraidnot,oldboy,’saysDouglas.‘You’regoingtokillmeanyway,andI’drathersomeoneelseendedupwiththediamonds.’
‘Imightnotkillyou,’saystheman.
Douglassmilesandraisesadubiouseyebrowatthemanwiththegun.Themanwiththegunnodsinconcession.
‘Thiswillsoundridiculous,’saysDouglas.‘Butletmesolveonefinalmystery.I’dlovetoknowwhosentyou?’
ThemanshakeshisheadandDouglaswatchesashesqueezesthetrigger.
16
Ibrahimcan’tsleep.
Theairaroundhimisstill.Howmanypeoplehavediedinthishospitalroom?Inthisbed?Inthesesheets?
Howmanyfinalbreathsstillhunginthisair?
Whenhiseyescloseheisbackinthegutter.Hefeelsthewater,hehearsthefootsteps,hetastestheblood.
Thekicktotheheadnowhasaname.RyanBaird.WherewasRyanBaird,hewonders.WherewasIbrahim’sphone?Whoboughtstolenphones?IbrahimhadaTetrisapponhisphone.Therewere200levels,andhewasonlevel127afterplayingforaconsiderableamountoftime.Allofthatprogresswaslost.
Helooksattheredplastictagonhiswrist.Theadminofdeath.Therewillbeadrawerfullofthemsomewhere.
HehasfinallypersuadedRontogohome.Notthatheisn’tgratefulforthecompany.EachnightsofarRonhasstayedupwithhimandtalkedaboutWestHamandtheproblemwiththeLabourParty.Andthen,evenlaterinthenight,abouthisex-wifeanddaughter,hisson,Jason,andaboutleavingschoolatfourteenandneverknowinghisdad.Anything,really,otherthantalkaboutwhathadhappened.TheywatchedDieHard,butonlythefirstone.Nopointwatchingtheothers,apparently.IbrahimhasneverhadafriendlikeRonbefore,andRonhasneverhadafriendlikeIbrahimbefore.Ronwillfillhiswaterjugwhenitneedsfilling,willgethimFrazzlesfromthemachine,butwillnevermakephysicalcontact,nohandonhisarm.WhichisjustfinebyIbrahim.Itmustbeharderbeingamanthesedays,hethinks,beingexpectedtohug.
Ibrahimwantstogohome,whichheknowsisapositivething.Itwaspositivetohaveahomeinwhichhefeltsafe.Tobesurroundedbypeoplewhomadehimfeelsaferstill.
Butheknowshewillthenneverwanttoleavehomeagain.
Thingswouldgetbacktonormal.Thebrainistremendouslyclever,oneofthereasonsIbrahimlikesitsomuch.Yourfootwasyourfootandwouldremainyourfootthroughthickandthin.Butthebrainchanges,informandinfunction.Ibrahimhasrespectforpodiatrists,butreally,lookingatfeetallday?
Thebrain.Thatmagnificent,dumbbeast.Heknowsthatalienchemicalsarecurrentlyracingaroundhisbrain,protectinghiminthismomentofcrisis.Intimethesechemicalswouldfade,leavingnothingbutafaintstain.Whentheysaythattimeheals,that’swhattheymean.Likemostthings,whenyoureallydrilldownintothem,itisneuroscience,notpoetry.
Yes,timeheals,timeheals.ButwhatiftimeistheonethingIbrahimdoesn’thave?
Idon’treallybelieveinrevenge.That’swhathehadsaidtotheotherswhentheytalkedaboutRyanBaird.Andintheoryhedidn’t.Revengeisnotastraightline,it’sacircle.It’sagrenadethatgoesoffwhileyou’restillintheroom,andyoucan’thelpbutbecaughtintheblast.
Ibrahimhadoncehadaclient,EricMason,whohadboughtausedBMWfromadealer,anoldschoolfriend,inGillingham.Hesoondiscoveredthatthecarhadafaultyclutch.HisfriendatthedealershiprefusedtoacceptliabilityandEricMason,who,itshouldbesaid,hadissuesaroundemotionalcontrolandangermanagement,hadreplacedtheclutchathisownexpenseandthendriventheBMWstraightthroughthewindowofthedealershipinthedeadofnight.
Thecarhadthenstalled–understandably,asithadjustbeendriventhroughalargewindow–soEricMasonwasforcedtoabandonitandfleeasalarmsblaredallaroundhim.Unfortunately,hefellandimpaledhimselfonalargeshardofglass,andwassavedfrombleedingtodeathonlybythearrivalofthepolice.
Recoveringinhospital,EricMasonreceivedahugebouquetofflowersfromthedealership,but,uponopeningthecard,discoveredtheyhadattachedacourtsummonsandabillfor￡14,000.Aspellofcommunityserviceandbankruptcyfollowed.Hisfurygrew.
Eric’sdaughterandthesonofthecardealerhadalsobeenfriendsatschool.Ericforbadehisdaughterfromevertalkingtotheboyagainandso,aswinterfollowssummer,theyhadgotmarriedtwoyearslater,withEricrefusingtoattendthewedding.AnotheryearlaterandEric’sgrandsonwasborn.Neithersidewouldgiveground,soEricwasunabletoseehisfirstgrandchild.Allbecauseofafaultyclutch.
ItwasatthispointthatEricfeltperhapsheshouldtakeresponsibilityforhisownactions,anddecidedtoseeapsychotherapist.
Twelvemonthslater,onhisfinalvisittoIbrahim,EricMasonhadbroughtinhisdaughterandhisson-in-lawtosaythankyouinperson.Hehadalsobroughtinhisinfantgrandson,andtheyhadposedtogetherforaphotograph,smilesallround.
Ibrahimcouldfeelhimselfdriftingoffanddecidedtostopfightingit.Whateverwaswaitingforhiminhisdreams,itwasbesttojustfaceitunafraid.AcceptthedamageRyanBairdhadinflictedonhimwithoutthinking.Nottheribs,nottheface–theywouldhealsoonenough–buthisfreedomandhispeaceofmind,snatchedawayforaphone.
Theysayamanwhodesiresrevengeshoulddigtwograves,andthisissurelyright.Thenagain,Ibrahimfeelslikehisowngravehasalreadybeendug,sowouldtherereallybemuchharmindigginganotherforRyanBaird?HewonderswhathisfriendshaveinstoreforRyan.Nothingphysical,Ibrahimissureofthat.Butfreedomandpeaceofmind?Ryanmighthavealittlesurprisecoming.
ThephotographofIbrahim,EricMasonandEric’sgrandsonwasinaspecialfileIbrahimkeptathome.Afilefilledwithafewmementos,nottoomany,allremindingIbrahimwhyhelovedhisjob.ThefileistheonlyoneonIbrahim’sshelvesthatisn’tkeptinstrictalphabeticalorder.Becausesometimesyouhadtorememberthatlifewasn’talwaysarrangedinalphabeticalorder,howevermuchyouwouldlikeittobe.
EricMason,yearslater,discoveredthatnothinghadbeenwrongwiththeclutchatall.Hesimplyhadn’tunderstoodtheelectroniccontrols,andpressingaresetbuttonforfivesecondswouldhavecleareditup.Soyoudohavetobecarefulwithrevenge,but,inallhonesty,Ibrahimhasspentmostofhislifebeingcareful,andsometimesyouhadtodothingsdifferentlyifyouwantedtogrowasahumanbeing.
Ibrahimiscertainthathecouldjustpresshisownresetbuttonforfiveseconds,andhecouldgoonwithforgivenessinhisheart,goondoingtherightthing,thecorrectthing,theboringthing.Thecruisecontrol.
ButhestillremembersEricMason,forallofhisregrets,talkingaboutthesheerecstaticthrillofdrivinghiscarthroughthatdealershipwindow.
Anditisthatimage,notthekicktothehead,notRyanBaird’sfootstepsandnotthetasteofblood,thatIbrahimisthinkingaboutashefallsintohisfirstpeacefulsleepsincetheattack.
17
Joyce
Itistwointhemorning,butIwanttowritethisalldownwhileitisstillfresh.
Myphonerangatmidnight,andofcourseIthoughtIbrahimhaddied.Whatelsewouldyouhavethought,inthecircumstances?Nobodyringsatmidnight.Hehadlookedwellwhenwelefthim,butI’veseenallsorts.Imusthavereachedthephonewithintworings.
ItwasElizabeth,andthefirstthingshesaidwas,‘It’snotIbrahim,’sothatwasarelief.Shecanbesensitivewhenshetries.Shesaidsheknewthatitwasmidnight,butIwastothrowonsomeclothesandmeetherat14RuskinCourtassoonasIwasable.IwonderedifIneededtobringaflask,butIwastoldtherewasalreadyakettle,andjusttobringmyself.Itwouldhavebeenquicktofillaflask,butyoutrytellingElizabeththatatmidnight.
IwalkedovertoRuskin,anditreallyisveryprettyhereinthedark.Thereareafewlampslightingthepaths,andyoucanheartheanimalsinthebushes.Icouldjustimaginethefoxesthinking,What’sthisoldwomanupto?andIwasthinkingthesame.Itwascold,butIhavejustboughtacardiganfromMarks,whichwasperfectforthejob.Theydeliveredafewbitsyesterday.Ididn’tmentionit,becauseIdon’tmentioneverything.Forexample,yesterdayIwasdefrostingalasagneandcompletelyforgotaboutit.Andthat’sthefirstyou’veheardofit.
AtthedoorIwasbuzzedupstairs,heartpoundingifI’mhonest,notknowingwhatIwasgoingtosee.IpushedthedooropenandsawpoorPoppysittinginanarmchair,shaking.OppositeherwasElizabeth,inanotherarmchair,butnotshaking.Thatwastheonlyfurnitureinthewholeplace.TheflatwaswhereDouglaswashiding,Iworkedthatmuchout.‘Putthekettleon,Joyce,’Elizabethsaid,‘Poppy’shadashock.’Shesoundedbossy,butIknowshedidn’tmeanit;shewasjustbeingprofessional.
Youwouldn’tbelievethekitchen,bytheway.Twomugs,twoplates,twoglasses,twobowls,someFrosties,somewhiteMother’sPride,then,inthefridge,sometofuandsomealmondmilk.TherewasteaandcoffeeinoneofthecupboardsandIpokedmyheadbackroundandElizabethandPoppystoppedtheirconversation,andIaskedPoppyifshewantedmilkandsugarandshesaidcouldshehaveacardamomandlycheeinfusionandInoddedasifthiswasquitenormal,whichIunderstanditisthesedays,andduckedbackintothekitchen.Goodnessme,thatwasalongsentencetowrite.Inabooktheywouldtellmetoputafullstopintheresomewhere.After‘infusion’?
Ifilledandboiledthekettle,anxioustogetbacktothelivingroomandfindoutwhatwashappening.IfthiswasDouglas’sflat,thenwherewashe?Ipouredthewaterovertheteabag,whichwasmadeofgreycloth,buteachtotheirown,andwasjustthinkingaboutwhetheryou’resupposedtoleavethebaginortakeitoutwithherbaltea?IfIleftitinthenIcouldbeouttherequicker,butwhatifthatwasn’ttherightthingtodo?Joanna,likealldaughters,wouldknow.Anyway,that’swhenIheardthetoiletflush,so,tohellwithprotocol,Ileftthebaginandwentintothelivingroom.
IknewitwasDouglasstraightaway,youcouldjusttell.Veryhandsome,ifIdosaysomyself.IcouldseeinaninstantwhyElizabethhadmarriedhim,andalsowhyshehaddivorcedhim.Ibetitwasfunwhileitlastedthough.
Hewasstraightuptomeand,‘OhyoumustbeJoyce,I’veheardallaboutyou,’and,really,Ialmostcurtsied,andthenIcaughtElizabethrollinghereyes,soIsaid,‘Yes,andyoumustbeDouglas,’andhesaid,‘Iimagineyou’veheardallaboutmetoo,’andIsaid,‘Notreally,no,’andIcouldseethatElizabethlikedthat.
IsaidletmegointothebedroomandfindanotherchairbutElizabethsaidtotryPoppy’sroom,astherewasadeadbodyonDouglas’sfloor.
Well,thatwasmorelikeit.
Igotahard-backedchairfromPoppy’sroomandElizabethletDouglastellmethestory.
Hehadbeenhidinginawardrobe,whichwasn’tcowardly,butbasictraining,andsomechaphadagunaimedathishead.Hetooksometimeoverthisbitofthestory,discussingdeathandperspective,andman’smoraldutyandalifewelllived.IwishedRonhadbeenthere,hewouldhavetoldhimtowindhisneckin,butitwasme,soIlistenedpolitely.Hewasreadytomeethismaker,thatwasthegistofit,butasthemysterymanreachedforthetrigger,hisheadwasblowncleanoff,andtherewasPoppy,likethecavalry,guninhand,coolasyoulike.
CoolaccordingtoDouglas,butyoucouldseeshewasn’tcoolatall,stillshaking,stillquiet,bothhandsaroundhertea.Shehadsaidnothingaboutthebagstillbeingin,somaybeit’sOK?ThoughIdon’tthinkshewasreallyinanystateto,soitwasn’tapropertest.
IwentandsatonthearmofPoppy’schairandputmyarmaroundher,andsheputherheadonmyshoulderandstartedtosobquietly.Idon’tthinkDouglasorElizabethhadputtheirarmaroundher,andthat’swhenIrealized,ofcourse,thatwaswhyElizabethhadaskedmethere.Ronwouldhavedonejustaswell,butIbetElizabethisn’treadyforRontomeetDouglasyet.Douglasissoobvious,Ronwouldhaveafieldday.
ItoldPoppyshehadbeenverybrave,andElizabethtoldhershehadbeenaterrificshottoo,andDouglassaidamentothat.ButPoppywashavingnoneofit,justsilentlyweeping.
Elizabethdidherbesttobecomforting,sayingitwashardtokillsomeone,butsometimesthatwasthejob,andthenPoppyfinallyspokeandsaid,‘That’snotajobIwant,’andIhadsomesympathywiththat.Itmustbefundoingallthetraining,Isuppose,andcreepingaroundwithnooneknowing,butblowingaman’sheadofffromfourfeetawayprobablydoesn’tsuiteveryone.Itwouldn’tsuitme,anditdoesn’tsuitPoppy.Actually,perhapsitwouldsuitme?Youneverknowuntilyoutry,doyou?IneverthoughtIwouldlikedarkchocolate,forexample.
Iaskedwhatwasnext,andhadthepolicebeencalled,andElizabethsaid,‘Well,afterafashion.’IwashopingChrisandDonnamightmakeanappearance,butapparentlyinthesecases,nationalsecurityandsoon,thesethingstakeadifferentroute.SoElizabeth,DouglasandPoppywerewaitingforsomespiestocomedownfromLondonandthecasewouldbetheirs.WhichisashamebecauseDonna,inparticular,wouldhaveenjoyedthewholescene.
ElizabethaskedifIwouldliketoseethebody,andeventhoughIreallywantedto,IfeltIshouldstaywithmyarmaroundPoppyandsoIsaidno,Iwasfine,butthankyou.
Weonlyhadtowaittwentyminutesorsountilthedoorbuzzedandawomanandamanarrived.SueandLance.MI5,accordingtoElizabeth.Suewasincharge.
Theywerebothno-nonsense.SueremindedmeanawfullotofElizabeth.Themanner.Shemustbenearlysixtyandwouldhavebeenprettyifshewasn’tsoangry.Iknowitdoesn’tmatterifshe’sprettyornot,I’mjustgivingyouanideaofher.Herhairwasalovelychestnutcolour.Dyed,butverynicely.Ikepttryingtomakeconversation,butIgotnowhere.
IcouldtellevenElizabethwasbeingrespectful,soIfollowedherlead.Theyturneddownmyofferofacupoftea,however.TheybothbargedpastmeasIstoodinthekitchendoorway.Notrude,asIsay,theyjusthadajobtodo.Sueknewexactlywhathadgoneon,andtoldDouglasandPoppytopackwhatevertheyneeded.Shewassurlywiththemboth,especiallyDouglas.Iendedupfeelingquitesorryforhim.
Lancewasdealingwiththecorpse.Takingphotosandsoon.HelookedlikesomeoneyouwouldseeinaDIYshowonTV.Rugged,andgoodwithhishands,butneverquitethestaroftheshow.Justsawingsomewoodinthebackground.IaskedifIcouldtakealookathiscamera,becauseIamthinkingofgettingoneforJoannaforChristmas.Hesaidhewouldshowmewhenhewasfinishedup,butintheendhedidn’t.
SuetoldElizabeththeywouldneedtospeaktoherinduecourse,andshesaidwellnaturally,butquietasamouse,notsomuchscaredasknowingnottocausetrouble.Suelookedatmeatonepointandsaid,‘IsthisJoyce?’ShetoldElizabethtoensureItoldnooneabouttheshootingandthebodyandsoon.Isaid,‘Sue,you’resafewithme,’butshedidn’tevenlookinmydirection,justatElizabeth.ElizabethreassuredSueIwouldn’ttellasoul,andshenodded,unconvinced.Tobehonest,Ithinkshehadbiggerfishtofry.
MI5knowwhoIamnowthough,sothat’sonefortheChristmasnewsletter.
Presentlytherewasanotherbuzzatthedoor,andtwomeninoverallsarrivedwithastretcher.Paramedicsweargreen,ofcourse,butthesetwowereheadtotoeinblack.Theywentintothebedroomandloadedthebodyontothestretcher.Fortunately,Iwasabletogetaquickpeekbeforetheyzippedupthebodybagand,yes,Poppyreallyhadblownhisheadoff.Ormostofitatleast.IttookmerightbacktomydaysinA&E.
AsElizabethandIwereleadingthestretcherdownthecorridor,acoupleofdoorsopened,neighbourswonderingaboutthenoise,andElizabethwasabletotellthemnottoworry.IfyouworriedabouteverystretcheryousawatCoopersChaseyou’dneedoneyourselfsoonenough.
Aswegotoutside,intotheopenair,youcouldseeafewlightsonaroundtheplace,andafewcurtainsopened,but,again,theywereusedtoseeingambulancesatthedeadofnight.IsaidtoElizabeththatIwassurpriseditwasjustanormalambulance,andshesaiditwasn’tanormalambulance,itjustlookedlikeone.
Aswewentbackin,SueandLancewereleadingPoppyandDouglasout.Theyhadtobequestioned,Elizabethexplained.EveninMI5youcan’tjustshootsomeonewithoutbeingaskedafewquestionsaboutit.ElizabethgavePoppyahug,whichwasnice,andtoldhernottoworry,she’ddoneeverythingright.ThenIgaveherahugtoo,andtoldhernottoworry.Iverynearlyaskedabouttheteabag,butIwillasknexttimeIseeherinstead.
IgaveSueandLanceafriendshipbraceleteach.SuelookedlikeI’djustgivenheraparkingticket,butLancesaid,‘Thankyou,Icoulduseabitoffriendship.’Ididn’taskthemformoney.
Douglascameoutnext,withabookcalledMegastructuresoftheThirdReichandatoothbrush.
SuetoldElizabethtosecuretheflatandmakesurenoonecouldgainentry.ElizabethjustnoddedbacktoSueandtoldhertotakecareofPoppy.
Elizabeththentoldmetogohomeandsleep,andsoIwenthome,butIhaven’tslept.Listentothis.
Assoonasmydoorwasshut,Itookoffmycardigan,tohangoverthebackofthechair.AsIwastakingitoffIfeltsomethinginthepocket,andIfishedoutafoldedpieceofpaper,whichhadn’tbeentherewhenIputiton.
Onthepieceofpaperwasamessagewhichsimplysaid‘RINGMYMUM’followedbyaphonenumber.
Poppymusthaveslippeditintomypocketwhilewewerehugging.
SoPoppywantshermum,poorlove.Iwillringherinthemorning.
I’veputthetelevisionon.OnBBC2theyareshowingnormalprogrammesfromtheday,butwithsomeonedoingsignlanguageinthecorner.Isn’tthatclever?Iwasjustthinkingitwasunfairtomakedeafpeoplestayupsolate,butthenrealizedtheycouldtapethem.Whatanicething.I’mwatchingaprogrammeaboutthecoastofBritaincalledCoast.Someoneisdiggingupwhelks.Nothanks,tobehonest,buttheladydoingthesignlanguagehasalovelytop.
Istillhaven’tquiteworkedouthowmyInstagramworks,whichisveryfrustrating,as@GreatJoy69nowhasovertwohundredprivatemessages.
Iwonderifanyoneelseisawake?
18
RyanBairdisawake.HeiscurrentlyplayingCallofDutyonline.Heissprayingmachine-gunfireatfullvolumewhilehisneighboursbangonthewalls.Ryanmade￡150today,sellingacoupleoflaptops,adebitcardandawatchtoConnieJohnson,whorunsthewholeofFairhavenfromthelock-upgaragesbytheseafront.Shetrustshim,evengiveshimapackagenowandthentodelivertooneoftheestates.Drugs?That’sthethingtogetinto.Stealingphonesisforkids.
Ryanhasbeencalledstupidhiswholelife.Butwho’sstupidnow?He’sgotcashinhispocket;ConnieJohnsonclearlylikeshim.He’smakingmoremoneythananyeighteen-year-oldheknows,probablymakingmoremoneythanhisoldteachers.Thepolicehadhiminyesterdayfornickingaphoneandgivingsomeoneashove,buttheycan’ttouchhim,becauseRyanissmart.Toosmartfortheteachers,toosmartforthecops,toosmartforhisneighboursnowpressingonhisdoorbuzzer.RyanBairdhasgotalltheanswers.
Ryanlightsonelastspliffbeforebedtime,thencursesashislapseinconcentrationseeshimshotbyasniper.Luckyvideogamesaren’treallife.Ryanreloadsandstartsagain.He’sinvincible.
MartinLomaxisawake,too.ASaudilawyerhasabeeinhisbonnetaboutapowerboat.MartinLomaxisonthephone,tryingtoplacatehim.Thelongandshortofitwas,hehadreceivedthepowerboatasagreedcompensationfromtheCartagenaCartelwhentheFDAhadraidedoneoftheirBoliviandrugslabs,costingthemallagreatdealofmoney.Theissueathandwasthatthepowerboathadarrivedfullofbulletholes,andtheSaudilawyerwasoftheopinionthatthiswasaestheticallyunpleasing,andalsoahazardtoseaworthiness.
MartinLomax’sotherlinerings,andhepromiseshewilltalktotheCartagenaCartelassoonaspossible.
MI5areontheotherline.DoesheknowanAndrewHastings?Hedoes.DoesAndrewHastingsworkforhim?Hedoes,nouselying,thisisMI5andtheyknowalready.WasMrHastingsworkingforhimthisevening?No,hewasnot.WeregrettoinformyouthatMrHastingshasbeenshotdeadwhiletryingtomurderamemberoftheBritishSecurityServices,condolencesforyourloss,butIwonderifyouwouldhaveanycommentonthat.No,nocomment,nocommentatall.WouldyouknowMrHastings’snextofkin?No.Washemarried?Ithinkhewas.Whoto?Noidea,neverasked.Sorrytodisturbyousolateatnight.No,no,notatall,justdoingyourjob.
MartinLomaxputsdownthephone.Hastingsdead.Well,thatwasinconvenient.Buthewoulddealwiththepowerboatfirst.AndhestillneededtoordersometrestletablesfortheOpenGarden.
PoppyandDouglasarealsoawake.TheyarebeinginterviewedinseparateroomsinsidealargecountryhousenearGodalming,justtogetthefactsstraight.Poppyhascoffeeinfrontofherandaunionrepbesideher.LanceJamesisaskinghertotalkthroughwhathappened.
Douglashasnocoffeeandnounionrep.It’sjusthimandSueReardon.Thewaythingsshouldbedone.Didherecognizethemanwhotriedtokillhim?Neverseenhimbefore.WoulditsurprisehimtoknowthegunmanworkedforMartinLomax?Well,yesandno.Yesandnohow?Well,hemustbeworkingforsomeone,surely?AndMartinLomaxhasthreatenedhim,soit’snotoutsidetherealmsofpossibility.ButwhywouldMartinLomaxwantDouglasdeadifhehadn’tstolenthediamonds,answerusthat?Noidea,MartinLomaxisplayingsomesortofgame,that’sforcertain,andI’mstuckinthemiddleofit,nearlygettingmyheadblownoff.Takeusthroughthebreak-inatMartinLomax’shouseagain,step-by-step.
ItisthreeinthemorningbythetimePoppy’sunionrepsuggestsitmightbetimetoallowPoppysomesleep.Asshewalksdownalongcorridor,shecanhearSueReardonstillquestioningDouglasMiddlemiss.
19
Ronhasskippedbreakfastforthis,andisevenmorefuriousthanusual.Hehasspentsometimelookingatthelargebloodstainonthebedroomcarpet,andhenowinspectsthebulletholeinthebedroomwall.
‘I’veseenlibertiestaken,’saysRon.‘Godknows,they’vealltrieditonwithmeovertheyears,butthistakesthewhassname.Whendidyoufindthebody?Halfeleven?Iwasprobablystillup.Icouldhaveslippedonmyshoesandbeenstraightover.Iswear,it’snotoftenI’mspeechless,butI’mspeechless.IwishIcouldspeak,IwishIhadwords.’
Ronhashadallthefunhe’sgoingtohavewiththebullethole,andstartspacing.
‘Ron,don’tpaceoverthebloodstains,please,’saysElizabeth.
‘Butno,whogetsthecall?Joyce.Ofcourse,Joyce.EverybodylovesJoyce.’
‘Idon’tknowaboutthat,’callsJoycefromthelivingroom.
‘Includingyou,Ron,’saysElizabeth.
‘Ihaven’tinterruptedthetwoofyou,sodon’tinterruptme,’saysRon.‘There’sadeadbody.Adeadbody,geezershotinthehead,andwhatdoyoudo?YouringJoyce.Youdon’tringRon,dearme,no.WhywouldyouringRon?Hewouldn’twanttoseeacorpse,wouldhe?OldRon?Lastthinghe’dwanttosee.AbloodstainandabulletholewillbeenoughforRon.I’vehearditallnow.’
‘Areyoufinished?’saysElizabeth,lookingintoherbag.
‘Takeaguess,Elizabeth?TakeaguessifI’mfinished.Usethosepowersofdeduction.No,I’mnotfinished.Iwouldhavelovedit.Lovedit.’
‘Comewithme,’saysElizabeth.
ElizabethwalksintothelivingroomandtakesthearmchairoppositeJoyce.Ronfollowsherthrough.Elizabethtakesafolderfromherbagandplacesitonherlap.Ronhasaspeechtomake.
‘Here’smypromisetoyou,’hebegins.‘WithJoyceasmywitness–andit’snotapromisefriendsshouldhavetomake–ifIeverfindsomeoneshot,Iwillcallyou.Iwillcallyoubecauseyou’remymate,andthat’swhatmatesdo.Twointhemorning,Idon’tcare,Ifindacorpse,Ipickupthephone,“Elizabeth,there’sacorpseonthelanding,onthebowlslawn,doesn’tmatterwhere,sliponapairofshoesandcomeandtakealook.”Iamabsolutelyfuming.’
‘Areyoufinishednow,Ron?’asksElizabeth.‘I’vegotsomethingIneedtotalktoyouabout.’
‘Ohyeah?Well,whatifI’vegotsomethingtotalktoyouabout?Aboutfriendship?’
‘Asyouwish,’saysElizabeth.‘Butwedon’thaveanawfullotoftime.Wehaveajobtodo.’
‘I’vemadeyoubothacupoftea,’saysJoyce.‘Don’tbeangry,butit’sherbal.’
Ronhasn’tfinishedthough.‘Noapology,no“Sorry,Ron,spurofthemoment,Ipanicked.”YouthinkIseecorpseseverydayoftheweek?Isthatit?I’vebeeninthehospitalthreenights,Igethome,andthisismyreward.Youseeadeadbody,JoyceseesadeadbodyandI’msatathome,watchingsomedocumentarywithPortilloonatrain.Thatisinsulttoinjury,I’msorrybutitis.Ithoughtwewerefriends.’
Elizabethsighs.‘Ron,Ilikeyou.Itisahugesurprisetome,butIdo.Irespectyou,too,inanumberofareas.Butlistentome,dear.Iwasinanoperationalsituation.Ihadamanwhohadbeensecondsfromdeath,ayounggirlwhohadjustshotsomeoneforthefirsttime,Ihadacrimescene,andIhadMI5arrivinganytime.SoIfeltIneededanotherpairofhands.Iknewthatbothofyouwouldwanttoseethecorpse,thatwasagiven.SoIwasleftwithasimplechoicebetweenawomanwithfortyyearsofnursingexperienceandamaninafootballtopwhowouldbangonaboutMichaelFootthemomentMI5arrived.Granted,thirty-oddyearsagothejobwouldstillhavegonetotheman,buttimeschangeandIrangJoyce.Now,whatcanwedotocalmyoudown?’
‘I’malreadycalm,’shoutsRon.
‘Mymistake,’saysElizabeth.
‘Drinkyourtea,’saysJoyce.
Ronstopsforamoment.‘Whatdoyoumean,we’vegotajobtodo?’
‘That’sbetter,’saysElizabeth.‘Ron,Itookafolderoutofmybag.Midwaythroughyourrant.’
‘Itwasn’tarant,butletmeringtheQueenandgetyouamedalfortakingafolderoutofabag.’
‘Ididitquiteslowlyanddeliberately.Abuff-colouredfolder,notthesortofthingIwouldnormallycarryinmybag.Ithoughtyoumightnotice.’
‘Joycenoticed,Isuppose?’saysRon.‘CleveroldJoyce?’
‘Well,yesshedid,butthepointismoot.Joycehasn’tseenthisfolderyet.It’sjustformeandyou.’
‘Joycehasn’tseenit?’asksRon.
‘Notyet,shecanseeiteventually,’saysElizabeth.‘ButyouandIhaveajobtodofirst.’
‘I’mnotsureaboutthis,’saysJoyce.
‘Oh,don’tyoustart,’saysElizabeth.‘I’mplacatingRon.’
Ronnods.‘OK.SorryifIlostmyragthere.’
‘Youdidn’tatall,dear.Youvoicedyourfrustrations,perfectlyunderstandable.’
‘Sowhat’sthejob?What’sinthefile?’
‘Don’tthinkit’sgoneunnoticedthatyoustayedbyIbrahim’ssidewhenheneededyou,’saysElizabeth.‘AndIthinkthisistherewardyou’veearned.’
ElizabethholdsoutthefileandRonreachesoverandtakesit.
‘IthasRyanBaird’saddress,mobiletelephonenumber,anythingelseyoumightneed.’
Ronflicksthroughit,nodding.‘Sowe’regoingafterhim?’heasks.‘Straightaway?’
‘You’regoingafterhim,yes.’
‘I’mgoingafterhim?’
Joycebeams.‘Wonderful.’
‘Yes,Ithoughtyou’dliketo?’saysElizabeth.
‘Iwouldliketo,yes,’saysRon.‘Yougotaplan?’
‘Ido.IjustneedtoseeBogdanaboutsomethingfirst.Thenyou’llgetyourinstructions.’
Ronnods.Hetapsthefileagainstoneofhisbighands.‘Poppygetyouthis,didshe?’
Elizabethnods.
‘What’sgoingtohappentoher?Afterblowingthisgeezer’sheadoff?’
‘She’llbefine,’saysElizabeth.‘Shedidtherightthingintherightway.They’llquestionhertoday,geteverythingstraight,thenprobablybacktowork.’
‘Willtheyletherseehermum,doyouthink?’asksJoyce.
‘Goodnessno,’saysElizabeth.‘Whywouldtheyletherseehermother?’
‘IthinkI’dwanttoseemymumifI’djustshotsomeone,wouldn’tyou?’
‘It’snotkindergarten,Joyce;you’realwayssosentimental,’saysElizabeth.
Ron,stillleafingthroughthefile,looksup.‘Andyourex-husband?Dougieboy?What’llhappentohim?’
‘Muchthesamething.They’vehadtomovehimoutofhere,ofcourse.It’scompromised.’
‘Sowe’redonewiththewholething?’
‘We’redonewithit.Ourbabysittingdaysareofficiallyover.’
‘Wecanstilllookforthediamonds,though?’
‘Ofcourse.’
‘Good.YouwanttoknowwhatIthink,bytheway?’saysRon.
‘Notreally,Ron,’repliesElizabeth.
‘Ithinkyoucouldeasilyhavemadetwophonecallslastnight,couldhavehadmeandJoycebothhere.ButIthinkyoudidn’twantmetomeetyourex-husband.’
JoycenodsasElizabethresponds.
‘Well,I’vealwayswishedI’dnevermethim,soIliketoextendthesamecourtesytomyfriends.’
‘Handsome,Joycesays?’
‘Very,’agreesJoyce.
Elizabethshrugs.‘Whatisitwithmenandhandsome?Wouldn’tyouratherbekindandcleverandfunnyandbravethanhandsome?’
‘No,’saysRon.
‘CanIaskyoubothsomething?’saysJoyce.
Herfriendsbothnod.
‘Inyourteas,I’veleftonebaginandonebagout.Couldyoutrythembothandletmeknowwhichyouprefer?’
20
Somethinghappenedlastnight,BogdanJankowskicanjusttell.
Heisonhiswaytothebuildingsiteontopofthehill,buthaspoppedintotheshopatCoopersChasetobuysomeLiltZeroandtwentyRothmans.
Amanhedoesn’tknowhasjustgotoutofavanhedoesn’trecognizeandheadedovertoRuskinCourt.
BogdanwatchesasthemanletshimselfintoRuskinCourtusingakeyheshouldn’thave.
Somethingisuphere.Bogdanapproachesthevan.Ashepeersthroughthepassengersidewindowheseesanewspaper,whichisusualinavan,butthennotesitistheDailyTelegraph,whichisnot.Helooksatthesideofthevan,‘F.WalkerRoofing–AllJobsConsidered’.
Fromthecornerofhiseye,BogdanseesElizabeth,RonandJoyceemergingfromRuskinCourt.WhataretheyalldoinginRuskinCourt?Trouble,alwaystrouble.Andifthereistroubletobehad,thenBogdanwouldlikeapieceofit.
ElizabethwavesgoodbyetoRonandJoyce,hurriesovertohimand,hookingherarmthroughhis,leadshimawayfromthevan.
‘What’sthevan?’asksBogdan.
‘HowshouldIknow?’saysElizabeth,whomakesitherbusinesstoknoweverything.‘Goodmorning,though.’
‘Goodmorningtoyou.WhoareyouseeinginRuskinCourtsoearly?’
‘IborrowedabookfromMargeryScholes,’saysElizabeth.
‘Whatbook?’asksBogdan.
‘AJefferyDeaver,’saysElizabeth.‘It’sterrific.’
‘Whichone?’asksBogdan.TheyarenowapproachingElizabeth’shomeinLarkinCourt.
‘Themostrecentone.Thankyouforwalkingmehome.WillyoubecomingtoseeStephenlater?’
Bogdannods.‘Wegotabigcranegoingupthismorning,butnothingspecialafterlunchsoIcomedown.’BogdanisinchargeofthenewHillcrestdevelopmentcurrentlytakingshapehighupabovethem.Hehashadaseriesofrapidpromotionsduetotherecentevents,butistakingeverythinginhisstride.Bogdanalwaystakeseverythinginhisstride.
‘WhowastheguywhowentintoRuskinCourt?Wearinggloves?’
‘Noidea,darling.Drains?Drainswouldweargloves,wouldn’tthey?’
‘Hewalkedinthirtysecondsbeforeyouwalkedout.AndyouwalkedouttensecondsafterIstarttolookatthevan?’
‘Ithinkyou’rebeingalittleparanoid,Bogdan.Areyougettingenoughsleep?’
‘Igeteighthoursandtwentyminuteseverynight,’saysBogdan.‘Youpromisemesomething,though?’
‘IfIcan,ofcourse.IfIcan’t,thenno.’
‘Youtellmewhyyou’relyingeventually?Aboutthevanandtheman?AndIjustsawMargeryScholesintheshop,sohowdidyougetintoRuskin?Youtellmesoonerorlater?’
‘Oh,Bogdan,weallhaveoursecrets.I’llseeyoulater,Ihope?’
BogdannodsandElizabethgoesinside.Bogdanretraceshissteps,butthevanhasgone.
Hewalksupthehillthinkingaboutmenwithgloves,andkeystheyshouldn’thave.
TheHillcrestdevelopmentisrunningaccordingtoplan.Ofcourseitis.Heismakingplentyofmoneytoo.Halfgoesintothebuildingsociety,andhalfgoesintoBitcoin.Heisnottemptedtobuyahouse,becausebuyingahousemeantyouwerestaying,andyoucouldneverreallypredictifyouwerestaying,couldyou?Bogdanspendsthemorningcheckingtheworks,supervisingtheinstallationofthecraneandsmokinghisRothmans.Hethenmakeshiswaybackdownthehill,toplaychesswithElizabeth’shusband,Stephen.
Hepassesthegraveyardwherethenunsareburied.Whatdotheymakeofthesteamhammerssinkingfoundationpostsfurtherupthehill?Bogdanfindsthenoisesoothing,andhehopestheydo,too.Noonewantssilenceforeternity.
HepassesBernard’sbench.Itwasstrangenottoseetheoldmanthere,keepingguard.Peopleherecameandwent,theycameandwent.Knowingtheywereheretoliveouttheirdaysmadethemvital.Theymovedslowly,buttheirtimeranfast.Bogdanlikedtobeamongthem.Theywilldie,butsowillweall.Weareallgoneintheblinkofaneye,andthereisnothingtodobutlivewhileyou’rewaiting.Causetrouble,playchess,whateversuitsyou.
HeandStephentrytoplayatleastthreetimesaweek.ItgivesElizabethabitoftimeofftogoshopping,visitfriends,solvemurders.Stephenforgetsmostpeople’snamesnow,buthehasneverforgottenBogdan’s.
InsideElizabeth’sflat,thegameistwelvemovesold,andBogdanhasStepheninsomethingofabind.Bogdanisnotcountinghischickens,ofcourse–youmustneverdothatwithStephen–butheishappywithhisposition.Hedoesn’tseethatStephenhasmanyoptionsforhisnextmove.
Thatnextmovemaytakeawhile,asStephenhasfallenasleep.Itishappeningmoreandmoreoftenthesedaysasheshutsdownfurtherandfurtherstill.ButsolongasStephenishere,Bogdanwillplaychesswithhim.
AndwheneverStephen’seyespopbackopen,Bogdanknowshewillstillbeinforabrutalgame.Exactlythewayhelikesit.Stephenhasforgottenmanythings,buthehasn’tforgottenhowtowinagameofchess.Healsohasn’tforgottenBogdan’sbigsecret,thepartheplayedintherecentmurders,andishappytobringitupwheneveragameisparticularlytight.
Bogdanhasnofearthough.HetrustsStephenabsolutely.AndwhowouldStephentellanyway?OnlyElizabeth,andBogdantrustsElizabethcompletelytoo.
Andspeakofthedevil,Bogdanhearsthekeyinthedoor,andseesElizabethwalkin.Sheiscarryingalargesportsholdall.Whichisunusual.
‘Hello,dear,’saysElizabeth.‘Isheasleep?’
‘Maybe.Ithinkhe’sfakingitthough.HeknowsI’vegothimbeaten.’
‘Letmemakeyoubothacupoftea.CouldIaskyouafavour,Bogdan?’
‘Whowasthemanwiththegloves?’asksBogdan.
‘AnMI5risk-assessmentunderwriter,’saysElizabeth.‘Happy?’
‘Yes,thankyou,’saysBogdan.‘Whatfavourdoyouneed?’
Elizabethputstheholdalldownonthediningtable,nexttothechessboard.Sheunzipsittorevealbundlesofmoney.
‘Money,’saysBogdan.
‘Nothinggetspastyou,doesit,dear?’saysElizabeth.
‘Andwhatfor?’asksBogdan.
Elizabethdouble-checksthatStephenisstillasleep.‘Couldyoubuymetenthousandpounds’worthofcocaine?’
Bogdanlooksatthemoneyandnods.‘Sure.’
Elizabethsmiles.‘Thankyou,IknewIcouldrelyonyou.Wholesalethough,notstreetprice.’
‘Ofcourse,’saysBogdan.‘Isthistodowiththemanandthevan?’
‘No,thisissomethingdifferent.’
‘Whendoyouneeditby?’
‘Tomorrowlunchtime?’
‘Noproblem,’saysBogdan.
‘Lovely,you’resuchahelp,youreallyare.I’llflickthekettleon.’
BogdantakesanotherlookattheholdallasElizabethdisappearsintothekitchen.Whowouldhavethatmuchcocaineatthisshortnotice?TherewasawomaninStLeonardswhousedtobeateachingassistantataprimaryschoolandnowworksoutofarowoflock-upgaragesbytheseafront.Hewouldtryherfirst.Shehadonceaskedhimonadate,andhehadtoldherthathewasn’tattractedtoher,andthatheworriedabouthercareer,becauseitisveryimportanttobehonestinromanticendeavours.Noonewilleverthankyoufordishonesty.Shehadthrownapintglassathim,butitwassomemonthsagonow,andhe’ssureshe’llstilldohimafavour.Bogdantakesouthisphone,butbeforehecantext,Stephenwakes,looksattheboardasiftherehasbeennodelay,andmoveshisbishop.BogdanputsdownhisphoneandprocesseswhatStephenhasdone.Hehadnotseenthatcomingatall.Whatamove.Bogdansmiles.
Elizabeth’stenthousandpounds.Stephen’sbishop.Nowondertheygotmarried.Youhadtohandittothesetwo.
Bogdanhasajobtodo,andsomethinkingtodo.Whichisjusthowhelikesit.
21
DouglasMiddlemissnowhasaviewofthesea,whichissomeconsolationatleast.
ThehouseisinHove.Officiallyan‘executivelet’butusedexclusivelybyMI5.Douglaswasinthebigbedroomatthefront,withthediagonalviewofthesea.Theyhadtoldhimtostayawayfromthewindowsbut,really,giveamanaseaviewandwhatdoyouexpect?HeiscurrentlysittinginanarmchairangledtocatchthesuncomingupbehindthespideryruinsofBrighton’sWestPierinthedistance.Ifsomebodyshootshimthroughthewindowthenthereareworsewaystogo.
Poppyisinabedroomatthebackofthehouse,withaviewofacouncilcarparkandsomebins.Togettohisdoor,someonewouldhavetogopastPoppy’s.Andshehadprovedsurprisinglyeffectivelasttime.ShootingAndrewHastings.OneofMartinLomax’sclose-protectionofficers,senttokillhim,but,instead,killedhimselfbyasmallwomanwithanoseringandanOttolenghicookbook.
MovingtoCoopersChasehadseemedlikesuchaterrificideaatthetime,theperfecthidingplace.AlsoachancetoseeElizabethagain.Toimposehimselfonher.ButMartinLomaxhadbreachedsecuritysomehow.Whichmeantsomebodyhadtoldhimwherehewashiding.Butwho?
Douglashashissuspicions.Hehadmessedup,thatwasforsure,showinghisfaceonthesecuritycameras.HehadputtheServiceinaverybadposition.Perhapssomeonefeltadebtneededtoberepaid?Wouldtheyreallysacrificeoneoftheirown?He’dseenitdone.Rarely,buthe’dseenit.CouldhetrustSueandLance?Suehewassureof.ButLance?ThemanhebrokeintoLomax’shousewith?Whatdidhereallyknowabouthim?
PoppyknocksonthedoorandasksDouglasifhewouldlikeacupoftea.Hetellsherthatwouldbelovelyandhe’llbedowninamoment.WhatonearthdoessomeonelikePoppymakeofsomeonelikehim,hewonders.
Douglaswasnolongerapopularman.Heknewthat,andhecouldseewhy.MyGod,heusedtobepopular.Butnow?Nowhewasthetypeofmantotakehismaskoffduringarobbery,andthetypeofmantomakeajokeaboutagaycolleagueinabriefing.Hemeantnoharmbyeither,buthesawhewasoutofstep,andheknew,deepdown,thatamanlessself-regardingthanhimselfwouldhavetheabilitytoactmoreprofessionallyandkindly.Hehadhopedtoreachtheendofhisservicewithouthavingtochangeonebit.Afraidnot,oldboy.
Thediamondswerehiswayout.Aluckybreak,atagoodtime.SittingthereonLomax’sdining-roomtable.Buthadhisluckrunout?Howtogetoutofthisone?
Whathaschanged,hewonders.Twentyyearsagoandyoucouldmakejokesaboutwhoeveryouliked,couldn’tyou?Nevertobemean,ajokewasajokewasajoke.Atschooltherehadbeenaboy,Petersomething,whotheyteasedbecausehehadgingerhair.Nothingmean,justjokes.Heleftafterafewterms,toosensitive,andthatwasstilltheproblem,wasn’tit?Ifpeopletookoffencethenweren’ttheyjustbeinglikePeter,whohadwastedaperfectlygoodeducationbecausehecouldn’ttakeabitofteasing?
DouglashadmentionedthiswhenhewassentonaGenderandSexualityAwarenesscourseafewyearsago.Theyhadaskedhimtoleave,andhewasgivenone-on-onecoachinginstead.Hepassedwithflyingcoloursasitwasrunbyanoldfriendwhotoldhimexactlywhatheneededtosayifhewantedhiscertificatesigned.
SoperhapstheServicehasfinallyhadenoughofhim?PerhapsSuethinksheisnolongeruseful?Thatlifewouldbebetterwithhimoutoftheway?PerhapsshehaspersuadedeveryoneitwouldbeasmallpricetopayforpeacewithMartinLomax.HadSuedoneadealwithLomax,anddisclosedhislocation?
HowmanyotherpeoplehadknownthatDouglaswasatCoopersChase?Fiveorsix?IncludingPoppy,ofcourse.Wasshemorethansheappeared,withherpodcastsandherpoetryandherGregorianchantmusic?Wasthatanact?He’dseenitall,tobehonest,soperhapstherewasmoretoher,perhapsshewasinleaguewiththeothersagainsthim?Butthenwhyshoottheintruder?
Elizabeth?Thatwasabiggerquestion.WouldElizabethhavedisclosedwherehewas?Surelynot.HehadtoldheraboutMartinLomax,though,hadn’the?Hadshetrackedhimdown?Elizabethcouldtrackanyonedown.Douglashadhadfouraffairsduringtheirmarriage,andElizabethhaddiscoveredallofthem.Thefinalone,ajunioranalystnamedSallyMontague,hadendedthemarriageforever.HehadgoneontomarrySallyMontagueatleast.Thoughshewastwentyyearshisjuniorandthatmarriageonlylasteduntilhisnextaffair.Theyfiredher,verydiscreetly,afterthedivorce.WherewasSallynow?Heknowsheshouldprobablycare,butsometimesitisalltoomuchforhim.
HeavenknowshowmanyaffairsElizabethhadhad.Plenty.ButDouglashadnevercaughtheronce.
YouonlymarryoneElizabethinyourlife.IfDouglaswasanysortofamanhecouldhavekeptholdofher.ButDouglaswasjustaboy,heknowsthat.Hewascharmingandfunny,andlifecameeasilytohim.WhateverDouglaswanted,hegot;everybodyfellforhim,everybodyfellfortheact.Althoughhesupposesthatpeoplewhodidn’tfallforhisacthadprobablyjustgivenhimawideberthovertheyears.
HehadonceaskedElizabethwhenshehadseenthroughhim.Shehadsaidshe’dknownfromthemomentshe’dmethim.Andshe’dwonderedwhatsmall,frightenedboymustbehidingbehindsuchanobviousact.Shehadfalleninlovewiththatfrightenedboy,butwasyettomeethim.Douglascouldhavetakenthatmomenttoturnhisliferound,tobecomerealandliveinhonesty.Butinsteadhethrewawhiskyglassagainstawallandstormedout,stayingthenightwithSallyMontagueinWestKensington.Thenextday,whenhereturned,Elizabethhadsaidnothing,butthatwasthedayshegaveuptrying.
Sohehaslivedonhischarmeversince.Therewereworselives.Buthehaslosttouchwithwhatcharmingis.Heseesnewgenerationsofmen,whoknowwhattosayandhowtosayit,andheisleftwiththetoolsofadifferentage.Jokeshecan’ttell,passeshecan’tmake.Andwithoutthem,whathashegot?
Thediamonds.That’swhatDouglashasgot.Hisgreatescape.
Douglasgetsupfromhischairandpullsacombthroughhishair.Somecarefulcombinganditstillstooduptocursoryscrutiny,whichisallthatmattersformostpeople.Cursoryscrutinyhadgothimthroughmostofhiscareer.Butanewgenerationsawrightthroughhim.Whichwasveryannoying.
Thesillythingis,Douglasknowstheyareright.Heknowsheisonlybeingaskedtoberespectful,andheknowspeoplejustwanttoturnuptoworkanddotheirjobandnotberemindedeveryfiveminutesofwhattheylooklike,orwhotheysleptwith.Douglasknowstheyarerightandheiswrong.Hedoesn’tmissthegoodolddays,hemisseshisgoodolddays.Hedoesn’tsupposetheyweregoodformostpeople.
Buttoreallyadmitthattohimselfwouldbetoadmittoalifetimeofwearinghiscomfortableblinkers.ItwouldbeadmittingthathestillwonderswhathappenedtoPeter.ToPeterWhittock.OfcourseDouglasremembershisname.Bulliedoutofschoolbychildrenwhowerealsoyoungandscared.
HowmanyotherPeterWhittockshadheleftinhistrail?HowmanymoreElizabeths?SallyMontagues?
Twentyyearsagoyoucouldleaveyourmaskoffandthewholethingwouldhavebeenonebiglaugh,abitofribbing,amessagetoMartinLomaxtogoandboilhishead,andDouglaswouldhavetobuythedrinksthatevening.Butthathadbeenthebigmistake.
Onewayoranother,thingscatchupwithyou.
Thereisnopointmoping,however–yougetthelifeyoudeserve.Douglasresolvestothinkhiswayoutofthisparticularspotofbother.Timetodealwiththetaskathand.TimetodealwiththethreatofMartinLomax,andpossiblyathreatfrominsidetheServiceitself.Thendisappearwiththediamonds.Newidentity,maybeafarminNewZealand,orCanada.SomewheretheyspokeEnglish.
Hehastoassumenowthatheiscompromised.Hehastoassumethatheisonhisown.Hecantrustnoone.Hestepsoutontothelanding,hearingthekettlewhistlefromthekitchen.
Nottrue.HecantrustElizabeth.Ofthatheissure.
Thisthoughtbringshimsomecheer.Hehasmadeittoanothersunrise,and,descendingthestairs,hedecideshewillhavesomemarmaladeontoastwhilehestillcan.
22
Joyce
SoIrangPoppy’smum,andshecouldnothavebeennicer.SheiscalledSiobhan,and,yes,Ididjusthavetolookuphowtospellit.ShemusthavebeenIrishatsomepoint,butitdoesn’tseemlikesheisnow.
Ifilledherinonwhathadhappened.IthoughtthatmustbewhatPoppymeant,becauseperhapswhenyou’reaspyyoudon’talwaystellyourmumeverythingthat’sgoingon.Orperhapsthat’sjustdaughtersingeneral?I’mluckyifIfindoutJoannahashadahaircut,forexample.SheoncehadaweekinCreteandthefirstIknewaboutitwasfromFacebook.IremindedherthatwehadoncehadaweekinCretewhenshewaslittle,butapparentlythiswasaverydifferentpartofCrete,whichshetookdelightintellingme.SoIhavebeeninSiobhan’sshoesinsomeways.
Thisishowitwent.Therewerepleasantries,andItoldherthatPoppyhadaskedmetoringher,andthatshewasquitesafe,buttherehadbeenanincident.
Iactuallysaid,‘Don’tworry,noonehasdied,’beforeIrealizedthat,ofcourse,somebodyhad.
Itbecameapparent,andIsupposeIshouldn’thavebeensurprised,thatSiobhanwasn’tfullyontopofwhatherdaughterdoesforaliving.Thewayshehadbeentoldit,PoppyworkedforthePassportOffice.TheyhaddonesomechecksonSiobhanwhenPoppygotthejob,andshethoughtthatunusualatthetime,buthadn’treallyquestionedit.There’salwayssomethingwithchildren,isn’tthere?DressingthemupforWorldBookDayandthelike.
Really,Ishouldhavebrokenthingstoherinstages,butinnursingyougetthesenseofwhenit’sbettertocomestraightoutwithit.IsaidsomethingalongthelinesofyourdaughterworksforMI5orMI6andshe’slookingafteramanwhousedtobemarriedtomyfriendElizabeth,andwhohasbeenaccusedofstealingdiamonds(her:‘MI5?’‘Elizabeth?’‘Diamonds?’).Anintruderhadtriedtoshootthemanlastnight,andPoppyhadshottheintruder.ThatwasasshortasIcouldgetit.
Siobhanwastakenaback,andIthoughtperhapsshethoughtitwasaprank,soIadded,‘Thisisn’taprank,itreallyhappened,shereallydidshoothim,andIevensawthebody.’
ItoldherthatPoppyhadgivenmehernumber,andsheaskedwherePoppywasnow,andIsaidIdidn’tknow,andthatMI5hadtakenheraway,butthatElizabethhadsaidthatwasnothingtoworryabout,andthatPoppyhaddonetherightthingintherightwayandhadsavedsomeone’slife.
SiobhanaskedwhereithappenedandItoldherallaboutCoopersChase.ShesaiditsoundedlovelyandIsaid,‘Well,whydon’tyoucomeandvisit?MeetmeandElizabeth?’
Siobhansaidshewouldlikethat,andthenshestartedtocry,whichwasforthebestinmyopinion.Letitout.ImagineifyourdaughterhadjustshotamanandbeentakenawaybyMI5?Youcouldn’thelpbutfeelemotional.Iaskedforheraddress,soIcouldpopafriendshipbraceletstraightinthepostforher.I’llgetthemoneywhenIseeher.
Wehadanicechatafterthat.SheapologizedforcryingandIsaidnotatall,thenIaskedifshelikedPoppy’snosering,andshethoughtforawhileandsaidnotreally,shethoughtPoppywasprettierwithoutit.IsaidPoppywasstillveryprettywithit,butIsympathizedbecauseJoannaoncehadthreepiercingsinthesameear,oneattheverytop,anditwasawful.Youcanstillseeatinyscartherenow,whereitdidn’tproperlyhealover.Youwouldn’tnoticeit,butIalwaysdo.IthinkSiobhanandIaregoingtogetalong.
SoSiobhanisgoingtocomeandseeus,that’sthebignews.IhopeElizabethwon’tmind.Poppyhadslippedthephonenumberintomycardiganpocket,notElizabeth’s,soperhapssheknewthiswasn’tthedonethinginthesecircumstances.WillElizabethobject?Well,ifshedoes,thenthat’sherproblemandnotmine.
ShelivesinWadhurst,bytheway.Siobhan.I’vebeenthroughitonthetrain,butthat’saboutit.I’msureitisverynice,ifPoppyandhermumareanythingtogoby.
JustasIhungup,mydoorbuzzerwent,anditwasYvonne,myoldneighbour,wantingacupofteaandachat.ShewasthefirstpersonIknowtogetavideorecorder,I’veneverforgottenit.IremembertheyinvitedJoannaroundtowatchET.Honestly,thelookonJoanna’sface.Anyway,shelivesinTunbridgeWellsnow,ofcourseshedoes,soIaskedhertopopthebraceletthroughSiobhan’sletterboxonherwayhome.Savesastamp,doesn’tit?
Whatelsethen?RyanBaird,ofcourse.Ronhasreallygotthewindbetweenhislegswiththatone.Iamlookingforwardtohearingtheplan.AndIbrahimshouldbehometomorrow.Hetoldusnottovisithimagain,andthat’sforthebestasElizabethwantsustotakeatriptoHove,forreasonsshekepttoherself.
I’mbakingforSiobhannow.Ihavenoideawhatshelikes,andIcouldn’tfindaplaceinourconversationtoaskher.SoI’mplayingitverysafewithaVictoriasponge,somebrownieswithnonutsandacoconutandraspberrysliceincaseshe’sadventurous.
Idokeepthinkingaboutthediamonds.Twentymillionpoundswouldturnmostpeople’sheads,wouldn’tit?Itwouldturnmine.OnDealorNoDealtheywouldsaythat￡25,000was‘life-changingmoney’,butIdon’tknowaboutthat,onceyou’dpaidoffyourcreditcardsandbeentoPortugal,perhapsacoupleofreplacementwindows.Buttwentymillion?Someoneisgoingtogettheirhandsonit,Isuppose,eveniftheyhavetomurderafewpeoplealongtheway.
IrealizeIdidn’tmeanthatRonhas‘reallygotthewindbetweenhislegs’bytheway.What’stherightexpression?It’ssomethinglikethat,isn’tit?I’llleaveitfornow,though,becauseitactuallyrathersuitsRon.
So,HovewithElizabethtomorrow,whichwillbefun.We’regettingthe2.30busintoBrighton,andwe’llgetoutbythebigM&SandwalkintoHove.Elizabethhassaid,‘Strictlynoshopping,Joyce,’sowe’recertainlyonbusinessofsomesort.
Whatsortofbusinessthough?Diamonds?Murder?Perhapsabitofboth?Thatwouldbenice.
23
Elizabethlooksatherwatchandsighs.Shespeedsupatouch.
Theyareabouttwentyminutesbehindschedule,becauseJoycehadinsistedonstoppingforacoffee.Joycelovestositincoffeeshopsandlookoutofthewindowatthepeoplepassingby.Shewouldsittherealldayifyoulether,saying,‘Ooh,umbrellasaregoingup,’or,‘DoyouthinkIwouldsuitthatcoat,Elizabeth?’Shedoesn’tevenparticularlylikecoffee,shejustfeelstooawkwardaskingforteainacoffeeshop.
Douglashasaskedtoseeher,andit’stheleastshecandointhecircumstances.Hewasverynearlykilledonherwatch.Shehadn’tofficiallystartedlookingafterhim,butevenso.
TheyareontheirwaytothenewsafehouseinHove.Number38StAlbansAvenue,oneofmanyparallelstreetsleadingdownfromthecafésofChurchRoadtotheice-creamparloursoftheseafront.
‘Isn’ttheseaairlovely?’saysJoyce.
‘Atonic,’agreesElizabeth,asalargelorrydrivespastthem
Somethingwasn’trightwithJoyce.Elizabethhaslearnedtoreadherprettywellbynow,andsheisdefinitelybeingover-jolly.ThatwasJoyce’strick.Itworkedoneverybodyelse,butitdidn’tworkonElizabeth.ElizabethstopsoutsidetheNando’sonChurchRoad,andputsherhandonJoyce’sarm.
‘BeforeweseeDouglasandPoppy,whydon’tyouletmeknowwhatyou’rehiding?’
Joycelooksupather,thosebrighteyessoinnocent,thathaloofsnow-whitehair.
‘I’msureIdon’tknowwhatyoumean?’
‘Joyce,you’veheldusupfortwentyminutesalready.Ireallydon’twanttostandhereforanothertwentyminutestryingtogetitoutofyou.’
‘Sometimes,Elizabeth,youactasifyou’remyboss.Andyou’renot.’
Elizabethsighs.‘Please,I’mbeggingofyou,don’tbetiresome.Justtellme.’
JoycelooksattheNando’s.‘Doyouknow,I’veneverbeentoaNando’s?’
‘You’reclearlykeepingsomethingfromme.IsittodowithDouglas,perhaps?’
‘ImightbringIbrahim.He’dlikeaNando’s,don’tyouthink?Andweneedtomakesurehegetsout.’
‘SomethingtodowithPoppy,then?’
‘Sometimes,Elizabeth,youjusthavetoacceptthatyoudon’tknoweverything.Andthereitis,I’mafraid.’
ElizabethstaresintoJoyce’seyesandnods.‘So,itissomethingtodowithPoppy?You’regood,Joyce,butyou’renotthatgood.’
Joycesmiles.‘Thisisjustmakinguslater,dear.We’lllookrude.Ihaven’tevenbroughtanythingforthem.Dowehavetimetopickupsomefudge?’
Elizabethisthinking.‘Well,weknowit’sPoppy,that’swrittenalloveryourface.PerhapsPoppyaskedyousomething?Butyouweren’talonewithher,wereyou?’
‘I’mafraidyou’rebarkingupthewrongtree.There’salovelybookshopfurtherup,CityBooks?IcouldpickupaJohnGrishamforDouglas?’
‘SoPoppygaveyousomething?Isthatit?Onherwayout,sheslippedyousomething?’
‘Ithinksomeone’sslippedyousomething,Elizabeth.I’mrightaboutIbrahim,aren’tI?Weneedtomakesurehegetsout.Hewon’twantto.IthinkNando’sismainlychicken,buttheymustdopuddingsandthings.’
‘Whatcouldshepossiblyhavegivenyou?Andwhyyouandnotme?’
‘Iwasthinkingofgoingtothedogrescuecentre.ImightaskIbrahimtodrivemeassoonashe’sback.’
‘Amessage,perhaps?DidPoppygiveyouamessage?Slippeditintoyourhandasshewasleaving?’ElizabethlookslongandhardatJoyce.
‘He’llobject,youknowIbrahim.Butwe’lltalkhimround.Anddogsareveryhealing.I’mnottellingyouanythingyoudon’talreadyknow,buthismentalinjurieswilllastfarlongerthanhisphysicalinjuries.’
‘Somethingpersonal.’ElizabethstepsasideasagroupofyouthsbarrelsintotheNando’s.‘That’swhyshechoseyou.Anerrand.Somethingsheknewshecouldtrustyouwith?’
‘Icheckedonthewebsite.Alanisstillthere.That’sthedog.ThoughI’mgoingtocallhimRusty;you’rethefirstpersonI’vetoldthat.Iwroteitinmydiary,butIhaven’tsaiditoutloud.’
‘Youwerewearingyournewcardigan,ofcourse.Whichsuitsyouagreatdeal,bytheway.Soperhapsshejustslippeditintoyourpocket?’
‘Thankyouaboutthecardigan.WhenIwasachildtheneighbourshadadogcalledRusty,yousee.’
‘Iwonder,Joyce,ifshewantedyoutocontactsomeoneforher?Justtoletthemknowshewasallright?That’sthesortofthingIwouldabsolutelytrustyouwith.’
‘Hewasaretriever,Ithink,thoughIgetthemmixedupwithLabradors.We’reallabitofeverything,though,aren’twe?Whenyoustartlookingintoit?’
‘WhodoesPoppytrust?’asksElizabeth.‘That’sthequestion.’
‘EveryonelovesJohnGrisham,don’tthey?He’sasafebet.’
ElizabethputsherhandsonJoyce’sshoulders,nodsandlooksherdirectlyintheeye.
‘Iwonder,Joyce.DidPoppygiveyouhermother’sphonenumber?’
Joycethrowsherhandsup.‘Oh,forgoodness’sake,Elizabeth.Ican’thaveanything,canI?’
‘Youheldoutlongerthanmost.Didyouringher?’
Joycenods.‘IsthatOK?’
‘It’sfine,I’mnotsurprisedsomeonewouldwanttotalktotheirmumthefirsttimetheykilledsomeone.Imean,Ididn’t,butI’mme.’
‘Sheseemslovely.I’veinvitedherdown,I’mafraid.’
‘That’saniceidea.Now,shallwegeton?’
JoycesmilesandthetwofriendswalktowardsStAlbansAvenue.
‘You’renotcross?’asksJoyce.
‘Notabit,’saysElizabeth.‘AlthoughIwillsaythis:Theydon’tlikeyoutochangethenamesofthedogs.’
‘Iknow,butAlan,’saysJoyce.
‘Well,whydon’tyouletIbrahimdecide?That’sthesortofthinghe’sgoodat.’
‘Ican’twaittohavehimback,canyou?’
ElizabethslipsherarmthroughJoyce’sandtheycontinuewalking.
‘WherewasRonoffto,bytheway?’asksJoyce.‘Isawhimdrivingoffbeforeweleft.Heneverdrivesthesedays.’
Elizabethlooksatherwatch.‘Ronhasaplumbingjob.Hewasverykeentogettoit.’
‘Aplumbingjob?’
‘YouknowRon,hecanturnhishandtoanything.’
24
Sellingcocaineislessglamorousthanpeopleimagine,andConnieJohnsonisthinkingthatitisnicetohavetheopportunitytodressupforonce.
It’snoteverydaythatBogdanJankowskiwantstobuytengrand’sworthofprimeColombianblowandConniehasbeenexcitedallday.Thelock-upnextdoorsellsfakeperfume,andshehaddabbedsomeonearlier,onlytohavetowashitoffimmediatelyasthesmelloverpoweredher.Shehasevenhadtoreapplyhermascaraafterthetearsstreameddownherface.Shethinksshehasgotridoftheworstofit.
WhydidBogdanwantcokeallofasudden?Hewasn’tthetypeatall.Perhapshehaddevelopedadrugproblem,andneededtofundhishabit?Conniehopesso;itwouldcertainlymeanshewouldseemoreofhim.
Whatwasitabouthim?Thesenseofextremedangerandabsolutesafetyinthesameman?Orjustthelooks?
Thereisarattlingknockonthemetallock-updoor.Connieadjustsherhair,spitshergumintoanoldfilingcabinetandlightsamentholcigarette.Herewego.
Sheopensthedoor,sunshinefloodsintoherdarkworldandthereheis.Bogdan.Shaven-headed,tattoossnakingupbotharms,deepblueeyesandanexpressionoftotalindifference.Thefullpackage.Heshutsthedoorbehindhimanditisjustthetwoofthem.Howshouldsheplaythis?Niceandcool?ShehadtriedflirtingwithBogdanbeforeandithadgothernowhere.Butshesuspectshehadjustbeenplayinghardtoget.Isheundressingherwithhiseyes?Conniethinksso.He’scertainlydoingsomethingwithhiseyes.Shenodsdownathissportsbag.
‘Thatthemoney?’
Bogdannods.‘Yes.’
Connietakesalongdragonhermentholcigarette,savouringthefreshmintytaste.
‘Tengrand?’
‘Yes,’saysBogdan.
‘DoIneedtocountit?’
‘No,’saysBogdan,andputsthebagdownonConnie’slarge,woodendesk.
WhenConnie’soldsecondaryschoolclosedtheyauctionedoffthecontents,andConniebidon,andbought,thedeskofheroldheadmistress.Thedeskshehadstoodacrossfromsomanytimes,beingreprimandedforthis,thatandtheother.Forawhileshedelightedinusingittoweighoutcocaineandtohavesex.WhatwouldMrsGilberthavetosayaboutthat?Nowbusinesshasexpanded,however,sheusesitmainlyforadmin.Shehastoadmit,itisagooddesk.
‘Soyou’llbewantingyourcoke,then?’asksConnie.
‘Yes,’saysBogdan,beforeadding,‘please.’
Conniesensesthisisgoingwell.Isthereaconnectionhere?Electricity?MyGod,justlookathim.
‘It’souttheback,Bogdan.Givemeaminute,makeyourselfathome,there’smagazines.MainlyUltimateFighting.’
Connieopensapadlockeddoorandwalksintoasmallstorageroom.Thereisnomirrorhere,soshechecksherselfinthereflectionofanoldCD-ROM.Sheisgladshedoes,asshehasalittlelipstickonherteeth.HadBogdannoticed?Shekneelsinfrontofasafeandkeysinthecombinationwithonehandwhilerubbingherfrontteethwiththeother.Whatifhehadnoticedthelipstick,andnownoticesshe’srubbeditaway?Shetakesoutakiloofcocainefromthesafe,wrappedinbrownpaperandstamped‘Fragile–ThisWayUp’.Ifhenoticesthenhe’llknowshe’scheckedherselfoutinthemirror.Willthatlooktooneedy?Shelocksthesafeagainandheadsbackout.Toolatenow,ifhenotices,henotices.Bestfootforward.
Conniepadlocksthestoragedooronceagainandputsthepackageonherheadmistress’sdesknexttothemoney.Bogdanislookingstraightather.Atherteeth?
‘Youneedtocheckit?’asksConnie.
‘No,’saysBogdan.Hetakesthemoneyfromthesportsholdall,andreplacesitwiththepackage.
‘Thisgoingtobearegularthing,isit?’asksConnie.‘There’sspecialtreatmentforregulars.’
‘No,justthisonce,’saysBogdan.
‘Specialtreatment’wastoofar,thinksConnie.Tooflirty.Idiot.Shedecidestoshrug.
‘Well,youknowyourownbusiness.’
Bogdannods.‘Yes.’
‘Letmegetthedoorforyou.’Conniewalksoverandopensthedoor.Thatsunshineagain.Bogdanwalksthrough,duckinghisheadslightlyashedoes.
‘Thankyou,Connie.’
Connieshrugsagain–perfect–andshutsthedoorbehindhim.Shefallsbackagainstthecloseddoorandletsoutahugebreath.
Christ,thatwasintense.She’sgoingtohavetotaketherestofthedayoff.
Bogdandoesn’thavefartowalk.HeismeetingRonbythepier.IthadgoneOKwithConnie,theredidn’tseemtobeanyhardfeelings.Hehadfeltforherbecauseshehadlipstickonherteeth.Hewasgoingtomentionit,becauseitlookedlikeshewasgoingonadatelater.Butshehadobviouslynoticedherselfasitwasgonewhenshecamebackwiththecocaine.Hewasrelievedhedidn’thavetomentionit,asshedidn’tseeminaverygoodmoodwithhim.
Heisgladtobeoutside,notleastbecausetherewasanawfulsmell.
BogdanspotsRonandwalksuptohim.Ronisdressedasaplumber.
‘Allright,Bogdan,’saysRon.
‘Hello,Ron,’saysBogdan.
‘Thatit,then?’saysRon,indicatingthebag.
‘Yep,that’sit,’saysBogdan.
‘Goodlad.Ibetyou’rewonderingwhyI’mdressedlikeaplumber?’
Bogdanshakeshishead.‘Notreally.Nothingwithyoulotsurprisesme.I’dbemoresurprisedifyouweren’tdressedlikeaplumber.’
Ronnods,agreeingthat’safairpoint.
‘HowisIbrahim?’asksBogdan.‘Whenisheback?’
‘He’sallright,oldson.Knockedaboutabit,youknow?Nasty.’
Bogdannods.‘Youneedhelpwiththeguywhodidit?’
Rontakesthebag.‘You’realreadyhelping.’
‘Ithoughtso,’saysBogdan.‘Good,Iampleased.Youknowyoujustask,andIdowhatever.’
‘You’reagoodlad.’Ronsniffs.‘Jesus,Bogdan,what’sthatsmell?’
25
ElizabethandJoyceareonStAlbansAvenue.Itisaroadfullofsmallhotelsandretirementhomes.Youcouldwalkthewholelengthofitwithoutoncefeelingtheneedtolookupfromyourphone,andthatwasperfect.Theyreachnumber38.Blindsdrawninalltheroomsfacingthestreet,andafour-year-old‘VoteLibDem’posterinthefrontwindow.Absolutelytextbook.
ThereisaVirginMediavanparkedacrosstheroadandElizabethknocksonthewindow.Sheisexpected.
Thedriverfoldshernewspaper,lowersherwindowandraisesaneyebrow.
Elizabethrepeatsexactlywhatshehasbeentoldtosay.‘MyreceptionisontheblinkandIdon’twanttomissLoveIsland.’SomeoneinMI5willhaveenjoyedthinkingthatoneupforher.
Thedriverreplies,asexpected.‘Younumber42?’
Elizabethnods.
‘That’sSky,notVirgin.’
‘Sorrytotroubleyou,’saysElizabeth,andreachesintoshakethedriver’shand.Astheyshake,shefeelsthekeybeingpressedintoherhand.Thedriverraisesherwindowagainandreturnstoherpaper.Averyboringjob.Elizabethsympathizes.Atleastthedriverhasapaper.ThereweretimesineasternEurope,ontwelve-hourwatches,whereElizabethwouldhavekilledforaDailyTelegraph.EvenaDailyMirror
Theycrosstheroadtowardsthehouse.
‘Wasthatspytalk?’asksJoyce.‘Code?’
‘Verybasiccode,yes.Justanidentifier.’
‘JoannawatchesLoveIsland.ShesaysI’dloveit.Men,andwhathaveyou.’
Thereisa‘NoJunkMail’stickeronthefrontdoor.Thedoorlooksnormalfromtheoutside,butElizabethknowsitwillhavesteelreinforcementsbehindit,shouldanyonegetanyideas.Thekeylooksperfectlynormal,butiselectronic,andthemomentitisslippedintothelockthereareaseriesofnoisesfrominsidethehouse,faintenoughthattheywouldn’tbeheardfromthestreet.
ThedooropensandElizabethlooksatherwatch:5.25.Ronshouldhavepickedupthepackagebynow.
Douglashadsaidtomeetthematfive,butitwouldn’tdoanyharmforDouglastobekeptwaitingeverynowandagain.Quitewhatshewasdoingtherewasamystery.ItwasoddenoughthatDouglashadchosentohideatCoopersChase.OdderstillthathewantedtoseeElizabethagain,nowthatCoopersChasewasnolongeranoption.
Elizabethcouldhavesaidno,butsomethingwasgoingonhere,andshewouldn’tatallmindfindingoutwhatitwas.ItwasoneofDouglas’sgames,nodoubt,butsometimesDouglas’sgameshadbeenfun.Certainlyworthseeingifhehadonegoodoneleftinhim.
Especiallywithtwentymillionpoundsattheendoftherainbow.Thinkwhatyoucoulddowithtwentymillionpounds?ButElizabethdoesn’tneedtothink.Sheknowsexactlywhatshewoulddowithit.
Theywalkoverthethreshold.
‘Iliketheirhallcarpet,’saysJoyce.Hervoiceechoesaroundthesilenthouse.‘Wenearlyhadsimilar.’
Itshouldn’tbesilent,ofcourse,withtwopeoplelivinghere.Weretheybothsleeping?At5.25?Unlikely.
Elizabethfeelsabreeze.Abreezeinahousewhereeverydoorandwindowisshut.Boltedandsealedshut.
‘Douglas?’callsElizabeth.‘Poppy?’
Elizabethstepsintothekitchen.Itisneat.Thereisasmalltableandtwowoodenchairs.Therearetwobowlsandtwomugsbythesink.Anoldcalendaronthewall,Britishcastles.
Thereisabackdoor,whichleadsontoacourtyardgarden.Barbedwireatopabrickbackwall.
Thebackdooriswideopen.
26
‘Andhekickedyouinthebackofthehead?’
‘I’mafraidhedid,Anthony,yes.’
Ibrahimhadnottoldtheotherswhattimehewascomingbacktoday.Heknewtheywouldmakeafuss,andhedidn’twantareceptioncommitteewhenhewasunshaven.InsteadhemanagedtogetthefinalappointmentofthedaywithAnthony,thehairdressersoindemandhenowvisitsCoopersChasethreetimesaweek.Ibrahimhasn’tbeenatallhappywithhishospitalhair.
‘Youwouldn’tbeabletotell,honestly,’saysAnthony,runningacombthroughIbrahim’shair.‘Nofootprint,nothing.’
‘Well,it’saskull,’saysIbrahim.
‘Yousaidit,’agreesAnthony.‘TellmeifI’mpressingtoohard,though.We’llgetyoufeelingbetterinnotime.That’smyjob.’
‘Thankyou,Anthony.’
‘You’llbounceback,Iknowyouwill.’
‘Bouncingbackisforyoungermen.’
‘Nonsense,whatdoesn’tkillyoumakesyoustronger.’
‘Well,Idisagreeatmyage.’
‘I’llgiveyouaforexample.Ioncehadatwo-dayacidtrip,inKavos.YouknowKavos?’
‘IsthatGreece?’
‘Ooh,Iwouldn’tknow,somewherehot.Anyway,atthetimeitwasterrifying,youknow?Ithoughtthewallsofthevillawerebleeding.Istoodontherooftryingtograbholdoftheaeroplanesastheywereflyingover.MymateGavputitonInsta,30,000likes,andnowIcanseethefunnyside.ButIthoughtIwasgoingtodie,andIdidn’t,andtheexperiencehasmademeastrongerman.’
‘Inwhatway?’
‘Well,Idon’tknow.Imean,Idolessacidthesedays?Sothat’ssomething,isn’tit?AndIgotaboutfourhundrednewfollowersonInsta.That’smypoint,really.Idon’tknowwhattheydidtoyourhairinhospital.I’mguessingnoconditioner?’
‘IaskedRontogetmesome,buthesaidhewasn’tsurewhattoaskfor.’
‘Well,you’vegotmenow.’
‘Anyway,Idon’tthinkthishasmademestronger.Iamrattled,Anthony.’
‘Ofcourse,’saysAnthony.‘Post-traumaticwhatever.’
‘ButIwillgetoveriteventually.’
‘Ofcourseyouwill.LookatwhatOprah’sbeenthroughovertheyears.’
‘UnlessIdiebeforeIgetoverit.AndthenIwillnevergetoverit.That’showIfeelrightnow.PerhapsIwillneverheal.’
‘I’lltellJoyceyouwerebeingmoroseifyoukeepthisup.’
‘Itisfinetosay“whatdoesn’tkillyoumakesyoustronger”.Itisadmirable.Butitnolongerapplieswhenyou’reeighty.Whenyouareeightywhateverdoesn’tkillyoujustushersyouthroughthenextdoor,andthenextdoorandthenext,andallofthesedoorslockbehindyou.Nobouncingback.Thegravitationalpullofyouthdisappears,andyoujustfloatupandup.’
‘Well,’saysAnthony,puttinghispalmsonIbrahim’stemplesandliftinghisheadtolookintothemirror,‘I’vejustknockedtenyearsoffyou,soI’mdoingthebestIcantohelp.Dotheyknowwhomuggedyou?’
Ibrahimnods.‘Theyhaveaname,yes.Butnoevidence.’
‘Andwhat’llhappen?’
‘IsuspectElizabethwillhappen.’
‘Well,let’shopeso,’saysAnthony,holdingupamirrorbehindIbrahim’sheadandgettinganothernod.‘Noonetouchesmyfriendsandgetsawaywithit.YoutellElizabethifsheneedsanyhelp,justask.’
‘Iwillpassthaton.’
‘Forwhatit’sworth,andIdolistensometimes,youwon’tdiebeforeyougetbetter,Ipromise.’
‘Impossibletosay.’
‘Ibrahim,you’retalkingtosomeonewhooncedreamtthelotterynumbers.Fourofthem.Threehundredandsixtyquid.IfItellyouyouwon’tdieyet,youwon’tdieyet.’
‘Thatisacomfort,thankyou.’
Anthonyispackinguphiskit.‘Weallknowtheorderyoulotwilldie.Ronfirst…’
Ibrahimnods.
‘ThenElizabeth,probablyshot.Thenit’stoughtocallbetweenyouandJoyce.’
‘Iwouldn’twanttobethelastoneleft,’saysIbrahim.‘Ihavealwaystriedtonevergetattachedtopeople,butIhavegotattachedtothesethree.’
‘Well,let’ssayyouthirdandJoycelastthen.’
‘Iwouldn’twantJoycetobeonherowneither,’saysIbrahim
‘Oh,Idon’tthinkJoycewouldbeonherownforlong,doyou?’
‘Well,Isupposenot,’smilesIbrahim.
‘Suchanaughtygirl,thatone.’
Ibrahimreachesintothepocketofhisjacket,hangingbehindthedoor,andpullsouthiswallet.‘Card,I’mafraid,Anthony–Iusedmylastcashforthetaxi.’Ibrahimfrownsasheopensthewallet.‘Well,that’speculiar,mycardisn’tinhere.’
‘I’vehearditallnow,’chucklesAnthony.
‘Imusthavemislaidit,I’meversosorry.CanIoweyou?’
AnthonywalksovertoIbrahimandgiveshimahug.‘Thisone’sonme.Now,offyoupop,handsome,they’llallbedroppinglikeflieswhentheyseeyou.’
Ibrahimlooksathisreflection,movinghisheadtoseebothprofiles.Henods.‘Thankyou,Anthony.Iratherthinktheywill.’
27
Elizabethwalksoutofthekitchen.Ifsomeonehasbeeninthehouse,Elizabethissuretheyhavegone.That’sherinstinct,butshestillputsafingertoherlipsandmotionsforJoycetostayexactlywheresheis.Shenudgesopentheliving-roomdoorwithherfoot.Nothing.Twoarmchairs,twosidetables,asideboardwitharadioandavaseofflowersonit.Nobody,noblood–thatwassomething.ThatgaveElizabethsomehope.Sheknowsshewillhavetoclimbthestairs.Ifanyoneisherethensheknowshowvulnerableshewillbe.Noweapon.SheturnsbackintothehallwayandseesthatJoyceisnolongerthere.ThereisamomentarypanicuntilsheseesJoyceemergesilentlyfromthekitchen,aknifeineitherhand.Elizabethnods.
JoycehandsoverthebiggerknifetoElizabeth.Assheishandingitovershewhispers,‘Careful,handlefirst.’
Elizabethfeelsherheartthumpingagainstherribcage.Fast,butstrong.Howluckysheis.
Istheresomeoneinthehouse?Hasshewalkedintoatrap?Worsethanthat,hasshebroughtJoyceintothetrapwithher?
ShemotionsforJoycetostaydownstairsandshebeginstoclimb
28
SaywhatyoulikeaboutRon,butyoucan’tsayhedoesn’tlooklikeaplumber.RyanBairdhadlethiminwithoutasecondglance.HousingAssociationsentmeround,waterpressure.Holdupthebag,here’smytools.It’sallfree,don’tworry.
SothiswasRyanBaird?
ThiswasthekidwhokickedRon’sbestfriendinthebackoftheheadandlefthimfordead?
Whatwashe?Seventeen?Eighteen?Skinny,hairdyedblond,electric-bluetracksuitbottomsandbaretop.He’dhadagamescontrollerinhishand,andhadgonestraightbacktoplayingagameafterRonhadaskedhimwherethebathroomwas.AfewyearsagoRonwouldhavedeckedhimthereandthen.ButsometimesElizabeth’swaywasthebestway,sohe’lldowhathe’stold.Andperhapshe’llstillgethischancetosmackRyanBairdrightinthatgapingmouthbeforethisisallover.Ronhopesso.HehasalotofrespectforGandhiandhisilk,butsometimesyouhavetocrosstheline.
Ronliftsthelidfromthecisternandtakesthebrownpackagefromhissportsholdall.Hewedgesitdownasfarasitwillgo.Tengrandreallydoesn’tbuyyouthatmuchcoke,hethinks.He’lltalktohisson,Jason,aboutitwhenhenextseeshim.
Ronchecksthatthelidwillfitbackonthecistern,thenremovesitagain.Heputshishandintothepocketofhisoveralls.Hedoesn’tknowwhereElizabethgotholdoftheoveralls,butboyweretheycomfortable.Hewondersifhe’sallowedtokeepthem.Wearingoverallseverydaywouldbeaslipperyslopethough.There’sathinlinebetweenwearingoverallsandgoingtotheshopinyourpyjamas.
HepullsoutIbrahim’sdebitcardandplacesitcarefullyinsidethecistern.
Lidbackon,Ronzipshisbagbackup.Herealizesheactuallyneedstousetheloo,butdecidestowait.Whoknowswhathappenswhenyouflushaloowithakiloofcocaineinthecistern?
Rongoesbackintothehallway,callsout,‘Alldone,mate!’tonoresponsefromRyanBairdandleavestheflat.
Hegivesitaminuteorso,asyouneverknowwho’slistening,beforepullingouthisphone.Itisaburnerphone,untraceable.Jasonhadlotsofthemandhadn’tbattedaneyelidwhenhisdadhadaskedforone.HeringsthenumberofPCDonnaDeFreitas.Sheanswersonthethirdring.
‘Hello?’
‘Hello,isthatDonnaDeFreitas?’
‘Hi,Ron,isthatyou?’
‘No,no,Idon’tknowaRon.Ijustgotsomeinformation.’
‘Well,OK,I’llplayalong.Butquick,I’mwatchingCCTVofsomeonedrivingaRenaultintoaGreggs.’
‘It’sjustI’maplumber…’
‘Right.’
‘AndI’vejustbeendoingajob,flateighteen,HazeldeneGardens.’
‘EighteenHazeldeneGardens?’
‘Yep,onlyIfoundsomethingwhenIwasthere.It’sinthetoiletcistern,firstdooroffthehallwaywhenyoubreakyourwayin.’
‘Isee…sir.Andistheresidentoftheflatathomerightnow?’
‘Heis.He’snotevenwearingatop,Donna.Jesus.Iwasgoingtodeckhim.’
‘Well,FairhavenPolicewouldliketothankyouforyourhelp,sir.Butwecan’tbreakintoaprivateresidencewithoutduecause.’
‘Whatsortofthing?’
‘Like,someonebeingattacked.’
‘Ohyeah,andsomeonewasbeingattacked.Screams,thelot.’
‘OK.We’llberightover.’
‘Good,takeChriswithyou,too.’
‘CouldItakeyourname,then?’
‘Iprefertoremainanonymous.’
‘Makeoneup,justforme.’
Ronthinks.‘JonathanOvaltine.’
‘Thankyou,MrOvaltine.’
‘Thanks,darling,yougogethim.Seeyousoon.’
Ronendsthecallandwalksoutoftheestate,whistlingashegoes.
Jobdone.Elizabethwillbepleased.Perhapshe’llgiveheraring,too.Apintfirst,though.
29
Elizabethisgraspingthehandleoftheknifefirmlywithanoverhandgrip,thewayshewastaughtmorethanfiftyyearsbefore.Anunderhandgrip,favouredbytheSoviets,wasbrieflyfashionableintheseventies,butoverhandwasbacknow.Itallowedformuchgreaterforce,particularlyifyourassailantwasbiggerthanyou.
Elizabethhasstillnotheardasound.Thiswasverybadnews.Shouldshealertthedriveroutside?Wouldshehaveagun?Shecontinuestoclimbthestairs.Nosignofadisturbanceanywhere.Italllookedsostaged,thesilence,theopenbackdoor.WasDouglasplayingalittletrick?AskElizabethtocomeandmeethimandgiveherthefrightofherlife?
Elizabethreachesthelanding.ShelooksdownandseesJoyceatthebottomofthestairs.Knifeinanoverhandgrip.Whatanaturalthatwomanis.
Therearethreedoorsleadingoffthelanding.Abathroomdoorishalfopen.Elizabethgivesitanudgeanditswingsfurtheropen.Nothingthere.Underwearhangingonanairer.Toiletseatup,sosheknowswhouseditlast.
Thetwobedroomdoorsareshut.Sheslowlyturnsthehandleofthefirstdoor,knifepoisedandready.Won’tshelookafoolifDouglasandPoppyarehidingbehindthedoorgigglingaway?Whyisshethinkingthisisallatrick?Allsoneat?Itdoesn’tlooklikeacrimescene,itlookslikeanexercise.Wasthatit?Wasthisatest?Seeiftheoldgirlhasstillgotit?
Sheflingsthedooropenandjumpsintotheroom,flatteningherbackagainstthenearestwall.Nothingbutaperfectlymadebed,aPhilipLarkinpoetrybookandaJoMalonecandle.Poppy’sroom.ButnoPoppy.ThereisabookmarkinthemiddleofthePhilipLarkin,readyforPoppytoreturn.
Elizabethturnsbackontothelanding.Onlyonemoreroomtogo.Thebedroomatthefrontofthehouse.Douglas’sroom.Thelastremainingoption.
Shetightenshergripontheknife,andthenhasathought.PoppyhadbeenupsetatshootingAndrewHastings;itwastraumatic,andshehadevenaskedJoycetocontacthermother.WhatifPoppyhaddecidedshe’dhadenough?WaitedforDouglastofallasleep.YoucouldalwaystellwhenDouglashadfallenasleep.MyGod,thesnoring.Perhapsshedecidedtomakearunforit,andleftthebackdooropenasshewent?Alltoomuchforher?ShewouldknowtherewasstillanofficerstationedoutsidethehousetokeepDouglassafe.
Herhandisonthedoorknob.Shestartstoturnit.
Elizabethopensthedoor.Shefreezes.Justforasecond.Itwasn’tanexercise,anditwasn’tatrick.OfcoursePoppywouldneverhaveleftthebackdooropen.And,ofcourse,Douglascouldneverbesilentlyasleep.
Poppy’sbodyisslumpedinthearmchair,abullethavingmadeamessofherfaceandturnedthatbeautifulblondehairred.Onearmliesacrossherbody,nodoubtherattempttoshieldherselffromthebullet.Theotherarmlieslimplybyherside.Bloodhasrundownthearmanddried.Thewhitedaisy,whichhadsosecretlythrilledhergrandmother,isnowacrimsonred.
Douglasisproppeduponthebed.HisbulletwoundhascausedevenmoredamagethanPoppy’s.Hewouldbeunrecognizableifyouhadn’toncebeenmarriedtohim.Thewallbehindhisheadisblackwithblood.
WhateverDouglashadwantedhertosee,surelyitwasn’tthis?
Elizabethbreathesdeeply.Shehastoremaincalm.Thiswillnotbehercrimesceneforlong,soshetakesoutherphoneandphotographsitfromeverypossibleangle.
Elizabethhearsanoisebehindher.Sheturns,kniferaised,toseeJoyceinthedoorway.JoycelooksfromPoppy’sbodytoDouglas’sbodyandbackagain.
‘Oh,Poppy,’saysJoyce.‘Oh,Elizabeth.’
Elizabethnods.‘Don’ttouchathing.Downstairs,let’sgo.’
ElizabethushersJoyceinfrontofher.SheisgladthatJoyceisnotweak-minded;thelastthingtheyneednowistears.Elizabethopensthefrontdoor,tellingJoycetostaywheresheis.SherushesdownthepathandacrosstotheVirginMediavan.Realizingsheisstillcarryingherknife,sheslipsitintoherhandbagandknocksonthewindow.Theboreddriverwindsitdownonceagain.
‘Youdone,areyou?Thatwasquick.’
Elizabethtakesoutherphoneandshowsheraphotograph.‘Bothdead.Whileyou’resittingherereading.’
Thedriverisoutofthevaninashotandracestothehouse.Nodoubtthinkingaboutheronce-promisingcareereverystepoftheway.
Holdingherphone,Elizabethrealizesshewillbestraightoffforquestioningassoonasthetroopsarrive,andthatwon’tbelong.Herphonewillbetakenoffher,thephotographsdeleted.ShescansthefrontgardenwallsofStAlbansAvenueuntilsheseeswhatsheneedstwohousesup.Thedriverhasrunintothehouse,soElizabethtakesabriskwalk,dislodgesaloosebrickfromthelowwall,slideshermobilephoneintothegapandthenreplacesthebrick.Theperfectdead-letterdrop.
Sonowtherearediamondsandkillerstobefound.
PartTwo
ATTIMES,YOUWON’TBELIEVEYOUREYES
30
Patriceisonhalf-termandisstayingwithChris.Chrisstillcan’tquitegetusedtoit.Heispretendingtoeathealthily,which,afteracoupleofdays,herealizesisthesameasactuallyeatinghealthily.Anappleisanapplewhetheryouareeatingitbecauseyouliketotakecareofyourselforyouareeatingittoimpressanewgirlfriend.Thenutrientsarethesame.Chrishasn’thadaSnickerssinceMonday.
TonighttheyhadbeenduetogotoLePontNoirfordinner.FormerlyadivecalledtheBlackBridge,itisnowFairhaven’sleading,ifonly,gastropub.OnTuesdaystheyhaveajazztrioplayinginthediningroom.Chrishasneverenjoyedjazz,neverevenquiteworkedoutwhichbithewassupposedtobeenjoying,buthedoesknowthatpeoplewholikejazzseemtoenjoylife,andthatheneedstopretendtoenjoylifeabitmorethanhedoes.Andwhatifit’sthesameasapples?Whatifpretendingtoenjoylifeisthesameasactuallyenjoyingit?HehasbeensmilingfromthemomentPatricearrived,soperhapstherewassomethinginit.
Patricegotthingsfromhimtoo,heknewthat.Hecouldobjectivelyseethathewaskindandfunny.Hehadaproperjob,catchingcriminals.Anythingelse?Hehadbeentoldhehadniceeyes.Hewasagoodkisser.
Everythingelsecouldbecoveredupfornow.Don’trunbeforeyoucanwalk,Chris.Anddoallwomentellallmentheyaregoodkissers?Chrissupposesso.Whatdoesitcostthem?
ThecallfromDonnacameataroundsixthirty.RyanBairdhadbeenarrestedandwasonhiswaytoFairhavenPoliceStation.NojazzforChris,whichwasarelief;thatnewleafcouldwait.
Patricehadbeenveryunderstanding.Suspiciouslyunderstanding,infact.WhatifPatricedidn’tlikejazzeither?Whatiftheywerebothpretending?Thatwassomethingtoexplore.Itwouldcertainlybeanenormousrelief.
Chrishaddriventothestation,interviewedRyanBaird,whohadscreamedbluemurderaboutbeingframedbyaplumber,andhadeventuallybeenchargedwithpossessionwithintenttosupplyaswellasrobberyandledtoacell.Hissolicitorlookedalittleperkierthanlasttime,too,soeitherheenjoyedseeingRyanbeingsentdown,orhetoohadescapedaneveningofjazz.
ChrishadtextedPatrice,andtheyarenowsittinginthesnugofLePontNoir,theonlyevidenceoftheevening’sjazzasolitarydrumstickonawalnutbarstool.
ChrisandPatricearetogetheronaleathersofa,andoppositethem,legstuckedunderneathherinadeeparmchair,isDonna.Chris’spartner,Patrice’sdaughter.
‘TheThursdayMurderClub?’asksPatrice.
‘There’sfourofthem,’saysDonna.‘Ibrahimwastheonewhohadhisphonestolen.Ronwastheplumber.’
‘Andwhogotholdoftengrand’sworthofcoke?’
DonnalooksatChris.‘I’mguessingElizabeth?’
Chrisnods.‘I’dhavethoughtso.Imean,neverruleoutJoyce.’
‘Butisn’titallillegal?’
‘Very.’
‘Andwouldn’tyougetintroubleifitcameout?’
‘Mum,’saysDonna,‘Igotacallfromaplumbersayinghe’dfoundcocaineandastolenbankcardataflat.Therewerescreams.Iwenttotheflatandfoundthecocaineandthebankcard.Iarrestedtheyouthpresentatthescene.ChrisandIquestionedhim.Hedeniedallcharges…’
‘Whichtheyoftendo,’saysChris.
‘Whichtheyoftendo.Wefelttherewassufficientevidencetochargehim,andsowechargedhim.’
‘Andwhataboutwhenitcomestocourt?Whentheycallthisplumberasawitnessandheisn’taplumber?’
Donnashrugs.‘I’mguessingElizabethwillhavethoughtofthat.’
Patriceraisesherwhiskyglassandtheicecubestinkleinsalute.‘Theysoundlikeahellofagang.I’dlovetomeetthem.’
‘We’rekeepingyouasecretfornow,’saysChris.
‘Arewe?’saysPatrice,stretchingalegacrossChris’slap.
‘I’minvolvedaboutasmuchasIwanttobewiththeThursdayMurderClub.Iftheycanplantcocaineinsomeone’scistern,Idon’twanttothinkaboutwhatthey’ddowithmylovelife.’
‘Cuteyousaid“lovelife”andnot“sexlife”,’saysPatrice.
‘Don’tsay“sex”,Mum,’saysDonna.‘Stopshowingoff.’
‘Imeantmypersonallife,’saysChris.
‘Toolate,yousaiditnow,’saysPatrice.
‘Thatlotwouldhaveusmarriedinweeks,’saysChris.
‘Howawful,’saysPatricewithaneyebrowraised.
‘Mum,stoppretendingyouwanttomarryChrisjustbecauseyou’vehadtwowhiskies.Don’tmakemeregretintroducingyoutwo.’
‘HaveyouheardfromElizabeth,bytheway?’ChrisasksDonna.
‘Notapeep,’saysDonna,checkingherphone.‘You’dthinkshe’dbelovingthis.RyanBairdincustody.’
Chrislooksathiswatch.‘Well,it’shalften,youknowthatlot.She’llbetuckedupinbedbynow.’
‘Talkingofwhich,’saysPatrice,lookingstraightatChrisandplayingwithhernecklace.
‘OhGod,Mum,puke,’saysDonna,andfinishesherwhiskywithashakeofthehead.
31
Solet’sseewhatElizabethBesthasgot,shallwe?ThegreatherooftheService.Issheallshe’scrackeduptobe?
SueReardoncan’thelpbutcompareherselftothewomansittingdirectlyacrossfromher.ElizabethBest.Silverhairandtweedjacket.Faceimpassive.Whatdoessheknow?Orwhatisshewillingtotell?
Theyhavebothkilledpeopleintheirtime.Forgoodreasons,ofcourse,butthey’vestilldoneit.Thatcreatesakinshipandarespect.Butalsoasuspicion.Elizabethhaseverytrickinthebook,andSueReardonwillneedafewofherowntogetwhatsheneeds.Sobeit.
Theroomissmall,astheysooftenare.
Claustrophobia,that’stheidea.Thewallsaremetal-plateduptowaistheight,andconcreteabovethat.Ithasnowindows,butcamerasineachcorner.Thethickwallsmuffletheconversation.Itlookslikeitwouldsurviveanuclearexplosion,and,indeed,that’sexactlywhatithasbeendesignedtodo.LanceJamesispacingatthefarwall.
‘Keepstill,forgoodness’sake,it’snothelpinganyone,’saysElizabeth.
‘Sorry,’saysLance.
LanceJamesisnotthesortofmantositstillwhenhecanstandandpaceinstead.HewassecondedtoSuefromtheSpecialBoatService,butsheknowslittleelseabouthim.He’squietandhe’shard-working,andthatwilldoSuejustfine.Heisinhisearlyforties,andclingingongamelytohismedium-to-goodlooks.Thealreadythinningblondhair,however,willsoonthinfurtherandgrey,andthendisappearaltogether.Alifeofsmallrooms,stakeouts,latenightsandstress;Suehasseenmanyahandsomemangosouthovertheyears.ShegivesLancefiveyearsatmost.
ShehadsatwithElizabethandherfriendJoyceinthebackofawindowlessvanforthewholejourneyhere.Theyhadthenbeenblindfoldedastheywerewalkedtothisroom.Thiswasalltodisguisetheirdestination,butElizabethwouldknowexactlywheretheywere.Godalming.‘TheHouse’,theycalledit,intheisolationcellsthreefloorsbelowground.SheknowsElizabethwillhaveinterviewedpeopleinthisveryroomduringhertimeatMI5.ShewouldhavebeensittinginSue’sseat.Ithadbeengivenaspruce-upsincethen,somenewgreypaintontheceiling.Nocamerasinthosedayseither,whichwasprobablybestforallconcerned.
‘Youdon’thearofmanyLancesthesedays,’saysJoyce.‘Isitafamilyname?’
‘Afraidso,’saysLance.
SuecanseethatJoycehasbeenthrilledbythewholeexperience.Shehadnoddedoffinthevan,whileElizabethwas,nodoubt,keepingtrackoftimeanddirection,butshehadparticularlyenjoyedtheblindfolding.‘Well,Icantellwe’regoingupinalift,now,’shehadsaidontheirwaydowntothissubterraneanfloor.
Lanceleansbackagainstthewallandfoldshisarmsacrosshismuscularchest.
‘SoyoureceivedamessagefromDouglasMiddlemiss?’saysSue.‘Let’sstartthere,shallwe?Whattimewouldthathavebeen,exactly?’
‘Idon’tknow,’saysElizabeth.Shewon’twanttogiveeverythingaway.Oranythingaway,ifshecanhelpit.That’sfine.Softly,softly.
‘Andcanyoushowusthemessage?’asksSue,politenessitself.Sueisalwayspoliteininterrogations.Theangryonesrunoutofpatiencelongbeforeyoudo.
‘I’mafraidnot.It’sonmyphone.’
‘Andwhereisyourphone?’asksSue.‘Itwasn’tinyourbag,whichwefoundstrange.’
‘Oh,wedon’tcarryourphoneseverywhere,Sue,’saysJoyce.‘Purse,keys,abitofmake-upjustincase,andabagforlife,that’sallyoureallyneed.’
SuenodsatJoyce.It’sadouble-act,isit?IneedtokeepaneyeonthisJoyce,too?Whatatiny,formidablewoman.Exactlythesortofwomanyou’dwantparachutedbehindenemylineswithagunandaciphermachine.SheturnsbacktoElizabeth.‘Iwonderwhereitisthen,Elizabeth?’
‘Well,IwishIcouldremember,’saysElizabeth.
‘Youdon’trememberwhereyourphoneis?’saysLancefrombehindher.Abouttimehepipedup.
‘I’mafraidnot.Itcomestousall,dear,’saysElizabeth.
‘Ioncesearchedthewholeflatformine,’saysJoyce.‘Honestly,twentyminutesitmusthavetaken.Anditwasinmyhandallalong.’
‘Iwouldn’twishitonyou,Lance,’saysElizabeth.‘Cherishyouryouth.’
Lancefinallyleavesthewall.HewalksoverandtakesaseatnexttoSueReardon.SueleansforwardandaddressesElizabethdirectly.‘I’mguessingit’satyourflat?’
‘Onewouldimagineso,’agreesElizabeth.
Suegivesasatisfiednod.‘Thatdoessoundthemostlikely,doesn’tit?Soyou’llbecomfortablewithmesendingateamovertosearchforit?’
‘Aren’ttherulesthesedaysthateverythinghastobeleftimmaculateafterasearch?’asksElizabeth.
‘Thosewerealwaystherules,’saysLance.
‘Yes,butnowyouactuallyhavetoabidebythem?EuropeanCourtofJusticestickingtheiroarin?’
‘Everythingwillbeleftimmaculate,’saysSue.What’sonthatphone?Messages?Photographs?
‘Well,inthatcaseyougorightahead.Itneedsatidy,’saysElizabeth.‘ThatwillbefunforStephen,ateamofgoonsintheflatatthedeadofnight.He’safinehost.’
‘Shemightevenhaveleftitwithme,’saysJoyce.‘Ifyouwanttogivemyflataonce-over,too?Especiallythebathroom.’
‘Intheabsenceofthephonefornow,canyourememberwhatthemessagesaid?’asksSue.‘Theexactwords?’
Elizabethnods,andrecitesfrommemory.‘PoppyandIhavebeenmovedto38StAlbansAvenue,Hove.Iwouldbeobligedifyouwouldmeetmethere.ThereissomethingIwanttoshowyou.’
‘Soyoucanremembertheexactwordsofthemessage,’saysLance.‘Butnotwhereyourphoneis?’
Elizabethtapsherhead.‘Mypalacehasmanyrooms.Somearedustierthanothers.’
SuenoticesthatLancecan’thidealittlesmile.Thesetwoareapieceofwork,allright.
Suenodsagain.‘Youpoorthing,ma’am,thatmustbedreadful.Andthatwasthewholemessage?Nothingelse?’
‘Well,italsosaidcomealone,butIthoughtJoycewouldenjoyit.’
‘Thankyou,’saysJoyce.‘Idid.Uptoapoint.’
‘Anddoyouhaveanyideaofwhathewantedtoshowyou?’
Elizabethpauses.Shelooksupatthecameras.AsshelooksbackatSueReardon,shemakesuphermind.
‘Honestly,Iassumedhewantedtoshowmethediamonds.’
‘Youthinkhehadthediamondswithhim?’
‘Whatelsecoulditbe?’asksElizabeth.
‘That’sassuminghestolethediamondsinthefirstplace,’saysLance.‘Andwehavenoevidenceofthat.’
‘Well,’saysElizabeth,‘andIrealizeIprobablyshouldhavepassedthisonbeforenow,butIknowhestolethem.Hetoldme.’
‘Whendidhetellyouthis,Elizabeth?’asksSue,stillcalm.
‘Oh,afewdaysago,perhaps,’saysElizabeth.
Sueisunsurprised.OfcourseDouglastoldher.Hetrustedher.Helovedher.‘Buthedidn’thavethediamondswithhimatthesafehouse,Elizabeth.He’dbeensearched.Beforehegotthere.Whilehewasthere.Andaftersomeoneblewhisheadoff.Sowhatelsemighthehavewantedtoshowyou?’
‘PerhapshewantedtoshowElizabethakey,oracode,orariddle,’saysJoyce.‘Toletherknowwherethediamondswere?Ican’tdoriddlesatall.What’stheoneaboutthemanwhocanonlylieandthemanwhocanonlytellthetruth?’
SuerealizesthatJoyceiswaitingforananswer,sogivesheran‘I’masbaffledasyou,Joyce’shrug.
‘That’sverygood,Joyce,’saysElizabeth.‘Andnow,ofcourse,whoeverkilledDouglasandPoppy,let’sassumeMartinLomax,willhavethatinformationinstead.Riddleornot.SoMartinLomaxcangethisdiamondsback.’
‘PerhapsMartinLomaxisn’ttheonlypersonwithamotiveforshootingDouglasandPoppy,though?’saysJoyce.
‘Ofcourse,’saysSue.
‘Allthatmoney.Twentymillion.We’dalllikeit,wouldn’twe?’Joyceadds.
Thereisageneralagreementthattheywould.It’souttheresomewhere.Butwhere?
‘And,asElizabethwilltellyou,thereweretwopeopleinthehousethenightthatthediamondswerestolen,’Joycegoeson.‘DouglasandLance.AndIthinkwe’retakingLance’swordabittooeasily.Imeannooffencebythis,Lance,butwedon’tknowyouonebit,dowe?Who’stosayyoudidn’tseeDouglasstealthediamonds?Andyou’vebeenlookingforachancetogetyourhandsonthem?’
‘Well,Iwasn’tgoingtosaythatoutloud,’saysElizabeth.‘Butnowthecorkisoutofthebottle.Andsincewe’rebeingfilmed,it’sworthdiscussing.’
‘Discussaway,’saysLance,‘Ihavenothingtohide.’
‘Almostcertainlynot,’agreesElizabeth.‘Butyouwereinthehouseontheeveningofthetheft.YouknewwhereDouglasandPoppywerebeingkept.YouprobablyappointedPoppytothisjobinthefirstplace,anunusualappointment.’
‘Soperhapsyouwereeveninleaguewithher?’saysJoyce.
‘Totalconjecture,ofcourse,’saysElizabeth.‘ButItrustthiswillallbeinvestigated?’
‘Oh,itwillallbeinvestigated,’saysSue.Thisismorelikeit.‘Lancewillquiterightlybeasuspect,andIwilladdanothersuspecttothelist.ProbablytheonlyotherpersonwhoknewthatDouglaswasatCoopersChaseandatStAlbansAvenue.Aconfidanteandanex-wifeofthedeadman.Awomantrainedinbreakingandentering,awomantrainedinkilling,awomanwhohasconvenientlymislaidhermobilephone.Shewouldbeasuspect,too,don’tyouthink?’
‘Shecertainlywould,’agreesElizabeth.‘Aswouldyou,ofcourse,Sue.IimagineyouhaveeveryskillIhad,andafewmorethey’vethoughtupinthemeantime.Let’ssayyoususpectedthatDouglashadstolenthediamonds?’
‘Let’ssaythat,yes,’confirmsSue.She’shappynowtheconversationisopeningupabit.AchancetoobserveElizabethalittlebetter.Starttoreadher.
‘Orlet’ssayyouknewalready?Let’ssayyouandDouglasweremorethancolleagues?Youwouldn’tbethefirstpersonDouglashasseduced.’
‘Let’ssaynoteveryonewouldmakethesamemistakeyoumade?’saysSue.InterestinglineofattackfromElizabeth.
‘Touché,’saysElizabeth.‘Buttwentymillionpoundssuddenlyswimmingaround.Andonlyonemanknowswhereitis?Thatmightbetempting?’
‘Ishouldthinkso,’saysSue.‘Verytempting.’
‘Andyou,ofcourse,wouldhavehadampleopportunitytokillDouglasandPoppy.Youknewwheretheywere,youwouldhaveaccess,youwouldhavetheirtrust.Youwereinchargeofputtingthemthereand,nodoubt,you’llbeinchargeofcleaningupthemess.’
Suenods.‘I’mbeginningtowishIhadthoughtofthisnow.Aren’tyou?’
‘IthinkImighthavethoughtofawayofdoingthiswithoutkillinganyone,though,’saysElizabeth.
‘IhopeyoumightextendmetheprofessionalcourtesyofimaginingthatImighthave,too,’saysSue.‘IworkedwithDouglasfornearlytwentyyears.’
‘Mycondolences,’saysElizabeth.‘Now,whileweagreethatanyoneinthisroom,otherthanJoyce,mighthavemurderedDouglas,itdoesfeelthatatriptoseeMrLomaxmightbeinorder.’
‘UndernocircumstancesareyoutovisitMartinLomax,’saysSue.‘We’llbedealingwithhim.’
‘Ofcourse,’saysElizabeth.‘Don’tvisitMartinLomax.Wemusttrytorememberthat,Joyce.’
Joycenods.‘Understood.’
‘Now,Elizabeth,’saysSue.‘YousaidDouglaswantedtoshowyousomething?’
‘Ididsaythat.’
‘Well,wefoundthisinhisjacketpocket.’Suereachesintoanevidencebagandpullsoutasilverlocket.Ithasamirrorinside,nothingelse.WillitmeananythingtoElizabeth?‘Iwonderedifthiswaswhathewantedtoshowyou?’
SheseesthatElizabethrecognizesitimmediately.Well,ofcourse.
‘It’sinscribedwithyourname.’
Elizabethpicksupthelocket.Sheweighsitinherhandandflicksitopentoseethemirror.Sueseesthatsheisthinking,andsheknowswhatElizabethisthinkingtoo.
Suesmilesather.‘Verytouching,Elizabeth.Hemusthavelovedyouverymuch?’
‘Inhisway,’agreesElizabeth.
‘Youluckything,’saysSue.‘Theloveofagoodman.Oraman,attheveryleast.’
Elizabethsmilestoherself.
‘Now,it’smidnight,’saysSue.‘Andyouhavebedstogetto.’
AndSuestillhasonemorejobtodothisevening.Notapleasantone,butanimportantone.LanceleadsJoyceandElizabethfromtheroom.Suewillbestickingclosetothemfromnowon.
32
Joyce
HaveIeverspokenaboutMaureenGilks?Isuspectnot,nooffencetoher.ShelivesinRuskinCourt.Herhusbandwasinmotorbikes,andshesometimescomescollectingfortheBritishHeartFoundationshop.
IoncegaveherablouseandwhenIwasnextinFairhavenIsawitintheshop,whichwasathrill.IsentaphototoJoannabutshejustreplied,‘Wellwhatdidyouthinktheyweregoingtodowithit,Mum?’Anyway,nexttimeIwentdownthereitwasgone,whichwasalsolovely,thoughIhadnothingtotakeaphotoofthattime.
Well,MaureenGilkshasanephewcalledDanielorDavid,andheisanactor.ThewayMaureentellsit,heisdoingverywell,thoughIhaven’tseenhiminanything.NotevenaMorse
Acoupleofyearsagonow,thisnephewhadahairtransplant.Haveyouheardofthem?IsawDoctorRanjtalkingaboutthemonThisMorningonce.Theytakehairfromthebackofyourheadandputitonthetopofyourheadandheypresto,you’renotgoingbaldanymore.
ApparentlyitworkedanabsolutetreatandDaniellookstenyearsyounger,andthere’snowayyouwouldeverknow.ThisisallaccordingtoMaureen,bytheway,sodon’ttakemywordforit.
ActuallythisisprobablynotwhereIshouldhavestartedthisdiaryentry,soletmebacktrackamoment.I’mquitetired.
DouglasandPoppyaredead.
ElizabethandIwenttoHove,which,Ihavetosay,wasbusierthanI’dexpectedforaTuesday.Doesnobodygotoworkanymore?DouglashadwantedtoshowElizabethsomething.WewalkedintoahouseonStAlbansAvenue(neartheKingAlfredswimmingpool?)andtheretheywere,shotdead.
DouglasisfairgameIthink,buthowawfulaboutPoppy?I’mafraidithasleftmeverysad,eventhoughItrynottogettoosadthesedays.
Shewasinmylivingroomthreedaysago.Howunfairtodieinyourtwentieswithallthatfunaheadofyou.Thekissesandtheboatridesandtheflowersandthenewcoats.Thosepoemsshewillneverreadtoanewlover?Youwillgocompletelymadwaitingforlifetobefair,butwhoeverkilledPoppytooksomethingbeautiful.
Poppy’smum,Siobhan,wassupposedtovisittoday,andIwasveryworriedthatIwastheonewhowasgoingtohavetotellheraboutthemurder.Butasshe’sPoppy’snextofkinshewastoldstraightaway,andisgoingdowntoidentifythebody,poorwoman.
Shesentmeamessage,andthemessageendedwithemojisofapoppyandadaisy,whichwasverymoving.Isentoneback,tellingherwewouldstillliketoseeher,andItriedtoaddapoppyandadaisytothattoo,butIpressedthewrongthingandsentapoppyandaChristmastreeinstead.Ihopeshewillunderstand
Sowehavetwomurdersonourhands.ThreeifyoucountAndrewHastings,butwealreadyknowwhodidthat.
EverytimeIwalkintoabedroomthesedayssomeonehasbeenshot.Iwasgoingtoplumpupthepillowsinthespareroomearlier,butgotcoldfeet.
Idon’tthinkwewillbeabletohavefunwithSueandLancethewaywehavefunwithChrisandDonnaandtheFairhavenpolice.It’sashame.I’msurewe’lltryourbestthough.Weoftenwearpeopledownintheend.
SpeakingofLance,that’swhyIwastalkingaboutMaureenGilksandhernephew!YoucanseethatLance’shairisthinning,andIkeptthinkingthatIshouldmentionhairtransplantstohim.Youcouldtellhewasexactlythesortofmanwhosehairwasveryimportanttohim.Ikeptwaitingforalullintheconversation,orabitofsmalltalk,buttherightmomentdidn’tcome.EverytimetherewasapauseandIthought,Well,heregoes,SuewouldmentionsomethingaboutPoppy’sgunshotwounds,ortheblood,splatteredbehindDouglas’shead.Isimplydidn’tgetthechance.
SoIdohopeIseeLanceagain,becauseitisbesttocatchthesethingsasearlyaspossible.That’swhatMaureenGilkssaid.Letmequicklygooglehernephew.
OK,I’mback.Nothing.ItriedDanielGilksactorandDavidGilksactorandhewasnowheretobeseen.SomaybeIhavehisfirstnamewrong.Also,hemaynotbeaGilks?SoIdon’tknowhisfirstnameorhissurname,andI’mnotgoodenoughatGoogletoovercomethat.
Bytheway,ImessagedNigellaonInstagramabouthersausagesinblacktreacle.Shehasyettoreply,butIknowshe’shere,thereandeverywhere,soshe’sforgiven.Ialsopostedmyfirstphoto,justofthepostbox,andsomeonecalled@sparklyrockgirlreplied‘nicepic’andfollowedme.SonowIhaveafollower.Weallhavetostartsomewhere.
IwonderifElizabethissadaboutDouglas?I’veneverhadanex-husbandsoIwouldn’tknow.Icouldseeshedidn’tmuchlikehim,thoughElizabethdoesn’tmuchlikemostpeople,butshedoesn’tgoaroundmarryingthemall.Douglasstilllovedher,youcouldseethat.Andhehadherlocketinhisjacket,whichwasverytouching.
Soshemustbesad.Andshecan’ttalktoStephenaboutthingsanymore,leastofallthis.AtleastIhaveJoannatotalkto.IwilltextherinthemorningtotellherI’veseenthreecorpsesandbeenblindfoldedandinterrogatedbyMI5.Recentlymygossiphasbeen‘soandsohascataracts’or‘afoxgotintothehen-house’.Ihearherdrifting,andIdon’tblameher.
Iwon’ttellheraboutthetwentymillion,though.Idon’tknowwhy.Well,Idoknowwhy–shewillhaveanopinion,andI’mnotinthemoodforJoanna’sopinions.
Imagineifwefoundthediamonds?I’mnotsayingthatwewill,I’mjustsayingimagine.MartinLomaxwillprobablyfindthem,probablyalreadyhas.OrMI5willfindthem.Orthemafia.
Butlet’ssay,foronemoment,thatElizabeth,Ron,IbrahimandIfindthem.Youneverknowwithus.
Thatwouldbefivemillioneach.
WhatwouldIdowithfivemillionpounds,Iwonder?
Ineednewpatiodoors,they’reaboutfifteenthousand,thoughRonknowssomeonewhocoulddoitforeight.
Icouldbuy￡14.99wineinsteadof￡8.99wine,butwouldInoticethedifference?
GivesomemoneytoJoanna?Shealreadyhasplenty.Iusedtogiveher￡20whenshewentoutwithfriendsandhereyeswouldlightup.Ilovedthat.Wouldtheylightupthesamewayforamillionpounds?Probablynot.She’dprobablyputitinanISAorsomething.
SoIprobablydon’treallyneedfivemillionpounds,but,nonetheless,I’msureIshalldreamaboutittonight.Youwouldtoo,wouldn’tyou?
33
Theyhadtoldhertopackasmallsuitcase,thatsheneededtocomewiththem.Itwasalreadypacked.
Theofficerswouldbeexpectingtears,butshecouldn’tmakethetearscome.Wouldtheyjudgeher?Wouldtheythinkshedidn’tlovePoppy?Thatshewasabadmother?Siobhansupposedthattheyhadseeneverysortofreactionpossibleintheirtime.Sheshouldjustbeherself.Whoeverthatwasnow.
Thejourneyseemedlong,butSiobhancouldn’tsleep.Thetwoofficerstalkedalittleinthecar.WassheOK?No,notreally.Didsheneedanything?Iftheymeantadrinkorasnack,thenno,shedidn’t.Wassheuptodoingtheidentificationtonight?Well,shehonestlyhadnoidea.Theyrepeatedtheircondolencesanumberoftimes,andshethankedthemeachtime.
TheyreachedGodalmingjustaftermidnight.Despitethelatenessofthehourtheypassedavanonthelongdriveway.Travellingintheoppositedirection,awayfromthehouse.
SueReardonandLanceJameshadintroducedthemselves.Theywerebothpolite,butthenwhatalternativedidtheyhave?Suewasexactlyasshehadexpected.Exactlythetypeshehadpictured.
Andnowtheyarewalkingdownalongcorridorinabuildingthatmustoncehavebeenstables.Lanceisleadingtheway.Youcanseehedoesn’tknowwhattosay.Shewouldbethesame.
SueReardonhasslippedherarmthroughSiobhan’s,whichcan’tbestandardprocedure,buttherewasatimeforstandardprocedure,andthiswasnotit.Siobhanisgratefulforthegesture.Sheknowswhatliesahead.Whatmustbedone.
Lancetakesoutakeycardandopensalargemetaldoor,knockingonitasitopens.Ablastofchillairbendsaroundthedoorandintothecorridor.SueReardonstopsforamomentandlooksSiobhanintheeyes.
‘Areyouready?’
Siobhannods.
‘I’mhereifyouneedme.’
SueletsSiobhanwalkintotheroomfirst,andsheshiversasthecoldairenvelopsher.
Theroomissmallandfunctional.Therearetwolongtables,andashroudedfigureliesoneach.ThefigureontheleftmustbePoppy,becausethereisadoctorstandingbesideit.AtleastSiobhanassumesit’sadoctor.Sheiswearingawhitecoat,andsurgicalglovesandamask.Shehaskindeyes,andthatalmostmakesSiobhancryforthefirsttime.Shedoesn’tneedkindnessatthemoment.
Lancerestsagainstthefarwall,amaninaroominwhichhedoesnotwanttobe.Siobhanseesthathereflexivelystartstorubhishandstogetherforwarmth,butthinksbetterofit,andplantsthembehindhisbackinstead.Sue’shandisatherelbow.
‘ThisisDoctorCarter,Siobhan.’
DoctorCarternodsatSiobhan,andSiobhanhastolookawayfromthekindeyes.
‘I’mafraidyourdaughterhastraumaticinjuries.Iwouldaskyoutoprepareyourself.’
Siobhannods.Heregoes.
DoctorCarterpullsbackthepalegreensheetcoveringthebodyand,astheunrulyblondehairbeginstospillout,Siobhanknowsshehastoshutapartofherselfdown.Apartshemaynevergetback.
Therewaslittleofthefaceleft,butenough.Enoughforamothertotellherowndaughter.SiobhanturnsbacktoSueandnods.
‘It’sPoppy.’
Siobhanstartstocrynow.Sheknewitwouldcome.Nobodyshouldhavetodothis.Sueplacesahandonhershoulder.
‘Siobhan,Ijustneedtoaskyouacoupleofotherquestions.Becauseoftheinjuries.Anyotherdistinguishingfeaturesyoucouldtellus?’
Siobhangulpsinair.‘Shehasalongscaronthebackofherleftcalf,barbedwireontheIsleofWight.Andherleftwristhasalump,shebrokeitplayinghockey.Andthestupidtattoo.’
SuelooksovertoDoctorCarter,whonods.
‘Thankyou,Siobhan,’saysSue.‘Wouldyouliketospendabitmoretimehere?Nooneisinarush.’
Siobhandoesn’twanttoturnbacktoseethebodylyingthere.Shehasseenenough.Hasanimagetolastheruntilherdyingday.
‘Orwecangosomewherewarm?Haveacupoftea?’
Siobhannodsthroughhertears.Sheturnsbacktothebody.DoctorCarterhaspulledthesheetbackoverPoppy’sface.Theblondehairstillpeeksout.Siobhangentlyreachesoutherhandandstrokesaloosestrand.
Lance,SueandDoctorCarterallstayquietasSiobhanstrokestheblondehairandweeps.
Traumaticinjuries,thinksSiobhan.Well,that’sthetruth.
SiobhantakesherhandawayandSueputsanarmaroundher.
‘Let’sgetyououtofhere,’saysSue.
Siobhanlooksovertothefigureontheothertable.‘Andthat’stheotherone?That’sDouglas?’
‘Yes,’saysSue.‘That’sDouglas.’
‘Andsomepoorsoulhastocomeinandidentifyhimtoo?’
Sueshakesherhead.‘Fortunatelynot.Nonextofkin.Sofingerprints,dentalrecords,whateverwehaveonfile.’
‘Well,Godblesshim,Isuppose,’saysSiobhan,andSueleadsheroutoftheroom.
34
ElizabethisrearrangingsomeoftheornamentstheMI5teamhadmisplacedduringtheirsearchoftheflat.Shepreferseverythinginitsplace.TheDelftfishermanStephenhadboughtfromaBrugesfleamarket,sittingnexttoPenny’spolicebadge,sittingnexttotheshatteredSovietshellcasingElizabethhaddugfromtheradiatorofherTriumphHeraldafteramisunderstandinginPraguein1973.Somanymemories.
Herlatestmemento,Douglas’slocket,isinherbag,andwillbestayingthere.
ElizabethwassurprisedthatSuehadlethertakeitaway.Surelyitwasevidence?
Thoughoncethey’dcheckeditforahiddenmessage,shesupposesSuethoughtitwasharmlessenough.ItwaskindofhertoletElizabethkeepit.
Shehadn’tseenitforthirty-oddyears.Couldbarelyrememberitifshewashonest.WhenSuehadtakenitout,shehadtriedtorememberwhatwasinsideit.Alockofhair?ApictureofDouglas,smokingrakishly?Butno,themirror,ofcourse.
Whenhadhegivenittoher?BackinLondon,shethinks.Ananniversary?OrhadshecaughtDouglascheating?Eitherway,hehadboughtherthelocket.‘Notinexpensive,’hehadrevealed.Andthemirrorwaspurestflummery.‘Itfeelsunfair,’hehadsaid,‘thatIhavethebenefitoflookingatyourbeautifulfaceanytimeIwish.SoIwantedyoutoseewhatIsee.’Elizabethhadscoffed,shewassureofthat,butnonethelesswastouched.
ShehadleftthelocketbehindwhenshehadleftDouglasbehind,andhadnotthoughtofitsince.Whyonearthhadhekeptit?Andwhyonearthhaditbeeninhisjacketwhenhedied?Wasthisreallywhathewantedtoshowher?Hewasalwaysoneforaromanticgesture.Wasthisafinalactoflove?
Thefirstthingshehaddonewhenshearrivedhomewas,ofcourse,toprisethemirroroutwithascrewdriver.Therewouldbeahiddenmessagebehindit,shewassureofthat.Thelocationofthediamonds?Well,thatreallywouldbeafinalactoflove,thankyou,Douglas.
Buttherewasnothingbehindthemirror.Notreasuremap,nohiddencode.Sothelocketwasjustalocketafterall,andtheactoflovewasjustthat,anactoflove.Douglasneverfailedtosurpriseher.
BeforeshewasloadedintothebackofthevaninHove,ElizabethhadusedJoyce’sphonetomessageBogdan.Withouthesitation,BogdanhadcomeandlookedafterStephenforthenight.Hadhecancelledsomethingimportant?ElizabethhasnoideawhatBogdandoeswhenheisnotatwork.Clearly,hespendssometimeatthegymandatthetattooistbut,otherthanthat,heisamystery
ElizabethisthinkingaboutMartinLomax.ItisobviousthathekilledDouglasandPoppy,surely?Tooobvious?Perhapstheyshouldjustpopuptoseehim?Ifthesecretwasn’tinthelocket,theyweregoingtohavetostarttheirsearchsomewhere.
StephenisasleepandBogdanissittingpatientlybythechessboard.
‘Atfirsthewasasleep,youknowStephen,’saysBogdan.‘Butthentheyneededtosearchyourroom,soIwokehimup.’
‘Andhewasfineaboutit?’asksElizabeth.SheweighsupPenny’sbadgeinherhand.Hermostrecentmemento.
‘Oh,helovedit,’saysBogdan.‘Askingwhattheyarelookingfor,helpingthemtolook,tellingstories.’
‘Theytidiedupverynicely,’saysElizabeth.
‘Well,Ihadtohelpabit,’saysBogdan.‘So,whatweretheylookingfor?Canyoutellme?’
‘Theywerelookingformyphone.TheywantedtoseethemessageDouglashadsentme.ButI’dtakensomepicturesofthecorpsesandIdidn’twanttolosethem.’ElizabethhadfilledBogdaninonthedeathsofDouglasandPoppy.Bogdanhadnoddedatlengthandsaid‘Isee’.
‘Yes,youneverknowwhenyoumightneedpicturesofcorpses,’agreesBogdan.‘Butyourphoneisn’there?Theylookedinalotofplaces.’
‘No,it’sbehindaloosebrickinalowwalloutside41StAlbansAvenueinHove,’saysElizabeth.‘Youwouldn’tbeadearandgoandfetchitformelater,wouldyou?’
‘Ofcourse,’saysBogdan.
‘Andyou’llremembertheaddress?’
‘Ofcourse,’saysBogdan.‘Iremembereverything.’
‘Thankyou,’saysElizabeth.
‘AndIgaveRonthecocainebythepierlikeyouasked.’
‘Youreallyareagoodsort,Bogdan,’saysElizabeth.
‘He’saterrificsort,’saysStephen,waking,lookingattheboardandmovinghisbishop.‘GivingRoncocainebythepier.Quiteright,too.’
Bogdanlooksdownattheboard.
‘Forgiveme,boys,’saysElizabeth.‘Ihaveacalltomake.Bogdan,I’llalsoneedyoutodrivemetomeetaninternationalmoneylaunderertoday,ifyou’refree?’
‘Icanbefreeforthat,’saysBogdan.
Shewalksthroughtothebedroom.Thebedisperfectlymade.GiventhatStephenhadgonebacktosleepafterMI5hadbeenby,itcouldonlyhavebeenmadebyBogdan.ShepicksupthelandlineanddialsChrisHudson’snumber.Hepicksuponthefifthring.Slowforhim.
‘DCIChrisHudson.’
‘Chris,it’sElizabeth.JustcheckinginonRyanBaird?Iwonderediftherehadbeenanydevelopmentsinthecase?’
‘Youwonderedifperhapswe’dfoundcocaineandabankcardinhistoilet?’
‘Thatsortofthing.’
‘He’sbeenchargedwithpossessionwithintenttosupply,androbbery.’
‘Well,isn’tthatopportune?YouandDonnacantellusallaboutittomorrow.There’swineatJoyce’s.’
‘Ah,Ican’ttomorrow,I’mworking.’
‘No,you’renot,Chris,Ichecked.’
‘Howdidyouche–no,don’tanswer.OK,sorry,I’mbusytomorrow.’
Elizabethhearsawoman’svoiceinthebackgroundsaying,‘IsthatElizabeth?’Well,well,well,thismustbethemysterygirlfriend.Noneofthemlikedtopry,ofcourse,butithadbeenamonthorsonow,andtheyhadyettobeintroduced.Elizabeththinksquickly.Howtoplaythis?Joycewillbefuriousifshedoesn’tgetasmuchinformationaspossible.
‘Oh,that’sfine,whatareyouupto,anythingnice?Drinkswithfriends?’
‘Justaquietnight…waitamoment.’Chrisputshishandoverthemouthpieceandshehearshimaskamuffledquestion.Itsoundslike,‘Areyousure?’
‘Hello,’afemalevoicecomesontheline.‘IsthisElizabeth?’
‘ThisisElizabeth,yes,’saysElizabeth.‘TowhomamIspeaking?’
‘I’mPatrice,Chris’sgirlfriend.Moreladyfriend,ifI’mhonest.Whatagedoesthatchange?I’mafraidChrisandIhaveplansfortomorrow.Butanothertime,perhaps?’
‘Well,anothertimewouldbelovely,Patrice,hownicetofinallyspeaktoyou.’
‘Andyou,Elizabeth,Ihaveheardalotaboutyou.’
‘Well,IwishIcouldsaythesame.Butmysteryisveryimportant,isn’tit?’Elizabethistryingtoplacetheaccent.SouthLondon?It’salittlelikeDonna’s.
‘Isn’tit?’saysPatrice.‘Wemightkeepourmysteryforabitlonger,ifthat’sOK.Lovelytochattoyouthough.’
‘Andtoyou,dear.SaygoodbyetoChrisforme.’
‘Iwilldo.Seeyousoon,I’msure.’
PatriceputsthephonedownandElizabethlooksatthehandsetforamoment.Shehasbeenputinherplace,andsheapproves.ThisisexactlythesortofwomanChrisneedsinhislife.AndifshelikesChris,andifChrislikesher,thenElizabethwouldliketomeether.CouldDonnahelp,maybe?PersuadethembothtocometoJoyce’s?GivePatriceacoupleofglassesofwine,reallygettoknowher?
Vetting,theyusedtocallitintheService.
Stephenpopshisheadroundthedoor.‘Agangofyourlotherelastnight,Imeanttosay.Spooksallovertheplace,afterthis,thatortheother.’
‘Iknow,sorryaboutthat,dear.’
‘Oh,notabitofit.Itwaswonderful.Whatevertheywanted,theydidn’tfindit.Itoldthem,“IfElizabethdoesn’twantyoutofindsomething,youwon’tfindit.Simpleasthat,don’twasteyourtime,shecouldhideChristmaspresentsinarowingboat.”Ididn’tknowwhereyou’dgone,Ithoughttheshops,butitwasverylate.’
‘JoyceandIwereupchatting.’
‘Itoldthemanytime.Opendoortospooksroundhere.Whatwasit?Somebodymurdered?’
‘Twopeoplemurdered.’
‘Spies?’
‘Yes.’
‘Wonderful.NowwhatwasIdoing,dear?’
‘PlayingchesswithBogdan.’
‘Oh,good.Hemademescrambledeggs.AndhegaveRoncocaine.Whatachamp.I’llgetbacktohim.I’llleaveyoutoyourmurderedspies.’
Twomurderedspies.Twomurderedspies.ElizabethpicksupthephoneandringsChrisHudsonagain.Thistimeittakeshimevenlongertoanswer.Sevenrings.Justlongenoughforawhisperedargumentaboutwhethertoanswerit.Heobviouslyrecognizesherlandlinenow.
‘Yes,Elizabeth,’saysChris.
‘Oh,helloChris,’saysElizabeth.‘I’msorry,couldyouputPatriceon?’
‘Patrice?’
‘Yes,please,dear,nooffence.’
Thereisapause,ahandoverthemouthpieceonceagain,andanothermuffledchat.
‘Hello,Elizabeth,’saysPatrice.
‘Hello,dear,I’msorrytobotheryouagain.Idon’tknowwhatyou’redoingtomorrow?’
‘Agreed,’saysPatrice.
‘AndIdon’twanttoknow,ofcourse,yourbusiness.ButI’mabouttotellyousomethingIhaven’ttoldChrisyet.’
‘I’llgiveyouthirtyseconds,Elizabeth.Iwasbeingmassaged.’
‘Oh,goodforChris,’saysElizabeth.‘Here’smypitch,dear.YesterdayafternoontwospieswereshotdeadinahouseinHove.Iwasthere.Itwon’tbeapolicematter,ithasgonestraighttoMI5,butIwouldlovetotalktoChrisaboutitandgethistake.AndIjustthoughtthat,ifyouwantedtocomeoverwithhim–perhapstomorrowevening?–yousoundthesortofpersonwhomightbeinterestedinthedetailsoftwospiesbeingmurdered.Ihavepicturesandeverything,andtherewillbewine,andIknoweveryonewouldbethrilledtomeetyou.AsIsay,Idon’tknowyourplans.’
‘Well,weweregoingtoZizzi’s.’
Nearlygother,thinksElizabeth.Howtoclosethedealthough?
‘Andoneofthespieswhowasmurderedjusthappenedtobemyex-husband.’
‘OK,’saysPatrice.‘We’llbringabottle.’
ElizabethhearsPatricecallawayfromthephone,‘We’reseeingElizabethtomorrow,babes,’andhearsChrisreply,‘Well,ofcourseweare.’
‘Shallwesaysixthirty?’saysElizabeth.‘AndcouldyouaskChristoinviteDonna,too?’
‘Donna?’asksPatrice.
‘Yes,wouldn’tbethesamewithouther.I’massumingyou’vemetDonna?’
‘Ohyes,I’vemetDonna,’saysPatrice.‘Onceortwice.’
‘Seeyoutomorrow,dear,’saysElizabeth,andputsdownthephone.SoPatricehasalreadymetDonna?Mustbeserious.
Right,ontoMartinLomax.
35
MartinLomaxtakesthetrayofcoffeeandbiscuitsdowntohishomecinema.Twentyleatherseatsallangledtowardsthescreen,whichtakesupanentirewall.Themostpeoplehehaseverhadinherewasfour,whentheAzerbaijanicupfinalcoincidedwithaparticularlyprofitableheroindeal.MartinLomaxhadbroughtthemdownnibblesandeverybodyseemedtohaveagoodtime.Lomaxdidn’treallyunderstandmuchabouthavingagoodtime,buthewasgoodatblendinginandnotspoilingthingsforotherpeople.Whentherewasmoneytobemade,atleast.
Hepointstheremotecontrolatthescreenandbringsuphislibraryofmovies.MartinLomaxcan’tseethepointinfilmsatall.It’sjustsomepeopleacting,howcouldeveryonenotseethat?Someonewritessomewords,someidiotsfromAmericasaythemanditseemstosendeverybodycuckoo.Lomaxhadgonetothetheatreonce,andthatseemedmarginallybetter.Atleasttheactorswerethere.Atleastyoucouldtalktothemwhenyoudisagreed.Hehadbeenaskedtoleave,buthecertainlywouldn’truleoutgoingagainoneday.
Hescrollspastcountlessfilmshewillneverwatch,althoughheknowslotsofthetitlesbynow.Hefinallyreachesanotherfilmhewillneverwatch.ItiscalledTheTreasureoftheSierraMadreandyoucantellbythepicturethatitisblackandwhite.Blackandwhite?Peoplereallywerefools.Heselectsthefilmandthennavigatesdownthroughthemenuuntilhefinds‘Subtitles’.Alistoflanguagesappears,andMartinLomaxscrollsdownuntilhefinds‘Cantonese’.Heselectsit.Heimmediatelyhearsthosethreefamiliarelectronicbeeps,andthecinemascreendisappearsupintotheceiling.Paintedonthewallbehindisarainbow.MartinLomaxplaceshisfingertipsateitherendoftherainbow.Therearethreemoreelectronicbeepsandadoorslidesopen.MartinLomaxpicksuphistrayandwalksintothevault.
MartinLomaxoftenlikestohavehiscoffeeandbiscuitsinthevault.Itislovelyandcoolsoasnottodamageanyofthebanknotes,orthepricelesspaintingsthatarerolledupagainstthefarwall.HehasjustreceivedhisfirstBanksy,andheisunimpressed.Itisaratlookingatamobilephone.Whywouldaratbelookingatamobilephone?ModernartisbeyondLomax,buthebetsthatBanksywouldbedelightedtoknowhisworkwasnowvaluableenoughtobeusedasadownpaymentonaninternationalarmsdeal.Themanwhohaddroppeditoff,aChechen,hadsaidthatBanksy’srealnamewasasecret,buthetoldhimwhatitwas,regardless.Lomaxhasalreadyforgottenit.Artwasaracket;givehimgoldanydayoftheweek.Youdidn’thavetounderstandgold.
Thevaultisalsoveryquiet,thankstothesix-foot-thickwallssurroundinghim.Youcouldeasilykillsomeoneinhereand,infact,thatdidhappenonce.Itcausedquiteakerfuffleatthetime.
Lomaxdunksachocolate-chipcookieinhiscoffee.TheOpenGardenweekstartstoday.Whatwillpeoplethinkofthegrounds?Tooornate,toocultivated?Notcultivatedenough?Woulditrain?Googlesaysthereisazeropercentchance,buthowcoulditpossiblyknow?Wouldpeoplecome?Wouldtheybuyhisbrownies?Wouldanybodytryandgetintothehouse?Theywouldsoondiscoveritwasimpossible,butwhatiftheygotcloseenoughtoseeallthelasersandthetinycamerasinthehangingbaskets?Hewillleaveacommentsbookoutsidethepagoda,andhecanspendMondaylookingthroughit.Willpeoplewritetheirnames?Perhapshewillleaveaspaceforpeople’saddressestoo.Ifanyoneleavesanunpleasantcommenthecansendsomeonetopaythemavisit
Lomaxsipsathiscoffee,noticingacoupleofcookiecrumbsfloatingonthesurface.ThecoffeeisColombian,aswasthemanwhowasshotinthevaultwithaboltgunthattime.Theman’sboss–whohaddonetheshooting,andpresumablyhadhisownreasons–hadaskedLomaxifhemightburythebodyinthegardens,butLomaxhadquiteenoughburiedtherealready,andsohadpolitelysaidno.Thebosshadbeenunderstanding,andLomaxhadhelpeddragthebodyouttohishelicopterbywayofanapology.
IfLomaxsellsallofhisbrowniesthenhethinkshewillbeabletoraiseseventypounds.Hewonderswhathewillspenditon.
Onthewhole,MartinLomaxenjoyshisjob.Itislucrative,andwhilemoneyisn’teverything–farfromit–MartinLomaxhasbeenpoorandhe’sbeenrich,andheprefersrich.Thereisvariety,notwodaysarethesame,andthatispsychologicallyhealthy.Onedaywillrunsmoothly,you’llreturnsomegoldbulliontoaBulgarianandeveryoneissmilesandhandshakes,thenthenextdaythere’sacarbombinKabulandpersonYiscuttingoffpersonX’sfingers,andeveryonewantstheirmoneyortheirpaintingsortheirracehorse,andMartinLomaxisrushedoffhisfeet.Itcertainlykeepshismindactive.Bestofall,though,hegetstoworkfromhome.Everyoneknowsthat.MartinLomaxwon’tcometoMonteCarloorBeirutorQatarorBuenosAires.MartinLomaxwon’teventraveltotheWinchesterM&Sifhecanavoidit.No,youcometoMartinLomax,whetheryou’reawarlord,whetheryou’reatrafficker,orwhetheryou’reOcado.
Butsometimes–notoften,touchwood–thejobisstressful,andthisisoneofthosetimes.Heflipsopenhislaptopandringsthenumberhehasbeensentonhisencryptedphone.FrankAndradeJr,thesecond-in-commandofoneofNewYork’sleadingcrimefamilies.Lomaxknowsthatiftheconversationgoesbadly,thenextpersonhewillbespeakingtoisFrank’sfather.Who,frommemory,isalsocalledFrank.Andifthathappens,thenMartinLomaxreallywouldhavetotravel.Probablyagainsthiswill,intheholdofaprivatejet.
TheAmericanswanttoknowwhathashappenedtotheirtwentymillionpounds’worthofdiamonds.Ofcoursetheydo,that’snatural.MartinLomaxdoesn’tsupposethevaluemattersallthatmuchtothem–theycanaffordtomisplacetheoddtwentymillioneverynowandagain–itismoretheissueoftrust.MartinLomaxhasprovidedaninvaluableserviceforalongtimenow,andhehasprovideditwithskillanddiscretion.Hehasbeenawell-oiledcoginthewheelsofthesehugeorganizations,beyondreproachandabovesuspicion.Butnow?
Andrade’sfacefillsthescreen,suddenly,andheimmediatelybeginstoremonstratewithLomax,hisarmswindmilling.HebringsafistdownonhisNewYorkdesk.
‘Frank,you’reonmute,Ithink,’saysMartinLomax.‘Youneedtoclickonthelittlemicrophone.Thegreenbutton.’
FrankAndradeleansintohisscreen,mouthopenandeyesscanningforthebutton.Hepressesit.
‘Canyouhearme?’
‘That’sperfect,Frank,’saysMartinLomax.‘Whatwereyousaying?Whenyouwerebangingyourfistonthedesk?’
‘Ah,nothing,’saysFrank.ItalwaysdisappointsMartinLomaxthatFrankdoesn’thaveathickNewYorkaccentlikeinthefilms.HejustsoundslikeanormalAmerican.‘Iwasjustcreatingamood.’
‘Noneedtocreateanythingwithme,Frank,’saysMartinLomax
‘Listen,Lomax,’saysFrank.‘Ilikeyou,youknowthat.Mydadlikesyou.You’reEnglish,werespectthat.’
‘Isensea“but”coming,Frank,’saysMartinLomax.
‘Well,sure,’saysFrank.‘Ifwedon’thaveourdiamondsbackbytheendofnextweek,we’llkillyou.’
‘OK,’saysMartinLomax.
‘Maybeyoustolethem,maybeyoudidn’t,we’lldealwiththatanotherday.ButIwillflyovertoseeyou,andifyoudon’thavethemthenwewillconcludeourbusinesswithyou.’
MartinLomaxnods.Thisandworryingifeveryonewillbeabletoparklater.Whataday!
‘Iwilldoitmyself,’saysFrank.‘It’llbequick,Ipromiseyouthat.That’stheleastIcando.’
‘Doyounevergettiredofallthis?’saysMartinLomax.‘YouknowIdidn’tstealthem,buttherealwayshastobemelodrama.Iknowyouhaveaboss,butreally,youshouldlistentoyourselfsometimes.Youdon’talwayshavetokilleveryone,Frank.DouglasMiddlemissstolethediamondsfromme…’
‘Yousay,’saysFrank.
‘Yes,Isay,’saysMartinLomax.‘Andyou’veworkedwithmelongenoughtotrustmewhenIdo.IamtrackinghimdownasIspeak,andsoonIwillhavenewsforyou.’
‘Idon’tneednews,Martin,Ineedthediamonds,andIneedthemthesecondIseeyou.Or…’
‘Oryou’llkillme,yes,’saysMartinLomax.‘I’vegotit.Niceandquicklyasamarkofrespect.’
‘Getmydiamonds,’saysFrank.
‘Rightyouare,’saysMartinLomax.‘LovetoClaudiaandthekids.’
Frankshoutsoffcamera,thenreturnstothemicrophone.‘Claudiasayshiback.Seeyousoon,Martin.’
36
WhenBogdanwastenyearsold,hisfriendshaddaredhimtojumpoffabridge.Thedropwas,perhaps,fortyfeet,straightintoafast-flowing,rockyriver.Aboyhaddiedafewyearsbeforemakingthesamejump.Forawhilethelocalauthoritieshadputbarbedwirealongtheparapettostopanyonebeingquitesofoolishagain.Butbythistimethebarbedwirehadrustedandbuckledandfallenintotheriverbelow.Noonehadthoughttoreplaceit,becausemoneywastightandmemorieswereshort.Also,theboy’smotherhadkilledherselfshortlyafterwards,soitveryquicklybegantofeellikethewholethinghadn’thappenedatall.
Bogdanrememberslookingoverthesideofthebridge,downtothefuriouswhitewaterandthejaggedgreyoftherocks.Therewerethreemainwayshecoulddieifhejumped.Thesimpleimpactofhisbodyonthewaterfromthisheightmightkillhiminstantly.Hecouldeasilyavoidtherockshecouldsee,buttherewereplentyofrockshiddenjustbelowthesurface,andifhestruckoneofthemhewoulddieforcertain.Andifheavoidedbothofthosedeaths?Well,thecurrentwasfierceandunforgiving,andhewouldneedstrengthandlucktomakeittoeitherbank.
Hisclassmatesweregoadinghim,callinghimtchórz,apolecat,whichiswhattheycalledbeingchickenoverhere.ButBogdanwasn’tlistening,hewasstaringatthedrop.Whatwoulditfeellike?Flyingthroughtheair?Hebetitwouldfeelprettygood.
Bogdanknew,evenbackthen,thathewasnotanespeciallybraveperson,andhecertainlywasn’tfoolhardy.Noonewouldeveraccusehimofthat.Bogdanisnotarisktaker;heisneverdrivenbytestosteroneorbyinsecurity.Nonetheless,herememberstakingoffhissweater,onehismumhadknittedhim,andclimbingontotheparapet,tothehorrorofhissuddenlyfrightenedfriends.
Itwasalongwaydown.
‘DoIpresentthefootball?’asksRonfromthebackseat.Bogdanissuddenlybroughtbacktothehereandnow.DrivingElizabeth,JoyceandRontovisitaninternationalcriminal.
‘No,’saysElizabeth.
Theyhadn’tbeenabletoagreeonaradiostation,andsotheywereplayingTwentyQuestions,tryingtoguesstheidentityoffamouspeople.RonhadguessedJoyce’sone,NoelEdmonds,aftergettinga‘yes’tothequestion‘DoIshoutattheTVwhenhecomeson?’TheyarecurrentlyatadeadendtryingtoguessElizabeth’s.
‘AmI…who’sthemanI’mthinkingof,theactor?’saysJoyce.
‘No,’saysElizabeth.
‘Canwegiveup?’saysRon.
‘You’llkickyourself,’saysElizabeth.
‘Goon,’saysRon.
‘IwasthemurderedRussianoligarchBorisBerezovsky,’saysElizabeth.
‘Oh,’saysRon.
‘DenzelWashington!’saysJoyce.‘That’swhoIwasthinkingof.’
Bogdanhasabagofsweets,andeverytwelveminuteshepassesthemround,becauseheknowsitwillkeepeveryonequiet.Healsoknowshewon’tneedtosaveanysweetsforthejourneyhomelater,becausethesethreewillbefastasleep.
Theyhadtalkedalittleaboutthemurders.RonthinksthatDouglasandPoppywerekilledbythemafia.HeaskedBogdanifhehadeverseenGoodfellasandBogdanagreedthathehad,andRonsaid,‘Wellthen.’Joycethinksthatsomedoctorisinvolvedsomehow,andJoyceisusuallyright.Although,Bogdanthinks,lookingdownatthefriendshipbraceletonhiswrist,shecan’tknit.
WhatdoesElizabeththink?Whoknows?Shewillwaituntilshe’sspokentothisMartinLomax.
Bogdanwouldhavedrivenmuchfasterifitwasjusthim.ButthecombinationofRon’sDaihatsuandBogdan’srespectforhispassengersmeanthekepttoasteadyeightymilesanhourthewholeway.Elizabethwouldoccasionallytellhimtoputhisfootonit,andthenRonwouldsay,‘Slowdownabit,Bogdan,thisisn’tPoland.’Whichsuggestedhehadgotitaboutright.
HeseesthesignsforHambledonataroundonethirty.Asheknewhewould.Notsatnaveither,herefusestousethem.BogdanturnsrightorleftwhenBogdanchoosestoturnleftorright.Youdon’tneedtotellBogdanthathe’sapproachingaroundabout.
HambledonisaprettyEnglishvillage,thoughastheydrivethroughBogdanspotsafewroofsthatcoulddowithabitofattention.
‘Thisiswherethefirst-evergameofcricketwasplayed,’saysElizabeth.
‘Probablystillgoingon,knowingcricket,’saysRon.
Theypassaprimaryschool,apubcalledTheBatandBallandevenasigntoavineyardbeforethefirstsignstoMartinLomax’s‘OpenGarden’appear.Soontheyreachabroadentranceoffasmallcountrylane,irongateswideopen,andwelcomenoticesnailedtotrees.Bogdandrivesinandparksnexttoahedgethesizeofahouse.
Asever,itistakinghisthreepassengersawhileto‘gettheirthingstogether’.
‘Iseeyoubackhere,OK?’saysBogdan.‘Youtakeaslongasyouwant.’
‘Thankyou,dear,’saysElizabeth.‘Itisveryunlikelywe’reabouttobemurdered,butifwe’renotbackintwohoursthencomelookingforus,andkickupafuss.’
‘Gotcha,’saysBogdan,andcheckshiswatch.Saying‘Gotcha’alwaysmakeshimfeelveryEnglish.
‘Andtheleafletsaysthere’sloos,ifyouneed,’saysJoyce,zippingupananorakandmanoeuvringherwayoutofthecar.
‘Iwon’tneedthetoilet,’saysBogdan.
‘Luckysod,’saysRon.
Andwiththattheyaregone,andthereisblessedsilence.
Bogdanthinksbacktotheparapetandtheragingriver.Hisfriendswerebegginghimnottojump.Thesweaterhismotherhadmadewasyellow,andheseesitnow,neatlyfoldedupbesidehim.Hewasalwaysgoodwithcreases.
Hetookonelastlookdown.Threewaystodie,sure,butwealldiesomeday.Tothescreamsofhisfriends,Bogdanjumped.
Whatafeeling,justmagical.
Hebrokethreeribs,buttheysoonhealed.Itwastherightchoice,ashehadknownitwouldbe.
Peoplelovetosleep,andyettheyaresofrightenedofdeath.Bogdanhasneverunderstoodit.
37
Joyce
Whatalongday.We’vejustgotbackfromseeingMartinLomaxandnowthere’sthismeetingatIbrahim’stogoto.
Luckily,Isleptallthewayback.IwokeupwithmyheadonRon’sshoulder.Hehasareassuringshoulder,thoughnoonewillhearthatfromme.
Lomaxwasnotwhatyouwouldexpectatall.OrnotwhatIwouldexpectatall.Ifyoumethiminthestreet,youwouldthinkhewasasolicitor,oramanwhoownsadrycleaner’s,butdoesn’tworkinit.IwouldsayIfoundhimattractive,exceptheturnedouttobeabitboring,andIcan’tfindboringmenattractive.Believeme,I’vetried.Wouldn’titmakelifesimpler?
Althoughperhapsheisn’treallyboring,ifeverythingyouhearistrue?Killingsandgold,andhelicoptersandwhatnot?ThoughifyouneedkillingsandgoldandhelicopterstomakeyouinterestingthenIsupposeyouarestillboringatheart.Gerryneverneededahelicopter.
And,regardless,Iwouldn’tdatesomebodywhokilledpeople.
ButallI’msayingisthathelookedabitlikeBlakeCarrington,sodon’tblameagirlforlooking.
Elizabethwasontohiminaheartbeat,ofcourse.Oh,youmustbeMrLomax,whatbeautifulgardens,whatabeautifulhouse,isthatapagoda,haveyoubeentoJapan,MrLomax,youmust,yousimplymust.Sheisaterribleflirt.
PoorMartinLomaxlookedhalfscaredtodeath,thoughperhapsthatwasthepoint?
Ronwasnextup.Henoddedtothehouseandsaid,‘Howmuchdidthatsetyouback?’Lomaxhadnoanswer,andwhenRonadded,‘You’vegoteffingturrets,mate,effingturrets,’Lomaxpretendedtoseesomeoneinthecrowdandsaidhemustbeoff.
Elizabethlinkedherarmintohisandsaid,‘Well,let’swalktogether,whataday,glorious,’andLomaxtried,verypolitely,toshakeheroff.Butnosuchluckforhim.
Elizabethwonderedifshemightaskhimafewquestions,andLomaxsaideverythingsheneededtoknowaboutthegardenswasintheleafletwe’dpickedupattheentrance.AndElizabethsaid,‘Well,IdoubtverymuchtheinformationIneedtoknowisintheleaflet,Idoubtthatverymuchindeed,MrLomax.’
Slightworrycrossedhisfaceatthispoint.Peoplereallydon’tbuythatElizabethisaharmlessoldwomanforverylong.Withmeitlastsmuchlonger,butElizabethdoesn’thavethatgift.SoLomaxwrenchedhimselfawayandsaidhewishedElizabethgooddayandhehadplantstoattendto.
Elizabethlethimgetacoupleofmetresawaybeforesaying,quitequietly,‘Ijustwondered,beforeyou’refarenoughawaythatIhavetoraisemyvoice,didyoukillDouglasandPoppyyourself,ordidyousendsomeoneelsetodoitagain?’
Well,thatgothisattentionallright.Heturned–andhonestlyhereallydoeslookabitlikeBlakeCarrington–andhesaid,‘Whoareyou?’andElizabethsaid,‘Wouldn’tyouliketoknow?’andtoldhimtheyreallyshouldchat,becausetheywerebothlookingforthesamething.
‘Andwhatareyoulookingfor?’heasked,andElizabethsaid,‘Let’stalkaboutthat,shallwe?’
So,arminarm,sheledMartinLomaxawayfromthecrowds,andaroundtothesideofthehouse,andintroducedherself,andmeandRon.Bogdanhaddrivenus,buthestayedinthecar.HeislearningArabicfromatape.
ElizabethaskedLomaxifDouglashadtoldhimwherethediamondswerebeforehe’dshothim,andLomaxsaidhehadnoideawhatshewastalkingabout,andElizabethrolledhereyesandsaid,‘Look,let’sjustbehonestwitheachother,we’rebotholdhands.’
IfeltIshouldsaysomething.Idon’tknowwhy,itjustseemedabouttime,soIsaid,‘WewereveryfondofPoppy,’andhesaid,‘Who’sPoppy?’andIsaid,‘SheshotyourfriendAndrew,remember?Andthenyoushother,yesterday.’
Atthisyoucouldsortofseehegaveup.PerhapsIdon’tseemharmlessanymore?Thatwillbeannoyingifitturnsouttobethecase.
HeconfrontedElizabethandsaidIdon’tknowwhosentyou,andshesaidwesentourselves,andhelookedatusandsaidhecouldbelievethat.Thenhesaid,‘Cardsonthetable,canItrustyou?’andElizabethsaid,‘Notreally,butifyoudidn’tkillDouglas,andifyouwantyourdiamondsback,we’reprobablythebestbetyou’vegot.’Andthenhetoldhisstory.
Yes,thediamondshadbeenreal,andyes,theyhadbeenstolen.Ithinkweallknewandagreedonthispointalready.Yes,hehadfoundoutDouglaswasresponsible,andyes,hehadthreatenedhim.Ronsaid,‘Iwouldhavedonetoo,tobefair,’andLomaxthankedhimforthat.
Youcouldsmellthelastofthehoneysuckleintheair;itclimbsupthesideofthehouse.Awest-facingwallisbestforit,IlearnedthatonGardeners’QuestionTime.Gerrywasthegardenerinthefamily,notme,butIstilllistentoitbecauseitremindsmeofhim.
LomaxthenadmittedthathehadsentAndrewHastingstoCoopersChase.Thewayhetoldit,hehadjustwantedtogiveDouglasascare.ToforceDouglastotellhimwherethediamondswere.ThenPoppysteppedin,shotAndrewHastings,andLomaxwasleftamandownandnonethewiser.
ElizabethaskedhowheknewtheywereatCoopersChase,andLomaxsaidthatMI5wereveryleaky,andIaskedElizabethifthatwastrueandshesaiditcertainlyusedtobe.
PoppyandDouglaswerethenwhiskedaway,andMartinLomaxsaidhehadnoideawhereto,sohadgivenupthechase.Elizabethaskedifhehadn’ttriedMI5again,andhesaidofcoursehehad,butnoinformationwasforthcoming.Presumablyfarfewerpeopleknewaboutthenewsafehouse.
Lomaxthenaskedifweknewwherethediamondswere,andweconfirmedthatwedidn’t.Andthenhesaidhewaslikelytobedrivenouttoseaandshotdeadiftheydidn’tturnupsharpish.Andyoucouldtellthatwasthetruth.
Thisismypointaboutboringmenandexcitingmen.Gerrywouldneverbedrivenouttoseaandshot,buthewasahundredtimesmoreexcitingthanthisLomax.AndGerrydidn’tlooklikeBlakeCarrington,butperhapsifhehadthenhemightnothaveendedupwithme?WhichisnotathoughtI’mcomfortableentertaining.IncertainlightshelookedlikeRichardBriersthough.
Ronaskedifhecouldusethetoilet,andLomaxsaidtherewasoneinthestables,andRonsaidcouldn’theuseoneinthehouse,andLomaxsaidnochance.Nicetry,Ron.Idon’tthinkhewantedtogosnoopingoranything,Ithinkhejustreallyneededtheloo.
ElizabethgaveMartinLomaxhercard(whendidElizabethgetacard?Shekeptthatquiet)andtoldhimthatifwhathesaidwastruethenwehadasharedinterestinfindingthekiller.Lomaxagreed,andElizabethsaidtoringherifanythingcroppedup,andshewoulddothesameinreturn.
Itookmychanceandwentintomybagandpulledoutafriendshipbracelet.Lomaxlookedhorrified,whichIamgettingusedto,butIexplaineditwasforcharity,andElizabethassuredhimIwouldn’tleaveuntilhe’dboughtone.IhadonethatwasgoldandgreenandIthoughtquicklyandsaidthegreenwasforthegardenandthegoldwasforthesun.Iwasgoingtosaythatthesequinsrepresentedthediamonds,butIdecidednottopushmyluck.
Iaskedhimwhichcharityhewantedhismoneytogoto,andheshrugged,andIsaidtojustpickafavouritecharity.Hesaidhedidn’thaveone,andaskedwhopeoplenormallygavethemoneytoand,becauseIwasstandingwithElizabeth,IsuggestedLivingWithDementia.ThenheaskedmehowmuchtheywereandItoldhimthatwasuptohim,andhedidn’tseemtounderstandthat,andIsaid,youjustgivewhatyoucanafford.IwaslookingatthehousewhenIsaidthat.
Henodded,reachedintohisjacketandpulledoutachequebook.Achequebook!EvenIdon’tusechequesanymore,andI’mseventy-seven.Hewrotehisamountonthecheque,thenfoldeditup.HehandedmethefoldedchequeandIhandedhimthebracelet.
Heseemedmeekasalambatthatpoint.Butthenhesaid,‘Areyouallfinished?’andwhenwesaidwewere,helookedateachofusinturn,likeabutchersizingupacow.Itwasquiteunnerving.
‘Ibettheyalllapitup,don’tthey?’hesaid.‘Thethreeofyou.Harmlesslittlegang.Thepolice,MI5,theybuythisact?’Elizabethagreedthatpeopledoseemtobuyit,yes,andMartinLomaxnoddedandsaid,‘Doesn’tworkwithme,I’mafraid.Idon’tcareifyou’reeighteenoreighty.I’llkillyouregardless.Youunderstandthat,don’tyou?’
Itwasquitefrightening,ifI’mbeinghonest.Ihavetoremindmyselfsometimesthatthisisnotagame.
Elizabethsaidthatofcourseweunderstood,andthathewasbeing‘admirablyunambiguous’.
ThenLomaxsaid,‘Charmdoesn’tworkonme,’andRonsaid,‘Morepowertoyou,’andthenLomaxsaid,‘Ifyoufindmydiamonds,andyoudon’tbringthemstraighttome,Iwillkillyou.Ifyouevensuspectwheretheyarewithouttellingme,Iwillkillyou.’
Hedoesn’tholdback,Iwillsaythatforhim.Inawayit’srefreshing,becauseatleastweknowwherewestand.
Thenhesaidhewouldkillusonebyone.HepointedatRonandsaidhewouldstartwithhim.Rongaveusan‘it’salwaysme’gesture.Andhe’sright,italwaysis.
‘We’llbesuretoletyouknowthen,’Elizabethsaid.‘Ifwefindthem.’
Andthisishowitended.Lomaxsaid,‘Idon’twanttokillyou.’Ronsaid,‘Sure.’Lomaxsaid,‘ButIwill,withoutasecondthought,’andElizabethsaid,‘Messagereceivedandunderstood.’
BythistimeRonreally,reallyneededthetoilet,sowesaidourgoodbyes.
Wedidactuallyhaveaquickturnaroundthegardenafterthat,becauseitwasverylovely,andthenBogdandroveushome.IaskedhimtodosomeArabiconus,whichhedid.Justonetoten.
ElizabethbelievesLomax,thathedidn’tkillDouglasandPoppy.ItoldherIthoughthewasunconvincingandshesaidwell,thatwasjustthething.LiarslikeLomaxalwayssoundattheirmostunconvincingwhenthey’retellingthetruth.They’resimplynotusedtoit.
Sowhodidkillthem?Shehasatheory,andshehasinvitedSueReardondowntothevillagetotestitout.Iknownottoaskbynow.
Bytheway,earlier,whenIsaidElizabethisaterribleflirt,Ididn’tmeanshe’saterribleflirtlikeI’materribleflirt.Imeanthatwhensheflirtsshe’sterribleatit.Reallyallovertheplace.IliketoseethingsElizabethisbadat.Therearen’tmany,butatleastitlevelstheplayingfieldabitfortherestofus.
AsIsay,wesleptallthewayhome,soitwasn’tuntilIgotinthatIrememberedthecheque,andgotexcited.
Iopeneditupanditsaid‘fivepoundsonly’.Well,thankyoueversomuch,MartinLomax;luckyoldLivingWithDementia.
38
Ibrahimhadsuggestedtheyholdtheeveningathisplace.Hefeelspressuredatthemomenttogetoutoftheflat.Todothings.Ronhassuggestedtheygofor‘awalk’sometime.Ron!Theyareworriedabouthim,andIbrahimisn’tenjoyingthefeeling.Ibrahimlikestobenotrouble.Ibrahimfeelslikeheisbeginningtomeltawayand,rightnow,that’sfinebyhim.
‘DoyouknowIhaveatheory?’saysElizabeth,alreadythreeglassesofwinetothegood.
‘Yousurpriseme,Elizabeth,’saysSueReardon.Suehasaglassofwinetoo,despitethis,officiallyspeaking,beingbusinessforher.Perhapssheisoilingthewheels?ShewillbenomatchforElizabeth,regardless.
‘Somepeopleinlife,Sue,areweatherforecasters,whereasotherpeoplearetheweatheritself.’
ElizabethhadrungSueonthewaybackfromHambledon,andwonderedifshemightbefreetopopoverforachat?Suehadbeendelightedto,andhaddrivenstraightdown.IbrahimhadorderedinDomino’spizza.
‘MyfavouriteweatherforecasterisCarolKirkwoodontheBBC,’saysJoyce.‘Ialwaysthinkwe’dgeton.’
Joycehadpoppedroundhalfanhourbeforetherest,andsheandIbrahimhadlookedatdogsontheinternet.JoyceisonInstagramnowtoo,andwastryingtoengagehiminthat.Hewaslosinginterest,butthenJoyceshowedhimsomevideosofawomansolvingcrypticcrosswords.
‘Theweatherforecasters,’continuesElizabeth,‘andherethat’smeandIbrahim,wealwayshaveourfingersintheairtryingtofeelwhichwaythewindisblowing.Weneverwanttobesurprisedorcaughtout.’
True,thinksIbrahim.
‘You’llfeelthewaymywindisblowinginaminute,’saysRon,loungingbackononeofIbrahim’sarmchairs,finishingasliceofpizzabeforedunkingachocolatedigestiveintohisredwine.
‘WhereasJoyceandRon,youaretheweather,’saysElizabeth.‘Youmoveasyouchoose,youactasyoufeel.Youmakethingshappenwithoutfannyingaroundworryingaboutwhatthosethingsmightbe.’
‘Youcan’tpredictthings,’saysRon.‘Whytry?’
‘Butyoucanpredictthings,’saysIbrahim.‘Thetides,theseasons,nightfall,daybreak.Earthquakes.’
‘Noneofthatispeople,though,mate,’saysRon.‘Youcan’tpredictpeople.Likeyoucanguesswhatthey’llsaynext,butthat’saboutit.’
Ibrahimisbackinthegutterforamoment,tastingblood.Hetriestoshakeitoff.
‘There’snopointoverthinkinganything,’saysJoyce.‘IagreewithRon.’
‘Well,ofcourseyouagreewithRon,’saysElizabeth,finishingherglass.‘Thetwoofyouarepeasinapod.’
‘Howmanytimesdoyouringme,Elizabeth,firstthinginthemorning,andsay,“Joyce,we’regoingtoFolkestone,”or,“Joyce,we’regoingtoanMI5safehouse”?“Joyce,packaflask,we’regoingtoLondon”?’
‘Alot,’admitsElizabeth.
‘AnddoIeveraskwhy?’
‘Well,there’snopoint,darling,Iwouldnevertellyou.’
‘SoIjustpackmybitsandbobs,lookupthetraintimesandoffwego.Ialwaysknowit’sgoingtobefun.Nooverthinking.’
‘Yes,butit’salwaysfunbecauseIplanit,’saysElizabeth.‘Youjusthavetoworryaboutwhethertoputonabigcoat.’
IbrahimseesSueriskapeekatherwatch.Whenaretheygoingtogettothegoodstuff?That’swhatshe’sthinking.WhatdoesElizabethknow?Doessheknowwherethediamondsare?That’swhySuehaddrivendownthroughthedusk.Goodlucktoyou,Sue.
‘Letmetellyouthis,’saysElizabethtotheroom,clearlynotplanningtotalkaboutdiamondsanytimesoon.‘ThefirsttripIeverwentonwithStephenwastoVenice.Hewantedtolookattheartandthechurchesforaweekend,andIwantedtolookathimforaweekend.’
‘That’sromantic,’saysJoyce.
‘Lookingatamanyouloveisn’tromantic,Joyce,’saysElizabeth.‘It’sjustthesensiblethingtodo.Likewatchingatelevisionprogrammeyoulike.’
Ibrahimnods.
‘Anyway,onthewayoverStephenhadsaid,let’sdothewholeweekendwithoutguidebooks,let’sjustwander,let’sgetlost,let’sturnacornerandseemagicwedidn’tknowwasthere.’
‘OK,well,thatisromantic,’saysJoyce.
‘No,that’snotromanticeither,that’sdeeplyinefficient,’saysElizabeth.
‘Agreed,’saysIbrahim.Lookwherespontaneityhasgothim.
‘IknowStephen.IknowStephenwon’tbehappyunlessheseesTintoretto’sGoldenCalf,andBellini’saltarpieceattheSanZaccaria.Unlesshefindsabeautifulhiddenbarservingcicchettiandspritzerstolocals.Hedoesn’twanttoturnleftandfindalocalgovernmentoffice,orturnrightandfindanalleywayfullofheroinaddictswhostealhiswatch.’
‘I’msurethatwouldn’thappen,’saysJoyce.
‘Well,ofcourseitwouldn’thappen,’saysElizabeth.‘BecauseI’dspenttheprevioustwoweeksstudyingeveryguidebookunderthesun.Sooffwestrolled,arminarm,wanderingaimlessly,mewithaperfectmapinmyhead,andwewereluckyenoughtostumbleacrosstheSanFrancescodellaVigna,whatapleasantsurprise!AndthenwewerefortunatetopassinfrontofabeautifullittlebarI’dseenRickSteininonBBC2…’
‘Ooh,IlikeRickStein,’saysJoyce.‘Idon’tlikesea-food,butIdolikehim.’
‘Andthen,loandbehold,weturnedacornerandfoundourselvesintheMadonnadell’Orto,andwe’reuptoourearsinTintorettosandBellinis.Itwastheperfecttripand,asfarasStephenwasconcerned,thewholeweekendwasonemagicalaccident.Andthat’sbecauseheistheweather,andIamtheweatherforecaster.Hebelievesinfate,whileIamfate.’
‘GerryandIneverusedtoplanourweekendsaway,’saysJoyce.‘Andwealwayshadawonderfultime.’
‘That’sbecauseGerryplannedthemandnevertoldyou,’saysElizabeth.‘Becausethingsaremorefunforyouwhenthey’renotplanned,andtheyweremorefunforhimwhentheywereplanned.It’sbesttohaveoneofeachineveryrelationship.’
‘That’snottrue,’saysRon.‘Marleeandmewerebothweather.’
‘Yougotdivorcedtwentyyearsago,Ron,’saysIbrahim.
‘True,’saysRon,raisinghisglassatouch.
‘Idon’twishtobeapartypooper,’saysSueReardon.‘Butareyougoingsomewherewiththis,Elizabeth?’
Sheistryingtohurrythingsalongabit,thinksIbrahim.ButElizabethwillgoatherownpace.
‘WhywouldIbegoingsomewherewithit?’asksElizabeth.
‘Becauseyouaskedmedownherethisevening.Andnowyou’vetakenmebythehand,you’veledmeleftandright.AndIjustwondered,wherearewegoing?What’saroundthenextcorner?WhydoIfeelI’mbeingledintoanalleywayfullofheroinaddicts?’
‘Well,you’renot,’saysElizabeth.‘You’reeatingpizzainaroomfullofdodderypensioners,whatharmcouldpossiblycometoyou?Iwasonlymakingconversation.’
Joycesnorts,andsheandRonrolltheireyesateachother.
‘Outwithit,’saysSue.
‘Well,itreallyisnothing,except,wewenttoseeMartinLomaxtoday.’
‘Didyounow?’
‘I’mafraidso,yes,’saysElizabeth.‘Andwearemindedtothinkhedidn’tkillDouglasandPoppy.’
‘Isee,’saysSue.
‘AlthoughIwasn’tthere,’saysIbrahim.‘Onaccountofmybruising.Iwouldlovetohavebeenotherwise.’
Youliar.Hedidn’twanttogoout.Hedidn’twanttostayin.Whatwasleftforhim?Hewasenjoyingthisevening,atleast.
‘AnditallstartedmethinkingaboutDouglasinalittlemoredetail.Idon’tknowifyouknewhimallthatwell?’
‘Wellenough,’saysSue.
Elizabethnods.‘Well,youwouldthinkhewastheweather,wouldn’tyou?Thewayhejustblowsthroughpeople’slives.Havingaffairsanddivorcingpeople,left,rightandcentre.Buthe’snot.Douglaswasaweatherforecaster.Douglasplannedeverything.IfDouglassentmeamessagesayinghehadsomethingtoshowme,thenhehadsomethingtoshowme.Andifhewasgoingtoshowmeitatfive,he’dbedamnedsurehewasstillaliveatfive.Douglaswasvery,verycarefulwithwords.’
‘Whatareyousaying?’saysSue.
‘I’msaying,whatifDouglasshowedmeexactlywhathewantedtoshowme?Hewantedmetoseehisdeadbody?’
‘JustlikeMarcusCarmichael,’saysJoyce.
‘Who’sMarcusCarmichael?’asksIbrahim.
‘Well,quite,’saysElizabeth,wipingorangefingersonawhiteserviette.‘Sue,canIaskyousomething?Iimagineyou’llhavethoughtofitalready,butregardless?’
‘Anythingyoulike,’saysSue.‘WhoisMarcusCarmichael?’
‘Lookhimup,there’llbeafile,’saysElizabeth.‘HowwasDouglas’sbodyidentified?’
‘Oh,herewego,’saysRon,andtakesaswigofhisred.‘Iknewyouhadsomethingupyoursleeve.’
‘Meaning,wasthebodydefinitelyDouglas?’asksSue.
‘Meaningpreciselythat,’saysElizabeth.
‘Youthinkhefakedthewholething,andtookoffwiththediamonds?’saysRon.
‘Ithinkit’sapossibility,’saysElizabeth.
‘Youmusthavefakedsomedeathsovertheyears,Sue?’saysJoyce.
‘Oneortwo,’agreesSue.‘Douglaswaswearingtheclotheshewaslastseenin,hehadhiswallet,allhiscardsandsoon,butofcoursehewould.’
‘Ofcourse,’saysElizabeth.
‘Butthesedaysit’salldoneonDNAmatchesifthere’snonextofkin.Thedoctortookaswab,thelabmatchedittohisfile.ItwasDouglas.’
Elizabethdrinksandthinks.Eventuallyshenods.‘Thosetwostatementsdon’tfollow,Sue,youknowthat.IfDouglashadaplan,hehadaplan.IfheneededtheDNAtomatchthenitwould.’
‘True,’agreesSue.
‘SowhotherecouldhavetamperedwiththeDNA?Anyone?’
Suethinks.‘Icouldhavedone,Lancecouldhavedone,atapush,thedoctorcouldhavedone–shewasn’tourusual,butshe’sveryexperienced.Isupposesomeoneinthelab?Wedoitallon-sitenow.’
‘Fortyyearsofnursingteachesyouit’salwaysthedoctor,’saysJoyce,reachingforthewhitewinetotopupherglass.
‘Soit’spossibleit’snotDouglas?’asksElizabeth.
‘It’spossible,yes.Itwouldtakeanunlikelychainofevents,butit’spossible,’saysSue.
‘Butthat’swhatgoodplansare,isn’tit?’saysElizabeth.‘Atrailofeventssounlikelyitthrowsyouoffthescent.Whowouldgotoallthattrouble?That’showIwouldgetawaywithsomething,that’showyouwouldgetawaywithsomething,andthat’showDouglaswouldgetawaywithsomething.Makeit…complicated.’
‘Hewasprobablyhavinganaffairwiththedoctor,’saysJoyce.‘Hehadaffairswitheveryone,Sue.Nooffence,Elizabeth.’
Suedrumsherfingers.‘OK,let’ssayforamomentthatyou’reright,Elizabeth.’
‘Thatusuallysavestime,’saysRon.
‘WhywouldDouglaswantyoutoseethewholething?Toseehisbody?IfIwasfakingmyowndeath,I’dkeepyouasfarawayfromthesceneasIcould.’
‘IagreewithSuehere,’saysIbrahim.‘Youwouldbethefirsttoworkitout.’
‘Somethingtodowiththediamonds?’asksSue.‘Heneededyourhelpwiththem?’
‘Whoknows?’shrugsElizabeth.‘AlthoughifI’mrightthatheisstillalive,thenhedidn’tneedmyhelp,heneedsmyhelp.’
Suenods.
‘JoannahasboughtmeNetflix,’saysJoyce,finishingherlastsliceofpizza.Wheredoessheputitall,Ibrahimwonders.‘There’sallsortsonit,butIcan’tworkoutwhat’sonwhen.Itdoesn’thavethetimesanywhere.’
‘Andwillyouhelphim?’SueasksElizabeth.
‘No,’saysElizabeth.‘Iwilltrytofindthediamonds,ofcourse,butDouglasisonhisown,I’mafraid.Don’tyouagree?Ifhe’sdonewhatIthinkhe’sdone?IfhekilledpoorPoppy,andfakedhisowndeath?’
‘That’sabig“if”,’saysRon.
‘Idoagree,’saysSue.‘So,ifyou’reright,thenwhat?He’sleftyouaclue?Iknowyouwantedtolookinsidethatlocketwegaveyou.Butsomethinglessobviousthanthelocket?Somewherelessobvious?’
‘Imean,whoknows?’saysElizabeth.‘But,yes,Iamworkingonthatassumption.Iwantedtomakesureyoudidn’tthinkmytheorywastoooutlandishfirst.’
‘It’soutlandish,’saysSue.‘Butthere’snosuchthingastoooutlandishinthisjob.I’mgoingtoheadstraightbackandhaveaquietlookintotheprocess,withoutringinganyalarmbells.Icankeeptheinvestigationtickingalongforafewdays,whilewehaveathinkaboutallthis.’
‘IthinkDouglashashiddenthediamondssomewhere,’saysElizabeth.‘AndIknowatsomepointhehastoldmeexactlywhere.Ijusthavetorememberhowandwhenhetoldme.’
‘Thenwebothhaveajobtodo,’saysSue.‘Icanprobablybuyyouaboutthreedays.’
‘IstillsaythemafiaandLomaxdidit,’saysRon.‘Sizeofthatgeezer’shouse.’
‘Istillsaythedoctor,’saysJoyce.
‘Doyouknow,’saysSue,‘ifyou’dtoldmethreemonthsagoI’dbeworkingwithElizabethBest,Iwouldneverhavebelievedyou.Andnowhereweare.’
JoycereachesforabottleandrefillsSue’sglass.‘WelcometotheThursdayMurderClub!’
Theyclinkglasses.Therestoftheeveningpassesverypleasantly.Afewwarstoriesaretold,SuechangingnamesanddateswherenecessaryandElizabethnotbotheringto.SueiswearingthefriendshipbraceletJoycehadgivenher–alwaysgoodtocurryfavourwhenyou’relookingforinformation,Ibrahimsupposes.JoycegivesSueanenvelopetogivetoLance.Eventually,Sueyawnstheyawnofsomeonelookingtoleave.
‘You’lltellmeifsomethingoccurstoyou?’asksSue.
Elizabethnodsvigorously.‘You’llbethefirsttoknowwhenIdo.Hemightwantmetohelphim,but,onthewhole,Iwouldrathercatchhim.’
Douglasfakinghisdeath?Ibrahimlikesthetheory.HecanseethatSuedoestoo.Itwasimplausible,butpossible.Theperfectcombination.
‘Right,I’llbemakingtracks,’Suesays.‘YouknowwhereIam.’
‘Andlookintothedoctor,please,’saysJoyce.
‘Iwill,’saysSue.
AsSueleaves,thefourfriendssettleagain.Wineglassesarerefilled.Ronnipstotheloo.
‘TalkingtoSuewasagoodthingtodo,’saysIbrahimtoElizabeth.‘Iknowyouusuallyliketokeepthesethingsclosetoyourchest.’
‘Ineededtohearabouttheidentificationprocess,’saysElizabeth.‘Seeifitwaswatertight.Anditwasn’t.’
‘Ooh,sheremindsmeofyou,’saysJoyce.‘Twentyyearsyounger,nooffence.’
‘Nonetaken,’saysElizabeth.‘Sheremindsmeofme,too.Notasgood,butnotbad.’
‘Soyouthinkshe’llbeabletoworkoutwhereDouglaslefthisclue?’saysIbrahim.
‘Oh,Iknowwhereheleftit,’saysElizabeth.‘Irealizedthismorning.’
Ibrahimnods.Butofcourse.
‘Iknewyouwerehidingsomething,’saysRon,comingbackintotheroom.‘PoorSue.’
‘Ididn’twanttobotherherwithit,’saysElizabeth.
‘Elizabeth,youarewickedsometimes,’saysJoycewithasmile
‘Andbesides,’saysElizabeth.‘Whatifmyhunchiswrong?Wouldn’tIlookafoolthen?’
‘Whenareyourhuncheseverwrong?’saysRon.
‘Actually,quiteoften,’saysJoyce.‘Shejustsaysthemwithconfidence.She’slikeaconsultant.’
‘Absolutely,Joyce,’saysElizabeth.‘Couldberight,couldbewrong.ButIwonderifanyonefanciesawalkinthewoodstofindoutforsure?’
‘Oh,herewego,’saysRon,rubbinghishands.
‘Rightnow?’asksJoyce.‘Yes,please.’
‘Youcan’tgointothewoodsinyourflip-flops,Ron,’saysIbrahim.
‘Oh,stopbeingsuchaweatherforecaster,’saysRon,puttingonhiscoat.‘Offtothewoodswego,oldfriends.’
39
Joyce
Itistomorrowmorning,ifyouknowwhatImean,andIhavejustgotbackfromtheshop.Moreofthatinamoment.Mybagandumbrellaareready,waiting,onthehallwaytable.Moreofthatinamomenttoo.
ElizabeththinksthatDouglasfakedhisowndeath.Itis,apparently,notuncommoninherlineofwork.Killedsomeone,hadthebodyidentifiedashisownandranoffwithtwentymillion.Who’stosay,butcertainlyniceworkifyoucangetit.
WewereallroundatIbrahim’slastnight,asElizabethwantedtorunthetheorypastSueReardon.Ibrahimismovingbetter,bytheway,buthelookssad,whichisnotlikehimatall.Imean,hehasalwayslookedmelancholy,unlesshe’swritingalist,orexplainingsomething,butyouveryrarelyseehimlookingsad.Ineedtogethimoutofhisflatsomehow.Gethimbackbehindthewheelofhiscar.OrRon’scar,butyouknowwhatImean.
Wehadaveryniceevening.Itwasnothingspecial,butitdoesn’talwayshavetobe,doesit?HavingsomeonefromMI5theremighthavefeltunusualayearago,butIamgrowingtoexpectsuchthings.SueReardonlookedabitsadtoo,Ithought.Iimaginesheisintroubleatworkaftereverythingthathappened.
Iamlearningthatitisimportanttostopsometimes,andjusthaveadrinkandagossipwithfriends,evenascorpsesstarttopileuparoundyou.Whichtheyhavebeendoingalotrecently.
It’sabalancingact,ofcourse,but,byandlarge,thecorpseswillstillbethereinthemorning,andyoumustn’tletitspoilyourDomino’s.
Wedidn’treallytalktoomuchaboutthecaseuntilElizabethstartedgoingonaboutDouglasandtheweather.ThatwasSueReardon’scue,andthenElizabethleteverythingspill.Douglasfakinghisowndeath,thefullworks.Itdoessoundabitcomplicatedtome.Howwouldhehavedoneit?
ThoughIsupposeifyoudon’tputabitofeffortintostealingtwentymillionpoundsthenwhenwillyouputinsomeeffort?
YoucouldseethatSuedidn’tdismissitoutofhand.SheknowsElizabethhasherheadscrewedon,and,also,sheprobablywantedtobelieveittoo.Ifyouareinvestigatingsomething,youwantallsortsofthingstobetrueiftheyhelpyouout.
IwasproudofElizabethforsharing,andafterSueleft,IwasgoingtotellElizabeththatshewasshowingrealmaturity,notkeepingeverythingtoherselfforonce,butthenshetoldusshehadsomethingtoshowus,andsuggestedawalkinthewoods.Oh,Elizabeth!
Bearinmind,also,thatthiswasgonetenandIhadalreadysaid,‘Well,thishasbeenlovely,’morethanonce.
Wepackedupourthings,RonwenttohisforatorchandIbrahimwouldn’tcome,butwishedusluck.Igavehimakissonthecheekandtoldhimhelookedwell.HewillknowImeanttheopposite,wearegoodfriendslikethat.
AswewerewalkingupthehillElizabethgotintothedetailsofhowshe’dworkeditout.
ShehadbeenwalkingthiswaywithDouglaswhenhewasatCoopersChase,Poppytrailingbehindthemwithherheadphoneson.PoorPoppy,Idon’tthinkImindanyofthis,exceptforher.AndrewHastingsbeingmurderedwasfinebyme.Easycome,easygo,thatwashisjob.Ifyouworkinafishmonger’syou’regoingtosmelloffish.AndDouglas?Well,ifhe’sdeadthenheprobablyhaditcomingtoo.ButPoppyshouldhavebeeninadifferentstory,andI’msorrysheendedupinthisone.
ElizabethandDouglashadstoppedbyatree,andwestoppedbythesametreelastnight.YoucouldseeabigholeinitwhenRonshonehistorch.Hewasinhiselement.Gerrywasthesameifyouevergavehimatorch.
Haveyoueverheardofa‘dead-letterdrop’?It’sathingforspies.Aplace,somewherepublicandaccessible,whereyoucouldhidesomething,andnoonewouldeverstumbleacrossitaccidentally.SpyAwoulddropoffsomethingforSpyB,maybeamicrofilmorsomethinglikethat?SpyBwouldwanderalongthecanaltowpath,that’sjustanexample,liftupaloosefencepost,that’sjustanexample,too,andthereyou’dhaveit.
WhenElizabethandDouglaswerestandingbythetree,hehadsaidtoElizabeththatitwouldmakeagood‘dead-letterdrop’,anditremindedhimofonetheyhadusedbefore,andElizabethhadagreed,andhadthoughtnothingmoreofit.
Well,that’snotstrictlytrue,Elizabethneverstopsthinking,doesshe?ShehadnowconvincedherselfthatDouglashaddrawnherattentiontothetreeforareason.Thathehadhiddensomethinginthereforher.
And,assooften,shewasright.
SheaskedRontoshinehistorchdownintothehole,andguesswhatwefound?
Now,Iknowwhatyou’rethinking.You’rethinkingwefoundthediamonds?Nosuchluck,I’mafraid.Ipromiseifwe’dfoundthediamondsIwouldhavestartedthisaccountverydifferently.Iwouldhavestartedit‘Wejustfoundtwentymillionpounds’worthofdiamonds’orsomethinglikethat.Iwouldn’thavegoneonaboutRon’storchorIbrahimlookingsad.Iwouldhavebeenstraightin.InlikeFlynn.Itwouldhavebeenalldiamonds.
Butwefoundthenextbestthing.
Elizabethpulledoutaletter,oncrispwhitepaperinsideaclearziplockbag.Tokeepitdry,ofcourse.Honestly,thereisnothingthoseziplockbagscan’tdo,I’vegotadrawerfullofthem.Theletterwasfoldedoverandhernamewashandwrittenonthefront.AccordingtoElizabeth,itwaswritteninDouglas’shandwriting.Weusedtoknoweachother’shandwriting,didn’twe?
Shetooktheletteroutofthebagandunfoldedit.Itwasexpensivepaper,youknowthetype,nothingyou’dgetfromyourbankorthecouncil,say.Doesexpensivepapercomefrommoreexpensivetrees,ordotheyjustmakeitdifferently?
Elizabethreadtheletter,firsttoherselfandthentous.Andwhenyouhearwhatisinit,you’llknowwhatwe’regoingtobedoingtoday.Youwillknowexactlywhymyflaskandmyumbrellaareonthehallwaytable.
ThereasonI’vejustbeentotheshop,bytheway,isthattheyhaveaphotocopierthere,sothat’swhatI’vejustbeenupto.Onecopyeachoftheletterforthefourofus,andtwomoreincasewedecidedChrisandDonnamightbeinterestedfurtherdowntheline.
Itis30pacopy!Thatseemshardtojustify.AndIhadtodoextracopiesaswell,becausethefirsttwotimesIhadtheletterinthewrongwayup.Whataracket.Youhavetowonderwhereallthatmoneyisgoing.ItoldRononmywaybackandhewasupinarmsaboutit.
IdroppedofftheoriginalwithElizabethandshelookedrathertired,whichisnotlikeher.Thoughwehadbeenupverylate,Isuppose.Anyway,shewasfinallywearingthefriendshipbraceletImadeher,sothatwasnice.
Ihavemycopyoftheletterinfrontofmenow.Thisiswhatitsays.
DearElizabeth,Neverdoubtedyouforamoment,youcleverthing.Iknewyou’dfindtheletter.Cardsonthetable,Ishouldprobablyapologizeforstealingthediamonds,andstartingthiswholeparade.Everyonehastheirprice,anditturnsoutthatmineistwentymillionpounds.Twentymillion,darling,justsittingthere,andmeadinosaurnearingretirement?Resistancewasfutile.Youunderstand,don’tyou?DinosaurthatIam,Istillhaveafewtricksleftinme.ElderlyasIam,Istillhaveafewyearsleftinmetoo.AfewyearsIintendnottowaste.Retirementisnotforme.OfcourseIshouldn’thavestolenthem,that’sagiven.Youwouldn’thave,forexample.ButIhopeyoudon’tbegrudgemetheadventureofthething.Notwithalltheadventuresyou’vebeenhaving?Ithashadmybloodpumpingforthepastweeksatleast,andthat’salovelyfeelingtogetback.Enoughofmybunk,letusgetdowntobusiness.IfyouarereadingthisthenIsupposeoneoftwothingshashappened.Ihavebeenkilledperhaps?Someonetorturedthelocationofthediamondsoutofmethendisposedofme?Notimpossible.Iwouldn’tputupwithtoomuchtorture,adventureornot.Besides,Icansimplysendthemonawildgoosechase.Bythetimetheyrealizethey’vebeendupedIwillhavebeenburiedinwoodlandsomewhere.IfIhavebeenkilledthenIdohopethereisapartofyouthatwillmissme,andthatyouwillforgivemymanysins.Iforgaveyourslongago.Idon’tknowwhowouldbeinchargeofafuneral,thereisnotreallyanyonearoundwhoIhaveaparticularconnectionto.Acoupleofbitsontheside,butaren’ttherealwayswithyourstruly?Ihaven’tpickeduptoomanyfriendsovertheyears,andthoseIhadI’veshed.Iftheyaskyou,andwhoknows,theymight,mymotherandfatherareburiedinNorthumbria.PleaseensureIamburiedasfarawayfromthemaspossible.Rye,perhaps?Rememberthatweekendwespent?Thecottage?Thereisasecondoption,ofcourse,whichwouldbemuchmorefun.AndthatisthatIhavegotawaywithit.MartinLomaxwantsmedead,theNewYorkmafiawantsmedead,andtheServicewantstowashitshandsofme.JustatthismomentIcan’tquiteworkouthowIcangetawaywithit,butIhavealwaysbeenresourceful,andperhapssomethingwillcometome?Ihaveacoupleoflittlethoughtstickingoverinmybrain.SoIameitherdeadorrich,andIhaveaneasywayforyoutofindoutwhich.Thediamondsareinaleft-luggagelocker.YouknowIrequestedtobehousedatCoopersChase,andsoIleftthemnearbytomakethemniceandeasyformetogetback.Orforyoutogetback,ifitcametothat,whichitmaywellhavedone.Darling,thediamondsareinlocker531atFairhaventrainstation.Youcouldbreakintoit,I’msure,butIhaveleftthekeyinsidethisbag.Yougoandtryyourluck.Ifyouopenthelockerandthediamondsarethere,thenyouwillknowIamdead.Ifyouopenthelockerandthediamondsaregone,thenyou’llknowIfoundawayout.Iwillbestraightovertoouroldfriend,Franco,inAntwerp,cashingthelotin.Onthatnote,ifyoudon’tfindthediamonds,itwillnotescapeyournoticethatIwillberoamingfree,averyrichman.AndifthatshouldinterestyouatallthenrestassuredatsomepointIwillfindawaytogetbackintouch.YouknowIwillfindsomeonetosharemylifewith,butitwouldmakemethehappiestmanaliveifthatpersonwasyou.Youcan’tblameanoldfoolfortrying.Godblessyou,Elizabeth,andnodoubtJoyce,RonandIbrahimtoo.Iamguessingyouwillkeepthisbetweenthefourofyou.NoneedtotellSueandLanceandthegang?Iwonderhowlongittookyoutofindthisletter.Notlongismyguess.IfIamdead,thenthankyouforyourspeedandwisdom,andifIamalivethenatleastIhavesomethingofaheadstartoneveryone.Welldoneonfindingthisdead-letterdrop,Iknewyouwouldn’thavemissedtheclue,youalwayswere,andalwayswillbe,theverybest.Locker531,Fairhavenstation.IfthediamondsarenottherethenIamfree.IfthediamondsaretherethenIamdead.So,isthisanotherletterfromadeadman?Whoknows?ButIimagineyourbloodispumpingtoo?Mylove,always,Douglas
Lovelyhandwriting,Iwillgivehimthat.ElizabethandIaregoingtogettheminibusdowntoFairhaveninafewminutes.Idon’tknowFairhavenstationatall,butit’sfairlybigbecauseyoucangotoBrightonandtoLondon.AccordingtothewebsitethereisaCosta,aWHSmithandaplacethatdoessausagerollsandpasties.There’saFirstClasslounge,whichlooksveryswishinthepictures,andabigTravelCentre.Andthen,ofcourse,therearetheleft-luggagelockers.
Somaybewe’reabouttofindtwentymillionpounds’worthofdiamonds.Elizabethwon’tletmekeepthem,Iknow,butitwillbenicetohavethemforabit.WillwetakethemtoSueandLance?OrwillwetakethemtoChrisandDonna?I’dlovetoshowthemtoDonna,thatwouldbemychoice,butthereareprobablyprotocolstofollow.
Ormaybewe’llfindnothing?MaybeDouglashasoutfoxedusallandisoutthere,ontherun?Anoldman,giddywithfreedom,awashwithcash,wishingElizabethwasstillinlovewithhim.
Onlyonewaytofindout,andthat’stogetontheminibus.
40
LanceJamesyawnsandscratches.ToSueReardon,inheroffice,dooropen,itwilllooklikeheisworking.Checkingintelligencereports,cross-referencingaircraftmanifests?Thesortofthingtheypayhimtodo.WhenhewasintheSpecialBoatService,lifewasmoreexciting.Buthewasalsoshotatmoreoften,andthesedayshedoesn’treallyhavethekneestobeshotateveryfiveminutes.
Lanceisonline,lookingathouseshecan’tafford.AcountryhouseinWiltshire?Don’tmindifIdo.Youcouldconvertthatstableblockintoagamesroom.ApenthouseapartmentoverlookingtheThames?Greatviews,butlookatthefloorplan.Wherewouldyouputtheprivatecinema?
Heisdaydreaming.Unless.Unless.
Thetwentymillionwouldchangethepicture,wouldn’tit?Andit’soutthere.
Lancesupposesthatevenpeoplewithtwentymillionpoundsintheirhandsstilllookathousesthey’llneverbeabletoafford.Ahollowed-outvolcano,maybe.Nooneeverbuysahousewithoutsecretlywantingonetenpercentmoreexpensive.
Moneyisatrap,forsure.But,toLance’smind,thereareworsetrapsyoucouldfindyourselfin.
HelooksoverandseesSueReardonthroughheropendoor.She’sengrossedinsomething.Working?Hedoubtsit.Whostartsworkingbeforeeleventhesedays?
Sheisfrowningatherscreen.Doessheknowsomething?Issheinthere,crackingthecase?
Morelikelyshe’llbeorderingshrubs,orarrangingcareforanelderlyrelative,orwatchingpornography.NothingaboutanyoneeversurprisedLanceanymore.Twentyyearsworkingwiththesecurityservicesandhehasseenitall.Thosetwowomenintheirseventies?Whatwasthestorythere?Thesmallerone,thelessscaryone,hadkeptlookingathimasifshehadsomethingtosay.Theotherone,ElizabethBest–Sueseemedrespectfulandwaryaroundher.Wastheresomehistory?
LancesglancesupatSueagain.Sheseemsdeepinthought.Thoughshe’sprobablyjustlookingatthatsamehouseinWiltshireandworkingoutwhatshe’ddowiththestableblock.Thinkingaboutthetwentymillion.
Lancecurrentlylivesinaone-bedroomflatinBalham.Thereisanargumentwithhisexaboutbuyingherhalfoftheproperty.Hecan’taffordtobuyherout,hecan’taffordtomove,andshedoesn’tmuchcare.Hewasapoorboywhoboughtaflatwitharichgirl,whichwasromanticandhopefulatfirst,butislessfunnowtheironlycontactislettersfromherdad’ssolicitor.Fornowheispayingrenttoher.That’sthetemporarycompromise.Payingrenthecan’taffordtosomeonewhodoesn’tneedthemoney.Tosomeonewho,untilsixmonthsago,wouldtellhimeverydayhowmuchshelovedhim.Notsomuchofthatinthesolicitor’sletters.NoarmacrosshischestandsleepymorningkissesfromRoebuckHarrington&Lowe.
Hadshefallenoutoflovewithhim,orhadsheneverbeeninlove?Eitherwayshehadsleptwiththeirbuilder,andwasnowdatinganinvestmentbankercalledMassimo.
Lance’smumhadlovedher.Everybodylovedher.AndsonowLancedoesn’tseehismumsomucheither.Hebetsthey’restillintouch.
Balhamwas,atleast,handyforMillbank,whereLanceusuallyworks.Butitdefinitelywasn’thandyforthisridiculousset-upinGodalmingwherehewassecondeduntilthisinvestigationwasover.Itwasallwellandgoodtobeinvestigatingtwoassassinations.Butnotifyouhavetostandallthewayonthe8.21trainfromWaterlootoGodalminginordertodoit.
And,totopitall,heislosinghishair.Thesuperpowerthathadservedhimsowellovertheyears,thehairthatwoulddanceoverhiseyes,thathewouldeffortlesslyrunhishandthroughondates,knowingthatwhereveritsprangbacktoitwouldlookgreat.Itwasonitswayout.Itwasthinning,itwasgreying,itwasreceding.Justwhenhewassingleagain.
Sometimes,whentheyletLancehaveagun,hethinksaboutjustshootinghimselfinthehead.
Heshouldprobablydosomework.
LanceshutsdowntheRightmovepropertypageandopenshisemails.HehasworkedforbothMI5and6,sohegetsallsortsofrubbish.Theemailswerealwaysamixofsecuritybriefingsandtheresultsofthein-housebake-offcompetitionheldbytheChinadesk.
Suehasemailedhim.She’stenfeetaway,throughanopendoor,butOK.CanhecheckonthecredentialsofDoctorCarterfromthemortuarytheothernight?Sendherareport?Ofcourse.Sueisstressed,hecanseethat.Sheisunderpressuretogetthiswholemessclearedup.
Greymenhavebeenghostinginandoutofherofficeforthelastfewdays.AboutthesameageasSue,heguessed,earlysixtiesperhaps,butmoremaleandmoresenior.Thatwasstillthewayitwent,despitewhatalltheglossybrochurestoldyou.Lanceisawarethatheisaboutasunsuccessfulasitispossibleforaforty-two-year-oldmantobeinMI5.Buttherewastimetochangethat,andheshouldprobablystartnow.
AfterreadingthatthecompetitiontonametheMI6canteenhasbeenwonbyPriyaGhelanifromcounter-terrorism,withtheentry‘WouldYouLikeSpiesWithThat?’,heseesanalertaboutaflightfromTeterboroAirportinNewJersey.Lanceclicksitopen.
SueReardon’sreputationwashigh.Iftherewastrouble,shefoundit,andthenshewouldfindthetroublemakersmakingthattrouble.Shewashard,shecouldbebrutal,thatwaswhatthejobdidtoyou.Butthisinvestigationhadbeenadisaster.Twooperativesshotdeadinasafehouse?Includingthechiefsuspectintheoriginalinvestigation?Nodoubtthat’swhysomanygrey-hairedmenwereinandoutofSue’soffice.
Aflighthasbeenflagged.OnthepassengerlististhenameAndreRichardson.Theflight,onaGulfstreamG65R,takesofffromTeterboroandisduetolandatFarnboroughAirfieldonthemorningofMondaytheeight.
Lanceclosestheemail,walksovertoSue’sdoorandknocks.Shelooksupandcloseswhateveritwasshe’dbeenlookingat.ASOS?Paintingsofhorses?
‘Lance?’
‘FlightleavingNewJerseyonSundayweek.Underthename“AndreRichardson”,aknownaliasofFrankAndradeJr.LandingatFarnborough,notamillionmilesfromhere,notamillionmilesfromMartinLomax’shome.’
‘Sothemanwhosediamondshavebeenstolenisvisitingthemantheywerestolenfrom?’
‘Mmm,’agreesLance.HeiswonderingifPriyaGhelaniisstillsingle.Hehastogetbackoutthere,hairornohair.‘PerhapsIshouldjointhesurveillanceteamforthenextweek,ma’am?Makesurewedon’tmissatrick?’
‘Goodidea,Lance.They’restationedupinAndover.YouOKtostayupthere?’
AwholeweekawayfromtheBalhamflat.Aweekawayfromthecommute,andfromthisoffice.Maybesomegloryandsomediamondsattheendofit?
‘Yes,ma’am,’saysLance,thenraiseshishandtopushitthroughhishair,beforethinkingbetterofit.
41
Elizabethisnotthesentimentaltype,butevenso.
Sheisabouttofindoutifherex-husbandisdead.Sheknows–orknew?–Douglaswellenoughtoknowhewouldn’thaverevealedthetruelocationofthediamondstoanybodyelse.Whateverfalsetrailhelaidwouldhavebeenagoodone.Nooneelseknowsaboutlocker531.ThatwasasecrethiddeninaholeinatreehighaboveCoopersChase.
Ifthediamondsarenotinthislocker,thenDouglashasthem.
Ifthediamondsarethere,thatmeansDouglashasn’tbeentocollectthem.AndthatmeansDouglasisdead.Quitethedaysheishaving.
IfDouglasisalivethenheisontherunandveryrich.And,ofcourse,ifDouglasisalive,thenhekilledPoppy.HekilledPoppy,andhefakedhisowndeathwithacorpsetakenfromgoodnessknowswhere.Afreshcorpse,though,therewasnohidingthat.Itwasn’tlikethecorpseofMarcusCarmichaeltheyhadpulledfromtheThamessomanyyearsago.NoonewascheckingMarcusCarmichaeltooclosely,everybodyhadtheirjobtodo.ButElizabethhadseenDouglas’sbody.Seenitupclose.Itwasveryfreshindeed.SoperhapsDouglashadkilledtwopeople?That’stheonlywayhecouldhavegotawaywithit.
So,inthegrandschemeofthings,ElizabethishopingthatDouglasisdead.Nooffencemeant,butshewouldratherherex-husbandwasadeadthiefthanalivingmurderer.
Theminibusisfull.Carlito,thedriver,hasacigarettehangingoutofhiswindow.Thisisnotagroupwhomindsifyousmoke.And,inreturn,Carlitodoesn’tmindifyoudon’twearaseatbelt.Thewholescenemighthavebeenfromthe1970s,when,ifyouwantedtodieoflungcancer,orinaroadaccident,thenthatwasyourchoice.
Joyceisquiet,whichisunlikeher.It’salmostunnerving.
AtfirstElizabeththoughtitwasbecauseofPoppy.JoyceandPoppyhadbonded,thatwasforcertain.OrperhapsbecauseofSiobhan?Beingsoclosetoamother’sgrief?
ButthenElizabethrealizesthatthelasttimethetwoofthemhadbeenonthisminibustogether,Bernardhadbeenonthebackseat.JustbeforeJoyceandBernardhadbecomeclose.Joycemisseshim,althoughtheynevertalkabouthim.JustliketheynevertalkaboutStephen,orPenny.InfactwhatdosheandJoycetalkabout?TheEnglishcountrysidepassesbyoutsidetheminibuswindow.
‘WhatdoyouandItalkabout,Joyce?’asksElizabeth.
Joycethinks.‘It’sbeenmainlymurder,hasn’tit?Sincewemet?’
Elizabethnods.‘Isupposeithas.Whatdoyouthinkwe’lltalkaboutwhentherearenomurders?’
‘Well,we’llfindoutatsomepoint,won’twe?’
Joycelooksoutofthewindowagain.Elizabethdoesn’tlikeseeingherfriendunhappy.Whatdonormalpeoplesayinthesesituations?Heregoesnothing.
‘WouldyouliketotalkaboutBernard?’
Joyceturnstolookatherandgivesheratinysmile.‘No,thankyou.’
Joycereturnstoherviewand,withoutturning,putsherhandonElizabeth’s.
‘WouldyouliketotalkaboutStephen?’asksJoyce.
‘No,thankyou,’saysElizabeth.Joycegivesherhandasqueeze,andleavesitthere.Elizabethlooksdownatherfriendshipbracelet.Averyuglythingthatmeanstheworldtoher.Elizabeth’slifehasbeenoneofclassmatesandcousins,ofprofessors,ofcolleaguesandofhusbands.Shehasalwaysfoundfriendsharder.Whatdidfriendswantfromyou?Whatdidtheyexpectyoutodo?Hergreatbrainhadn’tworkeditout.
Lastnight,awakewithStephenataround4a.m.,hehadbeenshowingoffaboutsomemountainorotherhehadclimbedwhenhewasayoungman.Shehadtheninventedanevenbiggermountainshehadclimbed–‘withoutasingleSherpa,darling’–andhethenuppedtheanteandwasclimbingEverestwithoutSherpasoroxygen,andthenshewasclimbingEverestcarryingagrandpiano,andthetwoofthemwereinfitsofgiggles.Itwaslove,ofcourse,butitwasalsofriendship.Stephenwasthefirstpersonshehadevermetwhorefusedtotakeherseriously.
Joycedoesn’ttakeherseriously,Ibrahimdoesn’ttakeherseriously,Roncertainlydoesn’ttakeherseriously.Theyrespecther,shethinks,theyknowtheycanrelyonher,theytakecareofher–shudder–buttheyrefusetotakeherseriously.Whoknewthatwasthesecretallalong?
Nowshereallythinksaboutit,ChrisandDonnadon’ttakeherseriouslyeither.FirstStephen,thentheThursdayMurderClub,nowChrisandDonna?Whythissuddenwaveofpeoplewhorefusedtobetakeninbyhercasualbrillianceandbrusqueefficiency?
Sheknowstheanswer,ofcourse.AftermeetingStephenshetookherselflessseriously.Themomentshehaddonethat,adoorwasopened,whichtruefriendscouldwalkthrough.Andintheywalked.ShesqueezesJoyce’shandback.
‘Youknow,IwouldliketotalkaboutStephen.Ijustdon’tknowhowyet.’
Joyceturnsawayfromthewindowandsmilesatherfriend.
‘Well,thekettleisalwaysonatmine.’
TheminibuspullstoastopoutsideRyman’s,andeveryonestartsgatheringtheirbelongings.Carlitoswivelshimselfinhischair.
‘Iseeyoubackhereinthreehours.Noshoplifting,nograffiti.’
Elizabethstands,thenushersJoycetotheexitinfrontofher.Asshepasses,Joycesays,‘Beforewetalkaboutyourcurrenthusband,let’sfindoutifyourex-husbandisdead.’
‘Yes,let’s,’saysElizabeth.That’swhatfriendswerefor.
Thestationwasaten-minutewalkfromRyman’s,downtowardstheseafront.Astheshopspeterout,Fairhavengetsabitgrittier.Theypassbytheendofaroadfulloflock-upgarages,teenagersonbicyclesskiddingupanddown.Fairhaveninautumnisbeginningtohunkerdown,toprepareforwinter,nodaytrippers,notourists,everyonehavingtofinddifferentwaystomaketheirmoney.Elizabethknowsthatifyouopenedupallofthosegaragesyouwouldfindathingortwo.
ShouldElizabethhavetoldSueReardonabouttheletter?Well,yes,ofcoursesheshould,thatwasasillyquestion,butElizabethwantedtobetheonetoopenthelocker.Suewouldunderstandthat.Andifshedidn’tunderstand,thentheywouldcrossthatbridgeintime.ElizabethsuspectedtherewouldbefewcomplaintsifshehandedSueabagofdiamonds.
AstheyapproachthestationtheypassLePontNoir,whichusedtobetheBlackBridge.Ron’sson,Jason,hadtoldthemmanytalesoftheBlackBridge.Theyhaven’tseenJasonforawhile.HeisdatingGordonPlayfair’sdaughter,Karen,andisveryhappybyallaccounts.ThemorelovethebetterasfarasElizabethisconcernedthesedays.
TheyreachFairhavenstation.ItismuchasJoycehaddescribedit.Morningrushhourhaspassed,butitisstilllively.Everyonelivingtheirownstory.Studentswithbackpackstryingtofindplatforms,meninsuitsrunningforconnections,pre-schoolersinpushchairswailingforraisins.
And,standing,lookingupatthestationsigns,asillyoldspyandherfriend,lookingfortwentymillionpounds’worthofdiamondsstolenfromtheNewYorkmafia.
Elizabethseesthearrowpointingto‘Left-LuggageLockers’.
42
Ronsitsonthebackseatofthetaxi,nexttohisgrandson,Kendrick.Healwaysasksforthesamecabbie,Mark,becauseMarksupportsWestHamandhasa‘VoteLabour’stickerinhisbackwindow.
RonhasjustpickedKendrickupfromthestation.Suzi,hisdaughter,didn’tstop,becauseshewasgoingontoGatwick.Ronmanagedtoaskherhowshewas,butallshemanagedwas‘Don’tworryaboutme’beforethetrainstartedmovingagain,andheandKendrickwaveditintothedistance.
Kendrickiscurrentlyhugginghisbackpackandlookingoutofeachwindowinturn,excitedateverynewhouse,everynewroadsignandeverynewtree.
‘Grandad,ashop!’saysKendrick.
Ronlooks.‘You’rerightthere,Kenny.’
‘CallmeKendrick,Grandad,’saysKendrick.
‘I’vealwayscalledyouKenny,’saysRon.‘It’squicker.’
‘Uh,it’sthesame,Grandad.’
‘Nah,it’squicker,’saysRon.
‘It’snotreally,isit?’asksKendrick,strainingforwardagainsthisseatbelttogetthetaxidriver’sattention.
‘Notmybusiness,’saysMark,‘butyeah,it’sgotthesamenumberofsyllables,I’mafraid,Ron.’
Can’tevengetback-upfromaWestHamfan.Peopleweresosoftaroundkids.‘I’llcallyouKen,then.That’squicker.’
‘JustcallmeKendrick,maybe?DaddycallsmeKen.’
‘Kendrickitisthen,’saysRon.Ron’sson-in-lawwasnothisfavouritepersonintheworld.SafetosayDannydidn’thavea‘VoteLabour’stickeronthebackofhisBMW.
‘CanIaskyouaquestion,Grandad?’
‘Fireaway,’saysRon.
‘DoyouhaveasmartTV?’
‘Um,Idon’tthinkso,’saysRon.‘Idoubtit.Ionlyjustgotamicrowave.’
‘Youdo,Ron,’saysMarkoverhisshoulder.‘YourboyJasonbroughtitroundforyou.Afriendofhishadfoundahundredoftheminafield.Youweretryingtosellmeone.’
‘IdohaveasmartTVthen,’saysRontoKendrick.‘Isthatgood?’
‘It’sreallygood,Ithink,’confirmsKendrick.‘I’vegotmyiPad,andIknowI’mluckybecausenoteveryonehasone,butwithasmartTVwecanallplayMinecrafttogether.DoyouknowMinecraft,Grandad?Also,doesanyonehavecatswhereyoulive?’
‘There’safewcatswhopopin.’
‘Oh,I’mreallyhappyaboutthat.’
‘Oneofthemkilledasquirreltheotherdayandtriedtobringitthroughmypatiodoors.’
‘Oh,no!’
‘Yep.Iwasn’thavinganyofit,hewasoutonhisear.’
Kendrickthinksaboutthisforawhile.‘Butthat’sjustcats,they’renottryingtobemean.It’ssadforthesquirrel,though.IhopeIcanseesquirrels.SodoyouknowMinecraft?’
‘Afraidnot,son.’
‘That’sOK,becauseyoucanlearn.Yougettobuildnewworldsandcreateallsortsofthings,andsometimesyoucantalktopeople,butit’simportanttobecareful.Ibuiltacastleandithadamoatbutitdidn’thaveadrawbridge,sonoonecouldgetin,butalsonoonecouldgetout,soitwasgoodandbad.UncleIbrahimcanplaytoo.’
‘UncleIbrahim’snotfeelingtoocleveratthemoment,’saysRon.‘Goeasyonhim.’
‘Oh,that’sfine;hecanstillplaythough,’saysKendrick.‘Whatwouldyouliketobuild,Grandad?’
‘Whatisit,useyourimagination?Orarethereinstructions?’asksRon.
‘Imagination,’saysKendrick,throwinghishandsintotheair.
‘Well,Idon’tknowaboutimagination.Istherefighting?’
‘Youcanfight,butIdon’tliketo.’
‘I’dbuildaunicornfarm,Kendrick,’saysMark,fromthefrontseat.‘Butwithoutbuildingsthatcouldbringincommercialrevenue.Likeafarmshop?’
‘Yeah,that’ssogood,’saysKendrick.‘I’lldothat.Andmaybeslides?’
‘Slidesandicecream,perhaps?’saysMark,andKendricknodsvigorously.
‘Whydon’tyouandUncleIbrahimbuildit,andI’lljustwatch,’saysRon.
Kendricknodsagain.‘It’sreallyfuntowatchtoo.Andthenyoucansayifyouseeacat,andwecanstop.’
MarkflicksontheindicatorandturnsleftintothedriveforCoopersChase.
‘Hereweare,Kenny,homesweethome.’
KendricklooksupatRon,oneeyebrowraised,legsjiggling.Hetriestolookoutofallthewindowsatonce.
‘DoyourememberJoyce?’asksRon.
‘Uhhuh,’saysKendrick.‘She’snice.’
‘Shesaysshe’smadeyouacakeifyouwanttocomeandseeher?’
‘Justforme?’asksKendrick.
‘Soshesays.’
Kendricknodshisapproval.‘Youcanallhavesomethough,Ionlyneedonebit.Mark,youcanhavesometoo.’
‘Loveto,butI’vegotapick-upinTonbridge,’saysMark.
Kendrickthinks,thenlooksathisgrandad.‘Ihaven’tgotapresentforJoycethough,soI’lldoadrawing.Haveyougotpaper?’
‘They’vegotpaperattheshop,’saysRon.
‘We’llgototheshop,’saysKendrick.
‘Speedbump,’saysMark,andthecarbunny-hopsintheair.
KendrickreachesupandputshisarmsaroundRon’sneck.‘Grandad,we’regoingtohaveafuntime.’Hestartscountingthingsoffonhisfingers.‘Wecangoswimming,wecangoforawalk,wecanseeJoyce,wecansayhellotoeveryone.’Hepointsoutsidethewindow,‘Grandad,thellamas!’
Ronlooksatthellamas.IanVentham’sideawhenherantheplace.Nothiscupoftea,but,seenthroughachild’seyes,notwithoutcharm.Ifyouendeduplivingsomewherewithllamasthenperhapsnotallisbad.
Kendricksettlesbackintohisseatandshakeshisheadinwonder.‘Oh,Grandad.You’reluckytolivehere.’
Ronputsanarmaroundhisgrandsonandlooksoutofthewindow.You’renotwrongthere,kid,hethinks.
43
TheLeft-LuggageOfficeisattendedbyabored-lookingteenagegirlwearingheadphones.ElizabethholdsupherkeyassheandJoycewalkpast,andthegirlnodsthemthrough.
‘Idon’tthinkyoushouldbeallowedtowearheadphonesatwork,’saysElizabeth.‘Youmisseverything.’
Joycenods.‘Lovelyhairthough.’
Therearefiverowsoflockers,greymetalframesandchippedbluedoors,stackedthreelockershighfromfloortoceiling.ElizabethleadsJoycetothefifthrow,andtheybeginthewalkdownit.
‘Ihopeit’samiddleone,’saysJoyce.‘Nobendingorreaching.’
Elizabethstops.‘You’reinluck,Joyce;middlelocker,531.’
Theybothlookatthelocker:531iswritteninslopingwhitenumeralsagainstthebluedoor.Elizabethlooksatthekey.Smallandflimsy.Anyonecouldbreakin.Thegirlonreceptionwouldn’texactlystopyou.Whataplacetohidetwentymillionpounds
‘Well,heregoesnothing,’saysElizabethandslidesthekeyintothelock.Atfirstitmeetsresistance,soElizabethpullsitoutandtriesagain.Butthereisresistanceonceagain,andshefrowns.Shelowershereyetothekeyhole.
‘Lockmustbedamaged.Hairpin,Joyce.’
Joycesearchesthroughherbagandpullsoutahairpin.Elizabethinsertsitintothekeyholeverygently,pushing,thentwisting,thenpushingagain.Themetaldoorswingsopen,torevealthefateofDouglasMiddlemiss.
Torevealnothing.
Well,notnothingexactly.Threegreywalls,andadiscardedcrisppacket.Thediamondsaregone.
ElizabethlooksatJoyce.JoycelooksatElizabeth.Theyarebothquietforamoment.
‘It’sempty,’saysJoyce.
‘Uptoapoint,’saysElizabeth,andpullsoutthecrisppacket.
‘Isthisgoodnews,orbadnews?’saysJoyce.
Elizabethstayssilentforamoment,thennodsherselfbackintoaction.
‘Well,it’snews,certainly,’saysElizabeth.‘Timewilltellwhetherit’sgoodorbad.Joyce,putthecrisppacketinyourbag.’
Joyceobedientlyfoldsthecrisppacketandputsitintoherbag.Elizabethshutsthelockerdoorandinsertsthehairpinonceagain.Shetwistsituntilthedoorlockswithanunconvincingclick.
Joyceleadsthewayoutandtheynodtothegirlonreceptionastheyleave.
‘Excuseme,’saysthegirl.ElizabethandJoyceturnbackandthegirltakesherheadphonesoff.‘Acoupleofthings.Firstoff,there’snothingontheseheadphones,IonlywearthembecauseitstopsthemanagerofCostacomingoverandchattingmeup,ifhethinksI’mlisteningtosomething.’
‘Well,Iapologize,’saysElizabeth.‘What’sthesecondthing?’
ThegirllooksatJoyce.‘Ijustwantedtosaythankyouforbeingniceaboutmyhair.It’smyfirstpost-break-uphaircut,soyou’vemademyday.’
Joycesmiles.‘Plentymorefishinthebarrel,dear,youtakemywordforit.’
Thegirlsmilesbackandmakesaheadgesturetowardsthelockers.‘Ihopeyoufoundwhatyouwantedtoday.’
‘Yesandno,apparently,’saysJoyce,andthegirlslidesherheadphonesbackon.
AstheyleavethestationElizabethsendsatext,thenplungesintothewarrenofalleywaysbehindthestation.Joycehasnoideawheretheyarewalkingnow,buttheyarecertainlywalkingsomewhereasElizabethleadsherexpertlythroughthebackstreetsofFairhaven.
Theytakealeftandthenstartdownasmallfootpath.Aretheyheadedforthepolicestation?Whywouldtheybeheadedforthepolicestation?TogiveChrisandDonnaacrisppacket?JoycerarelyquestionsElizabeth,butoneofthesedaysshewillloseit,surely?Perhapstodayisthatday?
Theyarecrossingasmallparknow;therearechildrenonaclimbingframe,tryingtogettheattentionofparentslookingatmobilephones.Theyaredefinitelygoingtothepolicestation.Joyceistryingtorememberiftherearetoiletsthere.Surelytheremustbe?Butwhatifthey’rejustforprisoners?
SoonJoyceseesthepolicestationinthedistance,andsittingonthestonestepsoutsideisDonna.Thatmusthavebeenwhothetextwasfor.
DonnapushesherselfupasElizabethandJoyceapproach.DonnagivesJoyceahug.Elizabethwavesahugaway.‘Hello,dear,notimeforhugs.Didyoubringthelight?’
Donnaholdsupsomethingthatlookslikeasmallpen.
‘What’sthatfor?’asksJoyce.
‘Canyoutakethecrisppacketoutofyourbag?’asksElizabeth.
Joyceknewit.TherewasnowayElizabethwasmakingherputanoldcrisppacketinherbagwithoutagoodreason.JoycetakesoutthepacketandhandsittoElizabeth.Elizabethtearsdownthesideofthepacket,exposingthefoilinside.Shethenflattensthefoilononeofthesteps.Joycecocksherhead,soElizabethexplains.
‘Tradecraft,Joyce.IfDouglashadwantedthelockertobeemptyitwouldhavebeenempty,butitwasn’t.’
DonnashowsJoycethelight.‘Thisisaninfra-redlight.Iusedtouseitwhenwefoundstolenbikes.Sometimestheownerwouldhaveinvisiblymarkedthem.’
‘And,ofcourse,Donnadoesn’thavetotrackdownstolenbikesanymore,thankstous,’saysElizabeth.
‘ForwhichI’vethankedyoumanytimes,’saysDonna.
‘Nowsheinvestigatesmurders,’saysElizabeth.
‘Elizabeth,youthinkperhapsit’sasignofmygratitudethatI’mstandingonthestepsofthepolicestationabouttohelptwooldladiesshineaninfra-redlightatacrisppacket?’
‘Youknowweappreciateyou,dear.Nowlet’sgettoit.’
‘Oldladies,’gigglesJoyce.‘Ialwaysfindthatfunny.’
Donnakneelsandswitchesonthelight.Joycethinksaboutkneeling,butreally,kneelingovertheageofsixty-fiveisapipedream,soshesitsonthestepaboveinstead.Elizabethkneels.Istherenothingshecan’tdo?
TheredlightplaysacrossthefoilandJoyceseeslettersappear.Thereisclearlyasentencewrittenonit.
‘Whatnow,Douglas?’saysElizabethwithasigh.
Donnamovesthelighttothetoprightcornerofthefoilandstartstoreadwordsassherevealsthem.
‘“Elizabeth,darling…”’
Elizabethmutters,‘I’lldarlingyou.’
‘“Elizabeth,darling,webothknowthatthingsareneverinthefirstplaceyoulook.Thiswasjustanextralayerofsecurity,incasesomebodyelsefoundtheletter.Butyouknowwherethediamondsare,don’tyou?Ifyoureallythinkaboutit?”’DonnastopsreadingandlooksupatElizabeth.
‘That’sit?’asksElizabeth.
‘Well,thenitsays“fromyourever-lovingDouglas”andthreekisses,’saysDonna.‘ButIdidn’twanttohearthetutifIreadthatout.’
ElizabethgetsbacktoherfeetandreachesoutahandtohelpJoyceuptoo.
‘Sowestilldon’tknowifhe’saliveordead?’saysJoyce.
‘Afraidnot,’saysElizabeth.
‘Buthesaysyouknowwherethediamondsare?’saysDonna.
‘Well,ifhesaysIknow,thenIknow,’saysElizabeth.‘Ihavesomethinkingtodo.’
Talkingofthinking,somethinghasbeenbotheringJoyce,butshehasn’tmentionedit.Shehadneverbeenaspy,sowhatdidsheknow?Itwasprobablysilly.Butthesunwasout,andshewaswithtwoofherfavouritepeople,sowherewastheharm?
‘Didn’tyouthinkitwasstrangethatthelockwasdamaged?’shesays.
‘Strangehow?’saysElizabeth.
‘Well,hegaveyouthekey,sopresumablyitwasworkingwhenhelockeditup?Andnoonewouldhavebeentheresince.Sohowdidthelockgetdamaged?’
‘That’sagoodquestion,’saysDonna,andJoycebeams.
‘It’saverygoodquestion,’saysElizabeth.
Evenbetter!WhatalovelydayJoyceishaving.
‘Donna,therewasCCTVinthelockerroom,’saysElizabeth.‘Youdon’tthinkyoucouldpossiblygetholdofit?Justforthelastweek?’
‘Icouldgetholdofit,butI’mnotgoingtositthroughaweekofCCTVfootagejustbecauseJoycehasahunch.Nooffence,Joyce.’
‘Oh,Inevertakeoffence,’saysJoyce.‘Suchaneffort.’
‘Ifyoucangetit,Donna,Ibrahimhasplentyoftimeonhishandsatthemoment.Andhelovestobeuseful.’
‘OK,I’llseewhatIcando,’saysDonna.‘Butifthere’sanywaywecangetinvolvedinthiscase,thenyoupromiseyou’llletus?’
‘Ithinkthatsoundsfair,’saysElizabeth.‘AnymorenewsofRyanBaird?’
‘Courtcasenextweek,I’llletyouknow.’
‘Areyouworkingonanythingfun?’
‘Stakingoutalocaldrugdealer.ConnieJohnson.Nastypieceofwork.’
‘Theyoftenare,’saysElizabeth.‘AndIbelieveweareseeingyoulater?’
‘Lookingforwardtoitverymuch,’saysDonna.
‘AnyintelligenceyoucangiveusonPatrice,beforewemeether?’asksElizabeth.
‘She’sOK,’saysDonna.‘Bitmumsyforme.’
Joycelooksatherwatch.Theystillhaveanhourbeforetheyhavetomeettheminibus.Timeforanalmond-flourbrownieandacupofminttea.Todaywasoneofthosedayswheneverythingwasjustfallingintoplace.Perhapssheshouldbuyascratchcard.
44
‘Theywerebothshotintheface,soitwasaterriblemess,’saysJoyce.‘MoreBattenberg,Patrice?’
‘Nowherelefttoputit,’saysPatrice,holdingupherpalm.‘I’mhalfBattenbergalready.’
‘Murdersuicide?’asksChris.‘Ordoublemurder?’
‘Doublemurder,’saysRon.‘Nogunleftlyingaround,eh?Somegeezer’swalkedin–’
‘Orwoman,’saysDonna,andgetsanapprovingnodfromhermum
‘Somegeezer,orsomebird,granted,hasjustwalkedin,andopenedup,kablammo.Headsblownoff.Youwouldn’twishitonanyone.’
‘Morewomenaremurderingpeoplethesedays,’saysJoyce.‘Ifyouignorethecontext,itisarealsignofprogress.’
Donnatucksherfeetupbeneathher.Howwasthisallgoingthen?Upside:thelookonElizabeth’sfacewhensherealizedthatPatriceandDonnaweremotheranddaughter.Thatshehadmanagedtokeepitsecret.Elizabethhatedotherpeoplehavingsecrets.Downside:havingtowatchhermumandChrisputtingonashowfortheThursdayMurderClub.Sittingkneestogetheronthesofa.Touching,kissing,cooing.Donnawantsthembothtobehappy,butshedoesn’tneedtowatchthembeinghappy.Shedoesn’tevenparticularlywanttohearaboutthembeinghappy.Solongastheyarehappy,that’sallsheneeds.Andtheydolookhappy,don’tthey?Whatifthisrelationshipwasactuallygoingtowork?WhatifDonnahadperformedamiracle?
‘Andthey’dtriedbefore?They’dtriedhere?’asksChris.
‘SomeonetriedtokillDouglas,yes,’saysElizabeth.‘MadearottenjobofitandPoppytookhisheadoff.Maysherestinpeace.’
‘IwashopingyouandDonnamightcomeandinvestigate,’saysJoyce.‘ButtheysentSueandLancefromMI5instead.’
‘NotthatwewouldeverrevealthenamesofMI5officers,Joyce,’saysElizabeth.
‘Oh,I’monlytellingChris,’saysJoyce.‘Don’tbeafusspot.’
‘I’lljustchecktheOfficialSecretsAct,Joyce,andseeifthat’sinthere.’
‘Anyway,they’renotapatchonyoutwo,’saysJoyce.‘Sueisabitofacoldfish.LikeElizabeth,butwithoutthewarmth.Butyoucanseesherespectsher.’
‘Senior,wereyou,Lizzie?’asksRon.
‘AndthentherewasLance.Baldingbutquitehandsome,andtherewasnoweddingring.Anyway,Icouldgethisnumberforyou,Donna?’
‘Adatewithabaldingspy?Well,thatsoundsatreat,’saysDonna.ShehadbeenonadateonMonday.Hisprofilehadsaidhewasadivinginstructor,whichhadsoundedsuitablyalphatoDonna.Ofcourse,shehadmisreadtheprofile,andsohadendeduphavingverydisappointingsexwithadrivinginstructor.ShehadalsomadethemistakeoftellinghermumandChrisaboutit,andtheyhadafieldday.Mumhadmadeanumberofjokesabouthisgearstick,andChrishadsaid,‘Didhelookinhismirrorbeforepullingout?’Donnadownsherglassofwine.
‘Wouldyouliketoseephotographsofthecrimescene?’asksElizabeth.
‘Yes,please,’saysChris.
‘I’llneedsomethinginreturn,’saysElizabeth.
‘Herewego,’saysChris.
‘Wejustwanttoknowthefollowing.One,howlonghaveyoutwobeendating?’
‘Noneofyourbusiness,’saysChris.
‘Thesephotosarefromeverypossibleangle.Entrywounds,exitwounds,itemsdisturbedintheroom.’
‘Sixweeks,’saysPatrice.
‘Thankyou,’saysElizabeth.‘Two,wheredoyouthinkthisisgoingtogo?IthinkIspeakforallofuswhenIsaythatyouseemanadorablecouple.’
DonnamimesbeingsickasJoyceandRonnod.
Patricesmiles.‘Well,let’stakeitonedayatatime,shallwe?Ienjoyedyesterday,I’mhavingfuntoday,andI’mlookingforwardtotomorrow.’
ShehadgiventhesameanswertoIbrahim,whenshe,DonnaandChrishadvisitedhiminhissickbedbeforecomingover.HewasintentlyplayingMinecraftwithRon’sgrandson,buthadlookeduplongenoughtosay,‘Theoretically,Iknowathingortwoaboutlove.Andthatsoundslikeaveryhealthyanswer.’
‘Anygossipfromyoufourinreturn?’asksDonna,keentochangethesubject.‘Apartfromthreepeoplebeingshot?’
‘Well,JoycehadGordonPlayfairaroundforlunchonedaylastweek,’saysElizabeth.
‘HewasrebootingmyWi-Fi,’saysJoyce.
‘I’llbethewas,’saysRon,anotherglassofwinedownnow.
‘Photos?’remindsChris.
Elizabethholdsupherfinger,thenfishesintoherbag.‘Ilostmyphone,briefly,butBogdanfounditforme.’ShescrollsthroughherphotosandpassesittoChris.‘Here,youtwolovebirdscantakealook.’
Chrisholdsthephoneinfrontofhim,andanglesitslightlytowardsPatrice.Heflicksthroughacoupleofphotos,pinchingthescreenoccasionallytoenlargedetails.
‘Professionaljob,’saysPatrice.
‘Iwasabouttosaythat!’saysChris.
‘Greatmindsthinkalike,’saysPatriceandkissesChrisonthelips.Donnarollshereyesandmutters‘getaroom’loudenoughforonlyJoycetohear.Joycegiggles.Donnagivesheradiscreethigh-five.
‘Whatamess,though,’saysChris.
‘Letmelook,’saysDonna,andholdsoutherhand.
‘Shewasalwaysimpatient,’saysPatrice.‘Wouldn’trideabikewithstabilizers,wouldn’tweararmbandsinthepool.WewereinandoutofA&E.’
Donnatakesthephonefromhermumandbeginstoscrollthroughthephotos.Asshestaresatthetwobodies,theyoungwomanandtheoldman,shezonesoutoftheconversationaroundher.JoyceisaskingaboutDonnaasachild,Ronisaskingformorewine,hermumisaskingaboutGordonPlayfair.Wasallasitseemedinthesephotos?Somethingwasn’tright.Onherdatewiththedrivinginstructor,hehadshownheratattooinChinesescriptonhisupperarm,andshehadaskedhimwhatitmeant.Hehadhadnoidea,hehadjustlikedthelookofit.Totryandmakeconversationbeforetheyhadsexagainandshecouldfinallyaskhimtoleave,Donnahadtakenaphotoofitandputitthroughatranslationapp.Itturnedoutthatthetattooread‘SampleText–YourMessageGoesHere’.
Sometimesthingswerejustforshow,theyonlylookedright.Untilyouchangedthewayyoulookedatthem.Donnaputsdownthephone.
‘Iknowyou’llhavethoughtaboutthis,butareyouabsolutelysurethisisDouglas?’
‘Yes,’saysElizabeth.‘Ihavethoughtofthat.Now,wherearewewiththatCCTV?’
‘WhatCCTV?’asksChris.
Thereisabuzz.SomebodyisatJoyce’sdoor.
45
‘Hecalleditham-fisted,’saysStephen.‘Ham-fisted!’
‘Iknow,dear,’saysElizabeth.Itis2.30a.m.
Manyyearsago,amannamedJulianLamberthadwrittenareviewofoneofStephen’sbooks,Iran–ArtAftertheRevolution.Ithadnotbeenagoodreview.Mean-spirited.Theywererivals
‘I’llknockhisblockoff.Howdarehe?’Stephenslapsbothpalmsagainstthehallwaywall,withsomeforce.Stephenisabigmanstill.Elizabethhasneverhadtofearhisphysicality.Mightshehavetooneday?Everydayheslipsfurtheraway.
‘Don’tgivehimthesatisfaction,darling,’saysElizabeth.JulianLambertdiedin2003,ahosepipefittedtohiscarexhaust,inthegarageofahousehewasrentingafteranexpensiveandself-inflicteddivorce.
‘I’llgivehimmorethansatisfaction,’saysStephen.‘Let’sseehowcleverhelooksonhisarse,shallwe?Wherearemykeys?’
Keystowhat,wondersElizabeth.Carkeys,longgone.Keystotheflat,hiddenmanymonthsago.Stephennolongerhasanykeys.Howtocalmhimdownthough?
‘I’vejusthadaratherwonderfulidea,’saysElizabeth.‘Iwonderifyou’dliketohearitbeforeyouheadoff?’
‘Don’ttalkmeoutofthis,Elizabeth.Lamberthashadthiscomingalongtime.’Stephenischeckingthroughdrawers.‘Damnandblast,wherearemykeys?’
Stephenhasneverbeenavengefulmanoranangryman.Neverbeenruledbyhispride.Neverhadthosetraitsyouseeinweakmen.Neverfelttheneedtoprovehimselfattheexpenseofothers.
‘Iwouldn’ttalkyououtofanything,’saysElizabeth.‘Iagreewithyouentirely.Anyonewhoinsultsyourbookinsultsyou.Andanyonewhoinsultsyou,insultsme.’
‘Thankyou,darling,’saysStephen.
‘It’sjustIwasthinkingyoumighttakeBogdanwithyou?Hecoulddriveyouup.’
Stephenconsidersthisforamoment,thennods.‘He’dscarethelivingdaylightsoutofLambert,wouldn’the?’
Elizabethtakesoutherphone.‘I’llringhim,dear.’
Itisnearly2.30inthemorning,butBogdananswersonthefirstring.
‘Hello,Elizabeth.’
‘Hello,Bogdan,Stephenwantedtoaskyouafavour.’
‘OK,handmeover,’saysBogdan.ElizabethwouldlovetoknowwhyBogdaniswideawakeat2.30inthemorning.Heisinfuriatinglyopaque.Shehadn’tevenheardanybackgroundnoises,despiteherwell-trainedear.
‘Bogdan?Isthisyou?’saysStephen.
‘Yes,Stephen.WhatcanIdo?’saysBogdan.
‘There’safella.He’sinKensington,orCamden,andweneedtoduffhimup.’
‘OK,now?’
‘Soonasyoucangethere.’
‘OK,Ibemaybeanhour.Getsomerestbefore,OK?PutmebacktoElizabeth.’
StephenhandsthephonebacktoElizabeth.
‘Thankyou,Bogdan,’saysElizabeth.‘Youareagoodfriend.’
‘Youare,too,’saysBogdan.‘Ihopeyougethimbacktosleep.’
‘Thankyou,darling.Whatareyouupto?’
‘Bitsandbobs,’saysBogdan.
‘What’sthatIcanhearinthebackground?’sheasks.
‘Idon’tthinkyoucanhearanything,’saysBogdan.
Elizabethrollshereyes.‘Night,night,Bogdan.’
ElizabethleadsStephenbacktobed,andheisalreadymuchcalmer.Bogdandoesthattopeople.Shecan’tpersuadeStephentoundress,butshepersuadeshimtogetunderthecoversbesideher
‘Youfoundoutwhoshotyourfriendsyet?’heasks.
Elizabethseizesonthechangeofsubject.‘Notyet,butIwill.’Sheknowsshealreadyhastheclue.Butwhatisit?Whereisit?
‘Ofcourseyouwill,’saysStephen.‘Youalwaysgetyourman.’
Elizabethsmiles,andkissesherhusbandonthecheek.‘Icertainlygotyou,didn’tI?’
‘No,no,Igotyou,darling,’saysStephen.‘HaditplannedfromthemomentIsawyou.’
TheyhadmetwhenStephenhadhandedheradroppedglove,outsideabookshop,inanactoftacticalchivalry.Elizabethhasnevertoldhimthat,actually,shehadspottedhimfromadistanceearlierthatday,sittingonabench,lookinglikequitethemostbeautifulmanshehadeverseen.Asshewalkedpastthebenchshehaddroppedthegloveonpurpose.Hehadpickeditup,assheknewhewould.Thedroppedglove,aromanticclichénomancouldresist.So,yes,Elizabethalwaysgotherman,evenwhentheydidn’tknowit.Youshouldalwayshaveaplan.
‘Heleftmeanote,’saysElizabeth.‘Tellingmewheretofindthediamonds.JoyceandIfollowedthetrail,anditjustledtoanothernote,tellingmeIknewwherethediamondswereifonlyIweretothinkaboutit.’
‘Tellingyoutopullyourfingerout?’
‘That’sthelongandshortofit.’
‘Howdidyoufindthefirstnote?’
‘Wewerebyatree,upinthewoods,andhetalkedaboutdead-letterdrops.’
‘Bitobviousforyou,’saysStephen.
Elizabethlaughs.‘Inretrospect.’
‘Hesayanythingelse?Anythinginthenote?’
‘ShallIgetit?’saysElizabeth.‘Wecanlookthroughittogether?’
‘Yes,let’s,whatfun.ShallIputthekettleon?’
‘No,youstaywhereyouare,darling.Perhapsslipyourshoesandjacketoffthough,makeyourselfcomfortable.’
‘Rightyouare,’saysStephen.
Elizabethswingsherlegsoutofbedandwalksovertoherdesk.Stephen’sshoesflyacrosstheroomassheretrievesthephotocopyoftheletterandgetsbackintobed.Shesmilesatherhusband,stillwearinghistie.
Theyreadthroughthelettertogether,Stephenmakingtheoccasionalcommentof‘Northumbria’,‘rememberthatweekendinRye’,‘mafia,ofallthings’and‘mylovealways?Well,youlostoutthere,Chief.’
Perhapstheclueishiddeninplainsight,Elizabeththinks.TherewasaverysimpletechniquesheandDouglaswoulduseforfun.Spellingoutamessagewiththefirstletterofsuccessivesentences.Theywouldwritehugesweepingloveletterstoeachother,wheretheinitialletterswouldspellout‘DON’TFORGETWENEEDEGGSANDTOILETROLL’.
WouldDouglastrysosimpleatrickhere?Foroldtimes’sake?Surelynot?
‘I’dsaytheyareatthecottageinRye,darling,’saysStephen.‘Wouldn’tyou?Funnytomentionitotherwise?’
TheyarenotatthecottageinRye.ItwasthefirstthingElizabethchecked.Itwasbulldozedin1995tomakewayforabypass.Elizabethpicksuptheletteragain,andlookstoseeifDouglashasleftheramessageinthefirstletterofeachsentence.Shescanstheopeningparagraphs.
Neverdoubtedyouforamoment,youcleverthing.Iknewyou’dfindtheletter.Cardsonthetable,Ishouldprobablyapologizeforstealingthediamonds,andstartingthiswholeparade.Everyonehastheirprice,anditturnsoutthatmineistwentymillionpounds.Twentymillion,darling,justsittingthere,andmeadinosaurnearingretirement?Resistancewasfutile.Youunderstand,don’tyou?DinosaurthatIam,Istillhaveafewtricksleftinme.ElderlyasIam,Istillhaveafewyearsleftinmetoo.AfewyearsIintendnottowaste.Retirementisnotforme.
Elizabethsmiles.Youwinthatone,Douglas.Sometimes,ifshethoughtreallyhard,shecouldrememberwhyshe’dmarriedhim.
‘Darling,’saysStephen.‘DoyourememberJulianLambert,hejustpoppedintomyhead.’
‘Neverheardofhim,’saysElizabeth.
‘Imightputinalunchwithhim.He’sjusthadthemostawfuldivorce.Benicetocheckhe’sallright.’
Oh,staywithme,Stephen,thinksElizabeth.Staywithme,staywithme,staywithme.
46
Joyce
IamtypingquietlybecauseIhavesomeoneinthespareroom.
Thespareroomisalwaysmadeup,incaseJoannacomestostayunexpectedly.Whichhappenssometimes,ifnotoften.Sincehercompanytookoverthedevelopmentontopofthehillshehaspoppeddownafewtimes.Shetookmeuptothesitelasttime,andIhadtowearahardhat.IputitonandknockedonElizabeth’sdoorsoshecouldhaveagoodlaughatme,butshewasn’tin,soIknockedonRon’sdoorandfortunatelyhewasthere.JoannatookapictureofmewithRon.I’mwearingmyhardhat,andhe’spointingatit.It’sonFacebooksomewhereifyou’dliketoseeit.IshouldputitonInstagram!
ThepillowinthespareroomisonethatJoannaboughtmeforChristmas,becauseshesaidmypillowsweretoothin.Sheactuallysaidthatonepillowwastoothin,buttwopillowsweretoothick,asifthathadbeenmyplanallalong.AsifIhadgonetoBritishHomeStoresandsortedthroughpillowsuntilIfoundtheperfectonestoannoymydaughter.ThereisalsoaWhiteCompanycandleintherethatsheboughtmeforMother’sDay.IfIfillthespareroomfullofthingssheboughtmethenshecan’tcomplain.That’sthetheoryatleast,butshe’llalwaysfindsomething.
Lasttimeshewasdownshetoldmeoffforhavingtheslatsofmyvenetianblindsangledupwardsinsteadofdownwards.Thatwasthestrawthatbrokethecamel’shumpforme.Isaidtoher,I’dwantedtosayitforages,thatIfeltIcouldnevergetanythingquiteright,andshesaidwellshefeltthesame,andIsaidthat’snonsense,andaskedherwhatshemeant,andshesaid,wellMum,I’malwaystoofatortoothin,orwiththewrongman,orjustsplitupwiththerightman,orIshouldwearmyhairupordownorIworktoohardorIhavetoomanyholidays,orIshouldn’thavepaintedmykitchenthatcolour.Thatactuallystruckanerve,Icanbeabitlikethat,butIdecidedtodigin,soIstoodmygroundandsaidJoanna,that’sbecauseIcare,that’sbecauseIloveyou,andshesaidsoyoushowmeyoulovemebytellingmeI’mtoofat?AndIsaidwellIknowyou’rehappierwhenyou’renotoverweight,andsoIjustgentlytellyou,andshesaid,perhapsshewaswellawareofwhenshewasoverweight,andperhapshermumpointingouttheobviousmadeherunhappy?Whichwasalsotrue,soIsaidwellIdon’tseeyouoftenenough,soIhavetosayeverythingallatonce,andshesaidwellisthatwhatthisisallabout?ThatIdon’tseeyouoftenenough?Andbythatstagewewerebothinanargumentwehadnowayoutof,andsoItoldherthatIlovedherunconditionally,andshesaidwellofcourseIlovedherunconditionally,Iwasculturallyhard-wiredtoloveherunconditionally,butthatsometimesshewishedthatIactuallylikedher.AndIsaiddarlingIdolikeyou,youdon’tlikeme,mylifeistoosmallforyou,Iremindyouofthethingsyou’vehadtochangetobeasuccess,andshesaid,ohsoI’mafraud,isthatit?AndIsaidnotatall,Iwasveryproudofher,andshelookedatmeandsaidshewasveryproudofmetoo,andIaskedwhatfor,andshesaidIwaskindandwiseandbrave,andIsaidshewascleverandbeautifulandhadachievedthingsIwouldneverbecapableof,andwebothstartedcrying,andthenwehuggedandItoldherIlovedherandshetoldmeshelovedme.Wewipedoureyesanddustedourselvesdown,andthenshepulledthecordonthevenetianblindssotheslatsangleddownwardsandwentandmademeacupoftea.
IamgladIhadadaughterinsteadofason,though.AtleastIseeher.
SowemetChris’sgirlfriendthisevening.SheisDonna’smum,ifyoucanbelievethat?Anyway,she’slovely,asyoumightexpect,andateacher,soshe’sonhalf-term.Ihavehighhopes,butthenI’maromantic,andIalwayshavehighhopes.It’smuchmorefunthatway.
WewereallchattingaboutDouglasandPoppy’sdeaths.DonnaagreeswithElizabeth.AreweabsolutelysurethebodywasreallyDouglas?Imean,Iwasthere,andIsawhim,andIwouldswearitwas,butitisaninterestingquestion.Unfortunately,itwasaquestionthatwillhavetowaitforanotherday,asatthatmomentmydoorbuzzerwent,anditwasPoppy’smum,Siobhan.
ShehadbeeninGodalming–‘snap’,Itoldher–andhadidentifiedPoppy’sbody.Whichdoesn’treallybearthinkingabout.Shehasbeentherefortwodays,talkingtofuneraldirectorsandHRpeopleandlawyers,allquitecomplicated,andtheyweregoingtodriveherhome,butsheaskedtocomehereinstead.IthinkthatbecausePoppyhadgivenmehernumbersheknowsthatPoppytrustedus.AndperhapsshewantedtotalktosomeonewhoPoppytrusted.ShehadspentalotoftimewithSueReardonandLanceJames,andperhapsshehadquestionsthattheycouldn’tanswer.Orperhapsshedidn’tbelievetheiranswers.
Youcouldtellshewasshattered,soweagreedtoreconveneinthemorning.ShegotahugandkindwordsfromeveryonewhileImadeupahotwaterbottle.
Icanhearhertossingandturning;Idon’texpectshewillsleepwell.Iforgottoaskherwhatshelikesforbreakfast,soIwillheaduptotheshopfirstthingandgeteverything,justincase.
Speakingofhalf-term,Ron’sgrandsoniswithusforafewdays.Ron’sdaughter,Suzi,worksintravelandisgoingtoaconferenceintheCaribbean.IfyoucanhaveaconferenceintheCaribbean?
Herhusband,Danny–hetakesoffenceifyousayDaniel–isgoingwithher,takingabreakfromhisbusyjobofnoonequiteknowswhat.Hewearssuits,butnotties,ifthat’saclue?RonjumpedatthechanceofsometimewithKendrick.Whenwelastsawhim,hewasdelightful,soonehopeshestillwillbe.It’sroundabouttwelvethatthecharmwearsoffwithboys,thoughmostofthemgetitbacksoonerorlater.
47
‘UncleIbrahim,what’sbetter,amonkeyorapenguin?’
‘Apenguin,’saysIbrahim,andpatstheseatnexttothebed.Kendricksitsdown.
‘Oh,OK,Grandaddidn’tknow.Whyisapenguinbetterthanamonkey?’
Ibrahimputshispaperdown.‘Kendrick,doyouknowwhyIlikeyou?’
Kendrickshakeshishead.‘Idon’tevenknowatall.’
‘Youaskverygoodquestions.Notmanypeopledo.’
‘Whydon’tthey?’asksKendrick.
‘Well,thereyougoagain,’saysIbrahim.‘Now,penguinsarebetterthanmonkeys,because“penguin”isaveryspecificterm,and“monkey”isveryunspecific.Ifwesay“monkey”thendifferentpeopleseedifferentthings,maybeamandrill,maybealittlemarmoset,whereasifyousay“penguin”thenweallpicturethesamething.Wordsareveryimportant,mostpeopledon’tknowthat,andthemorespecificawordis,thebetteritis.’
‘Butisanactualpenguinbetterthananactualmonkey?’
Ibrahimthinks.‘Noanimalisbetterthananyotheranimal.Wearealljustacollectionofatomssmashedtogether.Evenpeople.Eventrees.’
‘Eventigers?’
‘Eventigers.’
Kendrickblowsouthischeeks.
‘Evenhippos?’
Ibrahimnods.Hegoesbacktohiscrossword.
‘Whatareyoudoing?’asksKendrick,hopping.‘Isitapuzzle?’
‘Acrosswordpuzzle,’saysIbrahim.
‘Isitboringorinteresting?’
‘Abitofboth,’saysIbrahim.‘That’swhyIlikeit.’
Ronstandsandstretches.‘I’mjustgoingtonipdowntotheshop.Ibrahim,wouldyoulikeanicecream?’
‘No,thankyou,Ron,’saysIbrahim.
‘Noonewantsanicecream,righty-ho,’saysRonandturnstogo.
Kendrickclampshislipstogetherandletsoutasmallnoise.Ronturnsback.
‘Youallrightthere,Kendrick?’
Kendrickkeepshislipstogether,andmurmursanuncertain‘mmmhmm’.
‘Nothingyouwant?Someeggs?Washing-upbrush?Toiletcleaner?Sardines?’
Kendrickshakeshishead.
‘Yousure?I’mgoingtotheshopanyway.Bottleofwhisky?Acabbage?Icangetyouacabbage,ifyouwant?’
Kendricklooksdown.‘No,thankyou,Grandad.’
Ronsmilesandpickshisgrandsonup.‘Maybeanicecreamthough?’
Kendricklooksathim.‘Really?’
‘You’reonholiday,Kenny.Itain’taholidaywithoutanicecream.’
‘Wereyoujustteasing?’
‘Iwasjustteasing.’
‘CouldIgetaTwister?IhadonewhenIstayedatGrandadKeith’s.’
GrandadKeith.Thatoldfraud.Youdon’tbuyahousethatbigfromsellingusedcars.AndaMillwallfantoo.Also,whenhadKendrickstayedatGrandadKeith’s?Suzihadkeptthatquiet.Somethingwasn’trightwithSuziandDanny.
‘I’lltellyouwhat,youcanhavetwo,’saysRon,andputsKendrickdownashewriggleswithdelight.
‘IhaveneverhadtwoTwistersbefore.’
OutofthewindowRonseesJoycewalkingwithSiobhan.PoorPoppy’smum,sheturneduplastnight.RonknowsheshouldbefeelingnothingbutsympathyforSiobhan,butreallyhe’sthinkingwhatagood-lookingwomansheis.Giveitaweekthough,hethinks.Hereallywouldn’tmindchancinghisarm.Afterthefuneral,maybe?
HeleavesKendrickwithIbrahim,bothhappy.AsheslipsonhiscoathecanstillhearIbrahim.
‘What’sanotherwordfor“parallelogram”?Sevenletters?’
‘Idon’tthinkthereisanotherword,’saysKendrick.
‘Maybeyou’reright,’saysIbrahim.
Ronopensthefrontdoorandsmiles.Howdidheendupwithagrandsonandabestmatelikethesetwo?Luckyfella.
48
Patriceleftthismorning.Therewasacabtothestation,thereweretears.Eventheoddoneortwofromher.Theflatfeelsveryempty,andChrisfeelsemptytoo.
ElizabethandtheganghadlikedPatrice.Ontheirwayout,Joycehadwhispered,‘Oh,Chris,she’sadream,’andRonhadgivenhimathumbs-upandsaid,‘Giveheronefromme,son.’
Chrisishungry.
Earlierthisweekhehadbeenchoppinguppeppers,justlikehehadseenpeopledoingonMasterChef.Hehadaredpepper,agreenpepperandayellowpepper.Hehasalwaysknownthatyoucanbuytheminpacketsofthreefromthesupermarket.Hehaswalkedpastthemthousandsoftimesinhislife.Mockinghimwiththeirhealthiness,ashemadehiswaytothepiesandpastaaisle.
He’sbackinworktomorrow.TryingtocatchConnieJohnson.There’sateamdownfromLondonto‘helpout’.
Chrishasalwaysfantasizedaboutbeingthesortofmanwhomightbuythered,yellowandgreenpeppers.Thesortofmanwhowouldbuybroccoliorgingerorbeetrootoutofchoice.ToChris,thefruitandvegaisleatthesupermarketwaswhereheboughtbananasandoccasionallyabagofspinachtoputatthetopofhisbasketincasehebumpedintoanyoneheknew.Peoplealwayslookintoyourbasket,don’tthey?Chriswantedtopretendheshoppedandatelikeagrownman.SliptheKitKatsunderthespinachandnoone’sanythewiser.
ChristhinksbacktothedayacashierinTesco’swasscanninghisshopping.Assheswipedthroughthechocolate,thecrisps,theDietCoke,thesausagerolls,shehadlookedupwithakindsmileandsaid,‘Whatisit,dear,achild’sbirthdayparty?’Chrishasusedself-servicecheckoutseversince.
HeandPatricehadgonefoodshopping.Patriceaskedhimifheevercookedstirfries,andChrishadliedandsaidthathedid,andPatricesaidshehadn’tseenawokanywhere,soChrishadadmittedthat,no,hedidn’tactuallycookstirfries,butthathehadalwayswantedto.
Theywenttothemarket,notthesupermarket,buttheactualmarket,andtheyboughtabitofthisandabitofthat.AsPatriceaskedamaninanapronwherehisraspberrieswerefrom,Chrisfeltlikeaproperhumanbeing.Itwasliketheywereacouplefromanadvert.Chriskepthopingpeoplewouldseehim.‘What,this?Oh,it’sjustmeandmygirlfriendbuyingbeansprouts.’
ThisplacewasemptywithoutPatrice.Withoutherfallingasleeponthefloorinthelivingroomwhiledoinganonlineyogaclassonherlaptop.Itwasallverygoodintheorytohaveagirlfriendwhodidonlineyogaclasses,butevenbettertohaveagirlfriendwhowashappytohaveanapintheafternoon.
Chrishadn’twantedthisweektoend.OnMondayPatricewillbebacktoschoolinsouthLondon.They’llbebacktoSkypecalls,andwatchingthesameTVshowsindifferentrooms.
Hisheartsinks,though,atthethoughtofthelock-up,andthethoughtofsurveillancefood.WouldhegobacktohisoldwaysthemomentPatricewasgone?Hethinksbacktolastnight.
Chrishadcircledcoconutoilintoawok.Theyhadhadtobuycoconutoil.Andthey’dhadtobuythewok.And,oncehehadcompletelycomecleantoPatrice,theyhadhadtobuythechoppingboard,thesharpknivesandtheseasaltandblackpeppertoo.Whataheadyridethatshoppingtriphadbeen.
Afifty-one-year-oldman,tossingpeppersandbeansproutsandspringonionsandtofu(whichwasawholeotherstory)intoawokandhearingthesizzlesofamiliarfromtelevision.Hehadstartedtocry.Wherehadthatcomefrom?Fromtheyearsoflate-nighttakeawaysbyhimself?Thesnacks,thenumbingreleaseofemptyfatandcarbs,thelongnights,thelongyears,onhissofawithnoonetoputhisarmsaround?Andnowthis,thecolours,thesmells,thesheer,everydaynormalityofit.
Chrishadn’tlookedafteranyoneinalongtime,andthatincludedhimself.Heletthetearsrundownthroughthesteamandintothepan.
Asthefirsttearsizzled,armshadencircledhiswaist.Patricehadwokenup.Hehadturnedandshetiltedherheaduptokisshim.
‘Youhavetostandbackfromthewokifyoudon’twantyoureyestowater.’
‘Goodtip,’saidChris.‘Howwasyoga?Yougetitalldone?’
‘Mmm,’saysPatrice.‘Intensethough.’
Shehadpushedherselfupandsatontheworktop.Chriswasawarethathehadseenwomenblithelysittingonworktopsinfilms,buthedidn’tthinkitwaseversomethingthatwouldhappeninhisownkitchen.Thislovely,sleepywoman,perchedonhisworktop,happytobethere.
‘So,haveyoufalleninlovewithmeyet?’Patricehadsaidwithalaugh.
‘Ofcourse,’saidChris,smiling,andgaveherakiss.
‘Ishouldhopeso,too,’saidPatrice,andhoppeddownfromtheworktop.‘I’llgetbowls.’
Chrishadturnedbacktothewok.HeangledhisheadawayfromPatrice,nowbusilyrootingthroughacupboard.Thetearscameagainthen,heavierthistime.Whatwaswrongwithhim?Itwasjustastirfry,Chris.Itwasjustastirfry,andawomansittingonaworktop.
Itwasthenherealized.Realized?Understood?Itdoesn’tmatterwhich,itonlymatteredthat,intheinstantheknewthat,yes,hehadfalleninlovewithher.
Oh,God,yes,andoh,God,no.
Atsomepoint,wouldhereallyhavetotellPatrice?Perhapsshecouldjustworkitout.
Chrishadwipedatearfromthecornerofhiseye.Thepainfromastraychilliflakeonhisfingerwasimmediate,andallthoughtsofloveandhappinessandshameandvulnerabilityandfearandexcitementhadtotakesecondplaceforthemoment.
Atleasthedidn’thavetoexplainwhyhewascryinganymore.
BeinghealthywaseasywhenPatricewashere;itseemedsosimple.Eatfruit,drinkslimlinetonic,don’thaveaKFC.
Buttheeveningswerelongerwhenshewasn’there.AndChrisHudsonwasn’tabouttosteambroccoliforhimself,thatseemedweird.WasitOKtohaveabiscuit,ifitwasjustonebiscuit?Perhapshecouldhavesomechocolateifitwasjustthatdarkchocolateyoucouldbuyinhealth-foodshops?Ittastedawful,sosurelythatmadeitOK?
Ibrahimhadoncetoldhimthatwalnutswereverygoodforyou,sonowChrisiseatingalotofwalnuts.
Wheretodrawtheline?
Everywheredeliverednow.Notjusttherestaurants,thatwasbadenough,butthelocalshops.ChriscouldhavePringlesandanAerobroughttohisdoorwithintenminutes.
Heeatsanotherhandfulofwalnuts,chewingbegrudgingly.Perhapshewouldhaveaherbaltea?OrjustorderaTwix.Whatharmwouldthatdo?OrtwoTwixes,becausetheyweresosmall?
Maybeacurry?Butwithavegetablesidedishinsteadofpoppadums?
Stopthinkingaboutfood,Chris.Thinkaboutwork.Ryan’sBaird’shearingiscomingup.Thatshouldbeaneasywin.ThinkaboutConnieJohnson.Hasshemadeanymistakes?Hedoesn’tlikethethoughtofherbeingdrivenaroundFairhaveninthatRangeRoverlikesheownstheplace.
Chris’sentryphonestartstoring.9.45.Lateforavisitor.
49
Strictlyspeaking,itisnotadate.
SheandaDCIfromLondonhadbeenonsurveillanceallevening,keepinganeyeonConnieJohnson’slock-up.DonnawouldratherhavebeenonthestakeoutwithChris,andnowhermumhasgonebacktosouthLondonshe’llgetherwishsoonenough.
Therewasnothingtoreportatthelock-up:afewladsonbikes,comingandgoing.Nonewfaces,noConnie.Donnahadhalf-expectedtoseeRyanBairdcyclinguptothedooratsomepoint,butperhapsheislyinglowuntilhiscourtappearance?
Conniehadtheirnumber,thatwasforsure.ButifsheandChriscouldfindawayofnailingher,thenmedalsandpromotionswouldsurelyfollow.
TheDCIwasoneofacrewdownfromLondonforacoupleofweeks.ConnieJohnsonwasbeingtakenseriously,andreinforcementshadbeenbroughtin.Heiscurrentlysittingoppositeherdrinkingbeerfromthebottle(‘Idon’tneedaglass,it’salreadyinglass’).Hewastheonlysinglemaninthewholebunch,ifDonna’sextensiveFacebookinvestigationsweretobebelieved.
TheDCIiscalledJordan,ormaybeJayden.Withdessertsonthewayitwasprobablytoolatetoaskwhichnow.Shehasjustbeencallinghim‘sir’alleveningandhedoesn’tseemtomind.SofarshehasfoundoutthathehasneverwatchedBakeOffbecauseitis‘mind-numbingrubbish’but,nevertheless,hethinksthat5Gphone-mastsareagovernmentconspiracy,andsomethingtodowithcancer.Somethingweshouldbekeepinganeyeon,attheveryleast.
Hemustbethirty-fiveorforty,it’ssohardtotellwithmenatthatage.Helookslikehehasstrongarms,andthatwasenoughforDonnatoagreetodinneratLePontNoiraftertheirshift.God,sheislonely.
Sheisnearlythirty,withfriendspairingoffanddisappearing.Carl,herex,wasengagedalready,he’dwastednotime.Andthisamanwho‘neededspace’and‘wasn’treadyforcommitment,babe’.Hisfiancéeisashoeinfluencer,ratherthanapoliceofficer,andtheyaregettingmarriedinDubai.
SoDonnaisthenewgirlinanewtown.Ablackgirlinaseasidetown,whereshefeelsunwelcomeoranovelty,andhasnointerestinfeelingeither.‘Whereareyoufromthen?’‘SouthLondon.’‘No,whereareyoureallyfrom?’‘Oh,Isee,I’mreallyfromStreatham.’
AtownwhereBootsdoesn’thaveyourshadeoffoundation,andthenearestpersonyoucantrustwithyourhairisinBrighton.Noneofthiswillkillher,butnoneofithelpsherfeelanylesslonely.
Butyouhavetomakethebestofthings.Andyoualsohavetohangoutwithpeopleunderfiftyeverynowandagain.Hencethistoo-obviousman,whateverhemightactuallybecalled.Bestfootforward,Donna.
‘Ican’tbelieveyouhaven’tcaughtheryet,’saystheDCIwiththepossiblystrongarms.
‘Connie’ssmart,’saysDonna.
‘Smartforasmalltown,Isuppose,’saystheDCI.‘NotsmartforLondon.Luckyforyoulot,meandthecavalryhavearrived.’
‘Youhaven’tcaughthereither,’saysDonna.Notunreasonably,shethinks.
‘Londonhasdifferentrhythms,love.Adifferentheartbeat.’
‘Iknow,’saysDonna.‘I’mfromLondon.’
‘Youhavetoliveit,really.Youbreatheitin.Thebig,badcity.’
‘AsIsay,Iwasbornthere.Whereareyoufrom?’
‘HighWycombe,’saystheDCI.
‘Themeanstreets,’saysDonna.
‘Isthatajoke?’askstheDCI.
‘No,it’sjustconversation,’saysDonna.‘Youcanjoinin.’
Doeshehaveniceeyes?Well,they’reanicecolour.That’ssomething.
‘I’mstayingattheTravelodge,bytheway,’saystheDCI,lookingathiswatch,afakeRolex,nodoubt‘borrowed’fromanevidencestore.
Donnanods.SosheisgoingtohavetohavesexinaTravelodgethiseveningifshedoesn’twanttobealone?Sobeit.Let’sgetthebill,getabottleofwineonthewayandgetitoverwith.Abitofoblivion,whilehermumandherbossarefallinginlove.
‘Yourguv’nor,then?’saystheDCI.‘ChrisHudson?Heseemsabithopeless?’
‘Iwouldn’tunderestimatehimifIwereyou,’saysDonna.Beverycarefulnow,JordanorJayden.
‘Hewouldn’tlastasecondinLondon,’saystheDCI.
‘Wouldhenot?’asksDonna.
‘Nah,hecouldn’tcatchCovid,thatone.’
Well,thereitwas.Donnawasn’tgoingtohavetohavedisappointingsexinaTravelodgethiseveningafterall.Wasn’tgoingtohavetoboosttheegoofthisnondescriptman.Whatwassheevendoinghere?Whatwasshelookingfor?ThewaiterbringsoverthebillandthemediocreDCI,whojustmadethemistakeofinsultingherbestfriend,takesalook.
‘YouOKgoinghalves?’askstheDCI.‘Also,youhadwine,so…?’
‘Ofcourse,sir,’saysDonna,reachingforherbag.Sheisgoingtohavetodosomethingaboutherlife.Infact,sheknowsjustthemansheshouldtalkto.Ibrahim.
She’sjustsenthimtheCCTVfromthestation.Wouldhemindifshecametoseehimsometime?
Donnadoesn’tneedtherapy,butshewouldn’tmindanicelongchatwithafriendwhohappenstobeatherapist.
Herphonepings.It’samessagefromChris.
50
ChrisHudsonpadsovertothehandsetonthewallandpicksitup.
‘Hello?’Perhapsit’sDonnaonherwayhomefromadisastrousdatewithanice-creamsalesman?
‘Hi,Chris,it’sme,’saysadisembodiedfemalevoice.NotDonna.
‘OK,’saysChris.‘Anyotherclues?’
Thevoiceonthephonelaughs.‘ItoldyouIknewwhereyoulived,silly!’
Chrisfreezes.ConnieJohnson.
‘Areyougoingtoletmeup?Ihavesomethingtodiscusswithyou.Won’ttakelong.’
Chriscursesbeneathhisbreathandbuzzesherin.Whatisthisgoingtobe?HequicklytypesoutatextmessagetoDonna.
ConnieJohnsonatflat.IfIdon’tringin15mins,sendsquadcar.
Chrislooksaroundtoseeiftheflatisinanywaypresentable.And,ofcourse,itis,becausehe’dmadeitpresentableforPatrice,andhasn’thadenoughtimetoruinityet.Thereisaknockatthedoor.Christakesadeepbreathandopensit.
‘Hello,Chris,’saysConnieJohnson.
Chrisrefusestorespond,butushersherin.
‘Well,thisisnice,isn’tit?’saysConnie,surveyingtheflat.‘Small,butnice.’
‘Well,it’sallIcanaffordwithoutsellingcocainetochildren,’saysChris.
‘Allright,MotherTeresa,’saysConnie,andsitsonChris’ssofa.Christakesadiningchair,placesitoppositeher,andsits.
‘Youknowyou’reonthinice?’saysChris.‘Comingroundtoapoliceofficer’shome?’
‘Mmm,’saysConnie.‘You’reprobablyonthiniceinvitingmeup.Doyouhaveanythingtodrink?’
‘No,’saysChris.Whichis,actually,prettymuchthetruth.
‘Belikethatthen,’saysConnie.‘I’lljustgetstraighttoit.Whatdoyouknow?’
‘Aboutyou?’
‘Yep,’saysConnie.
‘IknowyoukilledtheAntonios.Iknowyou’vegotaRangeRover.Iknowyou’reclever,butnotquitecleverenoughtogetawaywithwhatyou’redoing,soI’lljustkeepploddingon.’
‘Mmm,’saysConnieagain.‘Well,firstly,nocomment,andsecondly,Ithinkyou’reprettysmarttoo.That’swhatpeoplesay.’
‘I’mnotsmart,’saysChris.‘I’msmarterthanyou,butI’mnotsmart.’
Connienods.‘Maybe.Itwascertainlyeasytofindoutwhereyoulived.’
Chrisshrugs.‘It’squiteeasytofollowsomeonehome,Connie.’
‘Itis,’agreesConnie.‘Itwaseasytofollowyouhere,anditwaseasytofollowDonnaDeFreitasto19BarnabyStreettoo.She’sonadatetonight,bytheway.PontNoir.’
Chrislaughs.‘Thisisn’ttheschoolplayground.We’reFairhavenpoliceofficers,weliveinFairhaven.It’sprettyeasytotrackusdown.Butifyou’retryingtoscareme,tryharder,youwouldn’ttouchapoliceofficer,andyouknowit.’
‘Ido,’saysConnie.
‘Sowhatdoyouwant?’
‘Well,nothingreally,Ijustwantedtosaythat,asabusinesswoman,there’salimittohowmuchI’mgoingtotolerateyoupokingintomyaffairs.’
‘Isthere?’
‘Thereis.Takingphotographsofmycustomersandsoon.I’mapproachingmylimitnow,so,justbetweenfriends,I’mtellingyoutotreadverycarefully.’
Chrisnods.‘Sure,becauseyouknowmyaddress,andyouknowDonna’saddress?Terrifying.’
‘It’sjustafriendlywarning,’saysConnie,pushingherselfupoffthesofa.‘Ifyou’renotworried,youcanjustignoreit.’
‘Iwill,thanks,’saysChris,showinghertothedoor.
‘SorryIcalledsolate,’saysConnie.‘Ikeepfunnyhours.She’sgorgeous,bytheway.’
Chrishadbeenabouttoshutthedoorbehindher,buthasstoppedinhistracks.
Connielaughs.‘You’vedoneverywellforyourself,ifyoudon’tmindmesaying.Ibetyou’remissingheralready?Youhere,andherupinsouthLondon?’
‘Don’teventhinkaboutthis,Connie,’saysChris.
‘Thinkaboutwhat?’asksConnie.‘JustsayingStreatham’salongwayaway,eh?’
‘Connie,I’mnotkidding,you’renotsmartenoughtopullthisoff.Letitgo.’
‘Imightnotbesmartenough,’smilesConnie,‘butI’mquitedangerous.Orunpredictable,that’sthenicestwayofputtingit.Ifollowedyouhome,butsomeoneelsefollowedPatricehomeforme.’
‘Getout,’saysChris.
‘I’malreadyout,silly,’saysConnie.‘Ipromisewe’llkeepaneyeonherforyou.Makesureshe’snotuptomischief.She’sreallyverypretty.Betshekeepsyouonyourtoes.Likeallthebestwomen.’
AsConnieblowshimakiss,Chrisslamsthedoorandslumpsbackagainstit.Thinkquickly,assesstherisk.TellPatricethatConniehasjustthreatenedher?Askhertobecareful?LookoutforRangeRovers?Terrifyher?Forwhat?Forsomeamateurishbluff?Jesus!Wasitabluff?JusthowunpredictablewasConnieJohnson?Couldhe–
Chris’sphonerings.Donna.Hisfifteenminutesareup.Heknowshehastopickup.
‘Allclear,’hesays.
‘Whatdidshewant?’asksDonna.
TellDonnathetruth?Chrismakesaninstantdecision.Hehopesit’stherightone.
‘Shejustwantedtothreatenme.Andyou.Justlettingmeknowshehadouraddresses.Tellingustoeaseoff.’
Donnalaughs.‘Shethinkswe’llbescaredofher?’
‘Ilaughedherofftoo.Toldhertodoherworst.’
‘Andthat’sall?’asksDonna.‘Justsomeamateurintimidation?’
‘Yep,sorryifIworriedyou.’
‘Don’tbesilly.YouOK?Youwantmetopopover?WecouldwatchanotherepisodeofOzark?’
Chrisopensakitchendrawerandlooksatthetakeawaymenus,neatlytidiedawaybyPatrice.
‘No,Ishouldgetsomesleep.Youhadagoodevening?’
‘SurveillancewiththatguyfromtheMet.Jayden?Jordan?’
‘Jonathan,’saysChris.‘I’llseeyouinthemorning.’
‘Night,skipper,’saysDonna.
Chrislooksatthemenusagain.Hewouldkillforacurry.Heslamsthedrawershut.
Ifyoudon’tloveyourself,who’sgoingtoloveyou?
51
Ibrahimisproppedupinbed.Hehasacigarandaglassofbrandyonhisbedsidetable,andhislaptopopeninfrontofhim.HeclicksontheCCTVfileDonnahassenthim.YouwillgoalongwaytofindsomeoneelseinCoopersChasewhoknowsasmuchasIbrahimaboutIT.Alongway.
‘Now,Ineedyoutolistencarefully,’saysIbrahim.‘DouglasandPoppyweremurderedsometimebeforefivep.m.onthetwenty-sixth,soweonlyneedtowatchthefootagefromthenuntilElizabethandJoycecheckthelockeronThursday.Justthenextthreedaysorso.’
‘OK,’saysKendrick,andleanshisheadonIbrahim’sshoulder
‘Whydon’tIlookthroughthetwenty-sixthonmylaptop,andyoulookthroughthetwenty-seventhonyouriPad?’
‘Brilliant,’saysKendrick.
‘Andifyouseeanyonetryingtoopenlocker531thenjustshout.’
‘OK,’saysKendrick.‘Well,Iwon’tshout,I’lljusttellyou.’
‘That’sagoodplan,’agreesIbrahim.‘Andlet’stalkwhilewe’rewatching.’
‘Sowedon’tgetbored!’saysKendrick.
‘Exactly,’saysIbrahim,andpressesplayontheCCTVfootage.Thefastesthecanplayitisat8xspeed.Thefacilityopensat7a.m.andshutsat7p.m.,soitwilltakehimninetyminutestogetthroughtheday.WithKendrickhecancovertwodaysinthattime.Perhapsit’snottheperfectjobforaneight-year-old,butchildrenwerefartoomollycoddledthesedays.
‘I’mwatchingminenow,’saysKendrick.‘Whatshouldwetalkabout?’
Ibrahimislookingattheblack-and-whitefeedonhisscreen.Thecamerashowsthewholeaisleoflockers.Evenat8xspeed,notasoulhascomeorgoneyet.‘Howisschool?’
‘Ummm,it’sOK,’saysKendrick.‘DoyouknowRomans?’
‘Ido,’saysIbrahim.Abackpackerhasjuststuffedherbaginalockerfurtherdowntheaisle.
‘Who’syourbest?’asksKendrick.
‘MybestRoman?’
‘MineisBrutus.Therewasjustacleaner,butshedidn’tstealanything.’
‘IthinkIlikeSenecatheYounger,’saysIbrahim.‘HewasthegreatestoftheStoicphilosophers.Hewasverygoodonthetheoryofthewholething,butalsoalwayslookedtogivepracticaladvice.Hebelievedphilosophywasnotasacredtext,butamedicine.’
‘Oh,great,wehaven’tdonehim,’saysKendrick.‘What’sthebestdinosaur?Stegosaurus?’
‘Yes,weagreethere,Kendrick,’saysIbrahim,andtakesaswigofbrandy.
‘Doesithurtwheretheykickedyou?’asksKendrick,hiseyesstillclearlygluedtotheCCTV.
‘Itelltheothersitdoesn’t,’saysIbrahim.‘Butitdoes,verymuch.’
‘Theyprobablyknow,’saysKendrick.
‘Theyprobablydo,’saysIbrahim.‘Butyou’retheonlypersonI’mtellingforsure.’
‘Thanks,UncleIbrahim,’saysKendrick.‘Someonejusttookaboxoutofoneoftheotherlockers,butjustboring.Didyoufeelitwhentheykickedyou?Wereyoufrightened?’
‘Thoseareverygoodquestions,’saysIbrahim,asamaninasuitputshisbriefcaseinalocker,thentakesoffhistieandputsthatintoo.Losthisjobandhasn’ttoldhiswifeyet.‘Irememberbeingveryscared,andIrememberfeelinglikeIwasinawashingmachine.That’ssilly,isn’tit?’
‘Notreally,’saysKendrick.‘Ifthat’swhatyoufelt.’
‘AndIknewImightdie,Irememberthat.AndIthoughtaboutthat,andIthoughtitwasOK,butperhapsunfairthatthiswashowitwasgoingtohappen.AndIthought,IwishI’dknown.’
‘Uhhuh,’saysKendrick.
‘AndIthoughtaboutyourgrandad,andIthoughtaboutJoyceandElizabethtoo,andIknewIwouldmissthem,andIknewtheywouldmissme,andIthought,IhopeIdon’tdie,IhopethisendsupOK.’
‘I’mhappythatyoudidn’tdie,becausethenwewouldn’tbedoingthis.’
Ibrahimlightshiscigar.
‘IfIwasbeingkilledIwouldthinkofGrandadtoo,andnowIwouldthinkofyou.AndIwouldthinkaboutCodyatschool,andMelissaandalsoMissWarren.AndIwouldthinkmainlyaboutmymum.Wow,that’sabigcigarette!Youshouldn’tsmoke,didyouknowthat?’
Ibrahimtakesapuff.‘MostlyIdowhatI’mtold,lifeiseasierthatway.ButsometimesIdon’tdowhatI’mtold.’
‘Likeme,’saysKendrick.‘SometimesIstayawake,butMumdoesn’tknow.’
‘Youwouldn’tthinkaboutyourdad?’asksIbrahim.‘Ifyouwerebeingkilled?’
Kendrickconsidersthisforamoment.‘Ithinkmaybehe’dbeangryaboutit.’
Ibrahimnodsandtucksthisaway.‘Ididn’tthinkaboutmydadeither.’
‘Youdon’thaveadad,UncleIbrahim.Hewouldbeathousand.’
Theboyssettletotheirworkforawhile.Ibrahimseessevenoreightpeoplewalkinguptheaisle,alwaystootherlockers,andKendrickseesaboutthesame.Noonehasyettouchedlocker531.Theoccasionalconversationisveryeasy,andIbrahimdiscoversthatKendrick’sfavouritenumberisthirteen,becausehefeelssorryforit,andKendricksetshimaquizabouttheplanets.Biggest,Jupiter,best,Saturn.(‘NotEarth?’‘Youcan’tcountEarth!’)Theclockonthescreentickson,eighttimesfasterthantheclockonhisbedsidetable.Anothercleanercomesinattheendoftheday,andtheyaredone.
‘Thatwassogood,’saysKendrick.‘Canwedotheotherdaytogethernow?’
Ibrahimagreesthattheycan.HereceivesatextfromElizabeth–Anynews?–andherepliesYesIamconcernedaboutKendrick’srelationshipwithhisfather.Elizabethrepliesbackwitharolling-eyesemoji.Shehasreallytakentoemojis.
Afteratoiletbreak,considerablyquickerforKendrickthanforIbrahim,theysettledownforthefootagefromthedayElizabethandJoyceopenedthelocker,andsotheywillstopassoonastheyseethem.
Thefast-forwardedblack-and-whiteimageszoombyonceagain.NeitherIbrahimnorKendricktires,becausewhotireswhentheyarehavingfun?IbrahimasksifKendricklikesbooksandKendricksayshelikessomeofthembutnotothers,andKendrickasksifIbrahimeverlivedinanothercountry,andIbrahimrepliesEgypt,andKendrickspellsitforhim.
Ibrahimislookingatthevideowhen,aroundlunchtime,heseesElizabethandJoyce,andslowsthefootagedowntonormalspeed.Hecan’thearwhattheyaresaying,butyoucanalwaysprettymuchguesswiththosetwo.Heseesthemhavingtroubleopeningthelocker,seesJoycegointoherbag,thenseesElizabethtryagain,andthelockerdoorpopsopen.Thepicturequalityisnotgreat,butyoucanmakemostthingsout.Elizabethtakesoutthecrisppacket,theonesheshowedIbrahimthismorning,thenJoyceputsitinherbag,andtheyleave.
KendrickwantstoseethefootageofJoyceandElizabeth,andsays,‘Ohmygoodness,it’sreallythem,’whenhedoes.Buttheyfindnothingelseandadmitdefeat.Sonoonehadvisitedthelocker?NoonehadtriedtoopenituntilElizabethandJoycearrived.
‘Iwishwe’dseenabaddie,’saysKendrick.
‘Metoo,’saysIbrahim.‘Elizabethwon’tbepleased.’
‘Let’sdothedaybefore,’saysKendrick.‘Justforfunandincase?’
Ibrahimagrees,becausethemomentthistaskisoverKendrickwillbeheadingbacktohisgrandfather’s.
Theywatchthefootagefromthetwenty-fifth,thedaybeforePoppyandDouglasweremurdered.OrjustPoppy,ifyoubelievedElizabeth.HadDouglasreallyfakedhisowndeath?Hmmm.Theyarealittlequieterthistime,bothcomfortableinthesilence.KendrickmakesIbrahimguesshowfastarocketis,butthat’saboutit.
Astheyarewatchingtogether,theybothseethefigureatthesametime.Walkingdowntheaislelikethehundredorsootherstheymusthaveseenbefore.Butthisfigureiswearingmotorcycleleathersandaclosedhelmet.Andthisfigurestopsdeadinfrontoflocker531.
‘Whathavewehere,Kendrick?’saysIbrahim.
‘Maybeabaddie?’saysKendrick.
‘Maybeabaddie,’agreesIbrahim,andtakesanotherpuffonhiscigar.Whoneedstheoutsideworld?
52
LanceJamessettlesintoahugewhitesofanexttoSueReardon.Thewholehousesmellsofwhitefigandpomegranate.Heknowsthatsmellwell.OrusedtobeforeRuthmovedout,takinghercandleswithher.Hewillsometimeslightamatchafterhehasbeentothebathroom,butthat’sasnew-ageasLancegets.
‘Doyouhaveacleaner,MrLomax?’SueReardonasks.‘Awhitesofaisaveryboldchoice.’
‘Awomanfromthevillagehasdoneitforyears,’saysMartinLomax.‘Margery,orMaggie,somethinglikethat.Thankyousomuchforpoppingin,Idon’tliketotravel.Igetcarsick.’
‘It’snoproblematall,Lancewasonlyatthebottomofyourdrivetakingphotos,’saysSue.‘AndI’mnotbusy,justinvestigatingthedeathsofacoupleofcolleagues.’
‘Investigating?’saysMartinLomax.‘Iassumedyoukilledthem?Didyounot?’
‘Believeitornot,no,wedidn’t.Weassumedthatyoukilledthem,’saysLance.
MartinLomaxjutsoutalipandnods.‘Well,wecan’tbothberight.They’redead,though,that’sthemainthing.’
‘Yes,that’ssomecommonground,’agreesSue.‘Howdoesitworkwithyouhavingacleaner?Aren’tyouworriedshe’llstumbleacrosssomething?’
‘Ialwaystidyupbeforeshecomesround.Don’tyou?’
‘Well,I’lltidyawaysomemagazinesanddothewashing-up,’saysSue.
‘I’mlikethat,too.Alwayshurryingaroundhalfanhourbeforeshearrives,I’vealwaysleftsomethingout,abrickofcocaineorsomesuch.I’vegotsolazywithtidyingupmythingsovertheyears.’
‘Henceleavingthediamondslyingabout,ofcourse,’chidesSue.
‘Well,quite,’agreesLomax.‘Anyway,thenIputRadio4onforher,andawayshegoes.Howmanypeoplehaveyoukilled,doyouthink?’
‘Eightornine,’saysSue.‘You?’
‘Same,prettymuch,’saysMartinLomax.
Lancelooksaround.Theyareinaconservatorywithbeautifulviewsofthegardens.Thereissomestraybuntinghangingfromaeucalyptustree.Theymusthavehadanevent.MartinLomaxhasyettoofferthemacoffee,orevenaglassofwater.Itdoesn’tseemtobeapowerplay,itjustseemsnottohaveoccurredtohim.
‘Iknowthisisboring,’saysLomax,‘andIknowIbangonaboutit,butIreallydoneedtofindthosediamonds.’
‘Likewise,’saysSue.
‘Well,youdon’treallyneedtofindthem,doyou?’
‘I’mafraidwedo,’saysLance.
‘Notreally,though.Obviously,you’dlookgoodifyoufoundthem.Obviously,peoplewouldbepleasedwithyou.Butthey’renotyourdiamonds,Sue,arethey?’
‘Well,they’renotyourseither,arethey?’saysSue.
‘Ireadabookoncewherethemafiahadsomebodyrippedapartbytigers,’saysLomax.‘Ataprivatezoo.Canyouimagine?’
‘Well,I’mafraidwedon’thavethediamonds,’saysSue.‘Andwehavenoideawheretheyare.’
‘Rats,’saysMartinLomax.‘Inmyheadyoukilledthem,somebigcover-up.Youhearaboutitwithyourgang,don’tyou?Torturedtheinformationoutofthem?’
‘Wedidn’t,’saysLance.
‘CanyounotjustgiveFrankAndradehistwentymillionpounds?’saysSue.‘Justgivehimcashandcallitquits?’
‘Myassetstendtobeilliquid.Andtheyalsotendtobelongtosomeoneelse.IcouldstealfromtheMexicanstopaythemafia,thenstealfromtheSerbianstopaytheMexicans.I’dbetheoldladywhoswallowedthefly,andwherewouldthatleaveme?’
‘Dead,ofcourse,’saysSueReardon.
53
ThegangareallcrowdedaroundIbrahim’sbed.Elizabethhasbroughtanotebook,JoycehasbroughtchocolatefingersandRonhasbroughtacopyofRockyIII(‘thebestRocky’)forIbrahimtowatchwithhimlater.
Butthereisanotherfilmforthemtowatchfirst.ElizabethisdrummingherfingersandRonispacingasIbrahimgetseverythingready.Hegetsthefootageuponhisscreen.KendrickisonthebalconyplayingPokémon
‘So,’saysIbrahim,‘hereistoday’squestion.Whoisthis?’
Ibrahimpressesplay,andtheyallwatchasthefigureinthemotorcyclehelmetwalksdowntherowoflockersandstopsinfrontof531.Thefigureinsertsakey.
‘Lookslikehe’shavingtroublewiththelocktoo,’saysJoyce.
‘Orshe,’saysRon.IbrahimnotesthatRonisgettingmuchsharperonhisgenderneutrality.
Thefigurehastroublewiththelockbuteventuallyitpopsopen.Thecameraangledoesn’tshowtheinsideofthelocker,buttheyknowpreciselywhatthefigureisseeing.Theywatchasthebikertakesthecrisppacketoutofthelocker,thentossesitbackin.Thebikerstaresattheemptylockerforquitesometimebeforelockingitbackupandleaving.
Ibrahimstopsthefootageanditbecomesastillimage.‘Andtherewehaveit,’hesays.
‘SothiswasthedaybeforePoppyandDouglaswereshot?’saysJoyce.
‘Yes,weweren’tevengoingtocheckthedaybefore.Kendricksuggestedit.’
‘Kendrick?’saysElizabeth.
‘Yes,Ron’sidea,’saysIbrahim.
‘Thoughthemightenjoyit,’saysRon.
‘Ifthiswasthedaybefore,thenhowdidsomebodyelseknowaboutlocker531?’asksElizabeth.
‘Douglasmusthavetoldsomebodyelse,’saysJoyce.
‘Douglasprobablytoldeveryone,’saysRon.‘Allhisex-wives.StuckitonFacebook.’
‘UnlessitisDouglas,’saysJoyce.‘Imean,itcouldbe,couldn’tit?’
‘Itcouldbeanyone,Joyce,’saysRon.‘ItcouldbeElizabeth,forallweknow.’
‘Douglaswasinprotectivecustodythewholetime,itcouldn’tpossiblybehim,’saysElizabeth.‘And,besides,hewastheonepersonwhoknewthelockerwasempty.’
‘Butwhoelsewouldhehavetold?’asksJoyce.
Theystareatthefigureonthescreen.Darkleathers,darkhelmet,darkgloves.
‘Whatarewemissing?’asksElizabeth.‘Let’swatchagain.’
Theysitthroughthefootageagain.Andagain.Andagain.Butnothing.Elizabethslumpsback.
‘Wecan’ttellthegender,wecan’ttelltheage,wecan’teventelltheheightbecauseoftheangleofthecamera.’
Kendrickwalksinfromthebalcony.‘Thatwasreallygoodorangesquash,UncleIbrahim.Didyouallseetheclue?’
‘Theclue?’asksElizabeth.
‘Hello,Elizabeth,’saysKendrick.‘Yeah,didyouseeit?Ibetyoudid.’
‘Imean,Ireadcertainthingsintoposture,andintostridepatterns,ifthat’s–’
‘No,theclue.Didyouseeit,Joyce?’
‘Ididn’tspotathing,’saysJoyce.
‘Wemadecupcakesearlier,andIdidtheicing,’saysKendrick.‘Wouldyoulikeone?’
‘No,youhavemine,’saysJoyce.
‘OK,’saysKendrick.‘GrandadandUncleIbrahim,Ibetyousawit?’
‘Isawit,’saysRon.‘Butincaseit’snotthesameclueyousaw,whydon’tyousayyoursfirst?’
Kendrickleansforwardintothescreen.‘OK,watchthebitwherehe’sopeningthelocker.’
Ibrahimspeedsthefootagethroughandpausesit.Thefourofthemarealllookingateachother.Ronshakeshisheadalittleandshrugs.
‘Youseewhenhereachesuptothelock?’saysKendrick.
Theydosee.
‘Andyouseealittlegapbetweenhisjacketandhisglove?’
Theyleanforward.Thereisagapasthejacketslidesdowntowardstheelbow.
‘Andthere’stheclue!’
Theshort-sightedleanfurtherforward,andthelong-sightedleanfurtherback.
‘Whatisit,dear?’asksElizabeth.
‘He’swearingoneofJoyce’sfriendshipbracelets.’
Coiledaroundthewristofthefigureopeninglocker531aresomeinexpertlywovenstrandsofwool,studdedwithsequins.
Everyoneintheroomlooksdownattheirwrists,andthenatJoyce.
Joycelooksdownatherbracelet,thenbackupatherfriends.‘Well,thatnarrowsthingsdownnicely.’
54
Joyce
Youwillneverguesswhat?
KendrickhadbeenlookingatthesecurityfootagefromtheLeftLuggageOffice.ThisisRonandIbrahim’sideaofanappropriateprojectforaneight-year-old.Anyway,hespottedthatthefigureinthemotorcyclehelmetwaswearingoneofmyfriendshipbracelets!
Youreallycouldtellitwasoneofmine.Idon’tthinkanybodyelsemakesthemquitelikeme.
Youcanimaginethefunwehadnext.
Whowasourbiker?IbrahimmadealistonhiscomputerofallthepeopleIhadgivenfriendshipbraceletsto.Noonefromthemafia,forstarters,sothatwasRonoutofthewater.HecameupwithanelaboratescenarioinwhichIhadbeenseducedbyanelderlyItalian-Americanontheminibusandweallhadagoodgiggle.Chancewouldbeafinething.Youcanseehe’sdisappointedthough.
Thefourofuswereonthelist,ofcourse,andKendrick.ImagineifitwasKendrick?Inabookitwouldbe.Wouldn’titbefuntobeinabook?Ibetmyhipwouldn’thurtsomuchinabook.
Thenafewmoreinterestingnames.SueReardonhasabracelet.Couldithavebeenher?MightDouglashavetoldherwherehehadleftthediamonds?Elizabethsaysshewouldhavetakenthecrisppacketthough.
Lance?LesslikelythatDouglasmighthavetoldhim,butmorelikelyhe’dhavemissedthecrisppacket.
Siobhan,Poppy’smum,hasone.HadDouglastoldPoppy,andPoppytoldhermum?Siobhanseemsveryquietandunassuming,butdon’tweall?
MartinLomax?ButIdidn’tgivehimabraceletuntilaftertheCCTVwastaken.Also,IknowI’mnotonetoblowmyowntrumpet,butIamfairlysurehiswentinthebinthemomentweleft.Ididpayinhisfive-poundchequetoLivingWithDementiabytheway.Eventhewomanatthebanklookedlikeshehadn’tseenachequeforyears.
So,whoelse?Afewpeoplefromaroundthevillage,ColinClemence,GordonPlayfair,JanefromLarkinwhoishavinganaffairwithGeoffWeekes,anddon’tweallknowit?Infact,shegaveherstoGeoffWeekes,soIsupposewehavetocounthimtoo.
AndthenBogdan,ofcourse.Inearlyforgothim.
Wetalkedforanhourorso.Who,why,when,what?ThenMarkarrivedinhistaxi,timeforKendricktogohome.Wehadabigcuddle.
Ibrahimfellasleep–he’sstillnotathisbest–soElizabethandIleft.Ronsaidhe’dbebacktowatchhisfilmoncehe’ddroppedKendrickoff.
Now,here’sthething,justbetweenyouandme.
ThemomentIsaidgoodbyetoElizabeth,Ihadathought.Abouthowtoidentifythebikerforcertain.Iwasgoingtocallafterher,butIthought,no,Joyce,foronceinyourlifewhynotflysolo?Youdon’talwaysneedElizabeth.
AndsothismorningItooktheminibusdowntoFairhaven.Ididthesamewalk,alongthesamestreets,toFairhavenstation.Abitslowerthanlasttime,becauseElizabethisastrider.Iknowshedoesn’tmeantobe,butsheis.
ImadestraightfortheLeft-LuggageOfficeand,asI’dhoped,thenicegirlwiththehairandtheheadphoneswasonduty.Sheevenrecognizedme,whichmademyday.Nooneeverrecognizesme
Shetookoffherpretendheadphones,andIaskedherhowshewas,andshesaidshewasfine,thankyou.AndIaskedherifshewasstillhavingtroublewiththemanagerofCosta,andshesaidthat,ifanything,itwasgettingworse,andhehadevenofferedheralifthomeonhismotorbike.Itoldherthat,forwhatitwasworth,myexperienceofmenwithmotorbikeswasreallyverypoor,andwelaughedlikethewomenoftheworldneitherofusreallyis.SheaskedifIneededsomethingfrommylocker,andItoldherIneededsomethingfromher,andthatitwasfunnyweweretalkingaboutmotorcycles,andthatgotherattention.
Yousee,thethoughtI’dhad,whenIleftElizabethlastnight,wasthatthegirlattheLeftLuggagedesktookherjobseriously,anddiditproperly.Ithoughttherewasnowayshe’dletsomeonewalkintothelockerareawilly-nillywearingamotorcyclehelmet.AnditturnsoutIwasright.
Sheapologizedthatshedidn’trememberthedayinquestion–herjobisquiteboring,thewayshewastellingit–butconfirmedthatshewouldneverletanyoneintothelockerswithoutseeingakey,andwithoutseeingaface.Soanyonewearingahelmetwouldhavetotakeitoff.IaskediftherewasCCTVinthedeskarea,andshesaidtherewasbecauseherpredecessorhadbeenfiredforwatchingpornographyonhislaptopwhilehewasworking.Shesaidshedidn’tblamehim,asthedayscanstarttodrag.
Ithankedher,andsheaskedwhatitwasallabout,andIsaidIcouldn’ttellher,becauseitwasgovernmentbusiness.Well,thelookonherface.ImaginemesayingthatifElizabethwasthere,though?Idon’tthinkso.Ishoulddomorethingsbymyself
ThenImadethesametripwedidlasttime,throughthestreetstoFairhavenPoliceStationtotellDonnaabouttheCCTV.Ofcourse,IforgetthatElizabethalwaysseemstoknowwhenDonnaisonduty,andDonnawasn’tthere.SoperhapsIshouldn’tdomorethingsbymyself?Itisatightrope.
WhenIgothome,ItoldElizabethwhatIhaddone,andshewasdelightedbymyingenuity,butalsoannoyedthatshehadn’tthoughtofit.‘Whydidn’tyoutellme,Joyce?’shesaid,andIsaidthatI’donlythoughtofitontheminibus.ThenshetoldmeIwasaterribleliar,which,ofcourse,Iam.IpromisedherIwouldn’tdothingsbymyselfinfuture,butshetoldmenevertomakeapromiseIcouldn’tkeep.
ElizabethhassentDonnaamessageabouttheCCTV,soperhapsweshallsoonfindoutwhoopenedthelocker.And,presumably,thatmighttelluswhokilledDouglasandPoppy?
55
CoopersChaselooksbeautifulinthelate-autumnsun.AsDonnawalksuptowardsthevillageallamatiltsaquizzicalheadtowardsheroverawhitefence.Donnanodsagoodmorningtoit.Onthelaketoherright,agoosemisjudgesalanding,inelegantlybellyfloppingintothewater.Sheswearsthegooselooksroundtomakesurenoneoftheothergeesewerewatching.
Upaheadawomanwithacanesitsonabench,herfaceraisedtothesun.Donnawondersifthewomanmightbelonely,untilamaninapanamahatsitsdownnexttoher,withsandwichesandtwonewspapers.TheDailyMailforhim,theGuardianforher.Howhadtheymadethatworkovertheyears,shewonders.Theheartwantswhatitwants,ofcourse.
Shepassesanothercouple,handinhand,andtheybothsmileandwishheragoodmorning.Theyarewalkingdownthepathtositbythelake.
WhenwillDonnagettowalkdownapath,handinhand,andsitbyalake?
Thepathbroadensoutasitreachesthevillage,thefirstbuildingbeingWillows,thenursinghome.LasttimeshehadvisitedhadbeenwhenElizabethtookhertomeetPenny,formercopandElizabeth’sbestfriend.Nolongerthere,ofcourse.Someotherpoorsoulinherbed.
WouldElizabethbeinthereoneday?WouldJoyce?WouldRon?SurelynotIbrahim?Thethoughtofanyofthemsodiminishedupsetsher,andDonnakeepswalkingpastWillowswithherheaddown.
Ibrahim’sblockliesaheadtoherleft,throughaprettygardenstillburstingwithcolour.Aladyusingawalkingframemovestoonesidetoletherthroughandsays,‘Cheerup,mydarling,itmightneverhappen.’Donnagivesherasmallsmileinreturn.
Itmightneverhappen.Well,yes,wasn’tthatjusttheproblem?
Walkingupthestairs,Donnawondersagainwhatsheisdoinghere.Everybodygoesthroughtoughtimes,don’tthey?Everyonefeelslow?Theydon’tgobleatingalltheirtroublestoapsychiatrist,dothey?Notwhereshe’sfrom.Youdon’thavepsychiatristsinStreatham.Youhavemateswithshoulderstocryon.Totellyoutopullyourselftogether.
ButDonnadoesn’thavematesinFairhaven,andsoheresheis.
Ibrahim’sdoorisopenasDonnareachesthetopofthestairs.Themanhimselfmovesgingerly,andisabletogiveheronlythegentlestofhugs.
‘Sitdown,sitdown,’saysDonna.
Ibrahimbraceshimselfagainstthearmsofhischairandmanoeuvreshimselfwithawkwardgraceintoit.Donnasettlesherselfoppositehim,inabeaten-uparmchairbeneathapaintingofaboat.Justaregularpoliceofficer,payingaregularvisittoafriendwhojusthappenstobeapsychiatrist.Shewon’tsayanythingthough,itfeelssillynowshe’sactuallyhere.TheycanjustlookattheCCTV.She’sOK,justabitdown.
‘Nicetoseeyououtofbed,’saysDonna.‘How’sthepain?’
‘It’sgettingbetter,’saysIbrahim.‘ItonlyreallyhurtsifIbreathe.’
Donnasmiles.‘ShallwetakealookatthisCCTV?Ithoughtyoumightenjoyit?’
Ibrahimnods.‘Ingoodtime,ingoodtime.Butfirst,howisyourpain,Donna?’
‘How’smypain?’asksDonna,withalaugh.Oh,OK,isthishowit’sgoingtowork?Isthishowtherapystarts?
‘Yes,’saysIbrahim,tiltinghisheadtooneside,remindingDonnaofthellama.‘Howisyourpain?’
‘Ihurtmywristinthegym,butthat’sthebestI’vegot,’saysDonna.Sheshouldn’tbehere,wastingIbrahim’stime.
‘Isthatso?’asksIbrahim.Well,it’smoreofanobservationthanaquestion.
DonnaseesthatIbrahimhasalargewritingpadonthetablebesidehischair.Hereachesoverforitandtakesapenfromhisshirtpocket.OK.
‘Ihavenointerestinputtingwordsinyourmouth,Donna,’saysIbrahim.‘ButyoureallycouldhavejustlookedatthisnewCCTVbyyourself.Orsentittome.Orarrangedtomeetallofus.Butyouaskedtoseemealone?’
‘Iwantedtoseehowyouare,’saysDonna.
‘That’sverykindofyou,’saysIbrahim.‘Whichisnotunexpected,becauseyouareaverykindwoman.Asluckwouldhaveit,Iwantedtoseehowyouare,too.Sohowaboutwehavealittlechat,andweseehowwebothare?’
Shecan’tfoolIbrahim,soherewego.SheisnowGwynethPaltroworsomething.Donnasitsbackinthebeaten-upoldarmchair,nods,andcloseshereyes.‘OK.’It’snotreallytherapy,isit?Ifyou’rejusttalkingtoafriend?
Ibrahimlooksdownathiswatch.‘Wheredoyouwanttostart?LeavingLondon?YourmumandChris?’
Donnatipsherheadbackandbreathesindeeplythroughhernose
‘Perhapsweshouldstartwithloneliness?’suggestsIbrahim.
ThroughDonna’sclosedeyes,tearsbegintoescape.
‘Doesithurt?’asksIbrahim.
‘OnlywhenIbreathe,’saysDonna.
ShewondershowChrisisgettingonthismorning.
56
ThethreemensitaroundaconcretetableoutsideMaidstoneCrownCourt.Thebuildingitselflookslikea1980sTravelodgeatamotorwayservicestation.
ItisChrisHudson’sdutytobehere,buthewouldhavecometowatchRyanBairdincourtanywayforsheerpleasure.
ChrishasseenquiteenoughofMaidstoneCrownCourtovertheyears.Hisveryfirstcaseherehadinvolvedalocalcouncillorwhohadexposedhimselfonatrain,andblamedhishay-fevermedication.ThatcouncillorwasnowtheirlocalMP.HismostrecentcasewasaParalympianwhohadbeencaughtstealingrarebirds’eggs.Sheworeherbronzemedalincourtbutwasconvictednonetheless.
Buthewouldn’tmissthisfortheworld.RyanBaird.Thecasewasdeeplyunsafe,ofcourse.Thecocaineandthebankcardfoundinthecisternofhistoilet?Theanonymoustip-off?Butneedsmust,sometimes.Chrishasneverdoneanythinglikethisbefore.TheThursdayMurderClubleadshimfurtherastrayalmostdaily.
RevengeforIbrahim,thatwastheonlygoal.LasttimeChrishadseenIbrahim,hehadbeenbatteredandbruised,andthefacthewassostoicanduncomplaininghadjustmadeitworse.RyanBairdbehindbarswoulddonooneanygreatharm.
Sothetrialwillbeapleasure,butChrishasanother,farlesshappy,reasonforbeinghere.
ConnieJohnson.Whatwasshecapableof?WouldshereallyharmPatrice?Itwasunthinkable.
Whatcouldhedotostopher?Whocouldhelphim?
Hecouldn’tcallElizabeth.ElizabethwouldtellhimtotellPatrice,andhewasn’tgoingtodothat.Althoughitwasalmostcertainlytherightthingtodo,thebravethingtodo,hesimplycouldn’t.Youdidn’tgettobeafifty-one-year-oldmanbytacklingthingshead-on.
AndsohecalledRon.
ApigeoniscurrentlytryingtostealRon’schips.HehadinsistedonatriptoMcDonald’sonthewaytocourt.Ronshoosthebirdaway,butitjuststandsitsgroundonthetable,staringathim,thenstaringathischips,waitingforhimtodrophisguard.
‘Don’teventhinkaboutit,mate,’saysRontothepigeon,thenturnstoChris.‘IreckonallpigeonsareTory.’
‘That’satheory,’saysChris.
‘Shesoundslikeanastypieceofwork,then?’saysRon.‘ThisConnieJohnson?’
Bogdan,thethirdmanaroundthetable,nods.
‘Fit,though,Iheard?’asksRon.
‘Englishfit,maybe,’shrugsBogdan.‘NotPolishfit.’
BogdanhadbeenChris’snextcall.DuringtheirsurveillanceofConnieJohnson’slock-up,theyhadseenBogdanpayConnieavisitandleavewithapackage.ChrishaddecidedhewouldneedtoconfrontBogdanatsomepoint,askhimafewquestions.ButafterthepackagehadbeenfoundinRyanBaird’scistern,allhisquestionshadbeenanswered.BogdanclearlyknewConnieJohnson,though,andthatcouldbeuseful,soChrishadinvitedhimalong–‘MeetmeinMaidstone,bitoffun,don’ttellElizabeth.’
‘It’sprobablynothing,’saysChris.‘It’sjustintimidation,don’tyouthink?Shewon’tdoanythingtoPatrice?’
Bogdangrimaces.‘Idon’tknow.She’sdoneworsethingsthanthat.’
‘WorsethankillingthewomanIlove?’saysChris.
‘ShekilledtheAntoniobrothers,youknowthat?Diditherself,too,slicedthemintwoinfrontofeach…’
‘Jesus,’saysChris.‘Bytheway,ifyouhaveanyevidenceofthat,youknowwhatIdoforaliving.’
Bogdanlaughs.‘Youmustnevertalktothepolice.It’sthelaw.’
‘That’savoteofconfidence,’saysChris.‘Thankyou,Bogdan.’
‘Wewillfixit,’saysBogdan.‘Ron?Wewillfixit,yes?’
Ronnods.
‘It’sadiabolicalliberty,’saysRon.‘Iwon’thaveadiabolicallibertytaken.’
‘Don’tdoanythingillegal,though,’saysChris.
‘Well,defineillegal,’saysRon.
‘Againstthelaw,’saysChris.‘It’sprettysimple.’
‘Chris,myoldson,’saysRonshakinghishead.‘Youcouldn’tbemorewrong.Legal,illegal.It’safineline.It’snineteeneighty-four,andwe’reprotestingoutsideMantonCollieryinNottinghamshire.Fightingtoprotectthejobsoffifteenhundredmen,fightingtosaveanindustry.’
‘YouhadcoalminesinEngland?’saysBogdan.
‘Thegovernment,Thatcher,passesemergencylegislation,sayingyoucan’tpicketoutsidesomeoneelse’spit.Butwedoitanyway,westandourground.Matterofprinciple.Thepolicecomeatuswithbatonsandshields,butwedon’tmove.Wedon’tfightback,butwedon’tmove.Eachandeveryoneofuscartedofftosomenickorother,agoodbeatinginthebackofthevanforourtroubles.Nextmorningwe’reincourt,breachofthepeace,twohundredquid.Criminalrecordandconcussionforweeks.Now,forgiveanoldlefty,butIdon’tthinkwhatIdidwasillegal,Ithinkitwasright.’
‘Well,differenttimes,Ron,’saysChris.
‘Now,aweeklater,’continuesRon,‘oneoftheboysgoestothelibraryandfindstheaddressoftheChiefConstableofNottinghamshire.HewasmadeLordsomethingorothershortlyafterthis.Anyway,hegetstheaddress,andthenextdaysomebrother-in-lawofsomeone’sbrother-in-lawgoesroundwithabulldozeranddrivesitintohisextension.Nowthat,Igrantyou,wasillegal.Sothere’syourfineline.’
‘Hmmm.’
‘AndwhenJasonwasonCelebrityBargainHunt,’continuesRon,‘hefoundoutwheretheauctionwasgoingtobeandgottwoofhismatestobidagainsteachotherforeverythinghebought.GarySansom,youwon’tknowhim,he’sanarmedrobber,butfromupnorth,heendsuppayingahundredandsixtyquidforasilvercigarettelighterJasonboughtforatenner,andhewonthewholeshow.Isthatillegal?WhenallthemoneywenttoMultipleSclerosis?’
‘Well…’saysChris.
‘Whatwe’resaying,’saysBogdan,‘isyou’reinsafehands.’
Chrisnods.‘Look,justdon’tkillanyone.Butifyoucanfindawaytostopher,youknow,allhelpgratefullyreceived.’
Themennod.Eventhepigeonseemstonod,andRongivesitachip.
‘AndnotawordtoDonna,andnotawordtoElizabeth?’saysChris.
‘Elizabethwillknowalready,’saysBogdan.‘Therewillbeabugunderthetable.’
‘I’mgoingtohavetotellJoycesomethingthough,’saysRon.
‘Nothingtoanyone,Ron,’saysChris.‘Theconversationstayshere.’
‘Sorry,oldson,’saysRon.‘Joycereckonsyou’reinlovewithPatrice,andIsaid,no,they’rejustbanging,andwhowouldn’t,withrespect,she’sabeautifulwoman.’
‘Thankyou,Ron,’saysChris.
‘SoI’mgoingtohavetotellher.’
‘Tellherwhat?’saysChris.
‘I’lljustsaywewerehavingachat,somethingaboutthepolice,Idon’tknow,andChriscalledPatrice“thewomanIlove”.She’llbetickledpink.’
‘Idon’tthinkIdidsaythat,Ron,’saysChris.Hadhesaidthat?
‘Youdid,’saysRon.
‘Yeah,youdid,’saysBogdan.‘Elizabethwillhaveitallonthetape.’
Well,thinksChris.Sittingataconcretetablewithtwofriends,apigeonenjoyingaMcDonald’s,andbeinginlove.Thatwassomethingtoprotect,wasn’tit?
57
‘Ijustrememberthereusedtobemuchmoredancing,’saysDonna.‘Youknow?Notsolongago.Whathappenedtoallthat?’
‘Idon’tdance,’saysIbrahim.‘Idon’thavethefast-twitchmusclefibresforit.’
‘Andthedrugs,andthefriends,andthelaughs.Imissitall.’
‘Theydon’tletyoutakedrugsinthepolice,’saysIbrahim.‘Youareunluckythere.’
‘Spoilsports,’saysDonna.Hereyesarestillclosed,butIbrahimmakeshersmile.
‘Frownedupon,Ibet,’saysIbrahim,andthenlooksathispad.‘Dancing,drugs,friends,laughs.WhichoneofthosedoyouimagineI’mthinkingismostimportant?’
‘I’mguessingnotdrugs,’saysDonna.
‘Friends,Donna,that’swhereitallcomesfrom.Youdancewithfriends,youdodrugswithfriends,youlaughwithfriends.Thatiswhat’sgone.Thefriends.Wherearethey?’
Wherehavetheygone?Wheretobegin?‘London,America,havingbabieswithmenIdon’tlike,foundreligion,gotproperjobs,oneofthemjoinedUKIP.Noone’sgottime,everyone’sbusy.ExceptShelley,andshe’sinprison.’
‘Sonoone’sdancinganymore?’
‘Iftheyare,they’renotdancingwithme,’saysDonna.‘Whoaremyclosestfriends?Chris,who’ssleepingwithmymum.Mymum,who’ssleepingwithChris.Youlot,and,backmeuphere,mybestfriendsshouldn’tbeintheirseventies.’
Ibrahimnods.‘Agreed.MaybeonewouldbeOK,butfourofusseemsabitmuch.’
‘TheonlypersonmyageI’vemetdownherewhoIactuallylikeisConnieJohnson,andshe’sadrugdealer.Ibetshedancesthough.’
‘Andshecertainlydoesdrugs,Iimagine,’saysIbrahim.
Donnasmilesagain.Hereyeshaveremainedshut.Thisispeaceful,thisishelping.Justsayingthingsoutloud.Wasthistherapy?Itdidn’tfeellikeit.Itjustfeltlikefinallytellingsomebodythetruth.
‘Openyoureyesnow,Donna,Iwanttotalktoyouinadifferentway.’DonnadoesassheistoldandIbrahimlooksdeeplyintohereyes.‘Youknowthattimeisnotcomingback,don’tyou?Thefriends,thefreedom,thepossibilities?’
‘You’resupposedtobecheeringmeup,’saysDonna.
Ibrahimnods.‘Letitgo.Rememberitasahappytime.Youwereatthetopofthemountain,andnowyou’reinavalley.Itwillhappentoyouanumberoftimes.’
‘SowhatdoIdonow?’
‘Youclimbthenextmountain,ofcourse.’
‘Ohyeah,ofcourse,’saysDonna.Simple.‘Andwhat’supthenextmountain?’
‘Well,wedon’tknow,dowe?It’syourmountain.Noone’severclimbeditbefore.’
‘AndwhatifIdon’twantto?WhatifIjustwanttogohomeandcryeverynight,andpretendtoeveryonethateverything’sOK?’
‘Thendothat.Keepbeingscared,keepbeinglonely.Andspendthenexttwentyyearscomingtoseeme,andIwillkeeptellingyouthesamething.Putyourbootsonandclimbthenextmountain.Seewhat’supthere.Friends,promotions,babies.It’syourmountain.’
‘Willtherebeothermountainsafterthatone?’
‘Therewill.’
‘SoIcanleavebabiesuntilanothermountain?’
Ibrahimsmiles.‘Youdowhateveryouwant.Butlookingforward,notback.AndI’llbehereasyouclimb.Thatarmchairisyourswheneveryouneedit.’
Donnalooksup,breathesoutandblinkstearsfromthecornersofhereyes.
‘Thankyou,I’vefeltabitstupidrecently.’
‘Lonelinessishard,Donna.It’soneofthebigones.’
‘Youshoulddothisforaliving,youknow?’
‘Youaresimplyalittlelost,Donna.Andifoneisneverlostinlife,thenclearlyonehasnevertravelledanywhereinteresting.’
‘Andyou?’asksDonna.‘Youseemsad.’
‘I’malittlesad,yes,’agreesIbrahim.‘I’mfrightened,andIcan’tseeawaythroughit.’
‘Upthenextmountainwouldbemyadvice,’saysDonna.
‘I’mnotsureIhavetheenergy,’saysIbrahim.Hiseyesstarttofillwithtearsinturn.‘Myribshurt,andthatmakesmefeellikemyhearthurts.’
‘I’llbehereasyouclimb,’saysDonna,andtakesIbrahim’shand.ShehasneverseenIbrahimcrybefore,andsheneverwantstoagain.
‘Don’ttelltheothers,’saysIbrahim.
‘Theyalreadyknow,’saysDonna,andIbrahimnods.
‘EvenRon,’heagrees.
Donnasqueezeshishand.‘Andifyoueverbreatheawordofthisconversation,Iwilltaseryou.’
‘Quiteright,’saysIbrahim.‘Now,shallwesolveamurder?’
‘Yes,let’s,’saysDonna.
IbrahimindicatestheunderneathofhiseyestoDonna,andshegoesintothebathroomtofixhermake-up.Whenshereturns,Ibrahimhasloadedthefootageshebroughtwithherontohiscomputer.Whoisthemysterypersoninthemotorcycleleathers?
Donnasitsontheedgeofhischair,andIbrahimpressesplay.
58
Elizabethhasreadtheletteragainandagain.WhatwasDouglastryingtotellher?Andifthecluewasn’tintheletter,thenwherewasit?Thelocket?She’dcheckedagain,andnothing.
‘AndyoucheckedthecottageinRye?’saysSueReardon,theletterinfrontofher.
‘FirstthingIdid,’saysElizabeth.‘AndIwonderifyounoticedthefirsttwoparagraphs?’
‘Nicetry,dear,’saysSue.‘VeryDouglas.’
IthadtakenElizabethalotlongertospotthat.SueReardonwasquick.Whichwaswhytheywerethere,ofcourse.
TheyarehavinganearlylunchinLePontNoir.Elizabethhadcometoadeadend,andthoughtitmightbetimetosharetheletterwithSue.Theirmindswerealike.SuehadgrumbledabitaboutElizabethkeepingthelettertoherself,buthadn’ttakenitasbadlyasshemighthave.Thelackofabigfusshadsavedthembothabitoftime.Suefilledherinalittle.Amafiabossisabouttoflyover,eithertoclaimhisdiamondsortokillLomax.Allthefunofthefair.Elizabethisgladtobebackinthisworld.Alasthurrah.
‘Anyoldhauntshemighthavehintedat?’saysSue.‘It’sclearhewantsyoutofindthediamonds.Theloveofhislife,andsoon.Sosomethingonlyyouandhewouldknow?’
‘Nothingspringsout.ButIhadn’tseenthemanintwentyyears,’saysElizabeth.
‘Youluckything,’saysSue.
‘Soundslikeyou’vehadafewrun-inswithhim?’
‘He’sofacertaingeneration,isn’the?’saysSue.‘I’mgladyoutrustedmewiththisletter,Elizabeth.Itwouldhavebeendeeplyunprofessionalifyouhadn’t,butIappreciateitallthesame.’
‘Sometimeswehavetosticktogether,don’twe?’saysElizabeth.‘Iamlearningtobemoretrustworthyastheyearsgoby.’
‘Well,Ihopethatepiphanycomestomeoneday,’saysSue.‘ButItrustyou,forwhatthat’sworth.Iwouldn’tputitpastustofindthediamondstogether.’
‘Wearepeasinapod,’saysElizabeth.
Sueraisesherglass.‘Let’sdrinktothat.’
59
‘Readyfortheshow?’asksIbrahim.
‘Bestseatinthehouse,’saysDonna,andputsherarmaroundtheoldman’sshoulders.
Therecordingstartsafewminutesbeforethetimethelockerwasopened.Theycanseethebackoftheyoungreceptionist’shead,andafewpeoplehurryingthroughtheframeinfrontofher.AbaldingmaninaCostaCoffeeuniformsauntersoverwearingsunglasses.Afewwordsarespoken,mainlybythereceptionist,andhewalksawayagain,alittlelessjauntily.Anothertwentysecondsorso,andthenthebikerwalksintoview.Sameleathers,samehelmet,samepersonwhocamelookingforthediamonds.
Thereisnosound,butthesequenceofeventsisclear.Thefigurewalksoutofshot,towardsthelockers,andissummonedbackbythereceptionist.Thefigurethenfishesaroundinapocketandshowsthereceptionistsomething,andisthenaskedtotakethehelmetoff.Thefaceisasclearasabell,andneitherofthemhastheslightestdoubt.
Theyhavenoreadyexplanation,either,buttheyhavenodoubt.
ItisSiobhan.
ItisPoppy’smum,openingalocker,lookingfordiamonds,thedaybeforeherdaughterisshotdead.
TheyevenseeJoyce’sfriendshipbraceletasSiobhanputsthehelmetbackonandwalkstowardsthelockers.
‘IthinkperhapsweneedtocallElizabeth,’saysIbrahim.
60
TimeistickingonoutsideMaidstoneCrownCourt.Ron’schipsarelonggoneandChrisisstartingtofeelconcerned.Whyhasn’tthecasebeencalledyet?
Hisphonebuzzes.AmessagefromDonna.Shewasonadayoff,buthadn’twantedtocomealong.She’llbedoingakick-boxingclassorpressure-washingherpatio.
HeisabouttoopenitwhenheseesRyanBaird’ssolicitorwalkingtowardsthem.Heiswearinganewsuit,actuallyquitesharp.Donna’sfashionadvicestrikesagain.Asthesolicitorreachesthetableheshakeshishead.
‘Sorry,’saysthesolicitor.
‘Sorry,what?’asksChris,butheknowswhat’scoming.
‘Nowheretobeseen.Phonedisconnected,yourboyshavebeenroundtohisflat.Nothing.’
‘He’sdonearunner?’asksRon.
‘Hehas,’repliesChris.
‘Orhemaybelyinginjuredsomewhere,’saysthesolicitor.Adding,afterChris’sdubiouslook,‘I’mhissolicitor,givemeabreak.Right,I’mgoingtofollowyourleadandhaveaMcDonald’s.’
‘Youletusknowifhegetsintouch,’saysChris.‘Fromthehospital?’
Thesolicitorshrugsapologeticallyandwaddlesofftoeatchickennuggetsinhisnewsuit.
‘JesusChrist!’saysChris.‘WhatarewegoingtotellIbrahim?’
‘Wetellhimnothing,’saysRon.‘Untilyoucatchhim.’
‘Idon’twanttobreakyourheart,Ron,’saysChris.‘Butwewon’tcatchhim.He’llbeupnorth,orinLondon.Somewherehecanstayquietuntilthisallgetsforgotten.’
‘Butthisain’tgoingtobeforgotten,’saysRon.‘Isit?I’vedonemybit.Conningmywayintosomeone’sflat,plantingcocaineintheirlavvy.Nowyoudoyourbit.’
‘I’lldowhatIcan,Ron.Youknowthat.’
‘Chriswillfindhim,’saysBogdantoRon.‘AndwewillfindawaytostopConnieJohnsonforChris.Weareclevermen.’
‘Andifwecan’t?’asksChris.
‘Wewillfindaway,’saysBogdan.‘Youhavemyguarantee.’
‘Right,who’sforaMcDonald’s?’saysRon.
‘Youjusthadone,’saysChris.
‘Thatwasbreakfast,’saysRon.
Chris’sphonebuzzesareminder.ThemessagefromDonna.
GetovertoCoopersChaseassoonasyoucan.Somethingveryweird.Hopethey’vebangedRyanBairdup.
‘AnyoneinterestedinsomethingveryweirdatCoopersChase?’saysChris.
Yes.Everyoneis.
61
ThereweretwolakesatCoopersChase.Onewasmanmade,dugbyTonyCurran’sconstructionteamduringthefirstphaseofbuildingworkatthedevelopment.Ronlovedthislake.Itwasmanicuredtowithinaninchofitslife,andithadabeautifulpavedpathallthewayaround.Thefishlovedit,theswansloveditandRonlovedit.Itwasevensparklingblue,becauseofachemicaltheymixedintoitonceaweek.Exactlywhatalakeshouldlooklike.
YouhadtohandittoTonyCurran,Godresthissoul.Hewasaterriblehumanbeing,andtherewereprobablybalesofcocaineburiedsomewhereunderthewater,butheknewhowtodigalake.
Theotherlakehadbeenthereforcenturies;itwassurroundedbyreedsandwildflowers,andskimmedwithlilypadsandalgae.Atbestitwasagreeny-brown.TheinsectsadoreditandRondidn’tseethepointofitatall.
ColinClemencefromRuskinCourtusedtoswimacrossiteverymorning.Absolutelysworebyit,untilhecaughtWeil’sdiseaseandthey’dhadtoputupsigns.
Hecanseeoneofthesignsnow.Theyreallycouldbehavingthismeetingindoors,butRonhadwantedIbrahimtotakeawalkandtogetsomeair.Ifhewasn’tgoingtoleaveCoopersChase,atleasthecouldleavehisflat.SoRonhadsuggestedtheymeetbythelake.Hehadmeanttheotherlake,ofcourse,butIbrahimlookedhappy,andsohecouldn’treallycomplain.
Theytookuptwobenches.Bothlookingoutoverthedisappointinglyuntamedlake.
‘Sobeautiful,’saysSueReardon.ShehadbeenatlunchwithElizabeth.They’dkeptthatquiet.
‘Isn’tit?’saysJoyce.‘Sowild.’
EvenJoycelikesthisstupidreallake?
IbrahimhandsaroundaprintoutoftheCCTVimage.Siobhan,helmetoff,hairdown,sequinedbraceletglintingoffastriplight.
‘Siobhan!’saysJoyce.
‘Siobhan,’saysElizabeth.
‘Well,now,’saysSueReardon.
Bloodytypical,thinksRon.ThesecondIstartfancyingsomeone.
‘Iknowthatnowisn’tthetimeorplace,’saysJoyce,‘buthowlovelyshe’swearingthebracelet.’
Theycontinuetostareindisbelief,tryingtoworkoutwhathashappened.
‘Thisisthewomanwhoturnedupatyours,Joyce,’saysChrisHudson.ChrisandDonnaareonthethirdbench.
‘Poppy’smum,yes,’saysJoyce.Shesquashesatickonherneck.Howdoyoulikethelakenow,Joycey?
‘AndthisfootageisfromthedaybeforePoppyandDouglaswerekilled,’saysDonna.
‘Theeveningbefore,’saysElizabeth.‘Beforetheshootings,andbeforeanyofusknewwherethediamondsweresupposedtobehidden.’
‘SohowdidSiobhanknowaboutthelockerbeforewedid?’asksJoyce.‘Thatdoesn’tmakeanysense?’
SueReardonpicksupthepictureofSiobhan.‘Elizabeth,IsuspectyoumightbethinkingwhatI’mthinking?Thatonlyonepersoncouldhavetoldher?’
Elizabethnods.‘ItcouldonlyhavebeenPoppy.’
Suenods.‘WouldDouglasreallyhavetoldherthough?Idoubtthat.’
‘Idoubtthattoo,’saysElizabeth.
‘Maybetheywereinittogether?’saysRon.‘TheywerebothattheLomaxrobbery,right?’
Donnanods.‘Douglasknowshe’sgoingtobelockedupawhilelonger,sohetellsPoppyaboutthelocker.Poppygetshermumtogoandcollectthediamondsforthem.’
‘Canyouspottheslightflawinthat,Donna?’saysElizabeth.
‘Douglashadn’tputthediamondsthereinthefirstplace,’saysIbrahim.‘Iftheywereinittogether,thenwhysendSiobhanonawildgoosechase?’
‘ButifDouglasdidn’ttellPoppyaboutthelocker,thenhowonearthdidshefindout?’asksSue.‘Theonlyplaceitwasreferredtowasintheletter?’
Thereissilenceallaroundandeverybodytriestothinkofanypossiblesolution.DonnanoticesthattheonlypersonnotdeepinthoughtisJoyce.JoyceissimplylookingatElizabeth,withakindsmileonherface.Asifwaitingforsomething.ButRonisthefirstintoaction.
‘OK,’saysRon.‘Igotit.Ireadthemafiahavegotlisteningdevices,andtheycanpointthematlightbulbs,andthere’ssomescienceorother,don’taskme,it’sonGoogle,andtheglassvibrates,andtheycanhearwhat’sbeingsaidinanyroom.TheyhaditontalkSPORTtheotherday.Sothemafiashowuphere,inahiredcarprobably,and–’
‘Oh,forgoodness’sake,’saysJoyce.
Ronstops,andalleyesareonJoyce.
‘Twospies,andyoucan’tworkitout?Twopoliceofficersandapsychiatrist?Andnoneofyoucanworkitout?’
‘Whataboutme?’saysRon.
‘Well,atleastyoutried,’saysJoyce.
‘AndIsupposeyouhaveworkeditout?’saysElizabeth.
‘Elizabeth,’saysJoyce,shakingherheadkindly.‘ForthecleverestpersonIknow,youcanbeverydimsometimes.’
62
RyanBairdisagenius,plainandsimple.Thecourtcasewasastitch-up,thatwasobvious.Someonehaditinforhim.Whoknewwho?Whocared?AllitprovedwasthatRyanwasaface,thatRyanhadenemies.Andwhatwasavillainwithoutenemies?Nothing.
HeissittinginhiscousinSteven’sflat.TheyareinScotland.Heforgetswhereexactly,sometownnearGlasgow.BeginswithaC.He’dgotthetrainupthedaybeforethehearing.Noticketornothing.IfyouwereRyanBaird,ifyouwereaface,ifyouhadenemies,youdidn’thavetopayfortraintickets.Intheeventhehadactuallybeencaughtbyaticketinspector,hidinginthetraintoilet,andbeenthrownoffatsomewherecalledDoncaster.He’dthengotbackonthenexttrain,onlytobethrownoffatNewcastle,wherehehadhadtosleep,becausethelasttrainhadalreadygone.ButhehadmadeituptoScotlandeventuallyandhiscousinhadcomeandpickedhimup.RyanBaird1,LNER0.
Hismumhadtoldhimyearsagothatifyoulearnatradeyouwillneverbeoutofwork,andshewasabsolutelyright.Withintwohourshewasdealingwrapsofcocaine.
Andnowhe’ssittingplayingFIFAwithSteven,nicebigspliffonthego,KFCdoneanddusted.Genius.
WhowouldeverthinkoflookingforhiminScotland?Noone.Itwasmilesaway.TheymightlookforhiminLondon.Maybethey’dgoasfarasLuton,buthedoubtsit.RyanhasneverbeentoScotlandbefore,andheseesnoreasonwhythepolicewouldeither
Tobesafe,he’scallinghimselfKirk,anamehehasalwaysfancied.Evenifthepolicedomakeitallthewayuphere,andaskaround,noonewillhaveheardofRyanBaird.It’sfoolproof.
AdmittedlyhehascalledhimselfRyanthreeorfourtimestoday,butonlyafterafewdrinkswithSteven’smates,andtheyallseemsoundenough.
Abitearlierhehadputonthelocalnewstoseeifhewasonit.Kentdrugdealerontherun.‘PolicesayRyanBairdisdangerousandshouldn’tbeapproached.’ButthelocalnewsupherewasallScottish.WhogaveatossaboutallthisScottishstuff?Someonehadburneddownaleisurecentre,butthatwastheonlygoodbit.
He’dgotajob,aroofoverhishead,andanewname,allinoneday.HehadwatchedaprogrammeaboutPabloEscobaronYouTube,andthiswasjustwhatPablowouldhavedone.Infact,Pablo!Thatwasamuchbettername.ForgetKirk,fromtomorrowhe’dbeSteven’scousin,Pablo.
PabloEscobargotshotintheend,ofcourse.Butthat’sbecausehe’dgotcareless.Thatwon’thappentoRyan.
Scotland!Youhadtohandittohim.
63
AlleyesareonJoyce.Sheisstayingsilentforamoment,likeapresenterwaitingtoannouncetheresultsonXFactor.Thesilenceisfilledwiththehumofinsectsstrafingthereedbeds.Donnacantellshe’senjoyingtheattention.Goodforher.
‘Oh,stopmilkingit,Joyce,’saysElizabeth.‘Forgoodness’sake.’
‘Iwasjustgivingyouafewmoresecondstotryandworkitout,’saysJoyce,andtakesasipofteafromherflask.
‘I’mlovingthis,’saysRon.
‘Whathaveyouworkedout,Joyce?’asksDonna.
‘Onlythis,’saysJoyce.‘Elizabeth,thatwalkyouwentonwithDouglas,throughthewoods?Thesamewalkwedidtheothernight?’
‘Goon,’saysElizabeth.
‘WhenDouglastoldyouhe’dstolenthediamonds,andmadeapointoftalkingaboutthetree?Thedead-letterdrop?’
‘IfeellikethisisgoingtobeElizabeth’sfault,’saysRonapprovingly.
‘Well,Poppywaswithyou,wasn’tshe?’
‘Butwithheadphoneson,Joyce.’
‘Well,whoelsehavewemetrecentlywearingheadphones?Thelovelygirlatthestation.Andwhatwasshelisteningto?’
‘Nothing,’saysElizabeth.
‘Nothing.Sowho’stosayPoppywaslisteningtoanythingonherheadphones?Who’stosayshecouldn’theareveryword?’
‘Beautiful,’saysRon.
‘SosheheardDouglasconfess,andsheheardabouttheolddead-letterdrop,’saysIbrahim.
‘Andthensheputtwoandtwotogether,justlikeyoudid,’saysJoyce.
‘Thencamebackupthehill,foundthenote,readit,andputitback,’saysSue.
‘Thentoldhermumwheretofindthediamonds,’saysRon.
EveryoneislookingatElizabethnow.Donnaseessheisthinkinghard.Eventuallyshelooksup,andstraightatJoyce.
‘Oh,Joyce.Youreallyareannoyinglycleversometimes.’
Joycebeams.
‘Itseems,’saysElizabeth,‘thatPoppymighthavebeenclevererthanshewaslettingon.Apoet,myfoot.’
‘Sowheredoesthisleaveus?’asksSue.‘Poppyfindstheletterandcontactshermother.Siobhantravelsdownandfindsnodiamonds.’
‘AndthenextdayPoppyisshotdead,’saysChris.
‘I’msorry,Idon’tactuallyknowwhoyouare?’saysSue.ThenlooksatDonna.‘Oryou.’
‘DCIChrisHudson,KentPolice,’saysChris.‘AndthisisPCDonnaDeFreitas.’
Suenods,thenlooksatElizabeth.‘Dothesetwoknowhowtokeeptheirmouthsshut?’
Elizabethnods.‘Theydo,tobefair.’
‘Flattered,I’msure,’saysChris.
‘IthinkI’vegotit,’saysJoyce.‘IthinkIknowwhathappened.’
‘You’reonaroll,Joyce,’saysIbrahim.
‘It’ssimple.Siobhandoesn’tfindthediamonds,andtellsPoppyso.Poppyisfrustrated,ofcourse,andsospillsalltoDouglas.“Wherearethediamonds,Iknowyouhavethem?”Douglasisenraged.Poppyhasfoundhisletter,she’stoldhermum,whoelsemightshetell?Sohehastogetridofher.HeshootsPoppy,hefakeshisdeath,wewanderinandseethemboth,andDouglasisinataxiovertowhereverthediamondsreallyare.’
‘Oh,Joyce,’saysElizabeth.
‘What?’asksJoyce.
‘Thisreallyisanobjectlessoninquittingwhileyou’reahead.’
‘Oh,’saysJoyce.
ElizabethtakesoutherphoneandopensthephotosofthehouseinHove.‘Iknewsomethingdidn’tlookrightaboutthecrimescene.’
‘Iseeyoufoundyourphone,then?’saysSue.
Elizabethgivesahappyshrug.‘Backofthesofa.Thewholethinglookedtoostaged.Tooperfect.WhichiswhyIthoughtDouglashadsetthewholethingup.ShotPoppy,butfakedhisowndeath,andsubstitutedanothercorpseforhisown.’
‘Butnow?’asksDonna.
‘Well,nowIwonderifitwasn’ttheotherwayaround.WhatifPoppyfakedherowndeath?’
‘NotPoppy,’saysJoyce.
‘WhotoldusthatthebodyinthemorguewasPoppy’s?’asksElizabeth.
Theyallknowtheanswer,butSueisthefirsttosayitoutloud.
‘Siobhan.’
Anditallfallsintoplace.Forthespies,forthepoliceofficers,forthepsychiatristandthenurse.EvenforRon.Themotherandthedaughterandthediamonds.WhatdidtheyreallyknowaboutPoppy?WhatdidtheyreallyknowaboutSiobhan?Nothing.Theyknewnothingatall.
PartThree
SOMANYDAYTRIPSFORYOUTOENJOY
64
Joyce
Well,guesswhohasjustbeenontheEurostar?Yourstruly,JoyceMeadowcroft.
ItriedtogetIbrahimtodriveustoAshfordInternational,buthewasn’thavingit.Heblamedhisribs,butyoucantellthey’realotbetter.Isawhimgetateapotfromahighshelfyesterday.I’lltempthimoutatsomepointthough,youseeifIdon’t.
Thereisatheoryafoot,Elizabeth’stheory,buteveryoneseemstohaveboughtintoit,thatPoppyisbehindthemurders.ShefoundoutthatDouglashadstolenthediamondsandshewantedthemforherself.Soshehatchedanelaborateplan,tooelaborateifyouwantmyopinion,togetthemforherself.
Itdoesn’tseemrighttome.Poppywassogentle.HaveIreallygotthatwrong?PerhapsIhave,Iamquitetrusting.Therewasanurseatthehospitaloncewhokeptstealingmorphine.Andshewouldn’tsaybootoagoose.Alsothere’sanactorinEmmerdalewhoIlove.IfollowhimonInstagram,andtherearealwayspicturesofhiswifeandhisbabyandhisdog,andIalwayslikethem.Anyway,JasonwasonCelebrityTippingPointwithhim,andsaidhewasanastypieceofwork.Hedidn’tgointodetailsbuthesaidheknewonewhenhesawone,andthat’struewithJason,soItookhiswordforit.IstillfollowhimonInstagram,butit’snotthesame.Hereallydoeshaveagorgeouskitchenthough.
SomaybeIwaswrongaboutPoppytoo.Maybeshedidit.Twentymillionpoundsisalotofmoneyafterall.
TheideaisthatshegotSiobhaninvolved.Gothermumtoidentifythewrongbody,andthrowusoffthescent.Whichispossible.IfJoannaaskedmetopretendadeadbodywashersIprobablywould.Whenit’syourchild,youactfirstandaskquestionslater,don’tyou?Sheonceaskedmetotellaboyfriendofhersthatshe’dmovedtoGuernsey,soIhavesomeform.Hewasoneofmyfavouritestoo.IfollowhimonInstagramnow,andhehastwolovelykidswithadoctor.IthinktheyareinNorwich,butdon’tquoteme.Also,don’ttellJoannaIfollowhim.
WherewasI?
Eurostar!Yes.Theseatsareverycomfortable,thereisfreetea,andyoucanplugyourphonein.WhenwewereintheChannelTunnelItextedJoannaandsaidGuesswhereyourmumis?,butshedidn’treplyuntilthisevening,andbythattimeIwasinthetaxihomefromRobertsbridgestation.
HaveyoueverbeentoAntwerp?Idoubtit,butyouneverknow.Itisverypleasant.Ithasacathedral,andwemusthavewalkedpasteightornineStarbucks.Wehadanappointmentattwo,withamancalledFranco.Francoisadiamonddealer,andhisworkshopisinalongrowofhousesbesideacanal,withstepsleadinguptothem.Therearesmallbrassplaquesbythedoors.Ithoughttherewouldbewindowsandwindowsfullofdiamonds,butnosuchluck.Therewasacatinonewindow,butnothingmoreexcitingthanthat.
Francowasgorgeous.Idon’tthinkIreallyhadanideawhatBelgianpeoplelookedlikebeforetoday,butifFrancoisanythingtogobyIwillkeepmyeyeoutinfuture.White-haired,tanned,blueeyesandhalf-moonglasses.Iaskedhimifhiswifeworkedwithhimandhesaidhewasawidower.Iputmyhandonhis,purelyforcomfort,andElizabethrolledhereyes.
PerhapsPoppywasmurdered,perhapsDouglaswasmurdered,perhapstheybothwere?Nooneknowsforsure,andthat’sthepoint.Butthisiswherethekillerwouldhavecometocashthediamondsin.EithertoFranco,ortosomeoneFrancoknew.
Heofferedusbothaglassofmilk.Isaidyes,becauseIdon’trememberthelasttimeIhadaglassofmilk.Doyou?AsIdrankitIwasthinking,well,thismightbethelastglassofmilkIeverdrink,mightn’tit?Ican’tseeanothersituationwhereIwillbeofferedone.UnlessIweretomarryahandsomeBelgian.WhichIamrefusingtoruleout.
ImagineifImarriedFranco?Imaginethering!ImagineJoanna’sface.Sheiscurrentlydatingthechairmanofafootballclub.Heisalwaysinthegym,andshehasaspringinherstep.Iwouldwalkdowntothemarketandbuyfoodfortea.Francowouldbesittingthere,glassofmilkinhand,andIwouldaskhowmanydiamondshe’dsoldtoday(orsomethingmoretechnicalonceI’dgotusedtoitall)andhewouldlookdownoverthoseglassesandsaysomethinginBelgian.Yes,please.Iwouldn’tmindthatonebit.
IwasgladIwaswearingmynewgreencoatfromASOS.
I’mwafflingon,aren’tI?Thoughyouwouldbetooifyou’dmethim.ElizabethaskedhimifDouglashadbeentovisithim,andFrancosaidhe’dhadacallaboutamonthago,tellinghimtoexpectavisit,buthehadn’theardfromhimsince.Theyareallobviouslyoldpalsfromsomeescapadeorother.
ThenElizabethaskedifanyoneelsehadbeentoseehim,withtwentymillionpounds’worthofdiamonds.Hesaidnoagain.
Tobeonthesafesidewedescribedeveryonewecouldthinkof.WedescribedPoppy,wedescribedSiobhan,wedescribedSueandLance,wedescribedMartinLomax,wementionedthemafiaandtheColombiancartel,butnothingdoing.Noonelikethathadcometoseehiminthelasttwoweeks.
Ihadanotherglassofmilk,justtoekethingsout,buteventuallywehadtosaygoodbye.Francokissedmethreetimes,andIthoughtwell,herewego,butthenhekissedElizabeththreetimestoo,sothatmustjustbewhattheydoinBelgium.
Wehadtoheadbacktothestation,but,ontheway,IboughtsomechocolateforIbrahimandsomebeerforRon.Theshopevenwrappedthemnicely.
Ithoughtwemightsleeponthetrainback,buthonestlyweweretalking.IfPoppywasbehindallthis,thenshewouldhavecometoFranco.ThereareveryfewplacesinEuropewhereyoucancashintwentymillionindiamondswithnoquestionsasked.IfPoppyhasthediamonds,thenperhapssheislyinglow?Andifshedoesn’thavethediamonds,thenshewillstillbelookingforthem.Butwherearethey?SomewhereinDouglas’sletteristheanswer.Butwe’vereadtheletter,andPoppyhasreadtheletter.Whowillbethefirsttoworkitout?
Itwasquitealongjourneyback,sosomewhereinnorthernFranceIunwrappedIbrahim’schocolatesandweatethem,andthenIunwrappedRon’sbeersandwedrankthem.
So,weneedtofindPoppybeforeshefindsthediamonds.Elizabethsaysshehasaplantoflushherout.
Icanseeinthedistancethatherlightisstillon.ThatmeanssheisthinkingaboutPoppy.
Mayyourlightalwaysbeon,Elizabeth.
WearenottellingIbrahimfornowthatRyanBairdhasdisappeared.We’rejustsayingthecaseisdelayed.Ihatetolie,butIcanseethepoint.
RonsaysChrisisinlovewithPatrice.Well,Ishouldthinkso,too.Ipredictahappyendingthere.
Iamgoingtobednow.IknowIshouldbethinkingaboutPoppyandthediamonds.ButinsteadI’mgoingtothinkaboutabighousebyacanal,withstonesteps,andbrassplaquesbythedoor.
Youhavetokeepdreaming.Elizabethknowsthat.Douglasknewit,too.Ibrahimhasforgotten,butI’mheretoremindhimwhenthetimeisright.
65
Thegameofchesshasfinished,andtherealworkoftheeveninghasbegun.
ElizabethstillfeelsalittlewoozyfromtheBelgianbeersonthetrain.Andtheglassofwineatthestationastheywaitedfortheirtaxi.AndtheginandtonicBogdanhadwaitingforherwhenshewalkedthroughthedoor.Andthesecondginandtonicsheiscurrentlydrinking.
BogdanandStephenhadgroundoutanattritionaldraw.BogdanhadcalledStephenallthenamesunderthesunandStephenhadsmiledandsaid,‘Letitout,oldboy,letitout.’
Thethreeofthemnowsitinthelivingroom.ElizabethandStephenonthesofa,handinhand,andBogdanonthearmchair,legsspreadwide.Itis1a.m.Butnoonemuchminds.BogdanisdrinkingRedBullandElizabethwonders,onceagain,whattimehenormallygoestobed.
Bogdanhasfilledherinonthetrial.RyanBairdhasdoneadisappearingact.Don’ttellIbrahim.Theywillsoonfindhim,though;theystillhavethefilethatPoppyputtogether.
Poppy?Now,whatwashappeningthere?WhatsignshadElizabethmissed?
Everyonewascapableofstealing.Sheonceknewavicarwhohadstolen,andmelteddown,acrucifixfromhisownchurchbecausehehadlostmoneyonthehorses.Butnoteveryonewascapableofkilling.WasPoppy?Itseemedsounlikely,butElizabethhasbeenfooledbefore,notoften,butshehas.ShewatchesBogdan,pouringhimselfanenergydrink,lookingasinnocentasthedayislong.
AndPoppyhadshotAndrewHastings.Shehadbeenshakingafterwardsforsure,butanyonecouldfakethat.Involuntarily,Elizabethstartstoshake.
‘Youcold,dear?’asksStephen.
Yousee,itwaseasy.Stephenputshisarmaroundherandshesettlesherheadonhisshoulder.Whataman.Also,Poppy’sgenerationwereusedtogeneratingfakeemotion,weren’tthey?Awholegeneration,outragedattheslightestthing,sensitivetotheslightestcriticism,honestly,whateverhappenedto…waitaminute,sherealizesshedoesn’treallybelievethat,shehadjustreadaDailyExpresssomeonehadleftonthetrain.MostyoungpeoplewerelikeDonna,fightingnewfights.Goodlucktothem.
ShenestlesfurtherontoStephen’sshoulder.Thethoughtcrosseshermindbriefly,whatifneitherofthemisdead?Whatifthey’reinittogether?
WhatifPoppyandDouglaswerelovers?
Elizabethwouldn’tputitpastDouglas.Helikednothingmorethanawomanhecouldn’thave.Orshouldn’thave.Wouldmoveheavenandearthtogether,promisetheworld.
ButPoppy?Honestly,shefounditmorelikelythatPoppywouldkillDouglasthanwouldfallinlovewithhim.Thoughitwasoftenafineline,wasn’tit?EspeciallywithDouglas.
BogdanhasjustpolishedoffanotherRedBull.‘SoPoppysays,“Ikillyou,Douglas,unlessyoutellsmewherethediamondsreallyare.”’
‘Thenerve,’saysStephen.
‘Mmmm,’saysElizabeth.Sheissleepyandcomfortable.ThereisnowayPoppyandDouglaswerelovers.
Bogdancontinuesthetheory.‘ThenDouglastellsher,“Iburiedthemunderatree,byafence,don’tkillme,”butsheshootshimanyway.’
‘Joyceanynearerbuyingthatdog?’asksStephen.
‘What,darling?’saysElizabeth.
‘Yourpal,Joyce.Shewasafterbuyingadog?’
ThethingsStephenremembered.
‘No,dear,onholdwhileeveryone’sbeingshot,Ithink.’
‘Timeandaplace,’agreesStephen.
‘Douglaswouldlie,ofcourse,’saysElizabeth.‘Hewouldn’ttellPoppywherethediamondswereinamonthofSundays.’
‘Ishouldthinknot,’saysStephen.‘Pointingaguninhisface,askinghimaboutdiamonds?Thecheekofthegirl.’
‘SoPoppyisouttherestill,’saysBogdan.‘Lookingforthediamonds.’
‘Furious,nodoubt,’saysStephen.‘Wouldanyonelikedinner,bytheway?There’salasagne?’
‘Maybelater,notnow,’saysBogdan.
‘Sowhatwouldyoudo,ifyouwerePoppy?’asksStephen.‘Whataretheoptions?’
‘Isobvious,’saysBogdan.
‘Oh,good,’saysElizabeth,decidingsheshouldprobablyrouseherselffromStephen’sshoulder.Therewasworktodo.
‘IwouldjustkeepaneyeonElizabeth,’saysBogdan.‘Soonerorlatersheknowsyoufindthediamonds.’
‘Oh,Elizabethwillfindthemallright,’saysStephen.‘She’llwaltzbackin,pocketsjinglingwiththem.’
‘AndwhenElizabethfindsthem,Poppywillbewatchingandwaiting,’saysBogdan.
‘SotofindPoppyIneedtofindthediamonds?’saysElizabeth.‘Whichisprovingimpossible.’
‘Nosuchthingasimpossible,dear,’saysStephen.‘There’llbeaclueyou’vemissedsomewhere.Readtheletteragain.’
‘It’snotintheletter,’saysElizabeth.‘We’vebeenthroughthelot.’
‘You’llfigureitout,’saysStephen.‘It’llbethatex-husbandplayingsillybuggers.’
‘Wejustneedatrap,’saysBogdan.
‘Withthediamondsasbait,’saysStephen.‘Getthebrainingear,oldgirl.’
‘I’mafraidmybrainhashadalongday,’saysElizabeth.Alongdayofthinking,alonglifefullofthinking.Somuchthinking.Justtofindthatallshewaslookingforwasthis.APolishmantoobigforthechairheissittingin,andalovelywhite-hairedmanwhothoughthecouldexploreVenicewithoutamap.
ElizabethrestsherheadonStephen’sshoulderoncemoreandshutshereyes.Thelastthingsheseesbeforetheycloseisthemirroronherfarwall.Whoisthatoldwomanlookingbackather?Luckything,whoeversheis.Sheseesthereflectionofherhusband,stillinhistieandhissmartshoes,andthereflectionofBogdan,hisshavedhead,hismuscles,andtheNIKElogoonhisT-shirt,readingEKINinthemirror.
Sheopenshereyesagain.
66
‘Well,he’llkillme,’saysMartinLomax,asiftalkingtoanidiot.‘Chopmylegsoff,youknowthemafia.’
‘Agreed,’saysSueReardon.‘That’swhywe’rehere.Toprotectyou.’
‘Goodluck,’saysLomax,andturnstoLanceJamesstandingbythewindow,lookingoutoverthegardens.‘Goodluck,eh,Lance?’
‘Iftheywanttokillyou,they’llkillyou,’saysLance.‘Wecanprobablydelaythemabit.Butyouknowthemafia.’
‘Don’tIjust,’saysLomax.‘Theydon’teventaketheirshoesoffwhentheycomein.’
LancehastakentovisitingMartinLomaxeverymorning,ataroundeleven.Stakingoutahousewasboring,especiallyasLomaxneverleftit.Sotheyhadcometoanarrangement.
LomaxletshimchargehisphoneandusehisWi-Fi.AndinreturnhewouldaskLancequestionsabouttheSpecialBoatService.
Nothingclassified,obviously,butLomaxisamilitaryhistorynut,andLancehasplentyofgoodstories.LancehadbeenbaseddowninPooleforfifteenyearswiththeSBS,beenonoperationsthateveryonehadheardof,andhe’dbeenonoperationsthatnobodywouldeverhearof.Certainlynotfromhim.
‘FrankAndradewillbelandingonMonday,inaprivatejet,atFarnboroughairfield,’saysSue.‘I’mguessinghe’llcomestraighthere.’
‘Whattimedoesheland?’Lomaxasks.
‘Eleventwenty-fivea.m.,’saysLance.
‘Well,he’llhittraffic,’saysLomax.‘TheA3willbesnarledup.’
AlotoftheworktheSpecialBoatServicewoulddocamethroughtheSecurityService,ortheSpecialIntelligenceService,MI5andMI6.Ashegotolder,Lancespentabitlesstimechasingal-Qaedaandabitmoretimeatadesk.HewouldcomeuptoLondoneverynowandagaintogivebriefings.Hewouldconsultonoperations.Beforeyouknewit,hehadbeentakenasideandaskedtojoinMI5permanently.Keepinghishandinonoperations,ofcourse.OverseeingtheraidonMartinLomax’shouse,forexample.Thatsortofthing.Lancecouldbreakintoanything,andkillanyone.Thebuilderwho’dsleptwithhisexdidn’tknowhowluckyhe’dbeen.
‘Wewillhaveateamhereonthatmorning,’saysSue.‘CommandedbyLance.’
‘SBS?’asksLomax.
‘Ican’tsay,’saysSue.
‘Butyes,’confirmsLance.
Heknowsheisstillseenasafootsoldier.Lookeddownonabitbysomeofthepublic-schoolkids.Andheknowsheisindangerofgettingstuckwhereheisunlesshecanmakesomesortofimpact.
Thiscasewouldbeagoodplacetostart.Anicecalling-card.
‘Wewouldn’tneedallthisfussifyousimplyfoundthediamonds,’saysLomax.
‘Iguaranteethat’sourplan,’saysSue.
‘Well,itseemsyouonlyhaveafewdaysleft,’saysLomax.
‘Iamconfidentwe’llfindthem,’saysSue.
Lancedoesn’tshareherconfidence.PerhapsElizabethBestwillfindthem?That’stheonlyhope.But,eitherway,MartinLomaxwillneverseethemagain.That’snothowthiswillwork.
Howwillitwork?Lancesupposeshewillhavetowaitandsee.ButMartinLomaxisadeadman.
67
ElizabethandJoyceareintheminibus,ontheirwaydowntoFairhaven.JoycehasflapjacksandElizabethhasnews.Joyceintendstosharetheflapjacks,butElizabethiskeepingthenewstoherself.
‘Justtellme,’saysJoyce.
‘Ingoodtime,’saysElizabeth.
‘You’resuchabully,’saysJoyce.
‘Nonsense,’saysElizabeth.‘Areyougettingadog,bytheway?Stephenwantedtoknow.’
‘Noneofyourbusiness,’saysJoyce.SheisbeginningtothinkshemightnotofferElizabethaflapjack,butshehasmadethemwithcoconutoil,andisdesperateforsomeonetotrythem.Sosheisinabind.
Elizabethhadsentheramessagefirstthing.
WearegoingtoFairhaventhismorning.Wearsomethingthatgoeswellwithdiamonds
However,shehasbeennomoreforthcomingthanthat.Joyceiswearinganothernewcardigan.Navyblue.Ithadbetterbeworthit
‘WhatarewegoingtodoaboutRyanBaird?’asksElizabeth.
‘Youtellme,’saysJoyce.‘Youalwayshavetheanswers.’
‘Arewehavingarow,Joyce?’asksElizabeth.‘Hownovel.’
‘Friendsdon’tkeepsecrets,’saysJoyce.
‘It’sagoodsecretthough,sodon’tgetcrotchety,’saysElizabeth.‘Ijustwanttosurpriseyou.’
TheminibuspullsupoutsidetheRyman’sinFairhavenandCarlitobidsthemallfarewell.Heisvaping,andElizabethtellshimtosmokeapropercigaretteforgoodness’sake.
‘Sowherearewegoing?’asksJoyce.
‘Youknowwherewe’regoing,’saysElizabeth,andsetsofftowardstheseafront.
‘You’resoinfuriating,’saysJoyce,settingoffbehindher.
‘Iknow,’saysElizabeth.‘Ihonestlycan’thelpit.Ihavetried.’
Theshopspeterout,andtheyfindthemselvesonafamiliarroute.Theypasstherowsandrowsoflock-upgarages.TheypassLePontNoir.Elizabethstriding,Joycehurryingtokeepup.
‘Arewegoingbacktothetrainstation?’asksJoyce.
‘ByGeorge,Ithinkshe’sgotit,’saysElizabeth.
‘Whyarewegoingtothestation?’ButElizabethishurryingahead.
Thewalkcontinues,untiltheyfindthemselvesinsideFairhaventrainstation.Noneedtofollowthesignsthistime.TheystopattheLeftLuggageOfficeandthereceptionisttakesoffherheadphonesandsmiles.
‘Welcomeback!’
‘Thankyou,’saysElizabeth.
‘Doyouneedanything?’
‘No,thankyou,dear,’saysElizabeth,andholdsupthekeytolocker531.
ElizabethandJoyceentertherowsoflockers,andElizabethstopsbythefirstone.
Shetakessomethingoutofherhandbag,andpassesittoJoyce.ItisthelocketthatDouglasgaveher.
‘Youfoundsomethinginthelocket?’asksJoyce.‘Isthatwhywe’rebackhere?’
Elizabethholdsupafingertostopher.‘Joyce,yousolvedthisforme.’
‘Oh,good,’saysJoyce.
‘Well,youandBogdan.’
‘Idon’tmindsharingwithBogdan,’saysJoyce.
‘YouworkedoutthatPoppyoverheardmyconversationwithDouglas.Whichmademereallythinkabouttheconversation.I’vetoldyou,there’sneverawordoutofplacewithDouglas.Heismeticulous.EveninourweddingvowsInoticedheputtheslightestquestionmarkafter“Ido”.’
‘Ooh,’saysJoyce.
‘Whenwewerebythetree,heremindedmeofadead-letterdropwehadhadinEastBerlin,only,yousee,thedead-letterdropwasinWestBerlin.Iputitdowntooldage.Ithitsmenharder,asweknow.’
‘Butitwasn’toldage?’
‘Openthelocket,andwhatdoyousee?’
Joyceopensthelocket.‘Nothing,justthemirror.’
‘Justthemirror,precisely.TheworthlessmirrorthatDouglaswassokeentogiveme.Butwhatdoesamirrordo?ItturnsEastBerlinintoWestBerlin.ItturnsNIKEintoEKIN.And?’Elizabethholdsupthekey.
Joycealmostsqueals.‘Itturns531into135!’
Elizabethnods,andmotionsalongthelineoflockers.‘Wouldyouliketodothehonours?’
Joycefollowsbehindher.‘No,you.’
Theyreachlocker135,andElizabethslidesthekeyintothelock.Itisaperfectfit.Sheturnsit,andthedoorswingsopen.Insideisabluevelvetbag,withadrawstringaroundthetop.ElizabethmotionsforJoycetotakeit.Joyceliftsthebagandloosensthedrawstring.
Diamondssparkleinside.Thirtyorso.Bigones.
Shewaswearingexactlytherightcardigan.
‘You’reholdingtwentymillionpounds,Joyce,’saysElizabeth.‘Slipitintoyourbag,willyou?Andpromisenottogetmuggedonthewaybacktotheminibus.’
Elizabethreachesintothelockeragainandpullsoutanote.ItisfromDouglas.Shereadsit,thenshowsittoJoyce.
DarlingElizabeth,Soyoufoundthem?Sorryforthewildgoosechase,butitwasfun,no?DidyougetitfromEastBerlin,ordidyouneedthemirror?Beltandbraces,Iknow.Ididn’twanttomakeittooeasy,butIwantedtomakesureyouwouldgetthereeventually.Ihopeyoudidn’tgodowntothecottageinRye?Theybuiltabypassthroughityearsago.Inanyevent,congratulations.Aren’ttheybeautiful?Whatwillyoudowiththem?Youreallyshouldkeepthem.Goon,youknowyouwantto?Onaslightlymoresombrenote,itgoeswithoutsayingthatifyou’vefoundthisnotethenIamdead.Soitisswingsandroundabouts,isn’tit?Thoughlifeisalwaysswingsandroundabouts,soIdon’tseewhydeathshouldbeanydifferent.IwonderifI’llbeheadingupstairs?Idoubtit,don’tyou?Iwillloveyoualways,Douglas
JoycehandstheletterbacktoElizabeth.Elizabethfoldsitupandreturnsittothelocker.Joycelooksdownintoherbag,atthediamonds.TheyaretuckedawayunderaKateAtkinson.
‘Sowhatarewegoingtodowiththediamonds?’sheasks.‘Idon’tsupposewecouldjustkeepthem?’
Elizabethslipsherarmthroughthearmofherfriend.‘We’regoingtousethemasbaittocatchPoppyandSiobhan.’
Joycenods.‘ItwillbenicetoseePoppyagain,evenifshemurderedDouglas.’
‘Andmaybebaitforafewmorepeoplewhodeservecatching,too,’saysElizabeth.
‘Perhapswecouldjustkeeponeortwoofthediamonds?’saysJoyce.‘Idon’tthinkanyonewouldnotice?’
‘Ithink,’saysElizabeth,‘thatweneedtoconveneanemergencymeetingoftheThursdayMurderClub.’
‘Wonderful,’saysJoyce.‘I’msorryIwasangryearlier.’
‘Don’tmentionit,’saysElizabeth.‘I’minfuriating.’
Joycesmiles.‘Youcertainlyare.Wouldyoulikeaflapjack?’
‘Finally,’saysElizabeth.
68
DonnaisdrinkingwhiskyonChris’ssofa.TheyhavejustbeenwatchingSuccession,herfavouriteshow.Billionsofpounds,familyrows,peopleinandoutofhelicopterseveryfiveminutes.Shecouldhandleabitofthat.Chrishasneverseenit,becauseheisnearlyfifty-two,andneverwatchesanythingnewunlessheisforcedto.SheknowshewouldhappilywatchrepeatsofTheInbetweenersandRamsay’sKitchenNightmaresuntilthedayhedies.
ChrisiscurrentlyonFaceTimewithhermum.
‘Wishyouwerehere,Patsy,’heissaying.
Patsy?Christ!Also,‘Wishyouwerehere’?Mycompanynotuptoscratch?
Patricereplies,‘I’mcomingdownonSunday,BigBear.’
Donnacan’thelpbutsmile.Letthemenjoythemselves.ThechatwithIbrahimhasdonehergood.Lifewasnotrunningawayfromher.Justtheopposite,shewasrunningawayfromlife.Soonwardsandupwards.Allthatnonsense.
Thereisaringonhermum’sdoorbellandshesays,‘Holdon,gorgeous,letmegetthat.’
‘Leaveit,’saysChrisquickly.Donnalooksup.Thatdoesn’tsoundlikehim.ButPatriceignoreshim,ofcourse;itrunsinthefamily.
‘Leaveit?’asksDonna.
Chrisdismissesherwithhishand.‘Iwasjustenjoyingchatting.’Hiseyesflickbacktothescreen.Patriceisstillnotthere.
Donnatiltsherhead.‘Issomethingup?’
‘Stopbeingsuchapoliceofficer,Donna,’saysChris.
‘Whatamentoryouare,’saysDonna.‘EverydayI’mlearning.’
Patriceisstillnotback.Chrisstartstowhistle.Buthislegisjigglingupanddownatspeed.Somethingisn’taddinguphere.
‘SodidyouenjoySuccession?’Donnaasks.
‘Yep,yep,’saysChris,buthiseyesdon’tleavetheemptyscreen.Thetopofasofa,adyingpotplantandanoldschoolphotoofDonnawithamissingfronttooth.
‘Youlookingatanemptyscreeninsteadofme?’
‘Sorry,’saysChris,andgivesDonnathebriefestofglancesbeforelookingbackathiscomputer.Whatwasgoingonhere?Perhapshe’sinlove?He’dbetterbe.
‘You’renothidinganyth–’
DonnaisinterruptedbythereturnofPatrice.‘Sorry,dear,itwastheLibDemsatthedoor.Ihadtoputthemstraightontuitionfees.’
Chris’sleghasstoppedjiggling.Andhehassuckedhisstomachinagain.
Donna’sphonebuzzes.AmessagefromElizabeth.
YouarecordiallyinvitedtoameetingoftheThursdayMurderClub,tomorrowatelevenintheJigsawRoom.Irecommendattendance.
69
Chriscouldlivewithoutthis.Twospieshadbeenshot.Oronespyhadbeenshotbyanotherspy.Ornospieshadbeenshot,andthewholethingwasonebigmagictrick?But,whateverthetruthofit,itwasn’tsomethinghecouldgetinvolvedwith.Hecouldcatchandhandcuffthekillerhimself,butnoonewouldevergettohearaboutit.ThiswasonefortheSecurityServices.
Itwasinteresting,sure,murderanddiamonds,andifhewasinabetterplacehecouldenjoyit.ButallhecanthinkaboutisConnieJohnson.ConnieJohnsonandPatrice.WhenPatrice’sdoorbellranglastnight,hehadfearedtheworst.AndhadhiditbadlyfromDonna.PerhapsRonandBogdancouldworkamiracle?
Buthereheisregardless.Outofpoliteness.IntheJigsawRoom,withtheThursdayMurderClubinfullflow.
Dominatingtheroomarethreehugeboards,eachcoveredinasheetofperspex.Beneaththeperspexsithalf-finishedjigsawsofTheHaywain,SydneyOperaHouseatSunsetanda2,000-piecepuzzleoftheweddingofPrinceCharlesandLadyDiana.Sofaronlythebordersofthatjigsaw,andtheeyesofthehappycouplehavebeencompleted.Duringtheopeningpleasantries,ChrishadbeenlookingintoDiana’seyes.Thefuturewasthereforalltosee.PoorDiana,hethought,Ihopeyouhadabitoffunalongtheway.
ButnowElizabethhasdroppedthebombshell,andshehasChris’sfullattention.
‘Soyouhavetwentymillionpounds’worthofdiamonds?’asksChrisHudson.‘Inyourpossession?’
‘Yes,giveortake,’saysElizabeth.
‘Andwherearethey?’asksDonna.
‘Neveryoumindwheretheyare,’saysElizabeth.
‘They’reinmykettle,’saysJoyce.
‘Doyourspyfriendsknowyou’vegotthem?’asksChris.
‘Notyet,’saysElizabeth.‘I’lltellthem,butIneedaplaninplacefirst.Ithoughtyoucouldhelp?’
‘Ifwehelp,canIseethediamonds?’asksDonna.
‘Ofcourse,dear,I’mnotamonster,’saysElizabeth.
‘WhatcanDonnaandmedo?’asksChris.
‘DonnaandI,’saysElizabeth.‘IfItellyou,youhavetopromisenottogetangry.’
‘Oh,herewegoagain,’saysChris.
‘Iwanttoorganizeameetingwiththemafia.InFairhaven.’
‘Ofcourseyoudo,’saysChris.‘Anyreason?Orwasbridgecancelledandyouhadaslotinyourdiary?’
‘YouknowIdon’tlikehumour,Chris,’saysElizabeth.
‘WewanttodragPoppyoutofhiding,’saysJoyce.‘Gethertobreakcover.’
‘She’llstillbelookingforthediamonds,’saysElizabeth.‘Soshe’llbekeepingtrackofmesomehow.Orshe’llbekeepingtrackofSueReardon,orMartinLomax.SoIwantusalltogetherinthesameplace,withthediamonds.Mondayafternoon.Saythreeish?’
‘Idon’tunderstandwhatyouneedfromDonnaandI?’saysChris.
‘FromDonnaandme,thistime,’saysElizabeth.‘Ineedyououtside,keepingthosekeeneyespeeledforPoppy.’
‘Noneofthisismybusiness,Elizabeth,’saysChris.‘Ican’tjustsuddenlygetinvolved.Donna,backmeup.It’snotourcase.’
Donnaagrees.‘Thekillingsarenotourcase,MartinLomaxisn’tourcase,themafia’snotourcase.Unfortunately.I’dloveitifthemafiawasmycase.’
‘Andevenifwewerethere,’saysChris.‘What’syourplanwhilewe’rewaitingoutside?Givealoadofdiamondstothemafia?’
‘Ihaven’tworkedoutthatbitofmyplanyet,’saysElizabeth.‘ButIwill.’
‘Youcanbesureshewill,’saysIbrahim.
‘Sorry,’saysChris.‘I’vedoneallsortsforyou,andI’vealwayswonderedwhereI’ddrawtheline.AndIthinkthatlinemightbekeepingwatchasyouhandovertwentymillionpoundstothelargestcrimesyndicateintheworld.’
Theyareatanimpasse.UntilRonclearshisthroat.
‘I’vegotasuggestion.Agoodone,ifanyone’sinterested?’
‘Ron,Iloveyoudearly,’saysElizabeth.‘Butareyousureit’sagoodone?’
‘Iwasjustthinking,’saysRon.‘Seeingasit’snotChris’scase.Whydon’twemakeitChris’scase?’
‘Thisdoesactuallysoundlikeitmightbegood,’saysJoycetoElizabeth.
‘Chris,’saysRon.‘YouandDonnahavebeenchasingthatdrugdealer,haven’tyou?Thewoman?’
‘ConnieJohnson?’saysDonna.
‘Isthattheone?Yeah,Idon’tknownothingabouther,’saysRon.‘Butit’syourcase,right?’
‘Itis,’saysChris.
‘Well,whataboutwegetherinvolved?Wetellherwe’resomebiggang,downfromLondon.Tellherwe’vegotadiamondtradesetupwiththemafia.We’vegotameetinglocally,andwe’veheardgoodthings.Doesshefancygettinginvolved?’
ChriscouldkissRon.Hewon’tbuthecould.
‘SoSueandLanceandthatmobcanswoopandcatchLomaxandthemafiageezer.AndyouandDonnacancatchthewoman.Remindmeofhernameagain?’
‘ConnieJohnson,Ron,’saysChris.Actually,hewillkisshim.Firstchancehegets.
‘Ifyousayso,’saysRon.‘Whatdoyoureckon?’
ChrislooksatDonna.‘Ifwegotatip-offthatConnieJohnsonwasdoingadeal.Andwehadatimeandaplace?We’dgoandinvestigate,wouldn’twe?’
‘We’dpayitavisit,Ireckon,’saysDonna.
‘Ron,’saysElizabeth.‘Thisisn’tbadatall.ButhowdoweconvinceConnieJohnsonthatwe’reabigLondongang?’
Ronmotionstohimself,offended.‘Ijustshowup,don’tI?Whackonasuit.Tell’emI’mBillyBaxterorJimmyJackson,downfromCamden.Flashthetattoos,flashthediamonds.’
‘Hmmm,’saysElizabeth.
‘I’mnotsurethatgangstershaveChairmanMaotattoos,’saysJoyce.
‘Allright,I’lltakeBogdanwithme,’saysRon.
‘Well,thisisbeginningtofeellikeaplan,’saysElizabeth.‘We’llgoandpickupFrankAndradefromFarnboroughairportonMondaymorning,tellhimthegoodnews,wehavethediamonds,docomewithus.We’llgetLancetobringLomaxdownwithhim.GetthemalloverheretomeetConnieJohnson.We’llhaveSuelisteninginatruck,and,nodoubt,Poppyloiteringnearby.Everybodygetsarrested,everybodygetsmedals,andwe’rehomeintimeforEggheads.Whereshouldwehavethemeeting?Ineedsomewherewecancontrol.Somewherewithoutescaperoutes?’
Donnapipesup.‘There’samanager’sofficeabovethearcadeattheendofthepier.Ihadtovisititoncebecauseofalltheunderagekidsonthemachines.Themanagertriedtobribemewithagrandin10ps.’
‘Theendofthepiersoundsperfect,’saysElizabeth.‘Oh,andIbrahim,I’mgoingtoneedyoutodriveusuptoFarnboroughandback.’
‘NotonMonday,’saysIbrahim,shakinghishead.‘Myribs,andmyeyesight.Maybeinafewweeks.Iwouldloveto,butI’mafraidIcan’t.’
DonnalooksatIbrahim.‘Ithinkyouprobablycan,though.Don’tyou?Justalittlemountain?’
Ibrahimthinks.Thenshakeshisheadatherandmouths‘sorry’.ChrislooksatDonna.Whatwasthatabout?
‘Splendid,’saysElizabeth.‘Everyonehasajobtodo.’
‘ExceptJoyce,’saysIbrahim.
Joycesmiles.‘Oh,Ihaveajobtodo.Asecretfornowthough.Ron,doyoufancywalkingmeovertomineafterwards?Ihaveanideaforyou.And,Donna,whydon’tyouwanderoverwithustoo,andIcanshowyouthediamondsbeforeyouheadoff?’
70
Joyce
Ididn’twanttosayIhadfoundRyanBairdinfrontofeveryone.LeastofallIbrahim,whodoesn’tevenknowhe’smissing.
IhadthefilethatPoppyhadgivenus,allofRyanBaird’sinformation,bigphoto,andlotsofdetails,andIhadbeenlookingthroughit,tryingtofindabitofinspiration.
CanIsay,bytheway,thatPoppyhadputaPost-itnoteonthefrontofthefile,andhadputalittlekissandasmileyfaceonthatPost-itnote?AndIjustwonderifthat’sreallythesortofthingamurdererwoulddo?
Perhapscold-bloodedmurderersareendlesslydrawingsmileyfacesonPost-itnotes?IwasgoingtosayIdon’treallyknowanymurderers,butofcourseIdothesedays.
Iknowwecanallpretendtobeallsortsofthings.GerryoncepretendedtobeDutchwhenwewerecampingintheDordogne.Hedidtheaccentandeverything.Thatwasjustforabitoffun,tomakemelaugh,hewasn’tplanningonshootinganyone.
Ithinkit’safactthatPoppymusthavefoundtheletterinthetree?Nothingelsemakessenseotherwise.AndIknowit’safactthatPoppy’smumopenedlocker531,andthat,thenextday,someoneshotsomeoneinthesafehouseonStAlbansAvenue.SoallfingerspointtoPoppy.
ButstillIcomebacktothesmileyfaceandthelittlekissonthePost-itnote.
So,yes,thefile.
IhadlookedupRyanBairdonInstagrambefore,ofcourse.Thereweretwelveofthem,butonlyoneinKent.BigBairdWolf2003.Buttheaccountwasprivate,andIamnotacomputerhacker,andIdon’tknowanycomputerhackers,soIdidn’ttakeitanyfurther.SomeonefromBTcameroundtofixmybroadbandlastweek,andIaskedherifsheknewhowtohackintoprivateInstagramaccounts,butshedidn’t.
Istilldon’tknowhowtogetintomy@GreatJoy69privatemessages.Therearenowoverathousand.Howfrustrating.
Anyway,thenIhadabrightidea,evenifIsaysomyself.InPoppy’sfileisalistofRyanBaird’sfriendsandfamilymembers,andsoIstartedlookingthemuponInstagramtoo.Ithought,Well,he’sgonesomewhere,hasn’the?IfIwaseverontherun,there’sawomanIusedtoworkwith–SandraNugent?–whoretiredtotheIsleofWight,andIwouldprobablygoandstaywithher.Shesaysit’sthemiddleofnowhere,butyoucanstillgetaTescodelivery,sothatwouldsuitmedowntotheground.Sandracangetabitmuchsometimes,butifyou’reontherunyoucan’tbetoopicky.
RyanBaird’smumisinLittlehampton,butIcouldn’tfindheronInstagram.Icouldn’tevenfindheronFacebook,soshemayverywellbedead.Hehasanoldersister,Leanne,andIthinkIfoundher,butsheneverpostsanythingexceptrainbowsinsupportofvariousdifferentthings.Goodforher,butnohelptome
Thenwegotontocousins,ofwhichtherewereplenty.Thiswasalongjob,bytheway.I’mmakingitsoundquick,butitwasn’t.Thereweresomanypeopletocheck,andIalsokeptgettingdistractedbynewpostsfrompeopleIfollow.IwatchedJoeWicksdoanewworkout,forexample.
ThefilegotontoStevenBaird.BorninPaisley,whichIknowisinScotland,soIhadalittlesearch,andtherearelotsofBairdsinScotland,andlotsofStevenstoo.SoIscrolledthroughafew.ThenIstumbledacrossStevieBlunterRangers4Eva.
HehadalookofRyanBairdabouthim,somethingunfortunatearoundtheeyes,soIthoughtIwouldexplorealittle.Itdidn’ttakelong.TwodaysagoStevieBlunterhadpostedaseriesofpicturesofaparty.Itwasinasmall,messyflat,and,eveninphotographs,itlookedloud.
ThenIfoundthephotographIwaslookingfor.Thecaptionread:
BluntinofmanutwimacuzPablo
Icouldn’treallymakeheadnortailofit,butthephotoshowedStevenBaird,armsaroundRyanBaird,bothsmokingroll-upcigarettes.Clearasday.Sothereheis.InScotland.
AftertheThursdayMurderClubmeetingIaskedDonnaandRontocomeover.
Firstthingsfirst,IshowedDonnathediamonds.Sheheldthebiggestoneonherringfingerandwalkedupanddownlikeamodel.ThenshemadeRondothesameandtheywerebothlaughing.Itooktheopportunityofanemptykettletomakeusallacupoftea.
Ishowedthemboththephoto,andtheybothsaidI’ddoneawonderfuljob.Ronhuggedme.IwillsaythisforRon,heisnotmytype,butheisaverygoodhugger.Hewillmakeaveryspecifictypeofwomanaverygoodhusbandoneday.
ItisashameaboutSiobhan,becauseshemightevenhavebeenthatwoman.Iwonderwhosheactuallyis?
DonnatranslatedtheInstagramcaptionforme.Itmeans‘smokingcannabiswithmycousinPablo’.PablomustbeRyanBaird’snickname.
DonnasaidshewouldgetstraightontoStrathclydePoliceandhavehimtrackeddownandarrested.ButthenItoldhermyplaninstead.SheandRonbothlistened,andthenagreedthatmyplanwasmuchmorefun.
They’vejustgone,thetwoofthem,andthediamondsarebackinthekettlewheretheybelong.
RonisofftoseeConnieJohnsontomorrow.I’dliketobeaflyonthewall,Ireallywould.Youcanseehefeelstenfeettallatthemoment,andIhaveeveryfaithinhim.
IcanseethePost-itnoteinfrontofmestill.Poppy’ssmileyface.Idon’tknowatall,Ireallydon’t.
Perhapsshe’llturnuponFairhavenpieronMonday,orperhapsshereallyisdead,andthisisawildgoosechase.
ButIsuspectthatElizabethisrightinonething.Ifwegeteverybodytogetherattheendofthepier,diamondsoutintheopen,thensurelywe’llfindoutexactlywhoshotwhoandwhy.
71
ConnieJohnsonhaschangedthreetimesalreadythismorning.Thesummerdresswastooobvious,thejumpsuitwasnotobviousenough,andthetrousersshe’dboughtfromWhistleswereperfect,butshehadn’tbeenabletocomfortablyhideherguninthem.
Intheendshehadabrainwave,andsheisdressedinherLycragymkit.Thissentanumberofmessages.Firstly,‘Oh,thismeetingisnotabigdeal,I’mjustfittingitinonthewaytothegym,’but,moreimportantly,‘Hereyougo,Bogdan,thisiswhat’sonoffer,’butinahealthy,ratherthanasluttyway.
Andhergunisinahandybumbag.
ThereisalargebagofMDMAonherdesk,whichshetidiesintoadrawer,beforecheckingherwatch.Theyaredueanyminute.Bogdanhadslippedaletterunderthelock-updoor–aletter,swoon.HewasbringingamancalledVicVincentwithhimtodiscusssomesortofdeal.VincentbeingsomemajorplayerinLondon.
Shehadgoogled‘VicVincent’,ofcourse,andnothinghadcomeup,whichwasallthereassurancesheneeded.Shewasdealingwithapro.
Thereisabaseballbatcoveredwithbarbedwireleaningupagainstthephotocopier,andConnienudgesitoutofsight.Shechecksherhaironceagain.PerhapsBogdanwillbewearingasinglet?Thosegloriousarmsrippling,readyto–
Thereisaloudbangonthemetaldoor.Herewego,Connie.Asshegetstothedoorshenoticesalargebloodstainunderoneofthecoathooks.Toolatetocleanitupnow,they’lljusthavetotakeherastheyfindher.
Sheopensthedoor,andinwalkBogdanandVicVincent.Theyshakehands.Bogdanisnotwearingasinglet,butheiswearingsunglasses,soshestillhasplentytoworkwith.VicVincentlooksfamiliar,butshecan’tplacehim.Havetheirpathscrossedbefore?Helooksthepart,faceadmirablybusted,buthissuitisalittletootight,andisthataWestHamUnitedtie?
Nobodywantscoffee–‘Youmustn’tdrinkcoffeebeforethegym,’Bogdansays,and,yes,ofcourse,sheshouldhavethoughtofthat.Theysit.
‘I’veheardgoodthingsaboutyou,Connie,’saysVicVincent.‘FromBogdanhere.’
He’sheardgoodthingsfromBogdan.Bogdanhasbeentalkingabouther.‘Isee,anddoesBogdanworkforyou?’
VicVincentlaughs.‘Bogdandon’tworkfornoone.ButnowandagainIaskhimtohelpout.Hegetsajobdonewithnofuss.Youunderstand?’
‘Iunderstand,’saysConnie.ShelooksoveratBogdan,sittingtheresilentinhissunglasseslikeMrDarcy.Shejustbetshegetsajobdonewithnofuss.
‘I’vegotsomethingyoumightbeabletohelpmewith.Youinterestedindiamonds?’asksVicVincent.
Wheredoessheknowhimfrom?
‘Notreally,’saysConnie.‘I’minterestedinmoney,though?Ifthat’sinvolvedtoo?’
VicVincentnods.Bogdanislookingaroundtheroom.SheisgladshetidiedawaythebagofMDMAandthebaseballbat.Youcantellhelikestidy.
‘Youeverdealtwiththemafia?’asksVic.
Themafia?Wellthisisgettinginteresting.
Connieshakesherhead.‘ItriedtocancelSkySportsonce,that’stheclosestI’vegot.’
‘AgentlemaniscomingdowntoFairhavenonMonday,he’scalledFrankAndrade.Iwantsomeonetomeethim.We’vegotaroomontheendofthepier.Manager’soffice.’
Connienods,sheknowstheroomwell.Sheoncethreatenedtoburndownthearcade.PerhapsBogdanwillbeatthemeeting?Whatwillshewearthen?ThemafiaandBogdan?
‘IneedsomeoneIcantrust,andBogdansaysthat’syou,togiveMrAndradethese.’
VicVincenthandsherabluevelvetbag.Sheopensthedrawstring.Diamonds,hewasn’tkidding.
‘Whataretheyworth?’Connieasks.
‘Let’sjustsaythey’reworthdoingthejobproperly,’saysVicVincent.Thebuttonsonhisshirtarestraining.Thatfaceissofamiliar.What’sgoingonhere?
‘Andwhycan’tyouhandthemoveryourself?’
‘Wedon’tgeton,Ikilledhisbrother.’
Connienods.‘Beenthere.Andwhyattheendofapier?’
‘Alotofpeoplewantthesediamonds.Ican’ttellyouwhy,buttheydo.Weneedsomewherewecankeepaneyeoneveryonewho’scomingorgoing.’
‘Andwhat’sinitforme?’asksConnie.
‘There’llbeanothergeezerthere.CalledLomax.Andradetrustshim.SellsalotofcokeinsouthLondonandlookingforanewwholesaler.’
‘Whathappenedtohisoldwholesaler?’
‘Accidentwithacementmixer,’saysVic.
‘Clumsy,’saysConnie.
‘SoItoldhimtocheckyouout.Buyfiftygrand’sworthfromyou,checkthequality,seeifyoumightbewhathe’slookingfor.’
Connienods.
‘Andforthatintroduction,youhandoverthediamondstoAndradeforme.Soundfair?’
VicVincentgivesheralittlesmile.Connieknowsthisguy,sheswears.Knowshisface.Talkabouttoogoodtobetrue.Isthisthecopper,ChrisHudson,settingherup?
Conniefiddleswithherbumbagforamoment,andthenpullsouthergun.ShepointsitstraightatVicVincent.Ifthatwasreallyhisname.VicandBogdanbothraisetheireyebrowsalittle.
‘Sorry,mate,nooffence,butIknowyou.I’veseenyoubefore.’ConniekeepsthegunpointingstraightbetweenVicVincent’seyes.Vicscratchesatattooonhisarm.Itsays‘Kendrick’.Withouttakinghereyesoffhim,sheaddressesBogdan.‘Whoishe,Bogdan?Justtellme.Justtellme,andyouboyscanwalkoutandwe’llsaynomoreaboutit.’CanshekillVicVincentandstillgoforadrinkwithBogdan?Shedoubtsit,butshe’llhaveagoodgo.
‘He’sVicVincent,’saysBogdan.‘Iworkedforhimafewtimes,neveranytrouble.’
‘Keepgoing,’saysConnie.VicVincentlookscoolasyoulike.Butabeadofsweatdropsdownhisneck,acrossafadedWestHamtattoo.
‘Hecalledme,fewweeksago,says,“Bogdan,youknowanyoneIcantrust?”IsaidConnie,becauseItrustyou.’
God,thisishard,thinksConnie.Butfocus.
‘Heasksifyoudealcoke,andIsayofcourse,everybodydoes.Sohetellsme,buycokefromher,letmesee.’
‘Thattengrandtheotherday?’asksConnie.
‘ThatwasVic’smoney.’
Conniestartstolaugh,sheputsdownthegunandgivesVicVincentahug.Heissweatierthansheexpects.
‘That’swhereIknowyourfacefrom!I’vegotsomeonewhofollowseveryonewhentheyleavehere.Checksthey’renotcops,rivals,whatever,takesphotos.Bogdantookthecoketoyou,bythepier.’
Connieopensadrawerandflicksthroughsomephotos.ShepullsoutoneofRonandBogdanbyFairhavenpier.
‘Dressedasaplumber,Ilikeit.IknewIknewyourface.Sorry,MrVincent,Ididn’tmeantopointagunatyou.’
‘Noproblem,’saysVicVincent,andscratcheshisKendricktattooagain.‘AndbringthatgunwithyouonMonday.Justincase.’
‘So,I’min,’saysConnie.‘Fiftygrandofcoke,andthediamonds.’
‘Monday,threep.m.,’saysVicVincent.
ConnielooksatBogdan.‘Andwillyoubethere?’
Bogdantakesoffhissunglassesandlooksstraightather.‘Yes,wecandoittogether.’
JesusChrist,thatwasanintenselook.‘Maybewecouldallgoforadrink?’
‘Youaregoingtothegym,’saysBogdan,puttinghissunglassesbackon.
Damn!
‘Ineedonemorefavour,Connie,’saysVicVincent.‘Ifyoudon’tmind.Nothingdifficult.’
‘Goon,’saysConnie.
‘Mywife’sniecelivesdownhere,andshe’sgotaboylookingforanopportunity.Justthinkingyoumightneedadriverontheday,wonderedifyou’dgivehimachance?’
‘I’vegotadriver,’saysConnie.
‘I’dratherhavesomeoneIknowIcouldtrusttoo,’saysVicVincent.‘Family.He’sdoneabitofworkforyoubefore,thewayhetellsit.Hecandrivethethreeofustodinnerafterwards,ifyoufancy?’
Conniedoesfancy.
‘Sure,what’shisname?’
‘RyanBaird,’saysVicVincent,andslipsapieceofpaperovertoConnie.‘He’supinScotlandatthemoment;that’stheaddress.YouthinkyoucouldsendsomeoneuptobringhimdownforMonday?’
‘Ofcourse,’nodsConnie,thinkingaboutwheretogofordinner.
Mondayonthepierwasgoingtobealotoffun.
72
ElizabethhadexplainedagainandagaintoJoycethatFarnboroughwasn’tanairportlikeHeathrowandGatwick,andthattherewouldn’tbeshops.Butherfriendiscrestfallennonetheless.
‘Butthere’snotevenaWHSmith’s,’saysJoyce,lookingaroundthearrivalsterminal.
‘Whatdidyouwanttobuy,forgoodness’sake?’asksElizabeth.Itiseleventhirtyinthemorning,andFrankAndradeJrshouldbewalkingthroughthearrivalsdoorsverysoon.
‘Wellnothing,it’sjusttheprinciple,’saysJoyce.‘Onceyou’veusedthetoiletthere’snothingelsetodo.’
‘I’msosorryifI’mboringyou,Joyce,bringingyoutomeetamafiabosssowecandrivehimtoadiamondswapwherewe’regoingtocatchamurderer.’
‘I’mjustsaying,’saysJoyce,andsettlesintoachair.
Elizabethhadn’tbeenabletopersuadeIbrahimtodrivethemtoFarnborough,soRon’sfriendMarkhasdriventhemupinhistaxi.ItwouldhavebeenmorefunwithIbrahimbut,forafriendofRon’s,Markwasactuallyrathergoodcompany.Shewasworriedaboutwhatradiostationhewouldwanttolistento,butitwasRadio2,soshehadgotofffairlylightly.
Joyceissulking.Elizabethknowswhatwillcheerherup.
‘Thatreallywasaterrificidea.RyanBairdasthedriver.Andtofindhiminthefirstplace,well,thatwasfirstrate.’
‘Stoptryingtocheermeup,’saysJoyce.‘IshouldbelookingattraveltoiletriesinBoots.’
‘Righto,’saysElizabeth.Everythingwasinplace.Thepierwouldbeclosedformaintenanceassoonasthemeetingbegan.Chrisandhisteamwouldbethere.Theyhadreceivedatip-offthatConnieJohnsonwouldbeontheendofthepierat3p.m.,withcocaineandagun.
AgroupofJapanesebusinessmenwalkpast.Adriverispushingtheirluggageonatrolley.Elizabethwouldlovetoopeneverysinglebitofluggagethatcameintothisairport.Privatejetsflyinginfromalldirections.ShehadbrieflyworkedasaluggagehandleratHeathrow,stitchingtrackingdevicesintothesuitcasesoftradedelegations.
Suewouldbetherethisafternoon,too.Thathadbeenatrickyconversation.Yes,Elizabethhadfoundthediamonds,no,shedidn’thavethemrightnow,yes,theywereinthehandsofasouthcoastdrugsbaron,yes,sheunderstoodthiswasn’tbestpractice.Wherehadshefoundthem?Well,thatwasastoryforanotherday.Onandonithadgone,threatsandname-calling.‘Ithoughtwehadanunderstanding?’Whydidpeoplealwaysgetsoangry?We’llallbedeadsoonenough.
Suehadcalmeddowneventually,andshewillbetuckedawaysomewhere,watchingandlistening.
Lancewillbethere,too.HeisstakingoutMartinLomax’shouse,sowillbedrivingLomaxtothemeeting.Thathadworkedoutverynicely.
‘CanIsaysomething?’asksJoyce.
‘Notifit’saboutwhytherearenoshopshere,no,’saysElizabeth.
‘Idon’twantyoutogetannoyedwithme,’saysJoyce.‘Ijust…I’mjustnotsurethatPoppyisbehindallthis.IknowI’vegotasoftspot,Idoknowthat.Eversinceshetrustedmewithhermum’sphonenumber,I’vefeltveryprotectiveofher.Morefoolme,perhaps.’
‘Imeanttoask.Didshemakeeye-contactwhensheputthenumberinyourpocket?’asksElizabeth.‘Flutterhereyelashes?Poorme?’
‘No,IjustfounditwhenIgotback.But,also,Ihaven’ttoldyouaboutthesmileyfaceonthePost-itno–’
Thearrivalsdoorsswishopeninfrontofthem,andthroughthemwalksamandressedforalltheworldasifhe’sheadingoffforagameofgolf.Poloshirt,beigeslacks,sunglassespushedupintohishairline.Mid-fortiesperhaps?Allbyhimself,onesmallbriefcase.Heislookingaroundforthecar-hiredesk,asElizabethandJoycestepintostrideoneithersideofhim.
‘YoumustbeMrAndrade,’saysElizabeth.
AndradestopsandlooksatElizabeth.
‘Nope,’hesays.
‘I’mJoyce,’saysJoyce.‘AndthisisElizabeth.’
‘I’mhappyforyou,’saysFrankAndrade.‘Nowifyou’llexcuseme.’
Offhestridesagain,withElizabethkeepingpacealongsideandJoycehurryingtocatchup.
‘Youwon’tneedacar,MrAndrade,’saysElizabeth.
‘Ihatetodisagree,’saysFrankAndrade.
‘MarkfromRobertsbridgeTaxisisdrivingus,’saysJoyce.‘Weworriedthebootwouldn’tbebigenoughforyourluggage,butlookatyouwithonlytheonebag.It’saToyotaAvensis.’
Andradestopsagain.‘Ladies,forgiveme,Idon’tknowwhoyouare.Idon’tcarewhoyouare.Igotsomewheretobe,andsomeonetosee.’
‘Weknow,’saysElizabeth.‘We’reheretohelp.You’reofftoseeMartinLomax.’
AndradegivesElizabethahardstare.
‘Aboutyourdiamonds,’saysJoyce.
AndradegivesJoyceanevenharderstare.ElizabethseesJoyceblush.Forgoodness’sake,istherenooneJoycedoesn’tfindattractive?
‘OK,ladies,I’vehadalongflight.Iwanttogetinmycar,IwanttovisitMartinLomax,IwanttogetwhatIcamefor,andIwanttocomestraightbackhereandflyhome.’
‘Well,MartinLomaxdoesn’thaveyourdiamonds,’saysElizabeth.‘Ido.’
‘Yougotmydiamonds?’
‘Ihaveyourdiamonds,yes,’saysElizabeth.
‘OK,’saysFrankAndrade.‘AndyouthinkIwon’tkillyoubecauseyou’reanoldwoman?’
‘Oh,I’msureyouwould,Frank,’saysElizabeth.‘Idon’tdoubtitforamoment.But,equally,Iwouldkillyouwithouthesitation.Soshallwestopthegrandstandingandgetdowntobusiness?’
FrankAndradelaughs.‘Youwouldkillme?’
‘Shewould,’confirmsJoyce.‘Idon’tthinkshewill,butshewould.’
‘OK,’saysAndrade.‘Sowherearemydiamonds?’
‘They’reinFairhaven,’saysElizabeth.‘Attheendofthepier.’
‘AndwhereisFairhaven?’asksAndrade.
‘Well,youseehowusefulwecanbetoyoualready?’saysElizabeth.
ElizabethseesthatMarkhasdrivenaroundtothefrontoftheterminalbuilding.Hegivesheraquickhonkonthehorn.Youshouldn’treallyhonkatthemafia,butshesupposesMarkisnottoknowthat.
‘Youcomewithus,youmakeupwithMartinLomax,andmyrepresentativewillgiveyouthediamonds.We’llhaveyoubackherebyninep.m.atthelatest,’saysElizabeth.
‘Withmydiamonds?’asksAndrade.
‘Withyourdiamonds,’saysElizabeth.ShepointsoutMark’scar.‘Soshallwe?’
‘AndwhyamItrustingyou?’
‘Well,justuseyourjudgement,’saysElizabeth.‘AndlookatJoyce’sface.Whowouldn’ttrustthatface?’
Joycesmiles.‘Ifyouwant,youcansitinthefront.Iwasinthefrontonthewayup,butIdon’tmindgoingintheback.I’llprobablysleepanyway.’
Markisoutofthecarandhasthebootopen.HeholdsouthishandtoFrankAndrade.
‘Thatallyou’vegotthen?I’mMark,nicetomeetyou.Areyoureallyfromthemafia?’
FrankAndradehandsoverhisbag.‘Uh,yeah.’Helooksatthecarandhelooksathisthreecompanions.
‘Now,’saysJoyce.‘It’satleastatwo-hourdrive,sodoyouneedthetoiletbeforewesetoff?’
73
DonnaandChrisareparkedinasidestreetoutsideashopsellingcandyfloss,modelsofTowerBridgeandinternationalphonecards.Theyarefacingthesea,greyandunhappylikethesky,andhaveaclearviewoftheentrancetoFairhavenpierawaytotheirleft.
Donnahasanicecream.SheofferssometoChris,buthedeclines,andlooksdownathisbagofsunflowerseeds.
ConnieJohnsonisthefirsttoarrive.HerRangeRoverpullsoverontothebroadpavementinfrontofthepier,andshestepsoutandlooksaroundher.Sheiscarryingalargeholdall,andDonnahopesithasfivekilosofcokeinit.ThefivekilosofcokethatwillhopefullyseeConniearrestedbeforetheafternoonisthrough.
Donnacan’tseethedriverbehindthetintedwindows,butsheislookingforwardtorearrestingRyanBairdtoo.ShehadtohandittoJoycethere.
SuddenlyBogdanappears,thoughDonnacan’tfigureoutfromwhere.Theyhadbeenwatchingthepierforhalfanhouralreadyandhadn’tcaughtaglimpseofthebigman.Thebig,taciturnmanwiththedeepblueeyes.Donnaswearsthathericecreamstartstomeltfaster.ShewatcheshimwalkingupthepierwithConnieJohnson,carryingherbagofcocaineforherlikeagentleman.
‘He’sagoodguy,’saysChris.
‘Mmmhmm,’agreesDonna.
AblackLotussportscarpullsupnext,andtwomen,oneolderandoneyounger,stepout.DonnaseesChrislookdownatapictureonhisphone.
‘That’sMartinLomax,’saysChris.‘Theotheronemustbethespy?’
‘Lance,’saysDonna.JoycehadtoldDonnashemightlikeLance,buthe’stooold.Andthehair?Notabadtrythough,Joyce.Tenyearsagomaybe.
LanceJamesandMartinLomaxbeginthewalkalongthepier,leavingthecarwhereitis.DonnathinksitmustbenicetoworkforMI5andbeabletoparkanywhereyouwant.DonnahadoncewrestledamanwieldingaswordintheStreathamLidl,onlytofindhercarhadbeenclampedoutsideforparkingacrosstwobays.
Itisfiveminutestothree.Peopleseemtobepunctualwherediamondsandcocaineareinvolved.AToyotaAvensiswith‘RobertsbridgeTaxis’stencilledontothedriver’sdoorarrivesnext,pullingupbehindtheLotus.
Thedriver,whomDonnadoesn’trecognize,stepsoutandmakeshiswaytotheboot.FromthepassengerseatstepsamanwhocanonlybeFrankAndradeJr.
MartinLomaxandFrankAndradeJrarenoneofDonnaandChris’sbusinesstoday,butit’sinterestingtoseethemnonetheless.MI5willbedealingwiththetwoofthem,whileKentPolicedealwithConnieJohnsonandRyanBaird.Andnoquestionsaskedbyeitherside.Elizabethhadbrokeredthatdeal.
Andspeakofthedevil,heresheisnow.ElizabethandJoyceexitthebackseats.Joycelookslikeshehasjustwokenup.
ThedriverhandsFrankAndradeabriefcaseandthetwomenshakehands.
Bogdanhasreturned,andhemotionstoFrankAndradetocomewithhim.AndradelooksatElizabeth,whonods.Elizabethdoesn’tshakeAndrade’shandandneitherdoesJoyce.Whichisveryunlikebothofthem.
BogdangivesFrankAndradeasmallsmile.HasDonnaseenBogdansmilebefore?Shedoesn’tthinkso,butshewouldliketoseeitagain.‘Climbyournextmountain,’Ibrahimhadtoldher.AsshewatcheshimwalkingupthepierwithFrankAndradeJr,DonnawonderswhatitmightbeliketoclimbBogdan?Sheeatsherchocolateflakewhole,thenstartsonthecornet.
‘Sothegang’sallhere,’saysChris.‘Youready?’
‘Ready,’saysDonna.
SheseesElizabethwalkingalongthepromenadenow,Joycebehindher,tryingtobrushcreasesoutofherskirtafterthejourney.TheypasstheLotusandtheypasstheRangeRover.Joycelooksover,spotsthemandgivesthemabigwave.ItwillbeawhilebeforeJoycemakesaneffectiveundercoverofficer.DonnawavesbackandJoycelooksthrilled.
JoyceandElizabethreachanondescriptwhitevan,parkedbythepromenaderailings,cordonedoffbysafetytape.Onthesideofthevanitsays‘T.H.Hargreaves–Railings.AllJobsConsidered’.
Elizabethstepsoverthetape,followedbyJoyce.Someoneinsidethevanopensthebackdoorsandtheybothclimbin.
74
Itisaniceenoughofficeforoneman,overseeingtheday-to-dayrunningofaslot-machinearcadeonanaward-winningpier.
Itisalittlecrampedjustatthemoment,however.ConnieJohnsonsitsbehindadesk,withMartinLomaxopposite.FrankAndradeJrisperchedonawindowsill.LanceJamesleansagainstawallandBogdanstandsinfrontofthedoor.
Theintroductionshadbeenswift.Mainly‘Whoareyou?’and‘Noneofyourbusiness.’FrankAndradeJrhadgreetedMartinLomaxwithahandshakethough.‘LookslikeIwon’thavetokillyoutoday,Martin!’‘Lookslikeit,Frank.Howisyourwife,didshegetthemuffinsIsent?’
Nooneisquitesurehowtobegin.Because,ofcourse,nooneinthisroomhasactuallyarrangedthismeeting.Ithasbeenarrangedbyaseventy-six-year-oldwomancurrentlysittinginawhitevan,fourhundredmetresaway,listeningtoeverywordtheyareabouttosay.
Andsoitfallstothealphacharacterintheroomtokickthingsoff.
‘OKthen,’saysBogdan,‘westart.’
OKthen,saysBogdan,westart.
InsidethewhitevanSueReardoniswearingheadphonesandwatchingthemonitorsrelayingpicturesfromthecamerasherteamhadinstalledintheofficeovertheweekend.
ElizabethandJoycearehavingtoshareheadphones,oneeareach.Cutbacks.
‘You’resureshe’sstillgotthediamonds?’asksSue.
‘IleftBogdaninchargeofthat,’saysElizabeth.‘So,yes,I’msure.’
‘Andwhatthehell’sinthatbagshewascarrying?’asksSue.
Elizabethshrugs.ThedrugsareforChrisandDonna’sbenefit,Suedoesn’tneedtoknowaboutthem.Shelooksbackatthecrowdedofficeonherscreen.Thepicturesaresomuchclearerthaninherday.
FrankAndrade,sittingonhiswindowsill,addressesConnieJohnson.
Soyougotmydiamonds?
I’vegotdiamonds,saysConnie.I’lltakeyourwordthey’reyours.
How’dyouget’em?asksAndrade.
FelloutofmyCocoPops,saysConnie.Areyoureallyfromthemafia?
He’sabusinessman,saysMartinLomax.Verywellrespected.
Yeah,I’mfromthemafia,saysAndrade.Now,showmethediamonds.
Well,herewegothen,thinksElizabeth.Theyarenotgoingtolikewhathappensnext.Goodluckoneandall.
Conniereachesintoherholdall.Whenaretheygoingtotalkaboutthedrugs?Shewantsherfiftygrand,andshewantstodomorebusinesswiththesepeople.Shehadbeenworried,shehastoadmit,aboutthiswholething.Cautious.Butitwasallgoingthewayshe’dbeentold.ThewayVicVincenthadexplained.Therewasaguyfromthemafia,therewassomeoldposhguy,therealwaysis,andtherewasBogdan.Allveryreassuring,andsheiskeentomakeagoodimpression.There’sanotherguy,boredandbalding,buthe’sprobablyjustabodyguard.Bogdanknewhim,andthatwasenoughforher.
Sheputsthebluevelvetbagdownonthedeskinfrontofher.
‘Well,hallelujah,’saystheoldposhguy.
‘Showme,’saysAndrade.‘Pourthediamondsoutonthetable.Don’tspillany.’
Don’tspillany?That’saweirdthingtosay,thinksConnie,butthisguy’sAmerican,andtheysayweirdthings.
Sheloosensthedrawstring,andcarefullytipsthediamondsontothetable.
‘Thereyougo,’saysConnie.‘Didn’tspillathing.Boththediamonds,safeandsound.’
Thereissilence.Andrade,theoldposhguy,eventhebodyguardarestaringatthediamondsonthetable.Conniesensesthereissuddenlyanatmosphere.
‘Yougottwodiamonds?’saysAndrade.
‘Yeah,’saysConnie.‘Thesearethediamonds.Whatwereyouexpecting?’
Whatwereyouexpecting?saysConnieJohnson.
‘Wherearetherestofthediamonds?’saysSueReardon,lookingfranticallyatElizabeth.
‘Oh,Ionlygaveherthetwo,’saysElizabeth.‘Justenoughtoflushoutthekillerandliventhingsupabit.AnynewsonwhetheryourganghavespottedPoppylurkingaboutyet?’
‘JesusChrist!’saysSue.‘Can’tyouplayanythingstraight?’
‘Onlywhenitsuitsmypurposes,’saysElizabeth.‘Anditdidn’tsuitmypurposestoday.’
‘Sowherearethediamonds?’asksSue.
‘They’resafe,’saysElizabeth.TheyarenowinJoyce’smicrowave,becausesheusesitfarlessthanherkettle.
OnscreentheyseeFrankAndradepullagun.
‘Christalmighty!’saysSue.‘Whatthehellhaveyoudone,Elizabeth?’
LanceseesFrankAndradepullhisgun,andsopullshisown.Andrade’sispointedatConnieJohnsonandLance’sispointedatAndrade.
‘Wherearemydiamonds?’asksFrankAndrade.‘Allofthem.’Hesoundscalm,but,inLance’sestimation,hedoesnotlookit.Lancedoesn’tblamehim.Whatscamisbeingpulledhere?
‘Theseareyourdiamonds,’saysConnieJohnson.‘Putyourgundown,youdramaqueen.’
‘Wherearetherest?’saysAndrade.Hedoesn’tsoundcalmanymore.
‘Therest?’saysConnie.‘ThisisallIwasgiven.’
‘Given?’saysAndrade.‘Givenbywho?’
‘Someoldguy,VicVincent,’saysConnie.‘Don’tyoudareshootmeforthis.Thisguygavemethediamonds,toldmethisposhguywantedfivekilosofcokeandsaidmeetyouonthepier.Thisisbetweenyouandhim.’
‘Whatcoke?’saysFrankAndrade.‘Andwho’sVicVincent?’
‘Thiscoke,’saysConnie,reachingintoherbag.Butinsteadofpullingoutcocaine,shepullsouthergun.ShepointsitatAndrade.
‘Thisisalotofgunsinasmallroom,’saysBogdan,andsighs.
‘ThatissuchanEnglishgun,’saysAndrade.‘Whatdidhelooklike?VicVincent?’
‘Old,likeaboxerorsomething,’saysConnie.‘Lotsoftattoos,WestHamtattoos,allsorts.’
MartinLomaxslamshisfistonthedesk.
‘Iknowhim,’saysLomax.
‘I’llbetyoudo,’saysAndrade,andpointshisgunatLomax.‘Whathaveyousetuphere?’
Well,isn’tthatjustthequestion,thinksLance.ConnieJohnson’sgunisaimedatAndrade.Andrade’sisaimedatLomax.LancesupposesheshouldaimatConnieJohnson,justforasenseofequilibrium.Howdoesthisplayoutnow?It’sgoingtoendbadlyforsomeone.Hejustneedstoensureit’snothim.Whataplacethiswouldbetodie.Theseagullscallingoverheadandtheemptyslotmachinesbeepingdownbelow.Atleastifhe’sshothewon’thavetodealwiththekitchenwallathisflat.Allthesame,trynottogetshot,Lance.
‘I’masbaffledasyou,Frank,’saysLomax.‘AsIliveandbreathe.Buttherewillbeaperfectlysimple–’
‘Enough,’saysFrankAndrade.HepullsthetriggerandshootsMartinLomaxinthechest.Lomaxdoublesforwardinhischair,bloodspreadingthroughhissuit.AndradeaimsthegunatConnieJohnsonnow,eventhoughhewasraisedtoshootallthemenfirst.Heistoolate,however.ConnieJohnsonsqueezesoffasingleshot,whichpassesthroughFrankAndrade,throughthewindowandouttowardsthegreysea.
MartinLomaxlooksup,asiftocommentonthenoise.Butwhatevercommenthehaswillhavetogounsaid.Hetopplesovertohisleftandhitsthefloor.
FrankAndradeslidesoffthewindowsill,leavingasmearofthick,scarletbloodtrailingdownaplasticradiator.HisfeetendupinthecrookofMartinLomax’sarm.Twomensleeping.Dreamingofgunsanddrugsandmoney,ofalwaystakingandnevergiving.
Whatnow?thinksLance.Therearetwocorpsesonthefloor,therearetwodiamondsonthetable,andabagfullofcocaineunderthedesk.HeandConniehavetheirgunspointedatoneanother,neitherquitesurewhattodo.
Bogdanstepsbetweenthetwoguns.
‘Connie,youhavenobusinesswiththisguyandhehasnobusinesswithyou.He’sjustherefordeadguysanddiamonds.Getyourbagandrun.’
OutsideonthepieraremembersoftheSpecialBoatService,theireyespeeledforPoppy.TheyknownottotouchConnieJohnson.Theirordersareclear.Shewillreachhercar.
Conniegrabsthebag,slidesoverthedeskandmakesforthedoor.Bogdanopensthedoorforher.Shereachesuptohisfaceandkisseshim.
‘Callme,yeah?’shesays,andthendisappearsatspeed,holdallfullofcocaineswingingasshegoes.
Lancesurveysthescene.ThebigPolishmannexttohimisblushing.Thebloodofthetwocorpsesonthefloorisstartingtointermingle.
Suehadracedfromthevanassoonasthetwoshotshadgoneoff.Elizabethhadn’tfelttheneedtofollow,andsoJoycehasstayedwheresheistoo.
‘Well,Inever,’saysJoyce.
‘Idon’treallylikeanyonebeingkilledifonecanavoidit,’saysElizabeth.‘Butnogreatlosshere.’
Joycethinksaboutthis.AssoonasElizabethhaddecidedtogiveConnieJohnsonjustthetwodiamonds,somethinglikethishadbeeninevitable.Elizabethcouldbebrutalsometimes.Shewasaverybadenemytomake.
TheworldwasbetteroffwithoutFrankAndradeJr,thatwasforcertain.MarkfromRobertsbridgeTaxishadwantedtotalktohimaboutbaseball,buthadbeentoldto‘shutthehellup’.ExceptAndradehadn’tsaid‘hell’.Mafiaornomafia,whatadreary,inadequatemanFrankAndradeJris.
Was.
AndMartinLomax?Withhishouseandhismillions,andhiswork.Thethingshehadhelpedtofund.Theweapons,thegangs,thewarlords.Thesmellofhoneysucklecoveringthestench.ShethinksabouthischequeforLivingWithDementia.Fivepounds.Shelooksatthescreen,seeshisbodyandfeelsnothing.
Joycehasseensomanygoodpeople,innocentpeople,unluckypeople,dieovertheyears.Sometimesshewouldgohomeandcry,andGerrywouldholdher,knowingtherewasnothinghecouldsay.
Butshewouldshednotearsforthesetwo.‘Goodriddance,’Gerrywouldsay,andJoycequiteagrees.Still,tomakeithappen,asElizabethhasjustdone?Wasthatworse?Orjustmorehonest?Aquestionforsomeoneclevererthere.ShewouldaskIbrahim.
ShewatchesthemonitorsandseesLanceapproacheachcamerainturnandswitchitoff.Thelastthingsheseeseachtimeisherfriendshipbracelet.Thefinalscreengoesblack.
‘Whatnow?’shesaystoElizabeth.‘Idon’tsupposetheyfoundPoppy?’
‘Oh,Poppy’sdead,Joyce,’saysElizabeth.‘Iworkeditalloutinthecaronthewaydownhere.ItallclickedwhiletheJeremyVineshowwason.’
‘Oh,’saysJoyce.‘Sowhatnow?’
‘Well,’saysElizabeth,lookingatherwatch.‘I’dgiveithalfanhourorso,butthen,Ihope,atripbacktoGodalminginacoroner’svanwiththepersonwhokilledDouglasandPoppy.’
Connieisrunningatfullpeltalongthepier.Shehasshotamafiaboss,shehaskissedBogdanandshestillhashercocaine,soitishardtojudgehowthatwent.Sheneedstogetbacktotheoffice.Regroup.Ithonestlyfeelslikeshemightcomeoutofitallprettycleanly.ShetrustsBogdan,andtheotherguyseemedtohavenointerestinher.
TheRangeRoverisupahead.Thedriver,RyanBaird,wasdeeplyunimpressive.Sherememberedhehaddoneafewjobsforherbefore,andnotparticularlywell.Hestunkofweedanddidn’tknowhowtheheatedseatingworked.Andhetriedtotalktoher,whichwasunforgivable.WhensheseesVicVincentagainshewillhavetotellhimthetruthabouthisnephew,familyornofamily.
Connierisksalookbehindher,butnooneisgivingchase.Nooneisevenlookinginherdirection,whichisstrange.Ablondewomaninabusinesssuitrunningdownapierwithasportsbag?Surelysomeonewouldturntheirhead?Butthepierwasquiet,justafewcouplesindarkclothingwalkingarminarm.
ShereachesthedooroftheRangeRover,throwsitopenanddivesin.StraightintothelapofDCIChrisHudson.Sheiscuffedbeforeshecanspeak.
‘HiConnie,’saysChris.‘You’reunderarrest.Youdonothavetosayanything,etc.’
Inthefront,ConnieseesRyanBaird,handcuffedinthepassengerseat.BehindthewheelisDonnaDeFreitas.SheturnstoConnie.
‘I’veneverdrivenaRangeRoverbefore,Connie,soforgivemeifI’mabitstop-start.I’veputFairhavenPoliceStationinthesatnavthough,sowewon’tgofarwrong.What’sthatscentyou’rewearing?It’sgorgeous.’
‘Sowejustneedanotherwordforahorse,’saysIbrahim,crosswordproppeduponhislaptop.
‘Horsey?’saysKendrick,bouncinghiswayinandoutoftheFaceTimescreen.
‘Toomanyletters,’saysIbrahim.
‘Ithinkit’stheonlywordthough,’saysKendrick.‘Somaybetheygotitwrong?’
Ibrahimnods.‘Perhaps,yes.’
Heshouldhavegonetoday.ShouldhavedrivenJoyceandElizabethtotheairport.Shouldhavedriventhemdowntothepier.Shouldbetherenow.Ronhastexted.Twomorepeopledead,buttherightpeople,soeveryoneseemshappy.
MarkfromthetaxicompanyisdrivingRonhome,andhe’sbringingfishandchipswithhim.ElizabethandJoycestillhavealongnightaheadofthem.
‘Doyoustillhurt?’asksKendrick.
‘Ido,’saysIbrahim.‘ButnotwhenI’mtalkingtoyourgrandad,andnotwhenI’mtalkingtoyou.’
ThroughthewindscreenoftheRangeRover,DonnaseesElizabethandJoyceclimbingoutthebackofthewhitevan.ElizabethseesDonnabehindthewheelandgivesherahopefullook.Donnarespondswithathumbs-up,andElizabethnodsandmouths‘welldone’.
Ronnowappearsatheropendriver’swindow.
‘Oh,they’reallheretoday,’saysDonna.‘Pensioners’outing?’
‘That’sVicVincent,’saysConnie,lungingforwardasfarashercuffedhandswillallow.‘Thesearehisdrugs.Arresthim.’
RonlooksatConnie.‘Neverheardofhim,love.Soundslikearightwrong’un.’HethenlooksatChris.‘Whatshedo,then?’
‘Murder,’saysChris.‘Alloncamera.Plusabigbagofcoke.’
‘That’sherdealtwiththen,eh?’saysRon.HethenlooksoveratRyanBaird.
‘Youallrightthere,Ryan?’
RyanBairdisquietlycrying.
‘Youhaveagoodcry,’saysRon.‘AndI’lltellyouastory.Coupleofweeksago,younickedabloke’sphone.Mysortofage,thebloke,butlooksolder,losingabitofhair.Yougavehimanastylittlekicktothebackofthehead,doyouremember?NoreasonIcanmakeout.I’veseenhimcrytoo,youknow,sinceyoudonethat,andIdon’tlikeit,Ryan.Iknowyoudon’tcare,oldson,buthe’smybestmate,thisfella.Iwantyoutorememberhisnameforme.Willyoudothat?IbrahimArif.Yourememberthatnameeverynightyou’relockedup.NoonemesseswithIbrahimArif.’
Connieleansforwardagain,gettingasclosetoRonasshepossiblycan.Shehisses,‘WhenIgetout,you’readeadman.’
Ronlooksbackather.‘WellI’mseventy-five,andyou’llbedoingthirtyyearsso,yeah,agreed.’
DonnaseesBogdanapproach.Ohboy.HewalksupbehindRonandpullshimawayfromthewindow.
‘Timetogo,’saysBogdan,andRonnods,givingtheweepingRyanBairdonefinallook.
‘IbrahimArif,’saysRon.‘Don’tyouforgetnow,Ryan.’
BogdanlooksatDonna.‘YouareDonna?’
‘Yes,’confirmsDonna.
‘IamBogdan,’saysBogdan.
‘Iknow,’saysDonna.
Bogdannods.‘OK.’Hethenlooksintothebackseat,andsays,‘Hello,Connie.’
‘You’realldead,’saysConnie.‘Everysingleoneofyou.’
‘Soonerorlater,forsure,’agreesBogdan,andDonnawatcheshimwalkaway,hisarmaroundRon.
75
Elizabethhasbeenafool,butatleastsheknowswhy.
ItwasallMarcusCarmichael’sfault,really.
Rightfromtheverybeginning.ThedeadmanbytheRiverThameswhoneverwas.TheunclaimedbodycollectedfromaLondonhospitalanddressedupbyheroperatives.Thatreminderofthegrandillusionsofhertrade.Makingpeoplebelieveexactlywhatyouwantedthemtobelieve.Makingthingscomplicated.Takingpains.
Elizabethhadbeenamasterofit.Douglashadbeenamastertoo.Somewhereinadrawerisaphotographoftheirweddingday.ElizabethandDouglaswithsmilessobroadyouwouldswearitwasthehappiestdayoftheirlives.
Nothingwaseverhowitseemed.
Except,Elizabethrealizesnow,sometimesthingsareexactlyhowtheyseem.Atleastshehasrealizedthisintime.
Sheissittingonbenchseatinginthebackofthecoroner’svan.TheyareheadingtothemorgueatGodalming.ThesamemorguewhereDouglasandPoppy’sbodieshadbeenidentified.
NexttoherisJoyce.Sheisdoingawordsearchonherphone.ElizabethknowssheshouldlistentoJoycemoreoften.Ofcourse,Poppyhadn’tdoneit.Poppyhadn’tmurderedDouglas,thenmurderedsomepooryoungwomanandhadthebodyidentifiedasherown.
Poppyhadn’thatchedaplotwithhermothertostealthediamonds.TherewasanotherexplanationforSiobhan.
WhoonearthwouldeverbelievethatPoppyhaddoneit?Onlysomeoneverystupid.Orsomeonetoocleverbyhalf.
Elizabethiscomingtounderstandthatperhaps,justsometimes,thingsareexactlywhattheyseem.WhenRongivesherahug,orJoycebakesheracake,orIbrahimlaminatesadocumentforher,theyarenotplayingagame.Theydon’tneedanythinginreturnotherthanherhappinessandherfriendship.Theyjustlikeher.IthastakenElizabethalongtimetoacceptthetruthofthat.
OnthebenchoppositeherisSueReardon.SueReardonhasamindlikehers.Theyhadlaughedaboutit.Peasinapod.Elizabethhadn’trealizedthehalfofit.
Betweenthebenches,alongthelengthofthevanliesthecorpseofMartinLomax.FrankAndrade’sisbeingdealtwithbyMI6.Hisisinadifferentvan,travellingdownadifferentmotorway.
PoppyandDouglaswerebothshotdead.Therewerenofakecorpses,therewasnograndcover-up.TheywerebothshotdeadbySueReardon.Foraveryobviousreason.AndSueReardonhadspunElizabethalinesheknewshewouldn’tbeabletoresist.
Howtoproveitthough?
ElizabethlooksoveratJoyce,tonguestickingoutasshecircleswordswithherfinger.Likebutterwouldn’tmelt.Sheisrecordingeverythingonherphone.Justasshehasbeentold.
ThefirstpartofthejourneyhadbeentheexpectedbarrageofquestionsfromSueaboutthediamonds,andwhoonearthwasConnieJohnson,andwhydidshehaveabagfullofcocainewithher?Elizabethhadansweredallthequeriesaspolitelyasshefeltable.Butnowitwasherturntoaskthequestions.
‘So,’shebegins,leaningforwardandsmilingatSueoverthedrapedcorpseofMartinLomax.‘Wedidn’tfindPoppythen?’
‘No,’saysSue.‘Nowheretobeseen.’
‘Curious,’saysElizabeth.‘Perhapsshereallyisdead.Doyouthink,Sue?’
‘Perhaps,’saysSue.‘Butwestillcan’texplainhermumlookingforthediamonds.’
‘Younearlyhadme,youknow?’saysElizabeth.
‘I’msureIdon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout,’saysSue
‘YoukilledDouglasandPoppy.Youknewwheretheywere,youwalkedin,youshotthem,andyouwalkedstraightoutagain.’
‘Soundsverysimple,’saysSue.
‘Itwassimple.Butyouknewsimplewouldn’tbeinterestingenoughforme.Soyouledmeonapieceofstringaroundallsortsofwonderfultheories.Justtobuyyourselfabitoftimetofindthediamonds.Orformetofindthediamondsforyou.Keepingmeinterested.’
‘Well,nowitsoundsoutlandish,’saysSue.‘Whatanimaginationyouhave,Elizabeth.’
Elizabethshakesherhead.‘Myimaginationwasmydownfallhere,I’mafraid.AssoonasIrealizeditwasyouwhoslippedSiobhan’sphonenumberintoJoyce’spocket,thewholethingfellintoplace.’
‘Oh,Iwonderedwhyyouaskedaboutthat,’saysJoyce.
SueReardon’sphonebuzzes.Sheopensamessageandsmiles.
‘Well,speakofthedevil–there’sPoppy’smumnow.Withsomegoodnews.’
‘Dotell,’saysElizabeth.
‘I’mtoldwe’vefoundthediamonds.InJoyce’smicrowaveofallplaces.Howpleasinglysuburban.ButIsupposetheglovesareoffatleast.’
SueReardonpressesanintercombuttonandtalkstothedriver.‘Achangeofplan.CoopersChaseretirementvillage.It’snotfar.’
Anechoingelectronicvoicereplies.‘Postcode?’
Suethinksforamoment,takesagunfromherbagandpointsitatJoyce.‘Joyce,what’sthepostcode?’
76
ChrisHudsonmunchesonacarrotbaton.Whenyougotusedtothemtheyactuallyweren’tsobad.Well,theywere,butitseemedtomatterless.ConnieJohnsonisinhercell.Herinterviewhadbeenterminatedfairlyquickly.Itconsistedalmostentirelyofthreatstokillhim,Donna,BogdanandwhoeversheimaginedRontobe.Bogdancameinforsomeparticularlygraphicabuse.NomentionofPatricethough,thatparticularthreatforgotten.HewillnevermentionittoPatriceorDonna.AndheknowsRonorBogdanwon’teither.
RyanBaird’sinterviewhadbeenaquieteraffair.Eightminutesofsilent,shoulder-shakingsobbing,beforehissolicitorsuggestedtheymightreconveneinthemorning.Perfect.AneveningoffforChris.
RyanBaird’ssolicitor,Chriscouldn’thelpbutnotice,wasstilldressingbetter,nowhadanicerhaircutandwasevenstartingtolosesomeweight.HewasdousedinLynxAfrica,but,asChriswellknows,youcan’tchangeeverythingallatonce.AftertheinterviewthesolicitorhadtakenDonnaasideandaskedheroutforadrink.Hisweddingringinhispocket,nodoubt.Donnahadtoldhimshewouldloveto,butthattheyshouldprobablywait,soasnottojeopardizetheongoinginvestigation.Evenattheendofalongday,Donnawasaquickthinker.
Chris’smindgoesbacktothetableoutsideMaidstoneCrownCourt.ThepromisesRonandBogdanhadmadehim.Theyhadcomegood,thankyou,gents.PatricewillcomedowntoFairhavenagainnextSundayandthistimeChriswilltellherthathelovesher.Sometimestheuniverseturnsyourway.HehopesthatElizabethandJoycegotwhattheywantedfromtodaytoo.
Amanvoluntarilyeatingcarrotbatons.Thatreallywassomeonetobe.
77
NowitisElizabethwhoisstaringdownthebarrelofSueReardon’sgun.Howmanygunbarrelshadshestareddowninhercareer?Twenty?Thirty?Noneofthemhadkilledheryet.
Thebasicruleis,iftheydon’tkillyouimmediately,they’renotgoingtokillyou.Therearealwaysexceptions,butnopointworryingaboutthemfornow.
Thecoroner’svanisheadingtowardsCoopersChase.HowhadSiobhanfoundthediamondsatJoyce’s?Someonehadtoldherexactlywheretheywere.Ibrahim?Stephen?Beenforcedtotellher?Pleaseno.Shehastokeepcalm.
‘CanItellyouwhatIthinkhappened?’asksElizabeth.‘Justtopassthetime.Oristhatallabit“JamesBond”foryou?’
‘Pleasedo,’saysSue.‘Ican’ttellyouhowdelightedIwastofoolyou.’
‘Poppyfoundtheletter,’Elizabethbegins.‘JustasJoycesaid.Butshedidn’tgoafterthediamonds,andshedidn’tgiveittohermum.Shegaveittoyou,becausethat’swhatPoppywoulddo.Shedidherjob.Soyoureadtheletter,youreadDouglas’sconfession.Buttheconfessionpartwasn’tnewstoyou,you’dknownallalong.YouandDouglashadplannedthewholethingtogether.Yes?’
‘Alittleretirementplan,yes,’agreesSue.
‘Ihadabrief,awfulthoughtatonepointthatDouglasandPoppywerelovers,’saysElizabeth.‘ButIwaswrong,wasn’tI?YouandDouglaswerelovers.’
‘Ooh,yes,’saysJoyce.‘Icanseethat.’
‘HaveIgotthatright?’asksElizabeth.
‘Youhave,’saysSue.
Joycelooksbetweenthetwoofthem.‘Hedefinitelyhadatype,didn’the?’
‘Iseetheappeal,Ipromise,’saysElizabeth.‘Iwasalmosttenyearsolderthanhim,youtenyearsyounger.Heveryneatlyspannedourgenerations,didn’the?’
‘Hewasveryhandsome,’saysJoyce.‘Notmytypeatall,nooffencetoeitherofyou,butveryhandsome.’
ElizabethlooksstraightintoSue’seyes.‘Soyouwerereadingtheletter,sawthekey,thelockernumberandwhathaveyou.Iassumehehadn’ttoldyouwherehe’dhiddenthem?’
‘Hetoldmetheyweresafe,’saysSue.
Elizabethnods.‘So,itwasinterestinginformationtoyou.Lucrativeattheveryleast.Butthebignewscamefurtherdownintheletter,didn’tit?Whenhesaidhestilllovedme?Thathewouldwaitformeifneedsbe.Thatmusthavebeenthemomentyourealizedthetwoofyouweren’tinthistogether?ThatyouandDouglasweren’tabouttoheadoffintothesunsetwiththetwentymillion?Thatwasthemomentyourealizedyouwouldhavetokillhim?’
Sueshrugs.Thebarrelofthegunshrugswithher.
‘Hewanteditallforhimself,’saysElizabeth.‘Orworse,hewanteditforhimandme.Thoughyou’rebrightenoughtoknowthatwouldneverhappen.Originallythetwoofyouwerejustgoingtoseeouttheinvestigation,letitfizzledowntonothingandcashin.Sonowyouneededachangeofplan.’
‘Perfectsofar,’saysSue.‘Toolate,ofcourse,butperfect.’
‘Soyoudecideyouwantthemoneyforyourself,’saysElizabeth.
‘Idon’tblameyouonebit,’saysJoyce.
Joyceisstilldoingherwordsearch.YouhadtohandittoJoycesometimes.Evenwithagunpointedatherbestfriend,Joycetrustshertogetoutofthissituation.DoesElizabethtrustherself?That’saverygoodquestion.WhatisgoingtofacethembackatCoopersChase?IsStephensafe?IsIbrahimsafe?
Elizabethkeepsthinkingasshetalks.‘Sohowtokillhim?Well,firstattempt,youtellMartinLomaxwhereDouglasis,whichisasgoodassigningDouglas’sdeathwarrant.Cowardly,butyouneedhimoutofthewayifyou’regoingtoescapewiththemoneyyourself,andyou’reangry.Lomaxsendshisman,AndrewHastings,tokillDouglas,butpoorPoppygetsinthewayandshootsHastings.Douglasverymuchstillalive,abumpintheroad,butnevermind.Youarestilldetermined,andthat’sunderstandable.Weallfalloutoflove,don’twe?’
‘Wemostcertainlydo,’saysSue.
‘Notme,’saysJoyce.
‘Nonsense,Joyce,you’reinandoutoflovemonthly,’saysElizabeth,thenreturnstostaringintoSueReardon’sgun.‘SoyoustillneedDouglasoutofthepicture,andyourealizeyouaregoingtohavetodoityourself.YouknowyoucanmoveDouglasandPoppytoHove.Toahouseyouhaveusedbefore,ahouseyoucanaccesseasily.Sokillinghimyourselfwillbeeasy.Buthowtogetawaywithit?Thatwasyourquestion.’
‘Itwas,’agreesSueReardon.‘Ididn’tneedtogetawaywithitforlong.JustuntilIfoundthediamonds.’
‘Andperhaps,’saysElizabeth,‘youwereworriedthatImightworkthingsout?’
‘Iwas,’saysSue.‘IjustneededyoutofindthediamondsbeforeyouworkedoutIwasthekiller.Andyoudidn’tletmedown.’
‘Sheworkeditouteventually,tobefair,’saysJoyce.
‘ButIstillgettothediamonds,’saysSue.‘AssoonasI’vepickedthemup,I’llbeoff.Icandisappeareasily,Elizabeth,asyou’llknow.Sothat’swhatI’lldo.FeelfreetotelleveryonewhatIdid.Theywon’tfindme.’
‘You’renotgoingtoshootus?’saysJoyce.
‘Notifyoubehaveyourselves,’saysSue.
‘Notreallyourspeciality,’saysJoyce.
‘Iknewyouwouldn’tbeabletoresistacleverlittlemystery,Elizabeth,’saysSue.‘IknewI’dhaveyouchasingyourtail.Youwerehavinglunchwiththekiller,talkingtactics,withoutevenknowing.Isn’tthatahoot?’
Elizabethnods.‘Yourplanforms,andyourealizeyouaregoingtoneedhelpwithit.SoyoucallSiobhan.NowthisiswhereI’mhazy.Whoexactlyisshe?Anoldfriend,Iimagine?Anoldcolleaguewhoowedyouafavour?’
‘Guessagain,’saysSueReardon.
‘Nomatter,’saysElizabeth.‘Sheagreestowhatevertermsyoupresentherwith.Helpmewithadoublemurderand…what?’
‘Amillionpounds,’saysSueReardon.
‘Thatwoulddoit,’saysElizabeth.‘YoucometoCoopersChasetotakeAndrewHastings’sbodyaway,andonyourwayoutyouslipanoteintoJoyce’scardigan,simplysaying“RINGMYMUM”,withSiobhan’sphonenumber.’
‘Wait,’saysJoyce,‘Siobhanisn’tPoppy’smum?’
‘Keepup,Joyce,’saysSue.
‘Don’tspeaktoJoycelikethat,’saysElizabeth.
‘Oh,Idon’tmind,’saysJoyce.
Elizabethfeelsthecoroner’svantakeasharpleftturnandslowdown.Itcrossesacattlegrid.TheyareatCoopersChase.
‘YousendSiobhantocheckthelockersforthediamonds.You’dbeeninbefore,Ipresume,tomakesurethereweresecuritycameras?’
‘Ihad,’saysSue.
‘TrustingthatIwouldeventuallychecktherecordings.AndbeledtoSiobhan.Andputtwoandtwotogether?’
‘Whichyouwere,andwhichyoudid,’saysSue.‘Iknewyouwouldn’tbeabletoresistit!TheideaofPoppyfakingthewholething.Sounlikely.Iknewyouwerejustcleverenoughtofallforit.’
Sirensgopastthematspeed.Suepauses,thenvisiblyrelaxes.Ambulances,notpolice.Elizabethgoescold.DrivingatspeedfromCoopersChase.Whowasintheambulances?Stephen?
‘YoueventhoughtDouglashadfakeditatfirst,didn’tyou?’laughsSue.‘Thatwasadelightfulsurprise.Notmyplanatall,butIwashappyenoughtogoalongwithyouforafewdays.Youweremyusefulidiot,Elizabeth,ifyoudon’tmindmesaying?’
Elizabethtriestotakehermindofftheambulances,theirsirensnowfaintinthedistance.‘Siobhancomesbacktoyou,empty-handed.ThenextdayyouenterthesafehouseonStAlbansAvenue.YoushootPoppyfirst,I’mguessing?’
‘Correct,’saysSue.‘Ashame,butneedsmustsometimes.She’dseentheletter.’
‘AndhelpfulinencouragingDouglastoletyouknowwherethediamondswere?Whatdidhetellyou?Beforeyoushothim?Heobviouslydidn’tleton?’
‘Hejustsaid,“StickclosetoElizabeth,she’llfindthem.”Ithoughtthatsoundedtrueenough,andthebestIwasgoingtoget,soIshothim.’
‘Andyoudidstickclosetome,I’llgiveyouthat.’
‘Andyoudidfindthem.Sothankyou,’saysSue.‘AsIsay,ausefulidiot.I’llbeoutofyourhairverysoon,Ipromise.’
Thevanpullstoahalt.Sueputshergunhandintoherhandbag,butkeepsthegunpointingatElizabeth.Thedriveropensthebackdoors.
‘Afteryou,ladies,’saysSue,andthedriverhelpsElizabethandJoyceclimbdown.Suefollows,needingnohelp.
‘Wewon’tbelong,’saysSuetothedriver.‘Justneedtospendapenny.’
Itis5p.m.Theskyisdarkening,andlightsarecomingonacrossCoopersChase.Thenormalbusinessofanormalday.QuizzesontheTV,booksbeingread,grandchildrenonthephone,afewtardybirdsflyingtotheirroosts.ElizabethseesColinClemencetakinginagardenchairfromhispatio.MirandaScottfromWordsworthCourtispostingaletter.Sheenterscompetitions,andlastyearwonalifetime’ssupplyofwashingpowder.Persilmusthaverubbedtheirhandswithgleewhentheydiscoveredshewasninety-two.
Allisquietinthishappyplace.Anotherdaydone,familysafeandsound,curtainsclosedandheatingon.Nothingyou’lleverseeonthenews,butsomethingyoushouldreallypaymoreattentionto,justthegentlehumofcontentment.
Takealookoutofthewindow,andthereisnothingtoseeexcepttwooldwomentakinganeveningstrolltogether.It’sJoyceandElizabeth,isn’tit?Thickasthieves,thosetwo.Thereisayoungerwomanwalkingafewstepsbehind.HeadingovertoJoyce’s,Ithink.
‘Assoonastheshootingonthepierhadfinished,Iwasonthephone,’saysSue.‘ThreemenMartinLomaxputmeintouchwithawhileago.Menwhocoulddoafewjobsoffthebooks.Ex-specialforces,armedtotheteeth.Theywerestandingby,soIsentthemstraightherewithSiobhan.Iknewsomeonewouldknowwherethediamondswere.Yourfriendwiththebrokenribs,orthathusbandofyours,Elizabeth.ThoughfromwhatIreadyoucouldtellhimanythingandhewouldn’tremember.Poorthing.’SheseesElizabethstiffeninfrontofherandshesmiles.
‘MyGod,thiswasharderthanitwassupposedtobe.“Theperfectcrime,”Douglashadsaidtome.Novictims.Howmanydeathsnow?Five?Althoughweallheardtheambulances,sowhoknows?Maybeacouplemore.’
Elizabeth’sphonestartsringinginherbag.
‘Don’ttouchit,’saysSue.
Elizabethdoesassheistold.Butshedoesn’tneedtotouchit.Shehasrecognizedthepersonalizedringtone.
TheyreachthefrontdoorofJoyce’sbuilding.Elizabethlooksupatherbestfriend’swindow.Thecurtainsareshut.TheywerenotshutwhenshepickedJoyceupthismorning.Joycekeysinhersecuritycodeandthethreewomenenterthebuilding.
Theliftdoorsaredirectlyinfrontofthem.Elizabethpressesthebuttonandthedoorsopen.SueReardonsmiles.
‘Ifyoutryanythinginthatlift,I’vegotthreearmedmenupstairs.’
‘We’vegivenup,Sue,’saysElizabeth.‘Don’tyougetit?Justgetyourdiamondsandgo.’
Thedoorscloseandtheliftjoltsupwards.SuestandsbehindJoyceandElizabeth,thegunattheirbacks.Astheliftdoorsopenonthefirstfloor,herviewisobscured.
‘Joyce,hittheground!’shoutsElizabeth.
ElizabethandJoycethrowthemselvestothefloor,givingBogdanaclearshot.HehitsSueexactlywhereheaims,throughtheshoulder.Suedropsherbagandhergun,hereyeswideinsurprise
BogdankicksSue’sgunaway,thenhelpsJoyceandElizabethtotheirfeet.
‘Comein,’saysBogdan.‘I’veputthekettleon.’
78
‘You’veneverseenanythinglikeit,’saysStephen,sittingonJoyce’ssofa.‘Iwashavingfortywinksinmychair,whenIhearanoise.Iopenmyeyes.Threefellaspointinggunsatmyhead.“Holdyourhorses,”Isay,“what’sthisabout?I’mimaginingyou’relookingforElizabeth?”Youknow,alldressedinblack,gunsandwhathaveyou.“Notabitofit,”saysthefellowinthemiddle.“Telluswherethediamondsare.”’
Heisinterruptedbyalowmoan.JoyceistendingtoSueReardon’sshoulderwhileshesitsonakitchenchair.
‘Stopmoaning,youbigbaby,’saysJoyce,tighteningabandage
‘SoIplaytheinnocentFrenchmanasitwere,“Whatdiamonds?”allthiscaper,andtheydon’tlikeitonebit.Thenmadamhere…’Stephennodstoanotherkitchenchair,whereSiobhansits,handstiedbehindher,‘walksin,friendlyasyoulike,“Justtellus,Stephen,tellusandwe’llbeonourway.”Anyway,Istallfortime,Icouldn’trememberwhereyou’dgone,Elizabeth,butperhapsyou’dbegettingbacksoon.Sohere’sme,“Oh,Idon’tknowaboutdiamonds,I’mafraid,notmyarea,youneedtheboss,she’llbebackpresently,”andthislady–I’msorry,I’veforgottenyourname?’
‘Siobhan,’saysSiobhan.
‘Beautifulname.She’ssaying,“Elizabethwon’tbebackanytimesoon,andshewon’tbebackatallifwedon’tgetthediamonds.”Well,Ithink,thenyoudon’tknowElizabethlikeIknowElizabeth.OnethingyoucanrelyonwithElizabethisshe’llbeback.Neverletmedownyet.’
‘Neverwill,darling,’saysElizabeth.
‘Tensionsstarttorunhigh.“Wherearethediamonds?”“Whatdiamonds?”Acoupleofthefellowsstartrippingtheplaceapart.Becomingaregularoccurrenceeh,dear?’
‘Notevenworthtidyingthedrawersthesedays,’agreesElizabeth.
‘AndthenIhearakeyinthelockandthink,well,heresheis,butthedooropensandit’sthemanhimself.’Stephenmotionsovertothefigureinthecorneroftheroom.
‘RonhadgonehometowatchsnookerandIthoughtStephenwouldliketohearabouttheshootings,’saysBogdan.
‘Beforeyouknowit,thethreechapsallhavetheirgunspointingatBogdan,thepoorbugger,andI’mthinking,getoutofthisonethen.’
Bogdantakesupthestory.‘Stephensaystheseguysarelookingforthediamonds,andIsay,“Well,youcametotherightguy,followme,they’reatJoyce’s.IfIshowyou,Igettokeepone?”andtheylookatSiobhan,andshe’slike,sure.“Socomewithme,buthidethegunswhenwegetoutthefrontdoor,Idon’twantyouscaringtheoldpeople.”Sothey’regrumble,grumble,butOK,andoutwego.’
‘Immediately,Ihearthemostterrificnoise,’saysStephen.‘Twentysecondsorso.TheninwalksBogdanandasksmetogivehimahandclearingup.’
Elizabeth:‘So,theambulances?’
‘Thatwasthethreeguys,yes,’saysBogdan.‘SoIsaytoSiobhan,look,who’sbehindallthis,andshe’slookingattheguyswiththegunsonthefloor,andthinksmaybesheshouldtellthetruth.ShesayssheworkswithSue,OK,Igetit.SoIsaysendmessagetoSue,tellheryouhavethediamonds.“WhereshallIsaytheyare?”shesays.AndIdon’tknow,soIlookatStephen.’
‘AndIsay,“Tellherthetruth,”noreasonnotto.“They’reinJoyce’smicrowave.”’
ElizabethlooksoveratSue.‘Ihopethat’sagony,dear.’
‘Wehadagoodlaughaboutit,didn’twe,Elizabeth?’Stephencontinues.‘Shehadtomovethembecauseshekeptforgetting,andmakingcupsoftea.’
‘Oh,I’mthefigureoffunnow?’saysJoyce.Butsheissmiling.
‘Theambulancescame,theyhadalotofquestions,understandably.’
‘ItoldthemtotalktoChrisHudson,’saysBogdan.‘Heowesmeafavour.’
‘Oh,doeshe?’saysElizabeth.
‘AndthenwetoddledovertoJoyce’stowaitforyou.’
‘Isawyouthroughthecurtains,’saysBogdan.‘GaveyouaringtoletyouknowIwashere.ThenIshotSue.’
‘Andthat’susuptodate,’saysStephen.
ElizabethwalksovertoJoyce’smicrowaveandpullsoutagreenfeltbag.ItwasusuallyfullofScrabbletiles,butnowisfullofdiamonds.ShepoursthemontothekitchentableinfrontofSueReardon.
‘Hereyouare,Sue.Thisiswhatitwasallfor.Poppy,Douglas,AndrewHastings.Lomax,FrankAndrade.Andthisistheclosestyou’lleverget.’
‘Tobefair,’callsJoycefromthesofa,‘MartinLomaxandFrankAndradeweren’treallySue’sfault.Thatwasyou.’
Elizabethnods,concedingthepoint.SheturnstoSiobhan.
‘Andhowdidyougetropedin,Siobhan?What’syourconnectionhere?’
‘I’measilyled,’saysSiobhan.‘Alwayshavebeen.Andit’snotreallySiobhan.It’sSally,SallyMontague,ifyourememberthatname?’
Douglas’sthreeexes.United.
SueReardongroansagain,agutturalcry.‘Please,Ineedtogotothehospital.’
‘IthinkBogdanmighthaveusedupalltheambulances,’saysElizabeth.
‘We’llgiveitacoupleofhours,’saysJoyce.‘I’llmakesureyoudon’tdie.It’llbemuchmorefuntoseeyouinprison.Wouldyoulikesomepainkillers?’
‘Yes,please,’saysSue,theanguishetchedontoherface.
‘Shame,’saysJoyce.‘Idon’thaveany.’
79
Patricelooksattheclock,sighsandpoursherselfanotherglassofwine.
Ninethirty,darkoutside,andsheisonlyhalfwaythroughmarkingtheJaneAustenhomework.ShethinksaboutChris.Shethinksabouthimmoreandmorethesedays.Patricehasfalleninlovebefore,andthisisbeginningtoshowallthesigns.ThatmightjustbethewineandtheJaneAustenthough.
ShehasalwaysworriedaboutDonna’swork,andnowsheworriesaboutChris’stoo.Isthatsomethingshecouldgetover?AtleasttheyarebothinFairhaven.ThatfeltsaferthanLondon.HowmuchtroublecouldtherebeinFairhaven?
Therewereschoolsdownthere,weren’tthere?Ofcoursetherewere,Patrice,youidiot,thereareschoolseverywhere.Whatevenmadeyouthinkaboutit?It’snotlikeyou’regoingtobemovingdownthereoranything.
Shehadfeltsafeandhappythereduringhalfterm.SafewithChris,andwithDonnanearby.HappywithChris,andwithDonnanearby.Theybothfeelalongwayawaynow,asshesitsaloneinthehouse.Buttheweekend?Attheweekendsheisdrivingdowntoseethem.
ShethinksaboutringingChris.Maybetellhimhowmuchshe’sbeenthinkingabouthim?Maybe.Orperhapsjusttellhimtomorrow?Whenshe’dhadlesstodrink?Yes.Therearecertainstepsyoutakeinlifethatyoucan’teasilyturnbackfrom.Sotakethemwithcare.Youdon’twanttomakeafoolofyourself.
Patricesmiles.HowcouldsheevermakeafoolofherselfinfrontofChris?Shewillringhim.She’llmarkthreemoreessays,thenshe’llringChrisashertreat.Shewillbeslurringherwordsalittlebit,butifyousluryourwordswithamanyoucangetawaywithsayinganything.MaybeshewillmentionJaneAusten,andseewherethatleads?Itwillbenicetohearhisvoice.DotheyhavedartsonTVonMondays?Iftheydosheissurethat’swhathe’llbewatching.
Thereisanoiseonthestreetoutside.Probablyfoxes.
Shepicksupthenextessayonthepile.BenAdams.PatricesuspectsthatBenhasn’treadasinglewordofSense&Sensibility.Shealsosuspectshehaswatchedthefilminstead,mainlybecauseatonepointheaccidentallycallsElinorDashwood‘EmmaThompson’.Nicetry,kid.OhGod,thisisgoingtotakeherforever.
Patricehassaiditsomanytimes,markingwillbethedeathofher.
Asshepicksupthenextessay,shehearsaknockatthedoor.Anotherglanceattheclock.That’slate.
Patriceknowssheshouldprobablyignoreit.Butperhapsit’saneighbourneedingsomething.Andshe’lldoanythingtoleavethemarkingaloneforamoment.
Patricewalksdownthehallway,glassofwinestillinhand.Donnahastoldherahundredtimestogetdeadlocks,togetpeepholes,‘Neveransweryourdoortostrangers,Mum.’HowolddidshethinkPatricewas?Patricewillgetpeepholesanddeadlockswhenshe’solder.Patriceisn’tevenfifty,andshe’snotgoingtobefrightenedinherownhome.It’snicethatDonnacares,butPatricecanlookafterherself,thankyouverymuch.SheshouldringDonnatoo.She’sbeenalittledown.So,ringChris,thenringherlittlegirl.Orringherlittlegirlfirst?
Patriceputsherwinedownonthehalltableandgivesherhairaquickcheck.Shenodsherapproval.Youshouldalwayslookyourbest,whoever’satthedoor.
Theknockcomesagain,alittlemoreinsistent.Allright,allright.Patriceflicksupthelatchandpullsthedooropen.
Hermouthfallsopen,markingforgotten,wineforgotten,hairforgotten.
Itisnotaneighbour.Shetriestocompute,butthereisnotime.
‘Look,’saysChris,standingonherdoorstep,flowersinhishandandtearsonhischeek.‘Iknowit’slate,butitcouldn’twait.Ican’tgoanotherminutewithouttellingyou.I’minlovewithyou.I’msorryifthat’sstupid.’
Patricetriestothinkofsomethingtosay.Sheissopleasedshecheckedherhair.WhatwouldJaneAustensay?
‘CanIcomein?’Chrisasks.
‘Yes,mydarling.Yes,youcancomein,’shesays.PatricetakesherwinefromthehalltableandreachesoutherhandtoleadChrisinside.
Thatwilldojustfine.
80
‘IjustthoughtIwouldcomeinandhaveafreshenup,’saysJoyce.‘I’llputthehooverround,andabitofMrSheen.Iwon’tgoanywherenearyourbitsandbobs.’
‘Thankyou,Joyce,’saysIbrahim,sippinghistea.‘I’msorrytomissallthefunyesterday.’
‘I’llfillyouin,don’tworry.’
‘Ronisfumingthathemissedit,’saysIbrahim.‘EspeciallyasSiobhanwasthere.’
‘Itwon’tdoRonanyharmtokeepitinhispantsfornow,’saysJoyce,dustingthesideboard.‘Howareyoufeeling?Inyourself?’
Ibrahimslidesbackintohisarmchair.Hegivesasmallsmileandashrug.
Joycenodsandgetstowork.‘Ineedyourhelptoday.’
‘I’msorry,Joyce,Ican’t.Nottoday.’
‘Youdon’tevenknowwhatIwantyet.’
Ibrahimlaughs.‘OfcourseIdo.It’sthefirstdayofpeacewe’vehadforweeks,Joyce.Youwantmetodriveyoutotheanimalrescuecentre?Topickupyourdog?’
‘Well,yes,please,thatiswhatI’dlike.Whydon’tyoufinishyourtea,andwecanheadoff?Lovelydrive?’
‘I’mafraidnot.’
‘YouseemtothinkImighttakenoforananswer?’saysJoyce.‘Howlonghaveyouknownme?’
Ibrahimleansforwardandputshisteabackdownonthelowtable.‘Joyce,lookatme.’
Joyceputsdownherdusteranddoesjustthat.
‘Iknowwhatyouaretryingtodo,andIammovedthatyouaretrying.YouknowIamfrightened,youknowIdon’twanttoleavethisflat,andIcertainlydon’twanttoleavethisvillage.Youknowthatisunhealthy,andyouwanttolookafterme.Youaretooclevertocomeoverandtellmetopullmyselftogether.YouknowIamintoomanypiecesforthat.Andsoyourtacticisdifferent,yourtacticiscleverer.“Ibrahim,pleasehelpme,”isyourtactic.“Ibrahim,Ineedyou.”But,Joyce,youdon’tneedtogototherescuecentretoday,Alanisn’tgoinganywhere,I’veseenhispicture,youaretheonlypersonintheworldwhowouldchoosehim.Andwhenyoudogototherescuecentreyouwon’tneedmetodriveyou.Getataxi,orgetsomeoneelsetodriveyou.GordonPlayfairhasaLandRover,whichwouldbeperfectfordogtransportation.Yourkindnessiswelcomebutitistransparent.Iamnotleavingthisvillageagain.Ihavemademypeacewiththat.’
Joycenods.
‘Youreadpeopleverywell,Joyce,don’tthinkIdon’tspotthat.Iseehowyoudoittoo,coercionthroughkindness.Butunderstandthis.Behindme,inthesefiles,therearepeopleIcouldn’thelp,peoplebeyondreach,problemsIcouldn’tfix,whicheverwayItwistedandturned.Youliketofixthings,too,Joyce.Youcan’tbearitwhensomethingisoutofplace.Andsoyoucomein,andyousmile,andIknowyouraffectionformeisgenuine,andyouaskmetodriveyoutotheanimalrescuecentre.HowcouldIresist?AndbeforeyouknowitI’mbackbehindthewheelofthatcar,I’moutsidethevillage,andI’msoonsurroundedbylost,straydogsand,whileIdon’tlikedogs–quitetheopposite–Iamsuretofeelakinshipwiththeseanimalslostandalone.LostandaloneandwaitingforJoycetomakethingsbetter.Itisaterrificplan,youareaverygoodandcleverfriend.But,andIneedyoutoreallylistentothis,it’snotgoingtohappen.Iamtooscared.Therearetimeswhenawisemanadmitsdefeat,andIhopeyouagreeIamawiseman.Ihavemanycertificates.So,thankyou,fromthebottomofmyheart,but,justforonce,Joyce,thisisaproblemyoucannotfix.’
Ibrahimleansbackinhischair.
‘Iunderstand,’nodsJoyce,andplacesthedusteroverhershoulder.‘Iwonder,though,ifImightjustsaythis…’
Aroundforty-fiveminuteslaterJoycespiesthefirstsignfortheanimalrescuecentreandIbrahimtakestheexit.
‘Ijustlovetoseeahorseinafield,’saysJoyce.‘Whenyoucantellthey’rehappy.Happinessiswhatlifeisallabout,don’tyouthink?’
Ibrahimshakeshishead.‘Ican’tagree.Thesecretoflifeisdeath.Everythingisaboutdeath,yousee.’
‘Well,recently,yes,’agreesJoyce.‘Butsurelynoteverything?Thatseemsabitmuch?’
‘Inessence,’saysIbrahim.‘Ourexistenceonlymakessensebecauseofit;itprovidesmeaningtoournarrative.Ourdirectionoftravelisalwaystowardsit.Ourbehaviouriseitherbecausewefearit,orbecausewechoosetodenyit.Wecoulddrivepastthisspotonceayear,everyyear,andneitherthehorsenorourselveswouldgetyounger.Everythingisdeath.’
‘That’sonewayoflookingatthings,Isuppose,’saysJoyce.
‘It’stheonlyway,’saysIbrahim.‘Willtherebeatoiletattherescuecentre?’
‘Youwouldthinkso,’saysJoyce.‘Andifnot,therewillbeastafftoilet.’
‘Oh,Ican’tuseastafftoilet,’saysIbrahim.‘IalwaysfeelIhaven’tearnedit.’
‘Surely,ifeverythingisaboutdeath,thenalsonothingisaboutdeath?’saysJoyce,applyinglipstickinthepassengermirror.
‘Howso?’asksIbrahim.
‘Well,justsaythateverythingwasblue.You,me,Alan,everything?’
‘OK.’
‘Well,ifeverythingwasbluethenwewouldn’tneedtheword“blue”,wouldwe?’
‘Iacceptthat,’acceptsIbrahim.
‘Andifwehadnowordforbluethennothingwouldbeblue,wouldit?’
‘Well,deathisanevent,andso…’beginsIbrahim,thenseestheentrancetotherescuecentreuponhisleft.‘We’rehere!’
Whichisarelief,becauseJoycedoessortofhaveapoint.
Perhapseverythingisn’taboutdeathafterall?Whatatimetofindout.
81
Bogdanstaresatthechessboard,butitmakesnosense.Hehasjustmadeafatalerror,andhenevermakesfatalerrors.
Stephen’slipsarepursed.Hehasspottedthemistake.HelooksupatBogdan.
‘Goodness,’hesays.‘Quiteunlikeyou,quiteunlikeyou.’
Stephenmoveshisbishoptocapitalizeontheerror.Bogdanisdoomed.Helooksdownattheboardagain,butthepiecesstartdancing,theywon’tbehave.Hetriestoblinkitallaway.Geteverythingbackinitsplace.Everythinginorder.
‘Somethingonyourmind?’asksStephen.
‘Nothing,’saysBogdan.Whichisusuallytrue.Butnottoday.
‘Ifyousayso,thenwhoamItoquestion?’saysStephen.‘Youkilledsomeoneelse,perhaps?’
Bogdanlooksattheboard.Looksatthepieces.Hecan’tseeawayout.Stephenwasgoingtowin.
‘YouloveElizabeth?’saysBogdan.
‘Toosmallaword,that,’saysStephen.‘Butyes.Whereisshe,bytheway?Shedidtellme.’
‘Antwerp,’saysBogdan.
‘Soundslikeher,’saysStephen.‘Goon.’
‘Whendidyouknowyoulovedher?’asksBogdan.‘Like,ages?’
‘Twentysecondsperhaps,’saysStephen.‘IrecognizedherthemomentImether.Ijustthought,Well,thereyouare,I’vebeenwaitingforyou.’
Bogdannods.
‘Doyouhavealittlecrushonsomeone?’asksStephen.‘Isthatit?Youcanresignthegameifyouwant,bytheway.Nocomingbacknow,surely?’
Bogdanlooksattheboard.Perhapsthereisnowayback?Buthewon’tresignjustyet.
‘Howdoyouknowifsomeonelikesyou?’asksBogdan.
‘Well,everyonelikesyou,Bogdan,’saysStephen.‘ButIimagineyoumeanromantically?’
Bogdannods,andlooksdownattheboardagain,desperatelysearchingforawayout.
‘Aboyoragirl?’asksStephen.‘I’veneverlikedtoask.’
‘Agirl,’saysBogdan.
‘Well,thenIoweElizabethtwentypounds,’saysStephen.‘Thebestthingtodoisjustask.Howaboutadrink?Ifshesaysyes,thenthere’stheanswer.’
‘Butwhatifshesaysno?’
‘Thenshesaysno,dustyourselfdown,plentymoreeggsintheomeletteandsoon.’
Bogdanthinksbacktotheparapetofthebridge.Therocksandtheriverbelow.Theyellowjumperhismumhadknitted.Helooksdownattheboardandshakeshishead.Sometimesthepiecesweren’twheretheyweresupposedtobe.Sometimesyouweren’tincontrol.AndperhapsthatwasOK?Hewillaskherforadrink,andifshesaysno,shesaysno.
BogdanholdshishandouttoStephen.
‘Iresign.’
‘Goodlad,’saysStephen.‘Whoisshe?’
‘She’scalledDonna,’saysBogdan.‘Policeofficer.’
‘Justwhatyouneed,’saysStephen.‘Keepyouonthestraightandnarrow.Justaskherforadrink,youridiculousman.’
Bogdanhearsthefrontdooropen.Elizabethisback.Shewalksinwithabagfulloffiles.
‘Hello,darling,’saysStephen.‘Wherehaveyoubeen?’
‘Antwerp,darling,’saysElizabeth,andkisseshimonthetopofthehead.
‘Soundslikeyou,’saysStephen.
‘Youboyshavingfun?’
‘BogdanwasaskingwhenIknewIwasinlovewithyou.’
‘Oh,really.Andwhenwasit?’
‘Thejury’sstillout,Itoldhim.Givingherthebenefitofthedoubtfornow.’
‘Andhowdidthesubjectoflovecomeup?’
‘Darling,BogdanandImusthaveoursecrets,mustn’twe?’
‘Youmust,’agreesElizabeth.
BogdanlooksatthepaperworkpokingoutofElizabeth’sbag.‘HowwasAntwerp?Everythinggood?’
‘Everythinggood,yes,’saysElizabeth.‘Alltakencareof.’
82
Joyce
SoAlanwillbewithmenextweek!
Therescuecentrehavetocomeandvisittheflat,justtocheckthatI’mafitandproperperson.IcertainlythinkIam,butitwillbenicetohaveitconfirmed.
Iamgladtheydidn’tcomeroundlastweek.Suehadbledalloverthekitchenfloor,thereweremillionsofpounds’worthofdiamondsonthekitchentableandBogdanwasstoringthreegunsunderthespare-roomduvet.Idon’tknowwhattherulesarefor‘fitandproper’,butIimagineIwouldhavebeenbreakingoneortwoofthemthere.
And,bytheway,yes,itisAlan,notRusty.Theyletustakehimforawalkaroundthegrounds,andIbrahimreadtheriotacttome.Anditdoessuithim,tobehonest.
Wegotonlikeahouseonfire.Ibrahimtriedtomakehimsit,butAlanwashavingnoneofit,justhappilychasinghistailinstead.Adogaftermyownheart.
Itookapictureofhimwhilewewerethere,toshowElizabethandRon.Theybothsaidhelookedliketrouble,whichIknowtheybothmeantasagreatcompliment.
Anyway,thatphotois@GreatJoy69’sInstagramprofilepicturenow,sopeoplecanjudgeAlanforthemselves.And,bytheby,Joannasolvedthemysteryofmyprivatemessages.Shewentintomyaccountandsearchedallofthemforme.ShetoldmethatifIdidn’twanttobesentanendlesstideofphotographsofmen’sgenitals,Ishouldreallychangemyusername.
Needlesstosay,Ihaven’tchangedit.
IknowIsaidIwantedsomethingtohappen.Doyouremember?Andithasbeenfun,forthemostpart.
ExceptforPoppy.
Wemetherrealmumyesterday,sheactuallyiscalledSiobhan,whichIsupposewasallpartoftheplan.ElizabethandIsatwithherandtalkedaboutPoppyandsheandIcried.Shehadtoidentifythebody,whichhadalreadybeenidentified.Thescarsonthebackofherleghadactuallycomefromacaraccidentwhenshewasveryyoung.Siobhanhadlotsofphotographs,andwelookedthroughthemtogether.
ElizabethgaveSiobhanthepoetrybook,whichhadbeenonPoppy’sbedsidetableinHove.Thebookmarkwasleftwhereitwas,onapoemcalled‘AnArundelTomb’.
ArundelisnottoofarfromBrighton.GerryandIoncewentantiquingthere.ThiswasbeforetherewereStarbucks,butwewenttoanicetearoom.
Poppy’sfuneralisnextweek,andwewillallbethere.RonistakingflowersfortherealSiobhan.Evertheoptimist.Ibrahimisdrivingus.
ElizabethgotabitupsetthatDouglashadtoldSuetostickclosetoherifshewantedtofindthediamonds.Notthatitwasanysortofbigdeal,Elizabethsaid,butshecouldn’thelpfeelingabitbetrayed.Ilaughedandaskedherifshehadnotworkeditout?DouglastoldSuetostickclosetoher,becauseheknewElizabethwouldeventuallycatchherout.Shetookmypointandcheeredupalittle.
Maybeabitofpeaceandquietwouldbenicenow.Justforabit?Joannaispoppingdownattheweekend.She’sbringingthefootballchairmandownwithher,andIammakinglunch.IhaveinvitedRonovertoo,becausehewillknowwhattotalkabout.
IaskedRonwhatfootballchairmenate,andhesaidham,eggandchips.LuckilyIknowRon’sgames,soIamdoingaroast.
Iwilltellthemeverythingthat’sbeengoingon,exceptwhathappenedtothediamonds.That’sjustbetweenElizabeth,Ibrahim,Ronandme.Wedecidedtogether,andit’sourlittlesecret.Weallneedsecrets,don’twe?
Speakingofwhich,Ihaveonemoresecret,whichyoumustn’ttellanyone.Ihaven’teventoldElizabeth.IwentdowntoFairhavenlastWednesday,andthere’salittleplacenearthepier.Wemusthavebeenclosetoitwheneveryonewasbeingshot.I’dbookedanappointment.Ididn’tknowifyouhadto,especiallyonaWednesday.
Ittooktheladyafewhours,anditstillhurtsabitnow,butitwasworthit.Ineverwearsleevelessdresses,notwithmyarms,sonoonewilleverseeit.UnlessIgetlucky.It’satthetopofmyleftarm,andeversopretty.
Justasmalltattooofapoppy.
83
LanceJameshadkepttheleafletthatJoycehadsenthim.Itwastooexpensive,butamancoulddream,couldn’the?Hewasverygladhekeptit,andhehadbookedtheappointmentassoonasthemoneyfromthediamondshadcomethrough.
Helooksaroundtheroom,biggerthanhiswholeflat.Oak-panelled.Carpet,actualcarpet.TwohugewindowsoverlookingDublinBay.
Ithadbeenchaosattheendofthepier.Thereporthadtakenhimalongtimetowrite.Whoshotwhoandwhy.Leaveafewthingsout,inventacoupleofthingsthatperhapshadn’thappened.Thefootagefromthemonitorshaddisappeared,soallthatwasleftwasthewordofLance,BogdanandConnie.LanceandBogdanhadmetforapint,gottheirstoriesstraight,andthatwasthat.Thereportwasalltrueenoughintheend.He’dwrittenworse
Themainthinghehadleftout,ofcourse,wasthetwodiamonds.Theywerejustsittingthereonthedesk,forheaven’ssake,twinklinglikepenniesinafountain.Hehadslippedthemintohispocket,becausewhatwasthealternative?Wherewouldtheygootherwise?
ItwasthefirsttimeLancehaddonesomethingillegal,anditwouldbethelast.Well,hehadoncedrivenahirecaronholidaywithRuthwhen,technically,hehadbeenuninsured.Butthatwasaboutit.
Ifyouaregoingtocommitonemajorcrimeinyourlife,Lancereasons,makeitstealingdiamondsfromthemafia.
Theyhadgivenhimafewdays’leaveaftertheshootoutonthepier,toldhimtotakesometimetorelax.Relax?Inthetinyflathedidn’town?Withthekitchenwallstillhalfdemolished?Thebuilderhad,unsurprisingly,notreturnedtofinishthejob.
SoLancehadtakentheferrytoZeebrugge,thenthetraintoAntwerp,thenacabtothejewellerydistrict,andtheaddresshehadbeengivenbyanarmsdealerwhoowedhimafavour.
Thediamondsasawholehadbeenworthtwentymillion,thatmuchheknew.Sowhatwerethetwohehadslippedintohispocketworth?Amillion?Darehedreamtwoorthreemillion?HehadbeenlookingthroughtheRightmoveappallthewaythere.
SueReardonhadtoldhimaboutElizabethBestwhenthisallbegan.Herreputation,herbravery,hercunning.AlegendoftheService.Hehadexpected–and,inretrospect,Suemusthaveexpectedtoo–thatherpowerswouldhavedesertedher.SuemusthavethoughtElizabethBestwasaneasytouch.
ButSuewouldhavealongtimetoregrethermisjudgementofElizabeth.
SoLanceshouldhaveknownreally,whenhewasonthetrain,lookingatalltheexpensivehouses.
Thejewellerhadexaminedthestones,noddingandsmiling.‘Thesearenice,theseareverynice,’he’dbeensaying.WherehadLancegotthem?
Lancetoldhimthatarelativehaddied.
‘Youhavepapers?’
‘Afraidnot.’
Thejewellerhadshrugged.Nomatter.Thenhehadputdownhiseyeglass.
‘Veryniceindeed.Icanofferyouthirtythousand.’
Lancemusthavelookedshocked,becausethejewellerhadimmediatelysaid,‘OK,OK,thirty-five.’
Yes,ofcourse,Lanceshouldhaveknown.HeshouldhaveknownElizabethwouldn’thaveleftamillion,ortwoorthree,inthehandsofConnieJohnson,orwhoeverelsemighthaveendedupwiththediamondsinthechaos.ShehadgivenConnietheruntsofthelitter.Thirtythousandpounds,outoftwentymillion.Lancehadstartedtolaugh.Hewouldn’thavebeenabletospendamillionanyway.TheServicedoesyearlyaudits,unusualspending,extravagances.CheckingtheRussiansortheSaudisweren’tpayingyou.Orthatyouhadn’tjuststolensomediamondsfromthemafia.Spendingthreemillionwouldhavebeenvirtuallyimpossible.
Butspendingthirty-fivethousand?Thathadbeenabreeze.HehadboughtRuthoutoftheflat.Ofcourse,shehadn’taskedhimwherehehadgotthemoney,because,toRuth,twenty-fivethousandpoundswasinsignificant.
Andtheothertenthousand?Well,that’swhyhewashere,inthisgrandroominDublin,withitsoakpanels,andbeautifulwindows.Withthecoffeetable,stackedwithmagazinesnottoread,whilehewaits.
Helikestothinkaboutwhathappenedtotherestofthetwentymillion.WhathasElizabethdonewithit?Maybeshehaskeptit?PerhapsSuecouldhaveboughtheroffafterall?Lancedoubtsitverymuchthough.Hewondersif,oneday,hemightbeallowedtoaskher.Hehopesso,hewouldcertainlyliketomeetheragain.
LancepicksuptheSundayTelegraphmagazine.Thecoverimageisfamiliar.‘HiddenTreasure–IsThistheMostBeautifulGardeninEngland?’Hiddentreasureindeed,hethinks,andwonderswhattheeventualnewownersofMartinLomax’shousemightdiguparoundtheplace.
Asheflickstothearticle,thenicelygroomedmanbehindthedeskinthecornersays,‘DoctorMorriswillseeyounow.’
Lancegetstohisfeetand,foronce,runshisfingersthroughhishair.It’llbegoodtorememberwhatitfeelslikebeforethetransplant.
‘Thankyou,’saysLance.
84
SylviaFinchslipsoffhersuedeshoes,stilldarkfromthepuddles,andpullsherchairuptotheemptydesk.
Shecomesinfortwodaysaweek,andhasdoneforaroundtenyearsnow.Eversincesheretired.
Shehastheoddweekoff,usuallywhenthekidsandgrandkidscometovisit.Shedoesn’thaveherowndesk,theyjustputherwherevertheyhavespace.Spaceistight,andmoneyistight,andSylviaisgladtojustmuckin.Gladtohelpthepeoplewhohelpedher.
Wherevertheyputher,shetakesoutthepictureofDennisandpropsitagainsthercomputer.Toremindherwhyshe’sthere.
Shelogsintotheonlinebankingsystem.Todayisjustcross-checkingtheaccounts.Makingsuremoniespaidinhavearrived,andmakingsurenothingunauthorizedhasgoneout.Thereisusuallytheoddanomaly,apromisedtransferwhichhasn’tgonethrough,orastaffmemberbuyinglunchonthewrongcreditcard.Neveranythingreallysinister,butalwaysbesttocheck.
Today,however,asSylviaclicksontothemainholdingaccount,shespotsanimmediateerror.Theerrorisamusing,morethananythingelse,thesortofthingthat,inhappierdays,shewouldtellDennisaboutwhenshegothome.
Sylviaringsthebankandgivesherdetails.Sherunsthroughtheerrorshehasspotted,butisassuredthatitisnotanerror.Whichisimpossible.Sheaskstheladyontheotherend,Lisa,veryfriendly,todouble-check,whichshedoes.Noerror.Sosheasksforafewmoredetails.
SylviathanksLisaandputsdownthephone.
Thebigwigsareallinameeting.Eightofthemaroundatablethatisfartoosmall.Thebottomhalfoftheglassmeeting-roomwallisfrosted,butintheclearpaneaboveshecanseethetopsofpeople’sheadsand,crampedintoacorner,thechiefexecutivestandingbyaflipchart,pointingoutfigures.
Sylviahasneverinterruptedameetingbefore,wouldneverdreamofit,infact.Shehasneverlikedtodrawattentiontoherself,andshehasalwaysbeengladthataccountantsveryrarelyneedtointerruptmeetings.Butinthisinstancesheprobablyshould.
Shechecksanddouble-checksthescreen.Thenchecksanddouble-checkstheinformationshehaswrittendown.ShetakesafinallookatthephotographofDennis.Herhusband,herlove.Gonetodementia,thengoneforever.Themanwhodiedtwice.Courage,Sylvia,Dennisiswithyou.
Asshewalksovertothemeeting-roomdoor,shehearsthenoiseofthediscussion,andbeginstofeelawkward.Shepausesforamomentoutsidethedoor.Whatwillshelooklikewhenshewalksin?Asilly,thinoldwoman?Sylvia,whosaysgoodmorning,putsthepictureofherhusbandonherdesk,thendoesn’tspeakagainuntilshesaysgoodevening?Sylvia,whosilentlyholdsuphisflaskeverytimesomeoneoffersheracupoftea?Sylvia,whodoesn’tknowwhichjumpergoeswithwhichskirt?Well,shesupposesshecan’tchangewhosheis,andthisisimportant.Sylviaknocks.
Thereisaslightpause,then,‘Yes,comein.’
Sylviapushesopenthedoor,andthefacesaroundthetableandthefaceattheflipchartallturntowardsher.Shefeelsgiddy.Theflipchartisbrandedwiththelogoofthecharity.‘LivingWithDementia–LivingWithLove’.TheyhaddonealltheycouldforherandDennis,andshegiveseverythingshecantotheminreturn.Shehasnomoneytogive,andsoshegiveshertime.Sheseestheyarewaitingforhertospeak.Soheregoesnothing.
‘I’meversosorrytointerrupt,’shesays.‘ButIdon’tsupposeanyonehereknowsanythingabouttwentymillionpoundsfromAntwerp?’
Acknowledgements
Well,well,well,well,well.Andtherewehaveit,TheManWhoDiedTwice
Ihopeyoulikedtheending?Ireadabookaboutthirtyyearsagowheretheverylastlinewasintegraltotheplot,andI’dalwayslikedthatasanidea.
InthatbookwediscoverinthefinallinethatapackagethevillainhasbeencarryingthroughoutthebookcontainsthecryogenicallyfrozenbrainofAdolfHitler.I’mnotsurethatspecificrevealwouldhaveworkedhere,butitcertainlystayedwithme.
Thinkingback,thelastlineofTheThursdayMurderClubwasaboutJoyce’sgooseberrycrumble,soIreallyfeelIamgrowingasawriter.
OK,acknowledgements.Onceagain,Ihavesomanypeopletothank.Despiterepeatedrequeststomypublishers,Iamnotallowedtoscorepeopleoutoftenaccordingtohowhelpfultheyhavebeen,soIwilljustlisttheminstead.
Thankyoutomywonderfuleditor,KatyLoftus,forhercrucialcombinationofwisdomandenthusiasm,andforoftenasking,‘WouldRonreallysaythat?’Agreateditorisagift,andKatyisaverygreatgift.IamsoluckytoworkwithanincredibleteamatViking.We’veallhadsuchfuntogethersincethereleaseofTheThursdayMurderClub,andI’msogladtheyallstuckaroundforTheManWhoDiedTwice.OliviaMeadandChloeDavies,GeorgiaTaylor,EllieHudson,AmeliaFairneyandVikkiMoynes,youareverymuchHASHTAGTheThursdayMurderClubClub.
Thankyoutotheincrediblesalesteam,ledbySamFanaken,whojustkeptcomingbackwithsteeperandsteepergraphsandwiderandwidereyes.RichardBraveryandJoelHollandareresponsiblefortheperfectfrontcover,andspecialthankstoRichardBraveryforprovidingmewiththeidealpen-nameshouldIeverdecidetowriteanSASthriller.ThankyoualsototheDeadGoodteam,thePageTurnersteam,theamazingaudioteam,toSamParkerfromthePenguinUKwebsiteandtotheunstoppableAnnieUnderwood.
FinalVikingthankstoNatalieWallandtothemastercopy-editorTrevorHorwood.Trevor,isitOKthatIstartedasentencewith‘And’justnow?Letmeknow.
Incidentally,BarackObamaisalsopublishedbyViking,butyouneverseehiminreception.
Iamblessedwithanincredibleagent,JulietMushens.RarelyhaveIworkedwithanyonewhocanbesoprofessionalandsoexcitedatthesametime.Thankyouforeverything,Juliet,Icouldn’tdoitwithoutyou.AndthankyoutothebrilliantLizaDeBlock,whousedtobeJuliet’sassistant,butgetsmoreseniorbytheday,andsoonwon’tspeaktomeatall.
IamalsoindebtedtomyAmericangang,PamelaDorman,JeramieOrton,JennyBent,KristinaFazzalaro,NoraAliceDemickandMarieMichels.PamelatoldmeIcouldn’tcallthisbookTheFollowingThursdayandonthis,asonsomuchelse,shewasright.Pamelaandherteamaresosmartandsupportiveand,assoonasit’slegallypermissible,Iwillflyoverandthanktheminperson.
Iamluckytohavesomanybrilliantforeignpublisherstoo.IamsohappythatyouhavetakenthisveryBritishstoryaroundtheworld,andthatJoyceisnowfamousinChina.Iwonderwhatshewouldmakeofit?
MydeepestgratitudetoMarkBillingham,LucyPrebble,ProfessorKatyShaw,CarolineKepnes,AndiOsho,SarahPinboroughandAnnabelJones.Alwaysonhandforhelpandadvice.Thereisnoquestionsmallorstupidenoughthatoneofthemwon’tansweritforme.Anywriter,orindeedanyhumanbeing,withthatsortoffirepowertocalluponisveryluckyindeed.
ForanumberofspecificplotpointsIamalsoverygratefultoHHJAngelaRaffertyQCandtheRecorderofLondonHHJMarkLucraftQC.Thankyouforansweringthequestion‘Butcouldthisactuallyhappen?’with‘Yes,itcould.’Thatwasarelief.
Thankyoutotheamazingbooksellersupanddownthecountrywhohavebeensosupportive,andsoquickwithteaandbiscuitseverytimeIcameintodosignings.CityBooksinHoveappearsinthisbook,buttherearesomanymoreIcouldhavementioned,andI’msureIwilldoinfuturestories.Pleasesupportyourlocalbookshops.‘Useitorloseit’isquiteright.
Andthankyoutoallthefrontlineworkerswholookedafterusduringlockdown.Whatyoudidwillneverbeforgotten.
ThankyoutotheamazingRamitaNavaiforkeepingmesaneandsafethroughadifficultyearforusall.Iknowwewillstillbebestfriendswhenweareinaretirementvillageofourown.AndmygratitudetothewholeNavaiclan,Laya,RaminandPaola,forbeingthebestIranian/Colombianganganymancouldwishfor.Andaspecialdedicationtoaveryspecialman,whomwelostin2020:KouroshNavai.Withyourwitandcharm,yourkindnessandstrength,yoursenseofmischiefandyoursenseofloyalty,Kourosh,youwillforeverbeanhonorarymemberoftheThursdayMurderClub.
Finally,asalways,thankyoutomyfamily.Tomymumfortheloveandsupport,andfortheendlesssupplyofmaterial.ThankyoutoMatandAnissa,andtoJanWright,youallmeanagreatdealtome,andIdon’tsaythatoftenenough.Ithankedmywonderfullategrandparents,FredandJessie,lasttimeandIshalldosoagain.AndwillkeepondoingsoforaslongasIwrite.
Andfinally,thankyoutomychildren.IknowIdedicatedthisbooktoyouaswell,butyou’rethebestthingthateverhappenedtome.EvenbetterthanwhenFulhambeatJuventus4–1.Loveyou.
THISISJUSTTHEBEGINNING
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ISBN:978-0-241-98825-1
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TableofContents
TitlePage
AbouttheAuthor
Praise
Dedication
Epigraph
PARTONE:YourFriendsareSuretoVisit
Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11
Chapter12
Chapter13
Chapter14
Chapter15
Chapter16
Chapter17
Chapter18
Chapter19
Chapter20
Chapter21
Chapter22
Chapter23
Chapter24
Chapter25
Chapter26
Chapter27
Chapter28
Chapter29
PARTTWO:AtTimes,YouWon’tBelieveYourEyes
Chapter30
Chapter31
Chapter32
Chapter33
Chapter34
Chapter35
Chapter36
Chapter37
Chapter38
Chapter39
Chapter40
Chapter41
Chapter42
Chapter43
Chapter44
Chapter45
Chapter46
Chapter47
Chapter48
Chapter49
Chapter50
Chapter51
Chapter52
Chapter53
Chapter54
Chapter55
Chapter56
Chapter57
Chapter58
Chapter59
Chapter60
Chapter61
Chapter62
Chapter63
PARTTHREE:SoManyDayTripsforYoutoEnjoy
Chapter64
Chapter65
Chapter66
Chapter67
Chapter68
Chapter69
Chapter70
Chapter71
Chapter72
Chapter73
Chapter74
Chapter75
Chapter76
Chapter77
Chapter78
Chapter79
Chapter80
Chapter81
Chapter82
Chapter83
Chapter84
Acknowledgements
Copyright