‘Would appreciate it.’ Noah still had no idea what was going on here. ‘You mention a green car, so I assume you’re talking about Paul, right?’
‘So that’s the name he’s going by these days, is it?’
‘Look, I’ve got to get this one down,’ he reiterated, even though Eva now looked as though she had enough energy to dance a jig, if she could stand up on her own, that was. He wanted Conrad to get to the point and then get out.
‘Why was he here?’
‘Long story.’
‘You in business with him?’
Conrad might be on sick leave but right now, Noah felt as though he was being properly interrogated by police. He set Eva down on the floor when she pushed away from him because she wanted to move around. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘I asked whether you’re in business with Paul.’ He waved the brown folder again. ‘He’s been of interest for a while and when I saw that green car… well, detectives are never off the job, put it that way. It’s a case I’d like to solve.’
‘I’ve only recently met Paul and I can’t stand the guy. I’d love nothing more than to see the back of him.’
‘In that case, it sounds like you might need my help.’
‘Since when would you offer to help me?’
Conrad sat down on the sofa uninvited. ‘The way I see it, we could help each other. If you’re associating with a criminal and you’re associating with Maya, then it becomes my business.’ He waved the brown folder again. ‘You want to know what’s in here.’ It was a statement, not a question. ‘Trust me. In this folder issomething you will find very useful in your little court battle, or it could save you having one in the first place. It’ll save you stress, money.’
‘How do you know about my court battle?’
‘Relax, Maya hasn’t been blabbing. I assume you’ve confided in Maya.’ When Noah didn’t deny it, he sneered, ‘Thought as much. I’m a police officer, nose to the ground and all that, and putting two and two together. It’s a skill.’
‘You’ve been spying on me, on us?’
Conrad’s jaw tightened at Noah’s reference to ‘us’. ‘I’m a detective, comes with the territory.’
‘You’re an off-duty detective.’ And he hadn’t even denied that he’d been watching them.
‘I’m good at my job. They don’t make just anyone a detective.’
‘I’m pretty sure your job remit doesn’t extend to keeping tabs on your ex-wife’s whereabouts.’
‘I’d watch the attitude if I were you. Or life could get very difficult.’ He cast a glance at Eva.
‘Is that a threat?’
‘I uphold the law; I don’t break it.’
Sure.
Conrad jumped when Eva shrieked. It was a happy shriek, as if to get their attention, and Noah usually discouraged it, but seeing how much it irked Conrad, he let her carry on intermittently during their conversation.
Conrad held the folder out to Noah yet again. ‘I’m trying to help you with this information.’
This time, Noah took the bait. He reached out to take it.
Conrad snatched it right back as if they were playing a game for two-year-olds. He held the folder against his chest. ‘Let me tell you the way this is going to work.’
Noah saw red. ‘All right. Get out. I’ve had about as much as I can take of people coming in here laying down rules and ultimatums.’
Conrad called his bluff. ‘Fine, lose your daughter for all I care.’ He headed for the door.
Noah couldn’t help it. He followed after him. ‘You say this man is a criminal.’
