The man was a similar age to her with light hair and a kind face with dark circles around tired eyes. ‘I’m really sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I was angry and I had a few drinks and then…’ He looked back at the words scrawled across the sign.
‘Name?’ asked Liv.
He paused and swallowed. ‘Are you some sort of undercover cop?’
‘Name?’ she asked more forcefully.
‘Callum Stewart. When I said I could explain, I’m not sure I can. It was just a daft drunken revenge, a lashing-out thing. But I’m trying to put it right now.’ He waved the foam-laden brush and splattered himself with water.
Callum. That name rang a bell. ‘Are you a friend of Fraser Douglas?’
‘I used to be.’ He didn’t seem confident about that.
A few things clicked into place. ‘You copped off with Lizzie!’ She did a gasp that was worthy of Effie, making Callum recoil slightly. ‘You did this. You’re the shite graffiti artist!’
Callum was giving her a strange look. ‘You’re not an undercover cop. Who are you?’
She was about to tell him and then had a thought. If this was the graffiti artist was he also the ghosting fake Fraser? ‘I’m Olivia Bingham.’ She watched him very closely. There wasn’t even a hint of recollection. ‘I’ve been staying and helping out at the hotel.’ She held up the bottle she was carrying. ‘I got this to clean the graffiti off the sign. Want a hand?’
He was a little hesitant but then shrugged. ‘Yeah, why not? Thanks.’
It was hard work but the spray paint did start to disappear. It was also a good opportunity to get a bit more information.
‘I hear you and Lizzie split up. Sorry about that.’
‘Thanks.’
Liv had been hoping for a bit more. ‘Can you explain something to me? You and Lizzie were doing the dirty behind Fraser’s back and then you nicked his idea and set up a rival restaurant. But you were angry enough withhimto deface his sign. What’s that all about?’
Callum sighed. ‘I’m not proud of any of that. It’s not an excuse, but when Lizzie wants something she’s a force of nature.’
‘Blimey, she should be a politician.’
‘She’d be great at that,’ agreed Callum.
‘So why the graffiti?’ asked Liv.
‘Lizzie and I had a massive row about her poaching all Fraser’s staff and she said she was going into business with him…’ He suddenly seemed aware that he was talking to a stranger. He cleared his throat. ‘Anyway, I was hurting and I went out on the lash and somehow I ended up here.’
‘With a spray can?’ queried Liv.
Callum looked sheepish. ‘I called at the petrol station to get more booze and they had them on offer. But when I sobered up I realised Lizzie treated us all badly and I’m ashamed for the part I played in it and for this. I regret it all.’ He pointed at the sign. At least that was one mystery solved.
‘Sometimes it’s a shame we can’t turn the clock back,’ said Liv, and Callum sagely nodded his agreement.
‘Any chance you know anything about an online dating profile for Fraser?’ she asked.
Callum pulled his chin into his chest. ‘Fraser, online dating? He doesn’t seem the type.’
Liv felt a little defensive. ‘The profile I’m on about was one Fraser didn’t set up. Someone else did and then they pretended to be him.’
‘Why?’
‘That’s the bit I’ve not worked out yet. Along with who did it. It’s a puzzle really. Definitely not your handiwork then?’
‘Nothing to do with me.’
‘Right, let’s get this sign sorted.’ After a few more minutes of scrubbing they stood back to admire their handiwork. Not only was it graffiti-free, but it was also clean and gleaming. Hopefully Fraser would be pleased with that. They were doing a bit of self-congratulation when a white Mercedes drove up the driveway too fast and Callum’s head spun after it.
