‘Well, if you or Mr Winham think of anything—’
Samuel Ross appears silently at Officer Lloyd’s shoulder and hands him the usual wedge of paper. Surprise crosses the officer’s face as he reads the cover page. He says, with dignity, ‘I’m a police officer. We don’t agree not to disclose things.’
‘Of course,’ Adam says. ‘I’m sorry—’
‘We would be most appreciative of any help in finding Mr McFadyen,’ Officer Lloyd says. ‘He has a mother, sister, brothers – family who are very anxious to find him.’
Adam feels a spike of guilt for his unkind thoughts. ‘Ok. I’ll ask Leaf to get in touch.’
Samuel Ross is at Officer Lloyd’s elbow again. ‘Mr Winham willcooperate fully with any police investigation. Please contact our office to schedule an appointment.’
‘Thank you,’ says Officer Lloyd. ‘I will.’ He puts the NDA firmly back in Samuel Ross’s hands. Ross takes it. He melts away, is gone so quickly that Adam looks around for him in bemusement.
‘Mr Leahy?’
Adam starts. ‘Yes?’
‘Walk with me to my car, why don’t you? It stalled a little ways down the hill.’
‘Ok,’ Adam says. It seems impossible to say no.
The gates part in silence and they walk through. Adam is suddenly unnerved. He realises that he hasn’t been outside Nowhere in months. Sounds are different out here, the crickets louder. The wind is harsher on his cheek, the sun unrelenting as it beats the top of his head. He misses the valley walls.
‘I hope the engine starts,’ Officer Lloyd takes off his hat and wipes his brow. His hair clings to his skull in wet strands.
‘I’m sure it will,’ Adam says. ‘These inclines are hell. Downhill is easier.’
‘Smart,’ Officer Lloyd says. ‘I’ll remember that. Downhill is easier.’ He laughs a little.
‘How far is it?’ Adam asks. The space all around is getting to him.
‘Not much further,’ Officer Lloyd says. ‘I heard the engine working hard a ways back and I thought I’d pull over to let it cool but then it quit anyway.’ He pauses. ‘The only turnout I passed, there was a car already. Been there a while, if you ask me. A blue Mustang. Covered in leaves and so on. A shame. It’s a nice car.’
‘Yes,’ Adam says. ‘That’s mine.’
They round the corner. The cruiser is at an angle across the road. ‘Blocking the way,’ Officer Lloyd says, apologetic. ‘But I couldn’t helpit.’
He opens the door of the cruiser and backs away from the waveof heat that escapes from the car. ‘Woah,’ he says, cheerful, leaning on the door. ‘Give it a minute. You know, Mr Leahy, you seem like a nice guy.’
‘Thank you,’ says Adam, cautious.
‘You were reported a missing person,’ Officer Lloyd says. ‘But I found you I guess.’
‘I was never missing,’ Adam says.
‘Your girlfriend doesn’t agree,’ says Officer Lloyd, swinging down into the driver’s seat. He winces. ‘Damn, this seat is burning hot. Anyhow.’ He pauses before closing the door, squints up at Adam. ‘Don’t you feel guilty for leaving her like that?’
Anger starts to sing all through Adam. ‘What the hell gives you the right?’ he asks. ‘I told her I had a big job to do. I told her I’d be away.’
‘Two months ago,’ Officer Lloyd says. ‘You think that’s ok?’
Adam gasps. Pain crawls up his chest. ‘No,’ he says. ‘I know it’s not.’
Officer Lloyd nods, thoughtful. ‘I used to think there was no such thing as real good people or real bad people.’ He pauses. ‘Then I started in the force. And now I know that isn’t true. Fair enough, most fall somewhere in between, but there are truly good people and bad ones. And,’ Officer Lloyd takes a card from his wallet, ‘there’s also another kind. The really bad ones. Monsters and gods are the same thing, I guess. Neither are human anymore. You’re not one of those monsters, Mr Leahy. You messed up. If I were you, I would call your girlfriend and go home. There’s still time to make it right.’ He holds out the card. ‘If you decide to stay here,’ he says, ‘you could need this. It’s my number. It will find me night and day.’
Adam takes the card with numb fingers.
Officer Lloyd turns the key in the ignition and the cruiser growls to life. ‘Well, would you look at that,’ he says happily.
