There’s fear there and it bothers me. Maybe more than it should because Isaac’s never shown a chink in his armour.
“Let’s walk.”
We stride outside to a small courtyard, London noise inhibited by the height of the building. It’s a manicured garden, shaped conifers and autumn flowers that I can probably still name.
“There’s no way she can disappear. Too many questions would be asked.” He doesn’t speak until we’re on a bench some way from the open windows of the conference room.
“By who?”
“A range of people. She’s talking. Giving people a hint of what she knows. We could discredit her first, but…”
“Blair.”
Isaac shifts so he’s facing me. His leg touches mine and I wince because I can’t touch him back.
“You think Elise still has loyalty to her?”
“Yes.” The word is gruff in my throat.
Isaac’s nod is barely perceptible. “Will you speak to Blair?”
“Who’s Elise been talking to?”
“Alba. She’s getting info from Goldsmith because he thinks she’s as thick as pig shit and won’t say.” Isaac shakes his head. “The man’s a fool. I don’t know how…” he stops.
“Don’t know how what?”
“Not now.”
“The woman you were with?”
He looks up to the sky, a thick grey which has been a constant all day.
“I saw her this morning when I went for an early walk. She was on her way home after pulling an all-nighter. We fucked. It was a release.”
“Good.”
I feel his glare on my skin.
“You don’t get to saygood. You don’t get to judge.”
I don’t think. I never think. I raise my hand and wrap it around the back of his neck, pulling his mouth towards mine.
The kiss is quick and we’re hidden. Two, maybe three, seconds and then I let go.
Coffee. He’s coffee and warmth. Cornish cream and the sea.
We sit there, looking at each other, neither speaking, just the distant sounds of the city and then footsteps.
Blair stands a few feet away, her blonde hair blowing in the breeze.
“We will be staying over tonight.” She looks at me and then Isaac. “I’ve agreed to have dinner here with William.” Her pretty face is sad and I wonder if she’s seen the kiss.
Isaac stands. “I’ll go speak to her. Let me talk to her about Elise.”
It’s all I can do to nod my agreement.
* * *
