His phone started to ring, the name of a cartoon character coming up on the screen, something light hearted to try and mitigate the tone of whatever was being passed on. “Yeah, it’s Alex. What’ve you got?”
It was his contact in Manchester, an officer who was also part of the team looking into the gangs and Garrison.
“Your PI’s alive and well. Living in an apartment on Deansgate. Nice digs if you can afford them. Shall I leave it with you or do you want me to pay him a visit? See if I can get your lady friend’s money back.” The accent was broad and northern.
“If you fancy stretching your legs, feel free.”
“Excellent. It’ll give me something to look forward to. Shall I visit our friend Drew at the same time? Maybe show him a picture?”
“That would also be good. Any idea what Garrison’s up to at the moment?” Alex had lost track of one of his bosses in recent days. The inspector he reported to on a daily basis was an older guy on the verge of retirement who continually claimed that village policing wasn’t what it used to be.
“On holiday. In the Bahamas. Three weeks. Good if you can get it.”
It was a pointed comment. No one was granted three weeks leave in one go. Someone higher than Garrison was involved in this. Alex didn’t want to know.
“Weather here’s blazing and we have a festival coming up. Why don’t you get over for it?” It wasn’t your usual invite.
“Shall I bring some friends?”
“It might be a good experience for them.” Alex watched Abby. She looked nervous, tired again. He was torn between wanting to send her somewhere away from all of this and sort everything out himself and keeping her close.
Rational thinking wasn’t one of his strengths it seemed, not when she was around.
“I’ll give you a call in a day or two and update you. And I’ll let you know how many extra beds we’ll need.” The troops were being deployed. “Do you need me to look for anything else?”
“The name I gave you. I need everything you can find on that.” He hated asking for it, but he’d been a cop for too long. And you never knew who you could trust. Least of all yourself.
“Sorted, mate. I’ll be in touch.”
The call was ended.
Alex looked at Abby. “Your PI’s a scam artist. We’ll try and get your money back. But he’s alive.” He stood up, suddenly needing coffee. “It’s one of two things: Kenny’s crew have either realised that you’re Tilly’s sister or they’ve picked up on you asking too many questions.”
“They can’t know I’m Tilly’s sister.” She shook her head, her beautiful face looking utterly confused. “There are no ties. I changed my name, I gave up what I was doing before…”
Alex took two strides over to her and put a finger under her chin, making her look at him. “It. Will. Be. Okay. Did you hear those words? Right now, we’re going to have a coffee, eat a sandwich and then head off to do some climbing. Then you’re going to blog about it. Start to get that part of your life back. Kenny Gallagher will have had much bigger problems than you over the last two years; you’re probably not on his radar as anything other than someone snooping round Felley Manor.”
“But he met me.”
“Once. And as far as I know, he hasn’t been a regular round here.” Her hands went to his shoulders and rested there. “Drink. Eat. Climb.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry you’ve somehow ended up with this shitshow, Alex.”
He stood up, pulling her to her feet at the same time. “Part of my job.”
“I know. But I’m not here because you’re a police officer. I should go, Alex, this is confusing.” She went to move away but he had hold of her arm, softly enough that she could easily pull away.
She should probably stay somewhere else. Another town. Another county. But he didn’t want her to go.
“Go on this date with me.”
“What?” She turned, eyes wide and blue. A deep blue that reminded him of the tarn at the top of the peaks.
“Let’s climb. Have dinner. Stay here tonight. Forget about the shit that’s going on. No one but me’s going to catch you climbing up a sheer rock face.” He managed a smile, feeling desperation to keep her with him.
“You won’t catch me, Alex Maynard.”
He wondered how true that would prove to be.
