“So not Jorge then.” Newt glanced at River. “Not that it seems like something he’d do. Have you told the police?”
“What can they do? We have no idea who’s sending them. No return address. And regional postmarks reveal very little about the origin of the letter. If we did know, the police could act. It’s a criminal offence to send letters that are threatening or menacing. But when River’s not been physically threatened, or stalked, there’s little that can be done. A lot of my clients get these types of aggressive messages, usually through social media, which sometimes makes them easier to identify.”
“We’re supposed to wait until someone comes after him with a knife?” Newt said. “Thenthe police will do something?”
“I really don’t want either of you to worry.”
“How would you feel if you were getting them?”
“Annoyed. Hurt. A little concerned, but I’d do what I always do, check before I open my door, stay mindful of my surroundings when I’m out and about, be wary of strangers bearing gifts…”
“Though not of people looking to steal your phone?”
“Hmm.”
“Have you kept the letters as evidence, just in case?”
Max cleared his throat. “I have. Yes.”
River shot Newt a worried look.
“What about emails?” Newt asked. “I assume you’re reading all those too?”
“Yes.”
“Have any of those been abusive?”
“Not in the same vein. People are aware they can be traced. The same with social media posts. There was a lot of speculation about River’s accident. There was no point trying to pretend it didn’t happen. Very few people are aware of the extent of his injuries. Fewer still know his address.”
“That must narrow down the list of who this could be.”
“In theory, but River’s medical notes have his address, ditto with signed contracts, driving licence, bank accounts, investment accounts, electoral roll. No matter how private the information, if someone is determined… I do my best to keep personal details as secret as I can for all my clients but I’m not foolproof.”
“So we just need to be extra careful?”
“There is nothing that significantly alarms me in these letters, but I’ll keep an eye on the situation. Let me know if River gets another.”
Once Max was off the line, Newt turned to River. “Feel better?”
River shrugged. “You?”
“It’s just some nasty piece of work who has nothing better to do than try to upset you. Don’t let him. Or her. Maybe someone who worked here didn’t like being told to fuck off.” Newt smiled at him. “We’re safe in the house. There’s CCTV, right?”
River nodded.
“Want to watch a Star Wars film?”
“Yes!”
“You have to mime which one you want to see. Only miming allowed. And I want the top three choices.”
River stuck out his tongue but stood up.
Three words and a clutch of the heart gave awayA New Hope. River hitting himself on the back was the clue forThe Empire Strikes Back.And he walked away and then came back swishing what was supposed to be a light saber forReturn of the Jedi.
They sat down to watchA New Hope.Newt had watched a few Star Wars films with Phelan. He felt a pang of regret that the memory had been soured by what his brother had done—or let happen, because Newt didn’t think for a moment that Phelan had engineered the stitch-up. He and River sat cuddled up together and Newt really hoped theyweresafe.
Fuck!Had the cameras caught him and River coming back soaked from the fall in the river? Newt assumed Max could view the footage remotely. Well, there was nothing he could do. Hopefully, Max wouldn’t look.
