Jason shakes Donna’s hand. “My pleasure. Could you send me a copy ofthe photo? It looked a nice one.” Jason writes down his number for Donna. “I’ll head back up and see Pops.”
“Before you head up,” says Donna, taking Jason’s number. “You knew Tony Curran a little better than you’ve suggested, didn’t you, Jason?”
“Tony Curran? Nah. Seen him in the pub, know people who know him. Heard gossip.”
“You ever drink in the Black Bridge, Jason?” asks Chris.
Jason misses just the slightest beat, as if a punch has slipped through. “Near the station? Once or twice. Years ago.”
“Twenty-odd years I’m guessing,” says Donna.
“Maybe,” says Jason with a nod. “Who remembers, though?”
“You had no dealings with Tony Curran back then?” asks Chris.
Jason shrugs. “If I remember something I’ll tell you. I’ll get up to Dad—nice to meet you both.”
“I saw a photo recently, Jason,” says Chris. “Group of friends in the Black Bridge. Bobby Tanner, Tony Curran. Nice one of you. All very friendly.”
“Lot of weirdos ask me for photos, mate,” says Jason. “No offense.”
“You’d recognize it. Table covered in money. You don’t have a copy of it, by any chance?” asks Chris.
Jason smiles. “Never seen it.”
“You wouldn’t know who took it?” asks Donna.
“A photo I’ve never seen? Nope.”
“And we’re having trouble tracking down Bobby Tanner, Jason,” says Chris. “I don’t suppose you know where he is these days?”
Jason Ritchie purses his lips for the briefest of moments, then shakes his head, turns, and waves over his shoulder as he goes back inside to join his dad. Chris and Donna watch as the automatic doors slide shut behind him. Chris looks at his watch, then motions toward the car. He walks and Donna walks alongside him, a smile on her lips.
“That entire conversation was the most cockney I’ve ever heard you sound, sir.”
“Guilty,” admits Chris, finally pronouncing at. “Why does Jason want a copy of that photo of us? What’s that? To blackmail me if he ever needs to?”
“Simpler than that, sir,” says Donna. “It’s to get my number. Classic move.”
“Either way,” says Chris.
“Don’t worry,” says Donna. “He won’t be getting the photo, or my number.”
“Good-looking fella,” says Chris.
“He’s like forty-six or something,” says Donna. “No, thanks.”
Chris nods. “Heaven forbid. You’d have to say he didn’t look too worried, though. But he’s definitely lying about not knowing Tony Curran.”
“Could be lots of reasons,” says Donna.
“Could be,” agrees Chris.
Hearing footsteps behind them, they turn to see Elizabeth and Joyce hurrying after them. Joyce has a Tupperware container with her.
“I forgot to give you this,” she says, handing over the Tupperware. “It’s the last of the lemon drizzle. I’m afraid the coffee and walnut already has someone else’s name on it.”
Chris takes the cake. “Thank you, Joyce; that will go to a good home.”
