‘Really?’ Franklin says. ‘Then that’s good. She’s showing an interest in you again.’
‘Actually no, it’s not good. She’s really pissed off.’
‘Oh? Why’s that?’
‘Someone’s been sending her cards and flowers, and she thinks it’s me.’
‘Well, I think we both know who they’ll be from, don’t we?’
‘She says they’re not from Cody, either.’
‘Yes, but she’s bound to say that, isn’t she?’
‘She says the last lot of flowers she got were dead ones. Why would Cody send her dead flowers?’
Franklin pretends to mull it over. In reality, he’s thinking about how difficult it was to lay his hands on dead flowers. It’s not something you can ask for in the average florist’s. In the end he had to resort to stealing a bunch that had been tied to a memorial bench in the park.
He says, ‘That’s a good question, but from what you’ve told me about Cody, he can be a little… erratic. Why don’t you leave it with me? I’ll do a little more poking around tomorrow and see what I can come up with.’
There’s a pause, and again Franklin thinks he knows what Parker is about to say.
‘Yeah, well, that’s the other thing. I’m not sure I want to carry on with this poking around, as you call it. It feels a bit…’
‘Intrusive?’
‘Sordid.’
The word jabs at Franklin. He likes to think that there’s a higher purpose to his actions. Dragging them through the mud like that is disrespectful.
‘Hmm,’ he says. ‘Okay.’ He knows it’s not the answer Parker expects.
‘Okay?’
‘Of course. I’m entirely at your service. It’s your money, after all.’
‘Yes,’ Parker says, the relief evident in his voice. ‘I think it’s what I want.’
‘All right. Tell you what. Why don’t we meet up one last time? I’ll show you all the new evidence I’ve got, give you copies of anything you want, you can pay me, and then I can just leave you to it?’
He waits for the bait to be taken.
‘New evidence?’
And there it is.
‘Yes. I haven’t been sitting around all day, you know. You get your money’s worth with me.’
‘What kind of evidence?’
‘Some nice shots of Cody and Webley together. A bit too close together, in my opinion, but I’ll let you be the judge of that. I’m away all day tomorrow, but how about if I come over on Monday morning?’
‘I’m in work on Monday.’
Which Franklin knows. He also knows that Parker doesn’t want to wait that long.
Parker says, ‘Is there any way we can do this sooner?’
‘Well…’ He pauses just long enough to seem reluctant. ‘I could come over now, if it’s not too late for you. Shouldn’t take that long to sort things out.’
‘It’s not too late. I’ll see you soon, okay?’
‘Sure. Put the kettle on.’
Franklin ends the call. Stares at the frozen frame of Fiddler on the Roof. He’ll finish it off later. Then maybe watch Kramer versus Kramer again. He’s never been able to figure out why a supposedly loving mother would just pack her bags and leave her husband and kid like that.
15
Bye Bye Love
– The Everly Brothers
‘Sorry to drag you out so late,’ Parker says as he shows Franklin into his colourless kitchen again. ‘I just thought it would be better to sort this out now.’
‘Don’t worry about it,’ Franklin says, affixing a fake smile. ‘If my clients are happy, then I’m happy. And who knows? Maybe you’ll need my services again in the future.’
‘Yes. Thank you. You’re very understanding.’
Franklin waves the compliment away and then places his laptop between them on the breakfast bar.
