‘So,’ he says, ‘as we agreed, I’ll show you the other evidence I’ve gathered, give you copies of anything you want, and then we can conclude our business arrangement.’
‘Yes, good.’
‘There’s just one small problem.’
‘There is?’
‘Yes. Don’t worry, it’s nothing major. For reasons known only to itself, my trusty old computer here has decided that now is a good time to install the latest version of its operating system. It’s still got about…’ He opens the lid then immediately closes it again before Parker can pop his head around to see it. ‘…about fifteen minutes to go. Are you happy to wait?’
‘Er, yes, sure.’
‘Fine. So, should we have that cup of tea?’
‘Yes, right.’
Franklin watches as Parker prepares the tea. He can sense a nervousness in the man. Their conversation becomes trivial. A comment on the weather. Another on football. A joking remark about yet another political scandal.
Finally, Parker brings across the two mugs of tea. One that looks dark enough to stain teeth, the other only slightly off-white.
‘Lovely,’ Franklin says. ‘You remembered how weak I like it.’ He waits for Parker to stir two heaped teaspoons of sugar into his mug, and then he says, ‘But you forgot something else about me.’
There is worry in Parker’s eyes. ‘Did I? What’s that?’
‘I love a biscuit with my tea. Is there any chance…?’ He exhibits his best disarming smile – one he has practised many times in the mirror.
‘Of course,’ Parker says. He gets up, goes to his cupboards, finds the biscuits. As he did last time, he fetches down a plate and carefully places just two of the biscuits onto it. Then he seems to think better of it and adds a third.
Franklin thanks him when he brings them over. He dunks and takes a bite. Watches while Parker stirs his tea again, taps the spoon on the rim of the mug, then takes a drink.
‘So,’ Franklin says. ‘Why the change of heart?’
‘Like I said, I spoke to Megan.’
‘And?’
‘She denied she was going out with Cody.’
‘Well, she would, wouldn’t she?’
‘Actually, I’m not so sure. Far as she’s concerned, there’s nothing between us now. She’d have no reason to deny the fact that she had renewed the relationship with Cody.’
‘Maybe she doesn’t want to upset you.’
Parker shakes his head. ‘I don’t think my welfare is high on Megan’s list of priorities right now.’
‘So what are you saying? That you don’t think Cody and Megan have got back together?’
He wonders whether Parker will go with his gut. Whether he will have the balls to say that he thinks this whole thing feels to him like a scam.
‘I… I don’t know what to think.’
‘You saw the photos. Cody stayed at her house overnight.’
‘Well… we don’t know it was the whole night, do we? Like I said last time, maybe they talked about work, and he slept on her sofa.’
‘Hmm.’
‘And they’re still close friends. Even if they’re not a couple, they’re allowed to talk and support each other. Maybe one of them needed that.’
Franklin nods slowly. ‘I hate to say this, Parker, but you’re the one who had all the suspicions about them in the first place.’
‘I know, I know.’ He takes a long draft of tea, as if it were alcohol to provide him with Dutch courage. ‘But then there’s the flowers. Why would Cody send her dead flowers?’
Franklin doesn’t remind him that they already discussed this on the phone. Clearly, Parker wasn’t satisfied with the answer. Doubts have crept in and taken up residence. It often goes this way. Pity, really.
But he goes through the motions anyway.
‘You told me he’s got issues, right? Maybe it’s something to do with that. But doesn’t that make it all the more urgent that we find out what’s going on? He could be a danger to her.’
‘I don’t know. And maybe… maybe I shouldn’t know what’s going on.’
‘What do you mean?’
Parker looks resigned. ‘Maybe I should just accept that Megan’s love life is no longer any of my business.’
‘That’s not what you said on Thursday night.’
‘I was drunk then. I wasn’t myself.’
