‘Sometimes it takes a little alcohol to make us realise how we really feel about someone. But hey, it’s your money.’ He briefly raises the lid of the laptop again. ‘This thing’s nearly done. You still want to see the rest of the photos I took, don’t you?’
Parker stares back at him for a long time. ‘You know what? I don’t think I do. If it’s all the same with you, I’d like to pay you what I owe you and call it a day.’
Franklin taps his fingers on the laptop. He knew it would come to this. It was clear in Parker’s voice on the phone earlier. Some people just aren’t willing to put in the effort required to fix things. They don’t have enough commitment.
He says, ‘Can I ask you a personal question?’
‘I might not answer but go ahead.’
‘Are you still in love with Megan?’
‘Yes.’ The answer is immediate, which only proves to Franklin that he’s doing the right thing.
‘So, don’t you want to know what’s going on in her life? I mean, what if you’re right? What if she and Cody are really just good friends? And what if the reason for that is she’s keeping him at arm’s length because, deep down, she’s hoping that you and her will get back together again one day?’
Parker drinks his tea. He seems very thirsty tonight. Perhaps it’s anxiety.
‘I don’t think she’s hoping that. She made it pretty clear that it’s over between us. And I can understand that. I accused her of some terrible things.’
‘Yes, but maybe she’s hoping you’ll change. That you’ll come to your senses and show her you’ll do anything she wants to get her back.’
‘I don’t think that’s likely. But how would I know what’s going on in her head?’
‘Well, that’s where I come in, isn’t it? I’m sure I can find all these things out for you.’
Parker stares down at the laptop between them. He blinks, then rubs his eyes. When he looks up at Franklin again, they seem slightly unfocused.
‘Can I ask you something now?’ Parker says.
‘Sure.’
‘Did you send Megan the flowers?’
Bravo, Franklin thinks. Putting your cards on the table.
‘Me? Why would I do that?’
‘I don’t know. You tell me.’
‘No. It wasn’t me. I’m an investigator, that’s all. I investigate and I report back.’
Parker’s eyelids flutter. He digs his knuckles into his eye sockets again, then shakes his head as if to clear it.
‘Hmm. Yeah, well, I still think I want to stop using you now. This is all getting a bit… weird.’
Franklin shows him another smile, but this one is ice-cold. ‘I’m afraid that’s a bad idea, Parker. I don’t think we’ll do that.’
Parker struggles to find his words. ‘It’s… it’s not… an option. It stops… now.’ He reaches to his back pocket. ‘How much… do I…’
‘Keep your money, Parker. This isn’t about money. Never has been. It’s about love. You still love Megan, and that’s everything to you and therefore to me. Love is the most important thing in the world. We have to protect it. You’d agree with that, wouldn’t you?’
Unable to extract his wallet from his pocket, Parker gets down from his barstool. He stumbles, grabs the worktop to save himself.
‘I don’t feel…’ He tries to focus on Franklin. ‘What have you…’
Franklin raises a hand, gives a little wave.
‘Bye bye,’ he says.
And then Parker goes. Collapses to the floor as though his bones have turned to mush.
Franklin tilts his head to get a better look at the motionless figure on the tiles.
‘Don’t worry,’ he says. ‘We’ll have you back with Megan in no time.’
16
I Feel Love
– Donna Summer
In Parker’s dream he’s drowning.
He’s beneath the waves of a cold ocean, and he cannot breathe. Somehow the water is forcing itself into his mouth and is trying to push ever onwards, down his windpipe and into his lungs, filling and expanding them until they burst. Around him is the roar of the waves, but it is not a white noise. It has a curious rhythm to it. A beat.
And then it is as if the ocean’s beautiful sirens begin calling to him, beckoning him to a watery grave. He tells himself to resist, but the voices are so melodic and spellbinding. He feels a compulsion to go to them, to hear more of their mesmeric sounds, but for some reason he is unable to swim. His legs and arms refuse to obey his commands. He is just drifting with the currents, his lack of oxygen becoming ever more severe. The song grows louder, its beat more insistent. He tries to open his mouth. He needs to breathe but also to scream.
And then he wakes up.
