‘What you were saying earlier – about checking up on someone?’
‘Yeah?’
‘How would you go about that? I mean, what would you do, exactly?’
Here we go, Franklin thinks. He’s biting.
‘Surveillance, mainly. I’d follow the target. Take photographs. Other stuff, if the client wants it and is willing to pay for it.’
‘What kind of other stuff?’
‘Well, there are things we can do that some people might regard as a little… shady, if you get what I mean.’
The man nods knowingly but then says, ‘Actually, I’m not sure I do.’
Franklin looks around himself, as if to check that nobody else is listening. ‘I’m talking about phone hacking, internet hacking, that kind of thing. Patient records, bank records, emails…’
‘You can do all that?’
‘And a lot more. We live in a digital age, my friend. Data is permanent.’
In fact, Franklin has no idea how to do any of these things. What he does know is that the man in front of him believes every word.
The man takes another swig of his beer and vodka cocktail. Franklin sips at his shandy and awaits the next move.
‘I wouldn’t want to get involved in anything illegal,’ the man says.
‘Of course not. My number one priority is my client. I make sure they stay protected. Sometimes that involves keeping them in the dark about my methods. The only thing the client needs to know is the answer to their question.’
‘Their question?’
‘Yeah. Is their husband or wife cheating on them? Is an employee committing fraud? Is a care-worker assaulting the elderly? Is a benefit claimant fitter than he says he is? I’m paid to find out the truth, that’s all. What the client does with that truth is up to them.’
‘Is what you do expensive?’
‘My standard rates are reasonable. Some of the special little services I mentioned earlier cost a bit extra.’
The man drinks some more. A smile creases his lips. ‘I’d really like to know what she gets up to.’
‘Your girlfriend?’
‘Yeah. Only…’
‘Go on.’
‘Nah. Forget it. You wouldn’t take on this case even if I wanted to hire you.’
‘What makes you say that?’
‘Because she’s different.’
‘Different how? I’ve investigated hundreds of people. She can’t be anything I haven’t come across before.’
‘That’s what you think.’
‘Then go ahead, tell me about her.’
‘I could do that, but I guarantee you won’t be interested. I could summarise her in just four little words, and that’s all it will take to put you off.’
Franklin is intrigued now. Massively so. He hopes this isn’t just the drunk’s idea of a stupid game.
‘Four words? Okay, try me. Tell you what, I’ll buy another round of drinks if I refuse to take on the case because of it. If I’m still willing to take the case, you buy the drinks.’
Franklin feels confident he’s on to a winner. Doesn’t matter what gets said now, this is going to happen. He puts out his hand.
The drunk shakes it to seal the deal. ‘All right,’ he says. ‘Here’s my girlfriend in four words.’
He pauses for dramatic effect, like he’s about to announce the winner of a competition.
And then he says, ‘Detective Constable Megan Webley.’
2
All You Need Is Love
– The Beatles
Two o’clock in the morning. Franklin B Goodman strolls through the streets of Liverpool’s city centre, feeling the love and musing on his good fortune.
