Franklin sits down on the edge of the bed.
‘But sometimes I wonder if that’s what humans do, too. I mean, are they genuinely in love or are they simply doing what their partner wants them to do in order to have a nicer life and someone to procreate with? What do you think, Parker?’
Parker isn’t in the mood for philosophical discourse. But he feels the need to keep his captor happy.
‘I don’t think you can generalise. I guess there are some people who take a partner for personal gain, but there are lots of others who are truly in love.’
‘Yes, but how do you know which it is?’
‘You don’t always. But does it matter? The only thing that matters is how you feel inside.’
‘And how did you feel inside? About Megan?’
‘I loved her. I still do.’
‘Are you prepared to sacrifice yourself for her?’
Parker doesn’t like this question. Words like ‘sacrifice’ are terrifying right now.
‘It would depend on the circumstances.’
‘Well, if you were in Cody’s shoes that time when he put his neck on the line to save Megan’s life?’
‘I don’t know. I’d like to think I’d do the same. The truth is I’m not sure I’m brave enough.’
Parker hopes that, if there are right and wrong answers, he’s choosing wisely. He studies Franklin’s face, trying to read his thoughts.
‘I’ve been thinking a lot about our earlier chat,’ Franklin says.
‘Okay.’
‘About Cody, and Megan’s relationship with him.’
‘Okay.’
‘I have some more questions.’ He says this as though he’s seeking permission, but in fact Parker welcomes the opportunity to talk more about Cody. Anything to take the focus off himself and any blame he might carry for the broken engagement.
‘All right.’
‘First of all, why did they split up? Was it because of Cody’s mental health issues?’
‘No. Those problems came later. It was because he was too involved in his job.’
Franklin’s eyes widen. ‘He loved his job more than he loved Megan?’
‘That’s what she told me. He wasn’t willing to devote enough time to her.’
‘I see. That’s a very different kind of love, though, isn’t it?’
Yet again, Parker finds it strange that Franklin needs to ask. The man really doesn’t appear to understand what love is. It’s like he’s an android, or an alien from a planet where they don’t do emotions.
‘Yeah, I’d say so.’
‘Hmm. The competition between the two forms intrigues me.’ He gives a quick nod, as though he has just filed that thought away for later retrieval and analysis. ‘And what about now? Is Cody’s job no longer so important to him?’
‘I don’t know. I haven’t had an in-depth conversation with him about it.’
‘Well, if he’s managing to find time for Megan again…’
Parker hesitates. He doesn’t want to rile the man, but it feels necessary to get to the truth.
‘Is he, though? Is there really something between them?’
‘What do you mean?’
Here goes. ‘You never answered my question about the cards and the flowers. You sent them to Megan, didn’t you? Just like you sent her my hair.’
‘Why would I do that?’
‘I don’t know. You tell me. And the photographs you showed me – Cody going into Megan’s house with her – were they real or did you create them?’
‘Does it matter? You’re the one who told me that Megan was seeing Cody again. You believe there’s a relationship there. If I’m simply confirming your belief, supporting your conviction, is that such a bad thing?’
‘Yes. Of course it is.’
‘Why?’
And now Parker realises there’s a truth he must face too.
