“Jesus,” says Amy. “He told me he was in danger. There’s no body, though?”
“Just blood,” says Steve. “How are you in a car when you’re on a small private island?”
“We’ve left the island,” says Amy. “If there’s no body, he’s not dead. I guarantee it.”
Steve hears the woman give a “Yeehaw” and realizes that it must be Rosie D’Antonio. Steve hopes Amy knows what she’s doing. If Jeff is in danger, is Amy?
“Did Jeff say anything?” Amy asks. “Did he look scared?”
“I’d say he looked mildly concerned,” says Steve. “Nothing more than that.”
“Jeff looking mildly concerned is like me screaming in terror,” says Amy.
“You’ve never screamed in terror,” says Steve.
“Exactly,” says Amy. “Christ, what a mess.”
In the background Rosie D’Antonio says, “If you don’t tell me what he’s saying, I’m going to grab the wheel and steer the car into a bridge.”
“What’s this about, Amy?”
“I’ll explain everything when you get here,” says Amy.
“Get where? America?” says Steve. “I’m staying here. I’ve just witnessed the aftermath of a murder.”
“Do the police know you witnessed it?”
“No, I’m about to ring in an anonymous tip,” says Steve. “And then drive away as fast as I can. Tony Taylor just fitted me a new clutch cable. You didn’t need to know that last bit.”
“Then you’re free to come help your daughter-in-law,” says Amy. “You said you’ve been reading about Andrew Fairbanks? How come?”
“Is that what all this is about?” says Steve. “Fairbanks? I was just reading about it because you were nearby. You’re not involved?”
“I need you to fly over,” says Amy.
So she really does mean America. I mean, in all honesty, no thanks. That heat, and the TV shows are all different. And no doubt there are insects, and maybe even alligators. Do they have alligators in South Carolina? Steve hadn’t known they had sharks in South Carolina until he’d read about Andrew Fairbanks.
“I need to stay in England,” says Steve. “If this is about Andrew Fairbanks, I can be much more useful here. I’ve got a lead. Have you ever been to Letch—”
“It’s bigger than Andrew Fairbanks,” says Amy. “Three people have been murdered.”
Steve hears Rosie D’Antonio say, “Four people.”
“Four people have been murdered,” says Amy. “And I’m on my own.”
Steve hears Rosie D’Antonio snort.
“Are you okay, though?” asks Steve. “Are you safe?”
“No,” says Amy. “I’m not safe. Somebody just tried to kill me, and someone will try again. I need someone I can trust. And I’m afraid that’s you, so buckle up.”
“Someone tried to kill you?” says Steve.
“Yes,” says Amy. “An ex–Navy SEAL. And I think a local cop’s just been shooting at me too.”
This is all Steve needs. Jeez. There must be a way of helping from home, surely? No need to go to America. Letchworth Garden City is where the answer is. He can feel it.
“I appreciate the sentiment,” says Steve. “But America is not my speed at all. Not at all. A much smarter move is to ask one of your mates. The bodyguards? I’ll do all I can here. I’ve got the internet.”
Steve looks over at the BMW again. He really needs to get out of here. “And I’ve got no one to look after Trouble.”
“Margaret can look after him.” Amy sounds irritated. She’s irritated? No one’s asking her to fly to America, are they? She’s in a car with a famous author. He’s at a dreadful crime scene. When was the last time she was at a dreadful crime scene?
“Look, I can’t promise you,” says Steve, “but I could look into flights on the computer? See if I can get a cheap deal next week? Maybe you’ll have solved it by then?”
“There’ll be a plane waiting for you at Farnborough,” says Amy. “Rosie’s private jet.”
“Give over,” says Steve. “Farnborough. Is there parking?”
“A car will come to your house. It’ll drive you to the plane.”
“Wait a minute,” says Steve.
“I need you, Steve,” says Amy. “Get the plane.”
“I’ll have to mull it ov—”
“What would Debbie tell you to do?”
