After the call, Kristin held her phone tight and caught sidelong glances from nearby passengers. She wanted to call Olivia, but not with the people in the surrounding seats likely to eavesdrop. Instead she tried to concentrate on the social media returns from Astrid’s show, but she couldn't focus and soon zoned out to watch shadowy reflections in the window.
Her curiosity and anxiety rose as the taxi worked its way from Paddington to Portobello Close. As she paid the driver, she noticed the ‘for sale’ sign no longer stood in the front garden. She got a shock when Alice opened the door.
“Oh my God, Alice? Did they arrest you again?”
Alice shook her head and they hugged in the hallway. “Do I look that bad?”
Kristin pulled back. “No. Not really.”
“You’re a terrible liar.”
Ian came out of the lounge. “Hi Kris. All good?”
She eyed him for a moment. “Yes.”
“I’ll leave you guys to it.” He nodded at her and went back into the lounge.
In the kitchen, Kristin put her arm on Alice’s shoulder. “Come on, then. Tell me what happened.” Kristin listened with held her hand over her mouth as Alice described her ordeal. By the time Alice finished, Kristin felt tears rise and she grabbed a hold of Alice and squeezed her tight. “Oh Alice. I don't know what to say. I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you call me after it happened?”
“I didn't want to upset you and anyway, there was nothing you could do. You were in Copenhagen.”
“That doesn't matter. I could have come home. We could have spoken. I’m supposed to be your friend.”
“You are. And you're here for me now.”
“How long do you have to stay in the hotel?”
Alice shrugged. “I wish I knew. The police don't know who it is. They don’t know what he’ll do next either. Nobody does.”
“You maced him. Maybe he’ll think twice before trying it again. And you've changed the locks, so he can’t get in.”
“And he still has those videos of me in the bedroom.”
“Shit.”
“He’ll put them on Twitter or YouTube or somewhere.”
“Bastard.”
“Have you checked?”
Alice shook her head. “Don't want to.”
Kristin arched an eyebrow but lowered it when she saw Alice look away.
“It’s okay,” Alice said. “The whole thing’s a mess. I think the job’s gone too.”
“Aw no.”
“Yes. I’m too toxic for them.” Alice got off her stool. “You want a drink?”
“Bit early, isn’t it?”
“Meant a coffee.”
“Sure.”
“How’s Olivia?”
“Dunno. Haven't seen her. She was in Birmingham at that conference.”
“Birmingham? You told me it was Glasgow?”
Kristin waved a hand. “I got mixed up. Why?”
Alice shrugged. “Maybe Ian saw her.”
“Ian? He was with her?”
Alice filled the coffee machine with water. “What? No. He never mentioned seeing her.”
“He wouldn't though, would he?”
“What do you mean by that?”
Kristin took a deep breath and looked down to her hands. “Nothing.”
Alice turned the tap off and stared at Kristin. “You sure?”
“Yes. Sorry. I’m upset with her that’s all. You know, the things I found in her bag...”
“But you told me what they were for.”
“Yeah right. Would you believe her? I think she was in a hotel room shagging some man’s brains out while I cried alone in another hotel room a thousand miles away.”
“You need to talk to her.” Alice switched the coffee machine on. “I’ll ask Ian if he saw her with anyone. Maybe he was being discreet and didn't want you to find out.”
I bet he was, Kristin thought. But she kept that to herself. “Thanks Alice, that would be good.”
“A reporter from Xtra News is coming later.”
“You doing an interview?”
“Haven't decided yet. It’s Laura Bowfield.” Alice reached into a cupboard and took two mugs out.
Kristin folded her arms. “Why’s she coming here then?”
“To sell the interview.”
“What's her angle?”
“I’ll let you know when I have her figured out.”
92
Laura looked around Alice's lounge. A few changes here and there. Rearrange the furniture. Maybe put flowers on the table. But what caught her attention most was the large framed photograph of a naked woman bound in chains above the mantelpiece, and by the time her eye left the photograph, she had established the best camera placement to get it in shot.
“Your home would be better than the hotel,” Laura said.
Alice put her hands on her hips. “I haven't agreed to anything yet.”
Laura raised a hand in apology. “Sorry. I don’t mean to get ahead of myself.”
“What is it about the Marquez photo?”
“That one?” Laura pointed to the wall.
“Yeah. What do you think of it?”
Laura shrugged. “I guess it depends on what you’re looking for.”
“And what are you looking for?”
Laura turned to Alice. “Sometimes I wonder. But right now? I’m looking for a killer interview.”
Alice shook her head. “I want to know what you think of the photograph. Go on. Look. Tell me what you see.”
Laura winced. “I prefer to ask the questions. It’s what I’m good at.”
“You wanted to build trust, right?”
Laura relented and studied the photograph. “She, the woman in the photograph, is being held back by something. The chains represent the bind to some past event. She’s trying to conceal this from the viewer, but it’s pointless. She’s exposed. Perhaps she’s embarrassed, but if she could get past the embarrassment and overcome the fear of what others think of her, she might free herself.”
Laura stepped back and glanced to Alice. “Well?”
Alice nodded once. “Interesting.”
Laura furrowed her brow. “It’s you, isn't it?”
Alice laughed. “No. She’s a model.”
“That’s not what I meant. What’s holding you back, Alice?”
93
Later that night Ian sat on the edge of the hotel bed while Alice
