She called Kristin. “Kris, what’s with that video?”
Kristin sniffled. “Sorry. I didn't know what to do. Maybe I shouldn't have.”
“What are you saying?”
“It all makes sense now. The condoms. Birmingham. The way they flirt when we’re out...”
“Who flirts?”
“Ian and Olivia. Don't tell me you haven’t seen them?”
Alice let her eyes wander around the restaurant while she thought. “I...”
“Can we meet?”
“Have you asked Olivia about it?”
“No.”
“Perhaps you should?”
“Have you asked Ian?”
“I’ve only just seen this, so how could I?”
“I mean, like, you haven’t thought they might have been, you know...?”
Alice closed her eyes again. “I said it to him last night, but I was lashing out. I didn’t really believe it. Now I’m not so sure.”
“What do we do?”
“I don’t know. For pokker. I just don't know.”
“Can we meet?”
“Where are you?”
“The City. Leadenhall Market.”
“Why don't we meet at Sunny’s Cafe on Portobello Road in an hour? Then we can go to the house. I don't want to go home alone, in case that guy is around.”
“You think he’s watching the house?”
“No...”
“You certain?”
“No. But I can't spend my life staying in hotels either. He’ll find me no matter where I am. I have to hope the police find him first. Anyway, I decided to go home to Copenhagen. Maybe spend a week or longer.”
“What about Ian? If you like, I can stay with you tonight either in the hotel or Portobello?”
Alice played with her lip and tapped her finger on the table. “I’ll see. Maybe.”
When the call ended, Alice finished her coffee and watched the video again. What were they doing? She called Ian, but his phone rang out to voice mail as it often did. Doing nothing didn’t feel like the right thing, so she forwarded the video to him, figuring that would generate a reaction. For good measure, she also sent it to Olivia.
Minutes later, Olivia called. Alice looked at the phone and flexed her fingers. She took a breath and answered. “Hi.”
“What’s this Alice?”
A shiver of anxiety caused Alice to regret sending the video to Olivia, but she fought it. “Kristin sent it to me. She thinks you're sleeping with Ian.”
Olivia laughed. “Jesus Christ. I shouldn't laugh. Ian and I are working on a business proposal for one of his clients. That’s why we met. There were others at lunch, but Ian had a team meeting and some shit to sort out with his boss, and I had another appointment.”
“What about Birmingham?”
“What about it? It was a huge conference. I didn't see him.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Really.” Olivia paused, all trace of laughter now gone. “You have a bit of a cheek, Alice. You know I don’t sleep with men. Ian and I are colleagues, and perhaps even friends, but we are not lovers. I’m disappointed you suspect me of that. Although now I think about it, I see something here.”
“What?”
“Don't you see it?”
“No.”
“In that case, I’ll let you figure it out for yourself. But whatever about that, you owe me an apology. And Ian too.” Olivia took a sharp intake of breath and Alice almost took the phone from her ear. Olivia’s voice rose. “The more I think about this, Alice... No. I’m going to stop right there. Best I go before I say something I regret.”
105
When the team meeting ended, Ian hurried back to his office. Paul had scowled throughout the afternoon, but Ian stood fast in his resolve. Mark Flanagan wasn't getting any favours. He’d made his proverbial bed and laid on it in the wrong house.
He sat at his desk and set his phone’s sound back on. There were several missed calls, two from Alice, one from Olivia and another from a business contact. The WhatsApp notification showed a new message. It was from Alice and it made him frown. His frown deepened as he played the video. “What the hell?” he muttered. Then he tapped open the text from Olivia. Call me ASAP!!!
He hit the call icon and spoke as soon as she answered. “Hey. You may have to think again about talking to Alice. She sent me a video. She must have seen us.”
“It wasn't Alice.” Olivia’s voice was sharp. “It was Kristin.”
Ian picked up a pen and doodled on a pad. “Christ.”
“I spoke with Alice. I’m pissed off with both of them. What did they think was going on?”
“I told you they were suspicious.” Ian drew emoji-like faces on the pad, but none conveyed suspicion.
“You sure you said nothing?”
“Yes.” He added question marks over the faces he had drawn.
“I told her there was nothing going on. There’ll be nothing going on with Kristin after this either. Suspicious little bitch.”
“Why? What did she do?”
“Besides spying on me? Going through my handbag? Telling your girlfriend that I’m sleeping with you? Jesus.” Olivia took such a deep sounding breath she may as well have been standing beside him, then she let it out as a long sigh. “Don't you see? She wants you and Alice to break up so she can have Alice.”
“What? Sounds like a conspiracy theory.” He tore off the sheet of paper from the pad and threw it at the wastepaper basket. It missed, and he got to his feet to retrieve it. “Anyway, Alice isn’t you know...”
“Gay?” Olivia laughed. “You sure?”
106
As she approached the house on Portobello Close, Alice tugged on Kristin’s arm. “Hold up. Wait until
