“Why? You think...?”
Alice shook her head. “Just in case.” A few moments later, Alice nudged Kristin. “Let’s go.” She hurried to her gate with Kristin close behind, and with a final look up and down the street, she opened the door and pulled Kristin inside.
“Do you really need to do this?”
“Yeah.”
“No wonder you’re quiet.”
Alice tapped in the alarm code and reset it to night mode. “Don’t open any windows.”
“Fine. We’ll sweat it out, huh?” Kristin laughed, but her humour faded when Alice said nothing.
“We need to talk,” Alice said. “Let’s go into the kitchen.”
Kristin sat on a stool, and Alice leaned on the opposite side of the counter.
“What’s the matter?” Kristin asked. “Is it the video? Ian and Olivia?”
Alice stared at her and rubbed her knuckle over her lips several times.
Kristin smiled and leaned forward. “You know how sexy that looks?”
Alice dropped her hand and rolled her eyes. “What’s the matter with you Kris?” Her voice rose and cracked a little. “I mean, what the hell is going on in that head of yours?”
Kristin jumped back. “I don’t understand.”
“You think I haven’t got enough on my plate without this lort from you? The video? Have you spoken with Olivia?”
“No. I thought it was obvious. You know, what was going on between them.”
Alice took a deep breath and gripped the edge of the counter. “There’s nothing going on between them. Olivia rang after I sent her the video.” She shook her head. “Christ. You knew I’d do that. Or hoped I would, didn't you? Made me look like the bad guy. Thanks.”
“No. That’s... that’s not what I meant.”
“What did you mean?”
Kristin folded her arms. “It made sense. That’s all.”
“Christ Almighty. I need my friends right now. People accused me of helping a terrorist. I was arrested. Everyone suspected me. They vilified me on social media. Some bastard sexually assaulted me and now he’s stalking me. Nobody knows who he is or what he looks like. He’s clever and dangerous. I lost my TV show. Never mind the fact I have to find another place to live. Oh, and by the way, my mother’s dying too.” Her voice trembled and her shoulders shook. “So I need no more shit. Especially bullshit shit from you.”
“But the condoms? The way they flirt? Secret meetings? Birmingham?”
Alice turned her back. “Oh Christ. I might as well be talking to the wall.” She stared out the window into the garden. A movement distracted her, and she gave a start, but it was Kristin’s reflection in the window as she came around the counter.
“I’m sorry, Alice. I didn't mean any harm.” She put her hand on Alice’s shoulder, but Alice brushed it off.
Alice stepped aside. There were tears in Kristin's eyes, but Alice looked away. “It might be best if you leave.”
“But what about your stalker?”
Alice pursed her lips and looked to Kristin. “I’m thinking I have two.”
107
Ian marched around his office and called Alice again. This time she answered.
“Ian, I’m sorry. I misinterpreted a lot. It was Kristin’s fault.”
“She has pissed many people off, that’s for sure.”
“I didn't think she’d be like that.”
“Let’s not worry about it for now.” He stopped marching and sat on the edge of the desk. “Where are you?”
“In the house.”
“Alone?” He got back to his feet. “Alice?
“Yeah. Kristin left. I told her to go.”
“What about the hotel?”
“I’ve had enough of that place. And I agreed to do a TV interview tonight at home.”
“An interview?” He shook his fist at whoever persuaded Alice to go on camera.
“It’s a follow up on South Ken with Laura Bowfield from Xtra News.”
“And that’s a good idea?”
Alice sounded hesitant. “Yes.”
“Can I ask why?”
“I want to tell my side of the story. I haven't been in control of the narrative. Others determined that for me.”
“You’re taking back control, huh?”
“Something like that, yeah.”
“What will your stalker think?”
“I don't know and I don't care. He is not in control of me.” She paused a beat. “Anyway, they’ll catch him soon.”
Ian shook his head and rolled his eyes to the ceiling. “How do you know? Did you talk to the police? Have they found him?” He walked around his desk and slumped into his chair.
“No. But they seemed to think I could go home if someone was with me.”
“Really?” He clicked on the mouse and closed several apps. “All right then. I’ll get a taxi home straight away.” He shut down the computer and sighed long. “I guess I can call the hotel from the cab.”
“Thanks.”
“Are you all right? You sound shook.”
“I’m sad. Kris was a friend.”
“I think she wanted more than that.”
“Yeah. I, we, um...”
“What?”
“Um. Nothing. It doesn't matter.”
“Sure?”
“Not important. Tell you some other time.”
“Fair enough.” He bent down, picked up a ball of paper by the basket and placed it in. “You should put on the TV. There’s been another terror attack. A van drove into people outside the London Muslim Centre in Whitechapel. They’re saying it’s revenge for South Ken.”
“Christ, no. When will all this end?”
108
Laura leaned against the van and took Tim Burnham’s call from the office.
“What’s happening now, Laura? You get anyone in a burka to talk?”
“No. They put their heads down and scattered like frightened kittens when we pointed the camera at them. Half of them don't speak proper English. Be a shit interview. Nobody would understand them.”
“Look Laura, we need to show it’s an attack on a Muslim community. Get a guy then. Someone who looks like Osama, you know, the beard and the robe.”
“What more do you want, Tim? We’ve shown the
