When she got back into the bed, she rolled back the sheet and listened to the noises of the night. She tried to identify each sound, but too many sounded like footsteps on the stairs or the creak of a door handle. Every sound pulled her away from sleep. An alarm wailed in the distance, and she sat up in the bed fearing it was theirs. But nobody crashed into the bedroom brandishing knives and menace.
Hours seemed to pass. She glanced at the bedside clock for confirmation. 3:08AM. Her eyes grew heavy and she told herself the strange sounds were those of the house contracting in the cooler temperature of the night. The reasoning worked, and the next time she glanced at the clock, it was after 6AM and the room was bright. She reached her hand over and felt Ian beside her. A small smile flickered across her lips. Then she blinked several times and fell back asleep.
113
Cole looked around the room. Where the fuck am I? He almost panicked, but regained control as he remembered where he was. The urge to piss had woken him and he stumbled into the bathroom. It stank of damp, but it wasn't filthy. He stared at the water swirling in the bowl as he flushed. The things I do for love.
Back in the bedroom, he pulled out his burner and muttered when he saw it was almost 9AM. There was a Twitter notification and he read a DM from HardBoy97. Have you done her yet mate or lost ur bottle? Send me foto? Cole frowned as he read. Was this a setup? HardBoy97 was too persistent for Cole’s liking. He didn't bother to respond, but perhaps he would later. Now it was time to get moving. He showered and made himself fresh and presentable, then he went out for breakfast.
He stuffed himself with bacon and sausage, four slices of toast and downed two pots of tea to quench his raging thirst. After breakfast, he looked at the blister on his hand. It hurt each time he closed his fist and sometimes when he did nothing at all, so he went to a chemist where he bought pain killers and a spray for burns.
As he walked back to the guest house, he figured the first thing he needed to do was locate Alice. She’d be at the hotel or home. He’d check the hotel first. A flower delivery should do it, and he could probably get Laura’s unwitting help. He thumbed out a text. Hey Laura. Problem with other phone. Use this if u need me today. Ordered flowers for Alice. Online company will deliver today @hotel. Will u let her know to expect them? Nice bunch. ££££!!! Could use in interview? Thx Lewis
When he got back to the room, he popped more Xanax. Once his plan was in progress, he would up the intensity. He took out the bag of Captagon and shook it with a wide grin. There was more than enough to get well and truly out of it.
114
Laura hurried from the Xtra News building to meet Suzanne Durrant from FMP in a nearby coffee shop. Suzanne smiled from the table as Laura queued for an Americano.
“Thanks for coming Laura,” Suzanne said when Laura sat.
“You’re welcome, but I should be the one thanking you for coming over this way.” Laura looked across the table, but Suzanne avoided her eyes. “Oh,” Laura said. “I see.”
Suzanne shrugged. “Sorry. I thought they’d confirm it, but Larry, you know, he’s... well, thing is, he’s still got something for Alice.”
Laura put her coffee down. “Alice? Not Alice Madsen?”
“Oh shit. I didn't mean to say that.”
“Jesus Christ. I should have known.”
“Why? You know her?”
“I’m putting her on camera later. I’m interviewing her, giving her a chance to put her side of the South Ken story out there.” Laura picked up her coffee and sipped at it, almost burning her tongue.
“If the others can persuade Larry, then it’s yours.”
“After the South Ken attack, the police arrested Alice...”
Suzanne laughed. “I think everyone knows that.”
Laura put her hand up. “I spoke to my contact in the anti-terror squad yesterday, and they still haven’t ruled her out. The police found a bag of drugs in her bedroom after the recent assault. The same drugs the South Ken terrorist used.” Laura pointed at Suzanne. “Tell Larry that.”
“That for real, Laura?”
“What? The drugs?”
Suzanne nodded.
“Yeah,” Laura said. “Got it from a reliable source.”
“I see.” Suzanne tapped her fingers on the table.
“Alice is bad news for FMP.”
115
Alice looked into the office upstairs where Ian worked on the computer. “Can I get you a coffee?” she asked.
“No. I’m good, thanks. Did you get a time for the interview from Xtra yet?”
“Not yet. Why?”
“Would it be all right if I went into the office when you're doing it? I’ve got things to do in there.”
“Yeah. I feel kind of safe during the day. Anyway, I want to go to Copenhagen. Tomorrow or the day after, whenever the interview is done. Would you come?”
“I could come over at the weekend?”
“That would be good.” Her phone beeped and she walked away from the door. It was a text from Kristin. I didn’t mean to hurt you. It was only ever love. Truly sorry. K xxx.
Alice called out to Ian. “Kristin says sorry.”
His voice sounded muffled. “To me?”
She returned to the office and leaned against the
