‘We wouldn’t let him make that call to a fictitious name.’
‘Fictitious?’
‘We ran the name through various channels, social security, DVLA as a matter of routine. Funny, because he swore blind the person was for real.’
Jake stared at the officer in disbelief. If Aubrey Jones didn’t exist, then who the hell was living on the top floor of the Ross apartment building?
‘Do you know who that guy is that he wanted to call?’
Whatever Aubrey – or whoever the hell he really was – had done that warranted him hiding behind a fictitious name, Jakedidn’t want to get involved or be implicated.
Jake shook his head, feeling uncomfortable under the officer’s searching gaze. ‘Right, well, er … where is Marcus Ross?’
The officer consulted his paperwork again. ‘I think he’s just getting a once-over from the doctor.’
‘Is he ill?’
The officer put the paperwork down, and leaned forward in his chair. ‘If you’re any kind of friend, you’ll get him some help.’ he said, as though he was giving Jake a piece of fatherly advice. ‘One of those clinics, you know …’
Jake was on the verge of asking what he meant by that when the double doors swung open at the end of the hall. ‘Ah, I think this will be your man now.’
One of the officers who had escorted Marcus from the plane strode through the door and approached the desk, glancing at Jake.
Jake watched him sign the release papers. He couldn’t wait for this to be over. He was beginning to think Faye was right; he had caused a lot more trouble than it was worth.
Jake looked back at the double doors. Marcus was standing just the other side, his suit jacket in his right hand, draped on the floor, his white shirt crumpled, with one side hanging out of his trousers. His bloodshot eyes were staring fixedly at Jake.
Guess I’m going to find out just how much trouble, thought Jake as he walked over to the lift and pressed theDownbutton, giving the officer at the desk a weak smile.
He glanced back at Marcus, who was making slow progress to the lift. He didn’t seem well. He was still staring fixedly at Jake.
The lift door opened. Jake jumped in and pressedGfor the ground floor. When he turned around, Marcus hadn’t joined him in the lift. Jake sighed and pressed the hold button. He’d forgotten that Marcus would have to collect his things.
He waited.
At the desk, the officer passed Marcus a plastic bag; Jake guessed it was the contents of his pockets. Then a suitcase appeared.
‘There’s only three days’ worth there, so you want to get yourself checked in somewhere pretty soon, OK?’
Marcus nodded. He turned around with the bag to hand. He was almost losing his balance. He made his way cautiously towards the lift.
‘Remember what I said!’ The officer directed that comment at Jake.
Jake recalled that piece of advice:If you’re any kind of friend you’ll get him some help, one of those clinics ...’
The lift door closed with Marcus inside.
A sudden jerk as the lift started down threw Marcus off balance. Jake grabbed at him.
‘Get off me.’ Marcus weakly struggled out of Jake’s grip and held onto the metal handrail that ran the circumference of the lift.
‘What’s this?’ Jake picked up the plastic bag that had fallen to the floor and held it up. Marcus turned and glared at Jake without speaking.
Jake drew a sharp breath at the sight of him; thick black rings encircled his eyes. It was as if someone had punched him in the face, except they weren’t bruises. Were those tears in his eyes?
Marcus slowly held out a shaky hand, palm up.
Jake handed him the bag, wondering what was inside.
