“Of course,” Alex said smoothly. “I’ve mastered massage technique and studied all the essential oils, my caddying ispretty good, and my cooking is much improved. I can prepare and serve many dishes now. I’m looking forward to making breakfast for my houder – I hope he enjoys my paella.” The words were spoken softly, and his voice only quavered a little at the end. Gideon smiled and squeezed his shoulders.
“I’m sure he will.”
When he returned to his room, Alex took his photos out of the drawer as usual… but instead of leafing through them, he held them for a moment and then tore them into little pieces, flushing their remains down the toilet. Gideon had the originals, but he’d never ask for them; he was done with needing props. He was on his own now.
A few weeks later, he stood, staring at himself in the mirror in the gym under Gideon’s watchful gaze. “I heard from Mr Tyler again today,” Gideon said.
“Oh yes.” Alex kept his face blank, as if he had no opinion about this news.
“He’s sending a helicopter for you soon.”
“That’s very kind of him. When can I expect it?”
“Tomorrow, at eleven a.m.,” Gideon said, his sharp gaze never leaving Alex’s face.
Alex’s expression didn’t falter. His eyes showed no emotion and his face didn’t betray his true thoughts. His heart was thudding in his chest, but on the outside, he was the picture of serenity.
“How lovely,” he murmured.
Once, he’d looked into mirrors to search for himself, needing to find a glimpse of his true self in his image. Now, he couldn’t find the slightest trace of himself in the impassive figure staring back – and that was his greatest accomplishment.
“Well done.” Gideon placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and gazed at his reflection over his shoulder. “It’s time for you to leave.”
Chapter Fifteen
NOVEMBER 2095
Josiah
The world seemed to slow down – there was just him and Tyler, staring at each other, with Alex watching them both. Tyler’s face was fixed in a rictus of fury, his eyes flickering in calculation of his next move. Josiah felt only a grim sense of satisfaction. He was sure that skull belonged to Solange, but there was a long way to go until he could prove that. He’d feel no triumph until Tyler was pronounced guilty in a court of law.
Josiah took out his e-cuffs, and Tyler’s jaw tensed so tightly he was surprised it didn’t snap. He glanced over Tyler’s shoulder and met Esther’s eye. She gave him a curt nod, and he sprang into action. He read Tyler his rights and then snapped the e-cuffs on him.
Tyler’s face was thunderous, but he said nothing and let one of his many lawyers, a large, jowly man, do the talking for him. For all his wealth and power, there was nothing Tyler could do to stop him. Josiah had a warrant, and even if the remains they’d found turned out not to be Solange’s, he had enough justification for the arrest.
Time sped up, now seeming to go at double the pace, as if catching up. Faces flashed around him as he placed a hand on Tyler’s shoulder and shoved him towards the waiting AV. Reed,brow furrowed and grimly determined, running ahead to open the duck door. Sofie, in full pathologist mode, was overseeing the transfer of the remains to the waiting hearse. Esther, eyes sharp, was braced for what she already clearly knew would be the biggest battle of her professional life.
Then another face swam into focus – stunned and overwhelmed. The expression on Alex’s pale, relieved features spoke volumes about how long he’d waited for this day.
Josiah stopped and called Reed back to take custody of Tyler, then grabbed Alex’s arm and drew him off to one side.
“Take my duck and go home,” he said, pressing the biokey into Alex’s hand with a click to register him. “Don’t do anything else – just go home. Don’t answer the door, or speak to the press, who will no doubt arrive before too long. Stay inside with all the blinds closed and the doors locked, and don’t expect me back anytime soon. Don’t wait up.”
“You’re kidding me.” Alex rolled his eyes. “Like I’ll be able to sleep until you return.”
Josiah gave Alex’s arm a quick squeeze and then headed over to the divers to instruct them to continue with their search. He was hoping for more than just a skull, but if that was all they found, at least it gave him something to build a case around.
Finally, he returned to where Reed was waiting to drive them back to Inquisitus. Their prisoner was already sitting, sour-faced and radiating hostility, in the back of the AV, next to his lawyer.
It wasn’t a comfortable ride. Tyler’s lawyer no doubt wanted to show he was worth every exorbitant penny Tyler was paying him, and protested the nature of the arrest, the grounds for it, the dispute over Alex’s status, and anything else he could think of. The man barely stopped for breath. In the end, Josiah just ignored him.
The media were waiting outside Inquisitus, positively buzzing with the news that George Tyler, of all people, had been arrested. Josiah grimaced as he surveyed the throng; this story was the gift that kept on giving, and the press were having a field day. Still, he treated Tyler the same as he would any other prisoner. He had a right to be protected from the ravenous mass of reporters. Reed had radioed ahead and a cordon was in place, making it easier to remove Tyler from the duck and transfer him into the building without the press taking too many shots.
Everyone in the SID gathered around to watch as Josiah entered the building with Tyler. A hush descended, which gave way to a whispering murmur as they passed. Tyler was a famous face, feted by politicians and well known in public life. Arresting him was a huge deal.
He took Tyler straight to the interview suite, with Esther by his side. Josiah knew she’d personally supervise a case this high profile to ensure everything was done by the book. The last thing any of them wanted was for Tyler to get off on a technicality.
It was a relief to finally get away from the glare of the media spotlight. He was courteous to Tyler, removing his cuffs and showing him where to sit. He offered the man a glass of water, which Tyler declined.
