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Authors: Robert Goddard
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something.’
‘What could a lump of feldspar possibly be code for?’
‘I don’t know. But then I never know what’s going on in Oliver’s mind.’
‘Do you want me to try and find out?’
‘Think you can?’
‘Maybe. What’s my reward if I succeed?’
She thought about that for a teasing moment, then said, ‘Don’t get ahead of yourself. I’d be grateful, though. Very grateful. That should be incentive enough.’
We kissed goodnight before I got out of the car at the end of Eastbourne Road. It was only a little more of a kiss than the occasion required. But I walked the short distance home as if I was walking on air, the heady promise of knowing her driving far from my thoughts the problems knowing her brother might yet cause me. She’d agreed enthusiastically to my suggestion of an evening at the cinema on Friday. I didn’t actually care what film was showing. If Vivien wanted to see
Thoroughly Modern Millie
, so did I.
SIX
I WAS ALL set to deliver an ultimatum to Oliver when we met in the cemetery the following morning. As it turned out, I never got the chance. He was waiting for me by the chapel near the north gate, pacing up and down and smoking a cigarette with nervous intensity.
‘You’re late,’ he announced, as if we’d fixed a definite time. He looked so impatient and distracted I was tempted to point out we were rendezvousing at his request, not mine.
‘And good morning to you, Oliver,’ I said coolly.
He acknowledged the reproof with a scowling smile. ‘Have a good time last night, did you?’
‘I did, yes.’
‘And you asked Great-Uncle Francis what a pig’s egg is, so it was mission accomplished for both of us.’
His certainty momentarily puzzled me. ‘How can—’
‘Vivien told me when she got home. Accused me of “setting you up”. Understandably, I suppose, since she doesn’t know about our deal. And I’m sure you’d like to keep it that way.’
‘Well, about that, I—’
‘Save it. I’m in a hurry. And I don’t want to make you late for work, do I? Viv said the old boy looked like he’d seen a ghost when you put the question to him. You’d agree?’
‘Yes, I suppose so. Although—’
‘Shut up and listen. We have to move fast. I think they’re on to me.’
‘Who’s “they”?’
‘Never mind. But if you really want to know, ask him.’ Oliver pointed past me with his cigarette.
Turning, I saw nothing at first but the phalanxes of gravestones standing easy in the thin morning light. Then I spotted a brown-clad figure in the middle distance, moving slowly along one of the paths between the graves. It was hard to be sure, but he seemed to be scanning the inscriptions on the stones as he went. Certainly he didn’t seem to be paying us any attention.
‘His name’s Strake. He used to work for Wren’s. Now he works for … well, that’s the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question. But he’s been following me for the past couple of days. I can tell you that.’
‘Come off it.’
‘If you don’t believe me, wait and see what happens when we leave.’
‘You need to relax, Oliver. This is—’
‘Just listen to me,’ he broke in, grasping my forearm for emphasis. ‘I’ve got good news for you, Jonathan. I’m letting you off the hook. I want you to tell my stepfather I’ve confided in you. And this is what I’ve confided: I’d already got some valuable information from the records before he gave the order for the basement to be kept locked; I’d have gone back for more if I’d been able to, but it doesn’t matter: I’ve already got enough.’
‘Enough about what?’
‘Tell him I wouldn’t say any more than that. “I’ve already got enough.” You can tell Vivien too. And Great-Uncle Francis, if you run into him. Say you’re breaking my confidence because you’re worried about me.’
‘I
am
worried about you.’
‘No need. I know what I’m doing. This puts you in the clear. No furtive key-copying means no secret
‘What could a lump of feldspar possibly be code for?’
‘I don’t know. But then I never know what’s going on in Oliver’s mind.’
‘Do you want me to try and find out?’
‘Think you can?’
‘Maybe. What’s my reward if I succeed?’
She thought about that for a teasing moment, then said, ‘Don’t get ahead of yourself. I’d be grateful, though. Very grateful. That should be incentive enough.’
We kissed goodnight before I got out of the car at the end of Eastbourne Road. It was only a little more of a kiss than the occasion required. But I walked the short distance home as if I was walking on air, the heady promise of knowing her driving far from my thoughts the problems knowing her brother might yet cause me. She’d agreed enthusiastically to my suggestion of an evening at the cinema on Friday. I didn’t actually care what film was showing. If Vivien wanted to see
Thoroughly Modern Millie
, so did I.
SIX
I WAS ALL set to deliver an ultimatum to Oliver when we met in the cemetery the following morning. As it turned out, I never got the chance. He was waiting for me by the chapel near the north gate, pacing up and down and smoking a cigarette with nervous intensity.
‘You’re late,’ he announced, as if we’d fixed a definite time. He looked so impatient and distracted I was tempted to point out we were rendezvousing at his request, not mine.
‘And good morning to you, Oliver,’ I said coolly.
He acknowledged the reproof with a scowling smile. ‘Have a good time last night, did you?’
‘I did, yes.’
‘And you asked Great-Uncle Francis what a pig’s egg is, so it was mission accomplished for both of us.’
His certainty momentarily puzzled me. ‘How can—’
‘Vivien told me when she got home. Accused me of “setting you up”. Understandably, I suppose, since she doesn’t know about our deal. And I’m sure you’d like to keep it that way.’
‘Well, about that, I—’
‘Save it. I’m in a hurry. And I don’t want to make you late for work, do I? Viv said the old boy looked like he’d seen a ghost when you put the question to him. You’d agree?’
‘Yes, I suppose so. Although—’
‘Shut up and listen. We have to move fast. I think they’re on to me.’
‘Who’s “they”?’
‘Never mind. But if you really want to know, ask him.’ Oliver pointed past me with his cigarette.
Turning, I saw nothing at first but the phalanxes of gravestones standing easy in the thin morning light. Then I spotted a brown-clad figure in the middle distance, moving slowly along one of the paths between the graves. It was hard to be sure, but he seemed to be scanning the inscriptions on the stones as he went. Certainly he didn’t seem to be paying us any attention.
‘His name’s Strake. He used to work for Wren’s. Now he works for … well, that’s the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question. But he’s been following me for the past couple of days. I can tell you that.’
‘Come off it.’
‘If you don’t believe me, wait and see what happens when we leave.’
‘You need to relax, Oliver. This is—’
‘Just listen to me,’ he broke in, grasping my forearm for emphasis. ‘I’ve got good news for you, Jonathan. I’m letting you off the hook. I want you to tell my stepfather I’ve confided in you. And this is what I’ve confided: I’d already got some valuable information from the records before he gave the order for the basement to be kept locked; I’d have gone back for more if I’d been able to, but it doesn’t matter: I’ve already got enough.’
‘Enough about what?’
‘Tell him I wouldn’t say any more than that. “I’ve already got enough.” You can tell Vivien too. And Great-Uncle Francis, if you run into him. Say you’re breaking my confidence because you’re worried about me.’
‘I
am
worried about you.’
‘No need. I know what I’m doing. This puts you in the clear. No furtive key-copying means no secret
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