Page 125 of Endgame

No.

So this is just a game. There’s nothing.

There’s plenty but I don’t trust you. You’re going to fuck it up.

If there is something, why did you leave him off your finger-pointing spree?

We have other collaborations in play. Kevin’s little problems aren’t necessarily bad news for him. He did help orchestrate my disappearance.

He knew?

It was actually his idea. Where did you think you were going when he tried to put you on a plane? Mars? You were supposed to be coming to me, moron. Not that you can prove any of this, of course. Even these messages are two burners just talking to each other. You could have written them to yourself.

‘Dominic!’ Honey exclaims.

‘I told you, MrDominic is pretty but not so clean.’ MsPat raises an eyebrow.

‘Is that why you insisted on going with her that night, MsPat?’

MsPat shrugs and says nothing.

‘That bastard actually made me consider the probability that I was being paranoid and maybe he did just want to talk to Ariella.’

‘I’m really pleased you beat his face in, Caleb,’ Honey says angrily.

If Melissa is in cahoots with Dominic, there is no way she is going to give him up. I tried. Contacting Melissa was pointless.

Thanks for nothing Melissa. Goodbye.

Hold on. I didn’t say I couldn’t help.

Are you going to help?

Come and see me. I’m not as far as you think. Gustaf will be pissed because he’s insanely jealous of you but there’s nothing an apology, the way he likes his apologies, can’t fix.

I’m not coming to see you Mel. There’s nothing we can’t share over a secure line or text and I can’t leave the country.

I can take care of your travel ban. Besides, I have absolutely no intention of talking. Gustaf has his limitations. I’ve missed you.

‘Don’t do it, Caleb. There will be another way, especially now that we know there is something to find,’ Honey says, pulling back to exhale deeply. ‘However, if you do, I won’t judge you, but I don’t want to know because I can’t lie to Lara.’

‘This is Melissa. There may be nothing,’ I say.

‘MrCaleb, do not do. Say bye-bye. She love you but crazy. You don’t want half-Singaporean baby in eighteen years to say hello sister to Elsie.’

Thanks but no thanks Mel.

I’ll leave the offer open for a couple of weeks, then I have to move. I won’t be so easy to reach then. Think about it.

‘What if?—’

‘NO!’ Honey and MsPat shout in unison.

‘Miss Melissa ask too much, MrCaleb. Dick pic, maybe.’ MsPat says it so seriously, Honey and I burst out laughing.

‘Yeah! One lady boss with my friend, dick pic get you anything. And MrCaleb, you know her.’ MsPat winks happily.

‘MsPat! Who?!’ I really want to know.

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