“Spoilsport.”

“What about dinner? There’s no way either of us are cooking, but I can place an order. It will be here by the time you get out.”

“I like the sound of that. How about pizza? We can have it straight from the box. No washing up.”

“Even better.” Jason leaned over to give him a kiss on the lips and left him alone.

Just a few days ago, this would have seemed impossible, spending a lazy Sunday at Jason’s place, relaxing on the sofa, soaking in his bathtub. How rapidly everything had changed.Is that what happens after a near-death experience?Priorities change beyond recognition.

Meeting Jason and making a connection with him were the best things to come out of this ominous situation.

Marc sank deeper into the water, until it covered his shoulders, allowing the heat to ease the ache in his muscles.

The calm was broken after a few minutes.

Jason bolted back into the room. His phone was ringing.

“It’s Tyrone.”

Marc pushed back into a sitting position.

Jason answered the phone and put it on speaker. “Hello.”

The deep base of grime music came over the speaker. The line was terrible, like the caller was driving. “That you?” a voice demanded.

Jason shrugged his shoulders at Marc. “It’s Jason Durham. Who are you expecting?”

The next words were incomprehensible, then, “…got something more to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Gonna cost you. A lot more than last time.”

“And this is something you’ve just remembered?” Jason’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “What has jogged your memory?”

“Hearing you was nearly turned into roadkill, mate. That’s what. It’s not fucking happening to me. I want three grand so I can get out of Blyham.”

“What is it you’ve got to offer that you couldn’t before?”

“Stop dicking me around. I know what happened to Theo. That’s what you want to know, ain’t it?”

“I don’t believe you. I don’t trust you.”

“Believe me or not, but it’ll save your life. Three thousand quid. Cash. Let me know when you’ve got it and I’ll tell you where to meet.”

The line went dead before Jason could say another word.

Chapter Eighteen

Danger by the River

“We can put him off until this evening,” Jason said, pulling on his shoes. He winced. It hurt like hell to bend down. He hitched his foot onto his knee to tie the laces. “Once I finish work. I’ll been done soon after five.”

Unexpectedly, he had a full day in the office ahead of him. Ryman had demanded a meeting for ten o’clock which would likely run until noon, then he had booked him in for a full afternoon of appointments. In between all of that, he wanted to find out all that he could about the photographer Blake Remar.

“I don’t want to wait that long.” Marc slipped his arm, bulky with a plaster cast, into a sling. “I’ll find out what he knows and fill you in afterwards.”

Tyrone’s call last night had left them on edge. Jason had no doubt Tyrone knew more about Theo than he’d revealed so far but doubted whether he’d be forthcoming with all the information. He’d give them a little bit, then come back in a few more days with a higher price.