Page 93 of The Meaning Of You

Samuel spoke to Jerry who’d turned her attention back to the code. “How’s that list of names coming along?”

She didn’t look up. “Almost done, but that name’s not on it.”

Ian got to his feet and gathered his coat. “We’re gonna work this lead, but we’ll keep you in the loop. It’s a long shot though, you realise that? There’s no guarantee that this is the vehicle.”

The caution was directed at me and I nodded.

He seemed satisfied. “Forensics will be here for a while, but we’ll keep in touch.” He handed me a card. “If you think of anything more, call.”

I nodded, swallowing my anger, because no, it fucking wasn’t okay. Not in a million years was it okay. Because if the police thought I was going to sit there and twiddle my thumbs while Madigan was in trouble, they had another thing coming. Not that I was going to tell them that, although Samuel was eyeballing me like he’d already read my mind.

Well, he could fuck off as well.

“Done!” Jerry waved the file of papers in the air and then handed it off to Samuel. “Eighty-four names in total, but only six that I’d pick as male straight off the bat, although I could be wrong. And I’m going to stick my neck out and propose that the way they’re written in couplings could mean that the old names have been paired with the new ones.”

Samuel read through the names. “This is a huge help. Thank you. We’ll run them through the system and see what comes up.”

I caught Jerry’s eye and raised a brow. She indicated some papers on her lap and discreetly waved her phone. It was enough to reassure me she’d taken a copy of the names. I wasn’t sure how much trouble she’d cop from Samuel if he found out, but I didn’t give a shit, and I suspected neither did she.

We waited on the deck until Samuel and Ian left in their car, then I shot to my feet. “I don’t care what any of you decide to do, but there’s no way on earth I’m not heading over to that marina.”

Jerry joined me. “Well, you sure as shit aren’t driving anywhere with that concussion, so I guess I’m going with you.”

Gazza narrowed his eyes. “Aren’t you an accountant?”

I met him stare for stare. “So?”

“What are you gonna do if you find them?” he argued. “Beat them to death with your spreadsheets? Slap them around the face with an audit?”

He had a point.

“And you can’t expect me to be of any use.” He held up his hands. “These belong to a craftsman, not an action hero. If youstand them in a row, I could maybe sew them into a book spine but that’s about it.”

I held up both hands. “I’m not asking you to come.”

Gazza glared. “Madigan is my boss and my friend. Interfering could get him killed.”

He was right, of course. Not that it mattered. “Not trying to help could also get him killed,” I pointed out. “But I’d rather try than sit here twiddling my thumbs.”

Gazza’s jaw worked. “All right,” he relented. “Count me in. But if we get within sniffing distance of my fucker of an ex, I want a chance to show him what I think of his lying arse.”

Which wasn’t at all reassuring. “I thought you were a craftsman not an action hero?”

Gazza huffed. “I’ll make an exception.” He hesitated. “But I might need you to hold him down.”

“I’m coming too.” Shirley struggled awkwardly out of her chair.

“No. Please.” I put a hand on her shoulder. “Someone has to stay here in case anything happens or they need us, and you need to talk to Jonas. Madigan would want that.”

Shirley’s eyes narrowed. “You play dirty, but you better keep me in the loop if you know what’s good for you.”

“I promise.” Then I looked at the other two. “Ready?”

When they nodded, I glanced inside to where the forensic team were still busy doing their thing and then headed around the outside path to the cars parked out front. We piled into Jerry’s hatchback, and while she drove, Gazza began searching the three male names from the decoded list.

I tried to help, but the screen kept swimming in front of me. Eventually I gave up and settled for staring blankly at the parched rural landscape flying past while my mind drifted to Mads.

Hold on, baby. Hold on.We’re coming.

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