Page 90 of The Meaning Of You

“And yes, got ’em.”

My heart leaped into my throat. “Really? You can see them?”

Ian answered carefully. “I can see two people wearing hoodies, masks, jeans and trainers. That’s about it. The audio is marginal at best.”

My hope deflated.

Samuel looked up. “They had the code.”

I blinked. “What?”

“There was no hesitation. No second attempt. They punched in the code and the door opened,” Ian explained, offering me the phone.

“But—” Gazza grabbed it instead and we all gathered around to watch the short clip. Gazza kept shaking his head. “Only Madigan and I have the code, and he changes it every month.”

“We’ll need a copy of the clips.” Ian held his hand out when we were done and Gazza returned the phone. “Your password as well, please.” He eyed Gazza thoughtfully. “And if Madigan changes the code so often, how do you keep track?”

Gazza’s cheeks immediately pinked. “I write it in my phone. Okay. But nowhere obvious. It’s in with a lot of other notes. You wouldn’t recognise it if you didn’t know what you were looking for.”

Ian’s expression remained carefully neutral. “Does anyone know you keep it there?”

Gazza bristled. “No. Of course not.” He hesitated, looking suddenly uncertain. “At least I don’t think so.”

Samuel leaned forward in his seat. “Has anyone had access to your phone? Someone who might know your password or who was maybe with you when you checked or changed the code?”

Gazza hesitated. “Why are you asking me? It could have been Madigan who let it slip.”

“Because you’re here and he’s not,” Ian said drily.

Gazza closed his eyes for a second, then opened them again. “My boyf—ex-boyfriend. But who doesn’t sit next to each other scrolling through their phones these days? And Ben didn’t have my password.”

“How long have you two been together?”

Gazza frowned. “Since just before Christmas.”

Another of those meaningful looks passed between Samuel and Ian, and I was right there with them. This was important. I could feel it.

Samuel picked his words carefully. “So, there was never a time when you two were on your phones together and you maybe put yours down and left the room without locking it?”

Gazza stared at him. “Of course there were, but he’d still have to know where to look for it. You’re wasting your time. Ben’s a nice guy. He’s clearly not thinking straight since he dumpedme—” Gazza rolled his eyes. “—but that doesn’t make him a criminal.”

“You broke up?” Ian did that shuffling forward on his seat thing again. “When?”

“Yester... day,” he said, hesitating, the line between his brows deepening. Then he repeated it. “Yesterday.”

“And you weren’t expecting it?” Samuel asked softly, and my heart broke a little over what I thought was coming next.

“N-no.” Gazza slowly shook his head as his gaze flicked uncertainly between the two detectives. “I actually thought we were doing great.”

Ian nodded and handed Gazza’s phone back to him. “Look really closely and see if either of those men could be your ex.”

Gazza reached for the phone in slow motion, his fearful eyes never once leaving Ian’s face. Then, with the phone in his hand, he looked down and set the clip running. He ran it through several times before shaking his head. “It could be, but I can’t be sure.”

“Close your eyes and turn the volume up on the audio,” Samuel suggested.

The group fell quiet as Gazza did as he was told. The few broken words exchanged between the men wasn’t much to go on, and the sound crackled on and off, but something niggled in my brain. And after only the first run through, Gazza’s face blanched.

“Oh my god.” His gaze shot to Samuel. “It’s him. I’m sure of it. The second man to speak. It’s Ben.” His hand flew to his mouth. “What the actual fuck is going on?”

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