Page 45 of Diamond in the Rough

“Plan Z is a dark joke between us. No one’s committing suicide. Plan Z doesn’t exist.”

Jake glanced at the brown package on the bedside table. “Good.”

“That guy hasn’t been back in Stationery Corner, has he?”

“No, and no one else has been in acting suspicious. No one’s following me, and the flat’s not been bugged.”

“Who thought the flat was bugged?”

“Carl. He’s been extra vigilant. He thinks he’s let you down.”

“He hasn’t. I hope you haven’t been winding him up.”

Jake’s lip quirked up. “As tempting as it is, no, I haven’t antagonised him or anyone else.”

“Keep it that way.”

“What’s it like in there?” Jake clutched the phone harder, fearing Maddox’s reply.

“You don’t need to worry about me, Jake.”

“Even with you saying that, I’ll still worry, and don’t fob me off. I wanna know.”

Maddox sighed. “I don’t like being trapped. It’s hard not knowing what’s going on. Not being able to see you is driving me mad.”

“That’s what I felt like on that island.”

“You said you liked the island.”

“Only after you came and made everything better.”

“I’m sorry for sending you away. That was a huge error on my part. Fear makes people do stupid things, but I’ve learned from it. I won’t do it again.”

Jake bit his lip. “Promise me you’ll get out of there.”

“I promise.”

Jake released a long breath and sank into the pillow.

“That make you feel better?” Maddox asked.

“Yeah, coming from you, it feels like everything will be all right.”

“It will be, and it’s not all bad. I’m sharing my cell with someone I used to know…”

“Yeah?”

“An old acquaintance, actually.”

“How did you know them?”

Jake tried not to let his suspicion leak into his voice but knew he’d failed when Maddox laughed.

“Ernie…”

“The Ashdown murderer? Your old friend.”

“I wouldn’t call us friends, more…colleagues.”

---