Page 64 of Read Between The Lines

‘That’s what he’s called on the actors’ database,’ corrected Una. ‘It could still be a pseudonym. The site insists that everyone has to have a unique name. It saves the embarrassment of the wrong John Smith being called for auditions or getting his credits muddled up.’

‘I have a feeling it is his real name. It has the same initials as Brian James, after all. I reckon he was sticking with what he knew.’

‘And you’re one hundred percent certain that this is the guy?’ asked Caro, scrolling through the rest of his résumé. ‘Look, he’s got some audio samples on his profile. Why don’t you listen to them? He left you lots of voice notes, didn’t he?’

‘He did,’ I said, humiliation sweeping over me once again. I couldn’t believe I used to listen to his messages on repeat.

I clicked on the play icon and immediately shuddered as the scammer’s rich tones rang out across the room. What made it somehow much worse was that he was reciting Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116, arguably the most romantic poem in the English language. At one time, I’d thought Brian and I might have had a ‘marriage of true minds’ in the future. I gave myself a little shake. I needed to hurry up and confront Blake Jenkins, before he used this seductive poetry recital on some other unsuspecting target.

‘He’s got a good voice, I’ll give him that,’ said Una. ‘If he fancies some non-criminal work, perhaps you could send him my way.’

‘I’m not going to reward him for trying to defraud me.’

My phone rang before she could respond.

‘Come on, Una,’ said Caro, with a grin. ‘I think this is our cue to make ourselves scarce. Judging by the expression on Kat’s face, it’s lover boy calling again. Do say hi from us. I can’t wait to meet him in person.’

I could hear my heart beating in my ears as I answered my mobile. ‘Leo, hi,’ I said, worrying about the sudden breathiness in my voice, then hissed, ‘Go away’ at my sister.

‘Sorry, is now a bad time?’ he said.

‘That wasn’t aimed at you. It was intended for my big sister, who’s extremely annoying.’ This last bit was directed at Caro who, despite saying she would leave, was showing no sign of actually doing so.

She stuck her tongue out at me like we were children again, then reluctantly followed Una out of the room.

‘How—’

‘What—’

Leo and I both started speaking at the same time.

I laughed awkwardly.

‘Sorry, you go first,’ said Leo.

‘I was going to ask how you are,’ I said.

‘Oh. I’m fine. How about you?’

He wasn’t going to mention the kiss, then. That was good. A big relief, in fact. So why did I feel disappointed?

‘All the better for speaking to you,’ I said, trying to sound as normal as possible. ‘I’ve had a breakthrough,’ I quickly added, before I accidentally let slip something I might regret.

‘That’s good news,’ said Leo, although he didn’t sound as excited as I’d hoped he would. ‘But you can tell me later, if you prefer. I don’t want to keep you when you’ve got your sister round.’

‘I’m at hers in London, actually. Bit of an impulse trip, but it’s proved to be very productive because her housemate works in the theatre industry and she’s helped me track down Brian James’s real name. He’s called– drumroll please– Blake Jenkins. And he’s an actor.’

I even did a celebratory jazz hand. It was probably good Leo couldn’t see me striding up and down Caro’s kitchen as I attempted to work off my nervous energy.

‘Not a very imaginative one sticking to his real initials,’ said Leo. He sounded strangely subdued.

‘Exactly. So, do you reckon we could go to the app, or even the police, with this new evidence?’ I pushed, still trying to drum up some enthusiasm from him. ‘Surely, they’d have to take me seriously now we can show that he’s been using a false identity?’

Leo sighed. ‘I wish it was that simple, but we don’t have any proof of wrongdoing. It’s not a criminal offence to use another name and someone else’s pictures on a dating app, and although he was clearly out for money, he’s still not made another outright demand in black and white. And there’s no evidence that he’s been targeting other people.’

I thought rapidly. ‘Fair points. But how about this for an idea? We know Bri— Blake’s job, so we know exactly where to find him and at what times he’ll be there. What if I go and wait for him near the stage door after a show, and pretend I want to pick up where we left off in our last online conversation?’

I pictured Leo frowning at the other end of the line as he prepared to pick my improvised plan apart. ‘Putting myself in Brian slash Blake’s shoes, wouldn’t I be highly suspicious if you suddenly came up to me, not even questioning why I look nothing like my profile pictures or why I was at a theatre in Oxford when I’d told you I was being debriefed at an army camp?’

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