Page 28 of Read Between The Lines

‘I wish you’d stop treating me like I’ve got my head in the clouds. I do know the difference between fiction and reality. We’d be each other’s backup. And it’s hardly like we’d be going undercover as drug dealers. It’s a members’ event on a Thursday evening in an upmarket bar in Oxford. The worst that could happen is that someone drops their drink.’ Or that I chickened out. But I was keeping that particular fear to myself.

Leo sighed. ‘And in the highly unlikely event that our scammer does make an appearance, what happens then? Do you plan to confront him? Have you thought about how he might respond to that? Everything you’re saying is based on assumptions. We haven’t had the time to build a proper profile of Brian James, and it’s dangerous to go into any situation without detailed intel. All we know is that he has a good grasp of the English language– or that he bothers to use spelling and grammar checks at any rate– and has the ability to build connections with people online relatively quickly and gain their trust.’

‘Exactly. I reckon that ability will translate into the real world as well, otherwise why not use a different app that doesn’t offer in-person events?’

‘Your optimistic logic astonishes me.’

‘Surely, it’s worth giving it a try? And I could listen out for his voice at the event as well.’

‘There is that, I suppose, although there’s every chance he’s a master mimic and can put on a different voice to leave you voice notes.’

‘We had a phone call once, not long after we first started chatting,’ I said.

‘One phone call? Why didn’t you say so before? That changes everything.’

‘That’s great, then.’ I settled back down on the sofa.

‘I was being sarcastic. And yes, I know, it’s the lowest form of wit. But I can already guess that the phone call was brief and the connection was bad, so that probably rules out any useful information which you think you might know from it.’

I decided it was time to play my ultimate hand. ‘Look, if you don’t want to come with me, that’s not a problem, I’m perfectly happy going by myself.’

I could almost picture Leo’s grip tightening on his phone in frustration at my stubbornness. ‘Fine, if you’re going to be like that and refuse to listen to my advice, you leave me with no choice.’ He sighed. ‘I’ll book onto the event and pick you up an hour beforehand so we can agree on how to handle the evening,’ he said, with as much enthusiasm as if he was arranging an appointment with the dentist.

‘Looking forward to seeing you then,’ I said, but it turned out I was addressing only the dial tone.

ChapterEleven

Leo wasn’t in a better mood when he arrived at my place on Thursday evening.

‘Is that what you’re wearing tonight?’ was his opening gambit as I opened the front door.

I looked down at the yellow polka dot dress in confusion. ‘I thought I might as well get some wear out of it. I bought it to meet Brian, after all. It seemed appropriate to use it in the continuation of that purpose. Why, what’s the matter with it?’

‘Nothing,’ he said quickly. ‘You look very… nice.’

The way he said it, ‘nice’ was definitely not a good thing.

‘Oh.’

Despite the negative associations of the dress, I had felt good putting it on again, like I was reclaiming it. The reason I’d chosen it in the first place was for the confidence boost, and wearing it tonight had felt like donning a suit of armour to protect me from whatever the night might bring. I certainly didn’t need validation from Leo, but on the other hand, it would have made me feel better about the whole evening if he’d sounded more positive about how I looked.

‘Don’t do that,’ he said.

‘What?’

‘You look like a puppy who’s had its dinner snatched away,’ he responded.

‘It’s just that I’ve never heard a supposed compliment delivered with such disappointment. And given your previously stated preference for parrots over puppies, I’m even more insulted. Have I done something to offend you?’

Leo frowned. ‘Look, you won’t want to hear it if I say anything, so it’s probably best we stop this conversation here, and get this evening over and done with.’

‘You can’t say that and then expect me to drop it! What is it that you can’t bring yourself to say? Given that you’ve not shied away from making it very clear that spending the evening in my company is the last thing you want to be doing, I dread to think what it is that you’re keeping to yourself. Why don’t you just come out with it? This investigation partnership isn’t going to get very far if we’re not honest with each other.’

He tried to stare me into submission, but I glared back at him, determined not to back down.

Eventually he sighed in exasperation. ‘Fine, if you insist. But you’re probably going to hate me for it, I’m warning you now. Look, I know you’ve got great faith in the safety measures the app has. Or at least you did until the whole Brian thing. But the reality is that neither of us has a clue who’s going to be turning up to this Single Mingle nonsense. You could end up sitting opposite a mad axe murderer for all we know. The crux of it is that I feel really uncomfortable with us continuing with this ridiculous idea and you putting yourself at risk in this way. Especially when you’re looking like… that.’ He gestured up and down at me.

‘Again, I must be missing something here. Are you suggesting that the way I’m dressed will in some way provoke murderous behaviour? Because I have the right to dress exactly as I like.’ I put my hands on my hips, facing him down with my best power stance.

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