Page 52 of The Boathouse By the Loch

Patrick pulled up a chair and sat. He held out a clean white handkerchief. ‘Here. Go on, take it.’ He thrust a handkerchief at Jake. ‘Clean that up.’

Jake reluctantly took it and carelessly dabbed at his temple, wiping the blood from the side of his face.

‘What are you doing here?’

Jake was surprised by the question. ‘What do you mean – what am I doing here? I thought I made that clear. I came to find Natty.’

Patrick said, ‘Have you got a thing for my daughter?’

‘Pardon me?’

‘Faye.’

Jake dropped his eyes to the floor.

‘Oh dear. That’s going to be a problem.’

Jake looked up sharply. ‘Why – is she still in love with Yousaf?’ he blurted.

‘I wouldn’t know about that. In fact, I very much doubt it, not after what she alleged he’d done.’

Alleged.So he still doesn’t believe her, Jake thought. Still, he was relieved to hear that Patrick doubted she still held a candle for Natty’s father. But he had to ask, ‘Why is it a problem, then?’

He looked Jake up and down, and said, ‘You’re young and good-looking.’ Patrick waved the gun, pointing at Jake with the firearm. ‘You’re not some sad, lonely old fart like me. You could find someone else.’

Jake glared at Patrick. He didn’t want someone else. He wanted her.

‘And from what I hear, you’re not short of a bob or two.’

Jake slowly shook his head in dismay. Why was it when youwere rich, your bank balance seemed to be everybody’s business? Even by training to teach, he couldn’t escape his past. ‘Who told you that?’ said Jake coldly.

‘You did,’ said Patrick, casting his gaze down to the floor, which was littered with Jake’s wad of bank notes.

‘So, if I’m so young, good-looking and rich, why are my feeling towards Faye a problem? Do you think she won’t be interested in me, in that way?’

‘Oh, that’s not what I’m saying.’

‘Then what are you saying?’

‘After Yousaf, Faye is committednotto have a relationship, you know that – right? Of course, she has date nights, but nothing will ever lead anywhere. She doesn’t want men in and out of her life who won’t be sticking around.’

‘Who says I won’t stick around?’ Jake’s attention was drawn to the gun. He wanted to leave, get out of there, resume the search for Natty. What were they sitting around talking for?

Patrick’s hand might be resting lazily in his lap, but Jake wasn’t fooled; it was still pointed in Jake’s direction, with Patrick’s trigger finger at the ready.

Patrick followed Jake’s gaze. ‘I’m keeping hold of this, if you don’t mind,’ he said, lifting the gun off his lap and aiming it at Jake. Perhaps you’d like to tell me where you got it from.’

Jake shifted nervously in his seat. ‘No, I would not.’ He was in enough trouble as it was, without implicating Aubrey. At first, Jake had thought it was a good sign that Patrick had stopped his friend from calling the police. Now he wasn’t so sure.

‘I see.’ Patrick regarded him for a long moment before changing the subject. ‘I want to know everything that’s happened so far in relation to my granddaughter’s disappearance.’

‘Give me one good reason.’

‘I thought I already had.’ he waved the gun at Jake. ‘I’m assuming you had nothing to do with it.’

Jake was out of his chair like a shot. ‘Have you lost your mind? Why on earth would I take her?’

‘Because you’ve grown very fond of Faye, and she might not feel the same way.’

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