Page 58 of The Girl You Left Behind
“Apart from that, I’ve just got the other cases from last month that I’m carrying forward, and I’m talking to some insurers about whether we want to get involved with a new fine art register.”
“Another?” says Janey.
“It’s the scaling down of the Art and Antiques Squad,” Paul said. “The insurers are getting nervous.”
“Might be good news for us, though. Where are we on the Stubbs?”
He clicks the end of his pen. “Deadlock.”
“Sean?”
“It’s a tricky one. I’ve been looking up precedent, but it may well go to trial.”
Janey nods, then glances up as Paul’s mobile phone rings. “Sorry,” he says, and wrenches it from his pocket. He stares at the name. “Actually, if you’ll excuse me, I think I should take this. Sherrie. Hi.”
He feels Janey’s eyes burning into his back as he steps out of the room. He closes the door behind him. “You did?... Her name? Liv. Nope, that’s all I got.... There is? Can you describe it?... Yup—that sounds like her. Midbrown hair, maybe blond, shoulder length. Wearing it in a ponytail?... Phone, wallet—don’t know what else. No address?... No, I don’t. Sure—Sherrie, do me a favor? Can I pick it up?”
He stares out of the window.
“Yeah. Yeah, I do. I just realized—I think I’ve worked out how to get it back to her.”
•••
“Hello?”
“Is that Liv?”
“No.”
He pauses. “Um... is she there?”
“Are you a bailiff?”
“No.”
“Well, she’s not here.”
“Do you know when she’ll be back?”
“Are you sure you’re not a bailiff?”
“I am definitely not a bailiff. I have her handbag.”
“Are you a bag thief? Because if you’re trying to blackmail her, you’re wasting your time.”
“I am not a bag thief. Or a bailiff. I am a man who has found her bag and is trying to get it back to her.” He pulls at his collar.
There is a long pause.
“How did you get this number?”
“It’s on my phone. She borrowed it when she tried to ring home.”
“You were with her?”
He feels a little germ of pleasure. He hesitates, tries not to sound too keen. “Why? Did she mention me?”
“No.” The sound of a kettle boiling. “I was just being nosy. Look—she’s just on her annual trip out of the house. If you drop by around four-ish she should be back by then. If not, I’ll take it for her.”
