Page 107 of The Impossible Fortune

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‘Beats me,’ says Ron. ‘Can I ask you another question?’

‘Is it about West Brom?’

‘West Ham,’ says Ron.

‘Is it about West Ham?’

‘No,’ says Ron.

‘Ask away, I’m not going anywhere,’ says Connie, looking around her, then returning nose to nose.

‘What do you and Ibrahim talk about? You know, when you talk?’

The low light dims further, then flickers back to life. Connie thinks, then puffs her cheeks.

‘I don’t know,’ says Connie. ‘But I always feel better afterwards.’

‘Same,’ says Ron. ‘How does he do that?’

‘I think he likes people,’ says Connie. ‘That’s his secret.’

‘Even us,’ says Ron.

‘Even us,’ agrees Connie.

‘You wouldn’t really have killed me, would you?’ Ron asks.

‘Definitely,’ says Connie.

‘I’m half dead anyway these days,’ says Ron. His nose is suddenly an inch lower than Connie’s nose. ‘I can’t even stand on tiptoes any more.’

‘Who killed Holly, do you think?’ Connie asks.

‘Elizabeth thinks whoever did it will show themselves as soon as she’s got that piece of paper.’

‘Well …’ says Connie.

‘Yeah, well …’ says Ron.

Connie looks him in the eye. ‘You’re sure you want to do this?’

Ron thinks for a moment.

‘I’m sure,’ he says.

‘You can still back out,’ says Connie. ‘Get the scrap of paper, give it to Elizabeth, be the hero?’

‘Too late for all that,’ says Ron. ‘Much too late for all that.’

The cage reaches its destination. Through the thick diamond grille they see the shape of Bill Benson. Ron looks up at Connie.

‘Thank you. I know you don’t have to do this. Especially for me.’

‘Don’t mention it,’ says Connie. ‘I owe someone a good deed.’

Bill opens the grille.

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