Page 77 of Carbon

I’d intended to read a book, but instead, I ended up staring out the window at the passing traffic. Pedestrians and cars going about their business as if all was right with the world while I crumbled inside.

“You okay?”

Emmy’s voice made me jump so violently I nearly fell off the seat. “I didn’t even hear you come back.”

“Sorry. Sneaking up on people is a bad habit.”

“It’s all right. I’m just really nervy at the moment. H-h-has anything more happened with the case?”

“We know Beau came to London. Luke’s got a picture of his motorbike driving down the A40. The question is, did he stay here?”

I shrugged and kept quiet as Emmy headed towards the kitchen. If only Ididhave a clue where Ben had gone, I could try to find him.

“I stopped by for some lunch,” Emmy said, rummaging in the fridge. “Only there’s a flaw in my plan in that I forgot to go grocery shopping. Do you want to head out and grab a sandwich?”

“I’m not exactly dressed for going out.”

Unless, of course, we were going to Wal-Mart. I’d probably fit in quite well there.

“Don’t worry—I’ll catch up on emails while you change.”

Tempting though it was to make an excuse, I didn’t much fancy staying by myself in the apartment either, so I took a shower and got dressed. At least Emmy didn’t bat an eyelid when I wore jeans.

“Lunch by the canal?” she suggested. “There’s a nice pub not too far away.”

“Do you have time for that?”

“Blackwood’s flexible, and considering I was out working until three this morning, I think I can take an hour to eat.”

“Three? What were you doing?”

“Talking to people.”

“What sort of people are awake at that time in the morning?”

“The kind of people you wouldn’t have come across living on your nice estate in rural Oxfordshire. Well, for the most part.”

“You think Beau might be mixed up with them?”

“He’s on the run. He can’t simply check into a hotel or rent a car from Avis.”

“I guess. Did you find anything?”

“Not yet, but if he’s in London, we will.”

That was what worried me.

At the Fox and Pheasant, we settled down opposite each other at an outside table, and for once the sun peeped out. Most of this June had been grey and overcast, or maybe that was just my soul.

“What would you like, ladies?” a waiter asked, tapping a pencil on his order pad.

“The burgers are good here,” Emmy said, then smiled up at him. “Give me a cheeseburger with everything and a side order of fries.”

I couldn’t possibly stomach that much food. “A Caesar salad, please.”

“You want chicken or bacon with it?”

“Just plain.”

---