Ripley frowned. “I need to get back. Stay and finish your lunch. I’ll see you later this afternoon.”
He landed a kiss on Fen’s cheek before he slipped away.What did I say?
By the time the day’s court business concluded, Fen had no idea if anything he’d said had resonated with Ripley. Maybe he’d just triggered a thought. There had been a lot of discussion about the stab wound. Just one, so maybe Gino and Sam had both been unlucky.
Fen was waiting along with several photographers when Ripley emerged. Fen had been wondering who they were hoping to photograph. Someone famous? As Ripley reached his side, they set off down the street only for a big guy to step into their path.
He shoved Ripley in the chest. “You fucking wanker!”
Ripley staggered back and knocked into Fen. As the attacker thrust out a fist, Ripley grabbed his wrist. It all happened so quickly, Fen didn’t have chance to do anything, other than make sure he didn’t fall. Policemen came running up and dragged the man back. Ripley stood in front of Fen as the attacker let loose a flood of Italian, spitting as he yelled. He was quickly restrained in handcuffs.
“Fen, make your way home. I need to sort this out. We’re going out tonight so get ready, okay?”
Fen could see the policemen had the guy under control, so he did as Ripley told him. Fen didn’t have his phone so couldn’t call an Uber. He didn’t want to waste money on a taxi, so he took the bus. Well, two buses. Without his phone, it had been a more complicated journey. By the time he opened the door, Ripley was already back.
“What happened to you?” Ripley sounded frantic.
“Nothing. Are you all right?”
“I had to give a statement to the police. That was Gino’s brother.”
“They’ll put extra protection on now, won’t they?”
“Yes, but I don’t think he’ll do anything else.”
Fen stepped into his arms. “Thinkisn’t good enough.”
Ripley kissed his head. “What took you so long to get back? I was worried.”
“You have my phone. I got the wrong bus and I had to walk between stops.”
“Oh shit. I forgot. I’m sorry. It’s in my bag.”
“Where are we going tonight?”
“There’s a…party at the house of Head of Chambers. Harry will take us and bring us back.”
Fen was tired and would have preferred to stay in, but he put a smile on his face. “Did my unicorn onesie arrive?”
“No.”
“Darn it. Oh well. The dinosaur one will have to do.” He headed for the stairs.
Fen only had one shirt with a collar so he wore that with his best trousers. He was looking at himself in the mirror when Ripley came up behind him wearing a suit and tie.
“Oh God. I don’t have a tie let alone a suit.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It does.”
“Do you want to wear a tie?”
“Will everyone else be wearing one?”
“Probably. It’s not a dinosaur onesie sort of party.”
Fen pouted. “Can you lend me one?”
