Page 112 of We Chase Shadows

‘You are here,’ says Steve.

‘Pretend I’m not,’ says Tony. ‘I’ll just zone out.’

‘It’s We Solve Murders business,’ says Steve.

‘It’s his favourite armchair though,’ says Felicity. ‘And if you want to talk about Connor Brooks, then we both want to hear it.’

‘There’s nothing you wouldn’t want Tony to hear?’ Steve asks.

‘Nothing,’ says Felicity. ‘I have no secrets from Tony.’

‘You bought a packet of chocolate Hobnobs and didn’t tell me,’ says Tony.

‘Because you would have eaten them,’ says Felicity.

‘That’s what you’re supposed to do with them,’ says Tony. ‘Back me up, Steve.’

Steve mustn’t get drawn into this. Does Felicity have a gun?

‘I’m not here to talk about chocolate Hobnobs,’ says Steve. ‘Although Tony is right.’

‘They were for guests,’ says Felicity. ‘And he would have eaten the whole packet.’

‘You should always have a guest packet and an eating packet,’ says Steve.

‘That’s what I said,’ says Tony. ‘Anyway, I’m not here.’

‘Felicity,’ says Steve. ‘I have to ask you –’

The phone rings. Felicity holds up a finger to stop Steve and answers it. ‘Hello, We Solve Murders, how may I direct your call? … No, we’re not a bookshop … No. I promise you … It would be a good name, yes … I’d suggest Waterstones or TG Jones … TG Jones … it used to be WH Smith … I don’t know … yes, it’s still WH Smith at the sta–’

Steve takes the receiver and puts it down. ‘Felicity, do you have a gun?’

‘A gun?’ says Felicity. ‘Do I have a gun?’

‘Yes,’ says Steve. ‘I need you to tell me the truth.’

‘Why would I have a gun?’ says Felicity. ‘Are you hearing this, Tony?’

‘Gun?’ says Tony. ‘Of course she doesn’t have a gun.’

Steve believes Tony. He is not a good liar.

‘I wouldn’t be nicking Hobnobs if she had a gun,’ Tony adds.

‘Why are you asking, Steve?’ says Felicity.

‘The man in the alley,’ says Steve. ‘The blond man?’

The phone rings again, but he has Felicity’s full attention now. She cuts the call off.

‘That’s who beat me up?’ asks Tony.

‘Yep,’ says Steve. ‘He was shot a couple of hours ago. Outside Rosie’s place.’

Felicity nods. ‘That’s why you were asking if I had a gun?’

Felicity stands and walks over to Tony’s chair. She kisses his forehead.