Page 297 of These Tears

‘No. That’s something you thought would get you inside this office and gain my attention.’ His gaze drops to Brute, then returns. ‘You want to know where he is.’

Every nerve in me goes still.

He knows where Elias is. Conall wouldn’t tell me, worried the word would reach Cromwell.

But he already knows.

I keep my face blank. ‘Who better to ask than the man who keeps tabs on him?’

A mistake, if he chooses to call it one. An invitation, if his ego is larger than his caution.

The bald man turns towards the window, giving me his profile. Crooked nose. No wedding ring. Black suit.

Outside, London looks small beneath him. I imagine he chose the office at this height because he can’t manufacture depth.

‘Elias is a creature of pattern, like the rest of his ilk. Hurt boys and angry men.’

My heart beats once, but I keep breathing in mock-measured intervals.

‘So you do know where he is. Can you reach out to him?’

‘Police custody. For now. And if I could reach out, the news would be reporting a fugitive found dead in the gutter.’

My throat quivers as I open my mouth. ‘You’d kill him?’

His eyes land on mine. ‘Of course. What’s one more Crane brood to add to the list?’

He studies me. Tries to intimidate me.

It’s working.

I let the anger out – just a little.

‘I will give a statement today, during the hearing. Tell them exactly what he did to me. You will give me assurance that you will not attempt to harm me in any way.’

‘You will also stop emailing journalists regarding the Crane business.’

My gut twists.

‘You knew I’d spoken with Mr MacLeish back then.’

‘You don’t make it difficult to watch where you strut about.’

I lift my head slightly. ‘You’ll be taking over the management of the company, too?’

He chuckles. ‘Why, are you interested?’

Something vicious and urgent sparks in me. ‘I might be. Depending on what it is you’re using it for.’

‘Desperate, are we?’

‘I’ve been held captive in a different country for months. I am low on income and have a house to pay off.’

He regards me for a short while, then begins a slow walk back towards the desk. Straightening his cuffs, he eases down into the seat.

‘I don’t see how you might be useful to me in the company.’

I keep my voice steady. ‘I can do my best. Elias said Isak kept a journal. Melody knew the names. Arthur knew the routes. You knew how to make all three disappear, which means you have all of the above in your possession.’