Page 96 of We Chase Shadows

‘If it’s any consolation,’ says Steve, ‘guys like this usually end up in a ditch. Where have I seen this lad?’

‘I hope he does end up in a ditch,’ says Felicity. ‘And I hope I’m there when it happens.’

‘Revenge is more fun in the mind than in reality,’ says Steve. ‘Thinking of ways of killing someone is like looking at houses on those websites. Actually killing someone is like buying a house. Money, lawyers, stress.’

‘I just want to find him,’ says Felicity. ‘I just want to feel like I’ve done something for Tony.’

‘You do plenty for Tony,’ says Steve. ‘You don’t need to go to jail for him.’

‘I know,’ says Felicity. ‘I do know. But indulge me for now. Let me pretend to be a vigilante at least.’

Steve acknowledges this. He holds up the picture. ‘Can I keep this?’

‘Of course,’ says Felicity.

‘It’ll come to me,’ says Steve. ‘Where I know him from. It always comes to me.’

‘And Tony mustn’t know,’ says Felicity.

‘Of course,’ says Steve. ‘Goes without saying.’

He is staring more intently now. ‘I could swear he was …’

‘He was what?’ Felicity asks.

Steve thinks better of whatever he was about to say. ‘Nothing.’

But Felicity sees that there is something, and that gives her hope that Steve might find the man. She won’t push it for now.

‘I’m happy we’re friends, Steve,’ says Felicity. ‘That makes me feel very safe.’

‘Make sure you stay safe,’ says Steve. ‘I understand you want to find the guy who did this, but I won’t let you do anything stupid if we do.’

‘I hardly think I could do him much damage,’ says Felicity. ‘Much as I’d like to.’

Steve nods. ‘But no buying a gun or anything.’

‘Christ almighty, Steve, I’m an office manager,’ says Felicity. ‘And I don’t think you can buy guns in Hampshire.’

‘You can buy guns everywhere,’ says Steve. ‘We used to nick people at Sammy’s Boxing in Portsmouth all the time.’

‘Oh, Portsmouth, sure,’ says Felicity. ‘I meant Hampshire Hampshire. The posh bit.’

‘I’m serious though, Felicity,’ says Steve. ‘Revenge will eat you up. Leave it to me.’

‘I will,’ says Felicity. ‘I promise.’

Trouble stirs, opens one eye and looks up at her. He is, of course, just a cat, and handsome and wise as he is, Felicity knows she is being ridiculous to read anything into his look.

But she can’t deny it, Trouble’s look says to her: ‘Felicity Woollaston, don’t make promises you have no intention of keeping.’

48

Steve finishes his story. He has enjoyed telling it very much. The road to Connor Brooks, via Sara Lindstrat, Tommy Griffin, old Dotty Gunn, and Mike and Sue from the Málaga Bridge and Whist Club.

‘Of course he’s English!’ says Ernesto. ‘That makes much more sense, when do the Swedes ever give us any trouble?’

Ernesto raises a tumbler of whisky to the room.