Free Owning Jacob - SA by Simon Beckett

towards his fingers. He stubbed the cigarette out in a surprisingly elegant cut-glass ashtray that was already overflowing and let the smoke out through his nose and mouth.
    'Now, Mr Murray,' he said. 'What can I do for you?' Ben took his eyes from the twin plumes of smoke issuing from the man's nostrils. 'I, er, I want you to locate somebody for me.' The detective took a blank form from a drawer. It looked like one he had typed up and photocopied himself. 'What's their name?'
    'Kale. John and Jeanette Kale.'
    'Man and wife or brother and sister?'
    'They're married. At least, they were, the last I heard of them.'
    'And when was that?'
    'Six years ago.' The detective wrote on the form without looking up. 'Can you give me any more details?' Ben told him as much as he knew from the newspaper reports. Quil ey didn't interrupt, and broke off writing only
    to light up another cigarette. He dropped the match into the ashtray and picked up the Biro again.
    "Why do you want them locating?' Why …?' Ben faltered. Quil ey looked up. He had a habit of half smiling that made him seem to be recal ing some private joke.
    "You needn't tel me, of course, but sometimes it makes my job easier. I don't like to get involved in anything without knowing the reason.' Ben had worked out his story beforehand in case he was asked. He'd hoped he wouldn't be. 'I'm researching a book about the Gulf War. John Kale served there, and I'd … wel , I'd like to interview him.' He'd decided against making any mention of the Kales' son. Lying wasn't one of his strong points, and he didn't want to give anyone any hints as to what he was real y trying to find out. If the detective was any good he would learn about the abduction for himself. He might even tel Ben if the baby had been found without him having to ask.
    Quil ey's grey eyes seemed speculative as he gazed across at Ben. 'Have you been in touch with the MOD?'
    "The what?'
    'Ministry of Defence.'
    'Uh, no, no I haven't Not yet.' He felt completely transparent, but the detective simply made another note. 'And when I've located the Kales, do you want me to approach them?'
    'No, just… just find out where they are now, what they're doing. That sort of thing.' He hoped he sounded natural. 'I'l get in touch with them myself.' Quil ey took another deep pul on the cigarette, head bowed over the form. Smoke trailed up lazily through his hair. Who's publishing it?'
    'Sorry?'-
    'The book.' The detective looked up at him again. Who's
    publishing it? You did say that's why you wanted to find the Kales, didn't you?'
    'Oh, right.' Ben's mind raced, conscious of the man calmly watching him. 'I'm not sure yet.' Quil ey nodded, smiling faintly.
    'It's stil in the early stages,' Ben went on. Shut up. The detective regarded him for a moment longer, his smile lingering, then asked for Ben's address and telephone number. He set his pen down on top of the form.
    'Wel , I think that's al I need to know for now. I can't say exactly how long it'l take, but I should have something for you by the end of next week. Is there anything you'd like to ask?'
    'I don't think so.' Ben just wanted to get away from the hot, smoky office. He felt sure his lies were written on his face. The detective raised his eyebrows.
    'Don't you even want to know how much this is going to cost you?' Feeling somehow at a disadvantage, Ben said he did. The detective told him a daily rate that seemed surprisingly cheap.
    He agreed and pushed back his chair to leave.
    'Oh, one last thing,' Quil ey said, pen stil in hand. 'What's your occupation?'
    'Photographer.'
    'Real y?' The detective's half-smile was back 'Rather unusual, a photographer writing a book, isn't itY You sneaky bastard. Ben stared at him coldly. 'It's mainly photographs.'
    'Ah.'
    'Do you need references?' Quil ey chuckled, unperturbed. 'Oh, nothing like that I just like to know a little about who I'm working for.' He came from around the desk and opened the door for Ben.
    'Leave it with me, Mr