Free Lazybones by Mark Billingham

“Once he finds out where Remfry is and when he’s coming out, he starts sending the letters…”
    â€œHe gets everything from Remfry’s mother?”
    â€œRemfry’s mother…maybe one of the prison staff. I just think there are other things we could be looking at…”
    â€œWhat’s the motive, Russell?” Still the big question. “Why was Remfry killed?”
    Brigstocke puffed out his cheeks, leaned back in his chair. “Fucked if I know. Got to be worth talking to Mrs. Remfry again, though…”
    Thorne couldn’t see it, and yet there was something in what Brigstocke had said. Something that had caused Thorne’s heart to beat faster, just for a second; but, like the face of someone in a dream, like an object he oughtto recognize, glimpsed from an unfamiliar angle, it had faded away before he could see it for what it was.
    He was still trying to work it out when he spoke. “I’m chasing something else up. Something with the photos…”
    Brigstocke leaned forward, raised an eyebrow.
    â€œI’ll tell you if it comes to anything,” Thorne said. He looked at his watch. “Fuck, I’m going to be late…”
    As he was standing up, the phone began to ring in his office next door…
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    Holland’s mobile had rung just as he was heading across to the pub, for what was becoming something of a regular lunchtime pint. Andy Stone had given him that look. The one he’d been getting from a few of the lads, whenever the mobile rang, and they saw his face as HOME came up on caller ID.
    â€œShit,” Holland said.
    Stone took a few steps toward the pub doorway and stopped. “Shall I get you a beer, Dave?”
    Holland pressed a button on the phone and brought it to his ear. After a few seconds he caught Stone’s eye and shook his head.
    Sophie was still crying when he walked through the door twenty minutes later.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” He wrapped his arms around her, knowing what the answer would be.
    â€œNothing,” she said. “I’m sorry…I know I shouldn’t call.” The words sputtered into his collar between sobs.
    â€œIt’s okay. Look, I’ve only got about a quarter of an hour, but we can have a quick bit of lunch together. I’ll go back when you’re feeling calmer.”
    The baby was three months away. It was easy enough to put these weekly collapses down to hormones, but heknew that there was much more going on. He knew how frightened she was. Frightened that he would make a choice between her and the job. That he would think she was forcing him to make a choice. That the baby would not be enough to make him choose her. He understood because he was twice as scared.
    They sat on the sofa and cuddled until she grew quiet. He whispered and squeezed, feeling the bump against his leg that was the child inside her, staring across the living room and watching the minutes go by on the video recorder display.
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    â€œThorne.”
    â€œThis is Eve Bloom…”
    It took him a second to place the name, the voice. To put the two of them together. “Oh…hello. Sorry, I was miles away. Already thinking about lunch.”
    â€œIs this not a good time? Because…”
    â€œIt’s fine. What can I do for you?”
    â€œJust being nosy, if I’m honest. Wondered how it was all going. Stupid really, when I haven’t the faintest idea what it actually is. Just, you know, curious as to whether that tape you took away has helped you…solve… it! ”
    He remembered hearing the amusement in her voice before. The phone in that hotel room, pressed tight to his ear. Happy to hear it this time.
    â€œFine, but I have to be somewhere about ten minutes ago, so…”
    â€œThat’s okay, I didn’t really mean now anyway…”
    â€œSorry?”
    â€œWhat about lunch on Saturday? You can ask me a few pointless