Free The Game Changer by Louise Phillips Page A

protein in the soup makes them grow fast, and that’s when they get eyes and legs and wings.’
    ‘And how do you know all this?’
    ‘I learned it in school, but a butterfly isn’t my favourite. Everyone picks a butterfly.’
    ‘So what’s your favourite?’ She checked the time on the Mickey Mouse clock. It was nearly nine thirty, and Adam still hadn’t called.
    ‘A firefly.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘Because a firefly reminds me of Addy,’ he said triumphantly.
    ‘Addy?’
    ‘They shine from the inside. Teacher says, not everyone can see their light, but I do when Addy plays with me, which is why I like him even though Adam doesn’t see the good bits.’
    ‘He does, sweetheart.’
    ‘No, he doesn’t, but that’s not his fault.’
    ‘Oh?’
    ‘Addy doesn’t show them to him, so it’s hard.’
    ‘I see. At least, I think I do.’
    ‘It’s all right, Mum, don’t look so worried. Some day Addy will let him see them, and they won’t argue any more.’
    She rubbed his cheek. ‘I hope you’re right, clever clogs. Now, settle down or you’ll be falling asleep in school tomorrow.’
    ‘Night, Mum. Love you.’
    ‘Love you too.’ Then, changing her tone from soft to serious, she said, ‘Now go to sleep.’
    He turned his back to her, pulling the duvet over his head as she closed the door. She turned on the light in the hall, knowing he liked to see the light coming under the door at night.
    She checked the time again, deciding she would give Adam another half an hour before phoning him. As she walked into the study and took the note from the desk drawer, she decided to concentrate on the articles that formed parts of it, rather than the cut-out words, but the columns didn’t make any sense. Each sentence had been tapered off before the finish, and whoever had cut out the shapes had been careful not to reveal which newspaper it was either, or any other detail, including a publication date. Her training told her that everything about it, including the envelope it came in, mattered. She also knew Adam wouldn’t be impressed with her touching it without wearing protective gloves, but her reaction earlier on, when she was taken by surprise, would have eradicated any worthwhile forensic evidence. She would need to be more careful next time, if there was a next time.
    When she heard the knock at the apartment door, she assumed it was Adam, having forgotten his key, but leaving the study, she hesitated before opening the door, looking through the peephole instead. She was surprised to see Malcolm on the other side. Opening the door, she stood back, staring at him.
    ‘Are you okay, Kate?’
    ‘Yes, I’m fine.’
    ‘I was concerned about you. Earlier on, you seemed frazzled.’
    ‘Did I?’ She realised he was looking beyond her, towards the study.
    ‘Doing extra homework?’ he asked.
    ‘I guess you could call it that.’ Turning, she closed the study door.
    ‘Can I come in?’
    ‘Sorry. Of course – how rude of me.’ She stood back to let him pass.
    He walked towards the living area, and as she shut the front door, she asked, ‘How did you get into the communal hallway?’
    ‘Someone was leaving so I slipped in. Why?’
    ‘No reason. I just wanted to make sure the key code pad was still working.’
    ‘You shouldn’t rely on that for security, Kate.’
    ‘Why not?’
    They stood face to face in the living room.
    ‘It isn’t reliable.’ He removed his coat, placing it over the couch’s arm rest, and sat down. ‘Most people use number association or both, as part of their passwords. We have so many logins these days that it’s not unusual for a person to use the same password or a similar one for all kinds of things.’
    She sat down opposite. ‘I don’t get you.’
    ‘I could be mistaken, Kate, but for all your expertise, I doubt you’re very different from others when it comes to creating codes. People will use the same words or numbers for their computer login, alarm code, bank cash card,