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“Of course. I remember.”
“Look, I’m down in London and I was wondering if we could get together somewhere and have a chat. Maybe over a drink or something?”
There was a pause, then she said, “Are you asking me out?”
“No. Sorry. I’m getting this all wrong. Please excuse me. Blame the heat. I mean, that’s why I thought a drink might be a good idea. Somewhere cool, if there is such a place.”
“Yes, it is hot, isn’t it. What do you mean, then? I’m afraid I don’t follow.”
“I just need to pick your brains, that’s all.”
“I remember. You’re a policeman, aren’t you?”
“Yes, but that’s not why… I mean, it’s nothing official.”
“Well, you’ve certainly got my attention. You could come over to the flat.” She paused. “I’ve got an electric fan in the office.”
“Have you got a computer?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Great,” said Banks. “When would be convenient?”
“Well, I’ve got a meeting with a client this afternoon – I’m afraid free weekends are never a given if you’re an accountant out on your own – but I should be done by early evening. Say five o’clock?”
Banks looked at his watch. It was half past three. “All right,” he said.
“Good. Have you got a pen and paper handy? I’ll give you my address.”
Banks wrote down the address and listened to Cori
By the time A
It was the first time A
She took a moment to bring herself back to the present. Je
A
A
A
If it was the same person who had killed Je
But Banks hadn’t been there; he’d been about a quarter of a mile away, in his temporary flat. Had Banks any idea of what was going on? Was that why he had taken off so early in the morning? That was the big question, A
Cori
“Come into the back,” she said. “That’s where the office is.” An electric fan stood on the table by the open window, slowly turning through about ninety degrees every few seconds, sending out waves of lukewarm air. It was better than nothing.
“Everyone seems to work at home these days,” Banks said, sitting in a winged armchair. Cori
“They say tea’s refreshing in hot weather,” she said, “but the thought of drinking anything hot doesn’t have much appeal at the moment.”
“This is fine,” said Banks. “Thank you.”
Cori