FOURTEEN

 

ETHAN

 

 

"Where did you go?" she asked as I started the engine.

It was a simple enough question but I couldn't tell her the truth. I went to the car park because I had my membership revoked but I didn't get any further because I couldn't bear being away from her. No, I thought as I set off from the club. I had to tell her. The worst thing would be to let the lie continue.

"I have to tell you something," I said.

"What?"

"I put your name into the auction."

"What?"

"I'm sorry. I had to do it. I should have asked you but I was afraid you'd say no and I'm sorry."

"Is that what they wanted to talk to you about? In the club?"

I nodded. "I had my membership taken off me. They wouldn't even let me say goodbye to you. I thought maybe if I waited in the car park I might get to see you when you finished your shift, try and explain."

"But then Jason brought me out early."

"I'm glad he did. Gave me a chance to give him something he's needed for a long time."

She didn't answer. I was about to ask why when she suddenly said, "I'm glad you put my name in the auction."

"You are?" I was surprised. That wasn't what I expected her to say.

"I never would have been brave enough to do it. Sometimes I need a nudge to get anything done. I've always been like that. I'd never have done it on my own, not in a million years. But I'm glad it happened. I'm glad you did it."

"Good."

"That doesn't mean you're forgiven."

"Of course not."

"But if you spank me when we get in, maybe I'll think about it."

"I think that's definitely a possibility. After all, you've been bad too."

"I have?"

"You nearly went off with Jason Fry for the night."

"Urgh, don't even mention it. I don't know what I was thinking." Her face wrinkled in disgust.

"I don't think you were thinking at all. He's got a way with words, of making lies seem true. It worked on Elora."

"How long were you married for?"

"Two years."

"And he persuaded her to sleep with him?"

"He can't take all the blame. I wasn't a good husband. I was too busy with work."

"That's no excuse for having an affair."

"Isn't it?"

She shoved me in the arm. "No, it isn't. When I'm a world famous artist off on a commission for months on end, that isn't a get out of jail free card for you to get some floozy out of the club to take my place."

"Did you just say floozy?"

"I think I did. Let's gloss over that."

"No, let's talk about that lots. How was the Blitz for you?"

"Very funny. I'm allowed to say floozy if I want to. It doesn't make me old."

"Of course not. Now we're here. Are you up for a bit of hanky panky? Think your hip can take it?"

"Not if you keep teasing me."

"I plan to do a lot more than just tease you when we get inside."

But I frowned as I brought the car to a stop. Behind me on the drive was a pair of blue flashing lights. A police car pulled up behind me, the lights switching off with the engine.

"Mr Powers?" the officer said as he climbed out. "Mr Ethan Powers?"

"Yes, that's me. What's this about?"

"We've been called out as there's a suspicion you may have committed an offence. Do you know a Jason Fry?"

We both sighed. Alice rolled her eyes at me. "Yes. Let me guess, he's accusing me of assault?"

"Perhaps we could step inside out of the cold?"

"Come on then," I said as I unlocked the door. "Let's get this over with."

There were two of them, a man and a woman. The man sat on the sofa with his notepad in his hand. The woman stood by the door, not saying anything, just watching me closely. Alice sat next to me, looking nervous, as if she thought I might be arrested and taken away any moment.

"I'm P.C Deadman. This is P.C O'Harrah. Sorry to have to trouble you so late but we had a call this evening that you had an altercation with Mr Fry in the car park of a private club. Is that right?"

"You work pretty fast over a little scuffle. How much is he paying you?"

"I've no idea what you're talking about. Why don't you tell us what happened in your own words. I'll take a few notes, if you don't mind."

Jason had bunged someone a few notes of his own over this. There was no way a car would be despatched so quickly just to take a statement over a broken nose. He might have just been doing it to scare me but I still had to be careful.

"I was leaving the club when I saw Mr Fry attempting to force Miss Lawson here into the back of his car."

"Is that right, Miss?" Deadman asked, looking across at Alice.

She nodded. "I didn't want to go with him. He was trying to force me."

"I see."

I took over. "So I told him to let her go. He refused. There was a scuffle and unfortunately he ended up with a broken nose."

"I see. Well, I think we have all we need. Thank you very much for your time, Sir, Madam."

He nodded to his colleague who headed out of the door. "Hold on," I said before turning to Alice. "Back in a second."

I followed them to the front door, closing it behind me and standing outside with the two of them. "How are you, Adam?" I asked. "Pippa."

"Good thanks, Ethan. He's been pretty whiny with the big guys about this, just a heads up."

"No doubt. Listen, any chance I could borrow something from you? Just for tonight."

"Sure, what do you need?"