Chapter 123
‘It’sgoing to be OK, Estelle,’ Poe said. ‘Tilly’s putting Beck’s photograph through an age-progression program she’s written. It can see past the beard and the specs so she thinks she’ll get something usable. Chief Superintendent Mathers will get the likeness out as soon as Tilly has finished. Beck won’t have time to worry about you, he’ll be too busy hiding.’
‘I’m not worried, Poe,’ Doyle said.
‘You’re not?’
‘No. You’re reckless, but not when it comes to the safety of others.’
Poe indicated and overtook a lorry that was overtaking a slightly slower lorry. One of them was hauling mattresses and he was reminded he hadn’t slept for twenty-four hours. He probably shouldn’t be driving, but he needed to get Doyle out of London. He wanted home ground advantage during the nationwide manhunt that was about to begin.
‘And I know you care about me,’ she added softly.
Poe kept his eyes fixed on the road, his hands gripping the steering wheel way harder than he needed to. ‘I do,’ he said eventually.
The silence was excruciating. Poe turned on the satnav, despite heading north on the M6, a journey he’d made an untold number of times. Where was Bradshaw when you needed her? There’d never been an awkward pause she couldn’t make worse with an ill-timed phrase or a too personal question. Right then, he’d have settled for another round of erectile dysfunction.
‘Have you been shopping, Poe?’ Doyle said at last, throwing a thumb over her shoulder.
Poe glanced in the rear-view mirror. Saw the bags on the back seat. He sighed in relief. Finally there was something noncontroversial to discuss.
‘The clothes you’re wearing aren’t all we bought,’ he said. ‘We got a load of stuff as we didn’t want you having to go home.’
‘That was very kind,’ she said. She reached back and grabbed a bag. Checked the brand. ‘This is an expensive shop, Poe. How much do I owe you?’
‘Don’t worry about it.’
‘There are six more bags back there.’
‘I said don’t worry about it. I’ll claim it all back on expenses.’
She opened the bag on her lap and peered inside. Poe glanced across, tried to gauge her reaction to what Bradshaw had chosen. He hoped it wasn’t too weird. Doyle smiled, which he took as a good sign.
She reached into the bag and held up something flimsy. ‘Is this what you think I wear, Poe?’ she said. ‘Red crotchless panties?’
‘Bloody hell,’ he grumbled.
‘Were they all out of edible ones?’
‘I just gave Tilly five hundred quid and asked her to buy stuff you might like.’
‘This really isn’t me at all.’
‘I’m sorry,’ he mumbled. ‘I should have checked.’
‘Yes, you should have,’ she smiled. ‘I only ever wearblacksex clothes.’
Poe went back to staring at the road.