Speak No Evil by Martyn Waites Page A

for it.’
    She looked round. ‘What, even in here?’
    He smiled. ‘Even in here. City hasn’t been gentrified that long. Ancestral race memories and all that. Anyway. Please continue.’
    â€˜Right. Well, she’s up here now. She’s moved about a lot. She’s got her son with her, like I said, and a partner.’
    â€˜And do they both know who she used to be?’
    â€˜The partner does. The boy doesn’t.’
    â€˜Right. What’s she like?’
    â€˜Very bright, very sparky, highly intelligent,’ said Wendy. ‘Self-educated, obviously. Did all sorts of studying inside. But, needless to say, that hasn’t translated to a steady job or a happy life since then.’
    â€˜Sure. High IQ doesn’t always equal high self-esteem. Especially not when you’ve had her background.’
    Wendy smiled. ‘You’ve met her boyfriend, then.’
    Donovan raised an eyebrow.
    â€˜Oh he’s all right, I suppose. I’m sure he loves her. She’s always saying how good he is to her. I’m sure he is.’ Wendy took another mouthful of wine, looked at him, her face suddenly serious. ‘Do you think you would have a problem talking to her?’
    â€˜Why? How d’you mean?’
    â€˜She killed a little boy. And you … y’know.’
    Donovan nodded, took another mouthful of wine. ‘I know,’ he said. ‘Well, I don’t know. Honestly. But I’d give it my best shot. Give her the benefit of the doubt. She was only a child herself when she did that.’
    Wendy nodded. ‘I agree. I think everyone deserves a second chance. Well, most people, anyway.’ She smiled again. ‘But that’s good. In fact, that’s exactly what I was hoping you would say.’
    â€˜Good.’ Donovan returned her smile.
    The main courses arrived. They ate. He asked more questions about the job. What did they hope the book would achieve?
    â€˜We don’t want it to be sensationalist. Not the usual true crime kind of thing. Not just a ghosting job. More like what Gordon Burn did with the Yorkshire Ripper and the Wests. Your voice is just as important. That kind of thing. I’m sure that’s right up your street.’
    Donovan agreed it was. They worked out a rough schedule and working method. Interview Mae – Wendy still wouldn’t tell him her new name at this point – wherever she felt comfortable. Start generally, work in deeply. Mae knew what to expect. She knew how emotionally challenging the questions would be. She was prepared. She was ready.
    They finished their mains. The waiter cleared the plates away.
    â€˜That was brilliant,’ said Wendy. She leaned back in her chair. ‘Man, I’m stuffed.’
    As she leaned back, her large breasts strained against the low-cut dress she was wearing. He tried not to, but couldn’t help his eyes from dropping down there.
    She sat forward again. Another smile. ‘This is so great to have you on board. I can’t tell you how excited I am.’
    â€˜Good. I hope I can do a good job for you.’
    â€˜I’m sure you can.’
    Was she coming on to him? He didn’t know. But he didn’t mind. She was very attractive. And he was unattached.
    â€˜So …’ he began. He was so out of practice. ‘What about you. Tell me about you.’
    She looked slightly taken aback but a smile played round the corners of her lips. ‘I’m thirty-four, I work in publishing. I’m a literary agent. I love my job.’
    Donovan was smiling. Enjoying himself for the first time in ages. ‘Anything else?’
    â€˜Like what?’
    â€˜Married? Kids?’
    She blushed slightly. ‘There’s … someone. We’re not married, though.’
    â€˜Is he in publishing?’
    â€˜God no. Local government. Couldn’t do that. Get enough of writers all day.’ Then she looked at Donovan.