The Girl Who Stole the Apple

‘Thanks for doing this,’ he said. He was looking down at the crumbs on his plate, cradling his mug in his hands. ‘I really owe you.’

It didn’t break the silence, not immediately. But it didn’t provoke a violent reaction either. He half expected her to throw something — a plate or a mug. That would be easier to deal with. She could let off steam, he would clear up the pieces and then she’d realise she’d gone over the top and things would settle down. He raised his eyes and saw she was studying him. Her eyes were red.

‘So where do you want me to take you? Do you know where Maggie has gone?’

‘No.’

More silence. Sam watched her push the last piece of her toast into her mouth. She chewed it slowly as if she was trying to work something out. He was

happy with silence. He didn’t want to talk or try to find out what was wrong with her. He was still trying to work out his next move.

He swallowed the last of his tea, stood up and put his dirty things in the sink. ‘I need to make a call,’ he said and opened the outside door.

‘Who the hell to?’

He didn’t answer. He shut the door quietly behind him, and hobbled down the rough driveway. Only when he was sure he couldn’t be overheard did he make his call.

* * *

‘It’s me,’ the voice said.

It was an unknown number as far as Bowman’s mobile was concerned, but he recognised the voice immediately.

‘What the hell is going on, Sam?’

‘Maggie’s done a runner.’

Bowman swore.

‘It’s OK. She’s taken Beth with her.’

‘I see.’

‘She’s got the bracelet, so you’ll be able to track her.’

Bowman said nothing. He was trying to assess how this affected things. Mostly it was OK, except that Sam was stuck where he was and would need picking up.

‘Sinead is helping me.’

‘Sinead?’

‘My foot is a mess. Maggie left a pile of broken glass at the bottom of the stairs and I walked straight into it. And since she’s also taken the car, I rang Sinead and she’s helping out.’

Helping out? Helping out Sam, but not keeping him, Bowman, in the loop! Fury gripped him. First Sinead had failed to report in the previous night and he had had to ring her. Now she had skipped their rendezvous and instead driven God knows how far to help Sam! And Sam had let Maggie and the girl do a runner. What the hell was their game? The plan had been for Sam to win Maggie’s confidence and stick with her. Bowman liked to be in control, and he couldn’t help feeling that things were getting out of hand. He liked to keep his operatives separate too, reporting directly to him. Sinead and Sam were too damned close, that was for sure. But the bigger question was, what exactly were they up to? And then there was Maggie. Was she part of their game or were they playing her?

‘There’s one more thing,’ Sam said. ‘Maggie smashed my tablet.’

Bowman heard this, but said nothing. He was trying to assess this news and weigh up its implications.

‘So what now, boss?’ Sam said. ‘I can’t track her without a tablet.’

Boss? Sam never called him boss.

‘I know that, you idiot.’ Sam fell silent, waiting for a response. Bowman, let him wait, enjoying the moment. He knew exactly what he’d do now. Thanks to Maggie, he had got Sam where he wanted him.

‘I’ll text you a rendezvous point,’ he replied. ‘Just give me five minutes to check out where Maggie has got to.’

The bastard was playing him for a fool. He’d get him. And Sinead. And Maggie.