Page 51 of The Unforgiven

I laughed, elbowing him in the arm. “I need to record you saying things like that and then I can play them as mantras anytime. You should go into motivational speaking or something like that.”

“Nah, not my thing. I’d have to stand still else I’d give people a headache. What are you doing tonight?”

For a moment I thought he was going to ask me out. “Showering. I might try and read a book. You?”

“Picking my kids up. They’re with me till Tuesday so if you want another session, it’ll have to be after that. You can always phone me, though, if you want more motivational talk.”

So he wasn’t going to ask me out. I felt like a fool.

I’d known him years and never looked at him like this before. Why now? I had a boyfriend. I didn’t shit where I ate either, knowing when not to spoil a good thing, and this was a good thing.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Want a lift home?”

I shook my head. I could make good decisions. “I’m good. You go get your kids. I’ll get home on the tram.”

He gave me a wink and another grin. “Well, you know you’re capable of looking after yourself.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

I didn’t have to be in until ten that morning, a gift from Wrigley for the hours put in over the weekend. It wasn’t a gift, really. What he was doing was giving us space to allow us to process, time away when we’d take our minds off what we were looking for in the hope that when we drifted back to it, we’d have a fresh perspective, maybe notice a new link.

Lucy had stayed away last night, so I had the apartment to myself, no signs of Friday’s party anywhere to be seen, no noises that I didn’t make. No one to check up on or be checked up on by.

I managed to sleep, despite feeling like someone was watching me. Sometimes, the cases got to me like this; they made me remember how vulnerable we were. I woke early, like always, slightly achy from fighting with Jalen the evening before, had a quick bite of something that looked like it was still in date and grabbed a banana before driving to the place where I usually did parkrun. For once, it wasn’t raining, the temperature mild and even the sign of some sun.

I ran quickly, pacing myself for a negative split, the slight wind hitting me head on and waking me up. The last hundredmetres before the usual finish line were in front of me when another runner met my pace.

He was tall, broad and muscular, darked eyed and dark haired, the sort of jaw that can never look clean-shaven and I recognised him as the man I’d nearly walked into a week or so ago, although it felt like ancient history.

He slowed as I did, barely out of breath, coming to a walk at the same time as me.

Two dog walkers were near us. A family pushing two buggies just up ahead. There were people around and this man didn’t look like a killer, but then again, unfortunately for all concerned, killers didn’t go around with labels on their heads.

“Mia Bryce.” He said my old name clearly but quietly.

“You’re Atlas.” I kept heading for my car, keeping in sight of other people.

“That’s one name.” He stopped a couple of feet from where I was parked. “I’m not your killer. I don’t know your dad either. I do have something for you.”

“You didn’t want to email it?”

He grinned. “I wanted you to meet me in person and offer you half an explanation. Can’t give you the full one, unfortunately.”

“Can I have a name other than Atlas?” My heart wasn’t getting the message to slow down.

He opened his mouth to speak, maybe to say it, and then shook his head. “I like Atlas actually. Stick with that. The murders you’re working on, I’m getting some intel to pass to you.”

“Why me?”

“Because you can keep a secret.”

I must’ve lost all colour. “What do you mean?”

“Your dad. Who he is. Anyway, wait here while I get you something from my car.”

I stood, frozen, watching, wondering what the fuck to do. The car park was busy with families and couples and a walking party. It was doubtful Atlas was going to pull me into the boot of his car or drag me away. I also doubted he was going to pull out a weapon and commit mass murder.