Page 137 of Crocodile Tears

“I know. The only asset you have left is yourself,” his father replied wretchedly. Alex’s heart skipped a beat. “Do you understand what that means? In order to pay back your debt, the courts will order servitude on a lifetime contract. You’ll lose your freedom, almost certainly forever.”

He started shaking. “Then so be it,” he whispered. “I won’t ask you to lie for me, or give up your company for me.”

“What was Neil Grant’s role in all this?” Noah asked sharply. “He helped transfer the money – was this his fault?”

“No,” Alex said firmly, looking up. “No, it wasn’t. It was all mine.”

“And the money’s gone? All of it?”

“Yes, all of it. Wasted. I’m sorry.”

His father ran a weary hand across his eyes. “I don’t know what todo. Either way, you’ve ruined us, Alex. You’ve ruined our entire family. First your mother and brother, and now me.”

“Do the right thing,” Alex told him. “I deserve whatever is coming to me.”

Unable to look up again or speak, he sat there, gazing at his hands, trembling. He was relieved when his father finally left.

Chapter Twenty-Three

OCTOBER 2095

Josiah

“Why don’t you unpack while I load up a cash card for you,” Josiah said when they returned to his house.

Alexander disappeared upstairs with his bag, while Josiah took an empty cash card from the hallway bureau and added funds. He took it upstairs and knocked on the door of the spare room.

“Uh – you can come in. It’s your house,” Alexander said as he opened it.

“Yeah, but it seems rude, without knocking.”

He handed Alexander the cash card, then glanced around. The IS had already unpacked theHalo of Firepicture, which was standing on the bedside table. It was strange how important this picture seemed to be to him.

“I need to get to work,” Josiah told him. “Come downstairs, so I can run through a few things with you before I go.”

“You’re leaving me here? Alone?”

“Well, yeah. I can hardly work this particular case with a possible suspect trailing along behind me. Plus, if I drive you to Inquisitus in my duck the press will go nuts trying to get photos.”

“Apossiblesuspect? This morning, I was yourprimesuspect. I seem to have been downgraded.” Alexander grinned.

“Don’t let it go to your head.” Josiah grinned back. “You’re confined to the house – don’t try to leave. I’ve set a perimeter alert on Tracker Plus, so if you set one foot outside the door it’ll sound an alarm. I can have the local police here within seconds.”

“Very thorough. I’ll try to be a good boy, then.” Alexander smiled seraphically.

“I suspect that’s never been your strong suit,” Josiah retorted. When Alexander gave a snort of laughter, he could have kicked himself. Was he flirting with the IS? He had to turn away and stomp off downstairs to stop himself joining in.

Alexander followed him back down into the living room, where Josiah gave him a few instructions. “If you need anything, order it online using the cash card and have it delivered.”

“Anything?” Alexander raised an eyebrow.

“Within reason. Remember, you really don’t want to piss me off.”

“Never.” Alexander gave him a sly wink.

He couldn’t help grinning in response. Something had changed between them at Dacre’s house; the formality had gone, and there was a sense of familiarity that he was enjoying far too much. Maybe he’d been alone for too long. “Also, help yourself to food. Any food. Make sure you eat.”

“Can I watch the screen?”

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