Page 112 of The Hallmarked Man
‘Who – Rupert? Why would I be worried?’ said Albie, now sounding slightly scared.
‘Well, he was under a huge amount of stress, wasn’t he? He had thepolice and a drug dealer after him, no family support – and maybe other things that were panicking him, that he didn’t feel able to cope with?’
It was the closest Robin dared go on the subject of Decima’s baby.
‘Rupe wouldn’t’ve killed himself,’ Albie said. ‘He’d never have done that. I’m sure he’s fine. I need to go, I’m meeting some people.’
‘I’ll get the bill,’ said Robin, and as she’d hoped, Albie’s good manners held him in his seat while she raised her hand for the waiter. ‘Why did you leave Dino’s?’ she asked, having mimed writing in mid-air.
‘I’d had enough, after how Mr Longcaster treated Rupe. I didn’t want to stay any more. A few other people said they were going to leave because of it, as well, but they didn’t,’ Albie said scathingly. ‘It was easier to stay. The money’s good.’
Five minutes later, the bill paid, they emerged together onto the crowded pavement, where drinkers were thronged.
‘Thanks for talking to me, Albie,’ said Robin. ‘I do appreciate it.’
She held out her hand, but when Albie shook it, she didn’t release it.
‘I think you know more than you’re telling me. I think you know where Rupert is.’
‘I don’t!’ said Albie. ‘Seriously, I don’t!’
‘Then you’re in touch with him.’
Albie pulled his hand free.
‘I’m not!’
She expected him to turn and hurry away, but now that she wasn’t physically restraining him, he seemed pinned to the spot by his own good nature.
‘Look,’ he said, ‘tell Decima – tell her he really loved her.’
Even in the darkness, Robin could see that Albie had turned pink again.
‘If he loved her, why would he walk out and leave her without a word?’
‘Maybe he had no choice,’ said Albie.
‘What does that mean?’
‘I mean, he must’ve had no choice,’ said Albie quickly, ‘because he reallydidlove her. It wasn’t for her money or anything, whatever Valentine thought. Rupe was really… he was mad about her.’
‘Why are you talking in the past tense?’ said Robin. ‘What changed?’
‘Nothing. I mean – he must’ve just decided it wouldn’t work. She’s a lot older and – and everything.’
‘Albie, I think you know more than you’re telling me.’
‘Sometimes you’re better off not knowing things,’ blurted Albie, as though the words had been wrung from him. ‘I’ve got to go. Thanks for the burger.’
He turned and strode away on his long legs, vanishing into the crowds.
Robin watched him disappear, then glanced nervously around. Nobody was watching her; there were no men lurking in the shadows, ready to spring.
She set off in the opposite direction from Albie, keeping an eye out for a vacant taxi, thinking about all Albie had just said, but also checking regularly over her shoulder.
PART THREE
‘They put a lot of money in, and they get a lot of dirt out, but one does not hear much of any silver.’
