Page 48 of Go Now
They clicked on a few more, in silence.Ray’s fifth birthday, superhero-themed.Ray receiving some sort of cup or trophy, almost the same size as himself.
‘I almost can’t look at these,’ Kate said.‘Too sad.’
‘Me either.’
‘Marcus was going to talk to his contact in La Paz, so I guess our hands are tied on that for now.’
‘Still no news from him?’
‘No.I left him a message, but I don’t want to push it.I just wish I knew what happened.My mind always goes to the worst things.’
Her laptop signalled the arrival of a new message. She clicked on it, Chen looking on expectantly.
‘It’s not Marcus.It’s that guy you put me onto. Dr Ignaz. The soil specialist.’
She read his email, clicked on the attachment, read some more, rolled her eyes.
‘God give me strength.’
‘What’s up?’
Chen came over to look at Kate’s screen.It was full of graphs and symbols.
‘I asked him if he could pinpoint where the clay used in the statues came from,’ Kate said. ‘He narrowed it down to the south-east of the state, but he said there were some further tests he could do to get a more accurate result.I made sure he got a sample from the last sculpture as well. But he’s sent me this.I mean – what evenisit?’
Chen scanned the page, clicked through the rest of the document.
‘I see what he’s done. He’s done a detailed breakdown of the composition, probably way more detail than you need, to be honest.But he hasn’t cross-referred it with the geography.’
Kate growled.‘What’s the matter with the guy?’
Chen grinned.‘Maybe he left it out for a reason.’
‘What reason?’
‘Maybe he wants you to call him back.’
‘But why?Oh!’Realisation dawned, and it wasn’t welcome.‘No.No way.That’s crazy.It can’t be that.’
‘Is he cute?’
‘No.I mean, I don’t know, but I don’t care!He’s got this irritating, condescending voice, like… like your least favourite teacher.’She sighed.‘Seriously, I do not believe his mind works like that.Dr Ignaz is only interested in rocks.Ugh!And now I’ve got to ring him back and beg him to complete the work he said he’d do.Jeez.’
‘Actually, you don’t.’
‘What do you mean?Why don’t I?’
‘Because I can do the work.I mean, I’m pretty sure I can.I told you, I majored in geology. Give me ‘til tomorrow morning.If I can’t do it, I’ll hand it back.In fact, better than that.If I can’t do it, I’ll call Dr Ignaz.’
‘You’re very kind.’
‘If I do call him, shall I give him your number?’
‘NO!Anyway, he’s already got my number.I’m forwarding you the stuff now.’
It was only when Kate clicked on the mail app that she realised two emails must have arrived within milliseconds of each other.Underneath the report from Dr Ignaz was a reply from the Planning and Building Control Authority of Hoboken City. Kate had emailed an enquiry to them only yesterday, so she was surprised to see a reply so swiftly. It occurred to her to exercise some caution before opening it.
‘Any idea why Hoboken’s Building Control department would be working over the weekend?’
