Page 113 of A Long Way Back
“I doubt it. There’s a lifetime anonymity order on me. I was named at the trial because the press argued they couldn’t report the case in context if they didn’t reveal I was Ru’s brother, but after that, I disappeared into the system. This is probably just about Covent Garden.”
“And if it’s not?”
Ink scratched at his wrist. “I… Only Carter and a few others know Ink Farrow was once Killian Byrne. The others wouldn’t risk revealing who I was. It’s their job to keep me safe.”
“Except you ran when they failed to do that.”
The banging at the door continued.
“I could go and see what they want,” Tay said. “Tell them you’re not here.”
“Where did you take me after we snuck out of the hospital? They’ll know I was too weak to go anywhere. The Uber driver didn’t see my face, and he dropped us at the end of this street, but maybe they traced him.”
“They wouldn’t be able to access anything about him. It’s more likely the guy upstairs saw us coming back and even though your face was swathed in bandages, he guessed it was you. He didn’t even have to have seen that. You were here a few days ago. Enough for the press to come sniffing around.” Tay exhaled. “What about giving them an interview?”
“No. I want it all to go away. I can’t speak to them. I won’t. It’s asking for trouble.”
“Do you trust me?” Tay grabbed Ink’s hand and stopped him worrying his wrist.
Ink gave him a sad smile. “Haven’t I proved that I do? I told you my name. The first time I’ve used it in fourteen years.”
“I’ll speak to them. Stay in here.”
“Don’t tell them I’m here.”
Tay closed all four doors in the hallway before he opened the front door of the flat. A woman with a microphone stood there, a guy with a camera on his shoulder behind her and more guys were behind.
“I’m Teresa Day withThe Sunnewspaper. I’d like to speak to Ink Farrow.”
“He’s not here.”
“I just wanted to ask him what made him decide to tackle the terrorist. He was very brave.”
“He’s not here.”
“How did you feel when he used your crutch?”
“Please stop bothering me.” Tay closed the door and put his ear to it.
“Shit,” he heard her say.
The outer door closed and Tay went into the main room to see them getting into a car. When it had pulled away, he went back to Ink who was lying on the bed.
“They’ve gone.”
Ink nodded. “Maybe. The press are persistent.”
Tay lay down behind him. “This is what we’re going to do. I’m going to find a company to transport the contents of the flat, and hopefully us too, up to my parents’ home in Beadnell. We’re going to leave tomorrow. I’m going to keep you safe.”
Ink didn’t say anything.
“You’re not going to sneak out of here and leave me and Dog,” Tay added.
Ink still didn’t say anything.
“Because that would be cowardly and I know you’re not a coward.”You’re my hero.But it wasn’t the right time to tell him that.
When Ink had drifted back to sleep, Tay went to sit at his desk. It took a bit of doing to find a company that could do the move tomorrow, though he failed to find anyone who also had room for two passengers and a dog. When he thought about it, he decided it was safer for Ink not to travel with the van. Then the removal guys would have no idea he was involved.
