Chapter 16
‘ T heodore?’
The voice was not calling to wish him many happy returns of the season, that much was obvious. The phone had interrupted a very pleasant evening, and Theo had excused himself and wandered back into the lovely foyer, staring upwards at the twinkling glow of the huge Christmas tree, even as his uncle’s voice was like steel down the telephone.
‘Hello, Uncle.’
‘I am just looking at my online banking ...’
It was ten o’clock at night. Of course he was.
‘And there are frankly some absolutely ABSURD expenses on here. You can take her out for dinner, but you can’t take the piss.’
‘No!’ stammered Theo. ‘I’m not.’
‘Well, what the bally hell are you up to then?’
‘I ... I have a lead,’ said Theo. ‘We’ve identified the writer and artist together.’
‘REALLY?’
Theo could practically feel him rubbing his hands together.
‘Yes.’
‘So, it exists, you think?’
‘I think it’s definitely possible ... We’re moving on to Edinburgh.’
‘Oh, you’re a “we” now, are you?’
‘No, but . . .’
‘No, I quite understand,’ said his uncle with an unpleasant sneer. ‘Honeytrap, eh? Tempt her in, then pounce when the moment’s right. Like it, like it. Didn’t think you had it in you. Jolly good.’
He sniffed and the computer clicked in the background. Theo had absolutely no doubt he was still staring at the accounts.
‘Don’t you dare come back without it,’ said his uncle, his voice as cold as ice.