‘Any of the texts get into violent stuff?’
‘No. Some smacking, bondage, humiliation. But no violence.’
‘There’s some things don’t translate well into text speak,’ said Jeanie.
‘So – do we think he’s capable of more?’ asked Carter.
‘Narcissistic, sex addict. Anyone who thinks only of themselves is capable of seeing things very differently to the rest of us,’ answered Pam as she looked over her bifocals at Carter. Carter looked back in mock offence.
‘Huh…?’ said Jeanie, shaking her head as she caught the conversation. ‘Narcissistic sex addict – got you down to a T, Carter.’
‘Very funny. What do we know about Goddard’s background?’ he asked.
Pam went back behind her desk and clicked onto her screen.
‘Christian Goddard: aged thirty-three.’
‘So he’s older than he looks?’ said Jeanie. ‘And he’s dating much younger women.’
‘Yeah, but they’re not teenagers,’ Carter chipped in. Jeanie gave him a semi-hostile look.
‘What? What is it with the women in this room and me?’ Carter lifted his left hand. ‘I am innocent till proven guilty.’
Jeanie turned her attention to Pam and ignored Carter’s theatrics.
‘What have you found out?’
‘He dates all ages,’ said Pam. ‘According to his text messages he’s even had a few flings with the older members of staff in the college and two receptionists.’
Robbo had been waiting to speak. He sat back and rocked in his chair as he lined up the Haribo jelly men in a row.
‘He may not like himself or others, especially women,’ he said. ‘But he is a man who sees through people. I think, somewhere along the way, he’s had his trust broken. Someone’s let him down badly so he puts on a front to the world, that’s why he can look behind other people’s masks. That’s the kind of partner he craves, someone who is as deep and complicated as himself. He wants them but, at the same time, he wants to destroy them.’
‘You get all that from looking at a photo of his cock?’ asked Carter, shaking his head and rolling his eyes.
‘He preys on the most vulnerable: women who have a history. They’ve been hurt, messed about, often suffered physical abuse, and he understands that enough to entice them in. He knows what they’re looking for and he gives them just enough to con them into trusting him.’
Carter and Jeanie left Robbo’s office together.
‘I have to go and see Tracy.’ Jeanie wanted to go. She had stood too close to Carter for too long. It was beginning to feel like they were a couple again. ‘See you later, Dan,’ she shouted back over her shoulder as she left him in the corridor outside Robbo’s office.
‘Wait. How’s it going apart from the phone calls?’
‘It’s getting fraught. She’s not Superwoman. I want her husband to come back home to support her now. Security-wise I think it makes sense. I don’t know what you think about that?’
Carter was nodding. His eyes were soft as he stared at her. Jeanie realized he hadn’t added anything to the conversation.
‘Dan, are you listening to me?’
He shook his head. ‘Sorry.’ Carter turned on his heels and walked away down the corridor. ‘Leaving the Dark Side for half an hour – I need air.’
Chapter 38
After Breakfast Ebony pushed pretend Archie to the shops on the edge of the estate as soon as the kids had gone to school and the estate had calmed. She made sure the doll’s face was hidden. If anyone asked she was going to say the baby had chicken pox. She spent an hour on Facebook when she got back. She confirmed Selena’s invitation for coffee – it was changed to one instead of eleven. As she was about to sign off Yan came on line.
‘How’s things? How’s it going with the form? Need any help?’
‘I do. Can you spare the time? It would be great just to chat through my options’.
‘Options are my speciality. What about coffee this afternoon at three in the café opposite the college?’
‘Sounds good. I appreciate it. Thanks.’
Ebony signed off with a smiley face :-) She heard a message come through on her phone.
Yan added: ‘I have texted you my number in case you change your mind.’
Ebony picked up her phone from the floor beside her and read the message. She was just wondering how he got her number.
In case you’re wondering – I got your number from the forms you filled in ;-)
Ebony texted back: ‘See you at 3.’ She sat looking at her phone. Interesting, she thought, unprofessional, even to take her number. She hadn’t expected that.
‘Nice place,’ said Ebony as Selena opened the door to her.
‘Thanks. Come in. Glad you could make it. How’s Archie?’
‘He’ll be okay, thanks.’
‘Been here long?’ Ebony asked as she went inside.
‘About a year.’
Ebony followed Selena through the flat to the kitchen at the back of the house. She walked straight over to the window, which overlooked a small garden with a kid’s swing and a bike.
‘It’s a bit overgrown,’ said Selena. ‘I’m going to tackle it by the time spring comes.’
‘It looks great – loads of potential. It’s just great to have a garden.’
‘Yeah, I feel lucky. I’m sorry it’s a bit cold though. I can’t afford to have the heating on when I’m here alone.’
‘Of course. It’s the same as my place. I don’t mind the cold.’
‘I thought you’d really feel it coming from Jamaica?’
‘Yeah…’ Shit, thought Ebony. She’d let her guard down. ‘Surprising how quickly you can adapt to a climate.’
‘Do you miss it?’
Ebony nodded, shrugged. ‘Yeah, but I’m better off here.’
‘Because of Archie’s dad?’
‘Yeah, Archie’s dad. Plus, this is my home. I was here till I was twelve. It always felt like home. After I had Archie I felt the urge to come back – the homing instinct.’ She remembered what Jeanie had said about wanting to go home when she had Christa.
‘Did you grow up in London?’
Ebony relaxed a little. Now that conversation had returned to London she could use her own life as a reference point. She only had to be truthful.
‘Here, there, everywhere. I was in foster homes and kids’ homes in between going back to my mum but she moved all over London. I spent more time away from her than with her.’
Selena was filling the kettle. She turned and smiled at Ebony.
‘I’m sorry. It must have been really tough.’
Ebony shrugged. ‘Some times were worse than others.’
‘You must have really missed your mum.’
Ebony didn’t answer. She’d already said more than she’d ever usually tell anyone, and to a complete stranger. What was it about being undercover that meant she was beginning to open up about her own life like that? Did it feel safer because it was like playing someone else, even when she was telling the truth? ‘What about you? Are you from London?’
Selena shook her head. ‘I’m originally from Bristol. I came up here to work in a graphic design studio in Islington. I did a degree in it, and then I got pregnant. I decided to keep the baby. I am retraining now. I miss the money I used to earn and the social life I had; but it was all worth it. She’s called Imogen.’
‘I saw her photos on Facebook – she’s so cute.’
‘Yeah, I think so. Tea?’
‘Yes, please. Milk, two sugars.’