Open the bloody curtains, you idiot! he shouted at himself.
But he lacked the energy; his limbs felt like lead, and he could hardly keep his eyes open.
I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I can’t find you, I’m sorry!
When Lisa woke at 8:00 am, she immediately started fussing. Michael was crashed out next to her, and she thought it better to let him sleep. God knows he would need it after the night before. They had no solid plans for the day, so she had decided they should both take it easy. She left the room and headed for the kitchen. There were croissants in the freezer and jams in the cupboard.
She would start without him, she decided, but it wasn’t long before he joined her in the kitchen.
“How did you sleep through that?” His hair was dishevelled, and he was trying to move it back into a more acceptable state with the palm of his hand.
“What?”
“The girl, she was crying and screaming. I hope she’s all right!”
“What girl? I didn’t hear a girl,” she said, aghast.
“You are incredible. How could you not hear her?” He smiled and shook his head at her.
“Really, I didn’t hear a thing. Do you think we should ask the neighbours if everything is all right?”
“Yes, I do. I’ll get dressed and go round.”
“Do you have to do it right away? I thought we could have a bath?” She moved over to him and planted a big kiss on his lips.
“I really think I should, darling. You should have heard her.”
“Come on, Michael, you did enough of the hero stuff last night. I’m sure she is fine. Come and have a bath with me.” She grasped the lapel of his pyjama top and gently pulled him in the direction of the bathroom.
“Lisa, I have to go. She may be hurt!”
“It’s none of our business. Let it be!”
“I can’t. I’m worried about her!”
“Okay, if you think you have to. But make it quick—I will be in the bathroom.”
Michael headed back to the bedroom whilst Lisa made for the bathroom.
Ten minutes later he was back at the bathroom door, looking confused.
“And what did you find, Sherlock?”
“They don’t have a daughter. Both neighbours are young couples.”
“Maybe it was one of the women?”
“No, I asked. I don’t understand it?”
“Maybe it was just a dream?”
“Maybe, I don’t know. Maybe it was?”
“Come on, get in here with me. I will take your mind off it.”
Michael slowly undressed and gingerly stepped into the hot water. Lisa made room for him to sit down next to her. Two minutes later, he was sound asleep again.
Lisa was debating whether to wake him, when the doorbell sent her scrambling for her dressing gown. Not expecting anyone, she wondered if it might be one of the neighbours with an explanation for Michael. When she opened the door, she was surprised to find Von Klitzing outside.
“Herr Von Klitzing, what a surprise!”
Lisa shifted uncomfortably, pulling the thick dressing gown together over her chest.
“Hello, Mrs Jarvis, I am sorry to bother you both on a Sunday, but I need to talk to your husband.”
Von Klitzing didn’t wait to be invited in, instead pushing past her into the centre of the entrance hall.
“I am afraid he is still sleeping,” she said indignantly.
“Then wake him; there is a situation that requires his attention.”
Lisa was not accustomed to demands and was just about to tell him where he could stick his situation, when Michael appeared at the living room door. He too was wearing a dressing gown, the sweat on his forehead giving the impression she had run the bath water far too hot.
“It’s okay, honey. How can I help you, Herr Von Klitzing?”
“Mr Jarvis, you made quite an impression last night. The mayor would like to thank you personally for your help.”
“That’s very nice of him, but there is no need.” Michael’s stomach turned at the thought, and he wished he had followed Lisa’s advice and taken a taxi home.
“I am afraid it is too late, Mr Jarvis. He has already arranged an audience at the town hall at midday. It would be very disrespectful to turn him down.”
Von Klitzing had given him little choice, and Michael could see no alternative, so he accepted as graciously as he could.
“Okay, but I have no idea what I should do, or say.”
“That is no problem, Mr Jarvis. Meyer-Hofmann has a very close working relationship with the mayor’s office. If you allow us, we would like to prep you for the meeting. I have a car waiting downstairs, at your convenience.”
“He has to have breakfast first!” Lisa insisted. “You can’t expect him to leave without something in his stomach.”
She heard her mother’s voice in her shrill tone, and her face flushed for a moment.
“I am fine, darling. Let me get some clothes on, Herr Von Klitzing. I will be right with you. Can we pick Lisa up on the way to the Town Hall?”
“Of course,” Von Klitzing answered and headed towards the door. “I’ll be waiting downstairs.”
Nodding in Lisa’s general direction, Von Klitzing disappeared out the front door.
“I hate that man. He gives me the creeps, always scratching at himself; it’s disgusting. Do you have to go, Michael? What on earth can they do to help you?”
“I have no idea, but I am not about to make any more waves before I even start the job.”
Shrugging his shoulders, he left for the bedroom. Ten minutes later, with a slice of toast clamped between his teeth, he was gone, leaving Lisa sat at the dining table alone, looking at the place settings and fighting back more tears.
This is getting to be a habit, now pull yourself together, she admonished, sniffing hard.
21
Michael returned at 11:30 am totally composed. He kissed her on the cheek as he entered.
“You look wonderful, darling. I’ll just put on a jacket, and then we can go.”
She was wearing a Dior trouser suit she had got for a fraction of the normal price at TK-Max. The black suit was designed to be worn without a blouse, the plunging neckline showing off the wearer’s cleavage. But Lisa had decided that might be a bit too much for the mayor and the waiting media. The last thing she wanted was to attract too much attention, so she had put a cream tailored blouse underneath it. Admiring herself in the hall mirror, she decided it that it didn’t hurt to look good. Picking up the small blue clutch bag she had chosen, to add some colour to the outfit, she turned and smiled as Michael came back from the bedroom.
“My God, what a lucky guy I am.”
Linking his arm through hers, he gave her a peck on the cheek, and they headed downstairs to the waiting limousine.
Despite outward appearances, Michael was only just holding it together. He had no idea what had just happened to him; he had no recollection of the last two hours. Von Klitzing had taken him directly to the club, and then everything was blank. He had come round in the car returning to the apartment. Heinz was driving and seemed unperturbed when Michael asked him how he got there.
“You fell asleep, sir,” he had said nonchalantly. “Don’t worry, you will be fine.”
Back in the car, now with Lisa by his side, he was fighting to stay calm. He had no idea what awaited them and was praying he could hold it together