Page 28 of 36 Hours

‘Yeah, a lady, promised me fish and chips, but I had an appointment at the office,’ he said, patting his pocket.

Yesterday had been Saturday. Lots of shoppers out, and WhatsApp had obviously made enough money for his drink of choice to be consumed in peace in his double doorway.

Penn considered asking for a description but given that he’d just been given a three-decade age range that covered both sexes, he didn’t hold out much hope for a photofit.

He decided to change direction. ‘Anyone you know likely to have accepted the offer?’

‘Hiccup.’

‘Excuse you.’

WhatsApp fell sideways he was laughing so hard.

Penn waited.

‘Not me, mate,’ WhatsApp said with tears rolling over his cheeks. ‘That’s his name. Hiccup. When he gets ’em, he gets ’em good. He’ll go off with anyone for a tube of Smarties.’

‘You seen him today?’

WhatsApp belched loudly before shaking his head.

‘Cheers, mate,’ Penn said, heading back to the car. It wasn’t a lot, but at least it was a place to start.

TWENTY-THREE

12.15P.M.

Kim placed a selection of pastries and drinks on the edge of Penn’s desk. ‘Not for you, Frost,’ she said, nodding towards her office, the glass-fronted room her team called the Bowl. ‘I need a word.’

The reporter looked to the others as though waiting for someone to save her before she moved.

‘You do know I’m not a member of your team?’ she huffed as she headed for the Bowl.

‘And you know that’s never stopped me bollocking you in the past,’ Kim retorted, closing the door behind her.

Frost stood in the middle of the room with her arms folded. ‘What?’

Kim took a seat behind her desk. ‘So, what’s the deal with you and Ryan Douglas?’ she asked.

‘I told you. He’s just an ex-boyfriend.’

Kim paused. The man had been a few years older; intelligent, good-looking and ambitious. What had gone wrong?

‘So why did you leave him?’ Kim probed.

‘Who says I did?’ Frost challenged her, and Kim wondered if during their entire history, they’d ever had a conversation that wasn’t combative.

‘He did,’ Kim answered.

Frost coloured and shrugged.

‘What did he do?’

‘Am I under arrest?’

‘If being annoying was a crime, yes, but no, you’re not.’

Frost turned to leave.