“Lucy King phoned, Jane Cook wants a word yesterday, and Dr. Anwar said to say ‘thank you amazingly.’ And that very pretty student with long, long legs and a short, short skirt dropped off her paper just now—said it was ‘late.’” She looked at the question forming on his lips. “Nothing else. Jane’s rung thrice.”

Alex was amused at Emma’s clipped tone, but he dashed toward the door outside, glancing at his cell phone. “What time was Lucy?” he called back.

“Hours ago.” She shot a dry look after him. Well, he’d taken his damned time, but he’d obviously made a move now. “Just before twelve.” She raised her voice, but he was gone.

Wanting privacy, he rushed into the garden where a group of specialist cardiac nurses were having their lunchtime cigarette. His phone showed a stronger signal and displayed two missed calls and two messages. He took it off mute and paused for a full minute, watching the time on the display, until it was showing two minutes past the hour, and his watch, five past. He was sure his phone was accurate to Greenwich, and after deliberating for another heartbeat, he played back the voice mail, steeling himself for Guy’s lilting Southern voice.

They were in reverse order, most recent first. Simon had sighted the car among the digital photos…Alex impatiently deleted it before it had played out. He’d call Simon tonight. Next, a brief, lovely message from Lucy, which made him smile. He’d call her shortly. That was it.

He stared at the handset. The phone time now made it four minutes past, his watch about seven after one. He stood still, thought of ringing Lucy, chose not to busy the line.

Three more minutes passed. He felt hot, angry that they were toying with him. They would call at two, and ignore the time adjustment. He started back to the building. Then it rang, and he inhaled silently.

“Yes? Alex Stafford—” but he didn’t get his name out before he realized it was his voice mail again. A message left at three minutes past one, the robotic voice reported. A change of gravity made Alex’s stomach lurch. “Dr. Stafford. This is the appointed time to talk. I don’t appreciate being asked to wait. I’ll find you later. If you have nothing for me, there’s something I’ll take.” He hung up.