Relief at the success of my trip was short-lived. It was quickly replaced by fear now I knew Arthur was on to me. Although Taylor’s disguise had given me time to get to Finsbury Park and back, I couldn’t be sure how Arthur had reacted to the subterfuge. The realisation that his obsession had led to Mitch’s murder still seemed incomprehensible but then I’d never really paid Arthur that much attention. I only ever had eyes for Mitch. Arthur had been a stopgap, a distraction from real-life issues. Yet the flippant dismissal of his delusional intentions may have cost my lover his life.

I got out of my wet clothes and decided to give myself an hour or so to recover before going out again. A soak in a hot bath should help. As I drank the mug of sweet tea, I planned the impromptu visit I had to make before going to the police station.

I attached my headphones, carefully pushing the attachments into my ears, and slipped down into the warm foamy water, letting myself get lost in Chopin nocturnes. A small red candle flickered at the foot of the bath and as I let the music envelop me, I closed my eyes.

Soon the nightmare would be over.

89

Arthur

I parked a couple of streets away and walked slowly, tight to the hedge, and kept my head down. Sunglasses had been replaced by heavy black glasses with thick clear convex lenses.

From a vantage point across the road, I bent down and retied my shoelaces. I looked up at the second floor, watching for movement from within.

The lights had been on when I first arrived but now they were dimmed. I decided to hang around a while longer before I went in. I was in no hurry.

The bastard in the phone shop had acted as if he didn’t recognise me.

‘Good morning. How can I help? I’ll only be a second.’ The shopkeeper had been counting out a hefty pile of cash when I entered. He excused himself and headed out the back through a plastic curtain.

The CCTV camera was still pointing down at me but today I’d bulked up my shoulders with insertions of hand towels around my neck. I’d also been delighted with an unexpected find in the local charity shop of a pair of men’s heeled shoes. Some ineffectual undersized egotist must have had them specially made because they added nearly an extra three inches to my height.

I had perfected a mincing walk which, when filmed along with my more substantial frame, should divert suspicion. As I caught sight of my image in the shop window, I was pleased with the reflection of my genius.