Chapter Thirteen

Lucy has arrived at the café first, lifting an arm when she spots Strike entering. He stows the vape pen and strides past the waiter, gesturing to his sister on the way, and then kisses her cheek before sitting down opposite, saying, "Sorry I'm late."

She smiles, saying, "You're not. I'm early."

With a wry grin, he confesses, "Force of habit, I guess."

She's laughing when the waiter appears by his elbow, and asks, "Sir, can I get you anything to drink?"

"Coffee, black."

"And you, ma'am, would you like a top-up?"

Lucy lifts her cup, saying, "No, I'm fine, thank you."

With a plastic smile, the young man leaves them with, "All righty; I'll be back soon with your coffee, and then give you a few minutes to decide what you'd like."

Strike mutters a thankyou and is scowling after him when Lucy chides, "You can't possibly have a problem with him already."

"I don't like it when they don't write down the order."

"Black coffee? I'm pretty sure he's on top of it. Not that I object to dining with my brother. But what's the occasion?"

Strike had made an early booking to ensure relative privacy, but still glances around to make sure, and then asks, "Did you know Switch tried to visit Ted?"

"Yeah, they called me, but I couldn't imagine how he found out, so I told them to check with you."

"Thank you. And you know he's now going by Stephen Whitehall?"

"Yeah, they said that in the news report when he and Jeff gave a statement. Did you see it? Jeff looks like...I don't even know."

"Like a guy who's just said yes to drugs his entire life."

She breathes a laugh, saying, "Exactly. So, how did Switch find out about Ted?"

"Not sure, but..." Strike can see their waiter already returning with the coffee, so he instead asks, "You know what you want to eat?"

"Yeah, I'm thinking the chicken Caesar salad."

"Is that low-fat?"

Lucy laughs and asks, "What are you trying to say?"

Strike rolls his eyes, and explains, "No, for me. I've not had a bit of trouble with my knee since I lost some weight, so I need to keep it off."

"Yeah, you look amazing. In that case, you'd best get the quinoa salad. I considered that myself, but figured lunch with you is special enough to warrant treating myself."

Pleased that it's going so well, he thanks their waiter for the coffee, and says, "We're ready to order: one chicken Caesar salad and the quinoa salad, thanks."

A slightly less plastic smile and the menus are whisked away with, "Certainly, sir."

When they're again ostensibly alone, Strike says, "Anyway, Whitehall is reputedly very good with computers, so he might have found out that way, but he also bugged Robin's apartment and_"

"He what? When was this?"

"Uh, almost a month ago now."

"Stick, why on earth wouldn't you tell me that?"

"I dunno, we've been kind of busy."

"Too busy to tell me that our brother bugged your girlfriend's flat? Is she okay?"

"She's fine. You know she's moving soon anyway, so she's pretty much living at my place for now."

"And you're okay with that?"

Only now realising that there is in fact quite a bit he's neglected to tell his closest sibling, he reveals, "So okay that when she takes over Nick and Ilsa's place, both our names will be on the lease."

"You and Robin are going to live together?"

At the obvious joy on her face, he almost blurts out about the baby, but he and Robin agreed to keep it secret, at least until they're past the danger period for miscarriage. "Yep. So you can cross one thing off your bucket list, Luce." He mimes writing in a notepad, "Domesticate my brother."

Lucy reaches across the table to grab his hand, saying, "Oh my God, Stick, that's amazing. When did this happen?"

"Also a few weeks ago. Actually, that was one of the conversations that Whitehall would have overheard, which brings me neatly back to my point; I'm worried that he's dangerous." Lucy releases him and looks suitably grave as he explains, "The facts are that he's been researching me since he was an adolescent, and Robin for at least two years. He bugged her apartment, including her bedroom, and put a camera in her living room. What we suspect he's done is stalk us; he's good at disguises. We also believe he's using information about us to cause problems for the agency, and might have got Shanker stabbed, though that's the least likely, given that's how we met in the first place."

"He's okay?"

Lucy has barely had contact with Shanker, and only met him after Leda died. But Strike is certain that her concern is genuine. "Don't worry, it'd take more than that to slow him down. But he's getting a bit old for knife fights, so has stopped dealing drugs and is working for me now, though he's always got a few irons in the fire, and I doubt they're all legit."

Slowly shaking her head, Lucy says, "You know, Cormoran, a phone call when things change would be nice and...wait, are you worried that my phone...? Switch wouldn't do that, would he?"

"I think he absolutely would, if he were certain it couldn't be detected, and I'm also worried that he's been stalking you. I can't think how else he would have found out about Ted so quickly. It might have even been him who tipped off the reporters who've been calling the care home."

"Well, can't the police do anything?"

"He's been charged with the bugging, but everything else is just speculation. He might do time, but I think it's more likely he'll receive a fine and caution. In the meantime, I'd very much appreciate it if you'd consent to someone covertly following you for a while."

"You really think..."

When she trails off and sits up straight, Strike sees that their meals are on the way. He laughs and says, "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea."

Lucy smiles and says, "Perhaps just come to my place next time, but when the boys are at school. I can make you a salad."

"Good deal."

When their meals are in front of them, the waiter asks, "Anything else I can get you?"

Lucy smiles and asks, "Just some privacy, if you would? We've got some family drama to sort out. You know how it is."

With his first apparently genuine smile since Strike arrived, the guy says, "Of course. The rush won't start for another hour. Just wave when you want the bill, okay?"

"Thanks, Sy."

When they're again alone, Strike asks, "Have you been here before?"

"No. You mean because I know his name?" At Strike's nod, she says, "Honestly, Stick, considering your job involves getting people on side, you're still pretty clueless. I introduced myself, said that I was meeting my brother, and then asked Sy his name." Strike merely shrugs and starts dissecting his salad as she concludes, "Where were we?"

"I think you were about to ask if Whitehall is dangerous, and it scares me, but I cannot answer that question. My instincts tell me he is, but indirectly. Other than I never wanted anything to do with him because he was Whittaker's son, I don't know why he'd have a grudge against me, but..." At the look on Lucy's face, he says, "You agree with Robin; you think that's enough reason for him to hate me?"

She shrugs and says, "We're not exactly talking about a standard family here. Have you asked Prudence what she thinks? I presume she wouldn't take on a relative as a client, even if Switch would consent to it, but she might have some insight."

"That's a good idea, Luce. I'll give her a call."

Lucy smiles and says, "Something else to cross off my bucket list; getting Cormoran Strike to take my advice."

"Hey, I listen to you." When she only starts on her meal, he insists, "I do."

"Name one time."

A true test for his memory, it takes him several seconds to recall, "You told me that Ted remembers more when you play the piano for him, so I sing Trelawny every time I visit."

She smiles, saying, "Oh, he'd love that. And it works?"

"Yeah, it does, thanks. And that's the other thing I should probably swing by you. I'm thinking of looking into Mum's past."

Freezing with a laden fork halfway to her mouth, Lucy's eyes are wide with fear when she asks, "Why?"

Strike may still be clueless about common courtesies, but he knows people, so feels the cold hand of dread on him when he asks, "What do you know?"

Putting her fork down, Lucy says, "Nothing really. One of the times I visited Ted he thought I was someone else."

"Amy?"

"Yeah, he told you?"

"No. He seemed to think that was Mum's name." Fresh shame washing over him at the memory, he can't quite look at her to reveal, "I got a bit carried away, and started interrogating him, but luckily Rob was with me."

"Oh, Stick. You can't ask him stuff about the past. Either he volunteers it or it's gone."

"Yeah, I know, but...fuck, Luce, it's Mum."

She sighs a trembling breath and says, "Yeah, I know. That actually makes some sense of what happened with me. He thought I was this 'Amy' person and kept on apologising, saying that he should never have left me to deal with that, only I've no idea what 'that' is, but it scared me. He got so upset that I ended up calling for the nurse. Stick, he was sobbing. I didn't see him cry like that even when Joan was dying. I'm wondering if something happened to Mum a long time ago, something bad enough to make Ted weep."

"Yeah, I think so too. The copper I'm friends with, Eric Wardle, is going to give me a copy of Mum's file from the 90s. I don't know how much it will help if she changed her name, but it's a place to start. But, look, if you really don't want me to investigate her, I won't." When she's then smiling only love, he asks, "What?"

"I suppose there's only one other person in the world who understands what it means for you to offer that." He realises that Robin is the other person as Lucy concludes, "Thank you, Stick."

Mortified to feel heat rising in his cheeks, he says, "Well, I'm not always good at showing it, but I do appreciate you, Luce."

"Back at you, Corm. And it's fine; you can investigate. After all, I wouldn't want to be responsible for you getting an ulcer because I forbade you." Correctly interpreting his look, she says, "And don't tell me that ulcers are caused by bacteria not stress. You know what I mean."

He laughs, suddenly unafraid, and teases, "Also caused by excessive use of anti-inflammatory medication, last I heard." When she threatens him with the fork, he laughs some more. They eat in silence for a while, and then he asks, "And, would you want to know what I find? I mean, if it's bad?"

Lucy smiles and says, "Stick, I'm not fragile. Just because I prefer to live in a world where good prevails, doesn't mean I've forgotten what evil looks like."

Since Lucy's revelation of childhood sexual abuse, neither have spoken of it, but it's always there. "Yeah, okay. I might not find anything though. It's been a long time."

Her smile is proud, and she vows, "If there's anything to be found, you'll find it." They again focus on their meals for a while, and then Lucy says, "Actually, can I tell you something unrelated, that must stay between us?"

"Always."

Taking a deep breath, she reveals, "I think Luke might be gay."

And so many pieces of a puzzle that had seemed disconnected suddenly make sense. "Oh."

"You knew?"

"No, not until this second. But, I'm sorry, Luce, I think he might have or had a crush on me."

"What? Why would you think that? You called him an arsehole."

Unfortunately, this truth makes him snort laughter, and he holds up a hand in apology, saying, "Sorry. But I just realised that most of what I thought was arseholic behaviour could have been inept flirting. I don't mean he'd ever seriously consider us a couple, but...oh, like when Jock Pedrek annoyed you for years, and then asked you to the dance."

"Oh, my God, I can't believe even you remember Jock. Yeah, he was a pain in the arse when we were kids, but a good boyfriend. So, what do you think I should do, about Luke?"

"How would I know? I'm not his dad. What does Greg say?"

Lucy rolls her eyes, and says, "Not exactly his area of expertise. He, the last person on earth to realise the Freddie Mercury was gay, is now mildly uncomfortable being a fan of Queen. Do you think maybe you could talk to Luke?"

"And say what?"

"I don't know. But you're honest, you're not homophobic, and you'd never deliberately hurt him."

All true, but Strike still isn't keen. "Aren't there counsellors or some such thing at school nowadays for that sort of thing?"

"Sure, but that doesn't mean he'll want to talk to them."

"How old is he now?"

Lucy rolls her eyes, saying, "Honestly, you're hopeless. He's fifteen."

Old enough to know who he's attracted to. "Okay, if he's gay, and shares that with you, tell him he can talk to me if he wants. But please do explain that I don't know the first thing about being gay. All I can do is listen without being a dick about it."

"Sounds fair. Thank you. And I don't mind if you have someone follow me. I presume that I wouldn't notice them?"

"If you do, I'll find someone else. Thanks."

"I'll pay though, so just tell me how much it is and I'll set up a transfer."

"No, it's okay, I'm_"

"Cormoran, you're doing this for me, for my family. Let me help you out for a change, and I can cross three things off my list today."

"Yeah, okay, if you're sure. And, if you're worried about your phone, swing by the agency, I've got equipment there that can check it out. Or I can have a look at it before you leave; will only take a few minutes, and should at least identify if someone's cloned or hacked it."

"Okay, thanks. Any other shocks before I finish my lunch?"

In that moment it becomes impossible to keep secrets from her, even though he's had several years of practice. "One." At the immediate fear in her eyes, he hastily adds, "Nothing bad. Uh, you know that we were joking about magical Australian sunshine?" When both of Lucy's hands fly to her mouth, he wonders if she's guessed, and he concludes, "It's very early days, so please don't tell anyone, but Rob is pregnant."

He's not sure what her reaction will be, but is somehow unsurprised when Lucy then lowers her face into her hands and it's soon obvious that she's weeping. There are now a few people at other tables, though it seems Sy has put them as far away as possible. Strike knows that Lucy would feel embarrassed by a public scene, so he settles for reaching across the table and resting a hand on her forearm in comfort. She clutches his hand in both of hers, and smiles through the tears to say, "Don't know why I'm crying."

He smiles his love for her and suggests, "Shock, probably."

She keeps hold of him with one hand and wipes her eyes with her napkin, saying, "Yeah." And then she takes a shuddering breath before asking, "And you're happy about this?"

He smiles and reassures her, "Believe it or not, it was my idea. Wasn't expecting it quite this quick, but yeah, we're happy. We're just keeping it quiet for now, because...well, you know."

"Yeah, I know." Then sitting up straight, Lucy says, "Right, I'm going to visit the little girl's room and repair my appearance, and you are going to get better at spacing out the shocks to my system."

Delighted that it's gone so well, he vows, "Yes, I am."

"And you're going to be nice to Sy on the way out."

He'd already decided to generously tip the guy, but rolls his eyes and jokes, "I dunno about that." She merely glares at him before heading towards the restrooms.

When Lucy soon returns, she makes no mention of the fact that a couple of pieces of chicken are missing from her plate. And they finish the rest of their meal in ease and comfort; the only shock being the bill.