are
you here??
‘From the look of the pictures it happened a long time ago.
Mid-nineteen-forties or thereabouts.’
`Aye, but even so, murder’s murder. There’s maybe
someone still alive wonders what happened to their sister,
their mother. There’s records for that kind of thing; missing persons.
Derek broke in. `Rilke’s got a photo of the guy. I thought
you might recognise him.’
`Even if I did, what could I tell you?’ AnneMarie poured herself some more tea from the large, brown pot on the table.
`I never talk to the clients. I’m the muse, untouchable and
silent. I’d lose my power over them if I spoke. I’m a fantasy object. The minute they realise I’m a real girl I’ve blown it.’
`Have you never spoken to any of them?’
She made a pained face. `Once or twice, but not if I can
help it.’ `
Chris spoke through a mouthful of cake. `That’s what I’m
here for. Make sure everyone behaves themselves.’ He wagged
his finger in mock admonition. `No touching the muse. No
shouting or whistling.’
AnneMarie smiled. `I think they prefer it like that anyway. Most of them are frightened wee mice. That’s why they’re here and not at the lap dancing or some legit camera club.
They take their photographs, then go home and get their
rocks off in private.’
Derek looked disgruntled. I wondered if he was unhappy
about letting me down. It was a pleasing thought. AnneMarie reached over and patted his hand.
`Sorry to disappoint you, Deke.’
Will you have a look at his photographs anyway?’
`Derek’ - he was pushing her too hard - `maybe I should
head off. I’ve to be somewhere later this evening, anyway.
Thanks a lot, AnneMarie, for the tea and cake.’
`No, wait a moment, unless you’re in a heury?’
I shook my head.
`It wouldn’t do me any harm to look at a picture of the
man, I suppose. He’s not standing next to a dead body, is
he?’
`No.’
`Well that’s all right, then. I’m a bit squeamish.’
I warned AnneMarie of the nature of the McKindless
portraits before passing them to her. She studied them briefly, twisting her face in disgust, then passed them to Chris with a significant look.
`Oh yes.’ Chris nodded. He didn’t seem to notice that
AnneMarie’s face had gone the colour of cold porridge. `I
remember him. This was taken a while ago, eh? But it’s him
for sure.’
AnneMarie pulled her fingers through her hair. `He had
the wrong idea.’ She took a thin strand in her mouth and
chewed on it gently.
Chris straightened in his seat. `I put him straight. AnneMarie, there’s cake left if you’re hungry.’
`It helps me think. Do you want to tell him about it or will I?’
Chris sipped his tea. `There’s nothing much to tell, is
there? It happened. It’s inevitable. You’ve been warned often enough. Anyway,’ he addressed himself to Derek and I, `this
bloke came a few times, no problem. Then he asked if he
could photograph AnneMarie in private, on his own. He
asked me because I’m the front of house. Like AnneMarie
said, she never talks to them. Well, I told him no and he went
away peaceful enough. That’s all there is to it. He tried his luck and didn’t get anywhere. The only strange thing was the amount of money he offered. It was a lot.’
`How much?’
`Let’s just say too much just to photograph someone and
enough to tempt madam here.’
AnneMarie looked defiant. `I only said that perhaps you
could be in the next room.’
`He didn’t want that. The man was quite specific. He
wanted to photograph you, alone in the house. He specifically stated alone. Aye, that’d be right. I told him to sling his
hook.’
AnneMarie looked down at her cup. `You think you know
everything, Christian, but I’m not stupid. I’ve looked after myself for a long time now.’
`I’m not denying that, but part of the reason you do okay is because you’re a bright girl.’
She rolled her eyes towards the ceiling. `I’m
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