‘Some people might think you’ve been in prison.’
He shrugged. ‘Still not a problem.’
‘And was Lockland in rehab with you?’
Everyone looked at the world’s most unlikely rehab occupant.
‘Actually,’ said Luke. ‘We’ve been rather brilliant. Since Jane has unaccountably refused to assume the role of girlfriend . . .’ he paused for comment but none was made, ‘she will be my sober counsellor.’
‘Your what?’
‘Sober counsellor. That’s a person who monitors someone who’s been in rehab and is now ready for the outside world but can’t quite be trusted. Jane will be providing me with much needed moral strength and guidance and keeping me out of trouble. So not a huge change for her.’
Jane swallowed and spoke. ‘It’s a good reason for not letting him out of my sight, sir. And ma’am. I’m not glamorous enough to be his girlfriend – no one would believe that for a second – but I could easily be mistaken for some sort of chaperone.’
‘And brains of the outfit,’ said Matthew.
Hay turned to Matthew. ‘And your particular role will be?’
‘Just what you suggested, ma’am. Keeping the home fires burning. Carrying on as if Luke and Jane are still in the building somewhere. And working with the Time Map.’
Luke picked up the thread again. ‘Jane and I move in to my old flat and indulge in a period of conspicuous consumption. You know – here I am – back on the street and looking for a good time sort of thing.’
‘And you think you’ll be contacted by these illegals?’
‘Well, Eric Portman was. And they allowed him to involve Imogen, so I don’t see why they wouldn’t jump at Jane and me. No pun intended. That’s our plan, anyway.’
Ellis and Hay waited but it was apparent no more was forthcoming.
‘Is that it?’ demanded Hay.
They nodded.
‘It’s very loose,’ complained Ellis.
‘It needs to be,’ said Luke. ‘We don’t want to tie ourselves down to a course of action that may not be appropriate.’
He sighed. ‘You are still aware your lines of communication will be non-existent? You will be completely on your own.’
‘Yes. We’ll be exactly what we appear to be – a recently released playboy looking for something to spend his money on and his conscientious and long-suffering sober counsellor.’
‘And if you do manage to secure the information we need – what is your exit strategy?’
He shook his head. ‘There’s no reason why, having obtained everything you need, Jane and I can’t just jump into a water taxi and come home.’
Ellis made no comment at Luke’s use of the word ‘home’. He looked at Jane. ‘Lockland?’
‘We won’t be going anywhere near the King’s Arsenal, sir. Or any of the places mentioned by Imogen Farnborough. Too suspicious for words. We’re going to make ourselves accessible and wait for them to come to us.’
Hay looked dubious.
‘As you said, ma’am,’ said Jane, feeling the flush start, ‘if Luke hadn’t joined the Time Police, then with his track record he would probably already have been contacted. He’s exactly the sort of heedless, selfish, not very bright but extremely rich person they’re looking for.’
Matthew grinned at Luke who said, ‘Yes, there’s been a lot of discussion along those lines over the last forty-eight hours.’ He looked at his teammates. ‘No one held back.’
‘So, other than that, you have nothing further. No contingency plans, no exit plans . . .’
‘No fixed plans of any kind,’ said Luke. ‘We will respond to circumstances as they arise.’
‘What about Lockland’s employment records and so forth?’
Matthew produced a data stick. ‘I’ve had that covered. Jane has been working at the Tall Trees Clinic for the last six months. Her work is exemplary; she’s regarded as quiet but effective. Luke is her first major client. Before she was at Tall Trees, she was with a psychiatric unit in Herefordshire for six months, and before that at Thirsk University doing post-grad work. There’s lots of other more personal stuff on there – exam results, links to friends and family social pages, awards, school prizes, holiday holos – enough to establish Jane as a real person.’
Major Ellis took the data stick. ‘And what do you expect me to do with this?’
‘Have it all uploaded, sir, including to the Tall Trees personnel database.’
‘You omitted the word “illegally” from that sentence.’
‘We are the Time Police,’ intoned Luke. ‘We do whatever it takes.’
‘Including involving the Time Police in criminal acts.’
‘Because we’re utter bastards, sir.’
Ellis sighed. ‘You think it will pass muster?’
‘Depends how well IT can do it, sir.’
Ellis slipped it into his pocket. ‘Anything else?’
Luke delved into his pocket. ‘Yes – for that added authenticity, Jane and I will be wearing these.’
He produced a pair of proximity bracelets.
Proximity bracelets are commonly used when two or more people are required to remain in close . . . well, proximity . . . to each other. Parents disentangling their giggling toddlers for the umpteenth time after they had chosen a separate route around a lamp post had discarded leading reins and adopted proximity bracelets with huge relief. Rumours they could be adapted to give a mild electric shock have, so far, remained unfounded. They were also in use in such establishments as rehab units as discreet monitoring devices.
Commander Hay poked one with her paper knife. ‘Where did you get these?’
‘Anonymously through the online ordering service – Orinoco.’ He picked them up and put them back in his pocket.
Commander Hay looked at them. ‘I’m going to give you one last chance to step back from this. You’re young, you’re inexperienced, and no one will blame you in any way if you’ve had second thoughts now you’ve had a chance to discuss the mission in more detail. I’m going to ask each of you – Parrish and Lockland, do you have confidence in your plan – such as it is?’
Luke nodded. ‘I do, ma’am.’
‘And Lockland? You’re quite happy to do this? If you’re not, then say so now. Please speak honestly.’