So this was it. This was the moment
after all when he would be arrested then shoved in front of a judge and
sentenced to prison for the rest of his life.
Jack didn’t move. He kept staring
away so that the policeman wouldn’t see his face, aware of how tense and
probably obvious the gesture was. He blushed. Any moment now, Dominic would
notice how oddly he was acting and ask him why, drawing even more attention; though
that probably wouldn’t make any difference. The policeman had to be here for
him. It was too much of a coincidence. Any moment now he would feel another
hand on his shoulder, just as he had when he entered his home, except this time
his fears would be real.
But a full minute passed and there
was still only a gentle murmur of conversation coming from the doorway that had
just opened. There wasn’t even the clink of handcuffs whistling through the air
toward his wrists. Another minute passed, then Jack risked a look. He relaxed his
body, smoothing out the ridges his muscles had made then slowly and casually
turned his head.
The policeman was just shy of the
doorway, dressed in a black stab jacket and short sleeved shirt, radio attached
to his chest, utility belt round his waist. The man in the suit was standing
next to him gesticulating as he talked but Jack didn’t spare him a glance. He
looked right at the policeman. And the policeman looked right back at him.
His arms were folded, legs spread
level with his shoulders, his body square on to Jack. The hand movements of the
man in the suit flashed in front of his chest or his face but he seemed not to
be listening. He just looked at Jack, right in the eye, his expression blank.
There was no outrage or overt jolt of
recognition in the policeman’s features, his mouth was at rest, but he didn’t
look away from where Jack was sitting, half-concealed by the tall ferns at the
edge of the waiting area and Jack couldn’t take his eyes away from him.
He couldn’t be there for an arrest –
now the moment of panic had passed, Jack was sure of that – but the fact
remained that Jack had killed a girl the night before and his picture could
well be open, if not to public, then police-viewing.
Still no jolt in the policeman’s
features. The more time passed, the more Jack became sure the policeman didn’t
know him, but each ticking moment still made that recognition more possible if
there was a picture in circulation.
Jack knew he had to break eye
contact, to go back to waiting innocently for his appointment, but he found the
simple turn of his head excruciatingly difficult. He was locked in place. He
knew there was a coffee table in the centre of the little waiting area, almost
touching his and Dominic’s knees. There were magazines on it. He could see the
bright colours in the side of his eye. He should reach for one; innocently
flick through the pages; but he couldn’t.
The policeman’s expression changed but
instead of charging forward, reaching for his truncheon, he broke eye contact
with Jack, looked to the man in the suit and smiled. He turned his body to face
him and took his hand, shaking it then started walking toward the exit. He
hadn’t recognised Jack at all. He hadn’t been lying in wait. It was only
happenstance and paranoia. Jack smiled to himself and shook his head.
“What’s so funny?” asked Dominic.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told
you. Just me being dumb.”
Dominic went back to his magazine.
“No change there then.”
The policeman left, saying goodbye to
the man in the suit. As the man started back toward his office the receptionist
piped up. “Dominic Draper and Jack Catholic are here to see you Mr Miles.”
Miles glanced at his watch then
turned and covered his face in smiles. “Mr Catholic!” He extended a warm
handshake. “Thank goodness we’ve found you at last! You’ve proven to be quite
elusive.”
Jack stood up and shook hands. “Well
this is your lucky day, cause here I am.”
Miles backed up, drawing Jack with
him. Dominic was on his feet. “Come through. Please.” He gestured to the
receptionist. “Jane. Would you do me a favour and bring through some drinks?
Coffee?”
Dominic and Jack nodded. “Thanks.”
“Please; come into my office. We have
a lot to talk about.”
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