Breaking Cover

38

It had been a long day, and Liz had got back to her flat wanting nothing but a hot bath, a large glass of white wine and perhaps a chunk of Cheddar and a biscuit, when the phone rang. All thoughts of these creature comforts disappeared when the desk officer at Thames House informed her that Peggy Kinsolving had been attacked, and was now in the Royal Free in Hampstead, receiving treatment. She would be all right, the desk officer assured Liz, but had been quite badly hurt.

It was another twenty-four hours before Liz saw Peggy in the flesh, though by then she had already made two trips to Hampstead. Peggy was being scanned on the first occasion; the next time, she was in a drug-induced sleep, which the nurses said would not wear off for several hours. There was no sign of Tim at the hospital, though apparently he knew all about the incident and had visited; a nurse told Liz he’d actually been on the scene just moments after the assault. There didn’t seem to be anyone else to notify: Peggy’s father had died many years before and Liz knew that her mother was in a home, suffering from advanced dementia.

This time she found Peggy wide awake – and looking grumpy. ‘So,’ said Liz, handing her a box of After Eights and a paperback edition of Cold Comfort Farm, ‘what’s the prognosis?’

Peggy explained she’d be in for another day or two. ‘The doctors tell me I can come back to work next week.’

‘Take your time. I’d rather you were fully fit before you return.’ Liz paused, then said, ‘By the way, I’ve spoken to Special Branch. We’re trying to work out who did this to you, and why, but I can’t say we’ve got very far.’

Peggy shook her head wearily. ‘I am sure there’s something behind it but I’ve thought and thought and I can’t work out what it is.’

‘Well, try and leave it for now or you won’t get better. Anyway, have you got everything you need?’

‘Yes, thanks. And thank you for the chocs – and the book. I’ve never read it.’

‘It’s very funny. I hope it won’t hurt you to laugh.’

Peggy grinned, and for a moment looked her old perky self. Then the slight melancholy Liz had noticed recently in her young friend re-emerged, settling on her face like a gloomy mask. Liz said gently, ‘Has Tim been to see you?’

‘Yes. You must have just missed him. He brought me those,’ and she pointed to the grapes that were beginning to shrivel on their plate. Liz couldn’t help smiling at the unattractive-looking specimens, and was relieved to find Peggy smiling too.

Then she said, ‘Liz, if someone you knew and liked – a friend, let’s say, but nothing more – suddenly offered you an iPhone, would you think it odd?’

‘You mean, as a present?’

Peggy nodded.

‘Well, I’d say it was pretty unusual. Why? What’s happened?’

‘Tim was given a phone by… someone called Marina.’ A tear start to roll down Peggy’s cheek. ‘He said they talk in an online chat room. A bunch of kindred spirits apparently. Snowdenistas one and all.’

‘I remember you telling me he was getting involved with those people.’

Peggy nodded, her expression grim. ‘He says it’s purely a sharing of interests, but it sounds pretty fishy to me.’ She sighed, then winced as she moved her shoulder.

Liz said sympathetically, ‘You mentioned things had been difficult lately.’

‘That’s putting it mildly. But I thought it was his politics that had changed. I didn’t think—’ Peggy stopped talking and looked away. Liz noticed another tear fall. She felt for Peggy, but something in this story didn’t seem as obvious as her friend thought. If Tim were seeing someone else, wouldn’t he have just come out and said so? He had always struck Liz as slightly weak, even nerdish, but duplicity seemed out of character for him – if anything, he was painfully ingenuous.

‘You know, Peggy, what he’s saying is probably true. These kinds of internet friendships can be pretty intense, but without becoming – well, intimate in that sense.’

‘I wish you were right. But somehow I don’t think so.’

They talked for a few minutes more, until Liz could see Peggy was growing tired. ‘Listen, I’ll be back tomorrow, and bring you another book.’

‘I don’t want to spoil your weekend, Liz. I’ll be fine here; they’re looking after me very well.’

‘I know, but I want to make sure you’re getting better. Call it selfish but I need you back at Thames House ASAP.’

‘Okay. Thanks so much for coming. It’s cheered me up.’

‘Good. See you tomorrow.’ Liz left, glad she had come, but not just because Peggy had brightened up. There was something odd going on and she wanted to know more about it – and about this Marina woman who had befriended Tim and doubtless egged on his paranoid fantasies. Who was she and what was she up to? Liz wondered whether Jasminder knew her. If she was a hardline civil libertarian maybe she wrote articles for Jasminder’s magazine. She must get Peggy to ask her. It was certainly worth finding out more, if only to reassure Liz herself that nothing dangerous was going on.

There was only one thing to do, she decided. With Peggy still in hospital for another day or two, this was the perfect time to tackle Tim.