LINKED

Chapter 4: The Argument

NOTE:

The granulite dumping mentioned IS NOT fictional. It has happened in The Netherlands and Dutch investigative journalism programme "Zembla" was indeed the one that first reported about it.

*****

Monday came and the new "Soulmates" had been particularly awkward through the morning. Alec was drinking a cup of coffee in the kitchen when Mara walked in.

"Good morning," she said timidly.

"Morning," he said back and added a short smile. It was clear from everything that she had not slept much last night and although she had done her best with her make-up, her face was red and puffy which seemed to suggest she had been crying.

"Um, sorry but I didn't run errands yesterday... would you mind if I get something to eat?" she asked again with that timidity which he gradually began to hate. He had no patience for it and certainly not today as he had a long day ahead of him; the start of a complicated case that would undoubtedly take months to prepare for.

"Oh" and he unknowingly sighed. "Of course not." and he took some bread, butter, cheese, and jam from the fridge and gave it to her together with a plate and cutlery. Thankfully, she had not noticed his sigh just now, he really wanted to do it again but stopped himself last minute.

He never had much patience for introverted people anyway. He had been taught as a child to say openly when he did not like anything or to communicate clearly when he wanted something and the latter had helped him in his profession, as a lawyer. That mousy thing about her... He had nothing to do with it, even in his dating life he chose the ladies who approached him directly instead of the women who looked at him all evening without doing anything.

"There is coffee if you like" and he pointed to the machine on the sink and she said she was going to grab a cup of coffee later.

"Okay, I am gong to leave in a few minutes and I'll probably be home pretty late. So, um. you don't have to-". He did not finish the sentence because he realised that it might not be very hospitable of him explaining that she should not wait for him to come home.

"Um... I think it would be useful if we could exchange phone numbers, just in case," Alec said with difficulty. He didn't want to have her number, but he had read in the "Soulmate" agreement that this was compulsory.

She briefly nodded, put down the slice of bread she was currently spreading jam on and grabbed her phone to give him her number and a moment later put his number in as well.

" Very well then. See you tonight... Oh... " and at that moment he cursed his mother instilling chivalry and etiquette on him when he was younger, but the question was out his mouth before he could stop himself.

" I am taking my car today; do you want me to drop you off at work?" Alec inquired to know.

She seemed to appreciate the offer but said it was not necessary. Alec did not want to show how relieved he was to hear this but still he kindly, perhaps too kindly, bid her goodbye.

He grabbed his coat and suitcase and went to the garage of his building; there his phone rang.

PRIVATE NUMBER.

He did not normally answer these sort of phone calls, as he was sometimes harassed by some power company that wanted to make him a "SPECTACULAR" offer to switch but this time... he felt somehow drawn to answer.

"Mr Marsters?" asked the voice on the line.

"Yes, who is this?" asked Alec and in the meantime, he walked to his car.