Page 104 of The Impossible Fortune

‘But you see it?’ Kendrick says to him, and Ibrahim stops himself from dozing off.

‘Mmm?’

‘You see it?’ Kendrick repeats. ‘You and Elizabeth? You see it?’

‘See what?’ Ibrahim asks.

Tia holds up the paper. ‘How many times have you looked at these messages?’

‘Once or twice,’ says Ibrahim. Can he seewhat? ‘Five times perhaps, no more than that. Let’s say twelve.’

Tia tilts her head at him. ‘And you didn’t spot it?’

Ibrahim reaches for an answer, but cannot, at present, find one.

‘These are from Nick Silver,’ says Kendrick.

‘That seems un–’

‘You really don’t see it?’ says Tia.

‘I think, umm,’ says Ibrahim. ‘I think I get the gist, but any input you have, you know, is gratefully received.’

‘Nick Silver’s alive,’ says Tia. ‘And he’s got a message for you.’

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Elizabeth has learned, in her long, long career, to accept help from any corner. Never be precious. Even so, she would very much like to work out what Tia and Kendrick have spotted before they tell her. She sees Ibrahim poring over the texts too.

‘Is it invisible ink?’ Joyce asks.

‘Of course it’s not invisible ink,’ Elizabeth snaps. Though she takes a quick glance down to double-check.

‘If you take the first letters of each text,’ says Ibrahim, ‘it spells out PNCSJI. Now, if I can just –’

Kendrick holds up a finger. ‘I don’t know if it’s rude to interrupt, but could somebody read them out?’

‘Ooh, me!’ volunteers Joyce.

‘You’d be so good at it, Joyce,’ says Kendrick.

‘All of them?’ she asks.

‘One by one,’ says Tia. ‘If that’s okay?’

Joyce looks down at the printout, then looks at Elizabeth, Ibrahim and Ron in turn. She really can’t help building her part.

Paul it’s me. I have to lay low for a while but don’t worry, I’m safe.

‘Don’t worry, I’m safe,’ repeats Tia, and Joyce reads on.

No need mate, just wanted you to know I’m alive.

‘No need mate,’ says Kendrick.

Can’t ring this evening Paul. Will explain all soon.

‘Can’t ring this evening,’ says Tia. ‘Do we see it yet?’