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She shrugged. “Other cue’s broke. They ain’t replaced it yet.”
“But I can share your cue, can’t I?”
The cue was resting on the table. I went to touch it—and she yanked it out of reach. “It’s my
fuckin’ cue! Get your own!”
I stepped back, unnerved by the ferocity of her reaction. She played a shot with considerable
force. I watched her play for a moment. Then I tried again.
“I was wondering if you could tell me about something that happened when Alicia was first
admitted to the Grove. Do you remember?”
Elif shook her head.
“I read in her file that you had an altercation in the canteen. You were on the receiving end of an
attack?”
“Oh, yeah, yeah, she tried to kill me, innit? Tried to cut my fucking throat.”
“According to the handover notes, a nurse saw you whisper something to Alicia before the attack.
I was wondering what it was?”
“No.” Elif shook her head furiously. “I didn’t say nothing.”
“I’m not trying to suggest you provoked her. I’m just curious. What was it?”
“I asked her something, so fucking what?”
“What did you ask?”
“I asked if he deserved it.”
“Who?”
“Him. Her bloke.” Elif smiled, although it wasn’t really a smile, more a misshapen grimace.
“You mean her husband?” I hesitated, unsure if I understood. “You asked Alicia if her husband
deserved to be killed?”
Elif nodded and played a shot. “And I asked what he looked like. When she shot him and his skull
was broke, and his brains all spilled out.” Elif laughed.
I felt a sudden wave of disgust—similar to the feelings I imagined Elif had provoked in Alicia.
Elif made you feel repulsion and hatred—that was her pathology, that was how her mother had made her feel as a small child. Hateful and repulsive. So Elif unconsciously provoked you to hate her—and mostly she succeeded.
“And how are things now? Are you and Alicia on good terms?”
“Oh, yeah, mate. We’re real tight. Best mates.” Elif laughed again.
Before I could respond, I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. I checked it. I didn’t recognize the
number.
“I should answer this. Thank you. You’ve been very helpful.” Elif muttered something unintelligible and went back to her game.
***
I walked into the corridor and answered the phone. “Hello?” “Is that Theo Faber?”
“Speaking. Who’s this?”
“Max Berenson here, returning your call.”
“Oh, yes. Hi. Thanks for calling me back. I was wondering if we could have a conversation about