Claire waited a moment for the chapter to end, and then quickly withdrew the paper plane from beneath the cushion. She had long suspected that this was the only time in which she could truly be free of the governing presence in her life. There was always a brief pause during which the presence let go. Claire unfolded the paper plane carefully, you might even say tenderly.

On the sheet of paper from which the plane had been constructed was written a letter. It was from Gerald. Claire had been carrying on a correspondence with Gerald using this method for some time now. So far it seemed to be working. Despite all the delays placed on every other form of communication or transport between London and Paris, paper planes seemed to be able to get through. It was perhaps because it was such an outlandish method of communication that Mr Big had not yet discovered it. Who would use paper planes in a world of email after all?

My Dearest Claire, wrote Gerald, It has been so very long since I saw you on that magical night. I think of that night almost constantly. It's stupid, I know. I can't seem to help myself. Everything, every circumstance seems to be encouraging me to forget you. I don't know what it is. I should not keep writing to you like this I know. It is a most precious miracle to me that you keep writing back. I don't know quite what I would do if you ever stopped. I love you. That's what I say to myself every hour. Say to you really, I guess. I love you Claire Rawlins. I love you, I love you, I love you. I could keep going on like this forever. It sounds too stupid. I know now how important it is to both of us, dare I say to our future together, that you solve this case. God. That sounds so melodramatic. I love you. That's all I can say really. I think I have found the answer. Do not read anymore of this letter if you have the slightest suspicion that you are being watched. I think the precautions we discussed earlier should still be adequate. I don't think he has yet worked out what we're doing. Here is the thing: I am not very interesting to him. In fact I suspect he would rather prefer to ignore me entirely. This gives me a greater range of freedom than you have. He likes to watch you closely. You can perhaps use this to your advantage. Get him watching you closely enough and he may become distracted and make a mistake that you can use in some way. I have been pursuing enquiries. It is certain that the advertising industry is just a front. He has no real connections in that world, no matter what he may have you think. It's all coming from him. He may be able to manipulate the advertising industry, but there is no point in following back the clues that lead in that direction. You won't find anything. He is very good at covering his tracks. My love, I am afraid for you. You may be getting too close to something that will hurt you very much. It is very important that you finish your song. I think he doesn't want you to do so anymore. He will block you at every point. You will have to find a way around it. I think the important thing to concentrate on now is Peter-Bowman. You have a chance to free him Claire. I'm not sure how to free you. Dear heart, I am afraid. Please remember that I will always love you, no matter what. Always. You must follow your heart now darling and do what is best. I know that you will do the right thing. Remember that we'll always have London. I'm sorry. These are all the words I am able to find. I love you. I give you all my love, Gerald.

Claire read the note many times before placing it once more under the cushion on the couch. The crinkling of paper suggested that there were many more such notes concealed there. For a long time Claire sat on the couch, sat next to the words that were now hidden beneath the cushion. She appeared to be deep in thought. She hummed to herself, repeating the refrain she had created. Claire continued to run through all the clues in her mind, weighing up the probabilities and discarding the unlikely.