Chapter Text
“...Well, Georgie Barker, who hosts the What The Ghost podcast, knew someone…”
Jon startled, flinching slightly. Georgie Barker? This Melanie person knew Georgie? He had known that her podcast was doing well, but had she really kept up with it all this time? Well, he hadn't been in contact with her in a while, not since he left uni. It was perfectly possible that she was still doing it.
Then a terrible thought struck him, and he swore internally. God, they were going to have to follow up with her, weren't they? That was going to be awkward as all hell.
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Melanie left in a huff, which Jon thought was rather unjustified. She'd barely provided any evidence at all, was she really expecting him to believe her outright?
He opened the door to his office, stepping out into the Archives as a wave of exhaustion from the statement passed over him. Tim looked up at him, curious, and the other two assistants quickly realized he’d emerged.
Sasha frowned at him from her desk. “You were mean to her, weren't you?”
“I wasn't mean, she just didn't provide any evidence.” It sounded defensive, even to his ears. “Besides, she was rude.”
“She went through something traumatic, Jon! The least you could do is act like you believe her.”
Jon sighed. This was a well-trodden argument, and he really wasn't in the mood for it. “Anyway, follow-up for this one is a video recording of the event, which is mostly distorted and useless, and an address, email, and phone number for Sarah Baldwin. I'll be contacting Georgie Barker to see what she knows.”
Tim looked up, feigning shock. “You? Doing the work of your lowly assistants? You're too kind.”
Jon sighed. “I already have her phone number. It's more convenient for me to just call her and get the information.”
Sasha looked up, a smile starting to spread across her face. “You know her?”
Sasha really was too perceptive for her own good. “...You could say that.”
Tim grinned. “Boss? Do you have friends you haven't told us about?”
“That's…” Entirely inappropriate. Georgie wasn't his friend, anyway. Hadn't been for a long time.
“What, are you dating? Jon, you should've said something. I thought you were completely antisocial!”
“We're not- I- No! We're not dating.”
“So you like her, then.” Tim smiled with unrestrained glee. “You should call her.”
“I don't- I'm not going to-”
“Come on, it'll be fun!”
“No.”
“Please?”
This was a bad idea. “Fine! I'll call her, if you'll actually do your work after that.”
Tim and Sasha cheered. None of them noticed Martin's expression.
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Jon tried not to look nervous.
Just follow the script. This was just like every other follow-up call.
The phone rang once, then twice, before Georgie picked up.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Ms. Barker. I'm contacting you about-”
“Jon?” She sounded incredulous. “Is that you?”
“...Yes? But I was wondering if you could answer some questions about-”
“Why didn't you call me earlier? It's been ages. We should meet up sometime.” He could hear the grin in her voice. “Gotta say, I never thought you'd work as a telemarketer, though.”
“I'm not a telemarketer, Georgie.” He said, exasperated. “I work for the Magnus Institute. You showed up in a statement, so I'm doing follow-up.”
“Oh.”
Silence for a long time.
“You're contacting me out of the blue, for the first time in years, because of your job? Jesus, Jon, do you know how that sounds?”
“I have to do followup, Georgie, it's not my fault!” Then he paused. Let out a breath. Think through your actions, Jon. They do have an effect on others. Georgie’s own words, back in college. “Fine. You're right. That was… insensitive. I'm sorry.”
“It's alright, Jon.” The hurt was still there, in her voice, but it wasn't as sharp. “Now, what do you mean I showed up in a statement?”
“Melanie King gave a statement mentioning you.”
“Melanie? To you lot? What about?”
“You know I can't tell you. Confidentiality and all. But if you could tell me about Sarah Baldwin…”
“Sarah? Oh God, did something happen?”
He paused. “Only in a manner of speaking, I guess.”
Georgie was quiet for a few seconds, then spoke. “Alright. I'll make you a deal.”
“No.”
“Jon…”
“I'm not a little kid, Georgie!”
“Alright, so when I invite you to get drinks with me this Friday you'll accept without any incentive?”
He didn't say anything. She seemed to take that as an answer.
“Exactly. I'll tell you what I know about Sarah, and in return you'll spend some time with me. Yeah?”
“Fine! What time?” It was important that followup was thorough.
He could hear her grin. “Six. I'll text you the address. See you then!”
He put his phone away, and turned to see all three of his assistants gaping at him.
“What?” He asked. “Do you three not have work to be doing?”
He swept back to his office, not noticing the staring. Or the whispers.