Double Cross

by Malorie Blackman

  'So is Jude alive then?' I asked.

  'I'll discuss that with my granddaughter, not you.' Meggie's voice wasn't anywhere near a snap, but I still felt like I'd been firmly put in my place.

  I wasn't poking and prying into Meggie's business for my own sake. I just wanted to have something to tell Callie the next time I saw her. Hopefully something good. But Meggie was going to keep the subject of Jude as something only she and Callie would discuss.

  I was excluded.

  fifty-eight

  Over the next couple of days, the tension at home was unbearable. I wasn't talking to Jessica, Mum wasn't talking to me. We might have been ghosts passing through each other for all the contact we made. I seriously thought about telling Mum to search through Jessica's room – as she probably had more 'supplies' by now – or to check her best teapot if she wanted to know the truth about who was using and who wasn't. I mean, I might've scrubbed the thing out, but surely there was some chemical or other that Mum could get from the hospital which could test for smack, no matter how little was left or how microscopic the residue? But then Jessica would accuse me of using as well as dealing, and what proof would I have that she was lying? That would just make a bad situation even worse. I couldn't do right for doing wrong, that was the trouble.

  The only silver lining in a sky full of dark clouds was that Rebecca still wanted to see me, though it took some doing to persuade her that I didn't hold her responsible for losing my job at TFTM.

  'That's why I haven't been in touch,' Rebecca admitted when I phoned her. 'I felt sure you'd blame me for what Gideon did.'

  'Don't be daft. Of course I don't blame you,' I insisted. 'And to prove it, I'll buy you dinner.'

  So it was all arranged.

  We met in town and went for a pizza. In about half a minute, Rebecca scanned the menu, then closed it and put it down. Five minutes later, I still hadn't made up my mind.

  'Are you OK, Tobey?' Rebecca asked. 'You seem preoccupied.'

  'What? Oh, sorry. I've just got a lot on my mind at the moment,' I said.

  'I'm really sorry about you losing your job,' she said quickly. 'I wish you'd let me help, at least until you find a new one.'

  I shook my head. 'Rebecca, I'll be fine. I've some money saved and something will turn up. Besides, I wasn't thinking about my job, I was thinking about my sister, Jessica.'

  'Is something wrong with her?'

  'Yeah. And I'm still trying to figure out how to put it right.'

  'Can I help?' Rebecca asked doubtfully.

  I smiled. 'No. But thanks for the offer. I appreciate it.'

  'If you need any money—'

  'I don't,' I interrupted. 'It's not that kind of problem. And stop worrying. I'll find another job.'

  'Gideon had no right to sack you,' Rebecca fumed.

  'He didn't sack me. I quit,' I amended.

  'OK, but he had no right to force you to quit,' she said.

  'Rebecca, I promise it's OK,' I said. 'Besides, you're worth it.'

  Rebecca switched on a smile bright as a lighthouse when I said that. I returned to my menu, focusing on the task at hand.

  'Tobey, promise me something,' Rebecca began hesitantly.

  'What?'

  'Promise me you won't ever lie to me.'

  Pause. 'I promise. What brought that on?'

  Rebecca shrugged. 'I just need to know that you're being honest with me.'

  'Fair enough,' I replied, studying my menu again so she couldn't see my eyes.

  Rebecca waited until I'd ordered and was tucking into my garlic bread starter before she told me her news. For one hopeful moment I thought she was kidding, but her earnest expression indicated otherwise.

  'You're serious! Your mum . . .' I coughed to clear the squeak in my voice. 'Your mum wants to meet me? But why?'

  ''Cause I told her all about you.'

  'What on earth for?' I asked, aghast.

  ''Cause I like you.' Rebecca shrugged. 'You're the first guy since I was a kid to talk to me like a normal human being.'

  'What about your brothers?'

  'They don't count,' Rebecca dismissed. 'Besides, they don't talk to me. They dictate and command and argue.'

  'What about your dad?'

  'My dad and my uncle were killed when I was nine.' Rebecca's dark-brown eyes clouded over. At that moment, she so reminded me of Callie Rose. I turned away. I didn't want her to remind me of Callie or anyone else for that matter. This was already hard enough without thoughts like that making it harder.

  I offered my sympathies. My reply was inadequate, but what else could I say? Rebecca's dad and uncle were the two Dowds that McAuley was rumoured to have taken care of. No wonder Vanessa Dowd and her family hated Alex McAuley so much.

  'What about previous boyfriends?' I asked, to change the subject.

  'I went to an all-girls school and whilst my friends were happy to come round to my house, very few of them ever invited me back. And as for the brothers of the few friends I had, well, I think my surname was either more than enough to put them off or the only reason they wanted to be with me in the first place.'

  'More fool them then,' I said.

  And I meant it. Rebecca was nothing like the rest of her family. Any idiot could see that. I knew she'd had at least one proper boyfriend and it hadn't ended happily, but I didn't want to push her any further into unhappy memories.

  'Rebecca, do you—?' I began.

  'Tobey! I thought it was you. How . . . er . . . how are you?'

  My heart sank like a big stone in a small pond. 'Hi, Misty.'

  'Are you . . . er . . . eating here too? Me and my friend Erik over there have just arrived.'

  I glanced across at Erik, who was scowling at me. Erik was a Nought in our year, but in a different class.

  'Misty, this is Rebecca. Rebecca, this is Misty. Misty and I are in the same class at school.' I thought I'd better make some introductions. I didn't want Rebecca to get the wrong idea.

  Which was what exactly?

  Why was I so worried about what she might think? Misty didn't even bother to look at Rebecca. Her eyes were still trying to pin me to my chair.

  'If you like pizza, maybe we could . . . you know . . . come here next weekend or something . . .' Misty began, adding a blatant wink. 'I'm still hoping to get you alone . . . on a date.'

  'I . . . er . . . Well, I . . .' I began.

  'Oh no, you didn't!' Rebecca couldn't believe her ears, her eyes or any of her other senses from the sound of it. 'You didn't just ask Tobey out when he's so obviously on a date with me?' She glared at Misty, and if looks could kill she'd've been banged up for life – Dowd family connections or not.

  'Tobey's dating you?' Misty's eyebrows launched into the air at that news. 'I don't think so. Tobey wouldn't go out with a dagger.'

  Rebecca jumped to her feet. 'Listen, bitch . . .'

  I jumped up. We were attracting all kinds of attention, the last thing I wanted. I stepped between the two before the hair-pulling began.

  'How about I kick your skinny arse?' Misty said, trying to duck round me.

  Godsake!

  Rebecca was about to hurl herself across the table. 'I'm going to bury my stiletto where the sun don't shine,' she said, pulling off her earrings.

  Things were getting serious. When a girl pulls off her earrings, then lightning and thunder are about to hit and hit hard. Anyone with a sister knew that.

  'Tobey, you can do much better than this dagger skank,' Misty told me scathingly.

  Whoa!

  'Misty, enough. I am on a date actually,' I said firmly. 'And Erik's over there waiting for you, so maybe you should head back to him.'

  'But, Tobey . . . '

  'Bye, Misty.'

  Misty frowned at me, then cast Rebecca a filthy look before taking the hint and heading back to her date.

  I sat down. After a few seconds, so did Rebecca.

  Silence reigned between us.

  'I'm sorry about calling your friend
a bitch,' said Rebecca quietly. 'It was inexcusable. I lost my temper. I guess I'm more sensitive than I realized.'

  I shrugged. 'Forget it.'

  'It was rude of me,' she went on unhappily. 'I really am sorry.'

  'Rebecca, it's OK. Really it is.' I leaned across the table and brushed my lips against hers. 'Don't let Misty spoil our dinner. Besides, you were right. She is a bitch!'

  Rebecca laughed as I'd wanted her to. I returned to my garlic bread. All that excitement had worked up quite an appetite. I couldn't believe Misty. She was on a date, I was with someone, and she still wanted to start some drama. Godsake!

  'Tobey, you were about to ask me something, before we were interrupted,' Rebecca prompted.

  I put down my bread half-eaten. 'Becks, d'you trust me?'

  'Of course.'

  'Why?'

  The question took Rebecca by surprise. 'I just do.'

  'But why?' I persisted.

  'Because you didn't chase after me. If anything it was the other way round,' said Rebecca. 'You're quite happy to be seen with me in public and you don't try to hide me away like some shameful secret. You're the only guy who hasn't insisted that I pay for everything. Are those enough reasons to be going on with?'

  'They'll do.' I smiled.

  Poor Rebecca. She'd been so unlucky with the guys she'd met in the past. And her luck hadn't changed.

  'So are you up for meeting my mum?'

  'When?'

  'How does tomorrow night sound?'

  Like Hell on earth. I swallowed hard. 'Tomorrow night sounds fine.'

  fifty-nine

  Hi, Callie.

  I'm sorry I haven't been to see you for a couple of days. Things have been a mess at home with Jessica and I couldn't get away. You're looking so much better, though. You really do look like you've just dozed off.

  I've got some news for you. The police intercepted one of McAuley's shipments today. Apparently a little bird told them when, where and what to look for. There are little birds singing all over Meadowview! So that's the second shipment McAuley has lost. Once is bad luck, but twice is bad habits. Unfortunately there was nothing to tie the shipment to McAuley, but everyone – including the police – knows exactly who was running that delivery. By now McAuley is going to be a desperate man, and his desperation will make him even more dangerous than before. I'm definitely going to keep my head down.

  I'm going on another date with Rebecca tonight. I'm off to meet her mum. And no doubt, Gideon and Owen will be present too. Gideon has already warned me off so I'd better wear full body armour and a box. Something tells me I'm going to need them. Rebecca is trying to make out that her mum can't wait to meet me, but I think—

  'Tobey . . .'

  The sound of Callie's voice made me jump out of my skin. I'd been looking down at her hand in mine as I spoke so I missed any signs that she was waking up. I could do nothing but stare as her eyelids fluttered open. She turned her head to focus her gaze on me.

  'Callie!' I leaped to my feet and pulled her up to hug her just as hard as I could.

  'Ow!' Callie croaked out her protest. 'Too tight.'

  I loosened my grip, but no way was I going to let her go. My mouth was already beginning to ache from grinning so hard. I'd wanted my face to be the first one Callie saw when she woke up and I'd got my wish. I lay her back down on her pillows, then kissed her. I only shifted when she started pushing weakly against my shoulders. When I lifted my head, she gasped to drag some air back down into her lungs.

  'What're you . . . doing? Are you' – Callie tried to swallow past the dryness in her throat – 'trying to kiss . . . me . . . until I pass out?'

  I shook my head not yet trusting myself to speak.

  'Besides' – Callie couldn't raise her voice above a whisper – 'my breath . . . is smelly.'

  Godsake! Like I gave a damn!

  'Water please,' she said. Her voice sounded deep and hoarse, but I've never heard anything so wonderful in my life.

  I poured out half a tumbler full of water and held it to her lips to help her to drink. Callie took a few sips before collapsing back onto her pillows as if just sitting up and drinking had exhausted her. She reached for my hand and held it in her own.

  'Tobey.' She breathed my name, like just saying it eased her pain.

  Callie was looking at me like the last few weeks had never happened. I had what I'd been waiting for. To her I was the same. I was sane. I was safe.

  'How're you feeling?' I asked. I really couldn't stop smiling.

  'Got a headache.' Callie raised a hand to her temple.

  The bandages had long since come off, but she still had a scar to show where the bullet had struck her skin. I bent to kiss it.

  'You're very kissy all of a sudden.' Callie frowned.

  I laughed. 'You'll be OK now, Callie Rose,' I said. 'Let me go get a doctor.'

  Callie's grip on my hand tightened as she looked around her room. 'Tobey,' she said. 'Am I in hospital?'

  My frown mirrored Callie's as I nodded.

  'W-why am I here? And who's . . . who's Rebecca?'

  sixty

  I didn't want to be here. I wanted to be back at the hospital with Callie. When I explained about TFTM and meeting Rebecca Dowd, Callie had got more and more agitated. I backtracked and spoke about her getting injured. Just one problem. She didn't remember getting shot. She didn't remember even going to the Wasteland that day. She didn't remember anything that had happened in the days before the shooting either. It had all gone. When Callie found out how long she'd been unconscious, she started to freak. It'd taken two nurses and a doctor to calm her down and sedate her. After she succumbed to sleep, the doctor tried to reassure me that it was natural for those emerging from a coma to feel completely disorientated for a while. But I couldn't help looking at Callie and feeling that I'd just messed up. Again.

  I really didn't want to be here with Rebecca. But I'd started this thing so I had to see it through to the end. She'd picked me up from outside my house at six o'clock and at ten minutes past seven we were pulling up to an electronic gate with two CCTV cameras trained on it. Rebecca took out a small device like a mini remote control from the cup holder between our seats and pointed it at the gate, which then swung back like wings preparing for flight. We drove along a paved driveway before stopping outside her home. I looked up at it, impressed in spite of myself. It was only slightly smaller than Jasmine Hadley's old home, but then so were most public museums. Double-fronted and with copious windows on all three storeys, it looked like it could house half of my street.

  I got out of the car, still looking up at the building.

  'Ready?' asked Rebecca.

  'As I'll ever be,' I replied.

  She took my hand. 'Don't worry, you'll be fine.'

  We'd see about that. The front door opened just as we reached it. A pocket-sized Cross woman wearing a lilac-coloured flowery dress stood in the doorway. I had to force myself not to pull my hand out of Rebecca's.

  'Hi, Mum,' said Rebecca. 'This is Tobey.'

  So this was the Vanessa Dowd, was it? She wasn't at all what I'd expected. Except maybe her eyes. Her dark-brown eyes were cold and calculating. She looked me up and down like she was appraising a piece of jewellery.

  You'll know me next time, I thought. But I was careful to keep my expression neutral.

  'Mum, stop that,' sighed Rebecca.

  Her mum suddenly smiled. 'Well, so far he's lasted longer than most.'

  'See! And Gideon couldn't intimidate him either.'

  I was getting a bit tired of both of them talking about me as if I wasn't there. I stepped forward. 'Hello, Mrs Dowd. Pleased to meet you.'

  Mrs Dowd shook my hand before stepping to one side. 'Come in, come in.'

  Said the spider to the fly . . .

  Rebecca and I waited till her mum had shut the door so that she could lead the way.

  'Let's go into the drawing room,' said Mrs Dowd.

  At home, it would've been called the
front room! We entered a space as big as the whole of the downstairs of my house. It was amazing, with a fireplace big enough to walk into and two of the largest sofas I'd ever seen placed on either side of it. 'It's a lovely room,' I said sincerely.

  'It does,' said Mrs Dowd.

  It does indeed!

  She indicated that I should take a seat. Once I sat down, Rebecca sat next to me and her mum sat on the sofa opposite.

  'Tobey, how much—?' Mrs Dowd got no further.

  Gideon and Owen came in. Gideon had a glass of something amber-coloured in his hand. Owen was on the phone.

  'What's he doing here?' Gideon asked the moment he clapped eyes on me. 'I don't want him in my house.'

  'Whose house?' Mrs Dowd asked quietly.

  Gideon's lips tightened. 'He doesn't belong here.'

  'For once I agree with my brother,' said Owen, his free hand clasped over his phone.

  'I don't give a damn what you think, Owen,' Mrs Dowd rounded on him.

  'Tell me something I don't know, Ma,' Owen said with sarcasm.

  Owen was younger than Gideon but taller and more lean. I had to hand it to him. No one would ever guess that we'd met before.

  'Owen and Gideon, you both promised me you'd behave. I live here too and Tobey is my guest,' said Rebecca. 'You two should have some manners.'

  To my surprise, both Owen and Gideon looked suitably chastened. They really did dote on their little sister.

  'I quite agree,' said Mrs Dowd evenly. 'Tobey, I apologize for my sons' distinct lack of class.'

  I shrugged.

  'Can I get you a drink?' Vanessa Dowd continued. 'Coffee? A soft drink? A glass of wine or lager perhaps?'

  'No, thanks. I'm fine,' I replied.

  Owen moved to stand over by the window so he could finish his conversation in relative privacy. Gideon sat at the other end of the same sofa as his mum.

  'Now where was I? Ah yes . . .' Mrs Dowd smiled. 'Tobey, how much did McAuley pay you to deliver Ross Resnick's finger to Louise Resnick?'

  Game, set and match to Vanessa Dowd. I hadn't even touched the ball.

  Beside me, Rebecca gasped. 'Mum, what on earth . . . ?'