Praying he could keep it together, and without thinking it through, he quickly moved around the side of the bed. At the same moment, she leapt over the bed, a knife held high in her hand. Smiler grabbed a vase of yellow roses from the bedside cabinet and threw them at her. Ducking, she dropped the syringe but held onto the knife. Dripping wet, her arms covered in thorns, she screamed, and was about to lunge again when a deep voice stopped her in her tracks.
‘What the----?’ said Brother David from the doorway. As Smiler stood in front of the tubes that were attached to Aunt May, he was prepared to defend her as best he could, but breathed a sigh of relief when Brother David appeared, so much bigger than he-and so much bigger than the nurse.
Taking the opportunity of Brother David’s surprise entry, she swung quickly around Smiler, and before he could react she was gone.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
‘Can you tell me what she looked like?’ Cox asked Smiler. ‘Think hard.’ They were sitting in one of the offices on the top floor of the hospital, each of them nursing a cup of coffee, while Aunt May -- still unaware of anything that was going on around her - was being transferred, with two guards, to a more secure room on the other side of the building.
Tearing the wrapper off a cheese and pickle sandwich that Brother David had brought back for him, Smiler described the woman in as much detail as he could. Brother David agreed, adding a three inch tattoo on her calf that Smiler had missed.
‘So, what sort of tattoo?’ Cox asked, as Brother David swivelled round in his chair-the setting sun was glaring into his eyes. He moved the chair closer to Cox.
‘It was just a glance. I thought it was blood at first. I think it was an animal, some sort of horse, only a lot of red in it, black writing inside of the horse and on the outside. That’s about it, really, except... I’m not sure, mind, but I think there might have been two horses, both of them standing on their back legs, sort of back to back. She was very quick, too. Never seen anyone scramble so quickly before, she’s obviously very athletic.’
‘Either of you seen her around the hospital before?’
Smiler looked at Brother David and shrugged. Brother David shook his head. Smiler, having devoured one of the sandwiches that Brother David had brought back for him, the other still in his hand, stood up and started edging towards the door. ‘Can I go now? I really want to see Aunt May and Mike.’
Cox rubbed his chin. ’Hmm. Yeah, sure. Just one thing, and I know this is a stupid question, but can anyone think of a reason why someone should want to hurt Aunt May? There have now been two attempts on her life in the past twenty-four hours. Rather strange, don’t you think?’
‘No one she knows, that’s definite. Not a better person alive in the whole world, anyone will tell you that. But you already know this, Jason, you’ve met her a few times… Perhaps it's something that she knows,’ Brother David said.
Smiler hung his head. Looking at him, Cox frowned before asking, ‘What else do you know, Smiler? After all, you were right about Mike being in danger.’
‘Nothing… I don’t know any more than what I said.’ But Smiler had spoken far too quickly for Cox’s liking. Not for nothing did Mike call him the Ferret.
‘So explain how you knew Mike was, for all intents and purposes, hanging off the edge of a cliff. I mean, it’s not something a lot of us can do, is it?’
‘What, hang off the edge of a cliff? Easy,’ Smiler snapped.
‘You know what I mean, Smiler.’
Smiler sighed. ‘Rita. It was Rita, most times it’s…Rita. She’s been at it for a long time. Much longer than me. She knows a lot. Me, I’m just a learner.’
‘Most times? Does this happen often?’
Smiler shrugged. ‘You don’t need to know. Mike’s right, he says the less anyone knows the safer you’ll be.’ Smiler was becoming very uncomfortable with all the questions and, anxious to see both Aunt May and Mike, he moved to the doorway.
‘Smiler?’ Brother David said. ‘Where are you going?’
‘Mind your own business,’ he suddenly snapped. ‘It’s got nothing to do with you.’ He spun round to Cox. ‘And you neither, so fuck off, both of you.’ Quickly he left them and headed downstairs.
‘What the----?’ Cox frowned.
Brother David shrugged, and held out his hands, palm up. ‘Mike said he gets like that sometimes.’
Cox sighed. ‘No one in the hospital fits the description you gave me earlier. Well, actually a couple come close, but they all have concrete alibis for the time. One was in the operating theatre, and the other was on the kids' ward, entertaining half a dozen of them. We can only assume it's something to do with this business that Mike wants to keep to himself.’
‘And we all know how stubborn he can be when he wants to.’
Cox smiled. ‘Too right.’
‘OK, if you’re finished with me?’
‘Certainly. I’ll pop along later, see how she’s getting on.’
‘Right then. I’ll be off.’
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
‘Look, I know you want to get out of here,' the doctor said, ‘but you have had a severe knock to your head. My advice is to stay in overnight at least, so that we can keep an eye on you. A blow to the head can be very dangerous, and sometimes even hours later the consequences can be devastating.’
‘Thanks, Doc,' Mike muttered.
The doctor held up his hand and quickly said, ‘Not that I’m saying anything is going to happen, mind you, just that it's always best to be on the safe side.’
Mike chewed it over, knowing that the doctor was right, and that he personally would call anyone a fool for ignoring the advice. ‘OK, one night. First light, I’m outta here.’
The doctor smiled his relief. ‘So, if you would just rest now… I can give you something to help you relax, if you need it.’
‘No thank you!’
‘OK.’ The doctor was just about to leave the room when Smiler came in.
‘Hi, Mike. You all right, then?’
‘Yes.’
Feeling awkward and obviously unwelcome, Smiler sighed and stared at his feet. Why was Mike doing this?
The doctor could sense the tension in the room. His job here done, he decided to leave them alone. ‘OK then, I’ll be off. I’m glad you’ve seen sense and decided to stay, it’s mostly a precaution. You should be perfectly fine after a good night's sleep.’
Staring at Smiler, Mike grunted an answer and, shrugging, the doctor left, muttering under his breath, ’Bloody patients, know it all, they think they do.’
Ignoring him, Mike said, ‘Why are you still here?’
‘Why are you being such a fucking pain in the arse?' Smiler retorted.
This brought a twitch of a smile to Mike’s lips. He thought about it before saying, ‘Right, Smiler, you know why, you’re far from friggin' stupid. But I’ll spell it out for you, yes? This is the first attempt on my life, and it won't be the last. You know this, and I don’t need you or bloody Rita to tell me, OK?’
‘You should listen, Mike. Rita knows what she’s talking about,’ Smiler muttered.
‘To hell with Rita. It’s a load of friggin' rubbish. How many times do I have to tell you, for God’s sake? Get it through your thick head, it’s all a coincidence.’
‘It’s not,’ Smiler replied stubbornly. ‘ Your mind is too closed, Mike, you only ever see everyday things. And there is no such thing as coincidence.’
Mike shook his head in exasperation. ‘Again, how many times do I have to say it? I don’t believe in your mumbo jumbo. I’ve told you till I’m fucking sick of telling you... I do not want any of you hurt through being close to me. I am truly sorry if I’ve hurt your feelings, but it’s the only way to get through to you. For your own good, I do not want you around me. Any of you,’ he added, his eyes narrowing as Kristina and Cox walked in the door.
‘I’ve ordered extra guards for you and your Aunt May, Mike.
Should help you get a night's sleep, at least,’ Cox
said. ‘Are you feeling any better?’
Mike nodded. ‘Yes, and thanks.’ Although sleep was the last thing on his mind, he knew that he needed it, would have to have it. He had to be fresh for what was coming.
‘There’s also guards on the entrance, plus a half dozen or so scattered around the hospital. Anyone behaving the least bit suspiciously will be stopped at once.’
‘Just make sure she’s all right, that’s all I ask.’
Cox looked him in the eye. ’You know we’ll do our best. But you, what do you plan on doing tomorrow?’
‘Like he’s gonna tell us,’ Smiler butted in.
Gently putting her hand on Smiler’s arm, Kristina shushed him.
As if Smiler had never spoken, Mike said to Cox, ‘Can’t say, but I’ll keep in touch.’ He swung his face towards Kristina, and felt a small stab in his heart. She had re-awoken feelings he thought he had lost forever.
Bad timing, kiddo. For the foreseeable future, my life’s on hold.
‘How can I help?’ Kristina asked.
‘You can’t.’
‘Please, Mike.’ She moved to the side of his bed. ‘Don’t shut me out, not now.’
But Mike refused to look at her. Staring at the wall, he said, ‘Can’t you see? I have no choice. When I get to the bottom of this, if I think it’s safe to involve you, I will. All of you.’
‘But----’
Mike ignored her. As if she’d never spoken, he said. ’Go away…All of you.’
Cox heaved a loud sigh, and they all turned to him. ‘It seems that I know the least. What I do know is that if you say it’s dangerous for us all, then I believe you, and whatever you want me to do, you just have to say the word.’
‘I know I can trust everyone in here. But believe me, none of you know who you can trust. So please believe me when I say, trust no one but each other. And that’s it, you’re getting no more from me.’
‘But Mike…’ Kristina said. ‘We’re your friends, we need to know what we’re up against.’
Grim faced Smiler nodded.
‘Are you all fucking thick or what?’ Mike yelled. ‘How many times do I have to tell you?’
‘Could you please keep the noise down in here there are other patients to consider.’ The nurse said as she came into the room.
Mike looked at the three of them in turn, before saying ‘Go!’
Slowly Smiler backed out of the room, followed by a deflated Kristina and a frowning Cox.
PART TWO
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Petrified, holding her breath, Shelly stood as still as she could. In each hand she held a wire coat hanger, her face an inch from the inside of the wardrobe door. She heard the door to her room open. A soft footfall, and she knew he was in the room. Silence for a moment, in which she pictured him looking around for her, then another soft footfall and he was outside the wardrobe door. She could hear him breathing, smell the cigarette he had just smoked.
What if he suddenly starts shooting?
He’s gonna open this door sooner than later.
Oh God, please help me.
Shaking inside, fear mounting by the second, she squeezed her hands tightly around the hangers. Praying that he was facing the door, Shelly did the only thing she could think of.
Bursting out of the wardrobe, arms held high, she brought them both down together. The point of the left coat hanger lodged deeply into the bottom of the man's right eye, and the right coat hanger went into his mouth. Yanking downwards with all the strength she could muster, she ripped open his eye and tore off a piece of his gum.
Screaming, the man dropped his gun and clutched at his face, blood pouring through his fingers as he desperately tried to keep his eyeball in place while spitting out a chunk of bloody flesh with a tooth attached.
Shelly grabbed the gun with one hand, her bag with the other, hesitated for a split second while she glared at the man who had planned to murder her. Lifting her right foot, she booted him as hard as she could and sent him sprawling across the floor.
‘Bastard!’ she screamed, with a brief feeling of satisfaction, shoving the gun into her bag. Then, knowing that time was her enemy, she made it out of the hospital as fast as she could.
An hour later she was sitting in the cab of a lorry heading down the A1. The driver, a short, blond, middle aged man, seemed a decent sort and had talked about nothing but his family since she had sat down. Shelly was impatient to get as far away as she could, as quickly as she could, knowing that the hunt for her had probably started within minutes of her escape.
‘So how long before we get to Manchester?’ Shelly interrupted his monologue about his seven year old daughter Mia, who he obviously adored.
He glanced at the clock on the dashboard, and said, ‘Just over an hour, love, very little traffic this early on a morning. In a hurry, like?’
‘Sort of.’
‘Well, don’t worry. You’ll have no problems at all hitching another lift from where I’ll drop you, a good looking chick like you.’ He winked at her.
Shelly sat upright in her seat, the alarm bells inside springing to action.
Keep calm, keep calm, could just be an innocent comment, she told herself, crossing her legs and staring out of the window. He surely can’t be one of them?
‘Smoke?’ he asked. Keeping one hand on the wheel, he handed her a packet of cigarettes, gently brushing down the back of her hand with his finger.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Mike woke up, surprised that he’d managed to sleep at all. He stretched, then jumped in shock as a voice said, ‘All right now?’
Mike spun round. ‘Smiler, for God’s sake!’
‘Sorry.’
‘You been there all night?’
‘Some of it.’
Guessing rightly that Smiler had shared his time between himself and Aunt May, Mike softened his tone as he sighed and said, ‘How is she today?’
‘Just the same.’
Mike lay for a moment staring at the ceiling, while Smiler stared at him. ‘OK, I’m gonna shower, get things sorted and be off.’ He slipped the covers back and got out of bed.
‘There’s something you should know.’
What the hell now? Mike thought, turning to face him. Why can’t he ever just come out with it? For Christ’s sake, sometimes it’s like pulling friggin’ teeth!
‘What?’ Mike demanded.
‘Shelly’s gone.’
Mike sat back on the bed. He sighed. It’s not as if I wasn’t expecting it. Just had a lot more questions for her. Damn. Wish she’d waited around a bit longer.
He looked at Smiler. ‘OK-I’m guessing there’s more.’
Smiler nodded solemnly. ‘There is. The guard on Shelly’s door was murdered as well…with a gun.’
'Yeah, that’ll do it all right.'
‘Shelly attacked the murderer with a pair of metal coat hangers, ripped his eyeball out, and some of his gum.’
Impressed, Mike raised his eyebrows. ‘OK, so where’s the bastard now?’
‘Next door, and Aunt May’s in the room on the other side. Somebody figured it would be easier to guard you all if you were together.’
‘Wow.’
Feeling like he’d finally done something right, Smiler dropped his head, but Mike saw the smile.
Quickly jumping up from the bed, Mike hastily pulled his jeans on, splashed cold water over his face then, with Smiler in tow, strode out of the room. He paused for a moment at the door. Behind him Smiler, guessing he would want to check the assassin out first, said, ‘Right.’
Mike swung to the right. A few quick steps, and he was outside the assassin's room. Nodding at the guard, he stared through the window. Most of the man’s face was covered in bandages-at least, the side he could see was. ‘Hmm,’ he muttered. Turning, he walked along the corridor to Aunt May’s room.
‘I see the monk's at his usual station. Has he even moved at all?’
Smiler shrugged. ‘Where else would he be? Anyhow, he sp
ent as much time praying over you.’
Sighing, Mike pushed the door open. ‘Any change?’
Brother David looked up and shook his head. ‘How are you?’
‘Never better. Bit sore, but it’ll heal.’
‘Still leaving us?’
‘No choice. You know as well as I do someone's got to stop this madness. God only knows where that nutter Mr Leader has set up shop now. How many more kids is he gonna ruin, torture, murder? If I find him, I’ll find the main bastards behind this. But first - Tony.’
‘That the plan?’
‘Got a better one?’
‘Why can’t you just leave it, Mike? We’re all alive, surely that’s the main thing.’
‘For how fucking long?’ Mike snapped. ‘You just don’t get it, do you? These creeps won't give up until we’re all dead, you included. They will wipe out everyone who knows about them. For God’s sake, Dave, you lived with them for long enough, you know just how ruthless they are.’
Brother David glanced at Aunt May, then back at Mike. The pain in his eyes tore right into Mike, but it only strengthened his resolve.
‘I have to do it, Dave, you know this.’
‘I will pray for your soul, brother.’
‘Better pray hard,' Smiler quipped.
Mike gave him a look, then turned back to Brother David. ‘Well, I suppose it’ll be good to know I’ve got God on my side. Bit of celestial help won't go amiss.’
Ignoring his flippancy, Brother David said, ‘Take the boy with you. You’ll need him.’
‘No way.’
Behind him, Smiler tutted. Shrugging, Mike walked over to Brother David. Squeezing his shoulder, he said, ‘Look after them for me-Brother David.’
Brother David smiled. For a moment his heart lifted. He had been waiting a long time for Mike to accept what he was, and had not realised until now just how much it really meant to him. He covered Mike’s hand with his, and whispered, ‘Take care, Mike.’
Holy Island Trilogy 02 - Nowhere Man Page 6
