Holy Island Trilogy 02 - Nowhere Man

by Sheila Quigley

  He could hear them mouthing off as he crossed the road. Cheeky bastards, he thought, looking from side to side to see if anyone had heard the commotion. I’m gonna get the blame for this for ever, no one’s ever gonna believe I had nothing to do with it. Shit!

  No way, man.

  How many times do I have to say it wasn’t me?

  The coppers are gonna have to make a statement, put it in the paper or something. Tell them I was a fucking victim an’ all. It’s just not fair. It wasn’t me. It was them!

  He reached the other side of the road and was halfway over the grassy bank in front of Evan’s flat when he heard a loud explosion. Gasping in shock, he looked up at the second floor flat as the windows instantaneously shattered, followed seconds later by huge tongues of fire.

  For a very brief moment, he froze staring up at the fire. His heart started to pound as he realised who’s flat was on fire, all thought of his aching ribs disappeared as he ran screaming, towards the flats.

  He was stopped near the entrance by two men who had been passing by at the very moment of the blast, and had just managed to pick themselves up from the ground.

  ‘You can’t go in there, son,’ one of them said, grabbing hold of his arm, while the other caught him by his collar. He could feel the

  man who had hold of his arm shaking as if he was having a fit. Then people started running out of the building, screaming and yelling for other family members.

  ‘But my mate, he’s in there waiting for me. I’ve got to see if he’s all right.’

  ‘He’ll be out in a minute, look, everyone's out now… Well, just about, I think.’

  Starting to tremble himself with shock, Danny looked at him and slowly shook his head. ‘Not Evan, he’ll not be coming out now. Not ever. Oh God.’ He hung his head in despair.

  ‘Why do you think that, son?’ asked the man who had grabbed his collar, and who was now holding his other arm.

  ‘'Cause…'cause it’s his flat that blew. He’s never coming outta there. Not alive.’ A moment later, Danny passed out and collapsed onto the ground.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  Two hours later, a traumatised Danny was discharged from the hospital in handcuffs. He was taken to the police station, to the same room he’d been in not so long ago.

  He was sitting in the chair, biting his lip, wondering if it was going to be the same two coppers from hell, when the door opened, He groaned to see the same woman. ‘Oh, no,’ he muttered.

  Kristina smiled as she walked to the table and sat down facing him. Out of her handbag she took a notepad and a pen, then looked up and smiled again.

  Well, that’s a big improvement on the last time, Danny thought. It was hard to tell which one was the friggin’ worst. Or is she just showing her teeth?

  That could be bad! He sighed. The story of his life, up shit creek without a paddle. Again.

  She said nothing, just folded her hands on the desk and looked at him. Danny squirmed in his chair. The door opened again, and a man Danny had never seen before came in and sat next to Kristina.

  ‘This is an informal interview, Danny, hence no recorder, nor solicitor, although there is one available if you feel the need. What we mostly want to know is how you keep turning up whenever there is a murder?’ Kristina said, her eyebrows raised.

  ‘Bad luck?’ Danny quipped with half a smile. Then, as usual, he wanted to bite his tongue.

  ‘This is not a joke, young man,’ said Detective Sergeant Cox.

  ‘I know it's not,’ Danny snapped. ’My best mate's lying in the fucking hospital with hardly any skin on, for Christ’s sake. Nobody knows if he’ll even live till tomorrow, and you lot have got me in here! I should be there with Evan.’

  ‘So, why the levity?’ Katrina asked.

  ‘I don’t fucking know.’

  ‘Think it's funny, all these people dying around you?’ Cox asked.

  ‘No… What do you mean, 'all these people'… Evan?’ Danny’s heart flipped. Had the bastards kept him here all this time, knowing Evan was dead?

  ‘No, he’s still hanging in. Though God knows how-the young couple in the flat next door didn’t make it,’ Katrina said.

  ‘Look, please believe me. I know next to nowt about any of this. It’s like I’m caught up in a fucking nightmare. You already know that I was a prisoner in that hellhole, you know I nearly got my ribs caved in… Does it look like I’m part of whatever the hell’s going on?’ Danny hung his head in despair and stared at the floor.

  Kristina and Cox looked at each other. Kristina shook her head, sighed, and said, ‘Is there anything you can tell us about your time in the monastery, anything you missed out before? The smallest detail that might not seem important to you?’

  ‘No, nothing. I’ve already told you what happened in that dump. OK? I’m having nightmares about the damn place. Jesus Christ, are you friggin' well trying to add to them? And how long do I have to keep these on if I’m not under arrest?’

  They both nodded, as Cox, standing up and pushing his chair in, said, ‘Understandable, but sometimes people forget things. I’ll go and get the keys.’

  ‘Forget that horror! Never,’ Danny muttered, more to himself than Kristina.

  ‘All right, I understand,’ Kristina said. ‘But please understand this. Anything, anything at all that could help us bring the ones responsible for this to justice, anything at all that you can think of, some small detail, something you heard while you were in there that might not seem to be important, would be a help.’

  Change the frigging record, will you? Danny was thinking. We’ve already been here.

  Cox came back in with the keys. Gesturing for Danny to stand up, he unlocked the cuffs, then sat back down.

  Sighing, Danny also sat down, thinking, It looks like Twit and Twat still aren’t finished with me.

  ‘Right,’ he said, before either of them could speak. ‘If anything comes up, I’ll tell you. In return I need you to tell people that I had nothing to do with Alicia’s murder, please. They all think I did it. Now they’ll think I blew the friggin' flats up as well. It’s just not fair, you’ve gotta catch them bastards… Nearly got stoned outta the fish shop tonight, for Christ’s sake. The bloody fish shop! Where next, eh? You gotta tell people… Can I go now?’

  Kristina shrugged. ‘Can’t see why not.’

  ‘You believe me?’ Danny stared at Kristina in amazement.

  ‘Guess so.’ Cox answered for her. ’Better move, quick before we change our minds and find a reason to keep you here. And judging from what’s gone on around you in the last few days, trust me, it won’t be too hard.’

  Danny was up out of his seat in moments and heading for the door. He turned and said, ‘Any chance of a lift to the hospital, seeing as I was already there and you brought me here? I really need to be with Evan.’

  Cox stood up. ’Why not. I’m going there, anyhow. If you’d like to wait out front, I won't be long.’

  Danny nodded as he closed the door behind him. Leaning on it, he puffed out his cheeks. Not believing his luck that they seemed to believe him, he headed for outside.

  Inside the office, Kristina tapped her pen on the pad, looked up at Cox, and asked, ’So what do you really think?’

  ‘Honestly?' He shrugged. ‘I think he’s probably one of the most unluckiest people in the world.’

  ‘I agree. Actually, I feel quite sorry for him. There’s also not a lot we can do, press-wise, seeing as there's now a tight lid on the whole operation. Strange, don’t you think?’

  ‘Very. Personally, I wish Mike had told us a hell of lot more than he did.’

  ‘Any word from him yet?’

  ‘No. Not a peep.’

  She shook her head. ’Me neither. I also think it's even more strange that within less than half an hour, that fill-in shop keeper we arrested up at the castle was walking free, virtually before we even had time to question the prat. Don’t you?’

  ‘I thought when you brought him in he seem
ed very cocksure about it all.’

  Kristina nodded. ’Yeah, he practically laughed in my face when I arrested him.’

  Cox tutted. ‘I’ve searched the internet. Just the same old conspiracy theories. Problem is, a lot of them sound plausible.’

  ‘Anything at all on the little bit Mike did give away?’

  ‘A few things. We’ll talk later, OK? I’ll get this hapless sod back to the hospital.’

  Danny was waiting beside Cox’s car, wondering what the hell could happen next. In a short time, he’d just about lost everything and everyone he loved in the world. Please God don’t let Evan die. Whatever I’ve done for all this to happen, I’m sorry. Please, please. Don’t let him die. He crossed his fingers like a child and squeezed.

  Cox came out of the station, pressing the button on his car fob. ‘Get in, Danny.’

  A blonde police woman on her way into the station gave Danny a filthy look. He quickly got into the car. ‘See what I mean? Even your copper mates think I’m guilty. Bet you anything you like they’ll be following me about and I’ll get the fucking blame if somebody nicks a pint of milk off the step.’

  ‘OK, I’ll put the word around the station that you’re an innocent victim in all this mess. All right?’

  ‘Thanks,’ Danny muttered.

  They reached the hospital, and Danny jumped out of the car. ’Thanks, again,’ he said, before shutting the door and hurrying into the hospital.

  Watching him go, Cox realised he hadn’t been joking when he’d told Kristina that Danny was the unluckiest person on the planet. He also guessed that Danny hadn’t realised the bomb was probably meant for him more than for his friend.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  At the very moment that Evan’s window blew out, Mike was turning the handle of Tony’s door. Surprised to find it unlocked, he flung the door wide and stepped in, to see Tony sitting on a chair facing the door with two glasses of ale in his hands.

  Tony’s flat was a typical successful male’s pad. Huge music system, an even bigger TV, bar in the corner, laptop open and ready on the table, and everything matching in shades of red and brown.

  ‘Took your time, mate,’ Tony said. ‘How long did you plan on drinking that vile stuff he calls coffee?’

  Mike blinked in surprise. ‘You knew I was there?’

  ‘Of course.’ Tony turned his head towards the window that ran the full width of the room, from which you could clearly see right into the coffee shop. The kid was still sitting with her laptop, fingers going at high speed, and the old couple were now holding hands.

  ‘So. You taking the piss, or what?’ Mike strode in and sat on the chair facing Tony.

  ‘No, just waiting to see if the coast was clear. I’ve been given the week off, or twenty-four hours - depends how long it takes to catch you. Obviously, I’m not allowed anywhere near the case. I think I convinced them that you wouldn’t be stupid enough to show up here… But here you are.’ He held one of the beers out to Mike who, grim-faced, took it and put it down on the table.

  ‘Why did you do it, Mike? For Christ’s sake, you didn’t have to kill him, you could have knocked the bastard out. But no, as usual you went way over the top.’

  ‘Over the top?’ Mike yelled. ’The bastards were out to kill me. What the hell did you expect me to do?’

  Tony shook his head, sighed and went on, ‘Actually, in another five minutes or so I was coming over. It’s only a matter of time before they get sick and come here looking for you, to slap you with a murder charge.’

  ‘Think I don’t know that?’

  ‘So why are you still hanging around?’

  Mike jumped up. Grabbing Tony by the throat, he hauled him out of his chair. Ignoring the pint of beer that spilt over the pair of them, he shook Tony. ‘Stop it, right now. I want answers.’

  ‘To what?’

  ‘You know what.’

  ‘Just put me down, OK? We all know you’re bigger and tougher than me. That was proved a long time ago.’

  Mike narrowed his eyes. ’You bearing a grudge, or what? Is that what all this is about?’

  ‘No! No, of course not. Just let me go.’

  Mike let go and pushed Tony back onto his chair.

  Tony straightened his shirt, and tried to brush the moisture out of his trousers.

  ‘I’m waiting,’ Mike snarled.

  ‘OK. It’s not what you think, nothing personal… I love you, for Christ’s sake, you’re my brother. And actually, I take offence that you would even suggest something like that.’

  ‘Just fucking get on with it, before I lose it completely, eh, Tony? Enough pissing around. I know you’re involved with that bunch who’ve been in control for centuries. The same bunch that think they are our lords and masters, the same bunch that are into everything that is filthy and fucking vile about the human race.’

  ‘You always were the one for conspiracy theories, Mike, but where the hell have you dragged that one up from?’ Tony laughed. ’But forget it, OK? You’re already in enough trouble as it is. Now we have to figure how to get you safely out of London. Even out of England.’

  Mike looked suspiciously at Tony. ‘Out of England? No way!’

  ‘But----’

  ‘No buts about it Tony. I’ve got things to do. No! Enough of trying to wriggle out of it, I want answers. Ah, yes - before we go into that, any reason why you weren’t answering my phone when Aunt May was rushed into hospital?’

  ‘What? How is she? I swear I didn’t know.’

  Mike stared at him seeing the lie before Tony dropped his eyes, going along with it for the moment he said. ‘Yeah, well, she was very poorly-so poorly she was in a coma, but thank God she’s out of it now. According to Smiler, she came to just a few minutes after I left for London. Where the fuck were you? And why weren’t you answering your phone?’

  Tony sighed. ‘I’ll make arrangements to go up tonight.’

  ‘You better, mate, or I’ll want to know the reason why. Especially as, according to you, you have extended leave. In the mean time, you can tell me what I need to know, which is why you are mixed up with these freaks. And stop trying to change the subject. Remember, I saw you shoot that crazy bastard's double at the monastery.’

  Sitting back down in his chair, Tony asked, ’Do you want a fresh drink?’ He looked at his watch. ’Though there isn’t much time. The old man in the bookshop has the place riddled with cameras from every angle possible, because the place is full of rare books. There's no getting away with it, Mike.’

  ‘Make it go away.’

  ‘I’ve already tried.’

  ‘Try again, fucking harder.’

  ‘Just go, Mike, now, while you can.’ Tony stood up and went to a desk in the corner, He took a key from behind a picture of a magnificent wolf, peering back at the photographer from behind a tree, and opened a drawer. He dipped into the drawer, and pulled out a thick white envelope. ‘Here, take this.’ He handed the envelope to Mike.

  With a suspicious look, Mike took the envelope. Opening it, he found it stuffed with money. ‘Why?’ he asked, frowning.

  ‘I knew you would need it.’

  ‘How? You reading minds now? Plus you haven’t had time to get this sort of cash out of the bank.’

  ‘Look, it’s money I keep for emergencies, in case I have to make a quick getaway. Like you have tonight.’

  ‘Why would you need to get away?’

  Waiting for Tony’s answer, Mike quickly scanned the room. Why didn’t I realise before? It should have dawned on me, why he hardly ever asked me over here. No way could a copper afford this-unless he was a copper on the take. And the cash! By the thickness, there’s gotta be a couple of grand at least.

  Should have seen the signs a good while back.

  He’s been in with the bastards for years!

  Tony’s voice invaded his thoughts. ‘Mike, just take the money and go. I’m trying to save your friggin' life here.’

  ‘Are you? They don’t hang people in
England any more, Tony, didn’t you know? Or is it a different organisation you’re trying to save me from, and not the law?’

  Tony rested his elbows on his knees, and put his chin on his hands. ‘Just go.’ He sighed. ‘I’ll be in touch, promise. Now! It's already nearly too late.’

  Mike shook his head. So much he wanted to know, but he was over a barrel here. Tony was right. If he didn’t run now, soon he wouldn’t be able to run at all.

  He headed for the door. Turning, he looked at Tony. For the brief moment that their eyes met, Mike recognised the torment staring back at him.

  Again, he asked himself: just what the fuck is he involved in?

  Knowing that he was not going to get anything out of him, Mike did the sensible thing, and got out as quickly as he could.

  After Mike closed the door, Tony went to the window. He stood there for ten minutes, but there was no sign of Mike leaving the building. ‘It’s like he’s disappeared into the night,’ Tony muttered, a pleased smile on his face as he pulled the blinds down and hastily got on with his packing.

  CHAPTER FORTY

  Annya sat in the boot of the silver Range Rover. It was the only place for her. Thank God it wasn’t a normal car, she thought, because she would have ended up in the boot of that as well, all crouched up, to finally emerge stiff and aching. She’d travelled that way before. At least here she could sit up, and even though it was dark, she could read the road signs and get an idea of where she was.

  Lovilla sat in the front with her father, who loved to drive and rarely relinquished the wheel to another. In the back, two henchmen, both packing guns, relaxed. One of them was asleep -Annya could hear the soft rhythmic sound of his breathing. The other was looking out of the window.

  She’d heard them talking earlier, both of them wondering why the meeting had been moved from London to Norwich. Shortly after, Lovilla had freaked out because she wanted the London shops. Annya had been on the receiving end of Lovilla’s anger, and now had a black eye and a force-fed cover story to go with it, in case anyone asked how she had done it.