The guy with the face fuzz and the paunch had been tweaking the sheet, pulling it across the bed when Dan walked in. He jumped back and let the sheet go, and it rumpled halfway across the bed, exposing the dirty grey duvet set beneath.
“How did you get in here?” said the paunch. “You’ve got to get out of here. Now.”
“Don’t worry. This is only a flying visit. I just want to know a few things first.”
“Who is this guy?” said the taller one – a skinny looking guy in his late twenties with a bandana tied on his head. It was headwear Dan hadn’t seen in popular use since the glory days of Guns N’ Roses.
“I think this is the guy who came round the other night,” said the paunch. “The one with all the questions.”
“That’s right. And now I want to know a few more things. Starting with, where were you two when Olly and Jenny were busy beating up the man from next door.”
“What?” said the other guy. He made a face and looked at the paunch for explanation.
“You heard me,” said Dan. “This afternoon. Where were you?”
The paunch lifted his hands, as if in surrender. Dan watched as he started to shake. “Look, man… I don’t know what you’re talking about. We only got here an hour or so back, we’re only here to set things up.”
Dan nodded and looked around the room. Standing in the doorway, he was blocking the only exit. He had a captive audience – there was nowhere they could run without trying to get past him. It wasn’t going to happen.
“Setting things up for what?” said Dan. He looked at each of the men in turn.
The two men searched each other’s face for an answer. The right answer. An answer which wouldn’t betray their friends and might save them from a beating. But the answer didn’t come.
“For a video shoot,” said the shaking paunch. The taller man looked equally afraid, but he wasn’t shaking. He looked like he was hoping the walls would do him a favour and suck him in.
“Oh. Another piece of high art. A relaxation video, right? And I’m sure red satin sheets and rubber skeletons really help to get that zen feeling going. But you’re not making a relaxation video tonight, are you? Or is this some kind of new ASMR I’ve never heard of before?”
“It’s all ASMR. Even this,” said the paunch, gesturing around the room. The taller one looked less certain.
“Is it now? So how does it work? You rub the red sheets? Or do you scratch the rubber skeleton?”
The two men fell silent, as if giving up on a lost cause.
“There are two types of ASMR we do here,” said the paunch. “There’s the general stuff, the scratching, and all that…” The paunch ran out of words.
“Let me help you out, shall I? There’s the general stuff. The stuff you give away for free on YouTube, or for a few advertising clicks. A little bit like a loss-leader, just to get people interested. Then a few desperadoes notice enough female skin to want a little more. So some of them agree to pay to see as much as they can. And from the look of this set-up, I’d say it’s that sort you’re catering for tonight, how am I doing so far?”
The tall man looked at the paunch. The paunch swallowed.
“We don’t do anything heavy or hardcore. The most that goes on here is a little kissing, stroking, and roleplay.” But the paunch’s voice sounded as tight as a snare drum. He was lying and he was bad at it.
“But what was it you said the viewers wanted? The full street-view, right? Forgive my ignorance, but isn’t that a joke about zooming in as close as you can get? Why do I get the feeling you’re being a bit economical with the truth?” said Dan.
The paunch turned pale. He was sweating.
“It was just a figure of speech. The drama has to look real. The camera has to get close to make it believable. It’s roleplay, dude, that’s how it works.”
“Drama and roleplay? But I thought this was all ASMR…? All just for relaxation. But you two, you sound like a proper pair of Hollywood auteurs. No, I think the stuff you keep for the subscribers is real enough. And you guys have been pulling out all the stops for tonight’s big show. Look at these props. You went the whole hog and spent an extra tenner at Poundworld, didn’t you? And to make sure things were extra perfect, Olly and Jen went to the trouble of beating the neighbour senseless so he wouldn’t be around.”
The men looked at each other. The shorter, tubbier one shook his head. An instruction to the other man to hold his tongue.
“So now, what is really going on here tonight?” said Dan. “One way or another I’m going to find out. It’s a horror theme, right?”
“Gothic,” said the taller man, his voice no more than a squirm. “Like a Hammer Horror movie.”
“Except even more tasteless from the look of it” said Dan. “Let me guess the story. Your vampire likes to take more than blood from his victims.”
“We don’t know the details.”
“Really? Two minutes ago you were planning camera angles. You know everything,” said Dan, moving in.
“No, it’s true,” said the taller one, his voice urgent and afraid. “We don’t know who’s in the video or even what’s going to happen until the shoot starts. Not until Olly and Jen come back. They like to improvise, depending on who’s up for the show. That’s how it works. It’s how it’s always worked.”
“Improv, eh? You guys love your dark little games. But why is tonight different? Because it is different. You must know that much. You must have talked about it.”
“It’s a subscriber exclusive video, that’s all. The sub makes everyone a little crazier. They get excited. A few more clothes might come off. There’s a buzz when we film these. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less,” said the paunch. Dan stepped forward as if he intended to grab the guy. But the man lurched backwards beside his taller friend..
“That’s the truth,” said the paunch.
“But they wanted a clear run tonight, no potential interruptions from next door. That’s why the neighbour had to go. Why? You must know something.”
Dan made another move towards them, and the shorter man started talking.
“They talked about making a new kind of movie. About making a new premium rate subscription movie. Something with extras so they could charge a bit more..”
“Nothing like a little greed to drive people on, eh? Extras?” said Dan. “What kind of extras?”
“I don’t know. Maybe a longer film, maybe a little more action…”
“Or maybe a new star attraction?” said Dan. “Was that it? You had a new actor in mind, did you?”
The man’s eyes flared in fear.
“I don’t know what you mean…”
“It’s a special night. You pushed the boat out. And if you want premium rate subscribers, maybe you have to get new people in to perform.”
“That’s above our paygrade,” said the tall one.
“Rats are above your paygrade, chum. I’m asking you because this matters. Have any of your people talked about getting new girls involved – in front of the camera.”
“There’s always talk, but people – guys or girls – they have to have no inhibitions for the sub movies. You can’t just invite anyone in. You need to know them. You need to trust them. And they need to trust you.”
“And that takes time, right?” said Dan. His eyes began to burn at them, the suspicion coming from deep inside. “Time worth investing if it means you can reach an audience who are prepared to pay very well for something really special.”
Dan let his words sink in. The men looked in a state of panic.
“Your friends, Olly and Jen. Where are they?”
“They went to get food and drinks, and a few more bits for the set. They’re going to fetch the others from the pub, too.”
“How long will they be?”
“I don’t know. As long as it takes.”
Dan snapped a hand towards them and both men cowered back. The paunch raised his hands to guard his face.
“Serio
usly! We never know that. We’re just here to get things ready, so they can start filming soon as they get back.”
“Now tell me what you know about the girl up the street.”
The tall man frowned. “Girl? What girl?”
“Olly and Jen, I’ve seen them talking to the little girl who lives up the street. She’s still in junior school. No older than ten. Most days you’ll see her riding around on a toy scooter. She wears T-shirts with kittens on the front. Do you know the one I mean?”
“I think I’ve seen her around,” said the shorter man.
“Good. Then maybe you can tell me why Olly and Jen are so friendly with her?”
“Because they’re neighbours,” he said with a shrug. “And because Jen likes kids. Come on, just because we make ASMR movies doesn’t make us monsters… it’s not like that.”
Dan’s jaw tightened. “But you’re not just making ASMR are you? This is something else. This is sex on camera, any fool can see that. And a new level of subscribers, premium rate, whatever you call them… they’ll want something more, won’t they? Was that why the girl was invited here tonight?”
The men looked at one another in morbid silence. Confusion, then outright panic showed on their faces. Sweat ran down the fat man’s face.
“No. You’ve got it wrong. They wouldn’t invite her here,” said the paunch. “Not to this.”
The tall man spoke, his voice almost cracking under the strain “I know! Maybe they said she could come and see the camera, before we started filming. That’ll be it. Jen loves boasting that we make films. She doesn’t care what people think.”
Dan shook his head.
“I can believe that. But no. That little girl was told not to tell her parents she was coming here tonight. She was told to sneak out away from her own home to come here because she was going to make a film. The same night as the neighbour was beaten to ensure he stayed away. What does that make you think? Why do you think I’m here?”
The taller one wanted to bolt, but he was trapped. The smaller, bulkier man stood his ground. His eyes were wide in shock and fear. He kept shaking his head. “No. You’ve got it all wrong.”
“I wish I did. But all I’ve told you are the facts. And like it or not, that is what you’re a part of.”
“No way,” said the heavy one. “You’re sick, man. You’re wrong.”
“I’m the sick one?” said Dan. He shook his head. “Look at yourselves. Look at what you’re doing here. There’s no escaping that. So this, right now, is your last shot to redeem yourselves. Your friends almost crippled the guy next door to make sure he wasn’t here. They invited that girl here. Join the dots. Yeah, that’s it. And now take a second before you tell me exactly where your friends are.”
“Why?”
“You know why,” said Dan. “I can see it on your faces. This is wrong. Where are they?”
“We don’t know,” said the smaller one.
Dan leaned across, grabbed the man by his T-shirt and yanked him across the bed. “No?” He leaned over the man’s sweaty face. “You make me sick. I don’t know if you’d even have the guts to complain if that little girl walked into this house tonight, would you? I don’t think you’d say a word to anyone.”
“Please. That’s not true.”
“Then tell me!”
“It depends…”
“On what?”
“Whether they’ve finished at the shops, and which pub they’ve been to. It could be one of a few.”
“And you?” said Dan, looking at the taller man. “What do you think?”
“He’s right. They go to three pubs in town, and if they met up in Rayleigh, it could be even more.”
Dan growled and shoved the big man off the bed. He rolled into a heap, thudding against the wall. Dan looked at Mark who stayed quiet, seeing the fury in his eyes.
“I think you might be telling the truth. So I’m going to let you out of this house on one condition. Here it is. I’ve told you what they’ve done. If you call them or warn them about my visit tonight, I’ll know it. And if that happens, I’ll come back for you. Both of you. Right now, I don’t know how deep into this mess you really are. But if you call them, I’ll know you’re in as deep as they are. And that I won’t forgive.”
“But if we leave now they’ll know something is up. What if they call us?”
“Don’t answer your phones.”
“If we don’t answer they’ll come back,” said the tall one.
“Let them come. Now get your stuff together and get out of my sight before I lose it,” said Dan. The two men didn’t require a second invitation. The paunch leapt to his feet and yanked his T-shirt down over his pale white gut. The taller man slipped across the bed in order to get out of the room faster. He skated past Dan without risking a glance. Before he got past Mark, Dan grabbed his collar. “Remember what I said. Both of you.”
The man sniffed and nodded like a fearful child. Dan let him go and shoved him into the hall then made room for the fuzz face to get through the doorway and watched them thud their way down the steps. A moment later the front door slammed. Dan walked to the front bedrooms and switched off the lights. He peered out into Carberry Close and watched the two men hurrying away, bickering and accusing one another as they went. He tracked them all the way to the end of the street. So far neither of them had used their phones to call anyone.
“They thought you were going to hurt them,” said Mark.
“So did I,” said Dan. “But then I remembered. There’s scum and then there’s scum… and it’s the second kind we need to deal with tonight. We’re going to clean up Carberry Close…”
“Those two will tell them, you know. Even after those warnings, it’s the first thing they’ll do.”
“Of course they will. Because they’re scared.
“Then you knew they would tell?” said Mark.
“Of course. It’s human nature. I just wanted them to know what their friends are all about.”
“But when they come, they’ll be ready for trouble.”
“And by the time they get here, it’ll already be over.
Mark made a confused face. Dan gave him his instructions. “You start downstairs. Look in cupboards, drawers, wherever. I want you to find all the important documentation you can. Whatever you find, bring it to me. No matter how scruffy it looks. Even if these douchebags have left beer stains all over it or used it to roll joints, just find it.”
“What am I looking for? Where do I start?”
“Start anywhere. These people don’t look like the kind who do much filing, so look anywhere. As for what you’re looking for – grab it all. I’ll know what we’re looking for when I see it…”
“Okay…” said Mark. Dan clapped his hands and looked around the room with its rubber skeleton and red satin sheets.
He had a lot of work to do. But providing The Bleaches didn’t get the news too soon, Dan reckoned he would have enough time to make it work...
Nineteen
Eva popped two Ibuprofen tablets into her mouth and swallowed them down with some coffee. The first mug of wine had been rinsed out of her system long ago, and the second drink with Dan had been abandoned when they became engaged in a different type of stress relief. After their time together Eva felt recharged, brighter for his touch and affection. The lovemaking had been enough to stave off the need for more wine, at least for the time being. And spending a little time with Dan had given her some clarity.
There was no way Blane could risk making another attempt on Lauren’s life without leaving an obvious link between him and her death. And with Boothroyd out of the picture in police custody, there was no one but Jamie Blane left to carry out an attack. But Blane was a coward. Much easier, Eva reckoned, for Blane to get on with his new affair with Miss Appleby while Boothroyd faced the music in his stead. But still the shadow of 2016 lingered on. The death of Blane’s wife was still a backdrop to the present day, and Blane had proven himself to be a creature of ha
bit. One day he would look for the same quick end to his latest affair. But Adam Boothroyd would likely still be in prison, precluding another murder and if not, well, Blane would likely have a whole other set of problems to deal with.
“We get what we deserve in the end,” muttered Eva. As soon as she said the words, Eva remembered PC Jordan escorting her into Southend station in handcuffs, as if she was a common criminal… She recalled the recognition on the big desk sergeant’s face when he greeted her… and after that she had been seen by DS Palmer, and PCSOs Penner and Rawlins. A ritual humiliation. But at least she had been spared a meeting with DI Hogarth. She could only imagine the lecture he would have given her about taking on Dan’s traits. Eva felt ashamed just imagining it. She thought of the pity in Joanne’s eyes. Pity… and a faint look of I told you so. Now at least, if she wanted to, Eva could close the book on the whole damn thing. Lauren Jaeger was safe – the job was over. Boothroyd was in police custody. The case was effectively finished. There was no reason to work on, or to let Lauren twist her thinking. And yet it wasn’t done. There was still Jamie Blane and 2016 and an innocent woman killed simply for being married to a villain. Blane was scot free, about to get off with attempted murder unless the professional hitman Boothroyd fessed up, which Eva felt was about as likely as Hogarth running for town mayor. And then there was Lauren, who had fabricated a past to cover her missing years of shame in a mental institution. It was understandable, of course it was. Lauren wanted to let her lost years disappear in a haze of ambiguity and denial. Lauren’s incident, whatever it was, bothered her. But by letting the lies and confusion win, Eva knew she was letting herself down as an investigator. She owed it to herself to know. Because behind it all Eva knew there was cold hard truth.
Play With Fire Page 28
