~ ~ ~
Luke had ducked into the nearest café he could find. These monthly coffee stops had also become a part of his routine. He sat now with his back to the window huddled in the far corner of what looked like a Polish café. A large, dark haired lady with a stern expression soon waddled over to his table.
“What would you like?”
“Coffee. White with two sugars please.”
“Not eating?”
“I’m not hungry.”
The waitress didn’t appreciate the comeback and left without a reply. She barked her orders to a younger girl in Russian and then mumbled something else under her breath as Luke grinned. He’d order a slice of toast only after his coffee. That was his routine. Waiting for the waitress to return, he pulled the black card from his coat pocket and laid it flat across the table. He looked at the telephone number which Lena had scrawled across it. Seeing it, he recalled his first meeting with her at the Chatterton Hotel and then their subsequent get together at the pool hall. He’d call her later on that evening. What harm could it do? She’d reached out for his help. However insane her proposition sounded, he needed the money too and he suspected Lena would have access to quite a lot. The truth was he was more than a little curious too. Why had her mother removed Lee from the family home? For what reason?
“One coffee,” the waitress spoke, almost dropping the cup onto the table. Slapping down the bill, she waddled off once again berating the younger waitress as she slowly approached the back kitchen. Luke stuffed the paper back into his coat pocket and began to drink his coffee. He’d loiter for maybe one hour in the café before heading home. He’d promised to call Benny that afternoon. He already knew what the conversation would steer towards. Benny would need money to see him through to next month. As usual, Luke would help him out with what little he had himself. He liked to think Benny would return the favour one day but suspected his friend would never be in a position to be able to lend anyone money. Benny was useless where money was concerned and still owed him fifty from the previous month. Luke smiled to himself and took a slow sip from his coffee. He’d give his friend a call straight after Lena.
~ ~ ~
Luke took his time walking home that evening. He liked to walk late into the evening when the streets were relatively empty and he had time to think. He thought a lot about Lena that evening. He picked over her words again and again as he strolled through South London’s back streets. He eventually arrived at a familiar park and, with the sun still hovering above South London’s numerous estates, he found a leech and sat down. He wasn’t alone it seemed. He hadn’t noticed the Polish tramp huddled up beneath one of the park’s rusted slides. Only when the man had begun to mumble broken Russian had he turned to view the wretch. He waited until the hobo had stopped moving before turning away again. Too many times he’d been jumped by opportunist drunks and crack addicts; he simply wasn’t in the mood for fist fights that evening. He had more important matters to focus on. Lena and her offer of work were the most interesting. He was still broke. He’d been broke for several weeks now. He’d try the local casinos and poker rooms but knew that lady luck had left his particular table months ago. Private security work wasn’t an option either. His SIA license had expired last year. He could box for money of course. The underground boxing scene was still big business and he still knew the right people to go to. The truth was he was badly out of shape. He wouldn’t last a round in his present condition and it would take him weeks to get fit again. The rent would be due in three weeks. Stupid pride kept him from signing on and, deep down, he knew that pitching endless editors with speculative copies would be his only real option. At least this is what he’d thought until Lena had entered his life. Lena. The beautiful daughter to a would be heiress. It seemed she’d done her homework on him too. She knew about his past, his brief stint between the ropes, his longer stints behind bars. She’d perhaps come to sense then his deep desire to change, his longing for respectability and a decent career. If he’d summed up her present predicament correctly too, she needed someone who could handle themselves and someone she could trust. Luke had felt the chemistry bubbling between them straight away. So had Lena. It seemed that Luke had appeared in her life at just the right time.
~ ~ ~
Luke arrived back at his flat just after midnight. He’d walked to West Croydon and jumped on the 156 to Crystal Palace. From there he’d stroll to Gypsy Hill where his studio lived, secreted down one of the myriad side streets that spun off from Gypsy Hill station. He’d spent the last of his money in a nearby Brazilian bar having sat in one of the far corners listening to the Brazilian band that played every evening. It was a strange and depressing mix of clientele, a rag tag army of middle aged locals and the usual posse of young, Brazilian ladies looking for a way out. He’d stayed for just an hour. From the bar he’d walked back to his flat. He’d pour himself a beer and then sleep. Benny and Lena could wait until first light.
“Had fun?”
The soft voice had startled him. He’d left the key in the door’s lock and turned to face Lena. She had been standing behind one of the building’s white pillars, perfectly hidden from view. Slowly, she appeared in full now wearing a tight white dress and black shoes, her hair still tied perfectly back against her skull. She smiled. That same curious smile. It was a beautiful smile too, a glowing smile.
“I thought you’d wait until I called?”
“I don’t like to be kept waiting, Mr McGowan.”
“How long have you been loitering outside my front door?”
“Long enough.”
“Did you enjoy the views?”
“I prefer the south of France if I’m being honest, Luke.”
“Not much I can do about that I’m afraid. South London was all I could find.”
“I hear South London is where all the magic happens.”
“That’s what they say Lena.”
“Are you not going to invite me in? Offer me a drink? It isn’t polite to keep a lady waiting like this.”
“I like to get to know my guests first. I’m not that easy.”
Lena walked over to where Luke was standing and kissed him softly on the cheek.
“What was that for?”
“I just wanted to do it.”
“Could you do it again?”
“Sure. But only if I’m allowed inside.”
Luke smiled.
“You’re difficult to resist.”
“Oh, I’m not that difficult.”
“I only have beer.”
Lena walked back to the pillar. From behind its base she picked up a bottle of wine.
“I’m always well prepared, Mr McGowan,” she then replied with another glowing smile.
“I should take a leaf out of your book. Planning ahead hasn’t always been my strongpoint.”
“Maybe I can teach you?”
“Sure. Maybe you could.”
“Shall we go inside now, Luke? It’s starting to get a little cold out here and as you’ve probably already noticed, I didn’t bring a coat.”
“You should learn to plan ahead.”
“Maybe I need a good teacher. Know anyone?”
“Sure. Step inside. I can teach you many things.”
Luke turned the key and opened the door. Stepping back, he allowed Lena to glide effortlessly past him.
“Do you drink wine, Luke?”
Lena was seated at his couch, her long legs crossed, her white dress riding high enough to see her full thighs.
“I drink anything. I’m half Irish. It’s in my blood.”
“Stupid question. I should have known better.”
“I thought you would have known that already? What with all your research I suspect you know more about me than I do.”
“You still have a touch of mystery that I like. I didn’t want to probe too far. A girl can get bored if she knows too much.”
“I’ll remember not to give too much away in the future then. I’ll go fetc
h the glasses.”
He left Lena in the lounge. He’d been out the room barely a second when she spotted the photo of a young boy against the far wall. She walked over to the picture, the bottle of white still in her hand.
“My younger brother,” Luke spoke, placing the glasses onto the lounge coffee table.
“He would have been the same age as my own brother in this photo. Am I right, Luke?”
“Ten years old. A few years older.”
“I’m sorry about your loss. I just wanted you to know that.”
Luke joined her beneath the picture.
“You did your homework. I’ll say that much, Lena.”
“It wasn’t difficult. Your life reads like an open book.”
“Do you blame yourself? I mean, what happened to your brother?”
Taking the bottle of wine from Lena, Luke wandered back to the coffee table.
“Would you mind if we changed the subject? It’s an area of my life I like to keep at the back of my mind.”
“Of course. I’m sorry Luke. I didn’t mean to upset you. That’s the last thing I’d want.”
Luke began to pour their drinks. “It happened a long time ago. I try not to think about it to be honest. Perhaps better that way.”
He handed her the glass. She took it and seated herself once again. Luke joined her on the sofa.
“I’m more concerned about your own situation at the moment. I know you must be worried about your own brother. I was going to call you first light.”
Clasping the wine glass tightly, Lena allowed her head to drop.
“Of course I’m worried. I know Mother wouldn’t do anything to harm him, but she’s not stable at the moment. Her drinking is getting out of hand and I don’t like the company she keeps. I’m imagining terrible things, Luke. I couldn’t stand it if Lee was around the sort of people my Mother knows. That would tear me up inside. A young boy shouldn’t be exposed to certain types of characters.”
“Is that why your uncle took them away? To keep an eye on Claire? It makes sense to me.”
“I’m sure it does. I mean, I can see where you’re coming from Luke. But that’s not the reason.”
Lena paused.
“So, what are his reasons?”
“Money. I was trying to explain everything yesterday at the bar. Father left all his cash to Lee in his will. Mother will only inherit if Lee were to die. I was cut out completely.”
“But why? Why would your own father cut you out of his will?”
“I told you already Luke. We didn’t see eye to eye. He wasn’t my real father in any case. Blood is thicker than water as they say.”
“But the Chatterton’s are a wealthy family. I did a little research myself. Why would your Uncle go to all these lengths?”
“Yes, you’re right. My uncle is asset rich. There’s no denying that. He still owns Chatterton House and several hundred acres of land. But he has little money. The English aristocracy isn’t what it used to be, Luke. It’s a constant struggle to keep hold of the mansion and the estate.”
Luke smiled and took a sip from his glass.
“I wish I had that kind of money trouble.”
“I’m serious Luke. My uncle is a dangerous man. He’s obsessed with money. If something were to happen to Lee all the money would go to Mother. There’s no telling what he could do. He’s always had the upper hand where mother is concerned. He’d get his hands on our cash through her.”
“And that’s why he’s taken Lee and your mother? He wants Lee to vanish?”
“Something like that I suppose.”
Luke didn’t buy it. He sensed Lena was still holding back. There was something she wasn’t telling him. He looked her straight in the eye.
“What else is there? What other reason could your uncle have for wanting Lee at his estate?”
Lena bowed her head and began to dab her eyes with her handkerchief. Toying with the rim of her glass once again she said, “That’s the only reason Luke. I swear it. I can’t prove anything of course. I just feel it. I just want someone to bring my family home.”
Luke moved to put an arm around her shoulder.
“Look, I’ll help you. If it makes you feel any better I’ll go and find your brother. I’m sure he’s fine. I can’t imagine Claire putting him in any harm.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I just have one other question. If that’s okay?”
Wiping away her tears and bringing her voice under control, Lena replied. “Of course. You can ask me anything you like. I’ve nothing to hide. I wouldn’t want to hide anything from you.”
“Why me? Why did you think I could help find your brother? There are plenty of private detectives out there. You could have hired any one of them.”
Lena took a sip from her glass.
“You just ticked all my boxes Mr McGowan. Let’s just say it was more than just a professional attraction.”
He smiled.
“I’m flattered all over again.”
“So, you’ll help? You were being honest with me? I miss him so much, Luke, and I’m terribly worried he’ll witness things he shouldn’t.”
He reached over and took hold her hand. “I said I’ll help. But I need to know everything Lena. No holding back. If you want me to track down your brother I’ll need as much information as possible.”
“Of course. I’ll give you as much as I know.”
“Good girl.”
They paused, both holding eye contact.
“I wasn’t being honest before Luke. I thought it best I tell you now. Like you say. You need to know everything, right?”
“Right. What have you been holding back? Now would be a good time to tell me.”
“I don’t actually think you’re that unattractive. I actually quite like blonde hair. Is that very bad of me?”
He smiled.
“Yes. I think so.”
Lena moved in closer. Again, Luke could feel her sweet breath against his lips. They kissed, quickly at first, then a second longer meeting of lips. Luke took her glass and placed it gently onto the coffee table. He then held her delicate head firmly in both his hands and kissed her passionately.
“I’ve been wanting to do that for quite some time.”
She smiled.
“I know.”
Again, they kissed. Luke then took her hand and led her slowly into the bedroom. He kissed her again as he began to close the bedroom door, his free hand moving gently across her right thigh and up towards her tiny waist.
“Kiss me Luke.”
He did, this time running his hand across her stomach slowly unbuttoning the buttons of her blouse. He pinned her up against the wall of his bedroom and pulled at her blouse until it fell to the floor in a heap. He then took the straps of her bra and ripped them free from her pale shoulders. He kissed her again, this time littering her neck with a dozen gentle pecks almost in rhythm to her sighs. He then took her hand in his and led her to the bed.
~ ~ ~
He’d watched her eyes open then close for several minutes after they had made love. Listening to her breathing, he picked up the jug of water which lived on his bedside table and poured himself a glass. He took small sips from the glass, careful not to make too much noise, not wanting to wake Lena. She had an awful lot on her mind and he wanted her to rest. Carefully, the glass of water still in his hand, he climbed from the bed and stood before the bedroom’s large bay window. There was no moon to be seen that evening. In the dead of night he counted only a handful of people walking through the estate’s alleyways below. An occasional night bus flickered by along the main road up ahead. Apart from this, the estate sat empty. Luke glanced at his wall clock, an antique Parisian café clock that he’d picked up in Montmartre some years back. It was twenty minutes past two in the morning. He walked over to the wash basin which lived in the corner of his bedroom and dabbed his face in the warm water he’d left in from earlier that evening. He then smoothed the wrinkles beneath hi
s eyes, studying his reflection in the wash basin mirror. An old copy of The Maltese Falcon sat propped up against one of the washbasin’s rusted taps. A handful of unopened letters also sat tucked in behind the tap and the book’s worn cover. The letters were official looking in crumpled brown envelopes. Luke knew full well they were bills and had happily managed to ignore them so far. He turned to look at Lena in the bed. Her pale body, almost a perfect white curve from her hips to chest, shone. He walked silently over to the bed and knelt. He then ran a soft finger from the tip of her shoulder and along the curve of her waist and towards the perfect rise of her hips. It had been three years since Luke had been in a serious relationship. It wasn’t that he’d given up. He’d just needed time to centre himself and figure out his next moves. He ran his finger along the soft skin of her thigh. Lena was smart, funny and attractive. He enjoyed her company and hoped something real would come of their meeting. He climbed into the bed and wrapped a strong arm around her waist. For a moment, as he made contact with her flesh, she sighed moving her body closer into his. He welcomed the warmth of her body so close and began to remember how good it felt to have someone in his bed. He held Lena for over an hour before eventually falling asleep himself.
~ ~ ~
The dreams were light at first. They were full of bright colours and friendly faces from years previous. He was with friends in these dreams. Sometimes even his parents would be present peering at him from within the throng, watching him and, he reasoned, judging his every move. It was usually at this point that his dreams would become darker, the faces of those who crowded around him suddenly turning sour and more menacing. Their eyes too would transform, often growing larger and almost reptilian in appearance.
The Devil's Blue Eyes Page 5
