by Gareth Otton
“Like you’ve been dying to do since the first time you met me,” Tad snapped. “This is fucking ridiculous. You saw what ha—”
Tad was interrupted by a loud bang, and pain exploded through his shoulder. To his credit, agent Holmes didn’t waste a second. He quickly stepped forward and pulled the trigger of his gun twice.
Tad flinched both times, trying to escape the sound, but there was no more pain, mainly because Holmes hadn’t been aiming at him.
Tad turned to see what happened and was just in time to see Marcus Riley’s body slump over lifelessly, the gun he’d used to shoot Tad spilling out of his right hand.
“You… saved me?” Tad asked Holmes in amazement when he recognised what happened.
“Shut up, Holcroft,” Holmes snapped. “Ellis, clear that body. Thomas, Curry, grab that murderous bastard down there and take him upstairs,” he nodded at Kuruk who was still groaning on the floor. Turning back to Tad he said, “Gun shot or not. You’re under arrest for—”
“The hell I am,” Tad said, taking a step back. Fresh agony flared in his shoulder as he did so, and he was sure it would be feeling worse without Tony.
“Listen. I don’t like this,” Holmes said. “We got your message about Astur and we’ve been looking into it. It looks like you were right, the fucker was dirty. That doesn’t mean you get to come here, torture a man into a smoking ruin in front of our eyes and just run back to England as though—”
“Wales,” Tad interrupted.
“I don’t fucking care. I only know that you will be held for questioning until this mess is sorted out and we can figure out what really happened here.”
Tad looked at Brad who was finally coming back to himself enough to realise that he too was surrounded. However, he knew when enough was enough and before anyone could lay so much as a finger on him, he vanished. Maybe he had the right idea.
“No, don’t do it,” Holmes warned.
“Sorry, Holmes,” Tad said.
Swearing, Holmes rushed forward to grab him, but was already too late.
31
Thursday, 21st July 2016
11:02
“What the hell are you doing here?”
Miles was so startled by Tony’s sudden question he almost dropped the expensive looking, black glass panel. Considering the floor of Lizzie’s barn was concrete, it was a good job he didn’t.
“That’s my question,” Lizzie said, frowning as she walked over from her editing bay. The place had changed a lot over the last few months. Tad’s bi-weekly interviews had catapulted her to new heights and boosted her revenue. Apparently, Lizzie had re-invested every penny back into the business.
She’d built two new sets, her editing desk had a serious upgrade, and there were three expensive cameras that Tony could see. Coupled with the new lights, the working heating, and whatever it was Miles was doing, the place actually looked like a professional studio. It was probably why Amber was walking around the place with wide eyes and an open mouth.
“I asked first,” Tony protested.
“And it’s my studio,” Lizzie answered. “Come on, spit it out or move on. I’ve got a busy day.”
Tony didn’t answer, instead looking between Lizzie and Miles as a suspicion formed. The silence didn’t bother Lizzie, who had always been more than a match for Tony, but Miles squirmed.
“I’m installing some new solar panels for the studio,” he said. “These new ones are awesome and once they’re up this place will run off the grid with no problems. I heard that they’re a dream related invention and—”
“He doesn’t care, Miles,” Lizzie interrupted. “He’s just being annoying.”
“I’m annoying? How about those panels? You’d think if they were that good they’d send round someone to install them for you. I bet you payed a pretty penny for them. Seems the least they could do.”
“Normally they would but—”
This time Miles was cut off when Lizzie smacked his arm, nearly making him drop the panel he was holding for a second time.
“He’s fishing, Miles. Ignore the little pain in the arse or he’ll end up in your head. In fact, why don’t you go work somewhere else while I figure out what this moron is doing here.”
Miles glanced between Lizzie and Tony a few times, then scrambled to his feet to do as told.
“That must be nice, having your own slave,” Tony said. “Is he that submissive in the bedroom as well?”
Lizzie sighed. “Tony, your little games don’t shock or interest me. Either tell me what you’re doing here or I will shove my foot so far up your—”
“You know, it wasn’t that long ago that you’d have been thrilled to talk to a real ghost,” Tony interrupted.
Lizzie sighed again and looked back to her editing desk like it might run away if she wasn’t watching.
“That was before, now I have more important things to cover.”
“Important like what?”
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe Tad starting a dreamwalker fight outside the city and then losing the bloody cameras to the bad guys who released all the footage. There’s literally three hundred and sixty degree coverage. How does that sound for important?”
Tony waved his hand dismissively. “Yesterday’s news. That happened days ago.”
Lizzie snorted. “Trust me, it’ll be a long time before this blows over. Too many people died. Granted, most of them were those Children of ADaM arseholes, but everyone is someone’s kid, right? Besides, it’s hard to forget what Tad was doing in that footage. Laser beams cutting people in half, throwing lightning bolts, blowing up dreamcatchers... If I wasn’t trying to spin all that into a good light, he’d be running away from torches and pitch forks by now.”
“Nah, he’d just dreamwalk away to a desert island until it all calms down. You don’t need to worry about it.”
Lizzie’s frown deepened.
“I hope that wasn’t you belittling everything I’ve been working on for the last few days, because I’m the last thing standing between Tad and a freaking riot. If I wasn’t working on this, you wouldn’t know what hit you. Therefore, I’m too busy for your antics today.”
“You’re not too busy for Miles though,” Tony teased. “Is that how you keep getting your scoops. Are you publishing pillow talk? Naughty naughty.”
Evidently that was one comment too far as suddenly Lizzy stepped forward, hands stretched out like she would choke Tony to death. Before she could reach him though, Amber was suddenly between them.
“Sorry about him,” Amber said, her ever-present smile and dimples in place. “Arsehole is his default setting, I’m afraid.”
Lizzie frowned. “Who are you?”
“I’m Amber.”
“Okay, Amber. What are you doing with the freak?”
“Oh, Tony’s helping me with a problem. That’s why we’re here actually, we need your help too. It’s for a good cause, I promise.”
“If it involves him, I highly doubt it.” Lizzie looked back to her editing desk yet again, sighed, and turned back, looking resigned. “Fine, you’ve got five minutes.”
“Perfect. This won’t take long, I promise.”
Amber quickly told Lizzie the story she’d told Tony a few days earlier, explaining how she’d found the kids and how she wanted to help them. Unlike Tony, Lizzie was perfectly aware of how bad things were for ghosts and was quicker to understand what Amber needed.
“So what are you doing with them at the moment?” Lizzie asked.
“We’re staying with Tony’s parents while we try to find their relatives. We’re not having much luck and hoped this was where you could come in. I thought maybe you could put the word out on your show so someone who knows the kids can get in contact with us.”
“Of course I can do that,” Lizzie said, much more warmly than she had ever spoke to Tony. “What about after, though? I mean, I hate to say it, but what if the parents don’t show up?”
“We’re thinking that for now we should
get them into a school so they can be with kids their own age. We were thinking the primary school next to Jen’s school would be a good choice because she wouldn’t be far away if they needed something. The trouble is, the headmaster is flat out refusing to even let the kids on the ground, let alone enrol.”
“That’s where we thought you might be able to help,” Tony butted in. “You know, stick them on your show and bully them around like you’re so good at doing, shame them into doing the right thing. You know the drill.”
Lizzie’s frown returned as soon as Tony opened his mouth, but she didn’t yell, she just shook her head.
“It’s too early for that. You can’t just shame them when there are probably good reasons not to grant your request. Ghosts are scary to a lot of people, especially to parents. The teachers are probably just looking out for the kids.”
“That’s not fair though,” Tony complained.
“That’s just how the world sees it at the moment. You’ll need to change people’s opinion of ghosts before you’ll make proper headway with this.”
“How can we do that if they don’t let us near them?” Amber asked. “They’re good kids. They just need a chance to show they’re just like everyone else.”
“There’s the rub,” Lizzie admitted. She mulled it over for a few seconds, then turned on Tony. “Why didn’t you go to Tad with this? Surely he can help.”
“What can he do?”
“Tony, things might be weird for him at the moment, but he’s still the most famous man in the world. Most people would cut off their right arm for a five-minute chat with him. I’m sure if he asked the headmaster as a personal favour, it would go a long way. If you have Stella go with him, I’m sure that wouldn’t hurt either.”
“I don’t know, he’s kind of got a lot on his plate at the moment,” Tony protested. “He’s been through a lot recently and—”
“Oh my God. Are you actually thinking about someone other than yourself? Is the world ending?”
“Ha ha,” Tony deadpanned while Amber legitimately laughed at Lizzie’s outburst, the traitor. “I’m serious though.”
“Tony, just ask him. He won’t mind and it won’t take long. It might even be good press for him. Helping kids in need usually is, even if they are ghosts.” For a final time she looked over to her editing desk and the tension returned. “Look guys, I really have to go. Get me the parents information and some photos of the kids and I’ll put out the word. As for the school though, you’re on your own for now.”
Turning to Amber she said, “It was nice to meet you. I know what you're thinking though, and you should think again. Do yourself a favour and ditch this looser, you’re far too good for him.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Tony asked, but Lizzie just waved him off and walked away. “What did that mean?” Tony asked Amber, but she just blushed and looked away.
I’ll never understand women, Tony thought to himself before pushing the thought from his head.
“We better go talk to Tad,” he said. Then, suddenly remembering something, he brightened up. “Now might be a good time, actually. He’s been dragged into another golf game for Jen. It should be fun to watch if you want to tag along.”
“If he’s busy, we should probably just wait,” Amber protested.
“Nah, he’ll be glad to see us, trust me. Tad can’t play golf to save his life. It’s funny to watch him try, though. You in or have you got to rush back to the kids?”
Amber hesitated only for a moment, then smiled and shook her head. “No, I can hang around for a bit longer.”
“Come on then, I want to get there before he throws a tantrum.”
“This isn’t what I expected,” Amber whispered as they watched Doctor Sai Burman tee off on the eighteenth hole. Despite being dressed for the occasion, using a set of clubs that cost more than most cars and being a weekly visitor to his local club, he looked uncomfortable as he readied himself for the shot.
This was in stark contrast to how he’d started the day. The slightly overweight, middle-aged doctor was in his element for the first five holes. But slowly his body grew more tense until it looked like he was one bad shot away from snapping.
“I know, this is so much better,” Tony whispered gleefully, and was treated to Amber’s grin in return.
“I don’t normally like golf,” she admitted.
“Who does?” Tony asked. “I think Tad’s been cheating though.”
Amber snorted and rolled her eyes, earning herself a glare from the grey-haired doctor who was halfway through an awkward practice swing.
Holding up her hand in apology, Amber took a step behind Tony like he could somehow protect her from the doctor’s anger. Tony didn’t care. He was loving every minute at this.
The doctor owned a pair of thick white eyebrows that looked like they had been glued on. They stood out sharply against the dark tone of his skin and were furrowed as he turned his attention back to his shot.
Two more awkward practice swings later, he swung for real. His shoulders jerked like he was trying to mimic a robot, his body lurched forward in an effort to get more power, and the result was a high-pitched ping as the club made only the barest contact with the ball. The doctor swore sharply and almost hammered his £3000 three-iron against the well-maintained grass beneath his feet.
He stopped at the last second as Tad coughed suggestively, while Tony, Jen and Amber sniggered as they struggled to hold in their laughter. The doctor wouldn’t look at them as he stormed back to his clubs and put the offending iron back into his bag.
“Hard luck,” Tad said as he approached the tee and positioned his ball. Unlike the doctor, he was far from dressed for the occasion. After what Tony put him through last time, he now wore jeans, a t-shirt and trainers. If he weren’t the infamous Dreamwalker, Tony doubted he’d have been allowed on the course.
With his good hand he secured the ball in place and then had Tony, who had agreed to caddy for him in return for being allowed to watch, hand him whatever club he fancied. Tony reached into the bag and pulled out one at random, handing it to Tad without even looking.
“Come on. Really?” the doctor protested, unable to hold the words inside. “You’re just mocking me now.”
To be fair, the club Tad was holding did look comically short for his giant frame. Tony checked the other clubs and saw the nine-iron was missing. Evidently it was the worst choice for this hole.
“No, this’ll work,” Tad said as he lined up his shot. From where he stood he had his back to the doctor so the furious man couldn’t see the moment Tad looked up to Jen and winked with a knowing grin. It set Tony, Jen and Amber to sniggering again which only upset the doctor more.
Considering Tad could barely grip the club with his bad hand, he didn’t even bother using it this time. He simply held it with his right hand, then without a practice swing and barely looking like he was giving it any effort, he teed off.
The connection sounded every bit as bad as the doctor’s, yet strangely the ball sailed straight down the fairway in a direct line to the hole.
“Oh, come on! That’s not possible,” the doctor protested, his voice almost despairing. “It’s just not…”
His words trailed off as suddenly the ball that was on the perfect trajectory to fall on the green suddenly lifted, actually doing a loop the loop before dropping directly into the hole without so much as making the flag twitch.
The doctor’s eyes were wide and his mouth hung open as slowly the meaning behind what just happened became clear. Then his anger erupted all at once.
“You’ve been cheating,” he snapped, finally giving in and kicking his clubs. He stormed up to Tad, a finger pointed at his face as he shook with rage. “This entire game you’ve wasted my time by using your powers to show me up. I have half a mind to—”
“To what?” Tad asked, cutting the doctor off. “Storm off in a huff? Make a complaint about my conduct? Complain to your friends that you played a round of
golf with a one handed man just so you could be seen to beat the Dreamwalker over eighteen holes while never planning to take him seriously?”
The doctor struggled to answer in the face of Tad’s frustration.
“You want to complain about time wasting, doctor?” he asked. “I have taken the afternoon away from a job where I could be saving lives, a job that I can’t get cover for considering my near unique circumstances, so I could meet with a doctor about a very real problem my daughter faces. However, rather than meet with me like a professional, he instead just wants bragging rights for his friends.”
Straightening up, Tad used his height to his advantage and towered over the suddenly wide-eyed doctor. A year ago Tony would have laughed at the thought of Tad intimidating anyone, however at some point since the Merging, Tad had picked up a knack for it.
“I… Uh… This wasn’t about bragging rights,” Doctor Burman protested weakly. “I just—”
“I know, you wanted exactly what every other arrogant, up their own arse, neurosurgeon I have approached wanted; a chance to prove their superiority. You don’t really care because you don’t believe me, and you turned it to your advantage. If I’m honest, I preferred the doctors who refused to meet because they thought we were wasting their time.
“So if you expected me to just knowingly have my time wasted to give you a good story to tell your mates at your next dinner party, think again,” Tad said. “Oh, and you can tell Kimberly I said so as well. Don’t think you can use her against me just because she’s friends with Stella.”
“I… I wasn’t planning on…”
The doctor struggled for his words as Tad’s guesses hit the mark. However, slowly his anger faded and he had the grace to look ashamed.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t think. You’re right. I have acted childishly. But you have to understand my point of view, Mr Holcroft. For some celebrity to have the nerve to call me and try to place their ten-year-old daughter—”
“Nearly thirteen,” Jen protested.
“Sorry, twelve-year-old daughter, on work experience with one of the most senior surgeons in the country is ridiculous. To think that your celebrity status would—”
