by M. C. Adams
‘I married a man, Charlotte. And then…’ I thrust my hands into my pockets, and fix Charlotte with a steady gaze. ‘Then I fell in love with him.’
‘You? Fell in love? With a man?’
I nod and laugh some more. ‘Yes. I did. I fell completely, madly, head-over-heels in love with him.’ I look up into the sky, and take a deep breath. ‘I’m gay!’ I shout.
Okay, so it wasn’t quite from a rooftop, but still…
I look at Charlotte now. Her eyes are wide and blinking. There are a few people around us, most of them smiling, one of them even giving me a thumbs-up. It feels good. It feels great.
Problem is, I haven’t actually told Hunter that I’m in love with him yet. I felt pretty sure that’s how I felt last night, but emotions were so high I didn’t want to say it only to take it back later. But no. I really do love him. I’m sure of it. And now I can barely wait to give him the news.
‘So, let me get this straight,’ says Charlotte. ‘It’s a lot for me to take on board. You married a man you barely knew. You fell in love with him. And on top of that someone has been breaking into your house and threatening you?’
I nod. ‘Aren’t you going to tease me about the gay thing? Like: I knew there must be a reason you didn’t want to have sex with me, or: looks like you’re just copying me, again. I was sure you were going to make some sort of offensive remark.’
‘Actually, Klein, I’m happy for you. I always assumed that sex and love just weren’t that important to you. Being with me was just… settling. I figured you were just at a time in your life where it made sense for you. That’s part of why it never worked for us. I wanted more. I wanted real affection. And it sounds like that’s what you have now… real affection.’
‘I do,’ I say. ‘I got there by crazy means. But I do. And… do you?’
Charlotte looks down at the ground, and kicks a stone. ‘Kitty is… a nightmare. I’ve stayed with her because I was trying to convince myself that I’d made the right decision. But Kitty doesn’t even like me. I can sense it. She’s after me for my money. That’s why I’ve been living in her apartment for so long. I keep promising her: next month we’ll find a bigger place or I’ll write you into my will or all the mad stuff she keeps asking of me… But actually, I’m just building up the courage to leave her. I’m a coward. I just can’t stand the thought of making a mess of things all over again.’
‘But Charlotte,’ I say, shaking my head, ‘by staying with her, you are making a mess. I can’t believe I’m giving you relationship advice, after all that we’ve been through, but… leave her. You’ve got to do what’s right for you. In the long-run, that’s what’s right for her too.’
Charlotte nods weakly. ‘That’s easier said than done. You don’t know what she’s like. But… you’re right.’ She looks up at me, her brows knitted together. ‘Now, who’s been threatening you?’
‘It’s a long story, Charlotte,’ I say. ‘And it involves some of your money. How about we go and get coffee somewhere and talk it over?’
‘As long as we don’t have to go back to that dreadful Oxo restaurant,’ Charlotte said. ‘We were so awkward that night.’
I bite the inside of my cheek. ‘We can’t go there anyway, because, uh, I’m vegan now.’
Charlotte chuckles. ‘You’re vegan? And gay? My, my, I really was holding you back, wasn’t I?’
We head towards a small red sign saying ‘Cafe’ on it, and I begin to fill Charlotte in on everything that’s been going on. The more that I talk, the more convinced I become that this gangster can’t win. I have far too much to lose. And my house and my fortune are the least of my worries.
14
HUNTER
* * *
The afternoon has been a whirlwind of activity. I’ve never planned something with such precision before.
I’ve got CCTV trained on every part of the house, so that whatever shit goes down tonight, the whole lot will be caught on camera. I’ve allocated hiding places in every room, so that no matter where that fucker goes tonight, there are at least two women waiting to pounce on him, to stop him from doing anything stupid.
I know that my plan is a bit mad: gathering together twenty-two badass bouncers, men who’d do anything it takes to stop a dickhead guy causing trouble.
But these people are my people. I might have been shit at turning up on time for work in the past. I might have had issues with authority. I might have been an unpredictable and unreliable employee. But I’m a fucking solid friend. And these guys are like the family I never had. We look out for one another.
It didn’t take long, once I started up a group conversation, and told everyone what was going on with Klein, before these guys became outraged and wanted to help. These are tough men, like really tough. And they’re not going to let some prick ruin me and my boyfriend’s life. I know that if any of them were in trouble, I’d do the same for them.
So, yeah. It’s a bit crazy, sure. Twenty-two gay bouncers, leaping out at an unsuspecting guy in a brown tracksuit, but… fuck it. At least he’s probably not expecting it.
I head out of the house and into the garden. There’s one person I’ve barely had a chance to speak to today, and that’s the most important person of all: Klein.
‘Hey,’ I say, as I walk down the stone steps to the section of tall grass at the very back of the garden. It’s getting dark already, but there are a few lights strung up over the garden, giving it a pleasant glow. Klein is huddled up in a parka, but he still looks freezing. His lips look so pale in this light. I love the way he looks, though. Natural. Vulnerable. Authentic. I’ve never found anyone as handsome as I find him.
‘This is my wild area,’ he says, when he sees me. ‘I never cut the grass here. I threw in a wild flower seed mix to attract birds, bees, butterflies…’ He crosses his arms, and exhales. It’s so cold out here that steam comes out of his mouth. Then, with a tremble, in his voice, he says: ‘It’s the only part of the house that really feels like me any more.’
‘That’s understandable,’ I say, putting my arm around him. ‘All these fuckers invading your home, making you feel like you’ve got no privacy.’
‘No,’ he says, shaking his head. ‘It’s not that. I can’t explain it. I designed this house at a different time in my life. It was a perfect expression of who I was then. And who I was then was… muddled. Hidden. In denial.’
‘This house is far from muddled. It’s the most impressive house I’ve ever set foot in.’
‘Thanks,’ says Klein, nuzzling his cheek against mine for a moment. ‘You’re too sweet.’
‘Ha. Nobody’s ever called me that before.’
‘I wish Charlotte could have been more help,’ Klein sighs. ‘I never realised quite how weak-willed she is. What was it she said to me? She’d be “cheering us on from the sidelines”? That’s so cowardly. You’d think my ex-wife, when her own cash is being threatened as well as her ex-husband, would have wanted to do more than cheer me on. She did say for us to give her a ring if we needed any extra security from her building firm, but… ugh. What a mess, Hunter. How did I end up in this situation?’
‘Well,’ I say, ‘the more you put yourself out there in life, the more you risk offending people. And if you’re good at what you do — if you’re successful — it’s even worse. Always someone out there who thinks they deserve it more than you. Who wants to take it away from you.’
Klein sniffs, and then nods. ‘You’re a little unconventional, Hunter, but you’re very wise too.’
‘I’ve seen a lot of things,’ I say with a shrug.
‘So…’ Klein turns to me. ‘Are you all set for tonight? Things could get messy, you know… but I don’t want anyone getting hurt. Even Grant. We’re not going to do anything stupid, Hunter. I mean that. I don’t want you going to prison over this. Not again.’
‘Of course not. None of the guys are packing heat tonight.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Nobody’s carryin
g a gun. We’re not looking to kill anyone. We’re not in a Quentin Tarantino movie, you know. This is real life. We’re going to stop that guy from doing anything dangerous and then we’re going to march him straight down to the police station. Then they’ll have no choice but to pay attention and arrest that jerk. Especially once we catch him saying some of that evil shit on one of the gazillion cameras I’ve set up.’
‘I hope you’re right.’
‘The police said their hands were tied, right? Well, if we hand Grant over to them on a silver platter, all trussed up and defenceless… it’ll be like we’re giving them their power back.’
‘I hope you’re right, Hunter,’ he sighs. ‘It just… it feels like we’re playing with fire.’
‘Well, what choice have we got?’
‘I… I want you to know, that if this all goes wrong…’ Klein’s blue eyes are wide and watery. I can’t bear to see him looking like this. Forlorn. Hopeless.
‘It won’t go wrong.’ I give him a kiss, holding him steady, letting him feel my strength. ‘Besides, I might not have a gun, but I’ve got a fresh cannister of pepper spray in my pocket, so, you know, ain’t nobody gonna mess wiv me.’ I put on a silly accent for the last bit, making Klein laugh.
‘You’re ridiculous,’ he says. ‘And you’re still crazy for thinking that carrying a condiment around with you makes you a tough guy, but… thank you. Thank you for everything.’
‘It’s no problem,’ I say. ‘I want to help you. You and me, we’re… Because I… I…’
‘And I…’ says Klein.
I know what I’m about to say, and I wonder if Klein’s about to say it too.
‘Hunts!’ It’s Samson. He’s just run into the garden, panting. ‘The fed’s are here. Well, just the one fed, but still. We’re all set up. Just got to wait for dis rude boy now.’
‘Where is he?’ I ask.
‘Just up the street. He’s sitting in his car with a stash of doughnuts. Looks about as much use as a chocolate teapot, but fuck it. We got heads here, and that’s what counts. The team’s ready. Just say the word, and we’ll get in position.’
I look at Klein. What I wanted to say to him is going to have to wait.
Right now, we need to prepare for action.
‘Let’s do it,’ I tell Samson. ‘Just make sure you all stay completely hidden. No matter how long it takes.’
Samson nods and walks back into the house. ‘You got it, boss.’
‘I don’t know if I can do this, Hunter,’ Klein says quietly. ‘I think I should just give him the money and —’
‘Klein, if you give him that money, who’s to say that’s the end of it? Who’s to say he doesn’t try to hurt us anyway? And who’s to say he doesn’t try to get more from you in the future? He already put the price up once. We have to end this. Tonight.’
Klein nods. He takes my hand, and we walk back into the house.
I make us a cup of tea and we sit at the kitchen table, nervously watching the clock. It’s half-past six.
‘He didn’t say what time he’d be coming,’ Klein says. ‘We could be sitting here for hours.’
‘Something tells me he’ll come sooner rather than later,’ I say. ‘The later at night he turns up, the more suspicious it looks if any neighbours see him. I reckon he’ll be here before nine.’
‘Oh god,’ Klein says. ‘My stomach’s churning.’
‘Drink your tea,’ I tell him. ‘I’ve put sugar in it. For the shock.’
Klein can’t help but laugh. ‘I’m not sure that’s how it works. You can’t just drink it pre-emptively, in case you get shocked at a later date.’
‘Well,’ Hunter shrugs. ‘It can’t hurt, right?’
It’s weird chatting to Klein in here. I happen to know that there’s one guy hiding in the pantry, and another in the cupboard under the sink. They’re so quiet I can’t even hear them breathe, but they can hear every word we’re saying.
Jesus, it’s one hell of a messed-up fucking plan. I just hope it works.
We finish our teas, barely saying another word, just listening to the tick… tick… tick… of the clock.
And then — at twenty past seven, there’s a knock at the door. It’s not the kind of knock a normal person would do. It’s not a gentle rat-a-tat-tat. It’s not a frantic knock either. It’s a single, loud, reverberating knock. Kind of like the bang of a gong. Or the thunderous sound of a cannon firing.
Klein is so startled by it that he almost jumps out of his skin.
‘It’s okay,’ I tell him. ‘Sooner we get this over with, the better.’ I kiss his forehead, inhaling his vanilla scent.
I love you, I think. I love you so much. If we make it out of this in one piece, I’m going to tell you that at the first chance I get.
Because that’s the thing. As much as I’m trying to be brave, trying to make everyone think that it’s all going to be okay… I’ve no idea how tonight’s going to go down. All I can do is hope and pray.
My chair scrapes back and I walk to the front door. I swallow away my terror as I look through the peephole.
And there he is.
That gold medallion, those gold rings. It’s a different tracksuit tonight, a bright red one. Perhaps to hide the blood.
Fuck.
Stop it, Hunter. Just open the door and get this over with. You can take this prick.
I undo the various locks, which are hardly keeping us safe anyway since he’s already broken in once, and I open the door.
‘Good evening, Mister MacArthur,’ he says, flashing me a smile that perfectly shows off his grey, junkie teeth.
I don’t say a word, but step away from the door, so that Grant can come in.
I look behind him. There’s no-one else there. Thank god. This will be much more manageable when he’s alone.
‘Ah, Kleineman,’ says Grant, walking into the kitchen. ‘How lovely to see you.’
Klein scowls. ‘How do you know my full name?’
‘I make it my business to know all sorts of things,’ Grant replies, sitting down. ‘So… looks like I came too late for a cuppa. Unless you’re making another?’
‘Let’s get this over with, Grant,’ I say. ‘You’re here for money, not tea.’
Grant looks at me and grins. ‘So, do I take it you’ve come to your senses then, lads? You got my fifteen million ready for me, have you? I was worried for a minute you might have chosen the other option. The one where I start rearranging your faces with a Stanley knife…’ He looks left and right. ‘Where is it then, boys? We gonna have a treasure hunt? Oooh, let me guess… Hunter… is it stuffed down your boxers? Come a bit closer and let me have a look…’
‘Fuck you, Grant,’ I spit. I’m about to give him an earful, but then I notice something glinting in his pocket.
Shit.
I knew it was possible — likely, even — that he’d bring a gun. That doesn’t take away from the shock of seeing it, though. If anyone in this house gets hurt tonight I’m going to feel personally responsible.
‘The money’s in the safe,’ I say. ‘Upstairs.’
‘Ooh, very fancy. You have a safe.’ Grant chuckles. ‘Kind of ironic given that you’re about to get a fuckload of money snatched from it, eh? Not really safe at all, then, is it?’
Neither Klein nor I laugh.
‘So… do I get a guided tour up there, then, or what?’
‘How about you and I go up there together?’ I say. ‘No need for all of us to go.’
I really don’t want Klein getting hurt if things go south.
‘Think you can pull a fast one on me, do you, lads? I wasn’t born yesterday. You’re plotting something. Both of you. Upstairs. Now.’
Klein looks like a rabbit trapped in headlights. I can’t bear seeing him this scared.
‘Follow me,’ I say.
I start walking up the stairs, hearing Grant’s horrible wheezing breath close behind me. I feel vulnerable like this, with my back to him. I can’t see Klein, either. I sh
ould have got him to walk up the stairs first, so I could keep an eye on him.
After what feels like an age, we reach the top of the stairs and head into Klein’s office.
‘Seems like it was a bit too easy getting hold of fifteen million,’ Grant says as he watches me walk to the cupboard. ‘Beginning to think I should’ve asked for more. This place must be worth a pretty penny too.’
Just then, I hear a click. A very bad click. A click that I’ve never heard in real life, but I recognise it from every crime thriller I’ve ever scene. It’s the click of a gun being cocked.
I whip my head around and see Grant holding a gun to Klein’s head.
‘I wasn’t born yesterday,’ sneers Grant through his teeth. ‘I know, I just fucking know you’re up to something.’
Klein’s face is frozen in an expression of pure panic. The gun is pressed hard up against his temple.
‘We’re not up to anything, Grant,’ I say.
‘Yeah, right,’ he laughs. ‘You must think I’m a fucking moron. You’re keeping a gun in that safe, and you’re gonna pull the trigger on me the second you open that thing.’
‘Look,’ I say, ‘why don’t you get the money out of the safe? I’ll give you the code.’
Grant considers this. ‘Is this part of your plan? You want me to do it so I’m distracted and then you pull a gun on me from somewhere else?’
‘I don’t have a gun,’ I say. ‘There are no guns in this entire fucking house. Scout’s honour… Jesus, you’re paranoid.’
‘Hey, I know,’ Grant says. ‘I’ll get him to do it.’ He looks at Klein. ‘You —’ he points at me, ‘— you get to the other side of the fucking room. No. Leave the fucking room. I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want both of you in here.’
‘How about I stand in the doorway?’ I ask. There’s no way I’m going to leave the room entirely while he’s pointing a gun at Klein’s head.
Grant nods. ‘Fine. Now, open the fucking safe, Klein.’
