by Drew Black
"What happened, honestly, I can't remember a thing."
"Not even me kneeing you in the balls?" She said laughing a little before blowing her nose. This prompted Jenkins to have another flashback, but it wasn't of her kneeing him in the balls, it was of him feeling her boobs. She was telling him to stop, but he tried to kiss her instead. He closed his eyes. "God Philippa, I'm so sorry, I was pissed. I would never hurt you; I swear. I don't know what to say. I feel so ashamed of myself. I know we've only known each other a couple of weeks, but you mean the world to me." Jenkins shook his head, "I'm sorry." He said before turning and walking out of the kitchen.
PHILIPPA’S LAST ASSIGNMENT.
1
J enkins collected Philippa from her house and drove her to his own. Neither of them spoke much on the journey because the job at hand was certainly not going to be a pleasant one. They were both more than aware that the whole assignment hinged on this one day. If he's not in we can't do it, Philippa thought, we'll have to put it off until tomorrow or even the day after, but he was going to be in, wasn't he? What would happen if someone saw her getting out of Jenkins's car, one his colleagues perhaps? What if he didn't want anything to do with her, or worse still, he realised instantly that she was a fake. Oh God, stop worrying Philippa, she told herself. Just believe it's all real and it will happen. Today is the worst day, it's the day when you really earn your money.
Jenkins had butterflies has he drove along; he wasn't sure why because he'd done this type of thing a hundred times before. In fact, this was relatively tame compared with some of the escapades he'd been involved in. Maybe it was because it involved Philippa? He did like her; they'd had great fun sprucing up her new house. The incident on the night of England's World Cup triumph had been placed firmly in the past, or so he hoped. Why did he always have to act like a fuckin' idiot when he'd had a drink, he thought pursing his lips and tightening his grip on the steering wheel. He really did like her though. Furthermore, he didn't care about her past, it didn't bother him in the slightest. What did bother him, however, was Davies getting his filthy paws on her.
The car's speed increased.
He wasn’t looking forward to injuring Philippa, not in the slightest, and yet the prospect of violence still made his body tingle with excitement.
"Are you okay?" He said glancing across at her as they approached his house.
Philippa nodded, "Yes, but I just want to get today over with."
Jenkins pulled over to the kerb. "I won't be a second," he said, "I just want to check on something, and then we'll get off."
Jenkins took his briefcase upstairs and collected his gun. It was better to be safe than sorry he thought. Now to collect the dog. Philippa wasn't going to like this, not one little bit he thought descending the stairs.
Jenkins brought the car to a halt in front of a telephone box about a hundred and fifty yards from Davies's house. "I won't be long." He said to Philippa who was now looking decidedly peaky. The spaniel barked away in the back. Stupid fuckin' mutt Jenkins thought as he closed the car door. Inside the kiosk he dialled Davies's number, his heart began to race.
"Jack Davies."
"Hello, could I speak to Sarah, please?" Jenkins said disguising his voice. "You've got the wrong number." came the reply. "Well, I dialled--" The line went dead. Charming as ever Jenkins thought with a smile. "Could I speak to Sarah?" he repeated as he pushed open the kiosk's heavy door. "We'd better move." he said getting back in the car. "Davies is the type to come out and check the streets after he's had a wrong number."
"He's in then." Philippa said gulping slightly.
"He sure is." Jenkins said engaging first and indicating to pull out. They parked down a side street that allowed them visibility of Davies's gates whilst making the vehicle much less conspicuous. Jenkins got out of the car and went around to the boot. His hand shook slightly, as he unlocked it. He took out a hand-held lump hammer, a towel, and a piece of cloth. He took a deep breath, closed the boot, and re-locked it. He got back into the car and said, "Right, walk down the street and find somewhere to fall, as if you've been hit from the right. Ladder your stockings up, that sort of thing.
Philippa hesitated.
"Do it!" Jenkins shouted.
The spaniel whimpered a little.
Her paralysis broken, Philippa got out of the car and closed the door. She returned five minutes later, suitably dishevelled.
"That's good." Jenkins said giving her a quick inspection. Tears were already welling in Philippa's eyes. This was going to work Jenkins thought. He now saw her not as someone he liked or loved even. No, now she was just one of his troops. Just don't fuckin' go out now Davies, Jenkins prayed, just five more minutes, that's all I ask. "Put the lead on the dog." he said.
Philippa completed the task quicker than expected. The Spaniel licked at her hand and she patted it on the head. Now the tears came.
"Come on Philippa, we haven't got time for this, give me your right leg." Philippa adjusted her position. "Push the seat right back." Philippa duly obliged. "Bite down hard on this, it's clean." he said handing her the towel. Philippa put a portion of it in her mouth, and bit down hard on it. Jenkins took the cloth and placed it on Philippa’s tibia. "Close your eyes," he said, "it'll be any time within the next minute. Jenkins took hold of the lump hammer and took aim. He knew this had to be perfect, he didn't want to shatter the leg, but he had to break it. Beads of sweat formed on his brow, the spaniel looked on from the back-seat panting. Just one shot, that's all he had. He brought the hammer down firmly. He heard Philippa's muffled scream, but he didn't hear or feel the leg break. Fuck it though, he'd hit the leg hard, if he gave it another blow, it might look suspicious.
The dog was whining. He hit it much harder than he had Philippa, square in the face. The dog fell silent. Jenkins gently brushed Philippa's hair out of her face. "You'll be okay," he said. "but now we've got to move quickly." Philippa appeared to be in shock. Jenkins threw the hammer behind her seat and turned on the car's ignition - the engine fired into life. He drove out of the side street and onto the main road. He pulled into the kerb approximately fifteen yards before the start of Davies's drive. He daren’t go any closer even though he was mindful of saving Philippa from any further injury. Jenkins placed the Spaniel's body on Philippa's lap. "I'm sorry." he said looking into her tear-filled eyes. Without waiting for a reply, he said, "Wait until I give the word, the coast has got to be absolutely clear. I don't want some old git rushing to help you. Keep looking at me." he said as a couple passed the car. There was someone else in the distance. For fuck sake, come on, he thought agitatedly. Finally, the person passed. He gave them a minute, he thought he spotted someone else, but fuck it, it had to be now. "Go Philippa, go now!" he shouted.
Philippa opened the car door as if she was on autopilot.
"Be careful, I'll be thinking of you." Jenkins said before leaning over and pulling the passenger door too.
Philippa felt pain shoot right through her whole body as soon as he right foot came into contact with the ground. She cried out. The twenty yards or so, to the entrance of Davies’s house looked more like half a mile. She clung to the Spaniel and tried with all her might to keep her weight on her right leg.
Jenkins reversed up and re-took his spot on the side street. This was in direct contravention to Quilter's orders, but he just had to see whether she got into Davies's house or not.
Philippa eventually made it to Davies's intercom. She pressed at it continuously until a voice said, "Jack Davies."
"Help me please, I've just been run down." Philippa sobbed. "I think my leg's broken, and my dog, my dog's dead."
"Okay, I'll be straight down." Jack said. He ran upstairs and collected his jacket and gun. He had a quick look out of the bedroom window, and then came downstairs again. He picked up his car keys and headed out. He drove to the gate and pressed the remote control. She appeared genuine; "Come in." he said. Aware she was injured, but still unwilling to set foot outside h
is property.
She hobbled towards him, her dog in her arms. It was obvious to Jack that the girl had been in an accident, so he went over to help her. She leant against him and he helped her over to his Jag. She'd been crying and looked extremely shaken; however, Jack couldn't help noticing how attractive she was. This realisation brought a pang of guilt. "Lay across the back seat." he said taking the Spaniel from her.
"But your lovely car?"
"Sod the car." Jack said we need to get you to hospital, I don't want to get your hopes up, but your dog has got a pulse, I'll drop it off at the vets on the way, what's its name?"
"He's called Sammy." Philippa said her bottom lip trembling. She suddenly hated Jenkins and Quilter, she’d been prepared to suffer her own pain, but she had never agreed to killing or harming a defenceless little animal. She began to cry.
"Hey, come on." Jack said gently laying the dog on the passenger seat. He closed the door and ran around and got in the driver's side.
Jack entered the vets and went up to the reception. "I've got a badly injured dog in the car," he said, "It's just been run down, can somebody help me?"
"Yes, certainly sir." the receptionist said, picking up the phone in front of her. An elderly gentleman duly emerged carrying a piece of hardboard. "Who has the badly injured dog?" he asked looking around the waiting room.
"It's me sir, he's in the car." Jack said already heading for the door, the vet followed him. "He's here.” Jack said opening the Jag's passenger door.
"Oh, hello." the vet said on seeing Philippa laid across the back seat.
"Hi," she said, "do you think you'll be able to save him?"
"I'll do my best dear." the vet said feeling the dog's neck for a pulse. "If you can just lift him, err…"
"Jack." Jack said.
"If you can lift him Jack, I'll slide the hardboard under him.
The vet looked a kind man Philippa thought. He wore a white tunic with black trousers and apart from grey/white wisps just above his ears, he was completely bald.
"I'll do my best for him dear." he repeated. "Have you been hit by a car?"
"Yes." Philippa answered, nodding and biting her bottom lip, her tears starting again. She regretted ever meeting David Quilter. The vet gave her a kindly smile, before lifting the dog out of the car.
"I'll be as quick as I can." Jack said before closing the door and following the vet into the surgery.
The vet shook his head as he examined the spaniel on the operating table. "I think we're going to have to put him down Jack."
"Is there nothing you can do; it would mean the world to the girl. if you could save him."
"Were you the one who ran them down?" the vet asked looking at Jack and raising an eyebrow.
Jack shook his head, "I was passing, in my car that is."
The vet nodded, "I wasn't prying," he said, "I was just going to commend you for stopping, that's all, sadly not many would in this day and age."
Jack hesitated for a second and then said; "Listen, Mr ..."
"Cantrell, Philip Cantrell." the vet said.
"Well, Mr Cantrell, I want you to have this." Jack said producing a twenty-pound note from his pocket. "This is for you, whether the dog lives or dies, and if you can save him, I'll give you another twenty. Plus, obviously, I'll pay for all the veterinary fees."
"Well thanks Jack, your gesture is heart-warming and very much appreciated, but honestly, I wouldn't get yours or the young lady's hopes up, he's got a badly fractured skull by the looks of it. I'll operate on him immediately, but like I said ..."
Jack nodded, "I understand Mr Cantrell, you seem a genuine sort of a person, and I know you'll do your best for him. I'll call back later to check on him, but now I must get to the hospital."
"Okay Jack, I'll see you later, you may have to come around to the back, if the front door's locked."
"Okay, thanks Mr Cantrell, I'll see you later." Jack said shaking the vet’s hand. Philip Cantrell shook his head as Jack left the room.
"It's not far now." Jack said as he drove along. "You're not from round here are you? Sorry, I'm Jack by the way, we haven't really had time for introductions, have we?"
Philippa shook her head, "No, we haven't, I'm Philippa, Philippa Marsh. No, I'm not from round here, well not until three weeks ago that is. I wish I'd stayed in Manchester now."
Jack pursed his lips; "Manchester, eh? What made you move up here then? he asked indicating to turn right.
Philippa shrugged.
"Sorry, I'm quizzing you." Jack said.
"No, it's okay, my parents left me quite a bit of money, so I decided to get away from the city and move out to the countryside instead."
"Is there anyone you want me to contact for you, just to let them know what's happened?"
"No, I'm alone, you could do me one last favour though, that's if you don't mind, you've done so much for me already."
"Of course, what is it?" Jack asked. There was something about this girl, he thought, something he couldn't quite put his finger on, maybe it was the eyes because to him they appeared almost cat-like. Jack was brought to his senses by Philippa's next statement, "Could you inform the police for me. I remember seeing glasses and a beard and the car was definitely red. I suppose it could be anyone." she said with a sarcastic laugh. "but if there is the slightest chance of catching them ..."
"Them?" Jack asked questioningly, but when he turned around Philippa was dozing.
2
"Err, you can come and see your girlfriend now Mr Davies." a nurse informed Jack.
"She's not my - okay, thank you." Jack said getting to his feet and following the nurse into the operating theatre. A doctor met them inside; "Your wife's been extremely lucky sir ..."
"She's just a family friend." Jack informed him.
"Oh." the doctor replied looking at the nurse.
"She has no-one else, so I guess that makes me her next of kin." Jack quickly added.
"I can't see any harm in informing you then Mr ..."
"Davies." the nurse interjected.
The doctor proceeded with his diagnosis. I hope you know what you're getting yourself into here, Jack thought. Two hours ago, you didn't even know this woman, now your referring to her as your next of kin!
"Like I said Mr Davies ..."
"Yes, I understand doctor, do you think I could see her now though."
"Err, yes, I don't see why not, but don't keep her long, she's had a very nasty shock, and needs to rest."
Jack went over to Philippa's bedside. He felt a bit awkward as he pulled up a chair, careful not to scrape the chairs’ legs along the floor.
Philippa opened her eyes, closed them and then re-opened them.
She did look tired, and her face seemed a little swollen.
"Hi." she said. "Thank you. Sorry, I can't remember your name. It must be the gas"
"Don't worry about that right now, you just need to rest. You've been lucky, if you know what I mean. The doctor said it could've been a lot worse, you've sustained a hairline fracture to your tibia, but the bone's not broken. No, don't try to look. You'll be in a cast for about six to eight weeks. Apart from that, the rest is just cuts and bruises. So, hopefully in two months’ time, you'll be as good as new.”
"My job, I only started it last Monday." Philippa said licking her lips. "Could I have a drink of water please?"
"Sure." Jack said taking a tumbler from the bedside table and half filling it from the jug that was situated beside it.
Philippa took the glass from Jack with shaky hands, she drank most of it and handed it back to him, "Thank you." she said.
"Don't worry about your job, just focus on getting better. Are you sure there's no-on I can contact for you?” Although Jack felt sorry for the woman, he could ill afford to get any further involved with the situation.
Philippa shook her head.
Shit, Jack thought, she was going to need looking after. This was getting out of hand. Jesus, why did everything have to happe
n to him?
As if realising his frustration at the situation, Philippa said; "I'm sorry."
Jack shook his head, "Don't be, it's not your fault you got run down." He prayed for a miracle regarding the girl's dog. At least that would give her a boost, something to focus on during her recovery.
"I just didn't see it, until it was too late." A tear left Philippa's right eye and began to course its way down her cheek.
"Hey, come on," Jack said, "it's not your fault, cars drive way too fast along that road. All the residents complain about it. I’ll give your employers a call, if you like. Where do you work?"
"Sturman’s, in the town centre."
Jack smiled.
"Do you know it?" Philippa asked.
"Me and Brian Webb go way back."
"You know Mr Webb?" Philippa asked tensing with genuine surprise. Starman’s had not been on the exemption list Quilter and Jenkins had compiled for her, and Jenkins had also sanctioned her taking the job. After a couple of seconds, she relaxed. Afterall, she thought, there was nothing Webb knew about her that could incriminate her in any way whatsoever. On the contrary, the fact that he knew Jack might do her some good.
"Yes, I know him, and moreover, he owes me a few favours. You won't have any problems there. Listen, I better get going, I'll go and check on err, Sammy. The vet told us to prepare ourselves for the worst though."
Philippa nodded.
The vet was right.
3
Philippa gingerly lowered herself into her armchair. It felt good to be out of that place, she thought with a sigh. "What are you smiling at?" she asked Jack, laughing herself.
"Oh, you just reminded me of someone, that's all. An old friend of mine broke his leg years back. It was the look on your face once you'd managed to sit down. I remember him making exactly the same expression."