A Killer Among Us

by Rhys Stalba-Smith

  Yet he didn’t. He stayed watching, crouching half in the darkness. Remembering the threats, the photos of him and the family. He began counting the body bags again, more than ten. The note clutched in his hand. Why didn’t he go, surely they could protect him?

  A banged up Corolla rolled up among the police vehicles, an officer ushered it further in. An officer bent down and talked to the driver, then went inside. A few minutes later Detective Davidson came out, spoke with the driver, then stepped back. Roger exited the car, his face white in the harsh light, cigarette in mouth. He handed a wad of cash to Davidson and began gesturing around. This was how he got his news so early, Charlie thought. These were his leads. Paying for them. He suspected Carl knew, probably why he kept him on.

  Davidson lead Roger over to the bags, they counted them off on their fingers. Both men knelt by one bag, zipped it open and looked. Both grimaced.

  Charlie could only wonder why they allowed Roger this far in. What benefit was it? He couldn’t make sense of it. Then Roger went over to the ravers, started talking with them. Charlie could see the girl from the entrance, the cheshire cat visible from even here. Roger spoke to her for a while, then even from this distance he could understand the distinctive words of, fuck off. Roger laughed, walked off.

  Then the other detective came out. The woman. She was looking around frustrated, saw him with Roger. She walked over. Obviously not agreeing with Roger’s presence. What was her name? Charlie wondered. He didn’t think he’d ever known it, Davidson hadn’t said it. She was saying something along the lines of get back in there. Davidson’s senior. Maybe from out of town?

  Charlie realised someone was pointing at him. Not at him, but his direction. The man in the tank top with an officer. Now gesturing someone being carried. It was time to go. Charlie backtracked on his hands and knees, looked around for anything connected to him. There was only so much he could make out in the darkness, then ran.

  Twenty minutes later, he made it to the bus stops on Port road. Headed for the city. He turned his shirt inside out, then looking at himself in the bus stop glass decided to take it off. He was wearing an undershirt anyway, tied it around his waist. He couldn’t help his dirty bandaged hands. He waited twenty minutes for a bus before realising it was a weekday, no buses ran after midnight during the week. He needed another way home. He saw a pub further down the road, taxis parked out front. He rolled his shirt up around his waist now, walked up to the taxi, asked if the man was on break. Nope, wanna ride? Charlie said his address.

  Thirty minutes later he was out north, getting dropped off at the end of his street. He put his hand in his pocket to grab his wallet, realised it was gone. It must still be in the Port. The taxi driver looking at him expectantly.

  Sorry mate, Charlie said, then opened the door and ran. Yelling behind him, car horn tooting, engine revving, tires turning quickly. Charlie didn’t look, just ran the opposite way of his house. Went for a fence and jumped. Landed on his chest, arms splayed, winding himself. Got up and kept going, jumping another fence after that, landing in a back trash alley. Bins clattering. He saw high beams swinging around in the night. He got up and ran to the end of the street, turned right knowing it would loop back to his street. He’d lived in Silversgrove his whole life, knew it like his own face.

  He came to his street after a few minutes, saw no sign of the taxi. Walked quickly home, ignoring the feeling in his gut that he was being watched, ignored the feeling in his head that things were crashing down. He hoped the police wouldn’t search where he’d been mugged. Or searched, whatever it was. He could head back tomorrow. Fetch his wallet. No one would be wiser. But the tank top man didn’t give him any confidence. He hoped he had been mugged, his things taken. He turned up their path, up the steps, at the door. No keys either. Shit.

  Charlie lifted the pot plant, took the spare. Unlocked the door and let himself in. Closing the door without a sound. Just had to wash his shirt. Get to bed—

  Charlie?

  He froze.

  Charlie? Eve asked again. I know it’s you, get in here.

  Charlie drifted into the lounge room. Eve’s reading light clicked on. Where the hell have you been, I’ve been worried sick. No call, nothing, not even—the hell happened to your face? Your hands?

  Charlie felt his face, dried blood crusting his nose and cheeks. He was surprised the cabby had said nothing. Uh, he said. I um, I got mugged.

  You what?

  I got mugged. That’s why I’m late. I was in the city. Coming back from the restaurant.

  Did you tell the police? Have you reported it? Was your wallet taken? Keys? I heard you lift the pot.

  Look, Charlie put his hands up to stop her, but saw the bandages covered in dirt and blood. Eve’s eyes in horror. Put his hands down. Look, it’s alright. I’ll handle it. Gonna call in the morning.

  Call now Charlie! Someone stole your wallet and keys. Your address is in the wallet, your license—

  I’ll handle it, Charlie said. Okay, right now I’m a little shaken up. I just want to clean myself up, get to bed. It’s been a long night.

  I’ll help you, Eve said, getting up from her chair.

  No, no it’s okay. Charlie’s hands up again.

  What’s that on your pants? Eve asked.

  Charlie looked down, his pants covered in glowstick paint. I dunno.

  Eve came close to him. You stink of sweat. You reek actually. Where was it you got mugged?

  I told you, Charlie said, turning away. He stalked down the hallway to the bathroom. Eve right on his tail. It was coming back from the restaurant. On the way to the bus stop. I took a shortcut I shouldn’t have. They entered the bathroom together. The light harsh on Charlie’s eyes. It’s not a problem, he began—then stopped seeing his own face. If this wasn’t a problem, he hated to think what might be.

  You can’t do this. We have kids Charlie. Now, we have kids. Before when you were acting up and crazy, we didn’t. But now, now we have kids. You have to call. You have—

  We had Harper, he said, looking at her in the mirror. We had Harper.

  That argument doesn’t inspire much confidence—

  And don’t you think I know that anyway, Charlie snapped. Turning on the tap. More than bloody anything, don’t you think I know? It’s why I’m working at this bloody paper.

  Then quit, Eve said. If it’s so bad. Get out. You know I want to work. You can look after the girls.

  No, he said. No, I have to do this. You don’t understand.

  Tell me then, Eve said, fists on hips. What is it? Tell me.

  Charlie had the feeling of a distinct memory, a similar conversation, but he squashed it. He started unwrapping his bandages and began washing his face. Splashing the water on his swollen cheeks. There were bigger things to think of. He was worried about his things at the warehouse, he couldn’t recall when he’d lost them. Had it been a mugging? Or in the rave? That the police would search the entire area. Surely there was a trap involved here from Ethan. He had to cover himself. There wasn’t any room for mistakes now. His hands stung, water red and the jelly pushing around on his skin. His face tender to the water.

  What’s this? Eve asked.

  Charlie looked up at Eve. She was holding a piece of paper. Where’d you get that?

  It just fell out of your pocket, she replied. What is this?

  It’s nothing, Charlie said, snatching for the paper.

  But Eve was quick, she pulled away. No, tell me Charlie. Are you having episodes again?

  No, it’s not that. Again Charlie reached for the paper. Give it back Eve. It’s serious.

  Watch how they conspire against you. Who’s this from? What’s it about? Eve looked scared, concerned, angry all at the same time. Stop lying Charlie.

  It’s nothing, he lied. Washing his face again in the water.

  Don’t do this Charlie. Not now.

  Why? He looked up at her through the mirror. Cause you kissed Gary?

  Eve looked confused.
He kissed me, where is this coming from anyway?

  It seems you’ve never forgiven me, Charlie said. All these years you’ve been concerned how my mistake made you feel or be perceived. Not that my career was—

  What is this? You’ve come home later. And what I said after the party came out wrong, Eve said. You shouldn’t take it—

  My career, Charlie cut back in. Everything I worked towards was gone. Everything in my life, my reasons for being, what I was good at and able to do. Everything that mattered was taken away. Now I’m dicking around at some paper, trying to write a shit book that will be only another disappointment in my life. Charlie wanted to punch the walls. What he didn’t say was that since Jesse Mullins, since he gave Sarah the razor to free herself, the hallucination had never come back. That was the real piece unsaid. That he lost his sister all over again.

  Is that all you think? Eve asked. That you lost everything that mattered? That only you were affected by this? That your wife who supported you through it all was nothing? That your daughter, who has had to move from school to school because of bullying, wasn’t affected? That I’ve been unable to work, looking after both our daughters—

  Now you’re making it unfair, Charlie said.

  You made it unfair when you picked this argument. You made it unfair when you decided that all you cared about was yourself. Eve had tears in her eyes. The paper scrunched in her hands. To think, she began. Closed her eyes and calmed herself. To think I thought of leaving you. But I stayed because I believed you were good. Because I believed you still loved me, us. But it seems it’s been the Charlie Gardner show all along.

  No Eve, that’s not it. You know—

  I know now, she said.

  Charlie went towards Eve, but she backed away, into the door. Her back against it. Everything I’m doing is for us, he said. You don’t understand.

  And I keep saying to tell me, Eve looked scared. Looking at his face, hands.

  It’s not that easy, he said. There’s things you can’t know. If I told you everything, you’d think me crazy.

  Then why not try me Charlie?

  This was it, he could tell her everything. Maybe together they could defeat Ethan? Maybe they could fix this problem as one? He just had to take the chance. The leap. Sarah might come back? I want to tell you everything, he said. I, I’ve not told you the whole truth in a long time. There’s things I always left out. Things—

  A scream echoed through the house. Charlie and Eve’s blood turned stiff. Daddy! Rachel screaming. They ran from the bathroom, burst open the door of the girls bedroom. Rachel crying hysterically in bed, pointing. Harper shaking and crying too. Eve went to Rachel and Charlie to Harper. What was wrong, he heard Eve asking. A man at the window, Rachel said. Looking in.

  It was just a bad dream, Eve replied. But Charlie’s hand froze stroking Harper’s forehead. A man at the window. His heart pumping sludge. A. Man. At. The. Window. He looked through the glass, scanning the dark garden. Shadows everywhere. They had high fences but even then, if someone really wanted to scale them… Eve comforting Rachel, Charlie stood, opened the window and looked out. Couldn’t hear anything, see anything. I’m gonna have a look, he said.

  Be careful, Eve said. She picked up Rachel and they crossed to Harper.

  Charlie walked into the kitchen, took a flashlight from atop the fridge. Went to leave, turned back and took a knife. He went through the backdoor. Stood shaking in the middle of the backyard. If anyone’s here, I’ve got a knife, he said. If you wanna try a-anything. I mean business.

  There was nothing. Silence greeting him.

  He stayed still. Scanning. Hands shaking. Heart racing. He looked back through the window, saw the girls watching him. He waved. Stood for a bit longer, were his hands sweating or bleeding? Returned back to the house. In the kitchen, he put the knife back in the block.

  Felt the phone in his pocket begin to rumble. He’d forgotten all about it. He reached in and took it out. The rumbling had stopped. It was a different phone. A new one. He’d received a message. He flipped it open.

  Very brave Charlie…

  He pocketed it and went back to his girls. Nothing else to be done.

  Charlie and Eve slept the night in the girls bedroom. Eve with Harper and Charlie with Rachel. He woke up with Rachel cuddling him. His eyes still heavy. Dreams circling his mind. He couldn’t remember what he’d been dreaming about. The night so far away. So long ago. S0—

  A knock at the door. Eve stirred, Probably the postie, she said.

  Charlie heard her vaguely. His head pounding more than when he’d woken up under the cardboard. He wondered what time it was. He hadn’t even showered. Stank. Why was the postie coming so early with their mail? What had Eve ordered anyway that needed a signature?

  Another knock.

  I’ll go then, Eve said, rising from the bed. The frustration thick.

  Charlie nodded, eyes still closed. Trying to remember what he was thinking about. His dream, what had been his dream? Heat. Extreme heat and pain. Fire. Burning. A memory or a dream? He heard the footsteps of Eve going down the hall. He opened his eyes, looked around the room now that his eyes had adjusted. Heard her jangling the keys in the lock, it sometimes stuck on the inside. What did he know about fire? His best friend had died in a fire. The fire that had killed Ethan. He supposed with everything his brain was dredging all it could from his past. The lock finally turned and Eve opened up the door. She said something to the person. It wasn’t the postie. He sat upright when he heard the person talk.

  Hello, Evelyn isn’t it? I’m Detective Davidson, I was just wondering if your husband was home?

  Charlie’s heart did stop then. Skipped back into a beat. He flexed his hands in fear, the dried blood cracked, he grimaced. He got out of bed, his mind tripping over itself and making no sense. Eve said something about coming in to him. She’d get him for you. Charlie was caged. Shit shit shit shit shit.

  Eve entered the room. There’s a detective here to see you? I didn’t realise you got back up and called already—

  Eve listen to me. Charlie grabbed her by the shoulders. You have to listen very carefully and trust me.

  What’re you on about?

  Last night, I was with you after I got mugged, okay? I came back straight away. I got in before midnight. Not at whatever time I got in.

  What’re you talking about? She asked. You did get mugged, didn’t you?

  Just say it back to me, Charlie said. Red now staining her shoulders. I was with you all night. I finished my review. Got mugged. Came home.

  Charlie what are you talking about? Eve asked. Her face white. You were mugged, weren’t you?

  Say it, he hissed. I need this.

  Eve stayed silent for a long time. Then her face became set. This is it Charlie, the last time I help you. The last time I keep your secret. She looked at her shoulders, took a blanket from Harper’s bed, who was still asleep, and draped it around her shoulders.

  Eve, listen, Charlie began. But Eve left, pulling away from him. He heard her enter the kitchen and tell the detective that he was on his way. He was shaking all over. He left the girls room and tried to make his story. His head whirring. Eve came back past him, not looking him in the eye.

  He entered the kitchen and found Detective Davidson, hands in pockets, looking through the kitchen window at the garden. Beautiful view, he said. You’ve turned your plot into a nice garden.

  That’s Eve, Charlie said. Spends a lot of time at home.

  Davidson nodded, licked his lips. Wish my wife did something like that. He turned to Charlie, Looks like that hurt.

  Yeah, I got mugged last night, Charlie said. Lost my keys and wallet.

  That so? Davidson said, looking surprised. You reported it yet?

  No, I was gonna wait until the morning, Charlie said. Last thing on my mind last night really. Long day. Didn’t want to scare the girls. Thought I’d call in early.

  Understandable, Davidson said. Well ya know the earlier
you call in the better. Gives us more of a lead on the criminal, ya know? He took his hands out of his pockets. As coincidences go though, couldn’t have had more perfect timing. I can help you make your report. But before that—he dug around in his pocket, pulled out a wallet and keys. Found these last night. I bet you’ll never guess where.

  Charlie stared at his belongings. Then at Davidson, the sun streaming in behind him. His face grim, looking at Charlie differently now. Where’d you find them? he asked.

  You first, Davidson said. What happened to your hands? That happen with the mugging too?

  They had a knife, Charlie said quickly.

  Davidson nodding like he understood, sympathising. Right. Look this is all pretty grim business, I think we should talk about it down at the station, he said. Your mugging, where I found your things, if you wanna get changed, maybe take a shower. Stink a bit like sweat to be honest. He flashed a dangerous smile. I’d be happy to give you a lift.

  Charlie said nothing, just kept staring at the keys and wallet. Seeing Ethan’s face in his mind. Remembering now the silhouette that had stood over him. He could put the two together. But he didn’t see Ethan stomping down on him. He saw a foot stomping down on a bug. He was the bug, and that the foot coming down was his life.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Charlie woke, as if he were being pulled upwards like a plug. The smell of smoke on his nostrils. There was an alarm sounding. Loud and persistent. He looked around, still in the rehab facility. He tried moving, remembered his legs hadn’t got there yet. He turned and pressed the big red button.

  The smell of smoke pervaded. His nostrils filling with it. He pulled his shirt over his nose. Remembered having done this at a similar time when he was younger. Smoke burning his lungs then though.

  His door burst open and Percy came in. Mate, you orright? He asked.

  Are we? Charlie replied.

  Percy flashed a big smile and nodded. Too right. Some dickhead started a fire in the kitchens. Gotta evacuate. Carn. He came around the bed and wheeled Charlie’s chair over. Clicked on the brake. Charlie put his arms up and allowed the man to grab him around the middle. He was lifted into the chair as if he’d been a child. All good? Percy asked. Charlie nodded and Percy wheeled him from the room. Just procedure more than anything. Reckon we’ll be back in within the hour.