by Blake Banner
“Well, that was when you were a child, Arnold, honey, and it’s different when you’re a child.”
His voice turned resentful. “Everything changed when Joe came to live with us. He ruined everything. I don’t like Joe!”
“Now I don’t want you talking like that about Uncle Joe. He’s our special friend and he helps Daddy a lot. Why, I don’t know what we’d do without Uncle Joe!”
“He takes all my friends away…” There was silence, then he added, with a bitter twist in his voice, “He takes you away!”
“Now, Arnold! That is not true! I don’t want you talking like that! Nobody will ever take me away from you! Ever! You hear me, mister?”
“I guess…” He didn’t sound very convinced.
“Now, I think it’s time for you to have a little lie down and a rest. What do you think?”
I glanced at my watch. It was barely eight thirty. I heard Arnold’s voice, still sulking. “OK. Will you stay till I’m asleep, and sing to me?”
“Of course I will, my darling. You’re still Mommy’s baby boy. Come on, sweetheart, I’ll help you to the bed.”
I saw her stand and bend over him. He stood too, apparently with difficulty, and then they moved across the room, toward the bed and out of view. After a moment, I heard her start to sing. He said, in a sleepy voice, “I do wish Prim could come and visit me, Mommy. She’s so pretty and sweet…”
But she ignored him and kept on singing. I pulled the door closed and slipped into the corridor again. There, I leaned against the wall and slowly slid down to sit on the floor. My mind was racing: the men and women in the depot, Arnold and Karen, and Joe and the snow plow… It all began to make some kind of horrible sense.
sixteen
I heard the door open around the corner and rose silently to my feet. I heard her steps move briskly along the landing and then thud softly down the stairs. I had to decide quickly whether to follow her or find Abi and Sean. I decided I knew to within five rooms where they were, and all of a sudden I was very curious to hear more of what Karen had to say. I followed her.
I moved to the top of the stairs and watched her reach the hall and walk past Phil without looking at him. She crossed the tiled floor, her heels tapping loudly, knocked on a tall, walnut door, waited a moment, and went in. I took the steps three at a time, wondering how I was going to manage to eavesdrop on their conversation. I moved silently to the door and listened. All I could make out was a muffled exchange that sounded vaguely irritable. Then suddenly Aloysius’ voice was getting louder and I realized he was approaching.
On my right there was a column with the bust of somebody who looked Greek and wise, like his name should have been Platocrates. Beyond it was one of those mock Louis XV sofas. Two long strides took me past them both and I crouched down as the door opened. Aloysius came out on his long, stiff legs with his odd, jerky walk. He was talking and he didn’t sound happy.
“Why you can’t tend to the boy is beyond me. Don’t I do enough for him as it is?”
She followed him across the hall and up the stairs. Phil kept on reading. She was saying, “Really, Al, all he wants is for you to tell him he’ll be able to play with Prim soon…”
“He’s twenty years old, for God’s sake, Karen! And the girl must be that age herself! They don’t play anymore!”
“You know what I mean, Al. Don’t be grouchy. I have a headache. Just promise him…”
“I can’t promise him! It’s out of the question…!”
They moved onto the landing and their voices trailed away toward the bedroom. I slipped across the floor and silently crossed Phil’s right leg over his left and turned a couple of pages. I was flying by the seat of my pants and I knew it, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t be thorough. I went back to the walnut door, opened it, and went in. It was a library-cum-study. A fire was burning in a marble, mock-Georgian fireplace. A couple of old leather armchairs and a sofa that looked authentic stood around it. Beyond, there was a heavy oak desk, and beyond that heavy, burgundy drapes were drawn across what I assumed were glass doors out onto a garden.
I had a quick look at his desk, but there was nothing worth seeing and the drawers were locked. I was aware I was running out of time. Sooner or later, somebody was going to realize Phil was dead and raise the alarm. My priority was to get Abi and Sean out of there and after that, do what damage I could to Vasco and his men. But something was telling me I needed to listen to Karen and Al. They had something to tell me. Something important. So, the guards were dead, why not just put a gun to their heads and make them talk?
Because they wouldn’t. It was just instinct, but I knew that whatever their story was, they would rather die than let me in on it.
I heard their voices again coming down the stairs. I stepped quickly behind the drapes and nestled in where they met the bookcase. She was talking as they opened the door. Her voice was tight with anxiety.
“Maybe he should see a doctor, Al. He just seems to be getting so weak…”
“No! I am adamant on this, Karen. It is out of the question. We take care of our own. We always have. Close the damn door, woman!” I heard the door close and he continued. “We see to his needs, we feed him and care for him, but if the Good Lord sees fit to take him while he is young, then so be it!”
“Oh, Al! Don’t say that!”
His voice rasped at her, “He’s weak! He’s feeble! There are days he can barely stand on his own feet! What quality of life is that for the boy? He barely eats or drinks, he can’t have a normal relationship… That’s not a life!”
“But Al, that’s not true! That’s a wicked thing to say! There are days when he can walk if I help him. You saw him when we went to poor Peggy’s service. He was quite lively! And those days make it worthwhile. What does he want women for? He has me! He gets so much joy from a little bit of affection…”
He growled, “It’s not natural! You’re blind…”
“Not natural? What are you talking about? He loves his mother! Of course that’s natural! He doesn’t like filthy harlots! Or these tramps from the village! And neither do I! In his heart he is still a child. Is it natural to let your own son die!”
“Be silent, woman!” There was a loud knock at the door. He roared, “Come in!”
I heard it open and there was a heavy tread of boots before it closed again. I had my Sig in my hand, but the new voice, Vasco’s, didn’t say anything about Phil or the unattended kitchen. Instead, he said, “We ain’t heard nothing from Pete yet. Weather’s getting pretty wild and I can’t see them staying out in this. They won’t live long if they do.”
“What’s your point?”
“Either they’re dead or he’s killed Pete and Davie.”
“Those are not the only two options, Joe. He may have sought refuge in a barn, or he may have stolen a vehicle and tried to make a getaway.”
Vasco snorted. “If he’s done that, he’s sure as hell dead. I guess he may be holed up in a barn, but the nearest barns are at least a mile from Independence. I can’ see it myself.”
It was Karen who answered him. “Either way, there is nothing we can do till the blizzard passes. It should have eased by the morning. Then you take the plow and clear the road not just to the depot, but to the Pioneer. Take men. If you see this Walker character, shoot him on sight. Shoot Prim too.”
“Uh-uh, Prim is for me.”
“I want her dead!”
“Don’t sweat it. I’ll deal with it.”
Al cut in, “The way you’re dealing with Abi and the boy? Why are they still alive? They are a liability. This whole situation is getting out of hand, Joe. Instead of containing it, you’re turning it into a catastrophe.”
There was something dangerous in Joe’s voice when he answered. It was low and quiet. “Take it easy, Aloysius, I know what I’m doing. Word in the village is that Abi and this guy were getting sweet on each other…”
“In two days?”
“It happens. Either way, we’
ve got nothing to lose. If it’s true, we may have an edge over him while we hold her.”
“If he hasn’t shown up by tomorrow morning, I want her dead. You take the plow to the Pioneer. If he and Prim are not there, you start a search, house by house, room by room, barn by barn. You find them!”
“OK…”
“Meanwhile, we clear the road to Rochdale.” He was silent a moment, then, as though distracted, “It may do Arn some good to go to Rochdale, too. Maybe that’s what he needs...” He paused again, then snapped, “I need those damned Mexicans working! They are costing me fucking money just sitting there on their skinny fucking asses! Clear the road, then you take Abi and the boy to Rochdale and you fucking bury them there! Walker or no Walker! You understand?”
“Keep your hair on, old man. Don’t shout at me. It upsets my digestion.”
“Don’t be impertinent!”
There was a strained silence for all of five seconds, counted slow, then Vasco’s voice, low, “I’ll see to it, old man, but tomorrow, we’re going to sit down and talk about a new arrangement. I figure, the risks and responsibilities I take, I deserve a bigger cut of the cake. What do you say, Karen? You think I deserve a bite of that cherry…?”
There was a nasty leer in his voice. She snapped, “Stop it, Joe!” But there wasn’t much conviction in her voice. “Let’s stop this before it gets out of hand. You have your orders…”
There was a snort. “Yeah, I have my orders…”
I heard his boots cross the floor and the door open. I heard Karen’s voice, subdued, “You want to take Arn to Rochdale…?”
Al’s voice came back, heavy and dull. “It may be what he needs.”
I was waiting for the door to close but it didn’t.
“I don’t like it. He’s so weak at the moment. It’s so cold…”
“It’ll do him good. He always feels better after a visit.”
She said again, “I don’t like…”
Suddenly he roared, “Is everybody going to argue with every damned decision I take today?”
“No, Al, no, I’m sorry…”
In the background I could hear Vasco calling, “Hey! Phil! You gonna turn that page or you gonna stare at it all night?” I heard his heels on the tiled floor, and his voice farther away, “Hey! Phil! What’s the matter with you…?”
I had to decide, attack or run?
Vasco’s voice bellowed, “Holy mother of…! Jesus Christ! He’s fucking dead!”
I could come out from behind the drapes, kill Vasco. Karen and Al would be easy to deal with. Or I could step out through the French doors I was leaning against, and follow them tomorrow to Rochdale. But while I was debating it, I heard Vasco shouting, “He’s in the house! He’s in the fucking house!” And then there was the crackle of a radio and Vasco’s voice again, “He’s in the house! Get your asses here now! Now! Now! Cover the back doors and the front! Now!”
Then Al was shouting, “Abi! Abi! Upstairs! Quick!”
They ran from the room and I heard their feet clattering up the stairs. Through the glass panes on the French doors I could see the lights streaming from the open door of the lodgings, and the dancing black silhouettes of the men pouring out of it.
I had one option. Pursue them upstairs, kill Joe Vasco, use Al as a hostage. I stepped out from behind the drapes and ran silently across the study and then the hall, up the stairs and onto the landing. Down to the left I saw an open door. Karen was standing in it with light bathing her face. She was looking over Al’s shoulder. Al was scowling. From within, I could hear Joe’s voice. “Where is he?”
And Abi’s weeping. “I don’t know!”
I sprinted toward them, raising my gun. Karen turned and stared at me. Her eyes went wide and she screamed hysterically, “He’s here!”
Then Al was being dragged into the bedroom by the scruff of his neck. I heard Abi’s voice screaming and as I opened my mouth to shout, “Give it up or Karen dies!” Joe Vasco burst out of the room, dragging Abi with a .44 semi-automatic pointed at her head.
He was sneering. “Go ahead, shoot her. It makes no damn odds to me. But if you don’t drop your weapon by the count of three, the lady gets it, and then the boy.”
I looked into the room. Al had Sean by the hair, and he was holding an automatic at his head.
Checkmate. I might shoot Vasco, or I might shoot Al, but I couldn’t get them both and guarantee Abi and Sean’s survival. I’d been outmaneuvered. And now I was probably going to be shot. I held up my hands, showed him the gun and laid it on the floor. Vasco glanced at Karen, who was shaking badly. He jerked his head at me and said, “Frisk him.”
She approached me with fear in her eyes. She found the Taurus in my jacket and the Fairbairn & Sykes in my boot. She handed them to Vasco. He inspected them and scowled at me. “This is Julio’s gun.”
“He doesn’t need it now.”
There was rage in his face. “I ought to gut you right now…”
I looked deep into his eyes. “Yeah, you ought to. Use my knife.”
He took a step but Al snapped at him, “No! It’s too risky. Lock him up, with the woman and the boy. We’ll dispose of them tomorrow at Rochdale.” Downstairs, there were feet running. The boys had arrived. Al came out of the room and shouted, “Up here!” Then to Vasco, he said, “We’ll keep four guards on him at all times. If he steps outside that door, shoot him dead, along with the woman and the boy.” He stared into my eyes. “You got that?”
I nodded at him. I’d got it. I also knew he’d made the biggest mistake of his life. He should have killed me while he had the chance. Now I was going to kill him.
seventeen
The room was a smaller version of Arnold’s room, only the bed was a large four-poster. Like Arnold’s room, it had chairs arranged around a fireplace, though there was no fire burning in it. Drapes were drawn across a broad window that overlooked the back of the house. Abi was sitting on the bed, with the fingers of her right hand held over her mouth. She was struggling to control her sobs. Sean was sitting next to her with his arm around her, comforting her, though I could see from his expression that he was fighting hard not to cry himself.
I eased back the drapes and examined the window. It was triple-glazed and locked, and from what I could see, even if I could get it open, it was a twenty or thirty foot drop into the unknown. I turned and looked at the door. Outside, I could hear four guys drawing up chairs and a table further along on the landing, at the top of the stairs, so they could play cards and block our escape at the same time. Again, even if I could get the damn door open, I’d give them plenty of warning and I’d be unarmed against four men with guns and grudges. So far I had accounted for six of their guys—that they were aware of—and that made up a lot of grudges.
I turned and looked at Abi. Her sobs were subsiding. I said, “Why don’t you go and sit in the chair, I’ll make us a fire.”
She looked at me with puffy, red eyes. “There are no logs…”
I smiled. “I know where to get some.”
She frowned and looked around, but stood and went with Sean over to the chairs. I grabbed hold of the mattress and heaved it and the bedding off the bed, exposing the wooden structure. The posts were held to the main frame by large, iron bolts. Once I had loosened one of them, a few good kicks broke the post free, and the slats that formed the base on which the mattress rested snapped easily when I stamped on them. They made excellent kindling. Abi and Sean were looking at me like I was insane. I ignored them and kicked off a second post, then laid both across a stack of kindling and set fire to it with my Zippo.
Once it was burning, I sat cross-legged on the floor and gazed at the flames for a moment.
“Abi, Sean.” I turned to face them. “I want you both to listen real carefully to me. I have been in situations a lot worse than this one, and I have come out alive.” I smiled. “Sometimes bruised, a couple of times injured, but always alive. Now I am giving you my solemn promise, we are going to survive th
is. I am not going to let anything happen to you two, or to Primrose.”
Abi said, “Where is she?”
“She’s safe.”
“Lacklan, he must have a dozen men…”
“Less than that now.”
She paused, staring at me like she didn’t know whether to love me or fear me. Her voice was incredulous, but there was hope in it, too. “How can you stop them?”
“Leave that to me.” I turned to Sean. “Now, Sean, I have very precise orders for you, OK? I know you’re brave and tough and resourceful, but I need you to be disciplined, too.”
He frowned, like he didn’t like that idea so much. “Disciplined?”
I nodded. “It’s the toughest thing to learn, but it’s what makes the difference between a brave soldier and a great warrior. It doesn’t just mean following orders, any sheep can do that.” He smiled, he liked that more. “It means keeping a cool head and doing what you know you need to do, to win.”
I waited a moment for that to sink in. He liked the sound of winning, so he nodded. “OK.”
“And that,” I said, “means that sometimes you have to walk away from a fight, no matter how much you want to beat the guy up.”
His cheeks flushed red. “Yeah, I’m sorry.”
I ignored him. “Never, never go into a fight you know you can’t win, because when you do, you drag your comrades in with you. So I want you to promise me that tomorrow you will stay with your mother, look after her and keep her safe. You understand me?”
He nodded. “I promise.”
“And if each one of us plays his part, and if I know that I can trust you to play yours, tomorrow we go home, safe and sound. Deal?”
He smiled. “Deal.”
We shook on it. Abi was studying my face, trying to read me. She said, “Can you really promise that?”
I nodded. “I can promise that if we believe it, we can make it happen. It’s not up to them. It’s up to us.”
She made a face that said she wanted to believe me but was afraid to hope. There was nothing more I could tell her, so I said, “Abi, on my way here I broke into the depot. Do you know what’s in there?”