All the Rage

by Spencer Coleman

  Adele’s brave demeanour crumpled like a crashed car. ‘Are you serious? ’

  ‘Absolutely. Do you have a problem with that? ’

  ‘I need to consult with my solicitor. You know we can’t discuss these matters. ’

  He knew she had been caught on the hop.

  ‘You discuss everything you need to with your solicitor. But you know what, Adele? At the end of the day, you haven’t got the bloody balls for it. You talk a good story, but behind the scenes, there isn’t the courage, expertise or gumption to do anything about it. ’

  ‘Get out…now! ’

  Michael was in full steam. ‘You’re pathetic, Adele. I know your game, your little plan. Don’t think that I’m not watching over your shoulder, because I know every dirty trick you’re trying to pull, including tampering with the computer files. Just remember, if I go down, you go down. You need this business to survive, just as I need it to. You say you’re my equal, so here is your golden opportunity to prove you can do the job. The prospect of success is almost beyond a joke. You’d be finished within a year. ’

  ‘Please, please go. ’

  He put his face close to hers, and spat the words, ‘A real pleasure. Think on what I’ve said. You always lived in my shadow, Adele. And do you know why? I’ll enlighten you, because at the end of the day, you had nowhere else to go to and hide behind. You had nothing to offer anyone. Not then. Not now. Being with me just fed your ego. Beyond that, you are of no consequence. ’

  Adele fumed. ‘I’ll see you in court. I’ll get what I’m entitled to, you’ll see. The law’s on my side. ’

  Michael turned on his heels and made for his car. ‘You’ll get what you are entitled to; I’ll make sure of that. Take my challenge, I just dare you. I’ll take the botox. ’

  ***

  Kara had made excellent progress with the Traffic Division of the Greater London Council. A very nice and accommodating young man listened to her tale of woe on the telephone, which was, in essence, a complete cock and bull story from beginning to end. She almost fluttered her eyelids as she spoke.

  She needed to fabricate a story which he had to have empathy with, or else her ploy would soon fall down. Her plan involved deception, which meant she would never go to heaven and meet Brad Pitt. Oh, well, putting that aside…she carefully explained to this guy that over the past month there had been a spate of attempted break-ins at the gallery. More a case of mindless vandalism, she added, but it scared her, being the only girl on the premises etc, etc. On four occasions now, she emphasised to him, one of the small glass panels in the entrance had been smashed. Therefore, every time she organised a glazier to repair the damage, lo and behold a few days later, the glass was broken again. She sighed helplessly, telling him the police were useless, undermanned, and far too busy to consider her plight. In addition, the cost of repair was down to the gallery, owing to the excess on the insurance policy. In other words, there was no one to help, no one to care…no one to assist a damsel in distress…unless. Then she waited, breathlessly…

  Minutes ticked by. Eventually, he came back to her, and gallantly agreed that something could be done. His superiors had given the nod. He went on to state that it was not normal practice to use council property in this way, but it was possible, in exceptional circumstances, to use the camera sparingly, within a certain time frame. He would need to speak to the local police, for final approval. His suggestion was for the camera to be swivelled onto the gallery entrance each day for five days between the hours of 6am and 9am. It was the best he could offer at such short notice.

  Bingo. Kara stressed just what a knight in shining armour he was. She gushed a little bit further, just to make sure he wouldn’t think of letting her down, then made her excuses (‘so much glass to sweep up! ’) to terminate the conversation before she was found out as a fraudster, and sent to the Tower. His name was Kevin, she discovered. Hmm, there was a certain ring to it: Kevin and Kara. God, she was good at this deception lark. She even teased him to believe in the delusion that he could order the windscreen vinyl nameplate for his racy Ford Fiesta, now that they had become an item. Dream on, Kevin. Oh, how she hated herself for such cruelty. Needs must.

  Kevin promised to get back to her within two hours, and bless him, he did. From tomorrow morning, he explained, they had action stations. More seriously, Kara felt reassured that she was able to contribute towards discovering who was behind the mystery envelopes found on the doorstep. She felt threatened and intimidated, even though they had not been personally addressed to her. Kevin slipped from her mind.

  Somebody was playing a strange game. Although effectively outside the loop, Kara increasingly felt a danger in the air, and, more scarily, an unseen hand drawing her closer in. This, frankly, terrified her. In order to understand it, she would need to learn how to fight. And fast.

  And where was Michael when you needed him? What was going on? This little separation, with him gallivanting abroad, was making her feel vulnerable. He was acting impulsively, and irrationally, in her opinion. All was wrong in the world ever since he had first made contact with Lauren and her unique madness; it was as if he too had been possessed with some kind of sickness. And that was the nearest to the truth that she could find. It was madness. Lauren had somehow infiltrated his mind and infected it. Christ. What kind of a person could do this?

  More worryingly, Michael had spoken to Kara with regard to the forthcoming inventory of the Patrick Porters. He wanted her to do it. He wanted her to travel down to Laburnum Farm. On her own! Was he truly thinking straight, or was he showing serious signs of psychosis? Much more alarmingly, she had stupidly agreed to this request.

  She needed aspirin. She needed an arm to comfort her. She needed words of tenderness. Above all, she needed a knife.

  ***

  When Kara eventually saw Michael, she was mortified. She almost mistook him for a tramp when he came into the gallery.

  ‘Michael, you look absolutely terrible. Where have you been? ’

  ‘Fighting it out with a rottweiller, and I think I probably lost. ’ He was unkempt and unshaven, and couldn’t recall what exactly had happened after his confrontation with Adele. He thought he had slept in the car overnight.

  ‘You can’t possibly meet people in the mess you’re in. I’ve never seen you in such a state. For your own good, go home. I can manage the gallery. ’

  Michael tried to ignore the disgust on Kara’s face. ‘I need to examine the DVD. I’ll hide in my office. Have we had any other communication with our mysterious postman? ’

  ‘No, thankfully. ’ Kara sighed heavily with relief. She told Michael of her success with the repositioning of the CCTV camera, indicating it would be in operation by tomorrow. This thrilled him. But he could hardly keep awake.

  Kara made the decision. ‘Right, this is the deal. Go home. Get some sleep. For God’s sake, take a shower and get a clean shirt on. I’ll call round at eight o’clock. I’m taking you to Tom Aikens, my treat. This will give us a chance to go through everything. By then, you’ll have a clear head. ’

  ‘Kara, you’re a star! ’

  ‘You don’t deserve me. ’

  ***

  When he finally got back to his apartment, he watched the DVD which he’d retrieved from his office. He could make little sense to it; he was too exhausted, in truth, to try. He fell asleep fully clothed on the sofa and slept solidly for six hours.

  In his dream, he was adrift, floating on clouds. He had no knowledge of his whereabouts, nor possession of a compass to bring him home. He was high above, looking down. Surrounding him were faces he did not recognise: strange faces, seamless, without expression. The further he looked, the more faces materialised. It was a sea of faces, stretching as far as the horizon.

  He could not speak; nor reach out and touch. All he had was his sight. Below him, he saw a planet. Th
rough the thin vapour, he observed that it was planet Earth from which he came. It was startlingly beautiful, a vastness of vivid blues and purples, interspersed with twinkling lights. It was an oasis of calm and tranquillity. What really surprised him was his ability to fly! He could go anywhere, in seconds. In any other sense, this would bring unbridled joy. The capability to travel unhindered, all in the blink of an eye. Like Superman. But he was troubled.

  Where was this ethereal place he occupied? It was not of this world. Nor were the other million faces that floated around him. Try as he might, he could not shake them, push them or wake them. Yet their bulging eyes remained steadfastly open. These were lost souls.

  Michael awoke with a jolt. He was sweating profusely. His initial vision of blissful peace transformed into a scenario of nightmarish images he wanted to forget, in an instant. It was a bad, bad dream. These were the dead people, Guardians of the living. Still shaking, he asked himself if this was a foretaste of death and the afterlife.

  He took refuge under a blisteringly hot shower. The fierceness from the jets of water pummelled his aching limbs. It felt good, but he couldn’t rid himself of the dream. It was like a premonition.

  He checked the clock. Hurriedly towelling down, shaving, dressing, he was punctual to the second as the front doorbell rang. He punched the intercom button marked ‘key’ and moments later Kara entered the hallway of his apartment. He caught sight of her in the ambient lighting. She was stunning in a short black sequined dress, high heels and simple pearls around her neck. Her hair was drawn up, clasped at the back with a silver slide.

  ‘Wow,’ Michael said, admiring her from top to toe. ‘Marcus would be jealous. ’

  ‘Marcus wouldn’t know a good thing even if it bit him on the arse,’ she replied, perfecting her red glossy lipstick in the mirror. ‘But to be honest, I told him that. I also told him I’m with you. ’

  ‘Was that wise? ’

  ‘Absolutely, it’ll keep him on his toes. He’s in my bad books as it is. ’

  Michael felt less confident. ‘How did he take it? ’

  ‘He’s spitting blood, if you must know. I rather like all this attention. ’

  Michael grabbed a jacket, kissed her on the cheek and switched off the lights. He took Kara’s arm and escorted her to the elevator, adding appreciatively, ‘This is a rare treat. Dinner with the best looking girl in town, and you’re picking up the tab. I rather like all this attention as well. ’

  ***

  Marcus was seriously pissed off. At first, he paced Kara’s tiny flat until the floorboards began to creak, then went to the nearest corner pub and downed three pints. What was she playing at? Why did she persist in trying to make him jealous? He felt foolish and unwanted, especially after all the support he had given her. What special occasion was so damned important to warrant going out, looking like she did, with her boss to a swanky restaurant? And bloody Tom Aikens as well! Eventually, gaining courage from two large Jack Daniels and Coke, curiosity got the better of him. Now, standing in the shadows of the building opposite the celebrated restaurant, he watched with mounting frustration as they sat, in full view, at a candlelit table for two. Just bloody perfect!

  ***

  The meal was splendid, the bill less so. Kara gulped at the total, but before she had time to settle the account, Michael whisked it away from her fragile grip and paid by his own credit card.

  ‘Michael, I said…’

  He raised his hands. ‘Better to take me to Poppies Diner next week, that way you won’t ask for a raise on your salary. ’

  ‘I can pay! ’ she protested.

  ‘You have, by accompanying me here tonight. It was just what I needed. It’s been a very difficult few days. ’

  Over coffee and brandies, they once again analysed all that had happened over this period. It was a lot to digest. Several things emerged to which there was no immediate answer. One was the identity of the mysterious carrier. Also, Michael had been worried by Kara’s behaviour lately. He was deeply troubled that whenever his movements or actions came into question, the only person privy to these was…her. What was she doing? What was her motive if she was revealing information against his will? Trust was of a paramount issue here. Therefore, he reasoned, should he now conceal certain things from her in the future? Was she in fact misguided or manipulated or just feeling the need to overprotect him; or was Kara actually part of something far bigger? Up to now, her allegiance was beyond reproach. But only she knew of his trip to Venice. How did Antonia find out? Who tipped her off? It needed answering. And fast. For the moment, however, he wouldn’t let this line of enquiry spoil the evening. It could wait for another day.

  ***

  She interrupted his thoughts. ‘Michael, I’m bothered by this inventory of the Porter collection you’ve asked me to do. ’

  ‘Oh, why is that? ’

  Kara hesitated, trying to mask her embarrassment at sounding like a thorough wimp. ‘It means me going into the lunatic farm. ’

  ‘The inventory needs doing, Kara. Lauren is expecting you. ’

  Kara bristled with his comment. Lauren, Lauren, Lauren! He was so bloody compliant. Well, fuck Lauren, but she held back from saying it aloud. Her response was feeble. ‘When? ’

  ‘Early next week, if that’s all right. I need digital photos, sizes, and titles. Secure transportation and extra insurance will need organising. ’ He picked up on her reluctance. He tried to be tough. ‘You are the best person for the job, Kara. ’

  ‘Why? ’

  ‘Because I can trust you, because you are detached from everything. You will work fast and without distraction. I need a professional approach. ’

  ‘Why can’t you do it? ’

  ‘For that very same reason: I will be distracted,’ he argued. ‘What’s the problem here, Kara? ’

  She fell silent, fully aware that she had never told him of the fear she felt when confronted by the disgusting message in the Blue Bar. It was all too raw. ‘To be perfectly honest, this Lauren woman scares me. I know you are involved with her, but that is your situation to deal with. Not mine. Since she arrived on the scene, all sorts of weird things have happened, and none of them are to my liking. Something, call it paranoia if you like, tells me this is a dangerous business. I just don’t like it, OK? ’

  Michael leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. ‘Or her, maybe? ’

  ‘Spot on,’ she said with a reluctance borne of fear.

  ***

  During a second brandy, when they had been largely silent, he eventually stepped up the rules of engagement. He wanted to find out just where Kara positioned herself. Once again, she was the only person to know of their conversation this evening. A dangerous business, she had said only moments earlier. What did she really know? Absurd, but the thought entered his head that it was maybe she who was planting the envelopes. Perversely, he was now becoming suspicious of everyone, including his secretary. However, he had to cling to the notion that Kara’s motives were genuine. If it was she who sent the envelopes and, indeed, even had contact with Antonia, then surely it had to be for the best intentions? Surely…

  Michael broke the awkwardness. ‘Kara, I need you to do this one thing for me. Please, finish the inventory. If you are worried, take Marcus with you. ’ Then he added an afterthought. ‘You’ll be perfectly safe, I promise. ’His parched throat almost betrayed him, but he masked it well with the last of the cognac.

  ***

  It was getting colder. Marcus was resilient, if not patient. How fucking much longer were they going to be? He sat hunched in the doorway, kicking litter. Twice, a roving police car edged past, looking for tramps and loiterers to move them on. Luckily, he remained undetected. Breathing warmth into the cup of his hands, he sighed with relief as Kara and Michael emerged finally from the restaurant. He watched intently as the couple faced each
other closely on the corner of the lamp-lit street. Kiss her and you’ll be dead, pal.

  ***

  Kara broke her resolve. ‘I’ll do it, Michael,’ she said.

  He nodded. ‘I’ll let Lauren know. And thank you. ’

  They smiled affectionately and clasped hands. From afar, they could have been mistaken as lovers, embracing under the moonlight. They made a striking couple.

  ‘Thank you for a wonderful evening, Kara. ’

  She laughed. ‘No. I thank you. ’

  ‘That Marcus, he is indeed one lucky guy. If you want my advice, hold on to one another, and see it through. ’

  She continued to laugh. ‘We will. ’ Then she hugged him with all her strength. They clung together from a mutual desperation.

  ‘You know,’ he began, and then stopped in order to move her away so he could see into her eyes. Then he said, ‘This could be embarrassing, but I’ll say it anyway. I only have a son, whom I love dearly. But if I could choose a daughter in this world, it would be you. ’

  Her eyes misted over. ‘Wow, that’s the most beautiful sentiment I have ever heard, Michael. I’m deeply touched. ’

  He kissed her gently on the cheek and, stroking her hair, whispered, ’You once said that you would always look out for me, do you remember? Well, just remember this, wherever you are, whenever you need someone, I will always be there for you, too. ’