Tarasov brought his palm down hard on the connection button, a disdainful snarl on his mouth. ‘Fools, the lot of them.’
His son laughed again.
‘I’m pleased you find it funny. The idiots are starting to believe the very myths that we started.’
Vadim shrugged.
‘Can I come with you this trip, Father?’ Lovilla hastily put in, before Vadim could say anything else to enrage their father. ‘I would love to do some shopping in London. And I feel the need for the sun on my skin.'
‘You are not long back from Spain.’
‘And?’ She pulled a face.
Tarasov looked at her as he thought it over, knowing full well that shopping was the last thing on Lovilla’s mind. ‘OK, why not. It's time a few of you were showing more interest in family matters.’ He glared at his son, who shrugged, then cast his eyes over his sister. The look that passed between them was an undeclared act of war.
He watched as Lovilla, totally unconcerned about her brother and probably laughing to herself at the gauntlet he had just thrown down, left the room. Tarasov had always suspected that this daughter would be the one out of all of his legal children who would eventually take up the reins of the family empire. He was pleased, in a sense-she was the brightest, and the only one who delighted in the same culinary adventures as he did. And now he would have to watch her in case she became ambitious too soon.
‘Huh.' Vadim stormed out. For a brief moment, the biting cold entered the room, as the door slammed behind him.
Tarasov moved to the window and watched his son storm along the veranda, knowing that he did not stand a chance against Lovilla. It was the way of the Families.
Still staring at the snow, he sighed as he pulled his mobile phone out and dialled a London number.
CHAPTER FOUR
Mike had hold of Tiny’s lead. A few months earlier, when the world had been normal, and he’d first set eyes on this huge brute with the unlikeliest name, he’d called him the damned ugliest dog in creation. Now, though, he would be the first to admit that Tiny did have a certain charm, and that those large paws of his were wrapped firmly round Mike’s heart. As soon as people got over their first impression, they learned to love him.
Mike stood at the water's edge on St Cuthbert’s Isle, a little islet which, centuries ago, St Cuthbert had used for meditation. After a trial period of being a hermit, he moved to the more remote island of Inner Farne. Mike had been surprised when he found out that Smiler knew so much about the history of Lindisfarne, and of St Cuthbert.
But, he thought with a hint of a smile, seeing as St Cuthbert was credited with being a healer and a seer, Smiler’s probably read the print off the page of every article he could find.
Tiny was enjoying himself as he ran quickly from side to side, picking up sticks, stones and any amount of rubbish and depositing it at Mike’s feet.
Mike said good morning to a few locals as both they and their own dogs nervously eyed Tiny, frightened in case he wanted them for supper. They needn’t have worried Tiny was gentle, loving and terrified of most animals a quarter his size.
Staring across the water at St Cuthbert’s Cross, Mike thought about Aunt May. She loves it here, but will she ever see it again? Brain damage could mean anything, doesn’t necessarily mean the actual brain. She could lose her legs or something, the use of an arm… Please let it be something like that. Anything other than actual brain damage.
Tiny came back with the latest offering, and dropped what looked like a child’s grubby red and green striped sock at Mike's feet, and started nudging at Mike’s hand.
Mike patted his head. ‘Come on then, boy, we’ve gotta get you sorted out. I know you’ll prefer the place I’m gonna see if they’ll have you, rather than the police pound.’
Slipping his lead on, they walked through the village to their street-but instead of going into their own door, they moved one up. Mike entered Jill Patterson’s back yard, and was just about to knock on the door when it opened.
‘Hi, Mike.’ Jill smiled at him. Mike was slightly taken aback-a smile from Jill was a very rare event.
‘Hello… I, er... I need to ask you a favour, Jill.’
‘Just ask.’
That fairly threw him. He had not known Jill very long, but the petite redhead was not usually so obliging. She had a reputation as a man hater, which had followed her from her previous job.
‘Please, don’t think you have to be obliged.’
‘Well that depends what it is.’ The smile grew wider and Mike would have sworn she was flirting with him.
She stepped away from the door and stood on the back of her slipper. As she bent over to put it back on her foot, Mike noticed how low her yellow top was, and was momentarily distracted from his tortured thoughts. Catching her green eyes as she straightened up, he expected at the very least a substantial tongue-lashing, but was pleasantly surprised when she smiled and motioned for him to come into the house.
‘How can I help you, then?’
Jesus. She’s been replaced by a flaming alien!
This is definitely not the Jill I know...
Before Mike could reply, the small kitchen was filled with squeals of delight as Jill’s teenage daughters Jayne and Cassie came in and saw Tiny. Loving the attention, Tiny flopped down and rolled over, his massive paws waving in the air and his heavy tail thumping the floor, with a delighted girl at each side of him.
‘Well, er, it’s actually, it’s about Tiny… I was wondering...’
‘You need a dog sitter don’t you?’ Jill put in, her eyebrows raised in a question.
‘I realise it’s a bit of a cheek, and short notice. But he’s no bother, and he’ll be quite happy in the garden when you’re out,’ Mike said quickly, dreading her answer. Shit, I really shouldn’t have asked her, she’s under enough stress. I’ll put him up in the police pound. He’ll be all right there.
‘Look, it’s OK. It’s a bit much to ask. And you’re very busy. Wasn’t thinking straight, sorry.’ He turned to go.
‘Mum!’ Cassie squealed. ‘He has to stay here. Please, Mum. We’ll look after him. And better still, he’ll look after us. Won't you, boy?’ She patted Tiny’s head, and was rewarded by a wet doggie kiss on her cheek.
‘I’ll walk him, promise, Mum,’ Jayne said.
‘Of course he can stay. We do have a much bigger garden than yours, and it's not exactly what you would call landscaped. It’s the least I can do after----’ Her eyes filled up, and she touched the top of Cassie’s head. ‘After what you did for us. You can leave him here until Aunt May gets out… She is?’ The girls fell silent and looked quickly up at Mike.
Hesitating a moment, he said. ‘Nothing's certain yet, still some more tests.’
'Oh, God,’ Jill said, ‘I’m so sorry. Of course we’ll take good care of the dog. If there’s anything else, anything at all, just let me know…Does she have her night clothes? In fact, I’ll pop down later and pack for her - that’s if you don’t mind?’
‘No, er, that’s fine, thank you. Could you remind Smiler to take them in to the hospital tomorrow? Although,’ he sighed, ‘I’m not quite sure he’ll be back tomorrow. Depends how things work out at the hospital. But she’ll want her own stuff, I know that for a fact.’
Jill smiled. ‘Of course she will, and will no doubt raise hell if she can’t get them. We’ll play it by ear. I don’t mind taking her clothes in to the hospital.’
‘Thanks, Jill, I really appreciate it.’ Mike reached into his pocket and took out a note. ’Take this for the time being. He’s a big eater, and a great lover of biscuits. Just let me know how much I owe you. OK, Smiler will be popping back and forth I’m sure… I...er…I have to go somewhere.’
She was silent for a moment, as if wondering where he suddenly had to go when Aunt May needed him, but said, ‘Any special dog food he needs?’
‘No, he’ll eat anything.’ He handed the twenty to Jill and started backing away from them. Turning at the gat
e, he gave them all a quick wave, then hurried along to Aunt May's cottage.
Quickly, he showered. Back downstairs, towel tied around his waist, he padded barefooted to the kitchen and made himself a ham and tomato sandwich, smothering it with mayonnaise. Sitting down at one of the small round breakfast tables that Aunt May used for her guests, he figured out his next step.
He would go in to Berwick. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t his station any more, and he would be back working at Newcastle. The case was all but closed now, apart from some mopping up that he quite honestly couldn’t ever see happening, not if what he knew was the solid truth. So he would also have to go to Newcastle, to report in and take leave that was owed to him. But he very much needed to talk to Kristina Clancy - hence the trip up to Berwick.
He finished the sandwich and quickly dressed in jeans and cream t-shirt. Rummaging in his overnight bag, he found a packet of cigarettes, which had been in there for months. Standing at the back door he lit one up as he looked over the fields towards the sea, knowing that it was a sight he might never see again.
Half an hour later he was on the road. The traffic was light, the sun was high, the sky was blue, but the only thing on his mind was Aunt May’s grey face and the thoughts of what he would do to those scumbags when he found them.
And I will.
There were things missing out of the puzzle, but he had names. Another long talk with Shelly should clear a few things up, if the kid wasn’t so friggin' muddled. Half the pieces of a puzzle were no good to any body, and sometimes got the wrong person killed. And in this instance, the killing wouldn’t stop at just one.
Most of what she’d told him was pretty much unbelievable, until he had stopped and thought seriously about it. And that’s all he had done for hours.
He didn’t see the car come flying up behind him. He heard the sudden roar of the engine, though, and looked in his rear view mirror just in time to see the gun pointed at him. He ducked as the first bullet hit the back window, ploughed on through the car and shattered the windscreen just above where his head had been. As bullet after bullet rained down on the car, Mike grabbed the wheel tightly and started swinging the car from side to side, praying as hard as he could, at the same time pouring scorn on himself for doing so after the many times he’d scoffed at Brother David.
He was wondering, in a remote, terrified sort of way, just how close he was to the cliff edge. Although he couldn’t see it without turning his head, the car was now riding abreast of him. On his third sharp swing to the left he smashed into its side, knocking the lighter car across the road, but sending his own car into a spin that brought him even closer to the edge. The other car must have righted itself, because suddenly another round of bullets hit Mike’s car. This time, at least one of them found their mark.
CHAPTER FIVE
‘Apple?’ Brother David pulled a shiny red apple out of his pocket and handed it across the bed. Smiler was still for a moment, staring at the apple. Slowly, his eyes grew wider. He started to tremble, his stare shifting from the apple to Brother David.
‘No, no…’ He jumped up, knocking over the chair behind him.
Puzzled, Brother David stood up, as Smiler’s trembling became a full-blown spasm and he started talking in double-quick time. Brother David hurried round the bed. Although Smiler was not focusing on him, it was as if he could see him coming anyway, as the boy backed away from him into the corner.
‘Smiler? Smiler, what’s wrong?’
As suddenly as Smiler had started, he stopped, and stared at Brother David. ‘They’re coming for him, they’re coming for Mike on all sides. You’ve got to help him.’ He grabbed the front of Brother David’s robe and started to shake him. ‘They’re getting closer. He doesn’t stand a chance, they’re gonna kill him.’ Sweat broke out on his brow and Smiler’s whole body had started trembling again.
‘Calm down, son.’
‘You don’t understand,’ Smiler insisted. ‘Mike’s in trouble…big trouble.’ He started to stamp his heels on the floor, as if he was having a fit.
Brother David decided the best course of action was to humour him. ‘Do you know where he is, Smiler?’
‘By the sea. I can see the sea…he, he’s in his car…by the sea. They’re coming.’
‘Who’s coming?’
‘Help him!’ Smiler yelled, his eyes wide and staring, his heels still beating against the floor. ‘The noise.’ He clapped his hands over his ears. ’The noise, please, please stop the noise, I can't stand it, please.’
Brother David reached out to try and calm him, but the next moment Smiler collapsed into a crumpled heap on the floor.
Deeply concerned for this boy he hardly knew, Brother David very carefully placed Smiler in the recovery position. He was just about to press the bell for a nurse when Detective Cox and Sergeant Rafferty entered the room.
‘What’s up?’ Cox asked, hurrying to Smiler’s side.
‘Hello, Jason.’ Brother David pointed at Smiler and sighed. ‘He just suddenly started babbling. I couldn’t understand half of what he was saying… Something about Mike being in danger?’ He shook his head. ‘Something about the sea. Whatever it is, he’s really agitated. His whole body was shaking, like he was having a fit. Then he just sort of passed out.’
A moment later, Smiler moaned as he opened his eyes. Seeing Cox leaning over him, he grabbed the lapels on Cox's jacket and hauled himself up from the floor. ‘It’s Mike, they’re gonna get him. Kill him. They’ll kill him. Please, you have to help, they might already have done it. I can’t see him… The pain, the pain… Help him. You have to help him.’
‘OK, calm down.’ Cox held up his hand. ‘How do you know this? Who told you?’
Smiler was quiet for a moment, his body finally still. Then he looked Cox in the eye and said hesitantly, ‘I…I see things, OK, believe me or not, it happens, I really can… It's frightening… And sometimes I hear things… I don’t always know where it comes from, others do but I can't tell. Rita’s the best at it.’
‘It’s OK, just calm down.’ Cox lowered him onto the chair.
Sergeant Rafferty burst out laughing. ‘Right nutter this one, all right.’
Sitting up straight in the chair as if he’d suddenly received an electric shock, Smiler then dropped his head, as Brother David said. ’There are more things in heaven----’
That was as far as he got. Cox, glaring at Rafferty, said, ’Right, Smiler, tell me what you know. Or,’ he shrugged, ‘whatever you think you can see.’
‘Don’t say you believe him?’ Rafferty stared at Cox, her eyes wide in staged amazement.
‘Let's just say I’m with Brother David on this, OK?’ Turning back to Smiler, he said, ‘Right, lad. What have you got to say for yourself? Quickly, please.’
But Rafferty turned to Brother David before Smiler had a chance to say anything. ‘How can you, a priest, monk, or whatever the hell you are, believe in this shit?’
Brother David smiled as he replied, ‘A very wise man once said, "Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole of the staircase".’
‘Martin Luther King,’ Smiler muttered, giving Brother David a twitch of a smile.
Impressed, and starting to think there was more to Smiler than he’d first thought, Cox said, ’OK. If Mike’s in some sort of danger, we need to know now, Smiler, quick as you can.’
‘Oh, please. What a waste of time. Can’t you see the kid's obviously drugged up to the eyeballs? Or in desperate need of a fresh fix. Look how he’s shaking. And you’re prepared to believe him?' Shaking her head, Rafferty headed for the door. With a sarcastic sneer, she turned and said, ‘I’ll be in the car. But this is your call, nothing to do with me.’
‘I’m fine with that.’
‘OK, then.’ Rafferty shrugged, as she walked out the door.
As if she’d never spoken, Smiler said, ‘He’s heading north, on the coast road. I can see the sea. It…it’s as if I’m looking down at it.’ Smiler st
arted to shake even more, and clutched at his chest.
‘It's OK, son. Just take your time,’ Cox said.
Smiler stared at him for a moment, his eyes full of misery but tinged with a deep-seated belief. ‘I don’t know if it’s already happened yet, or if it’s going to happen, ‘cos, ‘cos I’ve never been confused like this before. It’s the noise. So much noise. It hurts. I…I feel dizzy as if I’m spinning in the air… I’m gonna be sick.’ He clapped his hand over his mouth as he retched, staring at Cox, imploring him to believe him.
‘Right. You’re not making all that much sense, but I guess that’s enough for me. Time we found out one way or another.’ As Brother David handed a box of tissues to Smiler, Cox pulled out his phone. Within a few minutes he had three patrol cars out on the coast road, one coming down the coast road from the north, and two heading out of Berwick.
With a sigh, he snapped his phone shut, looked at Smiler and said, ‘I hope you’re right. In this age of government cuts we’ve just mobilised three already overworked vehicles.’
‘I hope I’m not.’ Smiler looked so down that it actually strengthened Cox’s resolve. What the hell, he thought, stranger things have happened.
Torn between wanting to stay with Aunt May and go in search of Mike, Smiler looked at Brother David.
Understanding his silent request, Brother David said, ‘Go. I’ll be here for her.’ He patted Smiler’s shoulder, and felt him flinch under the touch. The boy stepped to one side, and looked at Cox.
‘Can I come?’
‘Don’t see why not.’
CHAPTER SIX
Hands shaking, Mike struggled with the car, his heart was pounding enough to burst as he skidded ever closer to the edge of the cliff. Though he knew enough not to stamp on the brakes, he was still tempted. But the roads were wet from the earlier rain and slick with mud-a huge uncontrollable spin was highly possible. Everything was happening so fast, he barely had time to think. Between each breath it seemed the car skidded a different way.
He knew now that, unless a miracle happened in the next few minutes, he was going over the edge-and there was nothing he could do to save himself. His mind racing, he came up with a couple of ideas and just as quickly rejected them. Opening the car door and jumping out was not an option, he was on the wrong side of the car for that. Also, that was the side the bullet had entered and landing on it would probably kill him anyhow if the bullet was lodged somewhere internally. He could feel blood running down his side and pooling in the waistband of his jeans. The whole of his left side felt as if it was burning in hell.
Holy Island Trilogy 02 - Nowhere Man Page 3