Holy Island Trilogy 02 - Nowhere Man

by Sheila Quigley

  ‘Just a night out,' Zoë replied quietly. Zoë was always quiet and most people had to ask her to repeat herself, but tonight she seemed even more so.

  ‘Just a change,’ Elizabeth muttered, as she rummaged around in her handbag with her plump fingers, an excuse not to meet his eyes.

  Turning to Simon and Todd, he raised his glass. ‘Drink up, guys, 'cause you never know when it’ll be yer last.’

  The one who had frowned at him, Todd-long, lean almost to the point of emaciation, with cheekbones sharp enough to put a knife out of business.’ darted a quick glance at Simon.

  Simon shrugged, his glasses falling down his nose with the movement.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ Danny asked.

  ‘Seeing as you’re asking, Danny, word is you’re bad news to be around. OK?’

  ‘It’s not me, it’s them.’ Danny downed half his pint and put the glass back on the table, before repeating firmly, ‘It’s them.’

  ‘Who’s them?’

  ‘The boss people, them who’s in charge.’

  The four of them exchanged glances.

  ‘Honest.’ Danny nodded sincerely at them.

  ‘What, you mean our bosses at work?’ Todd asked.

  ‘No! Them.’ Raising his pint to his lips, Danny finished it off. ‘Just gonna get another.’

  When he had gone, the four of them moved their heads closer. ’How we gonna get rid of him? The daft sod’s lost the friggin’ plot,’ Simon asked.

  The girls shook their heads. ‘I feel sorry for him,’ Elizabeth said.

  “Don’t,' Todd put in. ‘Everyone reckons he’s a murderer.’

  ‘So why hasn’t he been arrested, then?’

  ‘Probably some stupid technical hitch. You know the law's a load of rubbish these days.’

  ‘But we’ve worked with him for a few years now. I can’t believe he’s a murderer.’

  ‘Neither can I, really.’ Simon shook his head. ‘I actually got on quite well with him.’

  ‘Just saying, that’s all,’ Todd said.

  ‘Shh, he’s back,’ Zoë whispered.

  Danny sat down. As well as a pint this time, he also had a glass of whiskey. He knocked the whiskey straight back, followed by a large drink of his beer. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he leaned forward and said in a conspiratorial tone, ‘It’s them.’

  ‘Not again,’ Todd said. ‘Who the fuck's them?’

  ‘Them. They know everything. How much you have in the bank, how many times you take a shit.’

  ‘Gross.’ Elizabeth tutted.

  ‘It's true. Everything is gonna change. The whole world is gonna change. Better be prepared.’

  ‘Where are you getting all this from, Danny?’

  ‘They’re watching all the time.’ He picked up his pint, swallowed the lot and turned to the couple on the next table. ‘They’re watching you, an’ all.’

  The woman frowned at him, and turned away to look at the stage. Her husband did the same. Shrugging, Danny turned back to his work colleagues. ‘I’m due back in next Monday. Never thought I would make it a few days ago.’

  ‘Why?’ Simon asked, ignoring the nudge from Todd.

  ‘Them.’

  ‘Back to them again, eh?’ Todd said sarcastically.

  His sarcasm went right over Danny’s head. ‘They know everything about you.’ He waved, his hand enclosing all four of them.

  ‘So you said.’ Todd rose. ’Anyone else want a drink?’

  ‘Me please,' ’Zoë smiled.

  Elizabeth shook her head. ‘None for me, but I’ll have a packet of cheese and onion crisps.’

  “I’ll have a pint, mate.’ Danny grinned at Todd.

  ‘I’m not your mate, so get your own in.’ Todd weaved his way to the bar, which was proving more and more difficult as the place was now full to the brim.

  ‘What’s his problem?’ Danny’s grin slipped into a frown as he followed Todd with his eyes.

  ‘Don’t you think you’ve had enough, Danny?’ Elizabeth said. ’Maybe you should just go home.’

  ‘No,’ Danny replied stubbornly. ‘Haven’t had a sing yet.’

  ‘You’re not getting up, are you?’ Simon asked.

  ‘Why aye, man. You know I like to sing.’

  Todd arrived back at the table with the drinks on a tray. Before he put the tray on the table, Danny snatched the pint meant for Simon. ‘Cheers, mate,’ he said, before taking a large drink.

  Simon shook his head at Todd, mouthing, ‘It doesn’t matter. Just leave it.’

  Gritting his teeth, Todd said, ‘That right? You’re getting up to sing?’

  ‘Don’t I always?’

  ‘It’s about time someone told you that you sound like a frog farting up a drainpipe.’

  ‘Who, me?’

  ‘Come on, Todd, he’s not that bad.’ Simon tried to hide a grin.

  ‘I’m better than him.’ Danny pointed at the small sixty year old man who had just left the stage.

  ‘Marginally,’ Todd replied.

  ‘I’ll show you.’ Danny jumped up. He stood still for a moment until the room stopped spinning, then headed for the stage.

  ‘What the hell did you want to wind him up for?’ Simon hissed at Todd. ‘The poor bugger’s going through enough already.’

  ‘Yeah, so you say. I for one think he’s guilty as hell.’

  Simon sighed. ‘Dunno. Just can’t believe it.’

  At the stage, Danny snatched the mike as it was being handed to someone else, who just shrugged and stepped back. Telling the girl who ran the karaoke the song he wanted, he turned back to face the audience. Suddenly a deathly silence descended over the pub. Clearing his throat, Danny started to sing Make The World Go Away. He hadn’t reached the first chorus when the four men who had been in the fish shop the night before, and were now standing at the bar, started to boo him. Soon everyone in the pub was doing the same.

  Danny carried on for a few more beats before the tears came. The music was still playing as he collapsed to his knees, and started sobbing his heart out.

  Most of the crowd carried on booing, but Elizabeth and Simon jumped up and helped Danny down from the stage.

  With Todd and Zoë’s reluctant help they got him outside, but he was inconsolable. Curled in upon himself, his sobs became even louder and his speech, when he managed to say anything between the sobbing, more and more incoherent.

  ‘That lad needs an ambulance,’ said the barmaid, who had followed them out. ‘Trust me, I’ve seen this happen before. The lad's had a breakdown.’

  CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

  Smiler and Robert were sharing a pepperoni pizza with Louise, who had just finished telling Smiler about her role as the bird woman. Smiler had been amazed to find that at least five of them played the part. They were a brilliant source of information for the sisterhood. The bird woman, whichever one she was, never missed a thing. She knew exactly who came in and out of Scotland Yard.

  ‘But hasn’t anyone noticed that there are more than one of you? What if you were on a CCTV camera at the same time?’

  ‘The chances of that are so rare, it's practically impossible, especially as most of them are black and white. Plus, we know where all the cameras are, and take care not to be on them if it can be helped. You have no idea how many times the bird woman has been on the CCTV when they are in the area, and never been noticed.’ She smiled at him.

  Smiler nodded. It had been good to learn just how extended and organised the sisterhood was, but sad to know that a lot of the safe houses stood empty, sometimes for years.

  ‘So, is the government involved with the Families?’

  ‘Not as such,’ Robert replied. ‘Certain members, yes. Part of our job at the moment is to gather information on these members.’ He put the slice of half-eaten pizza on the plate. ‘Really, I shouldn’t have had that third piece.’

  ‘Rita’s gonna kill you,’ Louise laughed.

  ‘She will if that new red dress is too tight,’
Robert moaned.

  Laughing, Louise stood up. ’I’m going to sit with Lynne for a bit. I believe Robert has something to tell you, Smiler.’

  Smiler gave Louise a rueful half smile. He was actually dreading what was to come.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

  Prince Carl swooped down on the private airport after doing a full circuit, and made a perfect landing on the airstrip. A car was waiting to take him to the house, only a few minutes away. He’d had time to do plenty of thinking on the way over. The sky had been good to him and kept calm right to the end, showing nothing but a clear crystal blue the whole trip. He got into the chauffeur-driven car and, when his luggage had been deposited into the boot, they made their way to the house.

  On the steps, he bumped into Billy Slone. Small, thick set and bald, Slone was American, the Family Slone having migrated there from Egypt two hundred years ago. His family specialised in pharmaceuticals.

  As they shook hands, Slone said in a quiet voice, ‘We need to talk, somewhere private.’

  Prince Carl turned to the porter who was standing behind him. ‘Put those in my room.’ Turning back to Slone, he said, ‘Fancy a stroll?’

  ‘Yeah. Why not?’ Slone smiled.

  Together they went down the steps and, guessing rightly that Slone, a rose lover and grower, would head for the rose garden, Prince Carl fell into step beside him.

  ‘So, how’s things?’ Slone asked.

  ‘Please, you know I’m not here for your company.’

  ‘Well, if you put it bluntly, neither am I. You are a rather boring piece of work.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  Slone burst out laughing. ‘Come on, Carl, you know I’m only joking.’

  ‘Are you, though?’

  Slone heaved a sigh. ‘Look, I’ve told you I’m on your side. I don’t want the peasants culled any more than you do. If they go, who am I going to sell my pills to?’ He grinned.

  ‘Look, no more pissing about, Slone. We both know that there are wars going on around the world that have been deliberately started, just to cut the numbers down. Maniacs left in charge of countries because we want them there, no other reason than that, Because it’s good for us. But it’s time for change. Let them be. What the hell more do we need? Enough bloodshed, I say.’

  ‘Well, that’s been done before, remember? How many dead in the last world war? It worked, as well.’

  ‘What!’

  ‘All I’m saying is, Carl, that sometimes it’s necessary to cull them. They breed at such an alarming rate. Why can't they all do what China does? One child.’

  ‘Because the west wouldn’t go for it. There would be massive uprisings.’

  ‘Now, there’s a thought.’

  ‘Please, you’ve got to help me stop this-this plan.’

  ‘Lighten up, Carl. ‘I’ve already told you that I’m with you. Now chillax, as they say, and look at these gorgeous roses. And the scent.’ He stopped walking and sniffed the air. ‘And the colours! Have you ever seen anything more beautiful? I love coming here, the garden's a delight… Instead of stressing about the peasants, Carl, take pleasure in what’s around you.’

  Prince Carl couldn’t believe what he was hearing. All those lives at stake, and all this prat was bothered about was a garden full of fucking roses. Am I the only sane one left?

  CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT

  Mike spotted the guy who had been following him for the last hour. He was standing outside the Tesco Express, trying to see in through the window. Mike was watching him over the top of the tins of baked beans. The man turned to look in his direction, and Mike ducked.

  Who the----? he wondered. A more scrawny, skinny wreck of a man would be hard to find. He looked like an alkie who had not seen the inside of a shower cubicle for months.

  Circling the store, walking out behind the checkout tills while the man looked anywhere but at him, Mike was outside in moments and tapping the man on his shoulder. The man spun round and gaped at Mike, showing brown stumps of uneven teeth. ‘You!’

  ‘Yes, me.’

  How did you----?’

  ‘It was easy.’

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘Why are you following me?’

  ‘Because I was told to.’

  Mike sighed, wondering whether to play rough- 'cause it certainly wouldn’t take much to frighten this one-sentence guy-or just carry on being polite, for the sake of anonymity. Choosing the latter, he said, ‘So who told you?’

  ‘Rita.’

  ‘Rita!’

  The man nodded. ’Yes, Rita.’

  ‘So how long are you supposed to follow me around, and why?’

  ‘Dunno.’

  ‘What do you mean, you don’t know? You don’t know for how long, or you don’t know why?’

  ‘Dunno.’

  ‘Jesus Christ!’

  The man shrugged. Staring at Mike, he smiled. Mike was trying really hard not to clench his teeth and yell at him, even though he was driving Mike crazy, when the man said, ‘She’ll tell me when we get close.’

  ‘So you’re just going to follow me around until we get close to Rita?’

  He nodded again.

  ‘Why, for fuck's sake?’

  ‘Rita’s busy with Smiler.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Rita’s----’

  Mike stopped him. ‘Yes, I heard.’ Mike’s emotions were mixed to find that Smiler had disobeyed him and come down to London. ‘The little sod,’ he muttered.

  Honestly, don’t know why I’m surprised. Bet he’s got the mutt with him an’ all.

  He looked at the man. ‘OK, where do we go from here?’

  ‘Dunno.’

  ‘Don’t you know where Rita lives?’

  ‘No, but she’ll find me.’ He pointed with a nicotine stained finger to his head. ‘In here.’

  Not another one, Mike thought. Shaking his own head, he turned away and headed up the street. Pulling his cigarettes out, he lit one up and was about to put them away when the man who was dogging his steps said, ’Can I have one of those, please?’

  Turning round, Mike handed him a cigarette. For a moment he smiled, knowing that it was usually he who was bumming cigarettes off people. ‘Plan on following me forever?’ he asked, the smile fading.

  ‘Thank you,’ the man said, taking the cigarette and putting it between his lips, before mumbling out the corner of his mouth, ‘Only until Rita says she’s ready for you.’

  ‘Anything I can do to discourage you?’

  The man shook his head, then lit the cigarette up.

  ‘Are we near her?’

  ‘Don’t know.’ He took a draw off his cigarette.

  ‘So you’ve got no idea where she lives?’

  ‘No.’ He took another draw.

  ‘Fucking hell. You taking the piss or what?’

  Again, he shook his head.

  ‘OK.’ Mike shrugged and, turning, continued on his way, his stalker still in tow.

  They were near the Houses of Parliament when Mike heard a gurgling sound behind him. He turned to see his personal stalker land on his knees and clutch at his throat. Frowning, Mike bent down to help him, but before his outstretched hand could touch the man, he was surrounded on all sides, a black sack pulled quickly down over his head.

  Mike tried gamely to fight, but there were too many of them. He felt himself lifted off his feet and carried to his right, where he knew he’d just passed a side street. He tried to yell, but was punched in the side of his head. The next moment he was bundled into a car.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

  Smiler was watching the TV, but not really taking in what was on the screen-some wildlife programme about a pride of lions, which actually looked quite tame. Probably out of some zoo, he was thinking, when Rita came into the room. She was wearing a short blue skirt, with a cream top and matching cardigan. Smiler guessed she didn’t realise just how much she blended in with the walls. Or, then again, he thought, what do I know?

  ‘I thought you woul
d be more comfortable hearing what I have to say from me,’ Rita said.

  His heart rate picking up, Smiler gave Rita a brief nod. He was actually dreading what was coming. He’d buried his mother and her evil ways a long time ago, and was not too keen on having her resurrected again.

  ‘OK.’ Rita sat down. ‘Your mother. I know you’ve picked up a lot from me, as well as the buzz on the streets. But there’s a lot you don’t know. You’ve met the young girl next door.’ He motioned with his head to the room.

  Smiler nodded, staring at Rita, praying for her to hurry up and get on with it.

  ‘Well, once over, that was your mother.’

  ‘You mean----?’

  ‘Yes. She was once a prisoner of the Families. But not like Lynne, sold, used and abused. No, your mother was in the same place as my mother - an experimental lab.’

  ‘What, like them poor smoking dogs?’

  ‘Not quite, this was…is a laboratory that deals in all things of the mind. That’s how you and I, and quite a few others, are the way we are today.’

  ‘You mean, like we inherited it?’

  ‘Yes. Believe me, this was a side effect they never even dreamed of, and are now doing their very best to eradicate. They know that some of us are out here, but even their best can’t find us. They first started these experiments in the 30s, between wars, to breed an army that would do everything they were told to do -even turning on their own if needed-and whose legions could be controlled by thought alone. They actually engineered both wars to whittle the population down, and in their paranoia decided they needed their own private army in case the population found out about the Families and turned on them.’

  Smiler stared at the floor, his mind in a turmoil. On first thoughts, it seemed a bit far-fetched, but he’d read books about experiments done between and during the wars, even seen pictures that were so horrendous he’d cried in secret, hidden away down some dark alley or at the back of the library where no one ever went. So God only knew what had been hidden from the general public and never made it into print.

  ‘OK, so what about----’

  ‘Your mother.’

  Smiler took a deep breath, let it out, and said, ‘Yes.’