The Devil's Reflection

by Colin Davy

  “Ah, one of the joys of having paid holidays.”

  “Indeed, but are you too busy to see an old friend?”

  There was a short pause. “You’re treading on thin ice, Gary, but I’ll give you fifteen minutes.”

  “That’s long enough, I’ll see you in ten.”

  “Oh, no,” he said. “I’m far too busy at the moment. Let’s make it tonight.”

  Hmm … he had a meet-up with Sophie and Scott tonight. “What time?” he asked.

  “I’m free about nine o’clock.”

  He must be taking the piss, Gary decided, hoping the delay would put him off, but he’d call the man’s bluff. It might even cut short what promised to be an embarrassing meeting with the Sinclairs. “I’ll see you at nine in the Old Oak,” he said.

  “If you must.”

  “I must.”

  Turning off his mobile, he saw Maria still on the mainline phone, and seeing his frown, she gave a brief wave. “Who is it?” he asked.

  When she mouthed something inaudible, he assumed it must be a friend from the congregation. But he’d better explain to Maria she wasn’t supposed to know anything about Scott’s revelations and he’d better tell her before the meeting tonight, otherwise a careless remark might alert Scott. Putting two and two together, he’d soon realise there was a third person in this pact of silence.

  With a final nod, Maria closed her conversation and put the receiver down. “Condolences from one of your friends?” he asked.

  “No,” she said with a smile. “It was Sophie. They can’t make tonight after all, Something urgent at Scott’s school. They’ll see us another time. I said that’s fine.” Her smile died. “What’s wrong. Gary?” she asked.

  “It may be nothing to worry about,” he said. “But don’t mention to Sophe how close we are now.”

  “Why not?” she asked.

  “Scott’s under the impression we don’t share secrets. He won’t be happy if he realises how close we are.”

  “What do we do then?” she asked. “Pretend to Sophie we’re only lodgers?”

  “We are in one way, aren’t we?

  “That’s just sex,” she said. “A temporary situation. We share our secrets otherwise?”

  “Do we?”

  “The ones that matter,” she said.

  “That’s good to know, but as far as Scott …” He trailed away when he saw her expression change. “What is it?” he asked.

  “Sophie mentioned how pleased she was to see us getting on so well. She worries about you and your anti-social ways.”

  He probably was anti-social. His nearest neighbour was the only one he spoke to, a man called Archie or Andrew something. A miserable sod who only complained about his ailments, especially his arthritis. “What’s this got to do with Scott’s secret?”

  “I explained to Sophie we’re a real couple now,” she said. “But I didn’t say anything about sharing every secret.”

  He sighed. “Let’s hope they keep secrets from each other then,” he said. “Scott certainly does.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Although Gary was inside the pub by nine o’clock, there was no sign of Raif until he appeared magically as Gary began to order a pint. “Make mine a whisky,” he said, tapping Gary on the shoulder. “A double as you’re buying.” After taking the drink, Raif drifted off to find a table where after dropping into a chair, he surveyed the surroundings.

  Gary joined him with his beer and sat opposite. The Old Oak was quiet, but the heat had gradually built up and Gary felt sweat beading his forehead. After putting his drink on the table, he tried to wipe the worst of the perspiration from his brow while Raif watched in amusement. “Which one of Gail’s admirers rearranged your face?” he asked.

  Gary took his time before answering. Raif had dressed casually in a light jumper with a V, over which an unbuttoned white shirt showed, yet he looked as cool as usual. Since their last meeting, he’d added a small grey patch to the stubble around his chin.

  “Hardly facial rearrangement,” Gary said. “A little light remodelling, Raif, I’ll give you that, but it could have been worse.”

  “Who was it?”

  “John Wemyss and I had a falling out,” he said. “Only two blows, though.”

  Raif smiled. “He hit you and you hit the floor.”

  “Something like that,” he said. “So, you know about the allegations against me?”

  “Chapter and verse. You may be a man after my own heart, Gaz, but you chose badly. She’s gorgeous but definitely unavailable. Did you not know that?”

  “Yes,” he said. “And no, I didn’t assault her.”

  “I believe you,” he said. “But not many in the congregation will, you’re an outsider, remember.”

  “I know I am,” Gary said. “But you seem to have wormed your way in well.”

  He frowned. “I’ve negotiated with one or two people in good faith, and fortunately I’m having some success.”

  “Do those successes include Gail?”

  “Indirectly,” he said “But she prefers to think of herself as Deborah’s agent and that’s how I’ve come to know her.”

  “You don’t know Debbie directly?”

  “I do speak with her,” he said. “A pleasure in many ways, so different from her sister.” Sitting back, he examined the pub customers again before turning his attention back to Gary and shaking his head slowly. “What are you like, Gaz?” he said with a smile. “Digging into the whys and wherefores of a sad but accidental death with all the finesse of a bulldozer with a jammed throttle. Believing the sun sets in the West because your girlfriend tells you it does.”

  “You don’t approve of Maria?”

  He frowned. “It’s nothing personal,” he said. “But come on, she’s from kennel country and the only prizes she’ll win are at Crufts. She doesn’t get my genital juices racing, not like her sister did.”

  “That sounds a little personal, Raif.”

  “Whatever.”

  “You fancied Debbie?”

  Raif’s smile widened. “I wouldn’t clamber over Debbie to reach her sister.”

  Garry took a sip from his beer and nodded. “You were in serious financial discussions with Debbie?” he asked. “You denied it earlier.”

  He shrugged. “So? I lied, sue me.”

  So much for his own renowned, new powers of intuition, Gary thought. Zero out of ten again.

  “You’re surprised, Gaz?” he said. “Your sour-faced girlfriend may not believe it, but her sister can spot a good deal when she sees it.” Taking up his whisky, he took another sip. “She was a good-looking girl,” he said. “A veritable Cinderella compared to the ugly sister you console yourself with.”

  Raif always reminded him of a man out of his time, an Edwardian dandy adrift in a less genteel world. But a twat, nevertheless. “Debbie’s death must have been a financial disaster for you.”

  “A mere setback,” he said.

  “How so?”

  “Because Gail has come into the picture. She has great expectations.”

  “Of what?”

  “Of a new financial arrangement.”

  When Gary frowned, Raif nodded slowly. “There is a will to be read,” he said.

  “There is,” Gary said. “The executor is Maria and she’s seen the contents of the will.”

  Raif stared for a second, his face emotionless. “And?”

  “And what?”

  “Are you allowed to appraise me as to its contents?”

  Gary realised again that Raif loved being wordy and he found it catching, but he deserved to know his hopes were unfunded. “I don’t know if I’m allowed to appraise you of anything, but I will tell you that Gail’s expectations are not developing in a manner that is entirely fortuitous.”

  After a brief smile, Raif nodded slowly and sipped again at his whisky. “Ah well, one door closes and another one shuts.”

  “Is that it?”

  Spreading his arms and opening the p
alms, he leaned back in the chair. “I’m a professional gambler,” he said. “Not all bets will be winners. It’s up to me to turn this to my advantage. Once you’re astonishingly beautiful girlfriend has recovered from her grief, I trust you’ll put a good word in for me.” He had the good grace to smile. “Alas, Debbie is no more, but she was always a risk. A true amateur with entirely unrealistic expectations. It would have been heavy going being her Sherpa over the foothills of basic arithmetic. Her sister, however, offers a far sharper business brain with whom it will be a pleasure to deal.”

  Raif was likable, he thought, in a strange malevolent way. “How do you plan to entice Maria to carry on the family tradition?”

  “A good question,” he said. “Does she need an alibi by any chance?”

  “Are you offering to give her one?”

  His smile was light. “I hope your double-entendre was accidental,” he said. “But yes, a new alibi could be a consideration.”

  “No way,” he said. “She wouldn’t demean herself, she has religious scruples about lying.”

  “Ah,” he said. “In that case, I see no reason at all to change my story, but you will make the offer just in case?”

  “I suppose so,” he said, but he knew the man would be disappointed. “Why would you stick to your alibi for Gail, if there’s no benefit to you?” he asked.

  “Business reasons.” He sighed at his friend’s apparent naivety “I’m not going to admit I lied about such a serious matter. If it ever got out, it would be bad for business, and …” He paused for dramatic effect. “And be sure, Gaz, it would get out.”

  “In the circles you move in?”

  For the first time, Raif looked impatient. “Gaz,” he sighed. “Get to the point, why are you here?”

  “To pick your brains.”

  “If you’ve recently come into an inheritance, please pick away.”

  “I’ll try,” he said. “But you may have already answered my question.”

  “Which one was that?”

  “The one where I asked you to be honest about Gail’s whereabouts on that Sunday.”

  When he looked surprised, Gary decided to say it clearly this time. “Did you tell the police Gail was with you after she dropped Debbie off at the Duncan Docks a week last Sunday?”

  He looked around briefly before answering. “I did indeed,” he said. “We caroused into the night is one version discussed, but another is that we discussed weighty financial matters. We decided to choose the latter explanation, as it was more likely.” He waited expectantly but his smile had vanished.

  “Is that true?” Gary asked.

  “Which one?”

  “Either.”

  “As far as the police are concerned …yes.”

  “What really happened?”

  “Gaz, you might be a friend, but you’re seriously imposing now.” Leaning back in his chair, he gave an appraising stare. “Does your beloved have a good alibi?”

  “I don’t know,” he said. “She was suffering from a migraine earlier that day, so I doubt she went anywhere to be seen.”

  Raif sighed. “What does it matter anymore?” he said. “Her bloody sister probably died from taking something she shouldn’t have. You can’t force an overdose on someone. If that’s the verdict, we may as well move on.” He gave a mock toast with the whisky glass. “I’ll move on to other projects and learn from my mistakes.”

  Gary decided to admit defeat; trying to embarrass the man opposite when it came to money was a waste of time. “Alright, Raif,” he said. “I’ll leave you in peace to count your ill-gotten gains. Thanks for your help.”

  The mild sarcasm washed over him. “You’re welcome,” he said, but when Gary stood, up, he made a final comment. “Don’t give up hope, Gaz, in forty years-time when I’m lying on my deathbed, I might repent of my youthful folly and admit everything.”

  With a brief nod, Gary finished off his beer and headed for the door. Outside, the slight breeze had increased but the evening retained the warmth. Even wearing a light t-shirt, he felt little relief, and by the time he reached the car, he was sweating. As he drove off, he considered what he’d learned from Raif. Not a lot was the answer.

  For his own reasons, Raif had given Gail an alibi, and he assumed she must have needed one. Yet she didn’t fit Scott’s description of the person he’d seen. But then why assume Scott was telling the unvarnished truth, he’d had his own reasons for lying. Raif, however, did fit Scott’s description of someone he’d be shocked by, but his motive looked unclear. It could only be financial, and he couldn’t see how.

  Had Debbie discovered something so fishy about his dealings that he needed to kill her? How? By persuading her to overdose? Unlikely, and verging on the ludicrous. And even using his incredible powers, if they existed, it didn’t add up. With finances, Raif was professional, with even Sophie respecting his cold deliberation. The dismissal of Debbie as an amateur rang true, and to him, Gail was only a walking cheque book. Why would he kill her?

  He’d never been a great friend of Raif, he found him too selfish to warm to. His sexuality? He’d always assumed Raif was heterosexual - why would he suspect otherwise? Knowing what he did about the man, he assumed if he was gay, he’d have come out by now unless it reduced his potential market for clients. No, he was incidental in Debbie’s death rather than causative.

  At the flat, Maria greeted him with an all-embracing hug. She’d changed into thin cotton t-shirt and a surprisingly short skirt, but looked flushed, even with the windows open enough to feel the benefit of the breeze. Nuzzling into his chest, she murmured something inaudible.

  “Sorry?”

  Lifting her head, she spoke more loudly. “I’m sorry I gave the game away to Sophie this morning.”

  “Are you sure you did?” he asked with a smile. “You didn’t tell her Scott was bisexual, did you?”

  “No,” she said. “But I let her know how close we are.”

  “Like now?” He pulled her even closer. “She’d have realised that soon enough,” he said. “But be careful, she looks upon me as her younger brother and might be jealous.”

  She shook her head sadly. “That poor woman, she’s had more than enough to cope with, especially now.” Leaning back, she looked up at him. “There is something you need to know.”

  “What?”

  She hesitated, glancing away before turning back with a look of determination.

  “What is it, Maria?”

  “They visited me on that Sunday,” she said. “Both of them.”

  “Who?” He felt a heavy weight in his stomach. “Gail and Debbie?”

  “Yes.”

  “When?”

  “Shortly after you left. I felt down. I wasn’t thinking straight. Gary, I feared I was losing you, and my mind was in a whirl. Yes, I know I should have told you earlier about it.”

  It seemed so long ago, he thought. Back then, she was more an encumbrance than a partner. Yes, he could see why she might think he was lukewarm about her, he probably was. “You spoke to Gail and Debbie?”

  “No, only Debbie,” she said. “They were on their way home, but Gail stayed in the car while Debs checked on my health.”

  “Was Raif there?”

  “I don’t know, he could have been in the car, I suppose.”

  “Was it a blue Astra?”

  She shook her head slowly. “I don’t know, why?”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  She stared for a moment, clearly puzzled. “I’d recovered enough to ask what Debs was planning that evening. She told me they were having a private party.”

  “Next door or in her own flat?”

  “In her flat, Debs told me she intended to split with Gail soon, but she wanted to go out with a bang.” When she blinked rapidly and her eyes moistened, he pulled her close. “Debs was still defiant about the relationship though, she claimed it had been a great few weeks despite my misgivings.”

  “Did you believe she intended to split wi
th Gail?”

  She frowned deeply. “I wasn’t sure.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

  She continued to frown but said nothing.

  “Did you lie to me?” he asked

  “No,” she said firmly. “I didn’t, I neglected to tell you everything, but I will now. I’m sorry.”

  If she’d lied, it was by omission, he decided, but why had she not told him? Either she worried it made her look guilty or because she was guilty. No, it wouldn’t believe the last option. “That’s alright,” he said, and it was. Everyone else had been lying in some way, and he was sure she was telling the truth now. “Why didn’t you tell the police about that?”

  “I … I… didn’t want to complicate things.”

  He nodded.

  After gripping his arm, she laid her head on his chest. “Debbie let me know they planned a drugs session that night, and I knew she was only telling me to rub my nose in it, Gary. Deliberately trying to rile me. She even showed me the drugs they intended to use.”

  “What were they?”

  “Weed, mostly, but when I saw the lollipop, I recognised it straight away. I told her how dangerous it was.”

  “How did you know?”

  “I’ve seen the results in America,” she said, running her fingers over his cheek. I tried it once and nearly died. I should have taken it from Debs and destroyed it, even if I had to hurt her, but I didn’t. I wish I had, but I was tempted.”

  “Tempted?”

  She nodded. “I saw a chance to stop Gail in her tracks. I was stupid and evil and I got my reward. Although Debs promised faithfully, she’d never touch it herself, I shouldn’t have believed her. It was for Gail, she said, and I wanted to believe her.” Her eyes moistened again and a tear began to run down her cheek. “I didn’t mean to kill Gail, I only wanted to frighten her and make her back off. I didn’t believe they’d split up otherwise.”

  “Didn’t Debbie know the dangers already?” he asked. “She spent time in America too, weren’t you together then?”

  “Not twenty-four-seven, and she didn’t go to places I went.”

  That was interesting and it might help explain some of the differences between the sisters. Debbie outrageous and a natural dabbler, Maria calculating and measured, at least now. Had she originally been the wild one? It reminded him he knew little of their past, travelling from country to country without a settled home. Had their mother brought them up in a strange and dysfunctional offshoot of the Pentecostal Church?