by Izzy Hunter
‘For god’s sake, man, would you just relax? Don’t be too hasty,’ berated Mona. ‘Anyway, there’s no way we’re going to even attempt leaving here on our own. There is a reason for this elaborate set-up, you know. It’s designed to confuse certain… people.’
‘You mean the law, don’t you?’ guessed Woods.
‘Amongst others, yes.’
The higher voice beyond the door grew louder and clearer as it was clear they were nearing the door. Just to be on the safe side, Mona gripped Woods arm again lest he do anything silly. She wasn’t prepared to spend hours in these tunnels searching for him.
‘Oh, mark my words, Hubert,’ the voice was declaring. ‘One of these days I’m going to cut off all your limbs and let you watch as I eat them!’
Seconds later, the door was flung open and both Mona and Woods had to look away for a moment as bright light from the room penetrated the dimly-lit corridor. When they’d adjusted to the sudden light, they found a chubby, velvet-robed, Chinese man wearing make-up, beaming at them with delight. He lunged towards Mona and wrapped his arms around her.
‘Oh, it is so good to see you again,’ he squealed, then stepped back to appraise her. ‘Forgive Hubert, he is one step away from becoming my next meal, although he would probably make me choke. That is how devious he is.’ He let go of her and turned to Woods with a curious look. ‘Now, now, you haven’t traded Henry for a new companion, have you?’
‘Not at all,’ Mona said with a smile. ‘Oscar, this is Mr Woods, a former teacher of All Hope School.’ She watched the Fixer’s eyes run up and down the other man’s form, and then the Chinese man held out a smooth, nail-painted hand, adorned with many rings. Woods looked so much like a fish out of water that he took hold of the hand and bent to lay a small kiss on the back of it. The Fixer giggled with further delight and hauled them both through the door.
The room they found themselves in was spacious and full of different-coloured Chinese paper lanterns, all lit to give off a strong, warm glow. Several lush sofas and chairs surrounded circular tables. It gave the effect of an extravagant dining room. Upon some of the sofas and chairs lounged half a dozen or so people - some in plain, simple clothing, others in more expensive-looking attire. All shared the same, glazed, blissful look. This confirmed to Mona the presence of opium which she thought she could smell when waiting for the door to open.
‘Oscar?’ Woods enquired to Mona as the man led the way past the drug takers. ‘That his real name?’
Mona shook her head and whispered back. ‘No. Very few know his real name. Oscar Tudor is his business name when in public.’
‘Oscar Tudor?’ Woods baulked.
Mona shushed him from saying anything else. The Fixer had stopped and settled himself on a purple chaise-lounge, though he had to be helped by Hubert who had reappeared next to his master. The Fixer then waved a hand, beckoning them to take the comfortable-looking chairs opposite. Once the Fixer was settled, Hubert placed a small leather box on the table between them, and lifted the lid. Inside was a heap of what looked like loose tea but Mona knew better.
‘Opium?’ the Fixer asked politely, confirming her suspicions. Woods peered at the box with wide-eyed horror then shook his head. Mona declined also. She had partook in the drug before but the last time she had, she’d suffered a traumatising hallucination that almost saw her kill a child. She vowed from then on never to take the stuff.
‘Fine,’ continued the Fixer, pouting. ‘If no one else wants some then I’m not going to have any. Take it away, Hubert.’ The small man replaced the lid and then swiped the box from the table and left. ‘Oh, and bring us some food and wine, too,’ he shouted as an afterthought. He shifted slightly in the seat and smiled indulgently at Mona. ‘So Miss Miller, are you faring well here in this country?’
‘Can’t complain, Oscar,’ Mona replied, relaxing back in her own seat. ‘Oh, I have a gift for you. I hope you don’t have it already.’
The Fixer looked delighted and clapped his hands with enthusiasm as Mona took out a small, wrapped parcel from the deep pocket in her skirt. She passed it over and observed the man as he undid the thread and then tore open the paper. Another squeal of delight arose from the china man’s ruby lips as he took the present in his delicate hands. ‘I’d heard word he was writing an actual book,’ the Fixer said in hushed tones. ‘But I never thought I would have a copy of my very own, so soon! The Portrait of Dorian Gray,’ he read the title out loud. ‘What’s it about?’ His eyes found Mona.
She shrugged. ‘Not read it myself,’ she admitted. ‘But I’m sure it’s as good as the man’s plays.’
‘Indeed it will be,’ the Fixer agreed. ‘I thank you for such a thoughtful and considerate gift.’ He bowed and slipped the book into the pocket of his robe, and then held his fingers together in a steeple shape.
At that moment, half a dozen men appeared bringing trays of food and wine to place down on the table between them. What was different between these servers and the ones in the Grey Baker hotel was the lack of shirts. Each man showed off well-toned, muscular chests. Mona didn’t bat an eyelid, used to the Fixer’s little indulgences, but Woods looked like a ripe beetroot and his eyes stayed firmly downcast while the servers covered the table with dishes of food and goblets of wine. Hubert stood next to the Fixer, overseeing the servers with a beady eye. The Fixer brought out the book again and thrust it into Hubert’s face for a moment.
‘Look! Look, Hubert! See what the beautiful Miss Miller has brought little old Oscar.’
‘I’m positively seething with jealousy,’ replied Hubert in that unmistakable crusty voice of his.
‘Mr Woods, are you a fan of Mr Wilde perchance?’
Woods jumped in surprise at being spoken to directly. He composed himself and replied. ‘I’m afraid I cannot support a known homosexual, sir.’
The change in the air was toxic as the Fixer’s happy face morphed into a glower at the ex-teacher. He shoved the book back into his pocket, and started picking at the food, intentionally not looking at Woods. ‘I think, Mona dear, that your friend should leave now.’
Mona sat forward in her seat, wishing she could land a punch on Wood’s face. ‘Please forgive Mr Woods,’ she said, thinking quickly. ‘He is but a simple man from a simple town. He doesn’t know what he’s saying.’
‘Now just hold on a minute -’ Woods started to protest but Mona held up a hand to quieten him.
‘Perhaps Mr Woods would like to admire the wonderful traditional Chinese artwork I notice hanging on the walls,’ Mona suggested.
The Fixer looked sulkily at her for a few moments and then nodded. ‘Hubert, you go with him.’ He addressed the small man as if he didn’t trust Woods not to deface the paintings. Hubert let out a weary sigh then padded away, not waiting for Woods to get up. Realising he’d best to what he was told, the former teacher got to his feet and with a bow to Mona, followed Hubert. Mona was left under the unimpressed glare of the Fixer.
‘I have to say that the quality of the company you keep these days has drastically declined,’ he sniffed, lifting a grape to his mouth and biting into it.
‘I’m doing a favour for him,’ explained Mona. ‘He is a good man, deep down. He’s just… misguided.’
‘Hmm, and am I right in thinking you need my help as part of this favour?’ He watched as she nodded. ‘Yes, I see. That explains why you leapt to his defence so quickly. So what is this favour?’
Mona told him about what had happened back in No Hope. Everything from Henry being shot to arriving in New Moray aboard The Red Jenny. She didn’t bother mentioning Sam. She didn’t see the point as he was nothing to do with Wood’s job search. When she finished speaking, the The Fixer lay back in the chaise-lounge and stared up at the low ceiling.
‘And what will you do in return for my help?’ he asked, eyes still cast upwards.
‘Almost anything,’ she replied without hesitation, emphasizing the ‘almost’ that caused the Fixer to giggle and look at her.
<
br /> ‘I will help you, Mona Miller, in return for a favour of mine.’
‘Which is?’
‘Accompany me to the theatre tonight. Be my guest for the evening.’
‘The theatre?’ She could heard the surprise in her voice. ‘Normally it’s to kill someone, or at least injure them.’
‘I had heard that you’ve changed, and can see for myself that this is true. I, too, have changed. Despite my youthful exterior, I am simply getting too old for all the murder and mayhem these days. I am a genuinely well-respected citizen in the town.’
Mona found this highly unlikely, given what she knew about the man but she stayed quiet. She didn’t want to end up on the wrong side of him. She valued her life too much. Still, she couldn’t resist teasing him a little.
‘So well-respected that you live in the middle of an underground maze?’ she said, smiling to show that she was joking.
Whatever the Fixer planned to say was lost as Woods returned. He remained standing for a moment, until Mona fixed him with a glare that told him to sit down, which he did so.
‘So Oscar, are you a regular theatre-goer?’ Mona asked, tucking into a piece of roasted chicken after deciding she was getting a bit peckish.
‘I’m afraid to admit that I do not go as much as I would like,’ came the reply.
‘And why’s that?’ Woods asked.
‘Oh, the owners of the theatre, mainly,’ the Fixer replied with a dismissive wave. ‘I despise him with every fibre in my being,’ he added with a hiss and spit on the floor to confirm his words. Then he seemed to perk up and asked Woods about the artwork.
Mona knew something was up. Why go to the theatre and line the pockets of someone he hated so much?
Within an hour, Mona and Woods were led back through the labyrinth-like tunnels and back into the streets of New Moray. Woods was feeling tired and suggested they return to the hotel for a nap before the Fixer picked Mona up for their theatre date, but Mona wanted to check on Matthew and make sure he hadn’t slipped from Sam’s view, so they returned to the theatre.
They spotted the boy being led through a side door by the other cleaner, weighed down with a bucket of water in one hand and a mop in another, when they reached the theatre hall. There was no sign of Sam, however.
‘That bloody man,’ Mona muttered, looking around the hall. ‘Come on,’ she said. ‘Let’s go backstage. If he’s not there then we’ll just head back to the hotel. Agreed?’
‘Agreed.’
Without hindrance from anyone, they were able to reach the stage and exit through the door on the right. Immediately they found themselves in a straight, wooden corridor with half a dozen doors leading off on either side. They also found Sam, leaning against the wall, back to them, talking to a scantily-clad woman. Mona, who had entered the corridor first, stopped and looked at Woods, raising a finger to her lips. He nodded, understanding.
‘No, honestly,’ Sam was in the middle of saying. ‘I swear on my dear mama’s life - god rest her soul - that she is just my sister.’
The woman unfolded her arms. ‘Really? Well, you must have a close relationship with your “sister” judging by the way you were checking out her behind as she left.’ That ended the conversation as the woman moved back into the room she’d been standing outside, and slammed the door in Sam’s face.
Sam remained where he was for a moment, shrugged his shoulders, and muttered: ‘And I just checked your ass out, darling, and “my sister’s” is still better than yours.’ Finally he turned round and saw Mona and Woods watching. ‘It’s true,’ he said, flashing a disarming smile at Mona before walking over to them.
‘Oh lord,’ said Woods, shaking his head. ‘Have you no morals? No scruples?’
‘Not if I can help it,’ replied Sam, his grin wide.
Mona began to smile at him but remembered he had gone AWOL when he was supposed to be keeping an eye on Matthew Reedus, and told him so.
‘Exactly,’ Woods joined in, once Mona had finished. ‘You’re not supposed to be working your way through half the population of New Moray.’
‘Well, I don’t have to - no, wind your neck in, Woods. I meant I don’t have to look after the boy.’ Sam gave Mona a lavish look as he continued. ‘I most definitely intend to do the latter.’
This seemed to incense Woods. ‘Dear god, man -’ he began angrily.
‘What do you mean, Sam?’ Mona interrupted.
‘The boy, he’s going to be in the play tonight. They’re a man short so he’s stepped in and offered to help.’
‘At least we’ll know where he is,’ supposed Mona out loud. ‘All right, gentlemen, I don’t know about you but I need to get back to the hotel and get ready.’
‘Get ready for what?’ asked Sam.
Mona allowed herself a coy smile as she replied. ‘I have a gentleman taking me to the theatre tonight.’ She sauntered out, wishing she could see the expression on Sam’s face.
On returning to the hotel, Mona asked for the empty tin bathtub in her room to be filled with hot water, and she was soon sitting in the water, running a sponge up and down her legs and arms. She wondered if her two companions had returned yet, or if they’d succumbed to blows yet. Not that it was any of her business. Here in New Moray she was no Sheriff, and she was enjoying the freedom it allowed her.
She didn’t dally long in the bathtub, and got out as soon as she deemed herself clean enough. A dress in one of the stores in town had caught her eye earlier and, on impulse, she had bought it. It trailed the ground and was a jade colour with decoration around the low bust. Simple but effective, she felt. After dressing, she sat down at the vanity table and put her raven hair back into a high bun. Finally, she applied an understated layer of make-up.
Just as she was slipping back into her boots - having brought no other footwear with her - someone knocked on the door. She cast a look at the small portable clock strapped around her left wrist - a gift from Sanders - and assumed it must be the Fixer come to take her to the theatre. She crossed the room and pulled open the door. Sam pushed past her and stormed into the room. He spun round and looked at her. His expression wavered a little as he took in her appearance. But then he shook his head and continued glaring.
‘Can I help you?’ Mona asked, closing the door and moving to stand before Sam.
‘Yes,’ he said briskly. ‘You can tell me who Oscar is, for a start. I thought it was Woods you were referring to but he said it wasn’t him. Should have known it wasn’t him, really.’ This last bit was muttered under his breath, though Mona still heard.
‘Why?’
‘Look, a man like Woods could never afford a woman like you,’ Sam said.
‘Afford? Was that an insult or a compliment? I’m inclined to go with the former,’ said Mona tartly.
‘Either,’ Sam answered. ‘So, who is he? This Oscar fella.’
Mona folded her arms and smiled, enjoying the show of jealousy, and decided to tease him further. ‘He’s a very… memorable and powerful man whose company I enjoy.’
‘I wonder what your fella, Henry, would say about that,’ Sam said, trying to get the upper hand. He watched for a reaction but got none. ‘Ah,’ he went on. ‘Either you really don’t care what Henry thinks, or this Oscar is no threat to him.
‘Neither are you,’ Mona said pointedly.
Sam paused and just watched her for a moment. ‘Sorry to hear that,’ he murmured. He took a step forward and cupped a hand over her left cheek, stroking her skin with his thumb. Mona tried to move away but her legs wouldn’t budge. ‘There’s nothing that drives me wild more than a lady who had loyalty to her man.’ He continued stroking and Mona felt her body quiver at the touch.
She eventually found her voice, though. ‘And if I wasn’t loyal? If I had no man? I would be of no interest to you, then, huh?’
‘I find that hard to believe,’ Sam said, his hand slowly trailing down her neck. ‘Besides, I believe that a man can change when he meets the right woman.’
&n
bsp; She held his gaze. ‘And have you met the right woman?’
His fingers skimmed lightly down her chest. ‘I think I just have,’ he whispered before closing the small gap between them. Mona could have said afterwards that she never expected the kiss but she would have been lying. She knew it would have happened at some point. As Sam’s tongue explored her welcoming mouth, his arms pressing her to him, she tried not to think of Henry. Tried not to think of the similarities between the two men. She wrapped her arms around him, a hand running through his hair as she deepened the kiss. Sam groaned in her mouth, sending an electric bolt all the way down to her groin. It was only when she realised Sam was leading them across to the bed that she broke away from him.
They stood there in the room, staring at each other, getting their breath back. Sam took a step towards her, eager to resume where they had left off but Mona held up a hand and shook her head
Thankfully, there came another knock on the door which eased the awkwardness in the room. Mona quickly opened the door. Hubert stood before her, looking utterly bored. With a beckoning gesture, he walked back along the hotel corridor. Mona turned to pick up her purse bag from the bed, and chanced a glance at Sam. He was staring at the doorway with a frown.
‘That’s Oscar?’ he asked.