by Tony Black
It was worse than I thought.
‘Pepsi? Why?’
‘It’s a… you could call it a stage name.’
My mind raced into overdrive, thoughts ran around like rats down the docks.
‘A stage name, right. What have you been up to… Pepsi?’
She smiled. ‘Remember I said I wanted to help with the Billy thing?’
Nodded. A frown waiting in reserve.
‘Well, I had an idea when you said he worked in some clubs.’
‘Oh Christ, Amy, what have you done?’
‘No. No. I’ve only been dancing, I promise.’
‘What?’
‘At the Pleasure Garden. I’ve been pole dancing.’
I stood up. My gob was smacked.
‘I don’t believe I’m hearing this.’
‘Gus, chill out. There’s plenty of girls at college doing it, it pays good money — and I’ve been able to find some information.’
Shot her a stare, said, ‘I doubt it, you’re more likely to find yourself in grief.’
‘Sit down.’ She patted the chair beside her, made a show of fluffing up a cushion.
The CD stopped. Hod’s singing ended too, I heard him getting out of the shower.
I sat down. ‘Let’s hear it.’
‘Right. Well, to begin with,’ she rubbed her hands together, leaned forward, ‘Billy wasn’t exactly mammy’s little angel. The nicest description I’ve heard of him so far was cocky little prick.’
‘Who from?’
‘The girls. I’ve been getting to know them all.’
‘Charming are they?’
‘Shut it.’ She pointed in my direction, a bright pink fingernail wagged at me. ‘Nobody liked him, but they said he knew the score.’
‘How do you mean?’
‘He played the Big I Am all over the place, but when Benny showed up — different story. He crawled right up Benny’s arse.’
‘So what? Brown-nosing the boss goes on all over.’
‘No, this was more. Billy was his protege until recently.’
‘And?’
‘It’s all a bit sketchy. Have you any fags?’ I lit a couple of Luckies, passed one over. Amy blew on the end of hers to get it going. ‘There was some kind of row, big bust up at one of the clubs, a couple of the girls saw it. It was pretty full-on. Billy was in tears.’
‘What was it about?’
‘That’s the thing… nobody knows.’
‘I find that a bit hard to believe, you telling me the rumour mills just ground to a halt after a flare-up like that.’
‘There’s a few stories going about. That Zalinskas was giving Nadja one, that Zalinskas was giving Billy one — a big no to that, by the way, Billy definitely wasn’t AC/DC — so, just the usual jangling, I wasn’t buying any of it.’
‘Hold on. Back up there. What’s that about Nadja?’
‘Ice Queen?’
‘Oh, she’s frosty, yeah.’
‘All, and I mean all, the girls hate her guts.’
‘No shit.’
‘Really, it’s like… primal, a pack fear thing.’ Amy dragged deep on her tab, swiped at the smoke. ‘She’s bringing in all this Eastern European gash and-’
‘Say what? Gash?’
‘Industry term.’
‘Gotcha.’
‘So she’s like, created all this resentment among the girls, and, at the same time, she’s shagging the boss.’
‘Volatile mixture.’
‘I tell you, Gus, she’s the alpha bitch in Benny’s empire. Everyone knows it.’ Amy stood up. ‘Mind if I put on another CD?’
I waved her on.
None of Amy’s information struck me as real news. Yeah, it was good colour. It added something to the overall picture but there was nothing concrete, nothing to latch onto. Except for the row between Zalinskas and Billy.
‘Amy…’ She spun round, swept her hair over, and pouted again.
‘Sorry. Pepsi… about this barney.’
‘What about it?’
‘Did anything come of it?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean afterwards — did the girls say there were any, I dunno, changes? Did Benny start coming in for the takings? Did Billy get moved? Any girls sacked?’
‘No, I don’t think — Oh, hang on, there was. It’s probably nothing, but apparently a day after the row, they ripped out all the security cameras.’
‘They did?’
‘Yeah. I didn’t think anything of it though, I mean, cameras in a place like that, bad idea to begin with, right?’
36
The carry-out arrived. I paid the delivery guy and laid the tinfoil boxes out on the table. Amy put on the Manics. ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’, she said, ‘I just love this old stuff.’
Had no answer for that.
‘We need plates, Gus, and cutlery.’
‘Sure, I’ll get some.’
I called out to Hod and he came in, hair wet, reeking of Obsession, Ted Baker shirt open but for a couple of buttons.
He grabbed me. ‘Christ, Gus…’ he whispered, ‘who the fuck is that?’
‘Oh aye, Hod, this is… er, Pepsi… Pepsi, Hod.’
Amy tucked into some chicken jalfrezi, mouth full, she gave a wave.
‘Christ,’ said Hod again. ‘I’ll take the Pepsi challenge any day!’
I slunk off to the kitchen, to grab myself another Stella. Had been knocking them back and now began to feel like mixing in something a bit harder. For some reason, gin called. I never touch the mother’s ruin, but my mood told me it would fit. You sit behind a bar, staring at those optics for long enough periods of your life, sooner or later, labels you’ve never even tried start to call you.
I went back to find Hod and Amy deep in conversation.
‘Gus, Gus, this is out of order!’ said Hod.
‘What is?’
‘Billy Boy. Pepsi’s been telling me you’re going after his killer.’
‘Oh, has she now?’
‘I never knew him very well, in fact, when I did meet him I thought he was a bit of a septic tank to tell the truth, but his father’s brand new. God, old Col must be in bits.’
I took a plate, spooned on some rice. ‘He’s none too good.’
‘Pepsi says you’ve narrowed it down to this Zalinskas guy.’
I dropped the spoon in the tinfoil box. ‘Just hang on a minute. I’ve narrowed down bugger all, and I wouldn’t be taking anything she says as gospel, her real name’s Amy for a start.’
‘Yeah but,’ said Amy, ‘we’re getting close.’
‘Amy, is it? I like that,’ said Hod. ‘I say we go all out tonight — screw hitting the town. I know where Zalinskas has a casino on George Street. We could-’
‘No way!’
‘Hang on, Gus,’ said Hod. ‘I’m only saying we could go and have a word, try pushing his buttons.’
I put down my plate, cutlery; threw myself back in the chair. ‘Am I hearing right? Have you two completely lost it? The man’s a gangster. I saw him doing the full Don Corleone bit on the news tonight. It’s a non-starter. I mean, thanks, both of you, for the suggestions. But, no. No way. Outta the question.’
‘Looks like it’s you and me then, Pepsi, er… Amy,’ said Hod.
They high-fived.
I stood up. ‘He’d have my nuts in a cocktail shaker if I even set foot in one of his places, and as for anyone with me…’
‘Well, if you’re chicken, Gus,’ said Hod, grinning at Amy.
‘This is no joke, you know. Hello, read my lips, the man’s a gangster!’
Hod walked round the table, put his hand on my shoulder. ‘Okay, we’ll be careful. Just a look about the joint, a few sneaky wee enquiries. Test the water so to speak. You never know, we might hit pay dirt.’
‘You’ll get put in the dirt.’
‘Gus, look, I’ve been to this casino a million times, I’m a kent face. No one’s gonna say boo to me turning up, I’ll sign you and hers
elf in as a couple and we’ll play it cool.’
I saw they were set on it. I couldn’t let them take a chance like this on their own. Sooner or later I’d have to confront Benny the Bullfrog, maybe sooner was better than later in the circumstances.
‘Okay,’ I said. For the first time, I wished I’d taken Mac’s shooter.
They both cheered. Hod shook his fist in the air. Amy danced, made a mixing-bowl motion.
‘But, we do this my way,’ I said.
‘Absolutely,’ said Hod.
‘I mean it. You go in there looking for a pagger, Hod we’re all coming out like this…’ I picked up a piece of pakora, dripping in red sauce and dropped it on the table.
They watched my face.
‘I’m not joking,’ I said. ‘You especially, Amy… there’ll be no going back to the Pleasure Garden after Benny’s lot see you with me. You’ll be marked.’
Nods. Sighs.
‘Okay then, let’s do this,’ I said.
‘Suicide is Painless’ began to play.
Not a bad option, I thought.
37
The sky looked black as a gypsy’s curse, throwing down rain that felt personal. Hod crammed himself under Amy’s umbrella; his one concession to the cold and wet to put up the collar on his Ted Baker shirt.
‘Aren’t you freezing?’ said Amy.
‘Hell no. I’ve a second skin, see…’ Hod played peekaboo with his shirt buttons, Sean Connery chest hair made a bid for freedom.
‘That’s gross!’ said Amy. ‘Get to a chemist, you get creams for that.’
‘Pray there isn’t a dance floor in this joint, he’ll have the medallion on show,’ I said. ‘Tony Manero doesn’t get a look in.’
Hod undid a few buttons.
‘Oh, no — put it away,’ said Amy.
Hod laughed. ‘That’s not what the last one said!’ He launched into some sick-making dance moves, finger shooting in the air, hips jutting, the whole nine yards.
We turned away, but got drawn back in.
‘Night fever… night fe-v-er… we know how to do it…’
He danced and made a show of himself until the taxi arrived.
In the back of the cab I tried to rein Hod in, reminded him what we’d set out to do. He got the message, seemed to settle. Locked his jaw and looked mean.
Amy looked more pensive, fingers worrying at the rim of her boots.
‘You okay?’ I said.
‘Yeah, oh yeah.’
‘You sure?’
‘I want to get to the bottom of this as much as you, Gus.’
Hod cut in: ‘We both do, we know the score.’
Yeah right. Christ, I didn’t even know the score. I cursed myself again for not taking Mac’s shooter, then remembered the words of John Lennon: ‘Don’t need a gun to blow your mind.’
We got out the cab at the wrong end of George Street, Edinburgh roadworks playing mischief with my plans. As we walked a succession of pimped-up cars roared past the road-closed signs, beat boys who a few years ago were fitting Spokey Dokeys to their BMXs.
‘Twats,’ said Hod. ‘Don’t know what’s worse, them or students!’
‘I’m a student,’ said Amy.
‘Definitely them,’ said Hod, then changing the subject sharply, ‘Here we are!’
Benny the Bullfrog’s casino stood inside one of the New Town’s old Georgian buildings. At one stage it had been a town house. These days, you needed to be multinational to get the keys to a place like this.
Hod stuck his chest out and frowned at the ape on the doors. A classic pintdown man, he frowned back. Good to know they treat you like shit if you’re well-off too.
Inside a scrawny-necked Victoria Beckhamalike, bling a go go, greeted us with an elaborate smile and handshake onslaught. Hod got air kisses. It looked to be histrionics, a job to rival Rada’s finest.
‘Party of three, absolutely delighted to welcome you, and if I may ask the guests to sign in.’
In the slot for name and address, I opted for Mr and Mrs Smith. Amy smiled, gripped my arm tightly. I saw she still harboured fantasies of us re-enacting the potter’s wheel scene from Ghost.
‘Right, let’s hit the bar,’ said Hod.
‘You’ll get no arguments from me.’
My craving for gin had passed. Went for a J amp;B over ice.
‘So what do you do now?’ I asked Hod.
‘What the big wheel does — circulate.’
He moved to the tables, shoulders set hard, poker face on. A look that said, ‘I’ve worked fucking hard to deserve my place here, have you?’
I wished I could say the same thing. The words fish and water sprang to mind. The casino was a league or two above my own.
I’d heard the late Australian billionaire Kerry Packer had been in a casino once when some Texan oilman started mouthing off about his millions.
‘So, how much are you worth?’ asked Packer.
‘Oh, about a hundred million,’ said the oilman.
‘Really?’ said Packer. ‘I’ll toss you for it!’
Beat that for a fuck you.
I felt a tug on my arm, turned to see Amy at my side.
‘I’m going to look about,’ she said.
‘Ah, no. Don’t think so.’
She stuck her head to the side, rolled her eyes at me. ‘I’m a big girl.’
Thought, ‘Who’s gonna argue with that?’
‘Well, be good.’
‘And if I can’t be good?’
‘Just be good.’
I returned to the bar, ordered another J amp;B. I tried to get a handle on the place. It looked plush, first time I’d seen walls carpeted. And the punters certainly had plenty of poppy. A mixture of old Edinburgh and parvenu trash. A lot of green and tweeds clashing with the Prada set. Champagne in full flow all around, raised voices. I eavesdropped.
‘Another bottle of Bolly, darling?’
‘Yaw-yaw…’
‘Oh moy Gawd… Oh moy Gawd!’
‘What is it, darling?’
‘Kitten heels with culottes, darling.’
‘Oh, that’s so last season!’
Felt my brain softening, more than it had already. Phone suddenly went off. Saved by the bell.
‘Hello?’
‘Hello, I’m sorry to call so late, but-’
I didn’t recognise her voice. ‘Who is this?’
‘Oh, of course, my name’s McClair. I’m with social services.’
‘Uh-huh, and who are you looking for?’
‘Ehm, is that Mr Dury?’
‘Yeah, that’s me. Is there some kind of problem?’
Silence on the line, then: ‘It’s about the remains of, Mr Milo Whittle.’
To hear his name again thumped at my heart. ‘Milo, yes… God, yes — his remains.’
‘Mr Dury, you seem to be the only contact we have. Are you family of some sort?’
‘No, I’m not family. I’m, eh, all he had though.’
‘In that case, will you be claiming the remains, Mr Dury?’
I felt my heart freeze over, my mouth fell open. The sight of that heap of ashes would stay with me to my dying day.
‘Mr Dury, are you still there?’
‘Eh, yeah… yes, I’m still here.’
‘It’s, well, the remains have been released now. There will have to be arrangements made.’
I felt my mind slowly clicking over. ‘Oh, I see.’
‘We can take care of the funeral expenses, if needs be.’
That terrible expression ‘pauper’s grave’ entered my thoughts.
‘Eh, no.’
‘I’m sorry?’
‘I’ll take care of it. The funeral and so on.’
‘That’s very generous, Mr Dury. Are you fully aware of the costs?’
‘Fuck the costs. I’m sorry, I mean, I’ll manage.’
‘Well, we’ll be taking him to the crematorium soon, so…’
‘That’s fine, I’ll get down there now.’
/> ‘I think tomorrow would be better.’
‘Yes, look, tomorrow it is then.’
‘Okay, Mr Dury. Goodbye.’
My legs buckled, standing became difficult. I summoned the courage to order another whisky. I threw it over, sensed right away I’d reached the magic number.
My blood thumped in my veins as I headed for the cashier.
I threw down all the money Col had given me, said, ‘Change that.’
‘How would you like it, sir?’
‘What?’
‘Hundreds, twenties, tens.’
‘Fuck do I care?’
As I headed for the roulette wheel Bobby Darin sang ‘Moon River’. God, my mother used to play that. The past seemed like happier days to me now.
Put a pile of chips on black.
Croupier spun the wheel. ‘No more bets, please.’
As I watched the ball jump Bobby Darin changed his tune, started on ‘Call Me Irresponsible’.
Like I needed that.
38
As I watched the wheel, my guts turned over. I’d been throwing money around like one of those Indian statues with four arms. It had to end. It might be soon.
I watched the ball begin to slow, popping in and out of the little brass slats. I couldn’t take it, turned away.
Amy appeared at my side. ‘What’s going on?’
‘Is it black?’
‘What?’
‘The wheel… I’ve put it all on black.’
I slouched, she towered over me as she pitched herself on her toes. ‘Still, going…’
‘Christ on a crutch. Keep watching.’
‘How much have you put on?’
‘All of it — everything I have.’
‘’Bout ten bob then.’ She laughed at her own joke.
‘Bit more than that.’
I turned around to see the wheel’s silver handle make a final wink in the glare of lights.
‘Number twenty-two,’ called out the croupier.
‘Holy shit, it’s black! I’ve won!’
Amy jumped up, put her arms around me. Before I knew what had happened, we were kissing, Amy leaned in hard, pressing her tongue on the roof of my mouth.
‘That was nice,’ she said when we finished.
‘I didn’t see it coming.’
‘We should do it more often.’
‘God, no, my nerves wouldn’t take it.’