by Chris Parker
Peter stopped moving. He concentrated hard on the man with the knife. His eyes were glazed, his breathing surprisingly rhythmic. He seemed to have no awareness of what was going on around him. Or the danger he was in.
‘He’s so calm,’ Ethan said, ‘because we have had words; words over a brief yet very significant period of time. I’m sure you all know how easy it is to take in the meaning of what is being said, even without meaning to. After all it would be mean not to. And this is meaningful right here and now, I would say. So when I tell you Detective Chief Inspector there really is nothing you can say or do to make him release the knife I am sure that you, just like him, get my meaning.’
Peter resisted the temptation to blink. His mouth was dry. He felt as if he was suddenly struggling with a rapidly forming concussion. ‘Nothing we could do, eh?’ He forced the words out.
‘Not at all. Ethan scratched his nose.
Peter felt his own skin itch.
‘Shall I make him push it in a tiny, little bit just to prove my point, so to speak?
‘No! No. I believe you.’
‘Can’t you look me in the face when you say that?’
Peter felt his head nod. His mind, he realised as if from a distance, was already betraying him. He was about to answer the question by saying ‘Yes’ and looking at Ethan Hall when Renton said, ‘Boss, we’re waiting for direction!’
The words impacted with the force of a slap to the face. Peter gasped and said, ‘Sergeant, you and your men need to stand off. Move out onto the landing now. Keep singing the song as you do so. Move!’
Peter led the way and the team backed out behind him. ‘Are you all OK?’ He asked.
The men nodded, but their eyes showed a degree of confusion. He guessed that his probably did, too. He nodded his thanks to Renton.
‘You armour is bulletproof, not word-proof,’ Peter said. ‘Ethan wants to make us look at him and listen to him. If he hypnotizes even one of us this is all going to hell. We have to watch out for each other in ways we never have. We have to keep checking that we’re all OK, that we’re keeping him out. Does everybody understand?’
The team nodded.
‘Your communal fear and confusion is lighting up the landing,’ Ethan said loudly. ‘The least you could do is close the door.’
‘What’s your so-called friend’s name?’ Peter asked.
‘It really doesn’t matter. You can call him Lazarus, if you like.’
‘We know he works for Calvin Brent, which means you’ve got yourself into the big league. Not that it matters anymore. You see, any professional criminal would tell you that once it gets to this stage there’s only one conclusion. So, as we are sharing truths, you need to know the only place you’re going from here is jail. All you are doing by threatening that man and delaying us is adding years to your sentence.’
‘You are presuming too much. If you knew me better, you’d know that I really only help people to find their own way. I’m acting like this because I’m terrified of what you might do to me. You threatened me in hospital. That’s why I had to leave, even though I was – I still am – in such poor health. I’m the one being persecuted here. I’m the one acting out of character.’
Renton shook his head in disbelief.
‘I’m not going to talk to you anymore, Ethan.’ Peter said. ‘I’m calling in professional negotiators. Two of them, so they can guard each other against you.’
Ethan laughed. ‘You don’t seriously think you have anyone who can get inside my head, do you?’
‘Who knows? Besides, it seems to me the only way to end this thing is for one of us to gamble. And that’s going to be me.’
‘Really? What are you going to do?’
‘That would be telling. But remember, the man you’re holding hostage is a villain. We’ll have all the info we need about him any time soon. I’m guessing he’s a really bad boy. Which means he’s not as valuable to you as a normal member of the public would be. You get what I mean?’
Ethan hesitated only briefly. ‘You wouldn’t risk this man’s life.’
Peter grinned. Want to bet?’ He said.
50
‘Willingly,’ Ethan replied, ‘because if you really are planning to gamble the meaning is clear. You recognize that I have all the power here and there’s nothing you can logically do. So, listen, why don’t you take a deep breath, come back in and we can talk?’
‘I’ll stay where I am, thanks.’
‘Peter, I can’t believe you don’t really want to do this yourself. Where is the hunter inside you? Do you really want to stand back and let the negotiators try? Thinking about it now. Deeply. Aren’t you going to step in the right direction, finding out what is happening here? Isn’t that your job? Peter? Isn’t that what being an Inspector means?
Renton saw the DCI frown, lick his lips, glance at the bedroom. He reached out and squeezed Peter’s shoulder hard, demanding his attention. ‘Stay with us, boss!’ He whispered forcefully.
‘Yes! Thanks!’ Peter brought his focus back to bear.
Renton took out his notebook and wrote, What’s the plan?
‘Ethan you clearly don’t know me as well as you think you do,’ Peter spoke loudly, giving deliberate emphasis to every word. ‘I’m interested only in the process and the result. This isn’t about me. It’s never about me. That’s the difference between us – that and the fact I’m part of the best team in the world and you’re on your own.’
Peter took Renton’s notebook and pen. He wanted to write but nothing came to mind. He stared blankly at Renton’s words. It was a very good question. In fact, it was the only question right now. What the hell was the plan?
‘Aah, but I’m not on my own, am I? My friend is listening and every time I speak his state deepens, and who know what will happen because you refuse to play and we hear with our ears even the cutting words of others,’ Ethan’s voice softened, becoming lyrical in tone, ‘and words are just vibrations, so sharp they burst with meaning and sometimes pain and sometimes thinking about the feeling drums up an urgency because we are all unconscious beings first and…’
‘Sing to yourselves!’ Peter ordered. ‘Activate your minds and keep your eyes fixed on each other! The team wins!’
‘…When suddenly you realise the answer is at hand,’ Ethan continued, ‘because there is so much noise, bursting out and bursting in and even here there is one way to escape if you just cut through the distractions so easily and then return as if nothing has happened because what you cannot feel you cannot need to…sink even deeper…now…all the way…down.’
The voice stopped. Peter checked the three men around him. Thumbs up from each one. He breathed a sigh of relief. Then fragments of what Ethan had been saying came back to him and his stomach froze.
‘Ethan, what’s happening in there?’
‘We’re just waiting for you to come in and play.’
Renton grabbed Peter’s upper arm. He shook his head.
‘So nothing has changed?’ Peter asked.
‘Everything changes. You know that.’
Peter broke free of Renton’s grip, let the notebook drop, and took one pace into the room. Ethan grinned. ‘Welcome.’
The left side of the big man’s face was covered in blood. His left ear was on the floor at his side. The knife was back in place above his sub-clavian artery. He appeared to be breathing normally.
‘Jesus!’
‘It used to be called cropping,’ Ethan said. ‘An act of physical punishment dating back to ancient times and cultures. The Babylonians were into it. The Assyrians, too. We, of course, were late to the party, but by the time of Henry the eighth vagrants would have their ears cut off for a second offence. It’s one of the potential hazards of sitting around having nowhere to go, I guess.’
‘You’re a sick bastard!’
‘I didn’t do it,’ Ethan raised both hands. ‘Look, there’s not a drop on me. No, he did it to himself. Unprovoked. Well, I say unprovoked, I’m
sure it was a consequence of your threatening and abusive behaviour.’
Sergeant!’ Peter called.
‘Boss?’
‘Check how long before the negotiators get here. And the sniper, too!’
‘Ooo,’ Ethan cocked his head. ‘You didn’t mention a sniper.’
‘I told you I was going to gamble.’
‘Shoot me and he dies,’ Ethan reminded. ‘You won’t be able to get to him quickly enough.’
‘My Sergeant is faster than he looks.’
‘I doubt that.’ Ethan glanced out of the window. ‘Talking of shooters, whatever happened to your man who shot me? I imagine he’s been struggling terribly. I really hope you haven’t hung him out to dry.’
‘Bastard!’ Peter turned to go and then looked back. ‘Whatever the deal you’ve struck with Calvin Brent, I reckon when he hears about this,‘ he pointed at the severed ear, ‘and I promise you he will hear all the details, he’s going to be very unhappy with you. I reckon I might be the least of your worries.’ Peter walked out.
‘How are you feeling?’ Renton whispered.
‘Fucking angry.’
‘But not, you know,’ Renton tapped his own temple, ‘spaced out or anything?’
‘No. That wasn’t his aim this time.’
Renton had retrieved his notebook. He wrote, Do you actually want negotiators and a sniper?
Peter shook his head.
Renton wrote, Then what?
‘You’ve gone very quiet out there,’ Ethan said. ‘You’re not trying to hide from me, are you? That wouldn’t help anyone now would it? To be honest with you, I can’t help but wonder how much longer it will be before the stress makes my friend hurt himself again. I’m sure you know the only way to avoid that is to let us both leave here free as birds. The longer it goes on like this, the worse it gets for all of you.’
Renton wrote, Boss?
Peter realized he was smiling. The phrase was fresh in his mind, crisp as the best October morning. Free as birds. That was it! He had forgotten how best to flush out Ethan Hall. Noise and movement. Still a gamble, but less so than anything else.
Peter took Renton’s notebook and printed his instructions in capital letters. He showed them to each member of the team. Thumbs up. No questions.
‘No one out here is trying to hide from you, Ethan. And just to prove the point…’ He stepped back into the bedroom, moving to the right of the open door.
‘Well, look at you!’ Ethan applauded briefly. ‘You’ve come back into the arena.’
‘I thought we were the ones persecuting you.’
‘Most people in the gladiatorial arena were innocents, captured and forced to defend themselves. You really should spend more time reading Peter; broaden your knowledge. You are going to have more time at home to read, aren’t you -’
Peter flinched.
‘ – when our business together is finished?’
‘I want to tell you how this is going to play out,’ Peter said.
‘Wouldn’t you rather, looking at me now, just stop all that internal fighting because that is the real arena, you know, the place where meanings are born, where they grow almost –’
‘Remember the fields, boss!’ Renton shouted. Peter’s body jolted back under control, like a man resisting sleep. ‘Remember the fields!’
Peter looked at his watch. Then he spoke quickly. ‘I want you to know the sniper will be here inside five minutes. You previously attacked a police officer with a lethal weapon. You pose a lethal threat. You are holding a hostage. Your life is very much at risk.’
‘I didn’t attack your officer; I was trying to surrender. You’re just misinterpreting what you saw. Surface structure. Nothing more Peter. And it’s not what happens on the surface that creates meaning, it’s what is happening deep, deep inside, all the way down, as you –’
‘The fields!’ Renton shouted. ‘Keep walking through the fields!’
Peter regained control. It was harder this time. He imagined he was moving forward, disturbing the cover, flushing out his prey. His voice was loud and fast. ‘My officers are under orders to stay out of the room, but you need to think about the sniper and the negotiators and Calvin Brent and the fact that sooner or later bullets always silence words. You’re out of your depth, you’ve got lots to think about and process and such little time to do it.’
‘You are so wrong!’ Ethan Hall was louder too. His face was red with anger. ‘I am in control! I –’
‘– You are nothing more than a bird on the run!’ Peter shouted. ‘Too stupid to know when your time has come! There is too much, too much, too much, going on and there’s only you squawking and fluttering like it means anything –’
‘ – I am hunting you!’ Ethan screamed as Renton charged into the room, staying short of the black mark, a Taser in his hands instead of his pistol. At the same time, the three officers on the landing shouted, ‘Sniper at the window! Sniper! Look out!’
Ethan was already reaching for Matt’s shoulder, but he couldn’t prevent himself from taking one quick glance at the window. It was all the time Renton needed. He Tasered Matt in the chest, the wires crackling out, hitting him flush in the right pectoral. The big man groaned. His body trembled and he collapsed forwards, dropping the knife. Ethan leapt off the bed, stretching for the weapon. Peter hit him side-on, wrapping his arms around Ethan’s upper body, taking them both to the floor. He felt an unexpected surge of energy as the synesthete fought to shake himself free. For a second he feared he wouldn’t be able to hold him, then help arrived. Hard and fast. Peter staggered upright as Ethan was pinned to the floor and handcuffed.
‘Call for an ambulance,’ Peter said to Renton.
‘On it.’
Ethan was pulled to his feet. ‘Get this piece of shit out of here,’ Peter ordered. ‘Let’s get him in a cell where he belongs. And keep talking to each other all of the time.’
He took a moment to watch the officers march Ethan along the landing. He listened to their footsteps on the stairs, to the front door opening, to a van door closing.
‘Good job, boss.’ Renton said.
‘Couldn’t have done it without you.’
‘Beating for birds, eh? That was at the heart of the master plan.’
Peter shrugged, allowed himself a half-smile. ‘Pheasants are easier,’ he said.
51
In the end, when the necessary paperwork had been done, he texted the news to Marcus and Anne-Marie. It affected them both differently. To Marcus it seemed anti-climatic. To Anne-Marie, distant and insignificant. She thought she ought to feel triumphant, avenged, but could summon no emotion. They tried to talk about it that night, in the lounge with the stained carpet. Marcus sat in the same armchair Ethan Hall had.
‘I know change can happen in an instant,’ Marcus said, ‘but this feels somehow unreal, otherworldly. If you told me we live in a world of ghosts and I’d just never realized it before, well…’ His voice trailed off.
‘Perhaps we do live in a world of ghosts. And if we do, perhaps they see us as the otherworldly beings.’
‘Don’t do that to me. I’m struggling to make sense of everything as it is. It’s as if Ethan has been right in front of me, in my face night and day, whether I’ve been awake or asleep, and now suddenly he’s not there and it feels like something is missing.’
‘Something is.’
‘Yes, but it feels like something else is missing as well as Ethan.’ He considered for a moment. ‘What do you think the difference is between space and emptiness?’
‘I, er, I think emptiness is one of the myriad things we can create in space.’
Marcus sat back. ‘Wow! Where did that come from?’
‘I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and reflecting lately.’
‘Of course. Sorry.’
‘Don’t be silly. I love you.’
‘I love you, too. I have no emptiness where you – we – are concerned.’
‘I know.’
&
nbsp; ‘I’m surprised Peter didn’t come round in person to deliver the news,’ he said, changing the subject because love was also a barrier.
‘I guess he’s still got a lot on. And it’s been incredibly hard for him too. I wouldn’t be surprised if he just wanted to get home to Nic.’
‘Yeah. I’m sure you’re right. I can’t blame him for wanting to be with his partner rather than having to manage me. I think I owe him a case of exceptionally good red wine.’
‘I doubt he feels you owe him anything.’
‘All the more reason to show my thanks – and reinforce my apology.’
‘It’s a nice idea. I’m sure, though, that your relationship is back to where it was before all of this.’
‘I hope so.’ Marcus looked at the carpet. ‘Let’s do a hypnosis session first thing in the morning.’
‘That will be great.’
‘I think so, too.’
‘And maybe we should start looking.’
‘For?’
‘Our next proper home.’
‘Are you serious?’
‘One hundred percent.’
‘Let’s do it then.’ Anne-Marie hid everything else behind her smile. She felt different inside. She had ever since she had thrown up. The trance states Ethan Hall had put her in were the most powerful she had ever known. If, in some incredible way, he had started her healing process it would be the cruelest form of punishment she could imagine. What he did to her afterwards made everything indescribably worse. Now she doubted and distrusted herself in ways she never had. And she could no longer remember what Marcus’s touch felt like.
‘Great! I’ll get the local papers and have a look online tomorrow.’ He said.
‘That’s going to be very exciting!’
Anne-Marie knew she would take the secret of Ethan Hall’s visit to her grave.
52
One week later Peter Jones met with Mike Coopland, his friend and the barrister he had ensured would be prosecuting the Ethan Hall case. They met every week in Mike’s local Indian restaurant. Their routine was always the same. Peter drank only a pint of lager because he was driving, and ate a king prawn balti. Mike drank more because he was within walking distance of his home and ate whatever took his fancy on that particular night.