“It looks like you’ve a few more bruises since I last saw you,” he said.
“I could say the same about you.” Usually that would have ended the conversation, but this time Ryan continued without prompting. “I was there when the bomb went off in Karasard.”
They were halfway up a steep, muddy embankment, and Robb almost slipped backwards when he stopped. “Bomb?” The news had reported a gas explosion at the town hall, but they said it was caused by a cracked pipe.
“It was the oath ceremony,” Ryan said. “Someone planted a bomb.”
Robb’s chest tightened as he ran through the implications. They crested the hill and Robb found himself staring down towards the blackened remains of the Sainstsday bonfire. There had been so many fires on that spot that the earth was permanently scorched in a crooked circle.
“Are you sure it was a bomb? They said it was a gas leak on the radio.”
“It was real, Dad. A man called Arris was refusing his oath. He had a replica bomb and while they were arresting him another one exploded.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’ll live.”
“Are you involved?”
It was a simple enough question, but Ryan didn’t answer straight away. Instead he moved away from the hilltop and sat upon a nearby bench. Robb didn’t like the choice, it was more exposed than he would have liked. He turned around and saw that the treeline was close enough for them to run to if they needed a quick escape.
“Are you involved?” he said again.
“I think I might be. I think it was me who brought the bag to Karasard.”
“Why would you do that?” Robb couldn’t hide the anger from his voice.
“I didn’t know what it was.”
“Did anyone see you with it?”
Which was a stupid question and he knew it. Ryan would have crossed half a dozen checkpoints to get there, not to mention the underground stations. At least it explained why the gunnermen came to his house again.
“Who gave you the bag? Was it the boy taking the oath?”
“No. He was already there when we arrived.”
“We?” Robb finally caught on, his heart sinking. “It was Brynne, wasn’t it?”
Ryan’s silence was all the answer he needed. He had to sort this once and for all.
“Where can I find him?”
“You can’t”
“This isn’t just about you anymore. He’s brought the gunnermen to our house. They threatened Eliza and John too.” That was one problem. There was also the fact that Brynne had claimed to be the Colonel, something that he couldn’t just let go.
Robb remembered The Cathedral with Ashgate and his questions. How the gaoler had tried to study, slice and sever every secret in Robb’s mind. Those secrets had been hoarded like precious stones and mined until the vein ran dry. Ashgate had been so sure of himself that he never suspected Robb had clung to just one. A secret that now threatened to swallow them all.
In his mind he was suddenly back on the cobbles after jumping from the safe-house window.
Go. Just go.
We’re not going anywhere, you dumb bastard.
Broken pieces of wood from the board that he had kicked through were lying in chunks all around his body and shattered legs.
Go. Just go.
They had never realised who he was shouting out that night. They hadn’t known that Robb was focussed on just one man, crouching beside the rear bumper of a gunnerman truck. Maybe a dozen years older than him, but with a face that was weathered by a life of fighting. Colonel Stephens wore a grim expression and had his pistol drawn, unable to accept what Robb already knew.
They were all fucked.
The pain in his legs had been almost unbearable, but Robb managed to call out one final warning. Even then, part of him didn’t believe the Colonel would leave and it was with a profound sadness that he watched him lower his gun and creep away.
That had been the last time he saw the Colonel. Their shared secret became the slenderest thread of honour that Robb could hold onto. In the darkness of The Cathedral he had clutched to it like a drowning man. He could not let Brynne take that from him. Not without a fight.
“I can’t tell you where he is Dad,” Ryan said, “because I don’t know. His home was raided like ours and then he disappeared at the town hall.”
“How do you contact him then? There must be a drop-box or a safe-house or something.”
Ryan paused long enough for Robb to know he was lying. “No there’s nothing like that. I always just meet him at the chapel.”
Robb considered taking a look for himself, but there was no way of knowing if the gunnermen were surveilling it. Besides, Eliza had already brought a message from Kellie. The sevener was going to pay a visit this morning and would hopefully have news on Brynne. He might know a way to keep his son safe.
“Promise me something,” Robb said. “I’m meeting with an old friend in a few hours. He’s a sevener. Can you at least come home and lay low until we’ve met? Then together we can figure out what to do.”
“I can’t dad, I promised Alia I’d go back and see her. I’ve already been gone too long.”
“Alia? Isn’t that the girl that John likes?”
For the first time in years Ryan laughed at something his dad said. “Yes. It’s the girl that John likes.” Then his expression turned solemn. “I really need to speak to him. Sort things out.”
Far across the park, the black skies were losing their weight as first light approached. The factories were silent, traffic had stopped and Robb could hear the chirrups of birdsong all around. It brought him an unexpected warmth and peace.
“It’s easy to forget that moments like this exist. Down there,” he pointed at the sprawling town below, “it’s all about Talis and the gunnermen and the factories. But there’s still a good life to be had. So long as we don’t let them take it from us.”
He wasn’t sure what he was trying to say, or if it was for Ryan’s benefit or his own. It was just a vague wish for something better than what they had right now.
“Come on,” he said. “Let’s go home.”
“Okay. I’ll speak to John, but then I have to see Alia.”
Chapter 51
John woke in darkness to find his brother standing beside him. Since the gunnerman had trashed their room, John was still sleeping on a mattress on the floor. He propped himself up and rubbed at his eyes sleepily.
“Hey John.”
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Ryan whispered, almost ghost-like in the darkness. “I came home to see you though. And Dad.”
John smiled at that, eyes still half shut. “What time is it?
“Still early. I can’t stop long.”
John took hold of his brother’s leg protectively.
“Don’t worry,” Ryan laughed. “I’ll be back again soon. I just wanted to talk to you first.”
As John’s eyes cleared he noticed his brother’s injuries. They looked even worse than when he had seen him with Alia. Had that been because of him? A sudden knot pulled tight in the pit of his stomach.
“What happened to your face?” he asked quietly.
“It’s fine. Looks worse than it is.” But John didn’t believe him for a second.
“I actually came here to apologise,” Ryan continued.
“Apologise? What for?”
“For what happened with Alia. I really didn’t know that you liked her before we started seeing each other.” Ryan sat down on the mattress. “Not until I read your letter. And even then, I promise I never told Alia we were brothers. You shouldn’t be mad at her either. It was me who suggested she arranged to meet you the other day. Not to laugh though. I just thought it would be better than getting fobbed off in a note.”
Seeing his brother safe, after so much worry, John knew that he would forgive him. He wasn’t sure if he deserved the same understanding.
“I need to tell you something
too. It’s about what I did after I saw you and Alia.” John kept his head down, not daring to look at his brother. He was so scared that he could barely speak, but neither could he hide the truth any longer. When he finally looked at Ryan though, there was no trace of anger on his face.
“It’s okay John. I know what happened.”
“You don’t. I did something terrible and everyone got hurt and…”
“No,” Ryan interrupted shaking his head. “None of what happened is your fault.”
“But you don’t know what I did.”
“Yes I do. I know exactly what happened. And I understand why you did it.” John was speechless. “Someone reminded me today of a truth I’d somehow forgotten. Do you know what that was?”
John shook his head.
“They showed me that the only person who has ever looked out for me, without any thought for themselves, is you. I’ve not been doing a very good job as a brother lately, but I promise that’s going to change. From now on we’re going to take care of each other. Okay?”
Jon nodded, unable to speak so great was his relief. He threw his arms around his brother and gave him a fierce hug. Ryan laughed and squeezed him back.
“But I really have got to go now.”
“Where?”
“I’m going to see that man. Brynne.” John saw that his brother was holding a scrap of paper in his hand.
“What’s that?”
“A note. He left it for me at the park. He wants to meet up.”
“You can’t,” John said quickly, panic rising in his voice. He took the note from Ryan and read it through.
“It’s okay,” Ryan said quickly. “It’s not what you think. I’m telling him that I’m finished with all of that.”
John’s face must have shown how hard he found it to believe his brother.
“It’s true. And next year, I’m going to take the oath..”
“Why now? What made you change your mind?”
“I don’t know,” Ryan shrugged. “I think I just finally realised that there’s too much here. Too much to keep…fucking up any longer.”
John hugged his brother again, then gave him a reproachful look. “You said a swear.”
Ryan chuckled. “Shut up you goon.”
“Are you going to come back home?”
“I think so.”
“So are you and dad friends again?”
Ryan paused before answering. “We’re not enemies. Which is a start. Now go back to sleep.”
With one last hug, his brother left the room and John laid back on the pillow and fell into a long and peaceful sleep.
When he awoke - for the first time in days - John felt free of the awful weight of anxiety that had been slowly crushing him. He hardly dared acknowledge this new sensation in case it vanished completely. Cautiously he replayed the conversation with Ryan until at last he was satisfied that it had actually taken place. Then he read the note that he still held in one hand, giving concrete proof that the conversation had been no wishful dream.
With a deep and contented sigh, he rolled out of his blankets and sat on the cold wooden floor. Downstairs he could hear the breakfast places being set and wondered if Ryan had already met Brynne and come home. Hurriedly he dressed and then bounced down the stairs to find just his mum and dad at the table. Judging by the sympathetic smile his mum gave, his face must have shown how disappointed he was.
“He’ll be back soon love.”
John looked at his dad for confirmation.
“It’s true. He’s coming home this afternoon.”
At least partially satisfied, John took his seat at the table and gnawed at the hunk of bread that was waiting. “Mum?” he spoke in his most agreeable of voices.
“Yes?” she said suspiciously.
“Is there any of last night’s gravy left? Just to dunk my bread in.”
His dad suddenly came alive and began nosing round the pans. “I like the sound of that. What do you say Lizzy?”
“I say you’re a pair of animals,” she grumbled, but lit the hob and began heating it through. His dad gave a conspiratorial wink as he took his seat. It was all so nice. Like it should be. Like it could be again.
“Before I forget,” his dad said, “Ryan left you a present.”
“A present? What is it?”
“Well I don’t know, you’ll have to go and see. He said it was in the club-hut?”
John grinned. “It’s club house Dad. I’ll go and have a look.”
“Finish your breakfast first,” his mum said. John shoved the bread in his mouth and chewed furiously before scurrying past. Eliza rolled her eyes but didn’t stop him opening the door.
It was a bright but bitterly cold morning. The sky was white enough for more snow to fall and John decided that he wouldn’t mind that one bit. As he stepped towards the outhouse he heard footsteps on the narrow alleyway that ran across the end of their yard.
A colossal figure rolled into view with wild, shaggy hair and a thick, black beard. In one easy stride, he vaulted the wall and was in the yard moving towards John who stumbled backwards and landed on the ground with a smack. The man loomed closer and grabbed him by the front of his jumper with one shovel-sized hand.
“I need to see your father.” He lifted him into the air and plonked him back on his feet while John just gawped in terror. “Now!” the sevener boomed sending him fleeing for the kitchen.
“What’s wrong?” Eliza gasped when John suddenly appeared. Before he could answer though, Kellie had stooped beneath the doorframe and filled the small kitchen. Robb quickly pushed up from the table.
“I wasn’t expecting you until later.” There was a familiar tightening of his chest and Robb glanced through the window checking for gunnermen.
“It’s just me,” Kellie said. “I thought you were starting to trust me by now.”
Robb bluffed a smile. “Old habits die hard.”
“They do.”
Eliza ushered John out of the kitchen and then offered the sevener a drink.
“No thank you. It’s better for all of us if I don’t stay too long.”
“What is it?” Eliza said, her voice tight. “Is Ryan okay?”
Kellie gave Robb a guarded look.
“She knows everything.”
The sevener nodded. “No, it’s not Ryan. At least not directly. It’s about the man you had me track. This Brynne.”
Robb forced himself to sit back at the table and gestured to the chair opposite. “Sit down. Talk to me.”
Kellie checked his watch and reluctantly took a seat that suddenly seemed tiny beneath his huge frame. Robb had never seen him so tense, which did nothing to settle his own nerves.
“Tell me you’re not mixed up with this man.”
“Who is he?”
“Brynne? He’s a no one. A ghost. There’s no record of him in any of the official city registers and when I asked around, it seems that even talking about him makes people uneasy.”
Robb tapped his fingers irritably on the table top and then lowered his voice as though there were spies at the window. “I’ve heard that he’s behind the bombing at the town hall. He made Ryan carry one of the devices.”
Eliza’s body stiffened up and all the colour drained from her face. “I only found out a few hours ago,” Robb added quickly. “I promise.”
Eliza seemed to crumble beside him, resting her forehead in one hand. She let out a shuddering sigh before collecting herself. “Kellie, what have you found out?”
“I spent the past two days trying to track down this Brynne and then I realised I’d been looking in the wrong place.”
“What do you mean?”
“No one wakes up at fifty and suddenly begins a war on the Government. Whoever he is, he’s got a past and that means arrest records and intel reports.”
“Can you access those?”
The big man raised an eye-brow. “What do you think? There’s a massive archive out in Carlsgard and yes - before you ask
- I’ve just spent half the bloody night looking through them.”
“And?” Robb leaned forwards, eager for any news.
“And…there are no records of a man called Brynne – or any variation on that name.”
“So that’s it. We’ve got nothing.”
Kellie sighed. “Just shut up for a minute Calloway and let me finish. You ever hear of a man called Lascam?” Eliza shook her head, but Robb felt a chill slide down his back.
I have met with Under-secretary Lascam
“I’ve heard of him, but it was a long time ago. He worked for the Premier, didn’t he?”
Kellie nodded. “A government man from a long way back. And depending on who you ask, the one behind Talis’s most brutal crackdowns. Anyway, about thirty years ago he came up with a new plan and started putting sleeper agents into every anarchist group in the city states.”
“That’s nothing new. There were always informers.”
“Not informers, Robb. These were different. They were told to incite violence against the Government.”
“Against?” Eliza said. “Why would they do that?”
“Think about it. Talis needed justification for what he was doing across the City States. They were imposing curfews and setting up those bloody checkpoints in every city. Lascam wanted to make ID cards compulsory and probably thought a bit of anarchy would make the population swallow it easier. Why risk losing to a real opponent though? Not when he could manufacture his own and rig the fight at both ends?”
Robb’s mind was racing. For thirty-three years Ashgate had made him a public traitor and convinced him it was all part of his punishment. Had it really always been that simple? Had he really just been a side show that allowed the real traitors to operate in the shadows?
“So what are you saying?” Eliza cut through the silence. “Brynne’s one of these agents? He’s working for the government?”
“I’m as sure as I can be,” Kellie said. “But I doubt we’ll ever know for certain.”
“Why not?”
“Someone already got to the records before I did.”
“A traitor in the seveners?”
Kellie let out a deep sigh. “I’ll not be the one to say it. But the fact is, I found plenty of references to these agents, but almost every direct report had been removed from the index. ”
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