by Eliza Green
He stood at the entrance to the alley. ‘I’m guessing he was the right Alex Sinclair? I mean, you were gone a long time.’
Isobel didn’t answer him. Instead, she pulled her scarf down over her face to hide her damp eyes.
‘What happened? What did he say?’
Isobel waved her hand. ‘It wasn’t him.’
‘What do you mean, it wasn’t him? You were in there for almost an hour.’ Ben looked at his watch and sighed. ‘We need to head back now. But don’t worry, we can try again tomorrow. There’s another name on the list not too far from here. I’ll ask Sal to cover—’
Isobel had to tell him. ‘Fine. It was him. Okay?’
‘But you said—’
‘I know what I said.’ Isobel looked back at the apartment block and swiped at her eyes before turning back around.
‘So what did he say?’
‘I don’t want to talk about it.’
‘Look, Isobel, I risked a lot to bring you out here. The least you can do is tell me this wasn’t a wasted journey.’
‘I didn’t ask you to come,’ she said through clenched teeth. But she apologised when she sensed Ben’s irritation.
‘Was he at least happy to see you? Tell me that much.’
Isobel lifted her eyes to meet his. ‘He’s not the man I married. And there were other things...’
‘Like what?’
She shook her head. ‘Doesn’t matter. It wouldn’t work, anyway.’ She pulled her scarf down and ran a hand over her slight re-growth of hair. ‘To them, I’m devolved and I’ll be nothing more than that. That man is not my husband. That man wants nothing to do with me. The feeling is mutual.’
What she refused to tell Ben was that Alex could have nothing to do with her, not only because he’d guaranteed her alteration, but because of his condition. Alex Sinclair no longer lived. But she didn’t need to bury him deeper. It was time to let him go.
An angry Ben refused to let it go. ‘Let me talk to him. I’ll explain to him about my experiences with Stephen. Then he’ll have to listen—’
Isobel grabbed his arm to stop him from going anywhere. She fixed the scarf on her head. ‘In his eyes, I’m no longer human. And in some ways, I’m no longer the person I was before my alteration. But a part of me will always be connected to my human self. We have grown apart, and that’s all there is to it.’ She glanced around. ‘I think we should head back to Waverley.’
‘I’m sorry for bringing you out here.’
‘Don’t be. I needed to face this part of my past. I know who I am now and who he is. We are done with each other. It’s time for me to find my own path in this world.’
They walked back to the area where the last vehicle had dropped them off, keeping to the dark shadows of the buildings where possible. Isobel waited down a side street while Ben scoured the streets for the next yellow-marked vehicle to come along.
She used the time to think about what she would do next.
But first, she had to understand this new Earth.
The time had come to take back control from people like Marcus. Maybe her new life would begin when she found Jenny Waterson.
Ben pointed to an approaching vehicle. They stalked behind it for a moment, then Isobel grabbed Ben by the waist and she landed them both on the back ledge.
The car hit a bump and Isobel held on tighter. She looked back at Long Island, a place she would never visit again.
My husband is dead, and so is Isobel Sinclair.
28
Marcus woke up the next day with a feeling of dread. His arms ached from having to hit Johan and Matthieu so many times in the Long Island safe house. But the pensive mood in the house made him wish he could escape the old Deighton Mansion.
He dressed and went downstairs to find Carl in the kitchen chatting with Enzo. They spoke too low for him to hear what they said, but the conversation dried up the second he walked in the room.
‘Hey, Maaarcus.’ Carl flashed him a decayed smile. ‘What’s on the agenda fer today?’
Marcus looked from Carl to Enzo, then back to Carl again. ‘Gimme a minute to wake up first. I need a cup of coffee before I can think straight.’
Enzo leaned against the large black granite central unit that took up most of the room. ‘My father wants you out at the market this morning. He needs the takings. That’s what’s on your agenda.’
Marcus felt both Carl and Enzo’s eyes on him as he ordered a coffee from one of the replicator machines. He turned around and smiled. ‘That’s what I was planning on doing, like every morning. I just need my coffee first.’
Enzo pushed off from the counter and left the room. Marcus waited until he heard the front door close. He turned to Carl.
‘What were you two whispering about when I came in?’
‘Ah, nothing. Jus’ talkin’ ’bout the women a few nights ago, and jus’ how hot they were.’
‘And you couldn’t include me in on that? Had to make a big deal about it as soon as I walked in? You heard what Johan said about Gaetano’s plans. We need to stick together.’
Carl laughed. ‘You’re gettin’ paranoid, man. Jus’ relax.’
☼
Marcus kept his mouth shut on the journey to the market while Carl yammered on about another of his stories. He was sick of listening to them; they all sounded too much alike. How had he put up with Carl for so long? Marcus wanted to talk about just one thing, and that was how to keep Gaetano off his back.
The car pulled up to the market and Marcus got out. He needed to take out some stress on someone’s face. He started with a stock-take; that usually rattled the vendors. When Carl noticed two apples missing from Jenny Waterson’s stall, he thought he’d hit the jackpot. But knocking her about had left him unsatisfied.
They returned to an empty mansion. Marcus knocked on Gaetano’s door but got no response, so he slipped the takings from the market under his door. While Carl took a nap, Marcus headed up to the third floor, to take full advantage of the empty house.
He entered the attic space, gripping a controller for the shock collars in his hand. He found no associates watching the Indigenes. Johan sat at one screen in the middle of the room, his shock collar in place and his feet shackled to a bolt in the floor. Only Johan looked up while the others continued working.
‘I need to talk to you.’
‘Go ahead,’ said Johan.
‘Not here.’ Marcus unhooked Johan’s feet shackles and pushed him down the stairs to the second floor. He pointed to an empty room at the end of a corridor. They entered and Marcus closed the door. Johan stood in the middle of the room while Marcus stayed by the entrance with his finger on the button that would deliver a nasty shock.
‘Up in the safe house you mentioned that Gaetano was cleaning house.’
Johan nodded. ‘Preparing to eliminate associates over Waverley.’
‘Why?’
‘Because he believes someone here is trading secrets to the residents there.’
‘Have you heard about their life support issues?’
‘Yes.’
‘How? From the communication devices?’
Johan shook his head. ‘From the conversations here. There is no new information being transmitted over the communication devices. Not any more.’ Johan stepped forward. Marcus showed him the collar remote. Johan stopped.
‘Where’s the waif? I didn’t see her upstairs.’
‘She died.’
Marcus frowned. ‘When?’
‘Last night. She wouldn’t eat anything. She was practically dead, anyway.’
‘Fuck!’ Marcus stared at the floor. He had planned to use the waif to read the other associates’ minds. He looked at Johan who was all Marcus had left. He had to trust him. Well, as much as he could trust a bottom-feeder.
‘You need to find out more. The associates are talking about me behind my back. I won’t wait for someone to put a bullet in my head.’
‘If I do will you help me to escape?’
Marcus nodded. ‘I need you to find out what’s happening here. What Gaetano has planned.’
‘Do you know about Carl?’
Marcus’ heart thumped in his chest. ‘What about him?’
‘I’ve heard him talking in the corridor outside this room, siding with Enzo, telling him things about your trips to Waverley.’
Marcus tugged at his own hair. That lying sack of shit. He should have trusted his gut. ‘What else has he said? Has he told Enzo what you said to us, about Gaetano cleaning house?’
‘No. Carl’s keeping that to himself.’
Marcus looked away. ‘Finally, he did something right.’ He looked at Johan. ‘I’ll help you if you tell me how to stay on Gaetano’s good side and off that list of his.’
‘I’ll do everything I can.’
Marcus returned Johan to the attic and reattached his shackles before the associates returned.
☼
That afternoon, after the house filled up with scheming associates, Marcus and Carl escaped to the market. Marcus had agreed to meet with Kevin and he wanted to make sure that Carl had something juicy to tell Enzo. Marcus couldn’t believe Carl was betraying him. He’d have to be extra careful about what he discussed with Carl from now on.
He found Kevin loitering at the back of the market. The kid was too predictable to make a good associate.
Carl stood at Marcus’ shoulder breathing loudly into his gel mask. With Carl there, Marcus would have to play it just right.
‘Kevin, lad.’ He gripped the boy’s shoulder. ‘How about you do another job for me?’
Kevin nodded. ‘Will you pay me?’
‘Sure. Sure. How much do you want?’ Marcus put his hand in his pocket and pretended to pull out some money.
Kevin’s eyes flitted. ‘Actually, I don’t want money. I want to work as an associate.’
‘And I told you, all in good time.’ Marcus pretended to pocket his money. A nervy kid like Kevin wouldn’t last two minutes with the likes of Enzo. He was better off with Albert. ‘How about you do something for me first, then we’ll talk?’
‘What do you want me to do?’
Marcus had given this some thought all the way to the market. ‘Sal fixes the generators, right?’
Kevin nodded. ‘I want you to steal as many generator parts as you can from the old woman. Then bring them to me so she’ll have to buy them back at the market.’
Carl sniggered behind him.
‘Why?’
‘Because Sal keeps that Indigene of yours in her house. She needs to be taught a lesson.’
Marcus had always hated Sal; the woman looked down her nose at him like he was a piece of filth. He’d been searching for a perfect way to get back at her. He would start by discrediting her among her own people. Sure, he could beat her into submission, but Sal could take a thrashing. No, breaking her spirit would be the only way to really fuck her over. No generator parts, no working generators. The neighbourhood would blame Sal. The old woman would be crushed.
But he needed to do more than that.
‘Carl, wait for me in the car. I need a minute.’
‘For what?’ Carl stared at him.
‘I just need to speak to Kevin. I’ll fill you in when I’m done.’
Carl glanced back as he rounded the corner. Marcus listened out for the sound of a car door opening and closing before he turned back to Kevin.
‘I want you to do something else for me. A list of names. I need to know who the troublemakers in Waverley are, the ones who are trading secrets with the associates in HQ. Get that for me by tomorrow.’
Kevin looked rattled. ‘I don’t know how. I know nothing about that. I swear.’
Marcus grabbed the boy by the jacket and pulled him close. ‘I’m sure you’ll think of something.’ He let go. ‘Now piss off home. And don’t mention this to anyone, not even Carl. You got it?’
Kevin nodded and ran off.
Marcus returned to the car and a frowning Carl who sat in the front seat. ‘What was all that about?’
‘Nothing, Carl. I just needed to scare the lad.’
‘What else did you ask him to do?’
‘To report back on Albert.’
‘Is that all? Targetin’ the kid’s granddaddy don’t seem enough to dull Gaetano’s interest in gettin’ rid of ya.’
‘And what do you know about that?’
‘Nothin’. Jus’ what the Indigene said, that’s all. I know the same as you.’
‘Well if you have any other bright ideas...’
‘Nope.’ Carl turned to face the front. ‘Happy to help, that’s all.’
As the car rumbled over the potholed roads, Marcus knew he would need top names to see off Gaetano’s interest in killing him. He was running out of time. The fact that Carl had turned against him was a sign his days were numbered. Controlling the residents of Waverley was his top priority and if he took away their most basic needs they would do anything for him, including handing over the names of their contacts in HQ. That should buy him a few more years with Gaetano.
But while Carl whispered secrets in Enzo’s ear, Marcus would need to watch his friend’s every move.
29
Carl, Marcus and a few other associates spent the night drinking and playing cards with Enzo until 1am, but neither Marcus’ heart nor head was in it. Enzo won nearly every hand, mostly because the associates were afraid to let him lose. He had a terrible temper at the best of times, but with drink, and usually drugs, Enzo would transform into a wild animal. Marcus needed a clear head, so after a few sobering waters he pretended to be too drunk to sit up straight. Then he stumbled towards the stairs. The others continued to play cards. When they could no longer see him, he straightened up and jogged up the stairs. He was on borrowed time.
He barely slept that night, but at least his head was clear the next morning. He dressed and headed downstairs to find the other associates in the kitchen gathered round Enzo. Enzo wore a pair of dark glasses, his jet black hair swept back off his face.
He looked up as Marcus entered. ‘Good. You’re here. I was just telling the lads we found Freddy’s body on Astoria Park’s perimeter, half a mile away from the house.’
Freddy had been at the card game last night.
‘What happened?’
With his dark glasses on, Marcus couldn’t tell where Enzo’s eyes focused. ‘We’re not entirely sure. We think he left the game shortly after you went to bed. Two of my men found him on an early-morning sweep of the grounds. He had no gel mask on.’
Marcus had a fair idea of what had happened after he’d left. Someone had lured Freddy outside and Freddy was too drunk to notice or care.
‘So we need to double our efforts to cope with the extra workload until my father replaces him with a new associate.’
Was this how it would happen? Would the associates lure Marcus to some remote place and steal his gel mask too? He had to gain control of Waverley now, not a week from now, to prove to Gaetano he was not a liability.
While Enzo and Carl met with Gaetano to discuss Freddy’s death, Marcus took a lone trip to Waverley, where Kevin handed over a bag filled with generator parts. Kevin had nothing about the list of names, but he promised he would try to find out something that afternoon.
Marcus stopped off at the market where he handed the stolen generator parts over to one of the vendors and ordered them to put the items on sale. What he wouldn’t give to see Sal’s face when she woke to find the parts missing. Or to see her haggle to buy the parts back from the vendor.
Marcus arrived back at HQ to find Carl waiting for him outside.
‘Where’ve you been?’ he asked as soon as Marcus got out of the car.
Marcus waved money at him. ‘The takings from the market, and Kevin gave me the generator parts, as agreed. Business doesn’t stop when someone dies, does it?’
Carl shrugged at him. ‘S’pose not. What now?’
‘I’m going back to bed. We’ll drop by the market later.
Sal should be in full panic mode and hunting for replacement parts at the market.’
Marcus left Carl on the step as he went inside. He locked his bedroom door and lay on his bed. Stealing the generator parts would piss off Sal, but what he needed was that list of traitors. If Kevin couldn’t come up with them, then it would be curtains for Marcus.
☼
After a few hours rest, Marcus returned to the market with Carl. The market buzzed with customers who browsed, not bought. Marcus strolled up one aisle, while Carl took another. The vendors’ eyes flitted between them and the customers nearby. Keeping their jobs at the market depended on how well they could sell.
Marcus stopped at the vendor with the stolen generator parts. It annoyed him to see the parts were still there, unsold. He pulled the vendor aside, out of earshot of the others.
‘Why are these parts still here?’
‘Nobody came by to buy them,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry. I tried to shift them like you asked but it’s been a slow day for parts. They’ve mostly been buying food which is the only thing that’s affordable here since the prices went up.’
Marcus shoved the vendor up against the wall. ‘Get back to the stall.’ He pointed a finger at him. ‘I’ll be keeping an eye on you.’
The man scurried off.
For the first time, Marcus had no idea what to do next. Carl gripped his shoulder. ‘Sorry, man. I know you were relyin’ on the old bat to buy back the parts. I guess they ain’t as scared of us as they should be.’
Marcus resisted the urge to hit Carl and send him squealing to Enzo about how he’d lost control of things. He had to show Gaetano he was no idiot like Carl or a hothead like Enzo. That he’d be a fool to let him go.
‘What’cha gonna do?’ said Carl.
Every question Carl asked just sounded like betrayal.