Jealous Storm

by Jack Stroke

  “You just do your best.”

  “I’ll probably forget him and leave him on a bus or something.”

  “When do you ever catch a bus?”

  “You know what I mean. And it’s not even the baby stuff. What about when he’s at school?”

  “School?”

  “Yeah, and I have to bake stuff for the school fair? I can’t bake.”

  Amber struggled to stifle a giggle. Megan laughed. “Shut up.”

  “I don’t think you have to worry about school right at this moment.”

  Shoulder wet from tears, Amber stroked Megan’s hair. “You’ll be a great mum, Megan. And Ben will be a great kid.”

  “I can’t do this on my own…”

  “You won’t be on your own. You’ve got Ellis. And Joan will be over so much you want to kill her.”

  Megan snivelled another laugh. “So nothing new? Sorry…” She attempted to settle herself. “This is stupid.”

  “It’s fine, Megan.”

  “Look, I know I’ve got Ellis and Mum, but I want you.”

  “You’ve got me.”

  “Not really. Not anymore. I don’t want to lose you.”

  “You’re not going to lose me. You’re stuck with me forever, just like with Joan.”

  “I know you don’t like Ellis and whatever, but can’t we put all this behind us and move on?”

  Could Amber?

  “I mean… I’m never going to like him.”

  “I know that. Just give him a chance. A proper chance.”

  A proper chance? Hadn’t Amber given him plenty of proper chances? Wasn’t he the one who —

  She stopped. No more thinking like that. She could deal with Ellis. Megan needed her. Maybe that’s what she had been waiting for this whole time. To be needed.

  Amber glanced over at Little Ben. Even if she could say no to Megan, there was no chance she could say no to him.

  44

  The bait shop didn’t smell any better than the last time Amber was in there. Was it the horrible fumes that had done something to Grubby’s brain? Rendered him the way he was?

  “Hey, Grubs.”

  “Well, well, well. Amber Storm.”

  “Don’t get up.”

  “I… didn’t.”

  “It was a joke, Grubby. Listen, you’re a man about town, aren’t you?”

  “A what?”

  “You’re connected. You know people.”

  “I am a bit, yeah. Everyone sure knows me,” he said with pride.

  “That’s what I thought. Listen, I’ve got a favour to ask.”

  “What’s in it for me?”

  “I haven’t even asked for the favour yet.”

  “So?”

  “So you don’t usually ask what’s in it for you before you know what the favour is.”

  “Oh. Don’t I? Why?”

  “Because you might not want to help me, Grubby. This is… outside the bounds of the law.”

  He screwed up his face.

  “I’m saying it’s illegal.”

  “Ah, now you’re talking me language. Come upstairs.”

  “What if you get a customer?”

  “Yeah, right. It’s Wednesday.”

  In his upstairs apartment, Grubby had an interesting system of organising. Rather than use a wardrobe, his entire space was a wardrobe, clothes scattered everywhere. Were all men this messy or just the ones Amber had contact with?

  She settled into a couch, worried the thing might eat her, while Grubby sat opposite in a well-worn armchair.

  “What’s all this about? Drugs, yeah? Gotta be.”

  “Yes, drugs.”

  Grubby appeared most pleased with himself. “What? You want to have a smoke? We can have a smoke right now, you and me. Won’t cost you a thing.”

  “I don’t want to have a smoke, Grubby.”

  “You want pills? Speed? That’ll take me a few hours.”

  “I’m after something harder and quite a bit of it.”

  Grubby froze, eyes going wide. His voice became robotic. “Drugs? I don’t know nothin’ about drugs. I just run me bait shop.”

  He pointed to the door.

  “Grubby…”

  He mouth something, trying to stay silent. The exact words were lost, but the gist was clear.

  “I’m not wearing a wire.”

  He motioned to Amber’s top.

  This was ridiculous. But if you play a moron’s game, you have to play by their rules. Amber pulled her shirt up, revealing her lower ribs and midriff. She turned so he could see her back as well.

  “No wire.”

  Grubby shook his head. “Nah. All the way off.”

  “You’ve already seen more than I feel comfortable showing.”

  “Get it off or get out.”

  “No. There is no way I’m taking my top off, Grubby. None.”

  “Okay. I guess it’s all right. Can’t be too careful. You’ve always been a bit… I dunno. So, what d’ya want?”

  “Something hard. Enough to be charged with trafficking if you get caught.”

  He paused again.

  “I’m not setting you up, Grubby.”

  “Okay.” He sucked through his teeth. “It’s a risk.”

  “It is.”

  “What’s it worth to ya?”

  “What you want?”

  “I… dunno.”

  “Let’s call it a favour. I’ll owe you.”

  “You’ll owe me, ’eh?”

  She could see his grubby little mind working.

  “No. Not that?”

  “Not what?”

  “Nothing sexual.”

  He nodded. “Okay. But you’ll owe me?”

  “I will.”

  “Who’s gonna pay for this?”

  “Me, of course. Oh, yeah, and Grubby? There’s one more thing…”

  “Yeah?”

  “You can’t tell anybody about this. Not a word. To anyone.”

  “Hah. You’re acting like I haven’t done this a million times before.”

  45

  The phone rang eight times before it was picked up. The voice on the other end was more timid than Ben remembered.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, Joan. It’s me.”

  “Ben?” Her voice lit up so much Ben briefly felt a little brighter. “Why are you calling on this phone? You gave me such a shock. You know only guests ring on this line. Well, and scams. Which are you? Are you trying to tell me the Internet is not working or do you want a room? Ha, ha, ha.”

  “Joan,” he said, pleased to be able to get a word in. “I need to speak to Amber.”

  A long silence followed.

  “Joan?”

  “Well, that’s just lovely.”

  “Joan…”

  “What about me? What about your Mum?”

  “I would love to speak to you and Mum, but I need to speak to Amber.”

  “I’m sure you’ve got her number,” Joan said, voice icy. “Call her.”

  “I can’t, I don’t have my phone.”

  “Why don’t you have your phone?”

  “You’ve got it, remember? Shake made you take it.”

  “Oh, that’s right. If he took your phone, you’re probably not supposed to be calling anyone.”

  “Yes, probably.”

  “Then what are you doing calling us? That’s not like you to break the rules, Ben. Where are you calling from?”

  “A payphone.”

  “A payphone? Goodness. How did you even find one of those? I thought they went the way of the dinosaur.”

  “Can I please speak to Amber?”

  “If you don’t speak to me, you don’t get to hear the exciting news.”

  “I’m sure it’s terribly exciting.”

  “I don’t care for that tone, Ben. Sarcasm is ugly.”

  “I’ve lived at Paradise Cove half my life and nothing exciting has ever happened. I’m sure that hasn’t changed in the few days I’ve been away.”

/>   “Not true. We have a special visitor. Oh, hold on. Perhaps I’m not supposed to say anything about that. Perhaps it’s meant to be a surprise.”

  “What visitor?”

  “Never you mind.”

  Ben made every effort not to sigh. “Can I please speak to Amber?”

  “How am I supposed to know where Amber is? Can she call you back?”

  “Payphone, Joan.”

  “Can you call back?”

  “I doubt it.”

  Shake had already been suspicious enough when Ben said he was going for a walk.

  “Can you please get my phone then and read me Amber’s number?”

  “Well, I could, but…”

  “Joan…”

  “It’s just I’d have to find it. Might take me a while. I know I put it somewhere safe. I just can’t remember where that was. Why do you need Amber?”

  “No reason. Nothing.”

  “Then why are you ringing?”

  “No, it’s just… I’ve just got a problem.”

  “Maybe I can help.”

  “I don’t think so. Thanks, Joan.”

  “Don’t be so sure. I’ve been helping you with problems since you were born. When you first started school, you had a problem with a little boy name Tommy Toolio.”

  “I remember Tommy.”

  “I helped with that, didn’t I?”

  “This is a bit different from some kid stealing my crayons.”

  “Little brat. I would be very surprised if he wasn’t in jail by now.”

  “He was six.”

  “A thief is a thief. So, tell me about this problem. Is it to do with the thing? Why you are away? Logistics?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, don’t worry about it then.”

  “Don’t worry?”

  “I don’t know much about logistics, but you’ll be fine. You’re such a smart boy, and we’re all very proud of you. You can do amazing things.”

  “Yeah, but that’s the point. What if I can’t do this? What if I’ve bitten off more than I can chew?”

  “Oh, Ben. Everyone has doubts. You’ll be fine.”

  “You don’t know —”

  “That Mother woman. The one I met when she came here? She wouldn’t suffer fools. And Amber? She’s smart. You wouldn’t be there if people didn’t believe in you.”

  “What if I let everybody down?”

  “You’re not going to let anybody down. Nothing worth doing is easy.”

  “Thanks, Joan.”

  “See? I knew I could help make you feel better.”

  Ben hadn’t said anything about feeling better.

  46

  Amber didn’t regret her deal with Grubby, not once. She had no second thoughts about what she was doing or why or involving the useless fool. It was what it was. She went about her day-to-day activities and waited.

  In the afternoon, she arrived at cabin six to a note pushed under her door. It was on bait shop paper which seemed odd enough. Why would Grubby need personalised paper? It looked pretty old. Perhaps someone had purchased it a long time ago, and the shop never had much use for it.

  On the note was a smiley face and the words ‘Midnight. Old Scout Hall’. Not a whole lot written on the page, yet Amber found herself impressed Grubby had managed to spell all the words correctly.

  The scout hall? Midnight? What should she wear? A trench coat and dark glasses? Why couldn’t he meet her here if he had the gear? Why the sense of drama? Stupid Grubby.

  Amber found herself pleased this would all be over soon. It was good he’d been able to come through so quickly. As soon as she took possession, she would plant it, place a call to Officer Stacey and it would be done.

  She looked at her watch. Just what she needed - a few hours to kill. Stupid Grubby.

  Amber attempted to fill her time, once again finding herself at a loss as to what to do. She tried to have a nap. Sleep wouldn’t come. She settled on pacing the small space. Why not? Pacing was as good as anything.

  Maybe she could simply go and see Grubby? Take control of the situation. Why let him dictate anything?

  She froze. Someone was there. At her cabin. Her ears burned for the tell-tale sounds of a person.

  It is almost impossible to remain completely silent while breaking in somewhere, even for a professional. She could make out light scraping noises. Then the cabin door handle turned.

  Ellis…

  Perfect. Amber was going to end all this, right here, right now.

  She scampered to her bed and flung her pillow across the room. Come on, Ellis. You wanna play?

  Except… It wasn’t there. Her Sig.

  With a flash, she knew. Ellis was coming to shoot her with her own gun. How could she have been so foolish? The cabin’s lack of security was hardly news. And yet she left her gun just sitting there? Of course it wasn’t safe.

  There were no exits and no places to hide. The cabin door flew open.

  “Lost something?”

  The barrel of her Sig pointed at her out of the darkness. She backed up, hitting the bed.

  The intruder cackled and stepped in, far too big to be Ellis.

  “I should shoot you right now.”

  “Ralph?”

  “The one and only. Of course, I can’t even hold this silly little gun with my right hand.”

  He held up the hand in question. His thumb hung down at the wrong angle.

  “Still really hurts.”

  He sidled in, moving like a crab, his oversized body bent in all wrong directions. His head faced one way, his legs another.

  “You’re worried about your thumb? Your head is not on properly.”

  “Maybe, but it’s the thumb that kills.”

  Amber flopped onto the bed.

  “Is it gonna hurt like that for, you know, ever?”

  “I don’t know, Ralph. I don’t know how these things work.”

  “It was really mean.”

  “You were strangling me. About to kill me.”

  “So? Still mean. What happened next?”

  “After I dislocated your thumb? You were mad. You fell out the window.”

  “Right. Guess that explains the head.”

  He twisted his neck, producing an almighty crack, yet not really improving its position. The big guy lumbered over and sat on the bed beside her.

  “Of all the possible dead people in the world, I’ve gotta be haunted by you?” Amber said.

  “I am dead, am I? Thought so. I’ve got a message for you from the afterlife then.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You stink.” He cackled again.

  “Great. Can you just leave me alone, please?”

  “Nah, seriously. I do have a message. This is a dumb idea.”

  “What is?”

  “Buying drugs. Grubby. What are you, stupid?”

  “That’s not a message, Ralph.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because you don’t really know that.”

  “Why don’t I?”

  “Because you’re not really here.”

  “I’m not?”

  Amber shook her head. “You’re a figment of my messed-up mind.”

  “Where am I then?”

  “Dead. Probably an unmarked grave somewhere.”

  “That’s not very nice.”

  “I could be wrong. I assume Gomez wouldn’t have claimed your body.”

  “No, I mean calling me a figment.”

  “Please go away.”

  “Could a figment do this?”

  He levelled the Sig at her face and shot her between the eyes. Amber too slow to take evasive action. The bullet inched its way into her brow, Amber’s brains exploding out the back of her head.

  Amber work with a start, feeling terrified and foolish, in that way dreams can get to you, no matter how ridiculous they are. At least she was alone once more. She checked. Her Sig remained safely where she’d left it.

  Ralph? Really? She could do without
Ralph haunting her, thank you very much.

  47

  Just before midnight, Amber made the short walk away from Paradise by the Bay, still unsettled thanks to her encounter with the deceased Ralph. Everything was quiet. No surprise for Paradise Cove.

  The Scout Hall door was ajar. No sign of Grubby though. Could this be a trap? Except who would want to trap her and why?

  “Hello? Grubby?”

  No answer. Amber made her way in. Moonlight shone through the high windows, partly illuminating the space. If Grubby was after somewhere atmospheric, mission accomplished.

  “Grubby?”

  The door slammed behind Amber making her jump.

  “Guess again.”

  “Vaughan? What are you doing here?”

  “Ha. Funny. What am I doing here? What the heck are you doing?”

  “I’m meant to be meeting Grubby.” She sounded pretty pathetic.

  “This a one-off, or are you planning to buy drugs off him regularly?”

  Grubby…

  “He wasn’t supposed to say anything.”

  “It’s Grubby. You’re lucky that he did say something now, because he sure as hell would later as well.”

  “He’s not coming?”

  “No. I told him you were having some sort of mental breakdown, and I apologised on your behalf. Told him you made a mistake. That you didn’t actually want any drugs.”

  “Fine. I’ll just have to set it up again.”

  “And I’ll just shut it down again.”

  “No problem. I’ll just go through somebody else.”

  Vaughan rubbed his eyes with his palms. “I don’t get you, Amber. I want to, but I don’t. It’s like you’ve turned into someone else.”

  “It’s… no… It’s fine. I… I just have to do this.”

  “To do what? You’ve got a death wish at the moment. You want to get caught with drugs and go to jail?”

  “I want someone to.”

  “That’s the grand plan? You want to frame Ellis? Using the world’s worst accomplice?”

  “At least Grubby is helping me...”

  Vaughan stared at her in the semi-dark. “Amber, I always want to help you. Let me start right now. Tell me what’s going on.”

  “It’s Ellis.”

  “I figured that.”