Читать книгу The Gathering - Carl Read - Страница 11

A foreboding laugh splinters the Astral Plane, spreading ominous dread in its wake. The laugh belongs to Slegna, the supreme malevolent fiend of the realms of the Unbalanced. He has existed forever. Remaining in the background, Slegna is silent, devious and unscrupulous in feeding off the dominant unbalanced emotions of others. He nourishes himself on their sorrow and revels in the subtlety of seduction. Feelings of loneliness, sadness and despair are just some of the tools Slegna uses to turn people from the True Light of Oletha.

Hovering in the ethereal essence of life, Slegna senses a disruption in the Astral Plane, alerting him to the presence of the prophecy. He recognises the divided spirit of Nathanial and Kalareena. Observing them from the ethereal realm he realises that Nathanial is spiritually clumsy, as Kalareena hasn’t reawakened his psychic awareness. Slegna’s sadistic laugh is deep and low; he knows that Nathanial is vulnerable. He still has time to prevent the prophecy coming to fruition.

Concentrating on the rhythm of unwholesome energy, he locates a gang of reprobates he has been cultivating. Slegna narrowed his consciousness to listen and manipulate. Andy is the leader of their group; he is of average height with black hair, brown eyes and a thin wiry body. Then there is Joe. At five foot four, with fair hair and blue eyes, Joe has a gentle, timid disposition. Mick, Andy’s faithful comrade, is rather small in stature. His auburn hair falls in a tangled mess about a round face that reveals deep grey eyes and a full mouth. Terry, last member of the gang, stands six foot with a muscular body. His jet-black hair frames small, squinted nondescript eyes; he is a thoroughly mean bastard and a force to be reckoned with.

“Hey Terry, ya moron, you’ve had enough time with that bitch. It’s my turn.”

Andy walked down the hallway towards the room where Terry had the woman tied up. This was his latest abduction. He had grabbed her while she was coming out of the shopping centre late at night and laughed as she screamed for help. Andy knew Terry loved to have power over women, although he didn’t understand why. He could rarely get his dick hard enough to do anything with it.

The woman was making strange noises but then fell silent. Entering the room, Andy saw Terry standing over his victim with his limp dick hanging out of his pants. A truncheon he had taken from a security guide the night before was in his hand, with blood dripping from its end.

“Oh fuck, Terry, what have ya done?” Andy panicked.

“Don’t ya start on me! Ya weren’t here …” Terry yelled, glaring at Andy as he walked in the room.

“Is she dead?” Andy calculated there still might be a chance to save themselves, as he moved to the bed, his face white.

“Nar,” Terry said, becoming unhinged, “She’s just out of it a bit.” An hysterical laugh escaped his lips.

“Just out of it a bit!” Andy screamed, looking from the woman to Terry. “Mick, Joe, get your arses in here, now!”

Mick and Joe piled into the room stopping dead in their tracks at the sight of the bloodied body before them. Shivers ran down their spine and fear masked their faces.

Andy became livid and started yelling at Terry. “Fuck, fuck! Ya stupid bastard, she’s hurt real bad. Shit! She’ll die if we don’t get her ta hospital quick. Why the fuck did ya hit her? Ya never done that before.”

“I don’t know,” Terry snarled. “Somethin’ inside snapped.”

Slegna laughed knowingly, drinking deep of the swirling emotions that were being released.

“Joe, ya clean her up and then dress her real careful-like. Mick, ya get the car and put plastic on the seats so the blood don’t go nowhere. Did ya do anythin’, or just wave your dick at her?”

“Shit Andy, don’t be like that. No, I didn’t stick her.”

“So ya beat her instead,” Andy said, furious. “Ya stupid bastard! Mick, Joe and me will take her ta the hospital. We’ll make some story up about findin’ her.”

Mick walked through the door just as Joe arrived with a basin of water, a dirty face washer and a towel. Joe delicately washed, dried and redressed the woman; her clothes were miraculously still intact. After she was dressed they carried her to the car and gently placed her on the back seat. Irritated, Andy looked at Mick. “What’s your problem?”

“I was thinkin’, won’t she remember us?”

“Nar. She’s been blindfolded the whole time and it’s dark out. Besides she’s unconscious. Let’s get goin’.”

Andy drove, while Mick and Joe supported the woman between them. Finally they arrived at the hospital. Stopping the car short of the emergency entrance, Joe jumped out and found a wheelchair. Mick helped Joe transfer the unconscious woman to the chair where they removed her blindfold and then wheeled her through the doors and into the emergency ward.

“I need help here!” Joe called. “We found her lyin’ in the street.”

The nurse behind the desk took one look and immediately called for the doctor on duty. The doctor took the patient into the examination room whilst the nurse started asking the boys questions. They became increasingly nervous.

“Look nurse, none of us want ta be involved. We was just doin’ a good deed,” Joe responded.

They could see the nurse wasn’t convinced and as she reached for the phone to ring the police the boys took off. The doctor finished the examination, ordered several x-rays and transferred the woman to the operating theatre. Four hours later she awoke in a private ward with a policewoman sitting by her bed.

“You’re all right now. I’m Detective Laura Dunstan. When you’re ready we can talk about what happened.”

The woman nodded mutely and went back to sleep. It was morning when she reawakened. Looking around the room she saw the detective sitting in a chair beside the bed with her eyes closed. She was rather strikingly dressed in her dark-blue slacks suit set with a three-quarter jacket over a white blouse, and she wore practical work shoes. Short auburn hair styled to the contour of her face gave her a firm appearance. The detective’s eyes flickered and then opened.

“Have you been there all night?” asked the woman.

“Yes,” she said, smiling. “Is your name Margery Wilson, and do you live at 888 Wallace Drive, West Yuulong?”

“Yes,” Margery answered, noticing how the woman’s face softened when she smiled.

“Margery, I’m from a special department dealing with assault. You were in a bad way when you were brought in last night. Your consent was unable to be obtained for the doctor to do a complete forensic examination, so I took the liberty of ordering one for you. If you don’t agree with my decision then it will not be permissible in court. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I understand. I agree, thank you,” Margery replied, looking wan.

“I traced your identification from your driver’s licence and credit cards. They were found in the supermarket car park with your groceries at the back of your car. The attendants heard you calling for help. Unfortunately, they weren’t quick enough. They rang the police and we’ve been looking for you ever since. Are you well enough to talk about your ordeal?”

“Yes, I’m ready,” Margery replied. “I had just finished my shopping and was putting the groceries in the boot of the car, when a bag was put over my head. I screamed. The man was laughing, I felt a whack on the back of my head and everything went dark. I awoke blindfolded; I think I was tied to a bed, as my hands and feet were tied to four posts. I was naked and fully exposed; I couldn’t move; it was horrible!”

Laura leaned forward, offering comfort while Margery sobbed in her arms. She looked a mess; the bastards had really worked her over. Margery was the fifth victim who had been abducted and the only one not raped. This was the first time they’d been this brutal.

“You’re fine now. Take all the time you want. There’s no hurry.”

“No, I want you to get these brutes!” Margery said, trembling. “I’m a psychologist and have dealt with this sort of thing with my clients. I never thought I would be in this situation myself. I heard their conversations. The one who kidnapped me is called Terry; from his behaviour he needs to feel empowered when with women. He wanted to rape me but couldn’t. The more he tried the more enraged he became. He was rambling incoherently. I heard him grab something and he started hitting me with it. Then I passed out; when I came around I pretended to be unconscious.

“The one in charge is called Andy, and he was giving orders to a Mick and Joe. He told Joe to wash and dress me. Joe’s hands were gentle and never strayed. Mick organised the transport and then they put me in the back seat with Mick and Joe either side for support. If Terry hadn’t hit me, I believe all but Joe would have raped me. He wouldn’t have stopped the others, which makes him just as guilty in my book.”

“You’ll be happy to know that there was no violation,” Laura said quietly. “You have several broken ribs and some nasty cuts on your face that needed stitching. Being a vascular area it bleeds profusely when cut. That’s what saved your life.” She saw Margery’s grimace. “With all that blood they panicked and brought you to the hospital. I have already taken some photos and will take more when the extent of the bruising is visible.”

“After they put me in the wheelchair they removed the blindfold. They thought I was still unconscious. I saw the registration plate – would that help?”

“Oh Margery, you are a gem,” Laura said, while busily taking notes.

“I didn’t see where they took me,” rushed Margery. “But it had a real bad smell, like rotten fish, and I heard crystal gliders going past. I think there was construction work as well. I’m sorry. I can’t think any more.”

“You have been of tremendous help,” Laura said warmly, looking at Margery. “I don’t know if I could have been as brave. The triage nurse gave us a good description of the two who brought you in. From her account they would be in their early twenties; could you verify that at all?”

“From their behaviour, speech patterns and what little I saw, they couldn’t have been much older.”

“I believe they’re also responsible for four other abductions,” continued Laura. “The thing they hit you with is called a truncheon; it was stolen from a security guard walking the wall the other night. To the best of your knowledge, was Terry the only one who assaulted you?”

“Yes, when I came to, Andy was yelling at the others. Oh, he told Mick to put plastic on the seat to catch my blood.”

“Thank you, Margery, that’s all for now. If you think of anything else, no matter how insignificant, notify the staff and I’ll return.”

A nurse came into the room indicating it was time for Margery’s medication, along with a sedative to help her rest. Laura left, returning to police headquarters.

Slegna had listened, supping on the Unbalanced emotions from Margery and Laura. Leaving a hound of despair with Margery to keep the horror alive, Slegna left to find the boys. The hound of despair suddenly appeared, whimpering. This woman wasn’t like the others; she wouldn’t wallow in self-pity.

* * *

Slegna found the boys sleeping; he gently entered Terry’s dream state. Terry was once again dreaming of being hunted by something he couldn’t quite see. This was becoming a regular nightly occurrence; his mind couldn’t take much more. After terrorising him into submission, Slegna would have to give him the illusion of hope or he would become totally deranged and useless for his purpose.

As the dream progressed, Slegna introduced the stimulus required to bend him to his will. About a dozen spiders and moonlight should give an eerie feel to his terror. Slegna watched as Terry started twitching. This wasn’t correct; Terry’s subconscious mind had taken control of the dream. The wickedness of Terry’s spirit was too much for his soul to cope with any longer. Slegna had lost control.

The soul brought forward horrors in far greater amounts than Slegna would have dared. The spiders multiplied in their hundreds in the dream. Terry awoke furiously swotting at his face and body, jumping out of bed and screaming in terror. Slegna tried to wake him from his dream, without success.

If this kept up Terry would lose his mind and be in torment till the end of his mortal days. This would be a fitting punishment for his actions but Slegna needed him and had already resolved to make him a fiend in the realms of the Unbalanced.

The spiders climbed Terry’s legs, torso and neck. As they began to enter his mouth, Slegna made his move. Focusing all the energy about him, Slegna constructed a hound of despair out of the spiders. Terry stood in horror as the spiders formed a grotesque crawling mass the shape of a hound. He was transfixed as the beast stood before him, adding to his terror. The hound spoke in a hideous guttural tone.

“You have crossed the bounds of humanity with your lust for cruelty and vengeance. Serve me or return to your fate.” Waves of torment washed over Terry indicating the depth of suffering that would befall him if he chose to refuse Slegna’s offer. Slegna patiently waited.

Now Terry stuttered, “Am … I … d-d-dead?”

“Not yet. Now, choose!”

The hound in front of Terry collapsed and the spiders once again headed towards him. His dread was so powerful that he couldn’t hear his soul screaming for recognition. In that moment his soul darkened with the cloak of ignorance and was hidden from his spirit.

Terry was overcome. “I am yours. What do you want?”

“Awake from your dream, then return to sleep. When you wake again, I will be your inspiration. Follow and you will be rewarded.” Terry did as he was told, remembering only that his life would be better if he just followed his inner voice. A sinister awareness filled the room where the boys were sleeping. Slegna was pleased.

Joe had been secretly organising to leave the gang. He hated the violence of the other three and had hidden away money for his escape. Slegna would have to make Joe’s leaving beneficial to his plan.

He entered the outer aspect of Joe’s mind with thoughts of freedom and a way to escape punishment from the law. This would mean betraying his mates to the police in exchange for amnesty. Slegna could see the idea starting to take hold and nudged it a little more with feelings of righteousness. Joe would betray them in the morning.

Mick had idealised Andy ever since he’d rescued him from those four thugs. Normally, Andy wouldn’t have done anything. However, seeing Mick crawling along the gutter with a knife sticking out of his back while four thugs were kicking him hadn’t seemed right. Andy walked up and, pulling the knife out of Mick’s back, shoved it into the largest of the four. The shocked look on the man’s face was priceless. Andy then removed the knife and thrust it into the first thug that came at him. The other two ran off. Andy took Mick to the hospital, brought him home and had taken care of him ever since. Entering Mick’s dream, Slegna strengthened the loyalty between Mick and Andy.

Andy had some brains. The little gang prospered with him in charge. It was time for them to branch into organised crime. A suggestion or two would cause Andy to meet the correct people to help start their new careers.

Entering Andy’s dream state would be trickier, as Andy knew he was responsible for all his actions and therefore Slegna couldn’t terrorise him with his past deeds, unlike Mick and Terry, who made excuses for their behaviour. Joe, on the other hand, had never taken part in any of the violence. Terry had beaten him senseless and called him a coward after he had tried to stop them raping a woman. Andy had been forced to step in.

Slegna would send Andy to a meeting with some influential people with information to be revealed at the appropriate time. Leaving the boys to their dreams he went to pay a visit to the people Andy was to meet.

* * *

The next morning Andy awoke with a burning desire to follow his instincts. He told Terry and Mick to ditch the car and find another one. Joe was to find a different place to stay. They would meet up in two days at the deserted sawmill at ten am; until then they should lie low. While Terry, Mick and Andy went about their business, Joe set about cleaning all traces of his presence from the place. He then located a phone and rang the hospital.

“Good morning, Memorial Hospital, may I help you?”

“Yeah, I was wonderin’ if ya could put me through ta the nurse in emergency, please.”

“One moment.” Joe nervously waited for the emergency nurse to answer the phone.

“Nurse Collins, emergency.”

“Hello, was ya the nurse on duty when those blokes brought in that beat-up lady last night?”

“Yes. How might I help you?”

“I would like ta know if the cops was called and who would someone talk ta about it?”

“The officer-in-charge was Detective Laura Dunstan, Metropolitan Police Department. Does that help?”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

Joe found the number in the phone directory and rang.

“Metropolitan Police Department. Can I help you?”

“Could I speak ta Detective Dunstan, please?”

“Whom may I say is calling?”

“She don’t know me. Just tell her it’s about the bashed-up lady from last night.”

“Please hold while I transfer you.”

“Detective Dunstan speaking.” Joe was taken aback by the almost disinterested way in which the detective answered the phone.

“Yeah. Detective, I was wonderin’ if you have that program where ya protect people who squeal on their mates.”

“Do you mean the Witness Protection Program?” supplied Laura.

“Yeah. That’s the one.”

“Yes, we do, but it will depend on your evidence, Joe.”

There was silence on the other end of the phone as Joe processed the information. He suddenly looked about, wondering if she could see him. He started to hang the phone up, stopped and then went to hang it up again; she couldn’t possibly see him, could she? How did she know who he was? He didn’t know if he should continue or not.

“Hello, Joe, hello.”

Laura had turned on the recorder the moment she had answered the phone and another officer was also listening to the conversation. Her captain gave her a ‘keep him talking’ sign while they did a trace.

“How’d ya know it was me?”

“You’re the kind one. We know about all four of you, Joe, and the women you’ve taken.”

“Look, I had nothing ta do with any of them ladies. I tried ta stop ’em, but they went crazy like. They ain’t me mates no more,” Joe said, wondering if he was doing the right thing, except, he hated the violence and wanted out of the gang.

“I see. Why don’t you tell me about it?” suggested Laura.

“I watch movies, ya know. I’m hangin’ up now.”

“No, Joe, wait.”

The phone went dead and the captain shook his head in the negative. A moment later the phone rang again.

“Hello, Detective Dunstan. May I help you?”

“Yeah it’s me; now no more funny business. If ya don’t want me help, fine. I’m blowin’ this joint anyway. I just wanted ta set things right, that’s all.”

“Sorry, Joe. How would you like to do this?”

“Well, how does we find out if what I got is worth protection? I ain’t goin’ ta snitch ta have ya nab me!”

“All right, Joe, what have you got for me?”

“If I gives y’all the lowdown on the gang’s activities ya gives me that protection and I don’t goes ta jail. I want ta start a new life in another province.”

“Well, Joe, it would depend on whether your information is valid or not,” Laura said, glancing at the captain.

“I want ta meet ya alone someplace where we are both safe.”

“How about the park, today at noon? I’ll be on the seat at the beginning of the redwood avenue. Is that all right?” Laura’s captain nodded and gave the thumbs up.

“What will ya be wearin’ so I can recognise ya?”

“I’m wearing a dark-blue slacks suit and a firearm on my right hip.”

“I will be watchin’ ya for a bit ta make sure ya ain’t lyin’.”

“You have my word, Joe. There will be no other officers there but me. Do we have a deal?”

“Yeah, we have a deal.” Joe’s voice was flat.

The phone went dead. Laura turned to her captain, who had been listening.

“Right, I want the entire park blanketed with plain clothes police…”

“Hang on, Cap,” Laura tried reasoning. “I told him I would be alone and that’s…”

“I’m not sending you out there with some maniac…” started the captain.

“Maniac? He called us. If he wants to screw his mates over…”

“I don’t care who he wants to screw. I’m not putting one of my officers in deliberate danger.” The captain’s mouth met in a hard line. Laura knew she would have to do some fast talking or he would shut her down.

“Whose case is this?” she argued. “I’ve been hunting these bastards for weeks. I have the opportunity to finally get them and now you shackle me!” Frustration edged her voice. “Have a sharpshooter on the roof of the Venlocks building. He will be in the perfect position to snipe the guy if something goes wrong. I’ll have a wire, so you can hear everything that’s said. Come on, Cap.” The captain looked dubiously at Laura and her team standing nearby. “I don’t want this guy getting away!” Laura argued. The captain finally nodded in the affirmative.

* * *

After giving orders to his gang, Andy headed into the city. He had these recurring images in his mind that he felt compelled to follow and it was unnerving. There was a street name and three numbers; he reasoned the first number was the street address followed by the floor and room numbers. Arriving at the address he entered the building, walked into the lift and pressed the button for the fourth floor. The lift stopped. Andy got out and walked down a corridor looking at office numbers.

Two distinguished-looking gentlemen passed him in a hurry; another man who looked like a cop followed them. He hated cops. He found the office he was looking for and realised it was the same one those three men had hurried into. Andy knocked and walked in. Inside the office a secretary typed behind a desk. She looked up.

“You’re in the wrong office, sir. This is a private meeting.”

“I think I’m supposed ta be here,” Andy answered back.

The secretary spoke into an intercom and then said nothing. The tall fellow that had passed him in the corridor walked into the room. He had to be a copper.

“Can I help you, young man?”

“Yeah, look, this may sound funny, but I think I’m supposed ta be here.”

“This is a private meeting of the board. You have the wrong office. Please move along.”

The feeling inside Andy was growing stronger by the minute. He knew he was in the right place; he just didn’t know how to explain it. The man reached for Andy’s arm to escort him out, but Andy was too quick.

“Keep ya hands ta yourself, copper!” The man’s face registered shock at being called a cop.

“Well, if you know I’m a policeman, then it would be wise of you to move along under your own steam.”

“I don’t think so. We need ta talk first.” Andy was hoping his hunch was right. The copper eyeballed him and then spoke.

“All right, young fellow, speak!” wondering if this was the person Slegna had told him he was sending.

“I woke up with the address of this buildin’, along with the floor and room numbers and a funny-lookin’ number eight in me head.”

“Draw the number.” The officer handed Andy a pen and paper and watched as he drew a number eight sideways, the sign for infinity.

“It goes on forever,” Andy commented.

“What?” exclaimed the officer.

“It goes on forever. It just popped inta me head, like.”

The man indicated that Andy should follow him as he walked back into the room he had just left. Andy entered the office and saw the two other gentlemen who had passed him in the corridor sitting at the board table that was capable of seating twenty people. The side walls of the room were wood panelling and directly opposite were windows that went from floor to ceiling. Closing the door behind him he walked to the table. The other men viewed him suspiciously. He also noticed that the paper he had drawn on was now sliding across the board table towards them. They both stared intently at Andy. One of the men approached him. He was a thin balding man impeccably dressed, who stood five ten, and he eyed Andy carefully.

“What goes on forever?” he asked, looking at Andy intently.

Without thinking he responded, “That which never ends.” Andy didn’t know how he knew the correct answer.

“So, we have a new recruit. You must be a real bad piece of work to join our little group, boy. Tell us about yourself.”

Andy wasn’t stupid; the less they knew the better.

“Age before beauty, gentlemen,” Andy replied, feeling uneasy.

“I’m Duane. I have the job of inquisitor to any prospective business ventures. That muscular six-foot-six tree trunk in rumpled clothing that walked you in is Senior Detective Maleko; he’s protection. That leaves Harvey over there; he takes care of the money.”

Andy wasn’t too sure of Harvey. At five foot, sporting a nasty scar down the left side of his face and dressed flawlessly in a brown suit, his large gnarled hands looked like battering rams extending out from his jacket.

“Let me tell you about yourself,” Duane began. “You have three other members of your little gang. One is the basher, the other the follower and third is the snitch. Does that just about cover it, boy?”

Andy was in over his head, but he wasn’t going to let them see that.

“You’re right about everything except the snitch.”

“Really?” said Duane calmly. “Your snitch is the one who has been trying to get you to quit your life of crime. He is also the one your basher beat until you stopped him. Need I say more?”

How in the fuck did he know all that? Andy wondered.

“Save your brain cells, boy! The same thing has happened to us all. The hardest part will be to have your basher kill him while you, your follower and one of us watches. Got it, boy?”

Andy decided he had nothing to lose; he would either be dead or not.

“Listen, pop!” he exploded. “I ain’t no boy of yours or anyone’s, got it? If you think you’re good enough to take me, then have a go.” Andy whipped his knife out from its hiding place. “Otherwise shut that fuckin’ hole in your face before it gets shut for ya!”

The three men looked at each other knowingly and then smiled.

“You have guts, I’ll give you that,” Duane commented. “What’s your name?”

“Andy. I’m the brain and my basher is Terry. The follower, as you call him, is Mick. The one you call the snitch is Joe.”

“Well, Andy, put that pig sticker away,” Duane commanded. “Do you know what you’re doing here?”

“Fucked if I know!” Andy replied with false bravado, trying to cover up his fidgeting.

“Right, Andy,” Duane continued. “First thing, no more gutter language; it’s crass and sounds cheap. We don’t use foul language, nor shall you. You’re about to enter the big league and there are rules that must be adhered to.”

Andy wondered what he had got himself into. Whatever it was, they were rich and that would suit him.

Duane looked at him coldly. “We’ve been expecting you. You aren’t the only one given information. Between us we control most of the crime in the city. Maleko is in charge of the drug squad. If you deal in drugs, quit or he will bust your arse. Drugs are out!”

“I’m wiv ya. I hate drugs,” Andy agreed.

“Andy, it’s not us you need to be afraid of, but the one who recruited you. Do you understand me?”

He thought for a moment. Slegna sent waves of foreboding towards Andy; a terrible feeling started to engulf him. It was so real that he started shaking uncontrollably, turning white. Duane didn’t say a word. He just waited until the realisation of Andy’s predicament became clear to him.

“Your grammar is atrocious, Andy. You must be properly educated. Understand that if you doublecross us, we are unforgiving.”

The morning moved on as Andy was given a complete account of their operations and how he would be trained once he had taken care of the snitch. He wasn’t looking forward to that as he couldn’t bring himself to believe Joe would rat on them.

While Andy was being indoctrinated into his new life, Joe was at the park where Laura and he had arranged to meet. It was one of the oldest natural parks on Telluric, covering an area of eight square miles. This forest is unique as it is home to the giant redwood trees. The redwoods were discovered when the area was first colonised. They were impressive back then with the average tree being three hundred feet tall; now eight hundred years later they have become the nation’s pride and joy. Botanical gardens were established around the fringes of the forest with all the amenities families would require to enjoy a blissful day’s outing.

The paths through the gardens lead to the entrance of Redwood Avenue, which meanders its way throughout the entire forest. It was the only public entrance and it was here Detective Laura sat waiting patiently for Joe to arrive. There were always people walking about so Joe figured he should be safe. He had been watching for ten minutes now. He knew she hadn’t come alone although he couldn’t see anyone else.

“I have a lad standing in the bushes watching you, Detective,” a voice rasped in Laura’s earplug.

“Acknowledged,” Laura replied quietly.

Joe started walking slowly towards the entrance of Redwood Avenue trying to look natural.

“Movement coming your way, Detective; he’s started walking. I have him in my sights. Just give me the word and he’s down.”

“When he arrives, do nothing without my say so,” Laura affirmed.

“Affirmative,” responded the voice in her ear.

Laura observed Joe walking towards her pretending to look at the flora. His body language didn’t suit the profile of a tough gang member and he looked too young to be involved in acts of brutality. As Joe walked past her she spoke.

“I promised you I would come alone and I have, so why don’t you sit and we can talk?”

Joe nearly tripped over. “How’d ya know it was me?”

“I’m a trained officer, Joe.”

“Look, like I said, I didn’t have nothin’ ta do with them ladies. I tried ta stop ’em takin’ the first one and got beat up bad, real bad, so I stayed out of it from then on. I tried ta take care of them afterwards like, but I couldn’t do nothin’ about the pain they was in. I can give ya all the jobs we done and tell ya who the stuff went ta. I can even give ya the location of all the safe houses. But I want protection.”

“Joe,” Laura said earnestly, “if I give you my word that nothing will happen to you, would you accompany me to the station so we can record everything you say for the court? I promise you won’t be charged if you turn witness for the prosecution.”

Joe was feeling conflicting emotions. He had never had time for cops after the dealings the gang’d had with them. But this dame seemed different; still he wasn’t giving anything away just yet.

“Is that the protection program I was askin’ about?”

“Yes, that’s the one,” Laura responded.

Joe always went by his gut and his gut was telling him to trust her. He didn’t know how to find out if she was lying, so he asked. “How do I know you’ll keep ya word?”

“I’m alone now, aren’t I?”

“Nar, ya got someone watchin’. I just can’t see ’em. I might sound dumb ’cause I don’t speak right, but I saw the thing in ya ear and ya’ll have a mike hidden some place.”

“You’re right, Joe; that was for my own protection. I didn’t know if you were serious or not. I meet some pretty violent people in my job. They say one thing and do another.”

“Yeah, I get it. I just want ta get out and I don’t want ta go ta jail for somethin’ I couldn’t help.” Laura thought he looked pale and tired.

“There has to be trust somewhere sometime, Joe.”

“Okay. You’re not lyin’, are ya?”

“No, Joe, I’m not lying. Come on, my car is over by the gate.”

Arriving at the police station, they were about to enter when Joe leaned forward opening the door.

“Ladies first.”

Laura nodded and walked through. She was a good judge of character and Joe didn’t fit the picture of a criminal. They walked down a corridor around a corner and into a small room with a table and two chairs. The back wall had a mirror on it. Joe was a little uncomfortable and started to feel trapped. Laura, sensing his discomfort, tried to put him at ease.

“Have a seat, Joe. Would you like something to eat or drink?”

“Ya kiddin’,” Joe responded, surprised. “You’d really do that for me?”

“Yes, of course. Now, what would you like?”

“Could I have some water, please?” he asked. “I’m real thirsty.”

“That mirror on the wall is two-way.” Laura half smiled at him. “Thought you should know.” She left the room to get the water and report to her captain.

“Hi Cap, I got him in the interrogation room.”

“Good work.” The captain looked pleased. “What are you going to charge him with?”

“Nothing. He’s turning State’s evidence,” Laura replied.

“He’d better be co-operative or I’ll shove him in the slammer so quick his head will spin. I hate turncoats, but if it gets us the rest of those bastards it’s worth it,” grumbled the captain.

“Look Cap, I know what I’m doing,” persisted Laura. “I’m not a rookie. I want the whole thing videoed while I’m with him, all right?”

Laura walked back into the room carrying a tray with two glasses, a jug of water and some sandwiches. Joe immediately got to his feet, took the tray from her and placed it on the table. He poured two glasses of water and waited for Laura to sit.

“Thank you, Joe. That was kind of you.”

“Ya welcome. What do we do now, Detective?”

“My name is Laura. Joe, tell me how you came to be part of the gang.”

“I ain’t talked about that ta anyone before. It goes back a long way. Are ya sure ya want all that borin’ stuff?”

“Yes, but first I would like your full name, address and age.”

“Me name is Joe Moseley. I don’t have a permanent address ’cause of the gang and I think I’m twenty-two.” His name triggered alarm bells in Laura’s head, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on why.

“Would ya mind if I walk around when I talk?” Joe said, suddenly feeling uneasy. “It helps the words come out easier.”

“Of course you can,” Laura said kindly, watching the emotions cross Joe’s face.

Joe started pacing around the room; suddenly he stopped and looked at her.

“I never told nobody this before,” he said, fidgeting. “But I’m trustin’ ya, okay?”

“I won’t say a word, Joe. I’ll just listen,” she quietly responded.

Joe ran his hands through his hair and over his face. “When I was a kid there was this gang war and peoples was bein’ attacked. These blokes broke into our place, me Mum and Dad hid me in a cupboard. Then them blokes started hurtin’ me Mum, tryin’ to get me Dad to tell ’em somethin’ he didn’t know,” Joe explained while walking around the room. “Then this big bloke comes in.” Joe’s voice went quiet. “I’ll never forget his face. He had short curly black hair and only one ear.” Joe turned to look at Laura. “He hurt me Mum real bad.” His voice was full of pain. “Then them bastards beat up on me Dad somethin’ fierce. They was all laughin’ when they left.” Joe was silent for a moment. Shaking his head he continued. “After they was gone I crawled out of the cupboard to me Mum and Dad and tried to get them to talk to me and look at me, but their eyes was lookin’ at nothin’,” Joe said, with tears running down his cheeks. “They was dead!” His voice was full of hurt.

Laura waited for him to continue. This wasn’t what she had been expecting. Realising he was crying, Joe wiped his face with his hands and continued.

“Andy was me best mate and after all the blokes had gone he came in ta see if I was all right. I wasn’t. We heard police sirens so I grabbed me stuff and then Andy and me split. I’ve been with him ever since.”

Silence filled the room as Joe finished his story. Laura stood and walked around the table to where Joe was standing.

“Come on,” she said, looking at him sympathetically. “I think you could do with some fresh air.”

Laura took Joe to the café across from the police station, bought him a coffee, and let him sit gathering his thoughts for a while.

“When we return, would you mind if one of my staff took the information about the gang? There is something I need to check on. I won’t be gone long.”

“Yeah,” Joe listlessly replied. They walked back to the station and Laura introduced Joe to another officer.

“This is Peter. He’ll take your statement until I return.”

Laura smiled at Joe and watched him walk back into the room. She headed to the captain’s office, knocked and entered.

“I’m one step ahead of you, Detective. I did some checking and have verified his story. He’s the Moseley kid all right. Everyone thought he was dead. His family was caught in the middle of the gang wars. The one he described who assaulted his parents was the leader of one of the toughest gangs around. If you crossed him, you died, that simple. Shit, the poor bastard. I thought I was tough until I heard that story. How did he stay sane?”

“I don’t know, Cap,” Laura answered thoughtfully. “You’re not still thinking of putting him in the slammer, are you?”

“No, I’m interested in what he has to say about the gang’s activities. You recovered enough to go back in?”

Laura nodded. “As Joe would say, yeah.”

She quietly walked into the interview room and listened for a while before she spoke. “How are you holding out, Joe?”

“Not great. I hadn’t spoke about that day until now. It’s better out than in, I guess.”

“Peter treating you well?” she asked.

“Yeah, but he’s not as easy on the eyes as you.”

“Oh, you are the charmer,” Laura said, smiling.

“Laura, um, I was wonderin’ if I’m allowed ta know how the lady from the other night is? I’m real sorry for being such a coward and not helping her.”

“She’s not good, Joe, but I believe she will recover.”

“Tell her the next time ya see her that I’m tryin’ ta make things right, so it don’t happen ta no one again.”

“If I think it is appropriate to mention it, I will. That’s the best I can do,” Better not make promises at this point, she thought. “Peter, how are we going on the disclosure of the gang’s activities?”

“Joe has been extremely helpful,” remarked Peter. “We have a good deal of information that should put an end to many of the break-ins and assaults that have been plaguing the city lately.”

Joe had started walking around the room again, muttering to himself. He looked at Laura and said, “It’s my job to find the next safe house. I was wonderin’ if ya know a place we can use.”

“You’re under protective custody,” Laura said, shaking her head. “I’m not letting you go anywhere. Besides, it’s too dangerous for you to go back with that bunch. You could get seriously hurt if they found out you’ve been here.”

“I gotta make things right,” Joe said grimly. “I ain’t goin’ to be a coward no more. I’ve been afraid ever since me Mum and Dad was killed. I never stood up for meself once. I always let Andy or Terry fight me battles. That ain’t right.”

“What did you have in mind, Joe?”

“You know how on video tubes they have them houses that have cameras in every room so you can see and hear what’s bein’ said? Well, if you had somethin’ like that, you could watch the whole time and if there was any trouble you could come runnin’.”

“When are they expecting you back?” she queried.

“We had ta lay low and meet in two days. So the day after tomorrow we all meet at the old sawmill at ten in the mornin’.”

“Let me run it by my captain.” She needed confirmation for something like this.

Laura left the room heading for the captain’s office. She met him coming out of the rear of the interrogation room.

“I heard. It would take a bit of organising but it could be done.”

Laura looked at him squarely. “What about Joe? Are you prepared for the consequences if things go wrong? It’s a big risk, Cap!”

“Look, if he wants to deliver these bastards, I’m all for it,” was the captain’s retort. “I’ll talk to him. Let’s go.”

Peter and Joe were huddled together deep in conversation when the door opened, and the captain and Laura entered the interrogation room.

“Joe, this is my captain. I ran your idea past him and he’s all for it.”

The captain walked up to Joe and shook his hand. “Hello, Joe, I’m Captain Welsh. Do you understand what you are suggesting?”

Joe eyed the captain carefully, sizing him up. He then looked at Laura, who nodded.

“Yeah, I want you ta bug a house so you can see and hear what’s said.”

“All right, Joe. Are you doing this of your own free will?”

“Yeah. It was my suggestion, what’s the problem?”

“In cases like this we have to make sure that you haven’t been coerced by any member of my staff. The Department is covering its arse in case something goes wrong.”

“I got ya. Nobody’s done nothin’ to force me into doin’ this. It’s all me own idea, Captain; no one put me up to it.”

“I’ll have Laura organise the details,” the captain spoke with finality. “Until then you are a guest of the Department. Peter, you escort Joe to a safe house and remain with him. If he needs anything, have one of the other boys get it for him. Do you have any questions, Joe?”

“Yeah, the house ya have ain’t too good, is it? ’Cause we ain’t been livin’ in the lap of luxury like. Oh, it will need an animal on the roof, or I ain’t goin’ in it.”

“An animal!” exclaimed the captain. “Don’t tell me you believe in animal totems?”

“Yeah,” replied Joe firmly.

“I think I can accommodate you.” Captain Welsh moved to the door. “All right, people, you know the routine, let’s get started.”