Matt Hilton: Judgement and Wrath

Watching the boats sailing into the marina, I was acutely aware that nothing was getting done. The buzz of adrenalin I'd experienced earlier was wearing off, and I was beginning to get a slightly nauseous feeling in my gut. The beer I'd drunk on an empty stomach wasn't the best idea I'd ever had. There was no public restaurant on the island that I was aware of and I was starving.

Rink was due soon, though, so I sent him a text requesting a detour to the nearest fast food joint for something substantial. He replied, 'YUR GONNA GET FAT!' So I told him: 'I'D PREFER A CHEESEBURGER.'

Told you stakeouts were boring.

With nothing for it, I returned to my recliner and sat watching the adjoining property. Things were silent in the household now, but I knew that Jorgenson hadn't left. His personal boat was moored to the peninsula jutting out into the seaward end of the marina directly at the foot of his garden. Assuming that Marianne was with him, my best course of action was to sit and wait. To kill time, I again took out my SIG and for about the fourth time that evening I stripped it down and cleaned it.

That done, I went inside and shucked out of my shorts, pulling on a pair of black jeans and sweater. Carrying my boots on to the balcony, I laced them up while glancing down into the pool area of Jorgenson's property. I'd only been gone seconds, but already the tableau had changed. A woman was moving through the garden, her arms folded beneath her breasts. Her light brown hair was pulled up in a knot and was pinned in place to the back of her head. In pale blue cardigan and blue jeans she looked more like the girl in the school photograph. Even without a good look at her face, I was pretty sure that it was Marianne Dean.

She seemed lost in thought. Singing softly to herself. Was it a sad song?

Quickly I let myself back into my condominium and took the steps to the lower level two at a time. I exited into the garden nonchalantly, whistling loudly to myself as though I was unaware of the woman on the other side of the palm-fringed border which was all that separated us. Armed with a net, I approached the swimming pool and began scooping bugs and non-existent windblown dross from the surface. The woman must have heard me come outside, and I sensed that she was watching me from between the palm fronds.

I kept up the charade just long enough to make it look natural, then swung round to place the results of my labour on the garden. Widening my eyes, stepping back, I said, 'Oh! Sorry. Didn't see you there. I hope my whistling didn't disturb you?'

Marianne seemed amused. She shook her head. 'I didn't know we had neighbours,' she said. 'Maybe it's us who should apologise about the noise.'

Approaching so that I was leaning through the fronds, I offered her my most disarming face. Studying her features, I couldn't make out any signs that Bradley had been up to his old tricks. 'Just arrived. I haven't heard anything.'

Her lips pinched momentarily and I wondered what had flitted through her mind. 'I had some girlfriends over earlier. They behaved like kids. We had to send them home before they had us run off the island.'

Nodding at her wisdom, I said, 'Beautiful island, isn't it? Wish I could live here all the time.'

'Yeah,' she said, her features smoothing out.

'I'm only here for a few days,' I told her. 'Couldn't afford this lifestyle all year round. As much as I'd like to. What about you? That your parents' place?'

'No.' She didn't expand. There was an uncomfortable second or two. To fill it, I stuck out my hand. 'Sorry, I'm being rude. Name's Joe.'

Her arms were still tucked tight beneath her breasts and it didn't look like she was going to accept my proffered hand of friendship. Her glance skipped towards the house. But then she leaned forwards and shook my hand gently.

'Mari,' she said.

'Nice to meet you, Mari,' I said. Mari, not Marianne. The little girl all grown up and demanding her place in the world. Demanding individuality.

'Were you thinking of taking a dip?' She nodded over at the pool, then looked pointedly at the net I still grasped in my hand.

'No, not just now. Look,' I offered, 'I didn't mean to disturb you. I've kept you long enough.'

'It's OK. It wasn't as if I was doing anything. Just thinking about… stuff.'

'Still, stopped you doing that.'

She waved down my concern.

'It's not important,' she said. But her arms went back under her breasts. Defensive body language.

'Anything I can help with?'

She looked at me strangely. 'No.'

Nodding once, I told her, 'If there is anything, well, you know where I am. You just have to say. I can help you, Marianne.'

There was confusion on her face now. I'd called her by her given name on purpose, and she'd picked up on that fact. In the past she'd made some bad decisions, yeah, but she wasn't stupid.

'Who are you, Joe?'

Staring into her face, exuding honesty, I made her a promise, 'I'm someone who can help you.'

Marianne wavered. Fear flashed across her features, but was replaced instantly by something that looked too much like anger to be ignored. She opened her mouth but the words didn't come. Before things went any further, I stepped back, hefting my net again. 'Well,' I said, 'I'd better get back to work and let you get on with thinking.'

There was a noise from up near Jorgenson's house. A heavy tread on the poolside tiles. 'Mari? You out there?'

I could see a heavy-built guy in a dark suit. His stomach was large and extended over his belt line. Thick rolls of flesh hung on his jowls and made a hump at the base of his shaved skull. He was like a heavyweight boxer who'd gone to seed. He glanced my way once. Then back to Marianne. 'Something wrong, Mari?'

Mari glanced my way, then said, 'No, of course not. I'm just saying hello to our new neighbour.'

The big man — undoubtedly hired muscle — squinted my way. I nodded a greeting which he mirrored with no enthusiasm. Back to Marianne he said, 'Best you come in now, Mari. Mr Jorgenson's looking for you.'

Marianne gave me the tight-lipped smile again, then turned in the direction of the house. I couldn't swear but there seemed less melancholy to her humming now. I watched her until she was back inside the house. The muscle eyed me for a long beat, then he too went inside.

After that, I dropped the net by the pool and took up my place back on the balcony.

I'd come to take Marianne Dean away from Jorgenson. But the opportunity I'd just been given had passed. Obviously I wanted the girl to trust me when I did snatch her out of his hands, and I knew that she didn't yet. But another opportunity would present itself.

To kill time I cleaned my gun again, and watched the boats coming and going from the marina.

I was watching for Rink, but I saw something else instead.

Good job I'd got the gun ready.

As a killer for hire, Dantalion had certain limitations. His looks — the paleness of his skin and hair, the limpidness of his eyes — made him stand out in a crowd. It was never good for one who prized anonymity to be seen and to be remembered. It was one reason why he rarely left anyone alive in his wake. There couldn't be so many angels wandering around in the flesh that he could get away with his trade if anyone should witness his comings and goings.

But because of his individuality he had schooled himself in the art of concealment. He knew how to get in and out of places without alerting even the most vigilant of watchers. He was adept at disguises, could administer theatrical make-up as though born to the movie industry. But sometimes, he knew, boldness and confidence could win the day where all that sneaking around would achieve was raised eyebrows and pointed fingers.