Justin Cairns - Little Red

‘I don’t even own a computer’

‘It’s probably better you don’t. Trust me, if you knew what can be done on a computer, from the people I know, you would think twice about accessing an Ann-Summers web site!’ he laughed

‘So, you said your source gave you some names or addresses?’

‘Addresses, yes, no names’

‘Okay, so what now?’

‘Well, the first address is that building to your left’

Nathan looked across at the block of flats. The dark grey walls were showered with graffiti and dried urine. Several windows were lit up, others were boarded up with ply-wood.

‘Wait, that is one of the addresses…right there?’ he spat

‘Yep, we’re going for a chat with mystery guest number one!’ he smiled.

Nathan shuffled in his seat, an uneasy feeling choked his body.

‘Richard, if these details you have been given are correct, that there is actually someone who may know who the killer is, then we need to give it to the police!’

‘I said that it was us, on our own Nathan!’

‘Yeah, but this is crazy. The police could be round these places and searching them, what are we going to do, what if they fuck us off and then do a runner?’

‘Nathan, what exactly would you tell the coppers? That someone you know who knows someone that works for the Government gave you these addresses and that the occupants may have info on the Wolf?’

‘I could tell Jack!’

‘Bollocks mate and you think that what, they’re going to fly down to these locations tonight and search them all? What about warrants?’

Nathan sat with a blank expression. He knew Richard had a point, it would take a day, possibly two to get the warrants as there was no solid evidence to establish that the locations had occupants that knew the Wolf’s whereabouts.

‘Also, didn’t you say that we may only have two days to find Megan?’

‘Okay, you have a point Richard. I just don’t like it, it’s out of my hands and well above the boundaries I abide by’

‘I don’t mean to be crude, but fuck your boundaries Nathan. We have an opportunity to do something, yeah it may not amount to anything, but we would kicking our own arses if it did, wouldn’t we?’

‘What have you got in mind? I can’t believe I’m going ahead with this!’

‘I’m just going to have a chat, you and I Nathan; we are both going in to ask a few simple questions, that’s all!’

‘Simple enough, yeah?’

‘Simple Simon!’ he smiled.

Chapter Twenty One

Lime sat in his office, the events of the day passed through his mind. He was proud of himself as he had achieved what he had planned. The teaser for tomorrow’s interview had sparked serious interest from the reporters. He would delve into great detail with the cameras aimed at his face, the file holding Nathans personal information would sit on his lap, the most interesting details explained in his professional terms. Nathan would burn and Lime wouldn’t urinate on his body to aid the extinguishing of the flames. He decided to celebrate and removed the small bottle of Famous Grouse from a drawer in his desk. The empty tumbler sat upside down on the screw cap of the whiskey. The smell stung his nostrils as he removed the lid.

‘Mmmmmmmmm, well done William….well done’ he congratulated himself as the brownish liquid was poured. The over generous measurement slid down his throat, the dry flesh was stripped from his mouth; the distinct taste engulfed the orifice. He poured another, it had been a very successful day and he wanted to celebrate.

‘I think a little night on the town is deserved…..yes Doctor Lime, you’ve earned it!’ talking in the third person.

***

The boot clicked open and Richard climbed out of the vehicle. Nathan pushed his door open and the chilling wind, which was brought by the looming darkness, rattled his body. He had a sudden worrying feeling, his heart raced with anxiety. He stood under the street lamp, his dark figure imitated a spy from an old comic book, as if he were stalking someone in particular. He noticed this and stepped aside quickly, his body now hidden in the blackness. The interior of the boot had lit up from the internal lighting, Richard’s face glowed in front of the white light. He removed a gym bag from the back of the vehicle and closed the lid; the clunk told him it was fully shut.

‘What’s that?’ quizzed Nathan as he approached him.

‘What, this?’ Richard replied, holding up the black bag.

‘Yeah, that thing in your hand, what is it?’

‘Nothing much, it’s just in case the person we interrogate doesn’t talk’ he began walking to the flats.

‘Hang on a minute; you said we’re just going to talk!’ he trotted to keep up, his hands wedged firmly into the coat pockets.

‘I know, this is for if he doesn’t want to talk!’ he smiled, lifting his black eyebrows.

Nathan felt the surge of anxiety intensify. It was if he was walking into a trap and couldn’t stop himself. Richard entered the door, the yellow paint had been peeled from the surface in mass clumps. The initials, L.E.C were written badly with black spray paint. Their footsteps echoed up the stairwell, the cold air swarmed them as they climbed.

‘What floor is it on?’

‘I presume it would be the third, it’s number thirty three that we’re after!’

They reached the next doorway onto the third floor, the door squeaked as they passed through. The platform was thin, the two of them could barely walk side by side as they searched the numbers of each door. Nathan gripped onto the cold metal railing that followed the walkway on the left side. The block of one-bedroom flats were quiet, no noise could be heard from the homes as they walked passed.

‘It’s quiet!’ whispered Nathan

‘Yeah, good indicator that the rooms are empty’

Richard stopped sharply and stepped back to level with the door. On the top were the numbers three and three.

‘This is it’ stated Richard.

‘Just confirm something for me, how do you want to do this?’

‘We knock, if they answer, we go in and ask some questions!’

‘What if they don’t answer?’

‘We still go in and ask some questions!’

Nathan stood slightly behind Richard, his new friend was younger than he was and his physique was a lot more stable than his own. He watched eagerly as Richard knocked on the scorch marked door. His head moved left and right, quickly checking his arcs in case of any nosey neighbours. He looked back to the closed door. No answer.

‘Knock again’ he insisted, deciding against the forced entry.

Richard did as he was advised, his knuckles tapping the wood harder this time.

Once again, there was no answer.

‘Look, maybe they’re…….’ his words were stopped short as Richards foot was forced into the centre of the door. It flew open and crashed into the interior wall, the chain rattled as it swung freely. Richard was in, Nathan paused for a moment, spying his friends movement. He watched as he stormed into each room he came to, checking for the occupants. The faint voice could be heard in the darkness, the words were of complaint.

‘Get the fuck up and move, now!’ bellowed Richard. Nathan darted into the flat and closed the door behind him. The living room light had been switched on and Richard stood over a tall skinny man who was sat in an old stained chair.

‘What happened?’ he asked

‘Nothing, he was asleep, I woke him up!’ explained Richard, his gym bag by his left foot.

‘Right, first things first, what’s your name?’ his arms crossed over his chest.

‘N..n…n…n..Neil’ he stammered

‘Right Neil, my friend and I have some questions, we also need answers. Do what’s asked of you and you can head back to bed to catch up on some much needed beauty sleep, roger?’