DEATHLOOP (46 page)

“Take it easy though, mate, don’t start back at kick boxing just yet,
and no golf,
” said Zack, shooting a glance at Clarissa, “definitely no golf, it’s very bad for a man in your condition.”

“And no alcohol,” said Clarissa, a few moments later, out of the blue.

Sam caught Zack’s eye in the rear view mirror and they shared a smile.

“Stop it both of you, I saw that,” said Clarissa.

“Stop what?” said Sam.

“Plotting, behind my back…”

“Now who’s paranoid…” said Sam, under his breath, making them all laugh.

It was great to see Sam pottering around back in the flat, then curled up on his Chesterfield, Zack decided, as he brought him his first cup of tea.

“How’s Veronica, anyway?”

“Coming out tomorrow…”

“That’s good,” said Sam, “that’s really good.”

“Justin’s looking out a place for us in the Cotswolds, did I tell you?” said Zack, casually, knowing full well he hadn’t.

“What?” said Sam, instantly alarmed.

“A cottage or something, what do you think?”

“The word ‘boring’ springs to mind for some strange reason.”

“There’s a lot to be said for boring, Mr Stein.”

“Well, I’ll go to the foot of our stairs,”
said Sam, in a cod Yorkshire accent, “I never thought I’d hear Zack Fortune say that.”

“I know, depressing, eh?”

“But not for good, not for ever, this expedition?”

“You never know… I might end up a country squire.”

“Don’t be an idiot, Clarissa, tell him…”

“You’re an idiot according to Sam…”

“You can get coke out there, Justin had some,” said Zack, as though that might swing it.

“And that’s your yardstick of civilization is it?”

“As good a yardstick as any.”

The following day it was Veronica’s turn, and on the basis of getting back on the horse that has thrown you, she wanted to take the curse off Claremont by going back there straight away, but she was still very shaky, and leant heavily on Zack all the way down to reception and outside in the street.

“Fresh air,” she said, “how wonderful…”

“Air certainly, but as for fresh…” said Zack, as an articulated lorry thundered past, “I parked as close as I could, but it’s still a little way off.”

“Don’t worry, it’s good for me to walk… well, limp…” said Veronica, secretly wondering if she would make it. When Zack offered to carry her Veronica refused, but by the time they got to the car Veronica was struggling, and very glad to sit down. Once Zack had clambered in beside her, he took her hand and kissed it.

“I’m so proud of you,” said Zack.

“Are you?”

“You bet I am. You’re the best, Veronica French, the absolute best.”

Just as Zack was driving down into the parking bay underneath Claremont he noticed Jason over the road, on patrol again outside Londis and looking straight at them.

“Stay here, I’ll be two minutes,” said Zack, as he parked up. He jumped out of the car, strode briskly across the bay, up the steep ramp and charged over the street, Jason watching his approach anxiously. As Zack got closer, Jason put his hands up to shield his face.

“Don’t hit me,” said Jason, “don’t hit me.”

Hearing this, a stout middle aged woman turned back.

“Leave him alone, you big bully!”

Zack made a point of turning towards her with his hands clenched firmly by his sides. She stood her ground for a while, then, when she felt the moment had passed, she shot him a warning look and walked off.

“Right, come with me.”

Jason followed Zack as he crossed the street and continued down into the parking bay, always three steps behind, standing awkwardly now as Zack helped Veronica out of the car.

“I found you, I called the police, they wanted to know who you were and I told them, I called them on my phone,” said Jason, eagerly, and relieved to see her for once.

“And I haven’t had the opportunity to thank you. I really appreciate it Jason, you saved my life.”

Jason visibly glowed as Zack hit the security pad with his card key. The lift doors opened and they all got in.

“Did you get my chocolates?” he said, “they were from me, I bought them.”

“Yes, I did, that was so kind of you.”

“The man in the shop said that Roses were everyone’s favourites, that’s why I got them.”

“And he was right, just the job.”

Zack was mighty sick of all this forced bonhomie by the time they reached the flat. He helped Veronica into the living room and settled her down on the couch before taking Jason into the kitchen and closing the door.

“Okay, Jason, sit down.”

“Here or with the girlfriend?”

“No, here…”

“Shall I open the door?”

“I’ve just closed it.”

“The girlfriend might have something to say.”

“This doesn’t involve Veronica, it involves you and me.”

Jason looked scared, but he sat down, pulling his hood further over his face, hiding in it.

“Can you take that hood down… just for once.”

“I like it up.”

“Yes, well I like it down,” said Zack, snatching at it. They tussled for a bit, but eventually Zack won, noticing how exposed Jason looked now, how self-conscious. He also noticed lacerations all over his shaved head, but he tried his best to ignore them.

“Right, that’s better,” he said, pulling up a chair. “Okay, mate, this is it. I have asked you nicely, and I know that Tracy has asked you nicely to leave me alone but you don’t seem to want to listen.”

“I could guard the place, make sure people don’t get in.”

“No, I don’t want anyone to guard the place, and most of all I don’t want
you
to guard the place, I want you to keep away. Now is there any part of that you don’t understand?”

“Are they expensive, these flats?” said Jason, on his feet now.

“Yes, they are, they’re very expensive.”

“If I won the lottery I could move in. Do you do the lottery?”

“Jason, listen to me…”

But Jason had darted into the living room.

“Do you do the lottery?” he said to Veronica, chucking himself down next to her on the couch.

“Sometimes, yes…”

“If I won the lottery I’d get a flat here, because then I could afford the rent.”

Zack came up looming over them. “Jason, listen, it’s the end of the line, mate. If I see you anywhere near this apartment block again I’ll take out an injunction and that means trouble… that means big trouble.”

Jason started to rock back and forth obsessively. Veronica couldn’t help but put her arm round him, shooting Zack a look at the same time. Feeling like he’d just kicked a puppy, Zack let out a noisy sigh, and after a few moments of deadlock, retreated back into the kitchen, cursing himself for bringing the boy up to the flat in the first place.

“Do you sign on?” said Jason, staring at Veronica and taking her by surprise.

“No,” said Veronica, “I work usually.”

“Doing what? Doing what?”

“Painting…”

“Like walls, and ceilings and stuff? I know someone who does that.”

“Like pictures… I’ve got a gallery round the corner in Puddlewell Lane.”

“I’ll buy one,” said Jason, “for my flat. I need some pictures. I like pictures.”

“Okay,” said Veronica, “come over one day and I’ll show you round.”

An hour later Jason and Veronica were watching Deal or No Deal and Zack, still in the kitchen, was sulking. Every attempt he had made to ditch this boy had failed, and thanks to Veronica he didn’t seem to be getting any further this time either.

“He should have taken the money!”
said Jason jumping up, pointing at the TV and shouting out, “he’s a dick this guy, he was offered 18 grand and he turned it down, now look, he’ll be lucky to get 5 hundred!
Ha! What a tosser!”

Zack could stand it no longer, he burst into the living room, stormed up to Jason and grabbed him by the sleeve.

“Right, come one, we’re going, I’m taking you home.”

“But the programme hasn’t finished, the banker might change his mind!”

“Hard luck,” said Zack, dragging him towards the door.

“Zack, just another ten minutes,” said Veronica.

“No…”

“You’re being unreasonable,” she said, the tone in her voice causing him to let go of Jason and turn towards her, “take him when the programme’s over, it’s soon enough.”

Knowing Veronica had got him off the hook, Jason sat back down next to her and threw her a cheery grin. Zack felt like punching him, but after a moment he returned to the kitchen yet again, and closed the door.

Jason managed to stay another hour, citing an episode of some soap or other to keep him there. Veronica was complicit in this, and to Zack it felt like they were ganging up.

“Right, that’s it, no more programmes, I’m taking you home!” said Zack finally, almost in triumph, plunging out of the kitchen and into the living room and switching the television off.

Jason knew he was on borrowed time and so making no more objections, he threw Veronica a sweet little wave at the door and followed Zack rather meekly this time to the lift and down to the car. All the way back to Holloway Jason said nothing, and Zack found himself increasingly emotional thinking he wouldn’t see the boy again, worried now as to what would become of him.

As they pulled up outside The Dealers Arms, Zack turned to him and said: “All the best, mate, take care of yourself now,” more affected by this farewell than he ever thought possible.

Jason nailed Zack with a look and it was a look that dented his soul. Then he scrambled out of the car and without turning back, walked swiftly away.

“He’s harmless enough,” said Veronica, on Zack’s return, “and he did save my life.”

“
Oh for Christ sake!
So let’s move him in here then shall we? Is that what you want?” Veronica flinched, she actually looked frightened. “I’m sorry,” he said, regretting his temper immediately, “I shouldn’t shout at the invalid, should I?”

“No, you shouldn’t.”

“Look, the boy needs help we know this, but I’ve done my best, and there is a limit for God’s sake.” There was no reply, and what with Veronica’s articulate silence and the memory of Jason’s desolation in the car, now Zack felt about as popular as a suicide bomber.

However, all these feelings were jettisoned the next morning when Zack ran over to Londis for a pint of milk. As he turned from one aisle to the next he saw him, wearing exactly the same clothes as the day before, ten yards away. They held a look for a moment and in that moment Zack felt all Jason’s vulnerability and insecurity transfer to him, and his confidence transferred back, just like with Susan, suddenly their roles were reversed.

Zack went up to the counter to pay, glancing over his shoulder once or twice as he made small talk with the assistant, then he left. On the other side of the street he turned back and saw Jason in the shop window, his gaze resolute, watching as Zack fumbled with his keys, and as he opened up the door and went inside.

Zack said nothing to Veronica about it over breakfast, but told her that they were going away.

“Not Derbyshire again,” she said, looking rather alarmed.

“No not Derbyshire, somewhere a bit more user friendly than that.”

Zack convinced Veronica to keep the gallery closed for a while, offering to pay the overheads. After all, how could she hump paintings and sculptures about the place with broken limbs? She couldn’t he told her and she needed to recuperate. Veronica hated this feeling of dependence, it went against the grain, but she consoled herself that she would have to give in to it for the time being. She couldn’t even lift a paintbrush at the moment, so she would take a sabbatical and use the enforced idleness as thinking time.

Miriam was furious that Veronica had gone trotting back to Zack Fortune, who she had counselled against almost right from the word go, but she was still surprised to get a phone call from Veronica telling her that they were leaving town.

“Where exactly?”

“Not sure yet, it’s a surprise.”

“Like
Derbyshire
?” said Miriam, bitterly.

“I need to get better.”

“And why can’t you get better here?”

“And why can’t you be happy for me sometimes?”

“Because you’ve been duped by this bloke, that’s why.”

“That is such rubbish, Miriam!”

“He’s a womanizer and an opportunist and you could do so much better.”

“Well at least he’s making sure the gallery survives,” Veronica snapped, “he’s paying all the expenses, everything, so I don’t have to worry about it, so I can get better at my own pace.”

“Guilt, that’s all, because his ex-girlfriend pushed you down the stairs.”

Sam was surprised when Zack called telling him they were leaving town.
“Right now? Today
?”

“But I told you.”

“Yes, but I didn’t think it was a done deal, what’s the rush?”

“You know that old phrase… just because you’re paranoid…”

“Yes I do,” said Sam, “very well as it goes.”

“Did I tell you that kid Jason is hanging around all the time, and who knows what Susan’s up to.”

Sam’s reply was muted. “Well, let us know how you get on and where you are.”

“It’s not forever, mate, it’s just a stopgap.”

“Oh sure, I know that.”

“Anyway, how are you?”

“Champion, I’m going back next week.”

“Already?”

“I can’t kick around here all day, Clarissa would kill me.”

“Listen as soon as we get settled you’ll come and see us?”

“Absolutely, for an hour or so, but don’t expect me to sleep there, I’ll get the horrors, you know what I’m like with open spaces.”

As they set off in the Mercedes they passed Jason, pacing up and down outside the shop. He saw the car go past, and he saw their things piled high on the back seat and it made him want to scream.

“
No!
” he yelled out loud, “
fuck, fuck, FUCK!!
”

He knew he had gone too far, he knew he had freaked the guy and he also knew what that meant, he’d lost him, possibly for good. He was close to exploding as he raced along to an alley that ran down behind a pub. Dead bottles were piled high in a small dumpster waiting to be collected. He grabbed one, smashed it against a wall and pushing his sleeves up he drew the jagged glass across his arm, once, twice, three times. He knew exactly where to do it, he’d done it so many times before.