Swerve (12 page)

You’ll enjoy breaking her. She’s Mayhew’s woman.” Sholto wasn’t surprised to hear the sound of glee on the other end of the phone. Most of his colleagues didn’t care for Simon Mayhew. He had caused all of them trouble at some point. “Oh, and bring Lord Nelson will you.” The crazy old admiral was exactly who he needed.

Several hours later, the truck was full of cut up steel. The door, although, was still attached to the frame it had been housed in for decades. It was agreed by the men that it was best to blow that up. Cutting it from the frame may have weakened it to the point that those who were on the other side of the portal may come through.

“It’ll be daylight soon. We need to move now.”

The Doctor nodded. “Yes, and we don’t exactly have permission to take this away from the post office. We don’t need vexatious problems now.”

Jim agreed. “Yeah, they may be miffed about that.”

“That would be an understatement.” Mary was amused by the terms this men used. They were, in essence saving the world from ‘miffed’ people. “So where are we going now?”

Simon wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her tight against him.

“We’re going to Jim’s place on the Tablelands. It’s far enough from Cairns to avoid any interruptions or people wondering about loud explosions. And as for you, you’re going home.”

Mary didn’t want that. She wanted to see how this played out. She needed to see evil thwarted. It would be like walking out just before the last act played out.

“But—”

“No buts,” Simon responded. “I’ll be home soon.”

She shivered at his words ‘I’ll be home soon’. That he thought she was his home made her feel warm all over. Mary turned into his arms and kissed him hard.

The freedom she felt in doing that gave her a rush of power. “You better be, or I may fall asleep and be impossible to wake up.”

“I’ll rush.”

“Good.”

As they drove out of Cairns, headed towards the winding road up Gillies Range to the flat, fertile plain of the Atherton Tablelands, Jim Kirk, eyes fixed on the road as he drove, brought up what he knew they were all feeling. “You know Sholto will try and follow us

Simon nodded. “Yeah I know.” He didn’t for one second think the time lord would let this go. The only saving grace was if he was on their trail then at least Mary would be safe.

“We have to get this cut up in tiny pieces so it’s impossible to ever return it to its original form again.”

That was the plan. Problem was they all knew that was easier said than done.

“What reinforcements do you think Sholto has?” The Doctor asked.

“Probably the usual flunkies.” Simon knew people like Sholto collected the thugs and charlatans of the paranormal world to do his bidding.

“I heard the admiral was in town.” All three men were silent as they contemplated that piece of intelligence. That was a problem. A huge problem. The Admiral, Lord Nelson, who dressed like the centuries old war hero was psychotic.

Simon had never been able to clearly work out if he was paranormal or pathologically insane. Sometimes they were the same.

“He’s crazy son of a bitch,” The Doctor rubbed at the faint scar on his forehead.

Simon knew that wound had been inflicted by the admiral with a long sword a year ago. “We’ll just have to be crazier.”

“Hey,” Jim glanced briefly at them. “I met this guy the other day who is built like a Sherman tank. All muscles and attitude. Frankly, he scared the crap out of me.

When he came to stand before me I wasn’t sure whether to fight, run or just try to become invisible.”

Simon arched his brow in surprise. Jim was no weakling. “Is he human or paranormal?”

“Yes—no—probably both. I don’t know. I was too busy contemplating how I would survive if he swung one of his meaty fists at me that I couldn’t register.”

“Would he help us?” Simon was realistic. The three of them would do what they could to thwart Sholto, the Admiral and his motley crew but any extra help would be good.

“Yeah, I think he would.” Jim nodded, eyes fixed to the road.

“Why?

“He came to me because he was looking for Socia.”

The other two men sat bolt upright and looked at each other.

“Socia? Why?” Socia was an enigma to Simon. She never let anyone into her life or her deepest thoughts. That this man was looking at her made Simon both intrigued and protective.

“Hadrian, that’s his name, said the Angels sent him to find Socia.”

“Fucking Angels,” muttered the Doctor. “They’re always messing around in stuff that causes other’s problems.”

Simon had to agree with that. He had been caught up in too many Angel schemes that had gone awry. Angels justifying they did what they did for the glory of God and to benefit mankind was a load of crap as far as Simon was concerned.

They acted as they wanted for their own gain. Angels wanted the world to act in a certain way and they didn’t care about collateral damage. “I’m not about to help him find Socia if he means her harm.”

“Me neither,” agreed the Doctor. “Socia is weird, but they’re assholes.”

Jim shook his head. “I don’t believe he does mean her harm. All he kept saying was he had to find her for she was his soul mate and she would understand that when the time came.”

“Huh,” murmured Simon.

“Well, that’s a bit different.”

Jim took one hand off the wheel and fished out his cell phone from his top pocket. He tossed it across the seat to Simon. “Call him. He’s the last number. See what you think.”

Simon picked it up and looked at the cell phone screen. “There aren’t any numbers. It’s all Xs.”

“Fucking Angels,” repeated the Doctor in contempt. “They’re always trying to look mysterious. Pricks.”

Simon smiled at his colleague’s words as he hit the call button. The call was answered immediately.

“Speak,” said a deep, gruff voice.

“My name is Swerve, and I give you fair warning, I will kill you if you hurt Socia.” Simon saw no point in wasted time on pleasantries. The business they were in was tough and hard and the sooner people came to the point the better.

“Well met, and I don’t kill easily.”

“Just so you know where I stand.” Simon nodded. Good. They understood each other

“I protect my own.”

“Socia?”

“Yes.”

“Who are you?” While Simon was very aware that Socia was capable of looking after herself, he also protected his own.

“A traveler.”

“A warrior?” That seemed the most logical answer considering he was aligned with the angels. He certainly didn’t sound sanctimonious enough to be one of God’s henchmen.

“Sometimes.”

“From where?”

“A long time ago,” Hadrian parried.

Simon smiled. His response didn’t surprise him. The less you gave away the safer it was. “Are you for hire?”

“Maybe.”

“We have a problem with a time lord.”

“Which one?”

“Sholto.”

Harsh laughter came over the phone line. “I plan to kill him.”

“Why?” Not that Simon cared. No one would miss Sholto and it would solve a lot of problems.

“I have my reasons.”

That was good enough for Simon. “You will help us?”

“Yes.”

“How do we find you?”

“I will come to you.” Hadrian disconnected the line.

“He said he will find us.” Simon mentally checked off the long knife he had in his boot and the gun in the back waistband of his jeans. He didn’t expect trouble but he always like to be prepared.

“Yeah,” Jim responded. “That big bastard just showed up out of the blue with me.”

Simon sighed. “The sooner we blow this door up the better.” He wanted to go home to Mary and rest against her body and be thankful for finding her.

Chapter Eleven

“My dear, I was passing and saw your light on.”

Mary stiffened when she heard his voice. She turned slowly and saw Sholto standing in her kitchen looking very pleased with himself. Beside him was another man, at least she thought he was a man. He was dressed in a costume that looked like it came out of the battle of Trafalgar complete with a sword in a scabbard at his side. That it itself wasn’t as crazy as the mad look in his eyes and the out-of-kilter powdered wig sitting awkwardly on his head.
Uh-oh…

“You weren’t invited for dinner.” She tugged at her lilac singlet top and wished her magenta sleep shorts covered more than they showed. But then, Mary had been expecting Simon, not evil. She wondered how he managed to appear in her home.

Mary remembered his words of their being other portals in Cairns.
Surely there’s
not a portal here?

“Not even a crumb?”

“Let’s fuck her now,” stated the other man.

“In due course you can have her ass, Admiral. We have to save the portal first.”

“You save the portal, I want to fuck her,” insisted the Admiral with a leer.

The look he gave her made Mary want to have a shower. It was dirty and suggestive as his eyes rested on her breasts. “If you give me a moment, I’ll run to the shop and get rat poison
pas deux
.” Her hand was too far away from the knife block to grab one in defense.

Sholto frowned as if her words wounded him. “Why so harsh with me? The Admiral is a pig, but I thought we were friends.”

“You’re a pain in the ass troublemaker.”

“You’ve been listening too much to your boyfriend.”

Mary crossed her arms over her chest and feigned boredom. There was no way she was going to show fear. She knew Sholto’s kind thrived on that. “What do you want?”

“I need you, Mary dear.”

She wanted to shudder at his slimy grin. “Why?” She knew why. Men with limited options like the time lord needed to take advantage by whatever means they had. Her association with Simon made her valuable.

“A hostage is always useful,” Sholto replied, moving closer to her.

“Simon will not give in to terrorism.” But he would give into his feelings and that was dangerous.

“Not even for you?” The Admiral asked. “If you’re a good screw then he’ll want to keep you around.”

“You’re just plain disgusting.”

The Admiral winked. “Thank you, my dear. Lord Nelson to you. I could make you my lady.”

“I’d rather lick the road.” She looked from one to the other and finally settled on Sholto.

“So, here’s the plan. We know where your boy and his crew are. We’re going to take you there and show him that you’re with us. If he wants to keep you, he’ll give up his plan to destroy my door.” Sholto held out his hand. “Come with me.”

“No, thanks.”

“I can make this easy or hard.”

“Hard always works for me.” The Admiral stroked his crotch.

Mary was aware she had very little option. She couldn’t outrun either. Added to that she was pretty sure the Admiral would see that as a come on. “You can’t win.”

“I can’t lose,” he responded as he jabbed out his hand towards her, “Now come with me, or I will let the Admiral do what he likes to you in front of your lover before we kill him.” Sholto smiled. “Ah, yes. See, I knew that would get your attention. People in love are so predictable. Threaten one and the other behaves.

He was right. “You’re an asshole.”

“I have been called worse.”

Mary knew she had no choice. The minute he grabbed her hand they disappeared.

* * * * *

Simon did a double take when he saw Hadrian. He was massive. Simon was six foot-two. Hadrian had at least another four inches on him. His shoulders were huge as were the thighs that were encased in black denim. As for his fists that were curled up for action at his sides? They looked like he could tap a man on the head and drive him into the ground. While all that was impressive, it was his shoulder length brown hair that hung in war braids down to his shoulders and the silvery grey eyes than held ancient knowledge that Simon could only guess about. He had only heard about men like Hadrian. Some called them the ancient ones, men who had lived longer and seen more than others. They were warriors who were neither human nor paranormal. They just were men beyond others ken.

“Hadrian.” Simon held out his hand.

“Mayhew,” he responded, taking it after a moment of thought. “Yes, I know who you are and what you do.”

Simon nodded, his gaze straight and true on the other man. He was a good judge of character. This man was solid in more ways than one. The firm grip of his handshake indicated that. “Good, I prefer plain speaking.”

“As do I.”

Simon pointed to the debris in the truck. “We have to blow this up.”

Hadrian barely glanced at it. “It’s a portal.”

The Doctor and Jim approached the two men. “Bloody hell,” murmured the Doctor as he took in the stature of Hadrian. Jim dipped his head once in acknowledgment and remained quiet.

“Yes. It’s the only doorway out of Cairns for time lords so we all know Sholto will fight its destruction.”

Hadrian smiled. It was not one of pleasure. It was a smile that indicated he would be happy to destroy the time lord in question. “We will fight him.”

“Yes, we will.” Simon had no idea what Hadrian’s agenda was and he cared not as long as they achieved their aims. “Sholto cannot be allowed to ruin this world.”

“Nor my woman,” responded Hadrian with determination.

Simon lifted one brow in query. “Socia?” What was their connection?

“Yes.”

A simple answer, yet not a simple man. “Socia has never mentioned you.”

Though, to be fair Socia never talked about her personal life. She always seemed a loner to Simon. As a colleague, he was interested in her but he also respected her privacy.

“No for we have never met. But we will.”

Simon pictured Socia by the giant’s side. He could see that. His thoughts drifted to Mary. She was his one. There would never be another. “Welcome aboard, brother.”

Hadrian was impressed by Simon Mayhew. He knew of him. Everyone who had any links to the paranormal world knew about this mortal who fought those who threatened the peace. Mayhew was, in many ways, like an old time Sherriff who cleared out riff raff in his town. As for his alter ego, Swerve? It was a smart move.