The Sister(153)

‘Did they ever get them? You told me you didn’t have any unsolved cases.’

‘That’s true, but he wasn’t one of my cases. I’ll tell you what I did find out about him, though, and you'd never guess. Not in a month of Sundays.’

‘I’m too tired to try guessing, just tell me.’

He beckoned her closer, to whisper in her ear. ‘It turned out he was wanted for the assassination of key political figures in Colombia, the Middle East and Africa.’

‘You’re kidding me!’ She checked to make sure she hadn’t woken the German.

‘I kid you not,’ he said, smiling. ‘Beat that!’

She shook her head. ‘I wish I had my recorder on for all of that. My God, is all that true?’

‘He’s still out there somewhere. Back then, he was calling himself Carlos. The authorities were obviously very keen to apprehend him, but no one’s seen or heard of him since. Apparently, he didn’t live on the commune; he and his friend acted as bodyguards for the leader and his recruiters while they were out. At some point, he realised he’d make a good recruiter himself. It was thought he had a vested interest, because so much money was unaccounted for. It had been transferred all over the place, and vast sums had been taken out in cash, that sort of thing.’

The half-empty cups had become cold; the biscuits untouched. ‘For a while, I lived under an alias, the police had information my life was in danger.’

‘How did you cope with that, it must have been really hard for you?’

‘No, not really. I’ve been living under an alias all my life.’

‘What do you mean?’ She had a feeling he wasn’t going to elaborate. ‘Oh, come on. You can’t say something like that and then not tell me!’

‘Yeah, you’re right. I shouldn’t have said anything at all.’ He couldn’t let on he’d worked for Kale since.

She tried to question him further. He divulged and dodged, in equal measure.

In the hope it might encourage him to talk about himself more; she told him more about herself and then dropped a surprise on him.

‘You know I told you about that tape?’

‘Mm-m.’ He stared out of the window.

‘Guess what? I didn’t tell you everything.’

‘You took a copy.’

‘Now, how in heavens name could you have known that? Next, you’ll be saying you know what was on it!’ She stretched her arms out fully and yawned. ‘Sorry,’ she said.

‘That’s okay. It’s been a long journey.’ He looked out of the window, thoughtful. ‘But yes, it’s a possibility my grandfather could have done. He was the seventh son, not the all-seeing seventh of a seventh, but he had a talent for knowing what was about to happen,’ he said, turning back to face her.

She’d fallen asleep. The old devil that cheated him of happiness had intervened once more. He’d been about to ask her about dinner. Things happen for a reason. He couldn’t afford to get too close; he wouldn’t want anything to happen to her.

With her sleeping, the remainder of the journey allowed him introspection. He returned to window gazing, lost in the black holes of forgotten memories. The last three stops passed largely unnoticed.

Five minutes from Waverley, she woke up not knowing at first where she was. She recovered her faculties and asked, ‘Why didn’t you wake me?’

‘To be honest I was enjoying the peace and quiet.’

She narrowed her eyes. ‘How’s that shin?’

‘You looked so peaceful and serene, I guessed you needed it. I should have slept, but I have this thing about not sleeping when there are strangers around.’

‘When I go, I sleep anywhere. I don’t care.’

‘I’m jealous, no really. I can’t tell you how many times I arrive in places absolutely worn out because part of me always has to stand guard.’

She laughed. ‘What do you think would happen, if you did fall asleep?’

‘I don’t know, but whatever it is, I’ll be awake for it.’ The grim look of someone who knew something bad was coming for him passed over his face. He realised he’d probably felt like that for most of his life.

She changed the subject. ‘Look I don’t know what your plans are now you’re here, why don’t we meet up a little later?’

‘I'd love to, but tomorrow, I have an appointment with destiny.’

‘Destiny, who’s she?’ she said, attempting to make light of it, forcing a smile. ‘Yeah, okay. You know, you come across all mysterious and I like that, but I’m going to leave it there because if I found out different, I'd be so disappointed.’ She regained her poise. ‘But I loved your stories.’

‘Look, I really enjoyed your company, but what I’m here for… When it... Sorry, I – I’m so tired I’m tongue tied! They weren’t just stories. I think you know that anyway.’

She didn’t answer, nor even look at him, preferring instead to stare into the distance at the darkened sky.

It’s probably better this way. He knew he’d see her again. She’d have loved the bodies in the water story. Tell her another time. She might even want to do a piece on it.

As the train pulled in, he suddenly remembered his original plan.