ASBO: A Novel of Extreme Terror(69)

“Time to help my brother,” he said out loud. “Whatever it takes.”





Chapter Twenty-Seven


The Trumpet bar and lounge was located in a rough housing estate opposite a rundown supermarket and a failing video store. Andrew had never been here before but had heard enough stories to suggest that drinking here was only for a certain kind of individual.

Andrew took the first of the crumbling stone steps leading up to the pub’s entrance and prepared himself to go inside. The lights were on inside and a flickering glow gave away the presence of a natural fire. The thought of all that warmth welcomed Andrew as the evening’s icy rain continued to drench him. He took the remaining steps and approached the entrance to the pub. He stood at the windowless wooden door for a few moments, questioning himself about whether he really wanted to do this and whether he was really willing to walk inside and commit cold-blooded murder?

Andrew took a deep breath and told himself, yes. He pulled open the door and stepped inside.

The pub was almost empty and it took several seconds for Andrew to even spot a single soul. There was a slender brunette restocking crisps behind the bar and a dishevelled old man sitting opposite with a half-empty pint of bitter in front of him. Andrew moved up beside the old man and took an adjacent stool.

“A new face,” said the barmaid, noticing him. “Don’t get many of those around here. I’m Steph, and this wrinkly fart we call Old Graham.”

“You cheeky mare,” the old man replied but was laughing.

“Pleased to meet you,” said Andrew. He slid a ten-pound note across the counter. “Top the fella up and one for yourself. Mine’s a lager.”

Steph smiled. “Very generous of you.”

“Yes,” said Old Graham. “You’re my kind of man.”

“Then perhaps you could help me with something.” said Andrew.

The old man received his pint from the barmaid and took a sip of it. Then, as the barmaid went off to pour the next one, he turned to Andrew. “Okay. What do you need?”

“Kid called Dom.”

The old man raised his greying eyebrows in a look of understanding. “Black guy. A twin, yes?”

“Not anymore,” Andrew replied, “but, yeah. Do you know him?”

“Not really but I’ve seen him and his brother in here on the few odd occasions. Played a game of pool with him once before the old table got smashed up in a fight.

“Has he been here tonight?”

The old man shrugged. “I’ve only just got here, pal.”

“He left about ten minutes ago,” said the barmaid, coming back with the second pint Andrew had ordered from her. “Hit the booze pretty hard for an hour or so and then went on his way.”

“Do you know where he went?”

Steph shook her head. “Never said more than a couple words to me the whole time he was here. What you want with him anyway?”

“I’m going to kill him.” Andrew said bluntly. He let the words linger in the air for a moment and realised that he had shocked the others into silence. Maybe they didn’t think he was serious, so he elaborated. “And I’m going to do it tonight.”

“What for?” the barmaid asked in a way that seemed like she was merely humouring him.

Andrew was happy to tell her the truth, though, despite her lack of belief. “Because last night Dom helped murder my wife and put my daughter in hospital. He did it for kicks.”

Steph stared at him hard. She was trying to work him out, to see if he was serious or just one of the regular whackjobs that were par for the course of a barmaid’s job.

“You really don’t know where he went?” Andrew said.

Steph shook her head. “I’m sorry. Even if I did know, I wouldn’t help you commit murder.”

Andrew understood and thanked her anyway, got off his stool and begun to walk away. He stopped when Old Graham reached out and touched him.

“Are you telling the truth?” the old man asked him.

Andrew nodded.

“What are you doing, Graham?” Steph grunted from behind the bar.

The old man sighed back at her, but continued speaking to Andrew. “I don’t know where he was heading, pal, but he took a phone call just before he left.”

Andrew nodded. “And?”

“I didn’t hear most of what he was saying – he was upset and angry – but I did hear him say something about a hospital.”