Past Darkness Read Free

get you out of a–’
    ‘In the Europa.’
    ‘The Europa…?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘I take it you’re whispering because you can’t speak too loud, in case someone hears you.’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘A disgruntled client?’
    ‘If that means ugly, angry and smelly, then yes. He’s screaming through the door right now that he’s gonna rape and then kill me. I’m scared, Karl. He means it. He’s ramming the door right now. Listen.’
    Lipstick must have been holding her mobile near the door. In the background, Karl could here screaming and loud thumps.
    ‘Room number?’ Karl quickly swung his legs out of bed, parking his impressive bulk on the edge.
    ‘Fourteen.’
    ‘Has this creep got a name?’
    ‘Calls himself Graham Butler. He’s from London, I think. He…he wanted me to do things I hadn’t agreed to. He wouldn’t pay me for what I’d already done for him, so I took his watch in exchange.’
    ‘I’ll be there within five minutes. Hold tight.’
    ‘ Karl? ’
    ‘What?’
    ‘Look tough.’
    ‘At four in the morning and wearing pyjamas?’
    Naomi waited until Karl killed the connection.
    ‘What’s she got herself into, now?’
    ‘Something I hope to get her out of before I get too deep into.’ He quickly put on a pair of socks, while searching for his Samuel Windsor loafers.
    ‘You can’t keep putting yourself in danger, every time she calls.’
    ‘Tell me how to say no to the person who saved my life, and I’ll do it.’
    ‘Get off the guilt trip. You’ve repaid her a hundred times. She’s ripping the arse clean out of it.’
    ‘I know she is, and it’s my arse taking the hammering, along with my haemorrhoids. Hopefully, I shouldn’t be too long. Go back to sleep.’
    He gave Naomi a quick kiss, and headed out the door.

    It was raining when Karl arrived outside the Europa four minutes later. Residing a few streets away helped. The filthy rain came down in thick, leach-shaped drops, making a bizarreechoing sound as it hit the top of parked cars. He cursed under his breath for not bringing an umbrella.
    He parked his car in a side street, and hurriedly headed towards the front entrance of the hotel.
    Bombed over thirty times, the grand old building had earned the unenviable sobriquet of the most bombed hotel in Europe. Or as Belfastians flippantly referred to it: that blasted hotel.
    The area was usually buzzing with tourists, but at this time of morning, foot traffic had wisely disappeared, replaced by parcels of nomadic homeless people. Outside the hotel, a fleet of black taxis resembling giant metallic beetles lurked in the shadows, their suspicious-looking drivers assembled like Alfred Hitchcock villains waiting to carry out villainous deeds.
    Karl passed through the revolving doors and into the modern and bright reception of the grand foyer. He was immediately eyed by a suspicious young concierge, who looked as if he had yet to tackle his first razor.
    ‘May I help you, sir ?’ the young man said disdainfully, looking a dishevelled and drenched Karl up and down.
    ‘No, you’re okay, son. Just heading up to see my old school mate Graham – Graham Butler – up in room fourteen.’ Karl made a movement towards the lift, but was quickly blocked by the pimply adolescent.
    ‘You can’t go up until I call Mister Butler on the phone. That’s hotel policy.’
    Karl glanced at the young man’s name tab: Raymond.
    ‘Hotel policy, Raymond? Is it hotel policy to turn a blind eye to janes and johns?’
    Raymond’s face reddened. ‘I…I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
    ‘No? I never forget a name. A friend of mine – who just happens to be in trouble right now, as I waste time speaking to you – mentioned a Raymond to me. Likes to have his palms greased for turning a blind eye to illegal nocturnal manoeuvres of the sexual kind.’
    ‘I…I…don’t know what that means.’
    ‘No? Okay then, we’ll discuss the birds and bees later. Right now, be a good boy and hold that