A powerful fist caught Ben in the ribs. A flash of pain ripped through him, then the greying stubble of the mans crown was coming hard and fast at his face.
Ben dodged the head-butt and used its momentum to steer the guys skull full-force into a scaffold pole with a resonant clang and an impact that made the whole structure judder under their feet. Ben grabbed the mans beefy head by both ears and smashed it off the pipe again, leaving a smear of blood on the metal, then with all his strength piled a knee into the muscular paunch of his stomach.
The man staggered backwards into the safety railing. The wire mesh buckled. A joint gave way and a whole section of the barrier swung loose from the scaffolding. Ben punched him in the mouth and felt teeth cut into his knuckles.
Streaming blood, arms flailing for balance, the man wobbled on the edge of the planks for an instant and then fell backwards with a cry. But as he went, his grasping hands gripped hold of both of Bens sleeves.
Ben felt himself being pulled over the edge. The wet concrete seemed to rush up towards him. Then a violent jarring pain all the way up his right arm to his shoulder as his fist closed on a scaffold pipe, arresting his fall. His legs kicked in empty space as he dangled precariously from one hand, reaching desperately with the other for a grip on something solid. He heard Roberta scream out his name.
The squat man turned a somersault and belly-flopped into the wet concrete. The smooth, gleaming surface erupted in a sludgy grey explosion. For a moment he lay there, stirring weakly as if on a soft bed; then the glutinous morass began to draw him down, legs first. He began screaming and thrashing in panic, reaching for the edge but finding nothing to hold onto as he quickly sank. The concrete sucked at his chest, then at his chin. Then his upturned face disappeared under the surface and his scream died as his mouth filled with concrete. The last thing to go down was the agonised claw of his hand.
Ben! Roberta screamed again. She scrabbled to the edge of the planking and looked down in horror. Seeing him dangling there by one arm, she reached hers out for him to grab, but it was too far to reach. Ben!
For an instant, Ben thought his grip on the slippery steel pipe was going to fail. His fingers were at breaking point. He dug deep into his last reserves of strength and groped wildly around with his other hand.
Suddenly he had a grip on a hanging section of the safety railing. With a grunt of pain and effort he hauled himself higher until he was able to kick a leg up to the scaffold and hook a knee over the edge of the planking. Roberta seized his arm and helped him, dragging him away from the edge. They were both breathing hard.
Are you all right? he asked, sitting up. Her left cheek and jaw were inflamed from where the man had butted her, and his gun muzzle had left an angry red circle on her neck.
Sure, she said, gingerly touching her face and inspecting her fingertips for blood. Its just like old times.
Dont joke about it. Whoever youve managed to piss off this time, theyre not kidding around.
Thats what I have you for, she said with a bitter smile. Reverend.
Ben ignored the jibe and got to his feet. His left leg was stiffening up from the bullet impact and there was a lancing pain in his right side from the punch hed taken in the ribs.
Dont think well be seeing him again, Roberta muttered, peering down over the edge. There was no trace of sympathy in her eyes as she watched the surface of the wet concrete smooth itself out, with hardly a ripple left to show for the mans body under it.
Not for a few centuries, Ben said. But maybe his friend can tell us what the hells going on here.
Chapter Nine
Ben and Roberta made their way down from the scaffold. The gun hed tipped over the edge was scuffed from its impact against the ground, but weapons of war could take the odd knock or two. He dusted it off and kept it ready, just in case, as they headed back towards the building where theyd left the younger man lying unconscious.
When they reached the spot, Ben saw with a sinking heart that the worry that had been growing inside him was proved right: the house was empty. All that remained of the gunman was a thin trail of blood where hed picked himself up and managed to escape. Where he was now was anybodys guess.
Its my fault he got away, Ben muttered in self-reproach as they left the construction site behind and hurried back across the field towards the park. I didnt hit him hard enough.
Hey, any harder, youd have killed him, Roberta said, then added glumly, Either way, wed still be back to square one. So what happens next?
You got what you came for, Ben said. Me. And I want to know more about all this physics research stuff.
I told you just about all I know.
Then well have to figure it out the hard way, he said. Bit by bit, one piece at a time. Hows the ankle?
Hardly hurts anymore.
Good, because weve got some travelling to do.
Reaching the edge of the park, they climbed back over the wall, passed the bullet-riddled bench and walked along the footpath towards the car park. Ben had the MX4 wrapped up in an old cement bag hed picked up from the building site. The last thing he needed now was MACHINE GUN PHONEY VICAR IN POLICE CHASE. He already had more to deal with than he even wanted to contemplate.
As they approached the car park, Ben saw the black Audi S6 performance saloon sitting empty next to Robertas rental Vauxhall. He reached in his trouser pocket and, gingerly against his bruised thigh, drew out the Audi ignition key hed taken from the shooter hed knocked out. He pressed the keys remote button and wasnt surprised when its central locking system clunked open with a bleep and a flash of indicators. The gunmen were as well equipped for travel as for killing.
Better get your stuff out of there, he said, pointing at the back window of the rental, to where Robertas small travel bag was sitting on the rear seat. We have to ditch your Vauxhall.
She frowned. You figure thats how they tracked me all the way out here?
Did you stop for fuel on the way? Pay by credit card? he asked her.
I was running on fumes by the time I reached Oxfordshire. Had to stop at the filling station just before the village. Didnt have any UK currency on me. How was I supposed to know they could follow my movements?
Ben didnt reply. The implications were as deeply worrying as they were far-reaching. They were sinking in for Roberta too. What youre saying, itd mean
He nodded, and finished the sentence for her. That whoever these new friends of yours are, theyre considerably more organised and deeper inside the system than the charming bunch who were trying to kill you before. You certainly pick them.
I didnt pick anyone. Ive done nothing wrong.
Someone seems to think otherwise.
But who? Who?
They, he said. You said it yourself, they dont want anyone to know who they are. All I know is, this is going to make last time look like a cakewalk.
You always did have that reassuring way about you, she muttered as she unlocked the Vauxhall to get her travel bag.
You always did have that reassuring way about you, she muttered as she unlocked the Vauxhall to get her travel bag.
Leave the key in it, he told her.
Reluctantly, she tossed the key on the front seat and slammed the door. The rental company will totally blacklist me, not that it matters right now.
Join the club, Ben said. Hed long ago stopped keeping count of the number of hire cars that had been crashed, burned or shot to pieces while in his charge. Theologians shouldnt have these problems. Now, give me your phone, please.
My phone? she said guardedly. What do you want it for?
Just give it here, he said, holding out a hand. She hesitated, then slipped a BlackBerry out of her pocket and passed it over. Without a word, he dropped it on the concrete at his feet, dashed it to pieces with the heel of his shoe and kicked the plastic fragments into the bushes.
You sonofabitch, thats the second time youve done that to me. Now Ive got no phone!
And now theres one way fewer of tracking your movements, he said.
Bullshit. Nobody can track a cellphone without an official warrant.
Ho, ho. You say Im talking bullshit? He walked up to the Audi and yanked open the drivers door. He wasnt expecting to find any clues inside the vehicle as to the gunmens identities or who they worked for, but the car itself would do to get out of here before whoever they were sent in reinforcements to finish the job. He tossed the wrapped-up gun on the back seat. Lets move.
It was almost two oclock when Ben turned the powerful car in through the vicarage gates and rasped to a halt on the gravel. Roberta had gone very quiet. You all right? he said, laying a hand on her arm. Her muscles felt hard and tense. She gave a quick nod. Pointed at the dusty Suzuki four-wheel drive that was parked in front of the vicarage. Someones here.
Ben had already noticed it. The Grand Vitaras rear hatch was open a foot and tied down with a strap. A huge rolled-up Persian rug was protruding a yard from the gap.
Brookes car. Normally the sight of it, and the anticipation of seeing her again, would have made him break into a smile. Now it was different. Now he had to try to figure out what he was going to say to her, and it wasnt going to be easy for either of them. He swallowed, gripped the steering wheel for a moment, then murmured Fuck it and swung open the Audis drivers door.
You want me to stay out? Roberta asked, seeing the troubled look on his face.
Im not leaving you on your own.
They crossed the yard to the front door and Ben let them inside. The sound of intense jazz fusion and cheerful conversation were wafting down the hallway from the half-open kitchen doorway, together with the smell of fresh coffee. The track playing was Miles Runs the Voodoo Down, Judes favourite from the Bitches Brew album Ben had introduced him to. The voices were Judes and Brookes. Ben couldnt make out what they were talking about.
Ill hang back here, Roberta whispered in the hallway, nudging him.
Ben took a deep breath, walked to the kitchen door and stepped silently through it. Neither of the rooms occupants sensed him come in.
Brooke was standing with her back to the door and her auburn hair lit up by the sunshine from the window. She was wearing faded jeans and a light cotton top and holding a mug of coffee in her hand.
I didnt have the heart to tell Amal that a rug that size is never going to fit in the house in Jericho, she was saying. Its large enough for a palace. So sweet of him to get it for us, though.
Those things cost a bomb, Jude said. I thought Amal was this struggling writer whose plays nobody wants to see.
He is, Brooke laughed. Where all the money comes from is anyones
She broke off mid-sentence as Ben walked further into the room, and turned towards him with a beaming smile.
Ben! I was just telling Jude about the amazing rug that Amals bought for us She suddenly interrupted herself. Why are you dressed like that?
Ben walked over to the CD player on the kitchen surface and turned off the music, plunging the room into sudden silence. Brooke, he said. We need to talk.
She set her mug down on the table and took a step towards him, alarmed by the gravity of his expression. What? Ben whats up? Youre scaring me.
Things may have to be put off for a while, he told her.
Things? She groaned. Oh, no. Dont tell me theres a problem with your course.
Im not talking about the course, he said.
Then what? Her eyes suddenly widened. The wedding rehearsal? The bookings fallen through?
Nothings fallen through, Ben said. But we have to call it off. And
What?! Jude exploded.
Brooke looked as if shed been punched. And? was all she could blurt out.
Ben said nothing. Hoped that the look in his eyes would tell her what he couldnt bring himself to come out with.
Her face paled. Surely you dont mean you dont mean the wedding too? she said in a low, trembling voice. Call off the wedding?
Im sorry, Ben said. I have to leave. I cant say when Ill be back.
What are you on about? Jude burst out. Are you taking the piss?
Back from where? Brooke asked. She sounded stunned, breathless.
I dont know yet, not exactly, he said. I just know I cant stay here.
But why? she pleaded.
Jude had stepped closer to stand at Brookes elbow, staring at Ben in dismay with his arms folded.
Jude, would you excuse us for a moment? Ben said.
Excuse you? Jude answered.
Id like to be alone with her, Ben said. So get out.
Brooke held up a hand. No. I want Jude to hear this too.
Fuck, yeah, Jude said. Im staying right here. This is my house, remember.
Fine, Ben said, trying to stay calm. Lets all talk.
Whats this about, Ben? Brooke asked coldly.
I dont even know what its about, Ben said. All I know is that somethings cropped up and I have to leave right away. Theres no choice.
Brooke had her hands on her hips and her face was flushed. No choice! she yelled. Ben! Have you gone mad? You made a choice! You chose to marry me now youre saying you want to run off again without a word of explanation? What am I going to say to everyone? Oh, Ben just decided to go off for a few days?.
Ben was about to answer when he heard a light, hesitant tap on the kitchen door behind him.
Who else is here? Brooke said, looking past his shoulder with a frown. Her face went dark as Roberta walked into the kitchen. Ah. Now I think I know what cropped up, she seethed at Ben, pointing at Roberta. Her. Am I right?
You must be Brooke, Roberta said, approaching her with an uncertain smile. Im Roberta Ryder. Listen, I dont want to be the cause of any dispute between
I know who you are, Brooke interrupted. Ben doesnt like to talk about you. Now Im wondering why.
Roberta needs my help, Ben said.