‘And it’s fantastic to see you, lad,’ Ed said to me. ‘There’s not a day gone by that I haven’t wondered how you were getting on.’
I had only the vaguest memory of his voice, and nothing more. But Lilith trusted him, and for now that would have to do. For one dreadful moment I thought he was going to hug me as well, but to my relief he settled for a brief pat on the shoulder then sat down at the table and contemplated his tea. The ineffective thumping from the pantry started up again.
‘Ah, that’s just our houseguests, waking up,’ Henry explained. ‘I gather you’ve been informed that Lady Albermarle and her circle are rather more than recreational users. Well, I believe her supplier may have provided her with what I believe is called a ‘snidey batch’ for last night’s festivities.’ I just about managed to turn my laughter into a coughing fit, and Henry continued. ‘They were getting a little unpredictable, so we felt it was safer to put them out of harm’s way. ’
Ed raised an eyebrow. ‘Must have been particularly snide to knock ‘em all out like that.’
‘That’s the problem with illegal drugs though, ain’t it Sergeant?’ Gabriel mused, back in EastEnder mode now there was an audience. ‘No quality assurance. You don’t know what you’re takin’. Best to avoid ‘em altogether.’
‘That’s a very commendable attitude, Mr James,’ Ed said, without the eyebrow being lowered. My cough returned with a vengeance.
From deep within the cellar there was a series of far harder thuds – loud enough to make it to the kitchen – that suggested someone meant business.
‘That’s Coyle O’Halloran, descending into a ‘roid rage that might actually be terminal if we all wish hard enough,’ I said. ‘ He’s the only one you’ll really have to watch. It’s goin’ to be like poking a really pissed-off bear out of his cage, moving him. You sure you can do that with them?’ I nodded at the Gabriel James Fanclub outside the kitchen.
‘We’ll manage. I’ve had to organise this on the quiet – that’s why I’m here with the kindergarten crew. If I went too high there was a risk that him at the top would find out, and I couldn’t do that to the pair of you. It’ll be fine – we’ll just keep things nice and quiet, take them of them off the island one by one. Well, quiet as we can, anyway. By the time we’d slithered to a halt on the jetty it looked like there were a couple of fellas with cameras there already.’
‘That’d be right,’ Lilith said. ‘Those bastards should drive ambulances – they’d be there before the bloody accident had happened.’
‘Oh – Nat? Before I forget. Forensics are going to want to take a good look at Her Ladyship’s computer – they’ve asked if you’ll stick around, show them what’s what and make sure they’ve got all the bits and bobs when they pack it up. That okay?’
‘Sure.’
‘Good lad. Might be a while before they get here, mind you – it’s pretty heavy-going on the roads right now. We can get the rest of you off first…’
‘I’ll stay,’ I said. ‘I wouldn’t leave the poor fucker rattling around here by himself.’
‘Me too,’ Lilith said, and linked her fingers in mine.
Gabriel sighed. ‘I suppose the place is growing on me – another couple of hours won’t do any harm. Henry?’
‘I’m sure there are people who’ll need feeding. I’m sure I can last a little longer.’
‘Nutters, the lot of you.’ Ed smiled at us, then drained his mug in one go. ‘Right then, me and the school trip had better get busy. I suggest you lot just stay in here and keep warm. You won’t have to see any of ‘em,’ he said to me.
‘Could I, though? If I wanted to?’
‘You’re not planning anything daft, are you?’
‘Nah. And it’s just the one.’ I ground out my cigarette into the tabletop. ‘Blaine. I want to see Blaine before she goes.’
‘Me too,’ Lilith said. ‘Just to say goodbye.’
Ed thought it over. ‘I’d have to be with her as well, and you’d get two minutes on the way out of the door. That do you?’
Lilith nodded. ‘More than enough.’
*****
We – Nat, Gabriel, Henry, Lilith and me – sat and drank more bloody tea and then the last of the cooking brandy and whatever else we could find without having to venture into the wine cellar, and watched the snow fall whilst Ed and his little team began to dismantle Blaine Albermarle’s existence.