Liverpool
Midnight
In Wally’s living room there was uncomfortable silence. Tony was in the loft sending and receiving transmissions. Down in the lounge Ginny, red eyed and exhausted was hugging a weeping and sobbing Tara. Jaz was outside in the garden smoking a cigarette with Ginny’s father, who had been called over for moral support. In the kitchen Shadz was making tea with Ginny’s mother.
“You look a bit fit to be a smoker if you don’t mind me saying so.”
Jaz gave him a weak smile and said “I gave up ages ago. It’s been a shock tonight.”
“I can imagine. I didn’t know he did this kind of work.”
“You’re not meant to.”
“Ginny knew he did this then?”
“Yes, but partners and spouses sign the act too, though they don’t know exactly who their partners are working for, it’s very secret.”
“Does your partner know what you do?”
“Yes she does.”
“Oh sorry.”
“No need to be unless you had plans.”
Ginny’s father flushed and stuttered. “I didn’t mean… you know.”
Jaz put her hand on his arm.
“It doesn’t matter.” She said quietly.
“He was a lovely fella. I can’t imagine him doing this kind of work. Who exactly are you people?”
“I can’t say.”
“Oh… will you get this bastard then?”
“Oh yes… we bloody well will I can tell you.”
“Tea up Jaz, Mr Mayhew.”
“Cheers. You’re a scouser Terry…”
Jaz went in. Tara’s sobbing had subsided. Tony was in the door way, he stood beside Jaz and Shadz joined them.
“We’re leaving Terry here on guard; he’s got family in the city.
Ginny’s mother had sat down beside them. Tony moved into a space in the room in front of them and steeled himself.
“Ginny. We have got to go. We’re going to get on the trail of this man, Cobb. Terry has offered to stay.”
Ginny had been through the anger with them, the shouting, the blaming them, blaming the people Wally worked for.
“Will you take that gun away please, the one in the cabinet in the loft?”
“Yes.”
“Id like Terry to stay, I don’t feel safe, even though I know he isn’t after us.”
“Okay.”
“Wally knew your boss well didn’t he?”
“Yes they worked a big case about twenty years ago. Jack will come up here personally I’m sure.”
“Will you kill this man?”
“We’ll try not to, though it looks like Cobb and the others that came in with him are death or glory types, especially after what’s happened at Perth. I’d rather he was put on trial, along with the people who hired him, that can only happen if we catch him alive.”
“What happened at Perth?”
“There was another shoot out, one dead assailant one dead police man and his dog.”
“It’s awful.”
“What Wally was doing was a part of all this. We have to stop these men before they do whatever it is that they think killing innocent people is worth the price of.”
With that they said their goodbyes. Tony took a last look at Ginny and Tara. He fixed in his mind the image of Wally’s corpse and their faces. It would determine him, harden him to the task. He carried them grief before him as a warning and a torch to light his way in what was becoming a very dark journey.