Red Light Requiem – Part 3

Monday nights were usually slow and this one was no exception. Feeling restless, Mazza walked around and did some people watching while he eyed up potential customers. Terminal boredom was looming when he spotted a middle-aged guy looking very out of place and more than a little inebriated making a beeline for him.

“Hey there girlie, how’s the night life going?”

“Not too bad handsome. How’s it by you?”

The punter looked around to make sure he wasn’t being watched and then leered at Mazza.

“I’m a little horny, that’s how it is by me. What’s a good time gonna cost me?”

“Well that depends on what you want sugar. Is your car nearby?”

The drunk waved towards the nearest corner and Mazza put his arm through the man’s arm and they strolled around the corner and got in the car. Afterwards Mazza walked back to his corner and waved to Baz to let him know everything was all right. He had left the john to sleep it off behind the wheel after talking him out of driving away.

Baz disappeared soon after and Mazza sat down on a concrete bench and buffed his nails while he waited to see what else the night would bring. A bunch of twenty-something guys tumbled out of the Las Vegas strip club a short time later looking worse for wear. Mazza thought about moving but he was tired of always having to think about such things. Hopefully they weren’t in trouble mode.

A couple of them eyed him up as they went past and he was sure they knew he had the same plumbing they did. One of them smirked at him and Mazza wanted to flip him off but knew it would end badly so he pretended not to notice. They spotted another strip joint and he was soon forgotten, much to his relief.

Baz reappeared but was soon gone again. Mazza sighed and started walking again. He needed a couple of more to make the night work out. Rent was due soon. As he looked but didn’t really see the contents of a window display he noticed the reflection in the window of someone watching him. He turned casually and walked a few steps before glancing at his admirer. The guy was around his age. He looked straight and not really like he’d been on the booze so he was surprised by the attention. He decided maybe it was a case of bi-curious and waited to be approached. It usually didn’t work out if he approached this sort.

The guy thrust his hands in his pocket and started milling around. Definitely interested. He waited until no one was walking by and slowly approached.

“Hi. Nice night, eh?”

Mazza stifled a giggle. How unoriginal. Oh well, a gig was gig. He smiled his best come hither smile.

“Sure is. Looking to make it better?”

“Um…yeah, I guess so. I don’t really…that is, my car is around the corner. If you wanna…”

“Sure, sugar. Lead on.”

They got in the car and it was clear the guy was nervous as hell and didn’t know what he was doing. Mazza offered the usual and the guy hesitated and then looked out the window as he spoke.

“Um, I want some pussy, you know? Haven’t had any for a while.”

Mazza hated these moments, but it went with the job.

“Look sweetheart, I thought you knew what you were dealing with. It’s not that way. I don’t have one of those, you dig? Doesn’t mean we can’t have good time though.”

The man sat bolt upright and turned beet red.

“What?! You mean you’re a goddamn…why you…”

His fist flew with a speed Mazza had never seen before. The guy was on top of him in a flash and he was about to get the beating of a lifetime when suddenly the guy went flying backwards out of the car. Mazza looked on in shock and then got a bigger one as James Dean poked his head in the car and smiled.

“You needed some help. Glad to be of service.”

He extended his hand to Mazza.

Part 4 Tomorrow

Red Light Requiem – Part 2

Mazza was definitely peckish so Baz suggested Indian. There was a place that had just opened near Ponsonby Road so they headed west. It was still quiet on the strip and even the straight hookers weren’t out in force yet. They got the usual haughty looks from the ones who were but they were so used to it they didn’t even notice.

Baz pulled up short at the window of an Op shop to eyeball a hat he fancied but Mazza grabbed his arm and pulled him along. He was just dying for some pakoras and chapati. There would be plenty of time for window-shopping later on in between tricks.

“Honestly, you can be such a bitch sometimes. Don’t you think that hat was just to die for?”

“Honey, the hat will still be there after dinner. I need to eat.”

A couple of wasted merchant marines looked them over as they passed and Baz flirted with one of them just for a giggle. Mazza just shook his head and carried on. Baz shrugged his shoulders and pouted.

“Oh, c’mon, he was kinda cute. Probably doesn’t have the money though.”

“Money or no money I’m not doing anything until I eat. We’re almost there anyway.”

They got to the restaurant and looked at the menu in the glass. It was the usual northern Indian fare but the prices were good so they went in and sat down at a window table. A young woman in a sari came with water and menus and they made their selections and gazed out at the traffic going by while they waited.

As they talked about the decor and other trivialities Mazza noticed a Porsche 550 Spyder pull up and park in front of the restaurant. He looked at Baz.

“Wow, get a load of that. Isn’t that the sort of car James Dean died in? Wouldn’t it be something if the driver looked like him?”

Baz chuckled and then stopped and put his hand over his mouth as the driver got out of the car. Mazza looked out the window and had to pick his jaw up off the table. The owner of the car was a dead ringer for the late actor. He noticed them staring and smiled at Mazza as he locked the door. He headed down the street and then looked over his shoulder briefly and smiled at Mazza again and then he was gone.

“Oh my god! Did he just give you a look or what? Girl, I told you that frock was gonna do you right tonight.”

Mazza blushed and looked down.

“Yeah right. He was just having a laugh. Where’s our food? I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”

“I wouldn’t say that in a place like this girlfriend.”

Mazza laughed and a few seconds later the girl in the sari appeared with their food. They tucked in with gusto and slagged off the people passing by to entertain themselves. Some hoons walking by gave them a one-finger salute but Baz just rolled his eyes at them while Mazza laughed. It was just another night on K’Road and the night was still young.

Full and satisfied they headed back eastward, Mazza looking around as they did. Baz had a fair idea what Mazza was looking for but asked anyway.

“Oh, nothing in particular, just looking.”

“Honey, if James Dean wants you he’ll find you. Trust me on this.”

Mazza punched him in the arm good-naturedly and they reached their usual corners and set about the business of the night. There was rent to be paid and money didn’t grow on trees.

Part 3 Tomorrow

Red Light Requiem

Picking up the tangerine pumps he’d scored at the Sallie’s the day before Mazza held them up to the yellow gown and thought he was going to lose the kebab he’d wolfed down for lunch. He rolled his eyes and threw the gown on the bed and walked back to the closet with the pumps. He just knew he must have something to wear with them or why the fuck would he have bought them? It was totally logical.

Baz feigned disinterest slouched on the ratty futon with the past-it Indian bedspread hiding many a sin but he was beginning to get annoyed.

“Rattle your dags, you harlot, the sun’s been down for yonks.”

Mazza stuck his hand around the closet door and casually gave Baz the fingers. He was about to reconsider his footwear when he spotted the gold taffeta frock he’d been given a couple of birthdays ago. Whipping it out of the closet he spun around to the mirror with the frock against his body holding the shoes in front. Perfect is what it was. Who ever said he wasn’t a genius and possibly the hottest tramp on Karangahape Road?

Baz glanced over the top of the copy of Vogue he was flipping through and wolf-whistled.

“You go, girl. You’re gonna make some tonight.”

Mazza smiled and changed into his chosen outfit and then picked out a wig. Watching Baz in the mirror as he sat applying his makeup he was overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude that they’d found each other in the mad world they inhabited. He almost hadn’t made it five years ago when he’d told his old man to fuck off and left the Waikato farm he’d grown up on and headed for The Big Smoke.

He hadn’t been on the street for two weeks when he was set upon one night by some drunken trannies who took offence to fresh meat cruising “their” strip. Hell, he wasn’t even hustling at that point, just trying to see where he could fit in. He’d known all along he’d end up on K’Road, where else was a boy who liked to dress up in women’s clothes going to be? His reverie was broken as he noticed Baz giving him the hairy eyeball in the mirror. He smiled and blew him a kiss. Baz just shook his head.

“C’mon you, get a wriggle on, we’ve got ground to cover, yeah?”

Baz was from New South Wales, a hard place to be for guys like them, even in Sydney, even in King’s Cross, where anything goes. He’d come over about a year before Mazza, tired of having Victoria Bitter bottles chucked at him by the hoons going by in their low-riders. He’d happened along that night as the trannies were about to do their worst and he’d sorted them proper in no time. Mazza had bought him a drink for the kindness and they’d been mates ever since.

“Don’t get your knickers in a twist sister, I’m almost ready. You fancy some tucker before we hit the bricks?”

“I suppose I could do with a bite. Shall we wing it?”

“Sounds like a plan. How do I look?”

“Like a hundred bucks a throw sweet thing. Let’s flush this loo.”

“Right then, you’re dissing my crib? You bitch.”

Together they headed for the stairs and down into the warm still night unfolding on Karangahape Road, ground zero for the real action in Auckland.

Tomorrow, Part 2

In The Dark – Part 4 – The End

Hours went by and mental and emotional exhaustion overcame them. The air in the space was becoming stale and Theo was certain it was getting warmer though he couldn’t imagine why. The heat made them drowsy and eventually they both fell asleep.

Waking up some time later Theo felt himself covered in sweat. The air in the chamber was stifling and the temperature had risen to the point where he could barely breath. He heard Elaine stir and then she cried out as she became conscious of the changes.

“Theo, what’s happening? It’s so hot in here. I can’t breathe. Theo, what the hell are we going to do?”

“I don’t know. It’s so hot…We have to find a way out…”

He got to his feet and moved toward a wall. The moment he touched it he screamed in agony. The wall was incredibly hot and his hand was instantly blistered. He stumbled back to Elaine.

“God Damn it! My hand is burned. The walls are on fire!”

He sat nursing his injured hand as Elaine began wailing. The nightmare had taken a turn for the worse. They were going to die in this place without ever knowing why. As the minutes went by the temperature increased further until breathing was all but impossible and they both lay on the floor gasping and sweating. A short time later their skin began to redden and blister in the agonizing heat. They began to scream in unison, the sound flat and useless in the dark, enclosed space. Consciousness abandoned them slowly. Just before he passed out completely a horrific thought entered Theo’s head. A thought he couldn’t bear to entertain. Terror overtook him just before blessed oblivion came.

************

Rising from his seat, the robed, hooded figure approached the dais and placed his hands on either side of the podium. He looked out at the semi-circle of true believers gathered in the concrete space containing the massive kiln and nodded his head. Turning to the large screen displaying what the infrared camera in the sealed chamber revealed to them all he addressed the enclave.

“Brethren, the time of the ceremony is come at last. We, the true believers of The Grail of Understanding will undertake the communion that will bring about the return of The One. These sacrificial lambs, male and female be they, will be ready soon and we shall partake of their flesh as it has been ordained and we will become one with The Grail and revel in the glory of eternal life that their sacrifice brings us. Let the celebration commence!”

The leader held his arms out wide to the assembled and they threw back their hoods and howled their savage joy in anticipation of the feast.

The End

In The Dark – Part 3

They moved with caution straight ahead from where they stood and came to a smooth metal wall only a few steps later. Theo ran his hand up and down it but found nothing.

“Okay, this is a wall. We’ll move right and count our steps. We should reach a corner if this place is square or rectangular. With any luck we’ll come to a door though.”

Elaine said nothing but gripped Theo’s hand a bit harder as they moved again, Theo keeping his left hand on the wall. A few more steps and he found a corner. They continued on and Theo counted again as they moved along the new wall. Again, it didn’t take long to reach another corner with still no sign of a door. At last Theo had accounted for all four walls of what was clearly a large square space composed entirely of metal with no apparent exit.

He pulled Elaine down to a sitting position again and patted her arm reassuringly.

“There doesn’t seem to be a door, but there has to be. Two of the adjacent seams felt slightly different to the other two. I’m guessing it’s some sort of hydraulic door that folds down. We got in here somehow so there has to be a way out. Elaine began sobbing again and Theo couldn’t blame her. He was once again on the verge of panic and was fighting it as best he could, hoping it wasn’t coming through in his voice.

“Look, it’s not that large a space. Surely whoever put us here will come back and…well, I don’t know, but I can’t imagine why someone would lock us up here in the dark. Or why they shaved us, but…”

He realized what he was saying wasn’t coming out as encouraging and trailed off. Elaine continued to sob. Theo got up and began pounding on the nearest wall. There was no sound other than the dull thud of his hand against the metal. The walls were thick and solid. He stopped and rested his head against it and as he stood there he thought he could feel it getting ever so slightly warmer. He touched it with his palm but couldn’t be certain. He moved back to where he could hear Elaine and sat down again.

He thought hard about being in the club. So they had both been there and they had both encountered the same man. Why couldn’t he remember any details about what had happened there? He became aware of a metallic taste at the back of his throat and how groggy he felt even though they had been awake for more than an hour now. He decided they must have been drugged. That’s how they got here and probably why they couldn’t remember much. They weren’t supposed to.

“Elaine, what exactly do you remember about the man you talked to?”

“Nothing really. He sat down and we talked, but I don’t remember…wait, he bought me a drink. He went to the bar and brought back drinks. Oh shit, I was drugged, wasn’t I?”

“I’m afraid so. It comes back to me now, I went to the restroom while he was at the table and left my beer unattended. I can’t believe I did that.”

So they had been abducted and now they were in some sort of metal room naked and shaved. There was no way around it being anything but a nightmare and Theo could feel the panic rising to fresh heights. He let out a sigh and Elaine went back to quietly sobbing. They could only sit and wait to find out their fate.

Tomorrow, Part 4

In The Dark – Part 2

Theo was at a loss. All he wanted to do was get out of wherever the hell they were but he knew they had to remain calm to do that. He felt the need to keep talking.

“I’m Theo. What’s your name?”

“Elaine. Look, I’m really scared. What’s happening here? I hate the dark and where did my clothes get to? This can’t be happening, it just can’t.”

Her voice was rising and Theo reached out squeezed her arm. Panic would only work against them.

“I don’t know any more than you do. I just woke up and…here we are. I’m trying to remember where I was before this. I think I must have been in an accident. My arm and my leg hurt and…”

Theo reached up and rubbed his head and a new horror dawned on him.

“Oh my God. My head’s been shaved! I have no hair.”

He put his hands on his face and found that his eyebrows were gone also. Wondering if he was completely denuded he reached down and discovered that he was.

“I…I have no hair anywhere on my body. Oh my…”

Elaine let out a loud gasp and Theo surmised the same was true for her.

“I just don’t know if I can take this. It’s bad enough my clothes are gone, but who in the hell shaved all my hair off. This is a nightmare.”

She began sobbing, the words coming in fits and starts. Theo felt his mind starting to slip and he slapped himself back into coherence.

“All right, look, we have to think. We have to try to be calm and think. We can figure this out. Do you have any idea where you were? The last place you remember being before you woke up here?”

“I remember being at a club with my friend Marta. We went out for a couple of drinks. She left with this guy she met and I decided to finish my drink and…wait…there was this guy, he started talking to me…that’s the last think I remember.”

Alarm bells went off in Theo’s mind. It all came back to him. He had been at a club also. Hoping to get lucky. Not much was happening and a man had sat down next to him and started talking to him.

“Do you remember what the guy looked like?”

“He was tall and thin. Black hair. Nice smile. I think he had blue eyes. He was wearing a leather jacket. Why, you think he had something to do with this?”

“Yes. I sure do. The man you just described, I talked to someone exactly like that. It’s the last thing I remember. It all came back to me as you were talking. What was the name of the club you were at?”

Theo spoke at the same time she did and knew she felt the same horror he was feeling.

“The Alibi club.”

“Oh my god. Then we have been abducted. But where the hell are we? Why did he put us in this…whatever this is? Why are we shaved? We have to get out of here. We have to.”

She was getting hysterical again. Theo reached out and grabbed her with both hands and shook her.

“Stay with me, don’t panic. Do you hear me? If we panic we’re lost. We have to find the door. There has to be a door. Come on, take my hand. We’ll move together. We have to find a wall and start from there.”

Together they got to their feet and began moving slowly across the cold metal floor.

Tomorrow, Part 3

In The Dark – Part 1

Theo opened his eyes and realized he was stark naked. Though it was pitch black he was immediately aware of his lack of clothing. Several questions flooded into his mind all at once. The most immediate was ‘where the hell am I’, followed closely by ‘how do I get out of here’. Those took a back seat, however, to ‘what the hell has happened to me’ as he realized he was in a fair amount of pain. His left leg was throbbing, as was his left arm. He rubbed them alternately as he rose to a sitting position.

The complete lack of sound was almost as worrying as the darkness, being naked and not having a clue where he was or how he had got there. Fear began to multiply and finally rose in his throat, threatening to release itself through his mouth but he fought down the scream for fear that it might bring him to someone or something’s attention. At the moment that seemed like it might be a bad idea. He got to his feet with a great deal of effort and dragged his bad leg as he tried to figure out where he was and where an exit might be. He had moved no more than a few feet when he tripped over something and landed on the hard cold surface once more.

He was clutching his bad arm and cursing softly when he heard a soft moan. He cast his eyes about wildly even though he couldn’t see his hand in front of his face let alone anything else. Fear ratcheted itself up a notch but curiosity was also knocking at his brain. Another moan told him that there was another person in here, wherever here was, and that the person was female. He hesitated only for a moment and decided it would be best to make contact.

“Hello? Are you alright?”

He heard a stirring a few feet in front of him and strained his eyes peering forward. He could only just make out the outline of a person who seemed to be trying to sit up.

“Wha…where am I? What’s going on?”

“Hello. I’m over here. Can you see me at all?”

“Who are you? Where the hell am I?”

“I don’t know. I just woke up myself. I didn’t know there was anyone else. I’m afraid I tripped over you. I’m sorry.”

“Oh my God, I’m naked! What the hell is happening?”

“I told you, I don’t know. I’m naked too. I don’t know how we got here. We have to find a way out.”

The woman didn’t reply so Theo sat still for a moment. Best to let her come to terms with the situation. Anyway he didn’t know what else to say or do.

“I…I’m scared. What’s happening here? Have we been kidnapped? What the hell is going on?”

Theo put his head in his hands. This was a nightmare. They must have been abducted somehow, but why? He got up on his hands and knees and crawled in the direction of the woman’s voice.

“Look, I’m going to come closer, don’t be alarmed. We can’t see each other anyway, but I think it’s best we stay together. We need to find out if there’s a way out of here. We can make a plan. Move together and look for a door or something. If we work as a team it will be easier. What do you say?”

The woman’s hand found his arm. She pulled back at first, and then touched him again. He could tell she needed reassurance.

“Yes, okay, you’re right. I’m scared, but I’ll try to stay calm. Please don’t leave me here in the dark.”

Theo reached out and touched her shoulder.

“I won’t, I promise. We’ll figure this out.”

Tomorrow, Part 2

Paying The Price – Part 9 – The End

Jonny arrived at Fifth and Edison and there was a car parked at the corner. It was the only one in sight. He got out and went over and looked in. Detective Olsen waved him in.

“Hi Jonny. Thanks for coming. We can put an end to all of this tonight. About time, don’t you think?”

“Sure is. I can’t believe all this happened. I mean, I was just doing my job.”

Olsen nodded, but he seemed distracted. He was looking all around.

“What’s up? You don’t think he’s watching, do you? He’ll never show himself if he sees up together.”

“No, I don’t think there’s anyone else around. Still, we should walk over to the park there just in case. He might be working with someone else. It’s possible we’re dealing with more than one person. It would be a shame to get this close and blow it.”

“Another person? Really? I hadn’t thought of that. Okay, let’s go then.”

They got out of the car and walked over into the tree cover. Olsen took out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to Jonny.

“No thanks, I quit a couple of years ago. Bad for your health and all that.”

Olsen chuckled and lit up.

“True. A lot of things are bad for your health, eh?”

Jonny nodded his agreement and looked around.

“So why are we here? I’m supposed to meet him real soon. What’s up?”

“Well, Jonny, we’re here because I wanted to ask you why you treated Carl the way you did.”

“Carl? Who’s Carl?”

“The man who hung himself, Jonny. Do you remember why he called you that night?”

Jonny thought for a moment.

“Something about a relationship problem I think. He was so damn self-pitying. I told him to get a grip or seek help. Jeez, I wish the whole thing had never happened.”

“So do I, Jonny. So do I. Hey, what was that over there?”

Jonny looked in the direction Olsen was pointing.

“What was what? I don’t see…”

Jonny felt cold steel on the back of his neck. With his other hand Olsen took the voice changer out his pocket and held it to his mouth.

“Carl meant the world to his partner Jonny, even thought they were going through a rough patch. He offered a very large sum of money to see him avenged. I told you, justice is a tricky thing.”

Jonny whimpered and started to turn around to beg for his life. The first bullet exited the front of his throat spraying blood in a wide arc over the grass. The second one entered the back of his head and exited his left temple. His body slumped to the ground in a crumpled heap.

The End.

Paying The Price – Part 8

At the end of the show Detective Olsen took Jonny aside after his partner went downstairs with the equipment.

“Don’t worry Jonny, we’ll get this guy. It’s just a matter of time. Here’s my card. My home number is on there, you can call me anytime if you need anything or have any questions.”

Nodding his thanks Jonny gathered up his gear and headed out. He just wanted to go home and get some rest. He felt emotionally drained. When he got there he fixed himself a stiff drink and sat down to mull things over. He didn’t get a chance though; his phone rang the minute he sat down.

“Hello?”

“Well hello, Jonny. Just get home, did you?”

Nearly dropping the phone, Jonny jumped up and began pacing.

“How the hell did you get my number? How are you? What do you want?”

“Now, now Jonny, I told you on the show, I want to see if you have any balls. Meet me face to face, Jonny. You can ask me all the questions you want.”

“Now listen you asshole, I’ve had enough of this, I told you I’m not responsible for that guy, why can’t you see that?”

“Oh come now, Jonny. You can lie to yourself all you want, but it won’t wash with me. You killed him Jonny, just as sure as if you’d been there. You made him feel worthless. He died because of you. I want to hear you tell me face to face.”

“Why the hell would I do that? What about those letters you sent the police? What the hell was that about?”

A soft chuckle grated in Jonny’s ear.

“I’ll answer any question you care to ask, Jonny. You just have to be man enough to face me. What do you say?”

“What makes you think you can trust me? What makes you think the police won’t be there?”

“Oh, I won’t show if there any police around. We meet in the place of my choosing, and you all by yourself or no deal.”

Jonny thought it through quickly. He needed to end this thing. He got an idea.

“Okay, fine. Where and when?”

“Do you know the small park at the end of Edison Street on the west side?”

“Yeah, I know it. When?”

“Right now, Jonny. Be there in half and hour, and no cops. I have ways of knowing. Just like I know they were there trying to trace my call.”

Jonny shivered and hesitated a beat.

“Okay, fine. But I need to clean up and change first. Give me forty-five minutes and I’ll be there.”

“Fine, forty-five minutes it is. Not a minute later or I won’t show.”

The line went dead and Jonny quickly got out the card Detective Olsen had given him.

“Hello, Detective Olsen? Sorry to bother you so late, but the guy just called me. I have no idea how he got my number, but get this; he wants to meet face to face. He said no cops.”

“I’m glad you called me Jonny. This is our big chance. Listen, don’t tell anyone else about this. Am I the only one you’ve called? You didn’t call the station did you?”

“No, I just got off the phone with him. What do I do?”

“Where’s the meet”

“The park at the end of Edison Street.”

“Good. Meet me at fifth and Edison in thirty minutes, I can cover you and make sure he doesn’t have a clue I’m around. Trust me, Jonny, we can get him tonight. Just meet me there.”

“Okay, thanks detective. I’ll see you in thirty minutes.”

Jonny grabbed his coat and headed out the door. With any luck it would all be over soon.

Tomorrow, Part 9.

Paying The Price – Part 7

While Olsen set up the equipment and got ready to listen in on calls Strauss coached Jonny on how to keep their target on the line when he called.

“Now he might not suspect we’re tracing calls yet, it depends on how sophisticated this guy is. He’s sent two letters and he’ll know that we know they’re from the same person and will be looking into the matter seriously, but with any luck he won’t be expecting us to move this quickly. If he’s cocky and not too bright we might just catch him out tonight, especially if you can motivate him to stay on the line. The best way to do that is to ask questions.

“So, like what? Why are you calling me? What do you want?”

“Well, yes, that’s a good start. What you want to do is hook them emotionally. Say whatever it takes to push their buttons to the extent that they feel an overwhelming need to respond to what you’re saying. Then if they are keeping track of how long they’re on you have a chance of distracting them. We need at least thirty seconds. Another tactic is to pause before you respond to what they say. It eats up the time. But if they’re paying attention it may clue them in that the call is being traced. You have to be careful how you do it. I’ll signal you when to answer each time he’s expecting you to speak.”

Jonny wrote it all down in case he choked when the time came. He wasn’t happy about this turn of events but he knew he needed to cooperate fully. This thing was out of hand. Finally it was show time.

“Okay, another beautiful night in the city and you’re live with Jonny. Let’s get straight into it. Tell me what’s in your hearts or on your minds. Caller number one, what’s the low-down?”

“Hi Jonny. Listen, I saw that thing in the paper the other day about the letter the police got and I just want to say…”

“Caller, I’m sorry, but I’m not really at liberty to discuss that right now. It was probably just a prank anyway, nothing to take seriously. Thanks for your call.”

He cut the call off and Detective Olsen gave him a thumbs up, they didn’t want the target getting the idea that they were moving fast on the letters. Jonny was beginning to feel like he could handle the situation after all.

“All right then, moving on, caller number two, what do you have to say for yourself?”

“Not a lot Jonny. Just want to let you know I’ve been thinking about you.”

Feeling his pulse quicken, Jonny signalled to the detectives that this was it. They nodded and indicated he should speak.

“Ah, there you are. How’s it going tonight? Ready to tell me your name? I mean it’s only fair, you know mine.”

“Cut the crap Jonny. I’ll make this short and sweet. I want to know if you have any balls. You want to know who I am? Meet me then. I’ll call you later and make the arrangements. What do you say Jonny, are a real man or aren’t you?”

The detectives nodded and Jonny took a deep breath.

“Okay, sure, I can do that. Why don’t you tell me right now? Let’s let everyone in on it.”

Silence on the other end of the line. He had hung up. Jonny looked at the detectives but Olsen shook his head. Not long enough. The target was cleverer than they had hoped.

Tomorrow, part 8.