Zip Gun Boogie (21 page)

28

I
suppose I got back to the hotel around eight, eight-thirty. I went up to my suite and called Lomax. There was no answer on his number, and he wasn't in the bar or the restaurant. I wondered exactly what my status was now. I was still on wages but the job was over so far as I was concerned. Now it was up to the police to catch Boyle. So did I stay or did I go? I decided to wait and see. I changed into jeans again, made a drink and switched on the TV. I sat down and thought about what Chris Kennedy-Sloane had told me.

Just before ten, as I was waiting for the news to come on, there was a knock at the door. I got up from the sofa and went and opened it. Pandora's two teenybopper playmates were standing outside. Slash was wearing a mini skirt so tiny that I could have used it for a wrist band. It was teamed with a black bra top that left her midriff bare, black tights and shoes. She was carrying a small black suede clutch handbag. The Flea wore black footless tights and high-heeled shoes, and a huge
Pandora's Box
sweat-shirt that had had the sleeves, bottom and neck chopped raggedly with scissors and hung off one shoulder to expose the tops of her tiny breasts. She was obviously wearing nothing underneath. I was looking at prime jailbait, with a capital J and a capital B. ‘Hi,' said Slash. ‘Remember us?'

‘Sure I do,' I said. ‘What do you want?'

‘Someone to talk to. We're bored. Can we come in?'

I shook my head. ‘No.'

‘Why not?'

‘The place is a mess. The maid service has gone to hell lately.'

‘We don't mind.'

‘I do.'

‘Will you buy us a drink then?' asked The Flea. ‘We're all alone.'

‘OK,' I said. ‘I'll buy you a Coke each. In the bar.' What the hell? I thought. They're just kids, and I could do with the company.

‘A Coke?' said Slash disgustedly. ‘We want a proper drink.'

‘It's a Coke or nothing,' I said.

The Flea crinkled her nose and looked at her sister.

‘Slash?' she said.

‘OK,' replied Slash. ‘Cokes it is. Come on then.'

We took the lift down to the first-floor bar. It was dark and empty. ‘Where is everyone?' I said.

Slash shrugged. ‘Who knows?'

We went to a booth, and I turned up the small light so that I could see their faces. A barman legged it over and I ordered two Cherry Cokes and a whisky sour for myself. ‘We want whisky sours too,' said Slash petulantly.

‘The young ladies will have a Cherry Coke each,' I said to the barman. ‘Straight. No chaser.'

The two girls looked a bit confused at that, but didn't argue further and the barman left. ‘Gotta ciggie?' asked Slash.

‘Yes, thanks.'

‘Give us one then?'

I shook my head.

‘Hell! Why not? No one else cares if we smoke.'

‘That's almost certainly the problem,' I said.

‘What do you mean?' asked The Flea. ‘We don't have no problems.'

‘Nothing,' I said. And we were all silent until the drinks came.

‘So where's your mother tonight?' I asked when the barman had delivered the order and left.

‘Out getting laid, I expect,' said Slash.

Nice, I thought. ‘And you're bored?'

‘Sure.'

‘My daughter suffers from the same ailment.'

‘You gotta daughter?' said The Flea. ‘How old?'

‘Eleven.'

‘A baby,' said Slash dismissively.

‘Listen to the old lady,' I said. ‘I'm surprised you get around without a bath chair.'

They both giggled at that. ‘What's your daughter's name?' asked The Flea.

‘Judith,' I said. I don't think they were impressed. Not raunchy enough, I imagine. ‘What are your real names?' I asked.

‘Slash,' said Slash.

‘The Flea,' said The Flea.

I shook my head. ‘No,' I said. ‘The ones on your birth certificates.'

They looked at each other and giggled again. ‘Promise you won't tell?' said Slash.

‘I promise.'

‘Clarissa and Alice,' she said. ‘I'm Alice. Isn't that a joke?'

‘I like them,' I said.

Her look said, You would. ‘Go on, give us a ciggie,' she said. ‘I'll only go and buy some.'

‘So buy some then,' I replied. ‘I'll smoke yours.'

‘Give us a fiver for the tab.'

‘Use your pocket money,' I said.

She gave me another disgusted look, jumped up and flounced off to the bar, wiggling her backside as she went. She came back with a packet of Marlboro and lit up using a gold Dunhill lighter she took from her handbag. I thought, what the hell again, and had one myself. After all, they weren't my responsibility.

‘Where's your daughter now?' asked The Flea.

‘With her mother.'

‘And you're going out with Ninotchka?'

‘Not really,' I said. ‘We're just friends.'

‘Don't shit us,' said Slash.

‘Please yourself,' I said.

‘Are you divorced?' asked The Flea.

‘Yes.'

‘And your wife took your daughter?'

‘Yes,' I said again. Although I didn't know why I was discussing my private life with a pair of teenagers.

‘Do you see her a lot?' The Flea again.

‘As much as possible.'

‘What do you do?'

‘What all divorced fathers do. Spend too much money on her.'

‘Where do you go?'

‘McDonald's. The Zoo. The cinema. Round the shops in the West End.'

‘Just the two of you?'

‘Mostly. When I had a steady girlfriend, she used to come too. But we broke up.'

‘Why?' asked The Flea.

I shrugged. ‘We just did.'

‘Was she nice?' asked Slash.

‘I thought so.'

‘So now it's just you and your daughter?'

‘That's right. You two could come sometime if you like. Judith would like that.'

‘But would we like her?' asked Slash.

The Flea shushed her. ‘We could handle that,' she said. ‘Does she go to school?'

‘Of course.'

‘I don't,' said The Flea. ‘I quit.'

‘Sensible move.'

‘What bands does she like? Your daughter?' asked The Flea, going off at a tangent.

I shrugged. ‘She changes with the weather,' I said. ‘But I know she still likes Madonna.'

‘Oh,
Maddie
,' said Slash. ‘We met her backstage at the LA Forum. She's so cool. And little. She's the same height as me. But built. Boy, I gotta tell you! And guys flip over her.'

‘So I believe,' I said dryly.

‘She's awesome,' said Slash.

‘Have you got a gun?' asked The Flea, changing the subject again.

‘No,' I replied.

‘How can you be a PI then?' said Slash. ‘All PIs have guns.'

‘Not this one,' I said. ‘I gave them up.'

‘Did you used to have one?' Slash again.

I nodded.

‘Ever shot anyone?'

I nodded again.

‘What's it like?'

‘Horrible. About as bad as being shot.'

‘Have you been shot?' said Slash, her eyes widening.

I nodded again in the half light.

‘I told you,' she said to her sister.

‘What?' I asked.

The Flea crinkled her nose again. ‘She says you're like Sonny in
Miami Vice
.'

‘I've seen every episode,' said Slash excitedly, more like a fourteen year old. ‘We've got them all on video.'

‘I don't think you're like Sonny at all,' said The Flea. ‘
He's
cute.'

That put me in my place.

‘I agree,' I said.

‘Nick's got the same hair,' said Slash. That was the first time either of them had used my name. It made me horny to think of the pair of them discussing me.

‘His hair's black, stupid,' said The Flea. ‘Sonny's blonde.'

‘Apart from that,' said Slash.

I was getting embarrassed, and one of them was playing footsie under the table. I moved my leg.

‘Can we sleep with you tonight?' asked Slash. ‘We're lonely.'

These two were expert manipulators. I was suddenly ashamed of what I'd been thinking. ‘No,' I said.

‘Why not?'

‘You're too young. And I'm too old.'

‘I've slept with loads of older guys,' said Slash. Just the way she said it made me feel even older, if that were possible. And very sad. And pleased I hadn't let them into my suite.

‘Are you proud of that?' I asked.

She shrugged.

‘You shouldn't be, I'm serious. It's bad for you.'

‘Why?'

‘Ask your gynaecologist.'

‘Who cares anyway?' said Slash.

‘I do, if no one else does. When I look at you two I think of Judith.'

‘Our mother doesn't mind,' said Slash.

‘Then she should be ashamed.'

‘She thinks it's kinda cool.'

‘It isn't.'

‘Keith does too.'

‘That maggot should be squashed.'

‘Don't you like him?'

‘What do you think?'

‘He's cool. He buys us stuff.'

‘I just bet he does.'

‘Will you buy us presents?'

‘On your birthdays.'

‘My birthday's soon,' said Slash.

‘What do you want?'

‘Some new lingerie. Sexy stuff. I'll wear it for you.'

I shook my head.

‘What then?'

‘I'll think of something.' I looked at my watch. It was past eleven. ‘Isn't it time you two were in bed?' I asked. Dumb question. I should have known better. They turned to each other and giggled. ‘That's what we said already, dude,' said Slash.

‘Your own beds,' I said. ‘Now get lost.'

‘Will you walk us up?'

‘No,' I said. ‘You can find your own way.'

‘Gotta heavy date?'

‘No,' I said. ‘I'll stay for another drink. Now scat.'

And they went. Much more quietly than I thought they would. They both blew me kisses from the doorway.

I sat in the booth for another ten minutes or so but didn't order another drink. To tell you the truth I felt like shit. Eventually I followed them out, and went up to my own suite. Alone.

29

A
fter all that bullshit I decided to take another swim to clear my head. It had made me feel better earlier, and I thought it might do the same again. So I took my new trunks and went back to the pool.

At first I thought I was alone again. It was steamy and warm inside the pool area with the ever present smell of chlorine and a fine mist like smoke above the water. When I got right inside I saw that I was mistaken. Someone else had decided to take a late night dip. Then I looked again. Something about the picture was badly wrong. I brought it into focus and realised what it was. Whoever was in the pool was fully dressed and very still. Too still. And floating face down just under the surface of the water at the shallow end, arms and legs akimbo, and a halo of long blond hair fanned out like some exotic sea creature. I ran to the side of the pool, kicked off my shoes and slid into the water. It came up to just below my waist. I waded towards the figure and turned it over with some difficulty. It was a he. A he with a soggy plaster peeling off his face. Elmo.

I dragged him to the side and half pushed, half pulled him on to the tiles at the edge of the pool. I jumped out and knelt down next to him. He had no pulse. No heart-beat. I wasn't about to give a junkie mouth to mouth without some protection. Fuck that. We live in dangerous times. I left the body and ran out of the pool area and down the long corridor to the police incident room. It was quiet inside, just a couple of shirtsleeved uniforms present. ‘Get an ambulance, quick,' I said to the nearest one. ‘You've got a floater in the swimming pool.'

‘What?' she said, looking at my bedraggled state.

‘Ambulance,' I repeated. ‘Swimming pool. Now.'

She hit the phone, and I grabbed the other copper and we ran back to Elmo. The copper brought a first-aid case. He tried mouth to mouth using a protective film. Sensible man. But it was no good. I knew it wouldn't be. After a few minutes he gave up the ghost, sat back on his heels and looked up at me. ‘You'd better tell me what happened.'

So I did.

It didn't take long, and as I finished the ambulance crew arrived. They had all the paramedic gear in the world with them, but I knew they were wasting their time. I didn't want to stick around and watch. I asked the constable if I could change into my clothes. He came up to my suite with me. I towelled myself off and put on fresh boxer shorts, socks, trousers and a shirt. As I finished changing Carpenter and Ripley arrived. I was beginning to wonder if they were joined at the hip.

‘He was in the pool when you found him?' asked Carpenter.

‘Yes.'

‘Are you sure?' said Ripley.

‘Sure I'm sure. You don't think I put him in there, do you?'

The look on his face said he'd put nothing past me.

‘Well, I didn't. And if I had, I'd've made myself scarce. Not gone for one of your people.'

I could tell he wasn't impressed by the logic of that by the way he sniffed.

‘Well?' I said. ‘Wouldn't I?'

Neither of them answered the question. ‘Did you see anyone else around?' asked Carpenter.

‘Not a soul,' I said. ‘I take it you haven't located Boyle yet?'

‘You take it right.'

‘Looks like he may be close though.'

‘Yes, who the hell knows where he is? But we'll get round to him in due course. When exactly did you go into the pool area?'

‘I don't know
exactly.
Five, ten minutes before I saw the constable here.'

Carpenter looked at the uniformed man. ‘Eleven fifty-two precisely, sir.'

‘And where were you before that?'

‘In the bar.'

‘Alone?'

‘With two other guests,' I said.

‘Who?'

‘Their names are Alice and Clarissa. They're staying here with their mother.'

‘Those two,' said Ripley. ‘Bit young for you, aren't they?'

‘They were wandering around the hotel alone. I bought them each a Coke and sent them up to their room. Christ, I hope they're all right.'

‘We're checking all the apartments,' said Ripley.

Right on cue, someone knocked on the door of my suite and opened it without waiting for an answer. It was another plain-clothes copper. He buttonholed Ripley and took him out of earshot. Ripley looked sick and came over to Carpenter and whispered something in his ear. Carpenter sighed heavily.

‘There's another stiff upstairs,' he said.

‘Who?' I asked, dreading the answer. As far as I knew Ninotchka was upstairs.

‘One of the band. Valin. So that's two. Now you're really in trouble. I told you what would happen if anyone else died,' he said.

He didn't have to rub it in. I felt bad enough as it was. Even if one of them was only a scumbag drug dealer.

‘Come on then,' said Carpenter to Ripley. ‘Let's take a look.' The pair of them left. I tagged along. I had nothing better to do. Valin's suite was on the top floor next to Ninotchka's. The door was open and coppers were buzzing around like flies. I didn't go inside the room, just looked in between the figures of the policemen. Baby Boy Valin was lying on one of the sofas. Even from where I was standing I could see that his head was at a strange angle and his face black, with eyes and tongue protruding, just like Turdo's had been. I'd've put money that a guitar string was embedded deeply into the flesh of his neck too.

Oh shit, I thought.

I looked down the corridor to where it doglegged round to Ninotchka's suite, and followed it, and knocked on the door. Don answered. He stood in the doorway, blocking my way. ‘Is she in?' I asked.

‘Is that Nick?' came Ninotchka's voice from inside.

‘Yes,' said Don.

‘Let him in.'

Don stood back and I went inside. Big Phil was leaning against the wall by the window. Ninotchka was standing in the middle of the room. She was holding a glass. ‘Well, Nick,' she said, ‘it looks like you were right.'

‘So you've heard?'

‘Yes, Phil just told us.'

I looked over at the big man. ‘I'm not exactly ecstatic about it,' I said. ‘I'm really sorry, Ninotchka.' And I was.

‘Poor Elmo,' she said as if she hadn't heard me. ‘And Baby Boy. Jesus, this is awful.'

I turned to Don. ‘Why was he alone?' I demanded. ‘Where were your lot?'

He shrugged. ‘Don't ask me.'

‘If I don't, someone else will.'

Suddenly there was a commotion in the corridor. I went outside and round to Valin's suite again. A uniformed sergeant had arrived from somewhere, and was breathlessly explaining to Carpenter and Ripley that someone had been spotted on the roof.

‘We think it's our man, Guy.'

‘Mike,' said Carpenter with authority, ‘let's go.' He turned to me. ‘This time you stay here. You've caused enough trouble as it is.'

I stood and watched as the three of them went down the corridor away from me.

I did as I was told for once.