THE ART DECO STAIRWELL MYSTERY - CHAPTER 8 You look very familiar, Nick says. Havent we met before? Sure we have,” Valerie replies. “In the street. About an hour ago. Dont you remember honey? You lit my cigarette. I do remember, Nick replies. But the next thing I recall is waking up in a stairwell. Feeling like I’d been whacked with a sledgehammer. And looking like Humphrey Bogart. Whatever happened in between is a complete blank. He pauses for breath. Her eyes widen. He continues. Accusingly. About ten minutes ago I heard a gunshot and a scream. Then you suddenly appeared out of nowhere. To tell you the truth Valerie, I’m scared. Confused. And worried I’m losing my mind.” She blinks. Inhales shadowy air. Breathes it out slowly. One hand lifts a lock of hair away from her face. The other reaches towards Nick and strokes his forehead. Everything’s going to be okay Nick, she soothes. Theres no need to worry. Ill explain it all later. But right now we need to concentrate on getting upstairs to the fifth floor. Whats so special about the fifth floor? he asks. There are some photos in a safe. I must have those photos. Dont ask me why yet honey. Ill tell you the whole story soon. Nick suspects he’s a pawn in a dangerous game. But he doesnt care. Hell do anything she asks, go anywhere with her. Its just like when he was seven years old and in love with Katie. The prettiest girl in school. Katie is a year ahead and already a minx. Aware of Nicks passion, she begs him to climb a tree in the local park and pick a pine cone for her. But when he gets stuck, Katie just runs off laughing. Nick is left trapped in the tree for hours. Until a council worker spots the sobbing child and calls the fire brigade to rescue him. Its up there with the chimp episode in his league ladder of most humiliating moments. I hope shes not another Katie, he thinks, as he stands up and hears himself saying: Valerie, I’m here to help. Lets go get those photos. * * * * * Tiredness wraps around Nick like a blanket. He feels smothered. Its difficult to breathe. Legs try to walk. But they wont move. He concentrates on sliding one foot forward. The foot stays where it is. He tries to lift his other foot. It seems stuck to floor. Attempts to lift his arms or turn his head also fail. He can still move his eyes. They swivel in their sockets, looking for Valerie. But all he can see are shadows. A cool, black fog surrounds him. He inhales the scent of lavender. A familiar voice calls his name. Nick! Nick! Come back to us mate, the voice pleads. Sounds like Dylan, thinks Nick. Wake up Nick, the voice orders. Time to rise and shine.” Big hands grab Nicks shoulders. The hands shake him backwards and forwards. The black fog lifts and white light drills from eyeballs into brain. Tiny musclemen with twisted faces come alive. They race through the grey maze, pounding on its walls with sledgehammers. Crikey, thinks Nick, this is the worst headache Ive had in my entire life. A familiar head appears in front of him. Yep, its Dylan, he realises. Maaaate! Maaaate! Youre awake at last, the grinning boofhead announces. Nick glances around. He is lying on the floor of Dylan’s lounge room. Sprawled on the carpet next to him, smoking a cigarette, is Dylan. Nick’s memory returns. Last night was the annual Bogie-fest. They watched five Humphrey Bogart classics. But he must have passed out mid way through the final DVD, after too many beers. And he’d had one hell of a dream. * * * * * A strong scent of lavender hovers in the air. Nick spots an oil burner on the coffee table. You turning New Age on me mate? he asks the boofhead. Nah buddy,” replies Dylan. “Just trying to wake you up with a bit of hippy air freshener.” Nick sighs, lifts himself up from the floor and collapses on the couch. He closes his eyes. Valeries lovely face appears. Youre not off the hook yet, she says. I still need you to help me honey. Meet me outside the Manchester Unity at midnight.
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 04:06:53 +0000
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