Page 100 of Witness 8

She flipped on the flashlight as the man followed her into the hallway and closed the door.

Now that they were alone, and out of earshot of her mother, the man spoke softly.

‘Thank you for playing along with me. I wouldn’t want to frighten your mother unduly. She is a remarkable woman, having been through so much.’

‘How do you know what my mom has been through?’

He cocked his head, half smiled at Ruby’s question.

‘Before we turned off the lamps, I saw her face. I know the face of a woman who has been beaten for half of her life. I know that you care about her very much and she doesn’t have a lot of time left on this earth. That apartment is clean and your mother is well attended to, considering your financial means. Which brings me to the purpose of my visit. My client would like his two hundred and fifty thousand dollars back, if you would be so kind.’

So that’s who this man was. A fixer for either Ellis or Bale.

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about?’ said Ruby.

‘Shall I ask your mother?’ he said, and this time there was no warmth on his tongue as he spoke.

Ruby stood very still, even though the fear was trying to shake her body. She had to be very careful with this man. Choose her words well.

‘I don’t have it,’ she said.

‘The money trail went cold after you moved it through Panama. That was clever. But you should have used that bank first. My client has a lot of resources and he was able to trace you very quickly. It’s only a matter of time before someone picks up that trail again. People are working on it right now. You haven’t cashed it, I’m guessing. I had a look while I made thesoup. There’s a bag of clothes, tools and burner phones in your wardrobe, so I guess you’re getting ready to run, Ms. Johnson. You should perhaps have moved faster.’

‘I couldn’t,’ she said, and her gaze moved from the ice man in front of her, to the door of her apartment.

‘Your mother?’

‘I spent it,’ said Ruby. ‘I’ve paid for her care at a facility in the city. A nursing home. Retirement community, call it whatever you want. I don’t have the money. She’s moving . . .’

‘Tomorrow morning,’ said the man, cutting her off. ‘Some nice men are arriving to take some of her things and move them to her new home, so she said. I noticed her bag was packed too. While I admire the sentiment, that does put you in a rather difficult position with my client . . .’

His pale eyes seemed to fire red in the torch light.

‘I can get it . . .’ said Ruby, sputtering.

‘You are a resourceful young lady, no doubt . . .’

‘Twenty-four hours. I’ll have all of it. In cash,’ said Ruby, because of course she had another two hundred and fifty thousand in a different account. Ruby had got a quarter of a million in blackmail money from both men. But that was her running money. That was her ticket to freedom, after she’d solved her huge problems.

The man said nothing for a time. He just stared at Ruby. Like a great white shark. Dead eyes. Either he would swim away, or he would take Ruby’s head clean off in one bite. He was deciding, right then and there.

Ruby held still. Her body was screaming at her to run. To get back into the apartment.Get a knife. Get a hammer. Defend yourself.

The red priest was beginning to stir. He had lain still, watching all of this in silence. Ruby could hear his voice. A rumble in her brain, his red mouth open, ready to scream . . .

‘I don’t normally do this, but I have of late, experienced some degree of alternative working practices. Ms. Johnson, we have an agreement. Twenty-four hours. You will have the money for me, but if you fail then I will make you regret it with every nerve fiber in your body.’

Something inside Ruby that had been holding her up straight seemed to falter and bend at that moment. The relief came quickly and left just as fast.

‘What’s your name?’ she asked.

The man seemed surprised by the question.

‘You can call me Mr. Christmas. I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Ms. Johnson.’

He nodded, and his heels clicked together. Then he moved past her and his heels bounced down the staircase. He didn’t look back.

Ruby listened to his shoes on the stairs. Only when the sound had completely disappeared did she let out her breath.