Free Holy Island Trilogy 02 - Nowhere Man by Sheila Quigley Page A

little traffic this early on a morning. In a hurry, like?’
    ‘Sort of.’
    ‘Well, don’t worry. You’ll have no problems at all hitching another lift from where I’ll drop you, a good looking chick like you.’ He winked at her.
    Shelly sat upright in her seat, the alarm bells inside springing to action.
    Keep calm, keep calm, could just be an innocent comment, she told herself, crossing her legs and staring out of the window. He surely can’t be one of them?
    ‘Smoke?’ he asked. Keeping one hand on the wheel, he handed her a packet of cigarettes, gently brushing down the back of her hand with his finger.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
    Mike woke up, surprised that he’d managed to sleep at all. He stretched, then jumped in shock as a voice said, ‘All right now?’
    Mike spun round. ‘Smiler, for God’s sake!’
    ‘Sorry.’
    ‘You been there all night?’
    ‘Some of it.’
    Guessing rightly that Smiler had shared his time between himself and Aunt May, Mike softened his tone as he sighed and said, ‘How is she today?’
    ‘Just the same.’
    Mike lay for a moment staring at the ceiling, while Smiler stared at him. ‘OK, I’m gonna shower, get things sorted and be off.’ He slipped the covers back and got out of bed.
    ‘There’s something you should know.’
    What the hell now?  Mike thought, turning to face him. Why can’t he ever just come out with it? For Christ’s sake, sometimes it’s like pulling friggin’ teeth!
    ‘What?’ Mike demanded.
    ‘Shelly’s gone.’
    Mike sat back on the bed. He sighed. It’s not as if I wasn’t expecting it. Just had a lot more questions for her. Damn. Wish she’d waited around a bit longer.
    He looked at Smiler. ‘OK-I’m guessing there’s more.’
    Smiler nodded solemnly. ‘There is. The guard on Shelly’s door was murdered as well…with a gun.’
    'Yeah, that’ll do it all right.'
    ‘Shelly attacked the murderer with a pair of metal coat hangers, ripped his eyeball out, and some of his gum.’
    Impressed, Mike raised his eyebrows. ‘OK, so where’s the bastard now?’
    ‘Next door, and Aunt May’s in the room on the other side. Somebody figured it would be easier to guard you all if you were together.’
    ‘Wow.’
    Feeling like he’d finally done something right, Smiler dropped his head, but Mike saw the smile.
    Quickly jumping up from the bed, Mike hastily pulled his jeans on, splashed cold water over his face then, with Smiler in tow, strode out of the room. He paused for a moment at the door. Behind him Smiler, guessing he would want to check the assassin out first, said, ‘Right.’
    Mike swung to the right. A few quick steps, and he was outside the assassin's room. Nodding at the guard, he stared through the window. Most of the man’s face was covered in bandages-at least, the side he could see was. ‘Hmm,’ he muttered. Turning, he walked along the corridor to Aunt May’s room.
    ‘I see the monk's at his usual station. Has he even moved at all?’
    Smiler shrugged. ‘Where else would he be? Anyhow, he spent as much time praying over you.’
    Sighing, Mike pushed the door open. ‘Any change?’
    Brother David looked up and shook his head. ‘How are you?’
    ‘Never better. Bit sore, but it’ll heal.’
    ‘Still leaving us?’
    ‘No choice. You know as well as I do someone's got to stop this madness. God only knows where that nutter Mr Leader has set up shop now. How many more kids is he gonna ruin, torture, murder? If I find him, I’ll find the main bastards behind this. But first - Tony.’
    ‘That the plan?’
    ‘Got a better one?’
    ‘Why can’t you just leave it, Mike? We’re all alive, surely that’s the main thing.’
    ‘For how fucking long?’ Mike snapped. ‘You just don’t get it, do you? These creeps won't give up until we’re all dead, you included. They will wipe out everyone who knows about them. For God’s sake, Dave, you lived with them for long enough, you know just how ruthless they are.’
    Brother