Free Sitting Target by John Townsend Page A

I’ve been watching you for a few days. I could tell you have a lot of spark.”
    â€œWatching me?” Lee moved his hand to the phone under his leg. He’d try to call the police. “Where have you been watching me?” His finger pressed 9 on the keypad.
    â€œAt the clinic.”
    â€œI go there a lot.” Lee tried to keep the man talking while his finger pressed two more 9s. “I’m still having physio. I was born with something called CP. As I grow, I have to have my legs twisted. I had a big operation this year. They broke the bones and re-set them. I want to be walking on my sticks by next year. Till then I have to use the wheelchair. I like being at home as I can crawl around as much as I like. At least, I used to like being at home…”
    â€œI’m sorry. I did knock on your back door. I knew you were in. I must talk to you. Alone.” The man put his hand on Lee’s arm. “I know what you are doing. I can’t blame you. Go ahead and call the police. I won’t stop you. It’s just that I thought you might be able to help. Maybe I was wrong. But you’re the only one who can save us. I’m desperate. I’ll pay you all I’ve got. I’ll do anything.”
    Lee lifted the phone. He paused as the voice on the other end asked for his details.
    â€œAre you still there?” it asked.
    â€œYes,” he said softly. He looked up at the man’s face. A worried face, with pleading brown eyes. Eyes with tears in them. Lee stared at them as he calmly whispered into the phone. “It’s OK, thanks. I think I’m all right now.”
    He slowly put down the phone.

CHAPTER 2
THE DEAL
    The kettle boiled as Lee poured milk into two mugs.
    â€œI can’t believe I’m doing this,” he said. “Mum will go mad if she ever finds out. A minute ago you were breaking into our house and scaring me to death. And now I’m making you a cup of tea. This is crazy. Biscuit?”
    â€œThanks. Can I help?” The stranger stood by the sink, watching.
    Lee turned on his kitchen stool and gave him a stare. “Don’t go there. It might not be the bestcup of tea you’ve ever had, but I can do it by myself. I didn’t tell the police to come just now because I felt sorry for you. It was a great change from the other way round. All my life people have looked at me with pity. But you didn’t treat me like I was a helpless kid who couldn’t walk. You were different. You’re the first person who’s ever asked me to help them. It felt good. That’s what I’ve been waiting for. The chance to show I can cope.”
    The man smiled. “You can cope all right. You’ve got guts. I like you, Lee.”
    â€œYou know my name?”
    â€œSure. I’ve checked you out. Call me Alex. I won’t tell you my full name. It’s too long.” He looked up at the clock on the kitchen wall.
    â€œDon’t worry,” Lee said. “Mum won’t be back yet. She’s doing extra hours on the check-out at Tesco’s. Anything to pay the gas bill. She’s upset about money at the moment. She takes pillsfor stress.” He bit into a Jaffa cake. “Why am I telling you all this? It’s none of your business! You’re a total stranger. I always talk too much when I’m scared.”
    â€œYour secrets are safe with me,” Alex said. “I know far too many secrets already.” He put his hand on Lee’s shoulder. “And there’s no need for you to be scared. I’d never harm anyone. Anyway, you’ve sent your mum my picture, remember?”
    Lee paused. “That was a lie. A bluff. It was all I could think to say in the panic. I didn’t have time to send it. But I can tell you’re not going to kill me now. You don’t look like a killer any more.” Lee sipped his tea thoughtfully. “I think you’re some sort of a spy. I like spy