The Psychonaut Read online

  Merrick nodded.

  “I gather you’d only known him for a couple of days. You arranged with your girlfriend to meet up with him at the Twisted Wheel. Correct?”

  “It was Lotus who made the call, but yes.”

  “So, take us through the events starting from when you arrived at the club.”

  Merrick gave his account, minus one or two details such as the names of the Ukurum and their bizarre abilities. He wasn’t going to even attempt to explain that. Apart from the pressing need to get Lotus out of here and go to ground, he felt like a piledriver had levelled him, and he would gladly have collapsed comatose on the nearest couch. He needed this over with—quick.

  The third eye was still aware. It told him he needed to watch his step—particularly with the guy slouched back with hands behind his head. The one who was letting his partner do all the talking.

  “Right, so you saw this man throw something at Mr Salkeld? We haven’t done the full autopsy yet, but it looks like he was killed by some type of throwing disc, commonly used in eastern martial arts. Are you familiar with such weapons Mr Whyte?”

  “No. I mean I know they exist, but I’ve never seen one—until tonight.”

  “And you say you’d never met any of these three people before?”

  “No, never.” Merrick glanced briefly at Phillipson. “It was a completely unprovoked attack. I take it you’ve not apprehended anyone yet?”

  “I’m afraid they gave us the slip.”

  The answer didn’t surprise Merrick, but it gave him the chance to interrupt the train of questioning.

  Calvery shuffled his papers until he found what he wanted. “Let’s get back to the descriptions. The guy with the throwing star was tall, with long shoulder-length hair. The woman had an all in one black body suit and a weird headdress. The security staff said she also carried some kind of whip.

  “Yeah. That’s what I saw too.”

  “With those descriptions, you’d think they’d stand out like a sore thumb. Can you add anything at all? However small a detail, it could help us track them down.”

  Merrick exhaled. “You know, it all happened so fast. Beyond what you’ve said, I’ve got nothing to add.”

  Merrick could see Phillipson twisting his mouth. The DI uncrossed his legs and then re-crossed them.

  “Okay, now we get to the really strange bit. The bouncer who fired the taser reckoned she saw the other guy leap across the alleyway like he was on springheels. Did you see that?

  “He was quite agile, yes. But as I say, things were moving so fast—I also had my eye on the long haired one.”

  Calvery went round the houses for another ten minutes but didn’t manage to extract any other information from Merrick. Finally, he made a clicking sound with his tongue. “I don’t think there’s any more questions at the moment, Mr Whyte. We don’t have much to go on but we’re checking the CCTV footage in and around the club. It may throw up something.”

  “Can I go now? I could do with a rest and something a little stronger than this cocoa.”

  “No problem—I understand.” Calvery double-checked Merrick’s contact details. “We’ve got your statement but we’ll want to talk to you again, most likely tomorrow. You aren’t planning on going anywhere are you?”

  Merrick gave a negative.

  “Until we find a motive for the attack on Mr Salkeld there’s a chance your safety could be compromised. I recommend you both stay somewhere else tonight.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ve got a friend who can put us up,” he said and rose to go.

  “Just a second,” Phillipson said. “I just thought of something.”

  Merrick paused, resting his hands on the table for support. “If you don’t mind, I’ve had enough of the questions. I need to see how my girlfriend is. It’s gonna take her a long time to get over this.”

  “Yes,” said the DI. “It’s her I’m interested in. Something she said in her interview which doesn’t quite tally with your story. “She seemed to think you had met these people before. Now why would she say something like that?”

  “I have no idea. It’s not like I’d forget them. Shock can sometimes do that to you.”

  “Do what?” the DI said, leaning forward.

  Merrick looked at the ceiling. “Make you hazy on the details. Get things the wrong way round.”

  Phillipson’s frontal lobe is firing off like a sparkbox. He knows I’m bullshitting.

  The DI held his gaze, saying “You’re right. People get fuzzy with their recollection of events—for all sorts of reasons. That’s why we want to talk to you both again. Once you’ve got over the worst of the shock.”

  Merrick nodded. “That’s very considerate.”

  ~~~

  Outside he found Lotus with her head on the shoulder of a friend. He remembered her name from the club—Janice. Lotus turned to him, a look of suspicion passing over her face.

  “Hi,” he said, sitting down. “How are you bearing up?”

  “She’s acting kinda weird,” Janice said. “I’m worried about her.”

  “Merrick looked at Lotus’ hands. They were still caked in Lapin’s blood. He sensed her shock, but also something else—could it be a perverse curiosity? He dismissed the thought immediately.

  “What say we get out of here?” Merrick said.

  Janice looked at Lotus. “I think you might be better off at my—“

  “It’s okay,” Lotus said, interrupting. “Merrick and I need to talk.” She picked up her handbag and hugged Janice.

  “Remember” Janice said, “if you need me—just call.” She looked at Merrick. “Take good care of her.”

  “I will,” he said. “Thanks for all you’ve done.”

  In the foyer, Merrick stopped to check his mobile. Relief washed over him. The message said Come out the front door. There’ll be a white van waiting. Get in as soon as possible.

  “I’ve arranged for some friends to pick us up,” he said.

  Lotus stopped him. “Merrick. What’s going on? Who were those people?”

  “Look, I’ll tell you everything as soon as we’re out of here, but those characters aren’t the type to give up easily. We need to make sure we’re safe.”

  She looked at him, her eyes revealing a question she didn’t dare ask.

  He placed both hands on her shoulders. “Lotus, trust me.”

  On the street the rain had stopped. Dampness hung in the air together with the smell of spilt oil and exhaust fumes.

  “There’s our pickup,” he said and looked both ways. There was no motion from either direction. The white van was parked opposite a short line of taxis. He pulled her by the hand and they sprinted towards the vehicle. As they approached, a side panel slid back and they dived in.

  “Let’s go,” said Jason’s familiar voice, and the diesel engine growled to life. Merrick noticed it wasn’t Albany behind the wheel.

  “Well, there’s no obvious tail,” Jason said.

  “Could they be tracking us by other means?” Merrick asked.

  “It’s possible but Celestia will pick it up on the ether if they are.”

  Merrick acknowledged the far-seer sitting opposite. She nodded at Merrick then closed her eyes in concentration.

  “We need to call at my place,” Merrick said. “There’s some things I need.”

  “Not advisable,” replied Jason. “We should get you back to Paraganet House. Karapetian insisted. There’s no telling if and when the Ukurum will try to take you out. Your girlfriend here will just be collateral damage.

  “Fuck it, Jason. Why didn’t you see them coming? I thought there was a truce declared?”

  Jason looked out the rear window. “We miscalculated.”

  “Is that all you’ve got to say? For fuck’s sake, a friend of ours died tonight.”

  “That’s regrettable. But for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

  “Driver,” Merrick said, “take the
next left.”

  The driver looked round at Jason.

  “Do what the man says,” said the Thaumaturgist. Then, turning to Merrick said, “But you’ve got fifteen minutes—tops.” Merrick nodded and uttered brief directions to the driver.

  “Merrick,” Lotus spoke up. “I don’t know these people. Who exactly are they? And where are they taking us?”

  “Go on,” said Jason. “You might as well tell her. She’s going to be spending some time under our protection anyway.”

  Lotus turned to Merrick, her eyes showing confusion. Guilt fell like a suffocating blanket over him.

  “This is Jason,” he said. “He and Celestia are representatives of an organisation I’m involved with. I’ve been helping them acquire certain assets. Those who attacked us tonight represent a hostile takeover bid.”

  Jason pursed his lips. “He could be a politician. He’s mastered the art of euphemism and damage control.”

  “What sort of organisation employs freaks who carry out murder with medieval weapons?” she said.

  The van lurched to the right then steadied itself. “Sorry, nearly missed a turning,” said the driver.

  “Better tell her the whole truth,” Jason said.

  So Merrick did. At least the salient details.

  After he had finished, Lotus held her head back and ran her hands through her hair.

  “My God, this is crazy. I don’t know what to think. How can I believe any of this shit?”

  Merrick took her hand. “Believe me. I know it sounds like something out of a Ludlum thriller but you saw what the Ukurum did tonight. We’ve got to take the threat seriously. I’m so sorry I got you into this.”

  The van pulled into a space and blocked the entrance to an underground park. The driver killed the engine.

  “Is there anything happening out there?” Jason said to Celestia.

  “Ne rien.”

  “Right. Get what you need and then straight back out here,” Jason said.

  “I’m taking Lotus in with me,” Merrick said.

  “She’ll be safer in here,” Jason said.

  “I’m going,” Lotus said.

  Jason shrugged in resignation.

  Merrick entered the flat and bounded up the stairs. Lotus followed. The sound of gunshots and shouting floated down from the lounge.

  “Do you always leave the TV running?” she said.

  “It’s on a timer. Together with the lights. Gives the impression someone’s in.”

  “I’m going to put some stuff in a suit case,” Merrick said. You stay in here, but keep away from the windows.”

  In the bedroom he plucked some clothes from a wardrobe, threw in a sponge bag and tossed a laptop and charger on top of it all. He looked up at the wall and saw his mounted sabre and scabbard hanging there. Mike had brought it back for him from one of his many excursions to North Africa. God knows how he’d got it past customs, but there it was. He wondered what possible benefit there could be from taking it. He couldn’t even master the use of a penknife.

  “Aw fuck it,” he said and unclipped it from the bracket. It just fit if he placed it diagonally across the suitcase. He closed the lid and pulled the zip round.

  Back in the lounge, Lotus stood watching a news bulletin. The face on the screen stopped him in his tracks. The newsreader was rounding up her report.

  “Police have described this as a particularly savage attack and are appealing for witnesses who may have been in the Kingston Road area of Shoreditch between the hours of three and five o’ clock this afternoon.”

  The suitcase fell from Merrick’s hand. “Oh my God, it’s Albany.”

  ~~~

  Chapter 15

  Between two hearts

  Lotus was caught between a hazy dreamworld and the cold, sharp immersion known as reality. Dreams were at once illogical but also emotive of a paradoxical certainty. For some unknown reason, locked in the box called denial, she hung on to the soft candy floss of this netherworld. She knew at the back of her mind it was a fleeting comfort, but she chose to wallow in it nonetheless.

  She was strolling with her father along the cliffs of Santorini again. This much she knew to be real. The hot balm of the Mediterranean sun warmed her skin and she could smell the salt spray in the air, as she had so many times before. The cerulean sea met the azure sky in a wash that imprinted itself on the memory. She had never felt so tranquil in her whole life.

  “Look at it Lotus,” her father was saying. “At this moment you own all that you can see, and it owns you.” She looked up at him. He shielded his eyes against the sun, the hook of his nose, which she had inherited silhouetted against the sky. Solid and dependable he stood, like the caldera cliffs he surmounted.

  “Is it really all mine Papa?”

  “Every last detail,” he replied. “No one can take it away from you.” He leaned over, bringing himself down to her height. She could smell the exotic aftershave he wore, like an invisible garment. “Remember this feeling you have right now and hold it next to your heart. Seek out experiences, find people and places that cause you to exalt as you do now. But also look to the shadows. Sometimes they hold the greatest reward.

  And so she had followed her heart, and surfed waves even more thrilling and majestic than this. But her father hadn’t told her there was a price to pay if you didn’t let go. Didn’t climb out of the waters and leave the waves to crash on the shore.

  These meditations drew her back from her tower in the air. She was aware of the heavy cotton sheet covering her naked body and the beam of bright sunshine shafting through from outside.

  She lifted herself up onto one elbow to escape the glare and saw Merrick, comatose, lying next to her. His face wore a calmness she was loathe to disturb, so she simply watched him. His russet, curled hair was boyish, but the lines traced on his cheeks and around his eyes told a story of battles hard won. His chest, devoid of hair, rose and fell in a comforting rhythm. In the end, her need for comfort overcame the reluctance of waking him, and she lay her head down on his chest.

  He was a god of stone. A buttress to support her if the world sought to crumble her walls. He seemed the perfect kind of stranger, but she had made bad choices before, attracted to those who’s cliffs tried to hide the sun from her. Was Merrick any different?

  She knew whatever decision she made about him did not just affect her. Last night had shown as much.

  His breathing changed rhythm and she felt fingers running through her hair.

  “How long have you been awake?” He asked.

  “Not long. What time is it?”

  Merrick looked at his watch. “Christ, it’s two o’ clock in the afternoon.”

  ~~~

  “That Jason guy told us not to rush up,” Lotus said.

  “Yeah, but it’s been at least eight hours.”

  “You looked like you needed it.”

  Merrick swung out of bed and reached for his clothes. “I need to talk to Karapetian.”

  “You need to talk to me too.” She sat up, fully alert now.

  “I know, I know. But there’s little more I can tell you beyond what we discussed last night.”

  “You hardly told me anything.”

  This was true. His conscience winced at the thin fabric of detail he had disclosed before he hit the pillow. She deserved to know more, but would she believe him? Hell, he hardly believed it himself.

  “Lotus,” he said, taking her hands in his. “I promise I’ll tell you what I can. But for now, please realise that we’re safe here.”

  “I don’t want to feel safe,” she said, worrying away at her fingernails. “I want to know more about this other life you’ve got.”

  “I understand your confusion. Who wouldn’t be after what you’ve been through? It’s just going to take time to adjust to what’s going on here.” He struggled into a pair of trousers and threw his arms into his shirt sleeves. “Just let me talk to Karapetian. I need
to get an update. Then we can make plans.”

  “That’s what I’m worried about,” she said. “Will your plans include me?”

  Just then there was a knock at the door. Celestia entered wearing an arcadian expression.

  “I sensed you had awoken,” she said. “Will you both come down for something to eat?”

  Merrick looked at Lotus with raised eyebrows. She pulled the bed sheet up to her neck and nodded.

  “We’re both famished,” he said. “Can you give us a moment?”

  “Bien sûr, I’ll wait outside.”

  Once the door was closed, Lotus said “What did she mean, I sensed you were awake?”

  He was about to say it was a figure of speech, but then changed his mind. “She has this ability. As you’ve guessed, most of the people here do.”

  “Was she eavesdropping?”

  “I’d like to think not,” he said.

  They both dressed in a hurry and met Celestia in the corridor.

  “Lotus, we haven’t met,” she said and held out her hand. “I’m Celestia.” Lotus cautiously shook it.

  “This way please,” she said and strode off.

  Merrick shrugged. “Guess we’re meant to follow.”

  She led them through to the back of the mansion and a small room with lavish furnishings. They seated themselves at a walnut table, oval in shape. Silver dishes were placed upon it, containing perfectly cut sandwiches, cold chicken legs and an assortment of pastries.

  Celestia sat with them as they ate.

  “Any news about the Ukurum?” Merrick said between bites.

  “There have been developments,” she replied. “Lazlo is going to join us shortly and he’ll tell you what he knows. Needless to say, our order is on full alert now. Shamon has declared hostilities through what he has done. It’s the equivalent of war.”

  Merrick watched Lotus stop eating, concern etched on her face.

  “What exactly does that mean?” he asked.

  Celestia took a sip from her glass. “Our orders have been at odds for over a century now, but any acts of aggression have been sporadic and confined to individuals. The Ukurum have been responsible for an escalation of atrocities in the last month. What happened last night was the final act that tipped the balance.”