Arrow's Rest by Joel Scott (best books to read all time .TXT) 📗

were taken, and people were lined up two deep at the bar. Joseph headed to one of the last unoccupied booths along the wall, and they sat back and checked the room out. A harried waitress scurried up and took their orders. She said it might be a few minutes. Joseph pulled out a silver flask and held it out as she moved away.

“That is against the law you know,” Jared said to him.

Joseph looked puzzled and shook his head.

“He doesn’t speak English,” Danny said.

“Right.” Jared took a quick drink.

“Check the table over in the corner,” Danny said.

Jared glanced across and saw the men from the limo sitting with two others. They were all about the same age and similarly dressed in club casual. They were deep in conversation and one of the men met his eyes and smiled. Jared nodded and looked away.

“You know him?” Danny asked.

“No. Never seen him before tonight.”

“Maybe just being friendly then.”

They sat quietly as they waited for their drink order, checking out the room as they passed the flask from hand to hand.

Joseph leaned across and murmured to Danny.

“He says the men from the limo are watching us,” Danny said. “They could have spotted us in the taxi following them. There’s not all that much traffic this time of night. Maybe I’ll just pop over there and ask them about it.”

He started to rise and Jared grabbed his arm and pulled him back down.

“No. Jesus. We haven’t even been served yet for God’s sake. Give it some time. Maybe they’re just checking Joseph out. You don’t get all that many Indigenous centenarians in places like this.”

Joseph stared impassively at Jared as the waitress arrived with drinks and apologies.

“Busy night,” Danny said, handing her a pair of twenties.

“It’ll get worse later on when the shows start getting out.” She began to make change, and he held a hand up and stopped her.

“Keep it. Just a quick question. Don’t look now, but those four guys off in the corner. Do you know them?”

She looked past them, checking the tables, and waved to a woman with her arm in the air. “With you in a minute, honey,” she called, and turned back to them. “I don’t know their names, but the two that just came in are regulars. I might have seen the other two once or twice. Thanks for the tip.” She smiled and bustled off.

“So what do you think?” Danny said.

Jared shrugged. “I don’t know. We should probably get hold of Clarke, tell him about the guy who went through the gates earlier. Merlynn could likely get the name on the card tonight. I don’t imagine there’s a pay phone in here anywhere. Probably not one within a mile these days.”

Jared had left his cell phone on the boat and knew that Danny was a fellow Luddite in this respect. There were times like the present when it would have been a boon, but he felt the annoyance generally outweighed the convenience. He’d managed just fine before they came along and took over the world. He would slash his wrists before he joined the Social Revolution.

He was roused from his thoughts by a pinch on his arm. In his other hand Joseph held a sleek silver iPhone.

“Of course. I don’t suppose you have Clarke’s number?”

Joseph scanned his contacts, punched in a number, and handed the phone across.

Jared put the phone to his ear.

“Joseph? How the hell did you get my number? You actually going to talk to me in a language that’s been spoken within the last century?” Clarke sounded shitfaced. He and Joseph had a long and chequered history. Jared didn’t even bother to wonder why Joseph would have his number.

“It’s me. Jared.”

“My God. Quelle surprise. Aren’t you afraid of cancer of the brain? Or is it the ear? I forget which.”

“Ha. Listen, are you still in touch with Merlynn?”

A giggle and then a crash in the background and the sound of ice cubes in a blender.

“Can I take that as a yes?”

“I might be able to get hold of her.”

A falling chair, more laughter, and then silence.

“Listen, Clarke, this could be important. A man went through the club gate at around eight forty this evening, and we think there’s a good chance he’s tied into the park bench assaults. We need to find out who he is. We thought Merlynn could get onto the club computers and check the gate log. We’ll need his address as well.”

“All right. Let me get back to you. In the meantime, stay out of trouble. And tell that old bastard to keep his weapon in its sheath. Speaking of which.” Clarke giggled insanely and the phone went dead.

Danny raised his eyebrows.

“He’s on top of it,” Jared said. “It might take awhile.”

Joseph raised his hand and signalled for another round.

Jared reached for his wallet.

Chapter 15

“I’m positive it was the same two I saw messing about in the old Avon down at the docks and in the club asking all the questions. A small white guy and the big Indian. There was another Indian with them as well. Well dressed, expensive suit, fucking ancient.” John Newcombe stood in the spotless saloon of the converted tugboat, nervously shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

“The white guy came up to me and said his name was Jared Kane. Told me he was a new member and had noticed my crest. It didn’t feel right to me, so as soon as he went to the john I left and called the man up and he said for me to meet him at a place up in the Properties. He gave me the address and I went up there and told him about what happened. He said I should come down here and tell you about it right away. So that’s what I did.”

“Well, let’s just check the membership list, shall we? Only take a minute.” The accountant crossed the lounge and seated himself at the desk with the