Mason Black (The Complete Collection): 6 Gripping Crime Stories: The Complete Collection + BONUS Story by Adam Nicholls

Author:Adam Nicholls
Language: eng
Format: azw3, mobi, epub
Published: 2017-02-08T00:00:00+00:00

14

He paused, looking at the name on the phone.

Lucy Healy.

Somehow, he doubted this was the missing girl. Even if she was still alive, why would she have called this phone before reaching out for help from the police? There must have been some kind of a mix up, Mason thought, but he had to find out exactly who was calling. Even if just to let them know that their friend had been murdered. He found a quiet spot in the back yard and took the call.

‘Hello.’

There was silence on the other end of the phone.

‘Can I help you?’ Mason tried, tucking a hand into his armpit to protect it from the cold breeze.

On the other end of the phone, somebody cleared their throat. But it couldn’t have been Lucy – it was certainly not female. ‘Who is this?’

American. Male. Shockingly calm. ‘Mason Black, investigating the disappearance of Marion Healy. I’m afraid she’s indisposed at the moment, but if there’s something I can help you with–’

He was interrupted by the outrageous laughter of the man, who was cackling down the phone like he had just heard the funniest damn thing in his entire life. ‘That’s good,’ he said, stabilising himself. ‘“Investigating the disappearance.” Didn’t you know I cut that cunt’s head clean off?’

Mason’s legs began to shake. He glanced through the window, noting that everybody was still inside, going about their business while he dealt with this psychopath. ‘Who is this?’

‘I thought you were investigating me,’ the man said. ‘You don’t even know my name.’

‘… Anarchy?’

The wind picked up, blasting into the speaker and coming back with a buzz. There was a sound on the other end of the phone, like a sharp knife being taken from a block. ‘Are you a cop?’

‘No.’

‘Private investigator?’

‘Yes.’

‘Who hired you?’

Mason leaned his hand into the wall, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. ‘What’s it to you?’

‘Just curious,’ Anarchy said. It sounded like he was straining to stand up, or perhaps pushing something heavy. ‘It makes no difference to me.’

‘Of course not.’

Again, there was that silence, although it felt as though they were both waiting for their chance to speak. Finally, Mason took the lead. ‘You have the other two. Are they still alive?’

‘That’s for me to know, and you to find out. Goodbye, Mason Black.’

‘Wait.’ Mason saw Bill through the window. As he spotted him, he made his way through the room, heading outside to get his attention. ‘I’m going to catch you. It’s only a matter of time.’

‘I admire your enthusiasm, but I silently mock your naivety.’

The line went dead then, just as the back door opened and Bill poked his head through the gap in the door. ‘Who was that?’

Mason felt numb, like somebody had taken a whisk to his insides, mashing everything around. There was something different about the man he had just spoken to. He wasn’t sure why, but he didn’t feel like your everyday psycho. No, there was something more primitive about him – something that seemed like he was enjoying himself.

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