Without Conscience by Davies David Stuart

Author:Davies, David Stuart [Davies, David Stuart]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery
Published: 2008-11-25T05:00:00+00:00

N I N E T E E N

Strangely, despite the recalcitrant springs of my mattress, I slept well. In fact I had hardly closed my eyes before I drifted off into a thankfully dreamless sleep. However, I woke early feeling depressed and uneasy. I got myself ready for the day with zombie-like movements, determined not to switch my brain on until I’d got a clean collar around my neck and sucked in the first fag of the day.

When I was ready and all the woes, responsibilities and problems of my life began to seep back into my consciousness, I groaned. Above all, I felt desperate about Peter. This time around Fate or whatever that lottery which runs our lives is called, had not even allowed me the chance to really help the little blighter.

With a headache, a sour grin and leaden feet I took myself off to Benny’s in the futile hope that Peter had returned to his fold.

As I entered I could see that Benny had some other issue on his mind. After he had passed on the news about Peter that there was no news about Peter, my little Jewish friend leaned over the counter, and with a crooked finger drew me towards him.

‘They’re in again, Johnny.’

I shook my head in bewilderment. ‘What are you talking about?’ I murmured.

‘That couple I told you about. That poor girl and the bully of a boyfriend. You remember. I said that she was in trouble. Well, they’re in again.’

Vaguely I did remember what Benny was talking about but I could not see why he was making such a fuss. My expression must have reflected what I was thinking for he threw his arms in the air and spluttered in frustration.

‘They’re in again and you should see the girl’s face. It’s black and blue. I tell you, he’s been beating her. I am sure of it. The man’s a villain.’

‘You can’t be sure, Benny. She might have been in an accident.’

‘Accident! Oh yes, she ran into his fist. That kind of accident. I know these things.’

‘What do you want me to do? Arrest him?’

Benny threw his hands up again. ‘The girl needs help. Call yourself a detective!’

‘All right. All right. Show me where they are and you can get a full fry up on the go for me.’

Benny led me to a table and whispered in my ear. ‘They’re over there, in the corner by the window.’

Casually, I glanced around, my gaze quickly settling on the couple that concerned Benny so. The man had his back to me but I could see the girl quite clearly and Benny had not been exaggerating. Her face was a mess. She was heavily made up, but the make-up did not disguise the damage done to her face, which was puffy and bruised. Her nose was swollen and she had a black eye. Her expression was one of total misery. Her sad, darting eyes reminded me of an animal in the zoo, trapped in a barren cage far away from its own natural environment.

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