Deep Water by Mark Ayre (best big ereader TXT) 📕

quite decide what kind of person Abbie was. Do One knew she didn’t act like a security guard. But what else could she be?

“Your name,” she pressed. “I’ve told you mine. Don’t you want to return the favour?”

He considered this. “You might be lying.”

Abbie chuckled. “Is it lonely in your trustless world?”

“It’s hard to trust someone after they’ve put a knife to your throat and gun to your chest,” said Do One.

This earned another chuckle.

“The moral high ground? From the man who was breaking and entering—badly, might I add—with an illegal firearm concealed in his jacket. Meanwhile, I was simply performing a citizens arrest while making a mockery of the saying, Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight.”

She watched him. He took a gulp from his mug and seemed to enjoy it. Bizarre. Abbie’s coffee was too hot, but she sipped anyway. She was in dire need of caffeine.

“When it comes to my name and honesty, maybe you’re right not to trust me. I could produce my birth certificate, and you’d see it does not say, Abbie or Abagail King. But that is the name I’ve gone by the past few years. It’s on my driving licence. I can show you that if you’d like?”

Do One shook his head. “That’s fine. I’m happy to call you Abbie.”

“And why wouldn’t you be? From my side, I don’t care if you’re honest. Give me your birth name, pet name, or Twitter handle, whatever. Just give me something to call you other than Do One. I implore you.”

Do One took a breath. After a couple of seconds, he nodded.

“Tony.”

It was impossible to tell for sure, but Abbie got the impression this was his real name. Or close enough.

“Hello, Tony,” she said. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

Stirring his drink, Tony examined her, as though by looking into her eyes, he might uncover her secrets. No chance.

“Who are you?” he said at last. “Why are you here?”

“Should I bother answering your questions?” said Abbie. “You’ve already shown you don’t trust me. Why would you believe me now?”

As though ashamed of himself, Tony looked into his drink. Shrugged. Abbie watched him. From the top of his head, she was no more able to read his mind than he had been able to read hers by looking into her eyes. Her observations of him so far did suggest he was no cold-blooded killer. Abbie believed his motives with the gun were driven by emotion and were nothing on the hate side of the spectrum. Grief or desperation were much more likely.

“I’m a stranger,” she said to the top of his head. “I’ve never visited this town before; I don’t know anyone who lives here. I arrived at five this morning and went for a stroll on the beach. On my stroll, I encountered the dregs of a party and, in a small cave, found something that made my blood boil. Jacob was there. Like I said, I didn’t know him. From a despicable creature masquerading as a human, I saved him. Worried for his continued safety, I offered to walk him home. He told me to piss off, so I followed to ensure he arrived safe and sound. Would have left right after had I not spotted you. A man appearing from a bush. Naturally, my curiosity was piqued.”

Halfway through her story, Tony had looked up. Once again, he watched her eyes, and she knew this time he would see she was telling the truth. Not because she gave anything away, but because that was what he wanted to see.

“At the beach,” he said. “Who was attacking Jacob?”

“A few people were involved,” said Abbie. “Some tried to stop me reaching the cave. As for inside: a cameraman, a muscular guy called Gray and—“

“Ana,” said Tony. He didn’t try to remove or soften the revulsion from his expression.

“You’ve had the pleasure?”

Tony nodded. “Gray is one of her, uh, followers. Yeah. That’s the only word that fits with Ana; she doesn’t have friends. She’s unique, beautiful, dangerous. People are drawn to her.”

“That tends to happen with vile but attractive people,” said Abbie. “Sometimes, I feel I’m a puppy kick away from becoming a cult leader.”

This drew a smile before further thoughts of Ana clouded Tony’s expression anew.

“I would have known it was her even if you’d only mentioned Jacob, a cameraman and a woman. Of course she’d want to film it. And I’m guessing it wasn’t just a beating or even the threat of murder. That wouldn’t be enough for Ana.”

“It was far worse. Sickening.”

“Gray would do anything for Ana.” Tony closed his eyes. His face crumpling. He didn’t want to consider what might have happened but couldn’t help it. “They were going to rape him?”

Abbie said nothing. This time she could not keep her expression blank. When Tony looked into her eyes, he immediately bowed his head and lay trembling palms on the table. He was fighting to prevent fury overtaking him. Fighting not to throw the table. Abbie wouldn’t have blamed him, though she would hope to grab her coffee first.

“You’re not surprised?” asked Abbie.

Tony snorted. “Only by one aspect of the whole scenario.”

“What’s that?”

“That she got Jacob, rather than his brother, Kyle.”

“Why does that surprise you?”

He met her eye. She could almost see his skin crawl.

“Because Kyle’s younger.”

Six

Tony declared he needed food. Abbie agreed this sounded a fine idea and let him insist he be the one to order.

This time, she did not watch so closely. While Tony ordered, Abbie finished her coffee and topped it up. This one she could drink straight away. She took big gulps as though doing so could prevent her from thinking of Ana. Stop her regretting her decision not to ensure the foul woman died.

She was almost halfway through her second mug when Tony returned.

"She'll bring it over," he said, jerking his head back to the lone worker.

Abbie nodded, drank a little more of her drink. Taking her lead, Tony finished his own and made another half and half abomination. This time he seemed to dump