Jealous Storm by Jack Stroke (book recommendations .txt) 📕

plenty of proper chances? Wasn’t he the one who —

She stopped. No more thinking like that. She could deal with Ellis. Megan needed her. Maybe that’s what she had been waiting for this whole time. To be needed.

Amber glanced over at Little Ben. Even if she could say no to Megan, there was no chance she could say no to him.

44

The bait shop didn’t smell any better than the last time Amber was in there. Was it the horrible fumes that had done something to Grubby’s brain? Rendered him the way he was?

“Hey, Grubs.”

“Well, well, well. Amber Storm.”

“Don’t get up.”

“I… didn’t.”

“It was a joke, Grubby. Listen, you’re a man about town, aren’t you?”

“A what?”

“You’re connected. You know people.”

“I am a bit, yeah. Everyone sure knows me,” he said with pride.

“That’s what I thought. Listen, I’ve got a favour to ask.”

“What’s in it for me?”

“I haven’t even asked for the favour yet.”

“So?”

“So you don’t usually ask what’s in it for you before you know what the favour is.”

“Oh. Don’t I? Why?”

“Because you might not want to help me, Grubby. This is… outside the bounds of the law.”

He screwed up his face.

“I’m saying it’s illegal.”

“Ah, now you’re talking me language. Come upstairs.”

“What if you get a customer?”

“Yeah, right. It’s Wednesday.”

In his upstairs apartment, Grubby had an interesting system of organising. Rather than use a wardrobe, his entire space was a wardrobe, clothes scattered everywhere. Were all men this messy or just the ones Amber had contact with?

She settled into a couch, worried the thing might eat her, while Grubby sat opposite in a well-worn armchair.

“What’s all this about? Drugs, yeah? Gotta be.”

“Yes, drugs.”

Grubby appeared most pleased with himself. “What? You want to have a smoke? We can have a smoke right now, you and me. Won’t cost you a thing.”

“I don’t want to have a smoke, Grubby.”

“You want pills? Speed? That’ll take me a few hours.”

“I’m after something harder and quite a bit of it.”

Grubby froze, eyes going wide. His voice became robotic. “Drugs? I don’t know nothin’ about drugs. I just run me bait shop.”

He pointed to the door.

“Grubby…”

He mouth something, trying to stay silent. The exact words were lost, but the gist was clear.

“I’m not wearing a wire.”

He motioned to Amber’s top.

This was ridiculous. But if you play a moron’s game, you have to play by their rules. Amber pulled her shirt up, revealing her lower ribs and midriff. She turned so he could see her back as well.

“No wire.”

Grubby shook his head. “Nah. All the way off.”

“You’ve already seen more than I feel comfortable showing.”

“Get it off or get out.”

“No. There is no way I’m taking my top off, Grubby. None.”

“Okay. I guess it’s all right. Can’t be too careful. You’ve always been a bit… I dunno. So, what d’ya want?”

“Something hard. Enough to be charged with trafficking if you get caught.”

He paused again.

“I’m not setting you up, Grubby.”

“Okay.” He sucked through his teeth. “It’s a risk.”

“It is.”

“What’s it worth to ya?”

“What you want?”

“I… dunno.”

“Let’s call it a favour. I’ll owe you.”

“You’ll owe me, ’eh?”

She could see his grubby little mind working.

“No. Not that?”

“Not what?”

“Nothing sexual.”

He nodded. “Okay. But you’ll owe me?”

“I will.”

“Who’s gonna pay for this?”

“Me, of course. Oh, yeah, and Grubby? There’s one more thing…”

“Yeah?”

“You can’t tell anybody about this. Not a word. To anyone.”

“Hah. You’re acting like I haven’t done this a million times before.”

45

The phone rang eight times before it was picked up. The voice on the other end was more timid than Ben remembered.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Joan. It’s me.”

“Ben?” Her voice lit up so much Ben briefly felt a little brighter. “Why are you calling on this phone? You gave me such a shock. You know only guests ring on this line. Well, and scams. Which are you? Are you trying to tell me the Internet is not working or do you want a room? Ha, ha, ha.”

“Joan,” he said, pleased to be able to get a word in. “I need to speak to Amber.”

A long silence followed.

“Joan?”

“Well, that’s just lovely.”

“Joan…”

“What about me? What about your Mum?”

“I would love to speak to you and Mum, but I need to speak to Amber.”

“I’m sure you’ve got her number,” Joan said, voice icy. “Call her.”

“I can’t, I don’t have my phone.”

“Why don’t you have your phone?”

“You’ve got it, remember? Shake made you take it.”

“Oh, that’s right. If he took your phone, you’re probably not supposed to be calling anyone.”

“Yes, probably.”

“Then what are you doing calling us? That’s not like you to break the rules, Ben. Where are you calling from?”

“A payphone.”

“A payphone? Goodness. How did you even find one of those? I thought they went the way of the dinosaur.”

“Can I please speak to Amber?”

“If you don’t speak to me, you don’t get to hear the exciting news.”

“I’m sure it’s terribly exciting.”

“I don’t care for that tone, Ben. Sarcasm is ugly.”

“I’ve lived at Paradise Cove half my life and nothing exciting has ever happened. I’m sure that hasn’t changed in the few days I’ve been away.”

“Not true. We have a special visitor. Oh, hold on. Perhaps I’m not supposed to say anything about that. Perhaps it’s meant to be a surprise.”

“What visitor?”

“Never you mind.”

Ben made every effort not to sigh. “Can I please speak to Amber?”

“How am I supposed to know where Amber is? Can she call you back?”

“Payphone, Joan.”

“Can you call back?”

“I doubt it.”

Shake had already been suspicious enough when Ben said he was going for a walk.

“Can you please get my phone then and read me Amber’s number?”

“Well, I could, but…”

“Joan…”

“It’s just I’d have to find it. Might take me a while. I know I put it somewhere safe. I just can’t remember where that was. Why do you need Amber?”

“No reason. Nothing.”

“Then why are you ringing?”

“No, it’s just… I’ve just got a problem.”

“Maybe I can help.”

“I don’t think so. Thanks, Joan.”

“Don’t be so sure. I’ve been helping you with problems since you were born. When you first started school, you had a problem with a little boy name Tommy Toolio.”

“I remember Tommy.”

“I helped