IMPURITY by Ray Clark (which ebook reader txt) 📕

“Awful smell, isn’t it, Frank? I think it rather suits you, myself. You, disgusting piece of filth. Have you any idea how long I’ve waited for this day?”

Myers wanted to scream with frustration. Whatever it was, he wanted to beg forgiveness, say he was sorry, even though he couldn’t remember what his attacker was talking about.

“You all thought you were so superior, didn’t you, Frank? You took advantage and played the numbers game. Four of you, one of me. Remember that night, do you? I was like you are now. Trapped. I couldn’t go anywhere. Couldn’t fight back.” His attacker paused. “So, how does it feel, Frank? Alone? Isolated? Frightened? I know them all well. I’ve lived them all so many times since. Well, here’s a small thought to hang on to. How you’re feeling now is far better than you’re going to feel in a few minutes.”

His assailant gazed at the syringe with emotionless eyes, giving nothing away.

Myers realized he wasn’t ready to die. He’d always considered himself hardened to the world and the people in it. That he could face up to anything. If truth be known, he’d never really suspected that AIDS would kill him. He’d blocked it out. But now, in the final stages, he was frightened. He’d bargain anything he had.

“Okay. Here’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to inject your jugular vein with the contents of this syringe. You should just about be coming out of the paralysis now. As you come round, you’ll feel a sudden surge of adrenaline and your heart will pump much faster, which is perfect for this stuff. The faster it gets round, the quicker it can do the damage. It’s going to hurt, Frank. In fact, it’ll kill you!”

Myers felt the difference almost immediately as his attacker injected him with the second syringe. The paralysis subsided, only to be replaced by something new. The temperature of the room changed. Maybe it was only him. He wasn’t sure. He could feel his pulse racing. He was almost having palpitations. Myers was on fire. His whole body racked with pain.

“We’re nearly there, aren’t we, Frank? I think it’s time you knew.”

His assailant pulled off the hood. Myers finally came face to face with his killer. Plum’s killer. Thornwell’s. His eyes widened with disbelief.

“Quite a shock, isn’t it? Bet you thought you’d never see me again.”

Myers forced out an agonizing scream. He started to gulp air, struggling to inhale as much as possible. His throat was blocked. He was choking. As he started to convulse, his breathing problems were soon outweighed by further pain. Searing red-hot needles pricked his skin from the inside. His whole body was under an immense amount of pressure, reaching the point where he thought it was likely to burst. Although Myers could see, his vision was fast becoming impaired by a series of coloured lights.

He screamed and continued screaming until he could no longer hear himself, as the engulfing pain destroyed all his senses.

Chapter Forty-eight

Pete Nash climbed the stairs two at a time. The manager at The Lotus had freaked out on the phone, saying the cost of the meal would come out of his wages, and so would that of any other meals he was late with tonight. At the time he hadn’t cared. He had been stretched out across the back seat, engine running, heaters on, receiving a blowjob from Katie Crawford. She was nothing to look at, had no personality, and didn’t care how she earned her money. His wife didn’t like oral sex, or any sex for that matter, which meant he had to pay for most of what he wanted.

At the top of the second landing, Pete Nash stopped, knocking loudly. Then he heard the screaming. It sounded like someone was being tortured. He’d heard about the gangs in Leeds, the drug barons. They were mean bastards.

The screams on the other side of the door continued. Nash was frightened but decided to knock again. He shouted as well. And fidgeted, wondering whether or not to leave the takeaway on the step. He didn’t need the agro. He was late enough. If the guy on the other side of the door was being tortured, he probably deserved it.

Then the door opened. A black blur leapt out, crashing into him. He was aware of the Chinese takeaway hitting the wall to his right, the black blur jumping down the stairs to his left.

The force of the assault unbalanced Nash. He crashed into the banister rail, going over in slow motion.

On his way down, Nash passed the person dressed in black. His own screams equalled those he’d heard upstairs. As he plummeted, his outstretched right arm hit the first-floor banister and snapped. He continued to bounce into obstacles, but it wasn’t enough to stop him altogether.

As he hit the concrete floor at the bottom, his neck snapped.

In his dying moments, he was aware of someone walking past him.

He remembered he’d left the car engine running. The Chinese family wouldn’t be pleased.

Chapter Forty-nine

Gardener carefully negotiated the path leading to the front door. The overnight snowfall had transformed into a dirty grey slush. On either side of the walkway, the small garden had the finest display of weeds he had ever seen, overpopulated by fast-food cartons, carrier bags, and used condoms. Reilly followed close behind, with Briggs in tow, his hands clasped to his mouth, mumbling about the cold.

Before Gardener entered the house, he turned, scanning the neighbourhood. He saw squad cars, ambulances, police officers, and a near-derelict house with scenes of crime tape. The one noticeable point over and above everything else was the fact that no one cared enough to even pry.

A young mum with a baby in a buggy scurried past the gate. She never even turned.

Further down the street, three