A Choice of Evils by Joe Thompson-Swift Page A

how sexy her voice was. I suggested that maybe she was Susan? But that didn’t go down too well. I left a message for her to call me before midnight. I was sure to be home by then.
    It was now 8.45pm. Time I made my way to the pub and Dave. I had already written the key numbers on a piece of paper before calling a taxi as I didn’t want to chance driving the car back. A few drinks with the weasel and I would be over the limit. The thought of being arrested for drunk driving would open up a hornets nest to other things. Ten minutes later there was a taxi outside my door. I knew the weasels hungry fingers would want to count his down payment of £1.000 which was in my pocket. Tomorrow afternoon would see me collect the keys from Doc for a £100.
    In the cab, I suffered the gabble of the driver who informed me his last customer had done a runner. I got the impression he sought confirmation I was not about to do the same. I earned a smile from his face as we arrived at the Blacksmiths arms. That cost me £5 including a tip. Sure, we all had to earn a living.
    Inside the pub, I was met by the expectant smiling but haggard face of Dave the weasel. For once he was offering to buy me a drink as I pulled up a stool beside him. His tattered leather coat positively looked decomposing on his back while his bright white shirt salvaged a measure of his dignity. I looked at his tobacco stained yellow teeth but was careful not to expose my disgust.
    The barmaid held out her small smooth hand as Dave counted through his change. Of course his generosity was too good to be true as he was short of two pounds to pay for the drinks. He turned to me in askance knowing I would make good the difference. ‘It’s the thought that counts,’ he told me. It was my turn to smile. I guess you couldn’t help liking the audacity in him. The barmaid smiled too.
    ‘Are you ordering a meal sir?’ she queried, looking from left to right of us. He knew I was at his mercy, so I invited him to see the menu as I nodded to the barmaid. ‘Gee. You must have read my mind Jack,’ he smiled. ‘If only I could.’ I remarked. Two steaks, fries and salads were ordered as I paid yet another bill.
    He sent a puff of smoke in the direction of the barmaid’s bottom as she went to convey the order. You could tell he was feeling good in himself but this was probably because he knew I had a grand in my pocket for him. It was obvious he would also have to grease somebody’s palm to get the information I wanted. ‘Cheers Jack.’ he said raising his glass. Dave plunged his red nose into his drink like it was a life giving substance. Then he blasted me with a stream of smoke making me gag a little turning my head away.
    His fingers drummed out a tattoo on the side of his glass as I studied his reflection through the optic mirrors. His mind was turning over what the genesis of his usage might be at this meeting. ‘It’s big stuff huh?’ he enquired. Whatever way you looked at him, he was always going to be a part time policeman. ‘Curiosity killed the cat.’ I answered. The barmaid called our table. ‘I’ll tell you what I need after we’ve eaten our meal.’ I added. ‘Sure Jack. Sure.’ he mumbled.
    With table and meal ready, the weasel’s eyes looked hungrily over the food. He was soon munching contentedly without speaking. That suited me as I didn’t want to see what lived in his mouth.
    Some distant background music filled in the silence between us as I strained to maintain a good composure. But within me was a restlessness that would not go away. Behind my mask were the ghosts of Ahmed and his shadow evoking the memories of our meeting?The truth was I felt uncomfortable about my secret activities which affected my appetite, so I pushed my unfinished meal away.
    Dave tut tutted sympathetically. ‘It would be a shame to waste it. Do you mind if I make a pig of myself?’ he smiled. ‘Go ahead I told him. I’ll visit the gents for a minute.’
    Inside