Beyond the Rage by Michael J. Malone

such a service would you not also be in a position to make a lot of money?’
    ‘Yes, but...’
    ‘Whenever I hear someone say the words “Yes, but” I know they think I am right but they just don’t want to face it.’
    ‘Not if it comes with the size of the but I have.’
    ‘Oh, I dunno, Kenny.’ Alexis’ smile sent a flicker of pleasure straight to Kenny’s penis. ‘Your butt is just the right size.’
    ‘Anyway,’ – Kenny fought down his answering smile – ‘you couldn’t describe me as a man who was shy of making a few pounds, nor one who is shy of the legal process in doing so. However, I do have some scruples. I don’t deal in human misery; drugs and prostitution are definite no-no’s.’
    ‘Well, good for you, Kenny.’ Alexis sat upright in her chair. ‘We all need to draw the line somewhere.’
    ‘Don’t get sniffy with me, Alexis. I just–’
    ‘You are just a hypocrite, Kenny.’ She leant forward in her chair, nostrils flaring. ‘Ignore your emotional needs by paying for sex if that’s what does it for you, but don’t pretend you are not part of the problem...’
    ‘Wait a wee minute here.’ Kenny always believed the best form of defence was attack. Whether that was in a physical fight or verbal one it didn’t matter. ‘Why this? Why now? Is this something to do with the man that attacked you? Aren’t you really just looking to take advantage of my muscle?’
    ‘Aren’t you just looking to take advantage of the honeypot between my legs? We both have something the other wants.’
    ‘I’m confused,’ said Kenny. ‘Where is this argument going?’
    ‘Hopefully to a resolution that benefits us both,’ Alexis said and leaned forward on to her elbows.
    ‘Can we sleep on it?’ Kenny asked. ‘My gut reaction is no, but I need to think through the implications.’
    Alexis took a deep breath. Swallowed as if forcing herself to lighten up. Kenny read something else tightening her fine features. Was it fear? Was there something she was hiding from him?
    This question came back to him as he ran. How long had he been meeting Alexis... and why had she come up with this now? Surely there was a link to the man who attacked her.
    He got his guy to rape me.
    The text: Lesson learned?
    Kenny had tried on several occasions to dig into the facts of those statements and gotten nowhere. Alexis wasn’t being totally up front with him and he had to find out the truth before they took things any further.
    There was also the matter of his mother’s death. He had achieved nothing there either. Harry Fyfe had produced a little background knowledge but nothing more. As soon as this weekend was over he needed to get back on the case.
    The road took a dip and then a small climb. Kenny enjoyed the variation and stretched out his legs, pushing up the work levels. Another bend and he came across a car parked in a passing spot. He tutted. Not the done thing in these small roads. This was a single-track road. The passing places were there so cars could pull over and let cars coming in the opposite direction drive past. If some numpty parked there, it could cause a problem. Must be a tourist, he thought.
    It was a blue car. He ran closer. A blue Toyota Yaris. He reduced his speed to a walk. When he arrived the day before he was worried that just such a car was following him. Could it be the same car? Surely there were loads of these cars on the roads, but two of them down such a quiet road in the space of a few hours? Must be the same one.
    The windows were slightly steamed up, suggesting that whoever was it in it had been there for some time. He didn’t believe in coincidences. He ’d have to check this out.
    He could see a man-sized shape through the window. The driver’s seat had been reclined all the way back. The driver had his head facing away from him and looked as if he was fast asleep.
    Kenny knocked on the window.
    The head turned round and faced him. The man sat up, pushed open the car door