Read Online Birdkill by Alexander McNabb - Free Book Online

although this bloated thing was no insect. Raynesford caught his eye and Hamilton glanced away, certain the man had read his thoughts.
    ‘My masters would like you both to know they are uncomfortable, as it happens. They don’t like it when people make a mess and between you and your friend across the water, I’m afraid you made something of a mess. It is provident the whole disaster took place where it did.’
    Hamilton, used to giving and not receiving lectures, felt the heat rising in him. He ignored Foster’s glare. ‘How so provident , Jolyon?’
    The great face turned to him, chins wobbling. Those little deep-set held his and Hamilton fell himself drawn into the shiny blackness. Raynesford sneered. ‘Nobody cares a shit about murdered children in a failed Middle Eastern state. That’s your lucky break. You won’t get another.’
    Raynesford drained the glass. It looked like dolls house furniture in the pudgy hand. ‘Thank you for the drink, gentlemen,’ he heaved himself out of the chair, wriggling to pop out of its embrace like a cork from a bottle. The effort reddened his face. ‘I shall see myself out. Keep that girl quiet. If any hint of Odin threatens to become public, you will both go to jail or worse. Goodnight.’
    Hamilton stared down at his hands. There was a small scar on his right knuckle, a reminder of a young man’s temper and physique. He looked up to meet Foster’s cool regard. ‘I know, I know. I shouldn’t have let him rattle me.’
    ‘No, you were fine. You gave him what he wanted, he’s happy now. Jolyon feeds on unhappiness, not consensus. You’d better be very sure about that girl, though. They’ve clearly got her in their sights.’
    ‘She’s fine, Bill.’ Hamilton drained his glass and patted his knees. ‘I need to get back to my work. We’re close to breakthrough, I know it.’
    Foster stood and held out his hand. ‘It was good of you to come up. It was important Raynesford got a look at what he’s buying.’
    ‘Really? All that way for a few minutes’ conversation?’
    ‘They bought on paper. Raynesford just wanted to see the pen that wrote it.’
    ‘And what did he mean about worse than jail?’
    Foster’s pitying look told Hamilton he was still too much the naïve academic caught up between forces that were at times distressingly darker than he’d like to think was necessary. He had his answer. He shuddered as he stalked off to find Clarke and sign his chit before retiring to his hotel.
     
     
    Mariam parked up by Richmond’s Hill House. The rain had eased up, but the ground reflected the street lights in glittering ribbons. Her steps echoed against the wall, a car’s wheels splashed through the puddles behind her. The muffled hubbub of voices from the busy bar reached her, along with a whiff of smoke from the little group clustered outside.
    She prowled down the terraced walkways in front of the White Cross pub to the waterside. The Thames flowed by, torpid and sparkling with reflections. A hardy couple was necking on the towpath. Mariam peered upriver and down. A shadow moved under the bridge, a slight form detached itself from the darkness. Mariam strolled towards the bridge and the miserable-looking figure hunched in a hoodie. Buddy didn’t smile as she approached. ‘You’re late.’
    He stank. ‘You’re drunk.’
    ‘Seemed like a good idea.’
    ‘You’re alone?’
    He grimaced. ‘Sure I am. Never been lonelier.’
    ‘I mean did you make sure you’re not being tailed?’
    ‘I know what you meant.’
    ‘How do you know you’re blown?’
    ‘MPs looking for me. Usually not a good sign, you know?’
    ‘It could have been anything.’
    He stared at her. A car headlight flashed across him and lit the darting, intelligent green eyes and drawn features. ‘Yeah, like you kill someone and the cops come round and you just assume it’s about your neighbour’s noisy dog? Like that?’
    Mariam sighed. ‘Come on. Let’s get you away safe.’
    She