Read Online The Nothing Job by Nick Oldham - Free Book Online Page B

multimillionaire.
    The two had known each other for several years and had first met in the dark days when the club was petrol-bombed by some local youths who despised what people like Howard stood for. Henry investigated the offence and arrested and convicted two nineteen-year-olds who, to this day, were still in prison for their crime. The last time Henry had had any dealings with Beaver was when a bomb had exploded at the club, but since then things had been fairly quiet.
    â€˜Mm,’ Beaver said as he carefully looked at the photo.
    â€˜Apparently he’s drawn to this place,’ Henry said, basing the statement on the interview with Eric. ‘Always comes in here when he’s in town.’ Henry knew that Pussy always held court in the bars of the Pink Ladies’ in between his stage act and kept a sharp eye on the comings and goings of the clientele.
    Beaver nodded, took a long drag of the cigarette, making Henry wince.
    â€˜Big man,’ Beaver said, ‘very big man.’
    Henry had purposely not given Downie’s height, so as not to lead the witness.
    â€˜Spot on,’ Henry confirmed.
    â€˜Six-seven, six-eight, I’d hazard.’ Beaver exhaled the smoke upwards through lips coated in a perfect cherry gloss. He looked at Henry. ‘About right?’
    â€˜Yup.’ Despite himself, Henry had difficulty keeping his eyeline level with Beaver’s, constantly allowing them to drop and ogle the breastwork. Beaver had once let him feel them and they had felt good. Henry guessed that Beaver had had another boob job since then and he found himself curious.
    â€˜Hair’s been dyed, though. He’s blond now – and has a goatee.’
    â€˜He’s been in the club, then?’
    â€˜Yes. He kind of tries to hide his height with a stoop.’ He handed the photograph back. ‘What’s he done?’
    Henry rolled his jaw. ‘Many, many bad things … Particularly against gay men and transvestites.’
    â€˜But he’s not gay himself?’
    â€˜Who knows what he is, other than a violent and dangerous individual.’
    â€˜Has he killed?’
    â€˜Oh yes – after a four-day period of torturing.’
    â€˜He was in here last night.’
    A feeling of great satisfaction came over Henry as he thought, They always come home to roost.
    The club, as ever, was packed to the gunwales, as it was six nights each week, pulling in an excess of £40,000 per night. Henry took up a position in one of the quieter bars in the complex, just off the foyer, and watched life go by. There was a heaving mixture of girls’ nights out and stag parties, as well as the club staff and performing artists providing wicked colour and gaiety as they pranced and paraded amongst the clientele before the first show of the night got underway in the main auditorium, known as the ‘Willy’s Womb’.
    He leaned on the bar, mineral water in hand, mesmerized by the scene of surging colour and laughter. Everyone was here for a good time and there had never been any serious public-order problems that Henry was aware of.
    Adorned in spangles, sequins and feathers, now attired also in a pink latex leotard, shimmering stockings and high heels, Pussy Beaver stepped up to Henry.
    Henry gave him/her the once-over.
    â€˜You look terrific, I have to admit.’ Henry’s eyes were automatically drawn to the boobs. ‘Have you?’ Henry could not resist asking, nodding at Beaver’s chest.
    â€˜I thought you’d noticed, you dirty bastard,’ Pussy squeaked with delight, her male vocal tones having disappeared as they always did in public. ‘Yes, had a great uplift done last year, as well as a tummy tuck and face lift.’ She raised her chin and ran her glittering fingernails across the tight skin. ‘And an ass job.’ She wriggled her shapely buttocks. ‘And just because I can’t bear to let the damn thing go’ – her