Dead Man's Eye

CHAPTER 20

Stephen almost jumped out of his skin. He managed not to scream – just turned and looked down to see Joanna staring up at him.

“Down here,” she said.

Stephen dropped to his hands and knees and crawled into the small space inside one of the metal cubicles, and Joanna pulled the cover back across.

Light from the room shone through metal grilles, and the air smelt of dust that tickled his nose.

“There’s someone coming,” he whispered. Next second, he heard the sound of footsteps as somebody entered the room.

Legs and arms constricted, he struggled to withdraw the water pistol in the cramped space; he felt sick with fear, certain that whoever entered the room would hear the thrum of his heart.

Through the metal grille, he saw a figure walk towards the storage cupboard. A man in blue overalls. The man started whistling an out of tune melody as he opened the door and withdrew a mop and bucket. Cleaning aids in hand, he turned and walked back out of the room, the sound of his whistling petering into the distance.

“Now aren’t you glad I didn’t stay in there,” Joanna said.

Stephen exhaled loudly. He felt as though he had been holding his breath throughout.

They crawled out of the space and Stephen struggled to his feet and rubbed his face. He felt dirty after the confines of the dusty cubicle.

“How did you find that place? And why?” he asked.

“I got bored when you left, so I had a nosey around. I didn’t feel secure inside the cupboard, then I noticed this panel hanging off.” She pointed down at the cubicle. “It wasn’t very big inside, but I thought it was a better place to hide. Looks like I was right.”

“Well you almost gave me a heart attack.”

“Sorry!”

After taking a moment to recompose himself, Stephen withdrew the papers from his pocket. “Well, you’ll never guess who the organ donor was.”

“Try me, who was it?”

He handed the papers across. “A priest. A goddamn Catholic priest.”

Joanna stared at him open-mouthed. “Oh jeez, it all makes sense now.”

“Well I’m glad you think so.”

“Don’t you see, he would have been sworn to renounce evil. And somehow, his corneas are allowing me to see that evil.”

“Ah, now you put it like that. Jesus Jo, this is crazy.” Stephen raised his hands in an exasperated manner.

“Have you got a better explanation?”

“Yes, it’s all a bad dream and I’m going to wake up any minute.”

“If only. Face it, this is real.”

“Then God help us.”

“Well if he doesn’t, then I think we’re well and truly screwed.”