Kiss and Die

Chapter 80

Mann didn’t draw the blinds that evening. The sky was clear outside. A plane blinked at him as it passed high above. Mann wished he was on it, he wished he was anywhere but there. He poured himself another vodka and took a slug. The liquor burnt as it made its way down into his empty stomach. Mann gave a drunken sigh, placed his hands against the cold window and leant his forehead against it, closed his eyes. Never had he felt so vulnerable or alone. He rolled his forehead over the glass. The more he thought about things, the less he understood. He had done as Mia had said and he stayed at home sorting his father’s papers. He stood alone in his apartment surrounded by the piles of communications from solicitors and accountants. On the table was the original deed to the Mansions. It had been amongst the last of the papers to be delivered to him. Victoria Chan was right, they had several shared interests whether Mann wanted it or not. He could see why she and CK wanted him on board so badly. His father had made some shrewd investments.

He picked up his phone and dialled a number.

‘Hello stranger,’ a deeply accented Dutch voice answered.

‘Hello Alfie. Sorry, meant to keep in touch but you know how it is-work took over. How are things? How is Jake?’ Alfie took his time answering. ‘Is he there?’

‘No. He is not here much now. I think he is not coping well. We all miss Magda more than I can say.’ Mann bowed his head and listened. He knew Alfie was choked. He knew just how Jake felt. He felt it too.

‘She was a brave woman, Alfie.’

‘Yes.’ Mann could hear Alfie dragging on a joint.

‘What is going on with Jake?’

Alfie sighed. ‘I don’t know. He is drinking, taking drugs. He is getting out of my reach. He stays away for days. He doesn’t want to go to university in October any more. I have tried to talk to him about Burma, about what happened but he will not.’

‘You have to give him time, Alfie. He’ll be all right.’

‘I hope so, Johnny. I hope so. He needs his family.’

Mann showered and dressed. He couldn’t think in the flat. He had to get out. He had already drunk enough to render most people unconscious but the alcohol had little effect. He walked across the shopping mall and down to the MTR station, getting on the first train that came.