Laidlaw

33

The Gay Laddie was busy. John Rhodes had to accept a lot of hullos and touches on the back before he reached the closed door of the snug. Tam opened the door and closed it again behind him, just happening to stay standing outside it, drinking a pint.

In the snug a man sat alone at the table. In front of him was an unbroken bottle of White Horse, two empty glasses and a jug of water. John Rhodes looked at him, judging him against the instincts that were the most refined equipment John had. The man looked big and strong but so did a lot of people. What impressed about him was the stillness. He didn’t fidget under the stare, just gave it back like a bouncing cheque.

‘Bud Lawson? Ah’m John Rhodes.’

Bud Lawson nodded and reached out his hand to shake. John Rhodes ignored it and sat down opposite. He poured out the drinks. Bud Lawson took water.

‘Mr Lawson. Understand. You came intae this snug by the side door there. Ye’ll go out the same way. Nobody’ll see ye. That’s the first thing. The conversation we’re gonny have never happened. Ye understand?’

‘Ah understand.’

John Rhodes took a drink.

‘Ah wis sorry tae hear about yer daughter.’

‘Aye.’

‘Say ye could get yer hands on who did it. Surmisin’, like. Whit wid ye do?’

‘Ah’d kill ’im.’

It was a simple statement of fact.

‘They might catch ye.’

‘So who’s worried?’

‘But if they did?’

‘It wid be worth it.’

‘Whit wid ye tell them?’

‘Nothin’.’

John Rhodes was convinced. But he waited a moment. He topped up both glasses.

‘Ye’ve got the knackers tae do it all right, Ah wid think. But have ye got the knackers tae keep yer mooth shut for the rest o’ yer life? That’s the hard bit.’

‘Ah widny give the polis the time o’ day. Anytime.’

‘It’s no’ jist the polis. Whit about yer friend?’

‘Whit friend?’

‘The fella ye were with in “The Lorne”.’

‘Nae chance. If Ah just get a go at this yin, Ah widny even mention it tae maself.’

‘Ah think by the morra Ah can take ye where he is.’

They sat in stillness, looking at each other.

‘If Ah do that, Ah want your word that if anythin’ happens, ye’re on yer own. We can cover ourselves anyway. But Ah want your word.’

‘You’ve got ma word.’

John Rhodes watched him closely and then nodded.

‘That’s it then. You’ve got mine. By the morra night ye’ll get yer chance. We’ll work out the story ye tell if anythin’ happens. An’ Mr Lawson. Ye better stick tae it.’

He stood up.

‘Ye’re ma friend for life,’ Bud Lawson said.

‘Naw. Ah’m a stranger tae you. Ah don’t want tae see you efter the night. Don’t you forget that. Ah’m doin’ whit Ah think is right. Ah’ve got daughters as well. We’re strangers talkin’. You finish yer drink. Then go out that side door. The man there’ll tell ye arrangements. Don’t ever come back in here. Even if ye’re passin’ an’ it’s on fire. Don’t try tae save anybody. Jist let them burn.’

He went out. As Bud Lawson drank, he knew that in the eyes of John Rhodes he had passed a test — in his own eyes too. He was capable of doing it, he knew. He had never killed anyone before but he had never had so strong a reason before.