Pop Goes the Weasel

62

Tony slammed the car door shut behind him and slumped down into the driver’s seat. How could he have messed up so badly? And what was he going to say to Helen?

This was his big chance to be back on the front line again, to prove that he’d still got it – and he had completely ballsed it up. He could try and contact Melissa again, but what was the point? Now she knew he was a cop, it was game over. The only thing he could do was confess all to Helen as soon as possible and start formulating a new plan. Some of the other girls must have seen Angel. It was inconceivable that she could ghost in and out of these flesh pots undetected. What he had to do -

He jumped as the passenger door opened. He had been so caught up in his own little world he hadn’t heard anyone coming. He turned to confront the intruder… and was surprised to see Melissa climbing into the passenger seat. She didn’t look at him, simply saying:

‘Drive.’

They drove in silence for a full ten minutes, before Melissa indicated an alleyway adjacent to a derelict restaurant. It was quiet down here, not a soul around to disturb them. As he turned to look at her, Tony was surprised to see that she was shaking.

‘If I tell you what you want to know, I’ll need money. Lots of money.’

‘Not a problem,’ Tony replied. He’d figured out on the way over that it could only have been the prospect of financial gain that induced her into his car.

‘Five grand up front. More to follow.’

‘Agreed.’

‘And I’ll need somewhere to stay. Somewhere she can’t find me.’

‘We can offer you a safe house and round-the-clock protection,’ Tony replied without hesitation.

‘Round the clock – you promise?’

‘I promise.’

‘Shake on it,’ Melissa demanded and Tony obliged.

Melissa let out a deep sigh – she looked exhausted by the evening’s events. Then without looking up at Tony she whispered:

‘The girl you’re looking for is Lyra. Angel’s name is Lyra Campbell.’