Contents ( 48)
- PAST LIFE
- David Mark
- PART ONE
- PROLOGUE
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- PART TWO
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- THIRTY
- THIRTY-ONE
- THIRTY-TWO
- THIRTY-THREE
- PART THREE
- THIRTY-FOUR
- THIRTY-FIVE
- THIRTY-SIX
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- THIRTY-EIGHT
- THIRTY-NINE
- FORTY
- EPILOGUE
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
‘No,’ says Roisin, shaking her head. ‘No, he could have taken her. Could have grabbed her when he took Fin. No, that’s not what he wants. He wants me, Trish. He wants my daddy to know all the pain and suffering that a person can endure.’
‘You can’t know what he wants,’ snaps Pharaoh, flicking her hair behind her ear. ‘Has he been in touch? Made demands? Is that where Hector is now – waiting by the phone …?’
‘I’ve seen it,’ says Roisin, flatly. ‘In my dreams. In those moments when I’m not asleep or awake, I hear him. Hear him telling Aector to choose. He can save his son, or his wife, but not both. He can have his son back, but only if he gives me over. And I know Aector won’t be able to do it. So I need you to do it. I need you to find this man, and tell him that I agree. Give me to him, and let Fin go free. Do what Aector can’t.’
Pharaoh stands immobile. Stares at her as if reading a map of an unfamiliar world. ‘No,’ she says, teeth clamped together. ‘No, you get those thoughts out of your head. We’re going to go to Aector. I’m going to make some calls. We’re going to do this properly, and if your daddy ends up on a slab or spending the rest of his life in prison, that’s too fucking bad. Whatever the fall-out, all that matters is that boy. You need to tell me everything. We can talk on the way. I’m supposed to be seeing one of the bosses, but …’
‘No, Trish, no – I’ve seen it. This is how it has to be. It’s OK. After I’m gone, you can have him. I know it’s what you want …’
‘Shut your fucking mouth, Roisin,’ says Pharaoh, without emotion. ‘Shut it now. You did the right thing coming here. Aector was correct in what he said. Of course I’m going to try and protect him. I protect him every bloody day – just like he protects everybody he comes into contact with. And sometimes, the world gives him these situations where he doesn’t know what to do or how to be or who to protect first. Well, I make those choices for him. And right now, whatever it takes, he needs to protect his son. Yes?’
Roisin wipes her eyes. Swallows. Takes a breath. She nods. ‘Please. Please keep him safe …’
Pharaoh shakes her head. Reaches into her bra and pulls out her mobile. Ends the ongoing call with a discreet touch of her thumb.
‘You know what he’s going to do, don’t you?’ asks Roisin, her eyes locked on Pharaoh’s. ‘Why he sent me away. Why he’s on his own, right now, refusing to answer my calls, refusing to speak to you. You know he’s looking for him, don’t you? And he’ll find him. That’s what he does. But he can’t beat this man. He’s the devil, Trish. The very devil …’