I Remember You

‘Will you have a drop of punch?’ she asked. He recognised the voice of the girl from Merseycredit’s exhibition stand. ‘Or do you only drink blood?’

‘I had a bite before I came out,’ he said.

As Rosemary laughed, he surveyed his surroundings. This evening the lights were low in Empire Hall. Black cats cut out of cardboard prowled along the walls; broad-winged bats and ravens swooped down from the ceiling. The demonic faces of hollowed-out pumpkins with lighted candles inside grinned at him from every nook and cranny. Already the place was filling with representatives of the city’s financial services sector, disguised with unconscious irony as an unholy gathering of demons. As yet there was no sign of the person Harry sought.

Misreading his mind, Rosemary said, ‘Hallowe’en is such a fascinating time, don’t you agree?’ She cackled again. ‘The day when the souls of the dead revisit their homes. A time to placate the supernatural powers.’

‘I’d never have suspected you of an interest in pagan rites.’

‘What else is consumer credit? Don’t tell Stuart I said so, mind. Ah, talk of the devil…’

A hideous monster from the bowels of hell put a clawed hand on Rosemary’s rump, then pulled off his weirdly misshapen head to reveal the grey hair and charm-laden smile of Stuart Graham-Brown.

‘Grand to see you, Harry. Is my wife looking after you?’ He squeezed Rosemary’s shoulder. ‘You seem to have cheered up, darling. This afternoon you were breathing fire and brimstone, weren’t you?’

‘Practising for tonight?’ asked Harry.

‘No, no,’ said Graham-Brown. ‘You remember at lunchtime we boasted about our nanny? When we arrived home this evening, to check all was well with Rainbow before coming over here, we found Debbie with her bags packed and an immediate notice of resignation in her hand. I was livid. Told her she was in breach of contract.’

‘And how did she react to that?’

‘Said she had the best lawyer in Liverpool and would see me in court. Stupid little bitch – as if I would believe for a minute that she could afford Maher and Malcolm’s fees! Anyway, you won’t mind if we circulate?’

Stuart was wearing a dog collar and a lead which Rosemary grasped between forefinger and thumb. With a hiss of pleasure, she led her husband away to meet a group of newly-arrived guests.

As Harry finished his drink someone behind him whispered, ‘You’d better take care when the eats are brought round. They’re covered with garlic.’

He spun round and came face to face with Sophie Wilkins. A white dress clung to her with a sensuality which mocked its virginal high neck and she was carrying a posy of dried flowers. A huge ersatz diamond ring glinted from the third finger of her left hand.

mercial television. The McCrays had learned the story and before long Sinead had got to hear of it too. Liam’s careless talk might easily have cost lives. Yet there was little malice in him and Harry did not doubt the genuineness of his grief when he spoke again.

‘Harry, it’s grand to see you. But faith, what a bad business about Finbar!’

They exchanged words of reminiscence. Here was someone else who had been fond of Finbar, Harry thought. It wasn’t true that everyone his client met had become an enemy. He’d roused strong reactions in people – that was nearer the mark.

‘I need to speak to someone and he may be here,’ said Harry as soon as an opportunity presented itself. ‘I’m not a member, and I’m not after a drink, so I wondered if—’

‘We don’t stand on ceremony with people we know. Who is it you’re after seeing?’

‘Dermot McCray.’

Liam’s eyebrows shot up. He lowered his voice and with a conspiratorial glance said, ‘You know that Finbar and Dermot’s daughter…’

‘Yes. Is Dermot here?’

im. If she was right, it turned his ideas upside down. He felt a surge of adrenalin. Instinct told him the solution to the puzzle was almost within his grasp.

She stood up. ‘Well, I won’t keep you any longer.’

‘I’m glad you hired Pike. You did the right thing.’

‘No hard feelings, then?’

‘Course not. But…’

He hesitated. Even as he spoke he was still trying to untangle the skein of suspicions in his mind.

‘Yes?’

He gnawed at his lower lip. Go for it, he told himself.

‘I do have one last question.’

‘Ask away.’

‘Melissa,’ he said softly, ‘where do you get your cocaine?’

She cried out, a sharp yelp of panic mixed with shame. A frail hand flew up to cover her mouth.

‘What – what do you mean?’

‘Finbar told me you’d been on drugs. I misunderstood at the time, didn’t pay much attention. I thought he was talking about treatment you’d had for your nerves. But of course he meant nose candy. I should have recognised the physical symptoms – I’ve acted for other coke addicts in my time.’

She stared at him, transfixed with dismay, unable to utter a word.

‘Please,’ he said in his gentlest tone, ‘I’d like to help. Not as a lawyer, but as a friend. If you’ll only tell me…’

‘Help?’ At last her tongue was loosened. ‘Help? You can’t be serious, Harry. No one can help me, the mess I’m in. Do you hear? No one!’

And before he could stop her, she had rushed out through the door. He stood listening to t