Retribution - A Dish served Cold

Chapter Thirty-One

"That lasagne wasn't bad," said John as his fork clattered on the empty plate. He lit a cigarette.

Angela smiled. "You shouldn't smoke while I'm eating."

"Bad habit. I usually eat alone." He tossed the cigarette into the sink.

"What time are you off out?"

"Five thirty. By the way, you're still on holiday, and the last few days never happened."

"Why?" asked Angela. "I'm sure those two bastards intended to rape and kill me."

He looked straight at her. "They could have but thank God it never happened."

"But why did they do a runner?"

"I've no idea, but your guess is as good as mine."

"They did leave, didn't they, John." She sensed he was telling her his version of the truth but decided not to pursue the matter further.

"Answer me this. Do you believe those two morons let me walk in there, find you and leave without trying to stop me?"

She shrugged. "You have a point."

"Shit happens when shit happens," said John. If you want to go to bed, the sheets are clean. I even ironed them. I'll try not to wake you when I return."

"You'd better."

"You're not going to abuse my body again."

"Use and abuse until you tell me to stop."

He laughed. "Okay, I'll wake you. The timee I was on my way."

She stood and grabbed his right hand. "Be careful and come home."

John looked straight at her. "You don't have to worry about me."

Angela shook her head, unsmiling. "But, I do."

***

John peered through the kitchen window streaked with rain. The wind had increased, and black clouds scudded across the darkening sky. He checked the time as he dressed in his waterproofs.

Angela grabbed and kissed him hard. "I know I can't stop you. Look after yourself." She walked with him to the door, opened it, and watched him disappear into the rain.

He walked along the road and relived the death of his sister. The rain drummed on his umbrella, and the sky darkened when he reached the mausoleum. The storm clouds rumbled together, releasing their static charges and creating macabre images around the old cemetery.

"Good evening John," said David Little as he stepped out of the shadows. "At least we will be dry inside."

The constant rain killed the moonlight, but the graveyard was full of shadows of men making their way towards the mausoleum." "Your team appears to be arriving on time." John opened the two padlocks and let David enter first.

"They know better than to be late."

"I assume they are specialists in this sort of work."

Led by David's brothers, John and Bobby, twelve men entered the cramped space.

"I suggest you take your wet clothes off in the undercroft. There are a few hooks in the wall," said John as he pulled back the steel floor panel.

"Who's he," asked one of the men.

"Without him, you would not be here," said David. "Now, shift your arses and get a moving."

John hung a battery-operated lantern on a hook in the curved roof. "Hang your coats over there. No one will steal them."