The Infinity Bridge

Part 10

The cars hissed past Sam, Ben and Nick on the dual carriageway as they pulled into the garage forecourt. Although Nick was certain that Merlin had created false data on the police files about the registration plate he still felt a deep sense of anxiety.

Sam went to the cashpoint on the exterior wall of the garage whilst Ben filled the Range Rover with diesel. Nick watched Sam from the rear of the car. He felt stiff from the prior night’s attempts to sleep in the car.

‘All right, Merlin. He’s at the cashpoint now,’ Nick said.

‘Understood, Nicholas. I am accessing the terminal’s data storage now... shall we say five hundred?’

‘That much? Well I suppose so. It’s not... well, anyone’s money is it?’

‘Taken from the account of an embezzling banker if it makes you happier.’

Nick sighed. ‘Mother would be well pleased to hear of my newfound Robin Hood status.’

Merlin’s synthetic chuckle brought a smile to Nick’s face. Ben had finished with the diesel and was walking with Sam into the garage shop. It was a large place, attached to a convenience store. Nick crossed his fingers that the pair would try act normal—well as normal as a skinhead on anti-psychotics and a cross-dressing teenager could.

Nick’s phone pinged. He cast a glance at the smart-phone, before looking at the small screen on his own mobile phone.

Where are U? Worried sick. Mum x

Nick cringed and glanced back at the other two in the garage shop. They were only fifty miles from Birmingham now: when they’d got rid of the SD card they could try and get their lives back in order.

Please just respond. Worried u dead.

A taste of bile rose into Nick’s mouth. This was cruel. Mother did not deserve this. Nick glanced guiltily at the smart-phone then swiftly texted a response.

Am OK. So is Sam. Phone later.

The phone pinged a response immediately.

Thank god. Where U?

Nick hesitated and then saw Sam and Ben returning. They carried some clothes and boxes. They bundled them into the car and drove off the forecourt.

‘What are these?’ Nick looked at the pile of stuff.

‘Some munchies and some new duds,’ Ben said. ‘You guys are getting more stares than me. And some ciggies. And some hair dye.’

‘Hair dye?’ Nick spluttered.

‘We’ll pull in at the next services, Nick, for a quick change,’ Sam said. ‘It’d be tragic to get busted on the home straight.’