Gods and Monsters

VI

Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire

Peggy stood outside the apartment her satnav had taken her to. She was surprised at how nice it was. Obviously talking about the occult was more profitable than she had thought. Peggy walked over to the door, pressing the buzzer for Charlie's room. No answer. It was still early; so much had happened in such a short time. Peggy tried the button marked 'trade': it was normally for postmen to make their deliveries. Surprisingly, it worked; the door unlocked and she walked in.

As Peggy climbed the steps looking for Charlie's apartment, a rhythmic thumping could be heard from upstairs, as if music was being played extremely loud. Please don't be him. Just this once be someone normal. As Peggy found the correct door she realised her pleas had been in vain. She began knocking on the door, but the music was obviously too loud for anyone inside to hear. As Queen's Radio Gaga continued to play, Peggy waited patiently, trying to remain calm. It was only her partners life hanging in the balance, of course it could wait. As the song faded out, Peggy began knocking again, determined to be heard before the next in the greatest hits collection started.

When the door eventually opened, Peggy was shocked, to say the least. The clean-cut, handsome man from the website had been replaced by what could only be described as a shipwreck survivor. His trimmed, brown hair had become unfurled and now hung down just above his shoulders, and the clean chin was now hidden by a jungle of hair. There was no suit and tie, instead, a red dressing gown hung loosely revealing a stained Back to the Future T-shirt and some boxer shorts underneath. The only quality that had remained the same from the picture from the site was the piercing blue eyes that still looked good despite carrying two heavy black bags below. This was not the man Peggy had expected to meet.

"Oi, lads," Charlie called back into the room before taking a good look at Peggy, "the stripper's here!"

A large cheer followed from inside the apartment that made Peggy feel disgusted. She was in good shape and pretty, but certainly didn't want to be compared to a stripper. "Mr Quinn, I'm Detective Sergeant Parker. I am going to need you to come with me."

"Anything for you, officer," Charlie chuckled, walking back into his apartment.

As Peggy walked into the first room, she was met by Charlie's visitors. There were three men sitting around a coffee table with some sort of drinking game going on. Peggy didn't even want to imagine what they were getting up to.

"Mr Quinn, I am not a stripper." A sentence that Peggy thought she'd never have to say. "I'm a Detective and I need you to come with me. It's very serious." She opened her jacket and showed her ID to all of the men. Charlie couldn't contain his laughter as he continued to pour another round of drinks.

"Actually, Charlie, I think she's serious," one of the other men said, his speech slurred, but still just about audible. "The one we ordered isn't meant to turn up for another half hour."

At this, Charlie turned around, the laughter fading out, but a devilish smirk was left behind. He sauntered over to Peggy, drink in hand, to have a look at her badge.

"Now, what could the police want with me?" Charlie seemed offended by Peggy's presence now. Maybe she should have done a bit more research into his history.

"I take it you've heard about the incident at Embankment station this morning?"

"The virus? Yes, of course."

"You may be able to help us with that."

Charlie paused for a second. He couldn't seem to understand why the police would need his help.

"No, you've got the wrong guy."

"Trust me, I haven't."

Charlie stared Peggy straight in her green eyes and she stared straight back at him. She wasn't going to be intimidated. It was almost as if he was analysing her, scanning her to see whether it was worth him going with her.

"You know what, I'll go. Lads, clean up once you're finished, and have fun." He grabbed his keys off a hook on the side before strolling past Peggy. She was surprised at the sudden turnaround but wasn't going to complain. She had her man.

"Mr Quinn," Peggy whispered to him, "you may want to get changed first," reminding Charlie of his current trouser situation.

Continued in Part 7