Gods and Monsters

XI

Quinn's - Camden, London

The pub was alive with the sound of punters pilling in for the inaugural karaoke night. Scarlett and Charlie were trying to decide between performing Under Pressure by David Bowie and Freddie Mercury or Islands in the Stream by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, but their discussion was broken up by the slim figure of Atlin entering in a sparkly black dress that hugged the curves of her body. She did a little twirl for the two owners before realising the attraction she was getting from some of the other punters.

"Too much?" She asked as she approached the bar, Scarlett pouring her a small glass of vodka which was happily taken by the clearly nervous Atlin.

Charlie struggled to pick his jaw off the bar so Scarlett said "You look lovely, Atlin. Going anywhere special?"

Atlin gave a chuckle after noticing Charlie. "Thank you both. I'm actually not too sure, Jessica is picking me up in about ten minutes but I figured that some Dutch courage couldn't hurt with easing the nerves."

"I'm sure you'll be fine, you're a total badass police officer so a date should be a walk in the park for you." The now recomposed Charlie said.

Atlin gave him a smile and chatted with Scarlett whilst Charlie excused himself to take a call from Broderick.

"Brodders, what can I do for you mate?" Charlie answered.

"Listen mate, I've got him. I've found where Eugene is staying. Figured you might want to let Peggy know?" Broderick gave Charlie an address which he quickly jotted down onto his hand due to a lack of paper.

"Cheers Brod, when you're next in the area, pop into the pub and there's a pint with your name on it." Charlie said before hanging up and returning to the bar, waving Atlin goodbye as she went outside to go for her date.

Scarlett poured a couple more drinks and Charlie fetched a few packets of crisps as he waited for her to become free so he could share his news. Scarlett had been a big part of Charlie's work when he was looking for Eugene initially and he felt it was only fair she knew if it was possible that he might be coming back into their lives.

"Scarlett that was Broderick. He's been working on something for me and I feel it's only fair you know."

"Please Charlie, I'm not so thick I don't know what you've been up to." Scarlett surprisingly said with a cheery grin. "I take it you've found him then?"

Charlie was still surprised that Scarlett was aware of his and Broderick's endeavours before realising that this was his closest friend and despite their long time apart, that was something that would never change. She could read him like a book.

"Yeah, I've got an address. I'll give Peg a ring in a few minutes to let her know."

"Really? Don't you think you should let her know in person? This is pretty big stuff and I think she'd appreciate it a bit more if, as a friend, you popped round and told her face-to-face."

Charlie was stuck here. "But...what about karaoke night?"

"There'll be other karaoke nights. Now go." She pointed towards the door and found herself embraced by Charlie, who gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before going to grab his coat. Taking the small kill-switch device that he had grabbed from Sean Harwood earlier in the day, Charlie placed it in a drawer on the side thinking that it could possibly be of some use in the future. If not he could always sell it. As he went back to the main part of the pub, he knew Scarlett was right about telling Peggy, but couldn't stop himself from sighing as he looked at the karaoke machine.

"Maybe another time." He said to himself as he rushed to get a taxi.

Continued in Part 12