Gods and Monsters

VIII

Quinn's Pub – Camden, London

Scarlett walked around the pub with a duffle bag that she stuffed with clothes for Peggy. Despite her being a bit shorter than Peggy, they were about the same weight and so most of Scarlett's own clothes should be fine, if a little short. She also grabbed a face cloth, toothbrush and other bathroom items to help clean Peggy up. Walking around with the bag, Scarlett couldn't help but feel a little silly; it was like she was going for a sleepover.

Back at the bar, Scarlett turned around to find two lanky men - twins it seemed - standing by the door. She could have sworn that she had locked it so their appearance certainly made her jump.

"Oh," she exclaimed, "I'm sorry gentleman, we're actually closed for the night. If you want to come back tomorrow we'll be open around lunchtime?"

The first gentleman stepped forward, his black suit almost shining under the bar light. "It is no trouble, me dear. We just wanted to check if Charlie Quinn was still the owner?" The man spoke in a thick Caribbean accent whilst his brother remained further back, silent.

"Yes, although he's actually out at the moment. As I said, if you wanted to come by tomorrow lunchtime that should be find though." She wasn't sure exactly what it was, but something about the men was extremely peculiar. Maybe it was just the events of earlier in the evening, but Scarlett pressed herself close to the bar where her hand held onto the pistol that Charlie had taped there when they first opened up. "We are closed now so I am going to have to ask you to leave, please."

The first gentleman nodded slowly as he walked back over to his brother. "If you wouldn't mind, me dear, please tell Mr Quinn that the Kingston's came by."

"Will do."

The twins left the pub and walked over to their car on the opposite side of the street. Scarlett pulled herself over the bar and ran towards the door, this time ensuring that it was locked and bolted like she had initially done. The twin who spoke pulled out his phone as his brother started the engine.

"It's me. We got the device." He said as he held up the killswitch Charlie had stored downstairs. "We'll bring it back for investigation." 

Continued in Part 9...