Intoxifresh

Chapter Fifteen

George finished making the new batch of pills, making sure they looked as close to the real ones as possible and wrapped them up in a small transparent bag. 'Do you have an idea of what you're going to say to the old man tomorrow?' George asked, handing the small package to Karim who merely shrugged his shoulders in response.

'No. Not a clue, G-man. I'll just do the best I can to keep my job. I know that much.'

'I think you'll be fine. You have what he wants so just tell him that you felt better and popped over to see a friend today.'

Karim agreed and pointed to the ceiling. 'Do you think we should wake him? It has been a few hours and we need to know what's going on in his head.'

Tom went to wake Simon. 'He was already awake, staring at the ceiling,' Tom said as he and Simon entered the living room. Once they were all seated, Simon once again became the centre of attention. He glanced in George's direction before turning his attention to the pictures and ornaments Tom had picked up over the years until he couldn't avoid George's stare any longer.

'So... Simon. What's her name?' George asked in a serious tone. It was obvious to everyone that Simon was uncomfortable; he didn't know where to look.

'Who do you mean?' Simon replied, now gripping the arms of his chair so as to mask his involuntary shaking.

'I'm just intrigued about your daughter. You do have a daughter, don't you?' George could see the beginnings of perspiration forming on Simon's brow.

'Of course I have a daughter and it's killing me that she's been taken. I... I just can't wait to see her again,' Simon said, trying to sound as emotional as possible as he turned to Tom. 'Would it be possible to have some water?' Tom fetched Simon a glass of water from the kitchen and was a little irritated when Simon practically yanked it from his grasp. He eagerly emptied its contents before turning to George, looking sad as he continued. 'Her name is...' George began to slowly move his head from side to side and Simon realised at that moment he just had to stop lying. He looked directly at George, speechless.

'Simon, just be honest with us.' George demanded. 'Listen, we know you made up that rubbish about your daughter being kidnapped but what I still don't understand and, what I'd really like to know, is why you stole my pills. So, for the last time and, I only want to hear the truth. Why did you take them?' George leaned forward, awaiting a response.

The tension in the room was almost unbearable as Simon practically broke down and closed his eyes. After a long exhalation of breath he looked deep into George's eyes. 'You want honesty? OK... but you won't like it.' Simon said doing his very best to appear calm. 'I'll try and change, I really will, but I was greedy... a fool. I'm so sorry.'

'Carry on. Is money involved?' George asked.

'It was... but not anymore. He promised me a million pounds for them.'

'And you were prepared to risk losing everything you have?'

'I'm in debt, George, a lot of debt. It's taken over my life and this was a way out, a way to start afresh somewhere else.' Simon confessed looking deflated.

'But you didn't send him the pills. They were in your desk.' George said, confused.

'You're right. He promised half the money once I'd confirmed I had the pills and the other half after they'd arrived in New York. The plan was to hide them in a Monopoly board game but he didn't send any money. I tried to get to the pills but that big guy ran through the building and got to them before I could.'