“One of you better had,” said Reilly, pointing to Anthony Palmer, “I know he hates clowns, but what’s with the mirrors?”
Roger glanced at Anthony. “He doesn’t like them, either, or the music; absolutely shit-scared of it all. Has been since he was seven years old when he had an unfortunate incident in the hall of mirrors.”
Reilly glanced around. “Hence the reason for all this shit. Sounds like you know more about him than you were letting on.”
“Know thyne enemy, Reilly. Fail to prepare, and you prepare to fail.”
Reilly was suddenly aware of Dave Rawson and Bob Anderson behind him. Four more operational support officers joined them.
“Oh, we’ve brought the cavalry, I see,” said Roger, removing the pointed hat.
“In case it’s escaped your attention,” said Reilly, “my partner isn’t with me. He’s unconscious, possibly dying for all I know, so I want to know who stabbed him and what was in the syringe?”
“Like I said, it wasn’t me,” said Roger. “It was this lunatic here.”
Reilly glanced at Anthony and then back at Roger. “But all of this was you,” he said, spreading his arms and pointing to all the mirrors.
“Yes,” said Roger, “this was my doing. I needed to draw him out, after everything he’d done.”
“Killing your brother, you mean? I get that.”
“And the others,” Roger added.
“Others?”
“Yes, the rest of his team. He’s killed them all.”
Reilly still wasn’t sure about that. He covered the short distance between them like a streak of lightning, grabbing hold of Anthony Palmer, pushing him back against the mirror. “What’s in the syringe, sunshine?”
“I don’t know,” sobbed Anthony.
Reilly pinned him against the wall.
“Steady, Sean,” said Anderson.
“Back off, Bob. I want an answer and one way or another he’s going to give it to me.” Reilly faced Anthony Palmer. “I’ll ask you again, what was in the syringe?”
“I’ve told you, I don’t know. It was all Zoe’s idea.”
“Zoe Harrison?”
“Yes. She contacted me yesterday, told me everything.” Palmer stared at Roger Hunter. “Told me he was shit-scared of needles, like I am of clowns. She told me how to deal with him, and how and where to get what I needed. She set me up with a contact. Cost me a fortune.”
“My heart bleeds for you. Who was your contact?”
“I don’t know.”
Reilly was losing his temper. He slammed Palmer back against the mirror, causing a splintering sound.
“My patience is wearing thin with you. If you don’t give me information you’re going to have a mirror where your face should be for the rest of your days. Where did you meet this contact?”
Anthony tried to cover his head with his hands. His knees buckled slightly. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I never saw the guy, never met him. I was told to go to an address in Beeston and collect a parcel in the shed. And I had to
leave the money?”
“And you have no idea what was in it?”
“No… sorry.”