Imposition (DI Gardener 5)
“Of course they will.”
“Doesn’t that bother you?”
“Why should it?”
“Because they’ll come looking for me.”
Robbie stared at her. “Let’s see, who have we got? Your mother? Very doubtful. She can’t even remember what fucking room she’s in, never mind where you are. I doubt she knows that you haven’t even been.”
“Don’t you dare speak about my mother like that!”
“You’re so naive,” said Robbie, with a defeated expression. He levelled the gun, stared down the barrel. “And so fucking stupid,” he shouted, at the top of his voice.
Mary flinched, backed away toward the wall.
Gudbye T’ Jane finished and Far, Far, Away started.
“Of course, they know you’re missing. What they don’t know is where the fuck you are. How can they come looking for you when they don’t know where you are?”
Mary didn’t answer, so Robbie picked up the umbrella again and poked her right arm, where the pellet had taken out a chunk.
Mary nearly passed out such was the level of pain. He had managed to catch the wound full on, and the point had gone underneath her skin.
He pulled back. She grabbed the arm, screamed, “You stupid man!” She fell to her knees, rocking back and forth, holding her right arm tightly with her left hand.
He gave her no time to feel sorry for herself as he yanked her ear again, pulling Mary to her feet. She had no idea how much more she could take.
“Shut your whining, Mary, and listen to me.”
She held her breath.
“See the gun?”
She nodded.
“Does that mean yes?”
She realised now was not a good time to correct him. He’d told her to shut up, but now he wanted an answer.
“Yes,” she replied.
“Good. Take it.”
She stared at it, trembling. She didn’t want to take it, but how could she refuse?
“Mary.” That one word was enough. She did as she was asked.
“Point it at your head.”
She glanced at the gun and then at him.
“Having trouble with your hearing, Mary?”
She shook her head, the power of speech having gone. Rather embarrassingly, she broke wind.
Robbie doubled up with laughter. “Oh, Mary, that was a corker. How unbecoming of you. Does your mother know you fart like a docker?”
Mary screwed her face up. “You vulgar animal.”