Chapter 27
The amount of police around made Nigel uneasy so he headed to one of the few houses in the area where he'd be welcomed.
Affectionately known as the madhouse, no-one was sure who even owned the building but the residents had remained the same for years.
A bunch of leather clad speed freaks.
Arriving outside Nigel grabbed the large brass knocker and clunked it heavily three times on the provided plate.
The curtain twitched and moments later he heard a voice on the other side of the door.
"What do you want?
"Somewhere to have a drink.
"We aint got none.
"No, I have.
An urgent sounding voice joined in,
"What if it's a trap, a set up?
The first voice replied,
"Cause it's fucking Nigel.
"You never know man, the filth might take the opportunity and rush the house.
"There's no police out here¦. Nigel offered.
The second voice cut him off,
"No police, shit we've seen them. See I told you, it's a trap.
"No there's no police outside your house.
The first voice took over again,
"How do we know you're telling the truth?
"Why would I set you up?
After a few moments Nigel heard the numerous locks and bolts opening and a gaunt face peered through a crack. At the same time a hand reached out, grabbed him and dragged him in before the door was slammed shut again.
As the locks were replaced and Raven stalked down the hall Jonny looked round at him,
"Sorry man, can't be too sure, know what I mean.
"Yeah, yeah I know what you mean.
The house had a musty smell as if it had been empty for years, the mingling scent of body odour, hash and a faint whiff of petula oil were the only signs of inhabitants. Following Raven into the front room the smell of life was stronger, though mainly body odour.
Sat on an unmade bed in the corner Mikey was in the process of making a joint, as they walked in he looked up and nodded his head in recognition. In a corner an old television set was on but the volume had been turned down.
Raven's stood spying through a crack in the curtains muttering something about the shit hitting the fan. Looking round he noticed Mikey,
"What the fuck you doing man? We're about to get busted and you're making a spliff, what the fuck's the matter with you? he stood, wild eyed, with both hands slicking back his greasy black hair.
Brushing aside his fringe Mikey stared and then shook his head,
"Chill, it's cool.
"Cool? Cool? Shit the street's crawling with pigs and you say chill, I'm telling you man, they're about to storm the place¦.
Nigel interrupted,
"No no, the police aint there to bust you.
The three looked at him,
"They're not?
They looked at each other before Raven continued,
"How do you know?
"It's 'cause of an over-dose last night.
They looked sceptical.
"It's true, he continued, "some copper's daughter died.
Jonny looked surprised,
"What Kelly?
Shrugging Nigel continued,
"Dunno her name, some prossie, her old man was some high up copper.
Mikey nodded,
"Yeah that's Kelly.
Raven looked shocked,
"What some pig's daughter was a brass?
Jonny rolled his eyes skywards,
"You knew her.
"Did I?
"Yeah, we've had this same conversation every time the topic's come up.
"Do we?
"Yeah, we do. Mikey and Jonny chorused.
"Shit man.
Nigel watched in amusement,
"Anyone want a beer?
"What do you think?
Mikey passed the joint,
"Here you go Nige, get yer lips round that.
Just then the door burst open and Stalk walked in wearing only his boxer shorts.
Stalk was six foot three and the skinniest man Nigel had ever seen.
Looking over Jonny sniggered,
"Jesus Stalk, you could play the xylophone on that rib cage.
"Fuck off prick.
"Oooh!
All except Stalk began laughing, instead he stood wiping the remaining sleeping dust from his eyes. Stretching he asked,
"What's all the shouting about?
Raven dismissed the question,
"Oh nothing, I'll tell you in a minute.
Stalked glared round,
"Well it woke me up, what time is it anyway?
Pulling a face Mikey pulled one of the cans from it's plastic ring,
"Fuck knows, want a beer?
Opening the gold coloured can Stalk took a swig, before grimacing,
"Bit warm aint it?
"Fuck me Stalk, you've woke up happy aint you? Raven exclaimed, "Pass him the joint for fuck's sake.
Nigel obliged, at the same time looking him over, it was the first time he'd seen Stalk undressed and was shocked.
Seeing him staring Stalk demanded,
"What you looking at?
Before Nigel could say anything Jonny cut in,
"Them knee-caps, look at them.
"Fuck you, he smiled, "what time is it¦ roughly.
"Dunno, one o'clock, two o'clock, early afternoon anyway. Mikey offered shrugging.
Raven looked shocked,
"You're kidding, I was meant to sign on this morning.
"No it's about that, Nigel added, "I was at the doctors at twelve and that was ages ago.
Raven tutted declaring,
"Fucking pigs.
Stalk looked alarmed,
"Why what's happened?
"Kelly O.D'd
Stalk looked serious,
"Dead.
Everyone nodded.
"Serious shit then.
Again everyone nodded.
"Is that what the shouting was about? What's it got to do with us?
Jonny dismissed the question with a wave of his hand,
"Nothing, but we didn't know what all the activity was about till Nige got here.
Finishing his can Nigel cracked open another before they all went.
From his perch on the windowsill Raven declared,
"Fuck it, I'll do it tomorrow.
"Do what?
"Fucking sign on, what do you think?
A banging at the door sent panic through the room.
Mikey looked at Raven,
"Who is it?
After a quick glance through the crack in the curtain he looked over,
"Don't panic, it's Weasel.
As Jonny went to answer Nigel walked over and looked through the gap, pulling the curtain back a further couple of inches.
Looking stunned Raven pulled him back,
"What the fuck are you doing?
"Just looking to see what's going on.
"Well don't open the curtain like that.
"I only opened it a little bit.
"Just a little bit¦just a little bit, fucking hell man, see if the pigs were doing surveillance on us they could use one of those high power cameras, Raven made a sweeping gesture towards an old mirror leant against the wall, "and photograph everything going on in the room using that mirror, use your head will you.
"Sorry.
Nigel looked round at Stalk and Mikey who were sat grinning.
Raven followed his gaze,
"What the fuck are you smirking at?
Stalk burst out laughing,
"You're off your nut.
At that moment Jonny walked in with Weasel.
Weasel was called Weasel because he looked like one.
Upon seeing him Raven's face lit up,
"What's up Weas?
"Nothing chief just came round to see if you wanted any whizz.
Immediately Raven was interested,
"What's it like?
"Ask Stalk and Donny I gave them a bit yesterday¦.
Mikey interrupted,
"Stalk?
"Yeah it's good man.
"Shit chief, you're one skinny fucker, Weasel stood staring, suddenly noticing the tall man's lack of clothing, "look at them knee-caps, you wanna mind you don't have someone's eye out.
Jonny laughed, dancing round in glee,
"Fucking told you man.
"Fuck off you bastards.
With that Stalk turned and left the room.
Raven looked back at Weasel,
"Can you let us have it on tick?
He grimaced, revealing a near toothless mouth as if the answer to the question was painful,
"I dunno, when can you pay?
"I'll have the cash tomorrow, if not, definitely the day after.
Weasel stood as if in deep thought, pulling his hair out of it's pony tail he pulled it back tightly before replacing the elastic band. Everyone else looked on with anticipation.
"Alright, he said after a moments hesitation, "how much do you want chief?
Raven's face lit up,
"How much can I have?
Stalk re-entered dressed in army fatigues and announced he was going over to the shop.
Jonny and Mikey dug into their pockets pulling out some change and began counting.
"What are you getting?
"Cider, what do you think.
Mikey looked over at Jonny,
"How much you got?
"Just under three quid.
"Where's Donny, has he got any cash?
"He's in bed still, but he didn't have none last night.
Mikey shook his head and began adding up the money.
"Give us your money then, taking the money he put it with his own, "get three bottles yeah.
Stalk nodded, heading for the door.
Before he could get out Weasel stopped him,
"Hang on a second chief, I'll leave with you.
After a quick exchange with Raven he followed the tall man.
Walking through the door Stalk looked over,
"Save me some yeah,
"Course, Raven shouted back, then turning to the rest he asked, "who's for some speed then?
Jonny and Mikey nodded, but Nigel shook his head.
"You sure?
Nigel nodded.
Raven shrugged.
The door flew open making them jump and Donny stood there, a frizzy mass of ginger hair, tight jeans and cowboy boots.
Nearly dropping the powder Raven turned, his face contorted with rage,
"What's up with you?
Donny shrugged before asking in a thick Texan drawl,
"What's happening dude?
