The Great Fury (10 page)

“Why?” Oengus asked, thinking the elevator ride had been smooth enough.

Nina led him down along the soiled walls of a cream colored corridor with doors on each side. She stopped in front of a door.

“This is it,” she said.

Oengus just stared in shock.

The door to John's apartment was crossed with tape marked, ‘crime scene do not enter.'

“Sorry man,” Nina said softly.

“Can I go in?” Oengus asked.

“The door is locked,” Nina pointed out.

“What happened?”

“A while ago the floor was wakened to the sound of screams. He was found dead.”

“Uncle John?”

“No his room mate, his, em, friend.”

“Friend?” Oengus asked picking up on something in the tone.

Nina looked at him. She had decided to help as he had an attractive face but a lost look. Nice open smile. But the eyes. His eyes disturbed her deep down. She couldn't hold his gaze and felt herself blushing.

“I think your uncle was gay,” she explained.

“Gay? He seemed a terrible cross, bad tempered man to me,” Oengus contradicted.

“No, no homosexual. Where have you been man?”

“On the side of a mountain in Kerry.”

“Ireland, that's Ireland, right?”

“Yes Nina. But are you saying he shared his apartment?”

“Just a few rooms and a single bedroom, it's not big like a real apartment. He shared with another fireman called Barthy. Bartholomew, I think.”

“They lived together like a couple?” Oengus asked.

“Day and night.”

Oengus nodded in comprehension. He'd seen this on television.

There was a squeak from the hinges as the door of the apartment began to open. Beag, having reverted from pigeon to Puca, appeared as an extraordinarily ugly naked little man. As he emerged partly around the door he spoke to Oengus in Gaelic.

“I flew in an open broken window,” Beag began to explain...

“Pigeon, right now!” Venus barked in a harsh mew as Nina squealed and jumped behind Oengus to peer around at the sight of Beag. There was a flutter of wings, but Beag left the door open.

“I'll investigate,” Venus mewed, jumping out of Oengus's arms and sliding in through the half open door.

“Did you see that?” Nina hissed.

“It's ok,” Oengus reassured and without really thinking, gave her a hug and a kiss on the forehead to reinforce his point.

Nina shook and stared at Oengus. Something just happened was the thought that came into her head.

Feeling her shake, Oengus gave her a warmer hug. “It's ok,” he repeated gently.

“Would you kiss me?” she asked.

“I was told no tongues.”

“No tongues,” Nina agreed, with a blush and a laugh. Was this guy for real!

Oengus kissed her upturned lips. This was his second kiss of lips so far.

Better, he thought. I'm getting better at this. Nina seemed to fit easily into his embrace and he felt somehow more in charge, more confident.

Nina sighed deeply and snuggled into him. There was warmth about Oengus that made her feel safe.

“You ok?” he asked.

“I don't think so,” Nina whispered. She was tingling all over, “but I like it.”

Awkwardly, Oengus let her go. “Let's take a look inside,” he said.

Nina froze. “They say a vampire killed him,” she said.

Chapter Eleven

Nina was intrigued that Oengus had a cat and even more intrigued that he also had a pigeon. And the cat and the pigeon seemed to get on together. The small naked man was nowhere to be found and Nina wondered if she had really seen him.

It was clear that the murder squad had given the apartment a good going over. Drawers were open and clothes and papers were strewn about.

“What a mess,” Oengus remarked.

“You can be sure that Hugo and his gang have been through the place. You can see no television, no saucepans. They would have taken anything of value once the cops cleared out. It's just another unsolved murder. Who cares?” she said.

“I do,” Oengus said grimly. There must be a clue to my uncle's whereabouts.”

“Easy, go to where he works. He has to work to eat. You'll find him at work I expect?”

“Nina if this attack was meant for him it's likely he is in hiding,” Oengus pointed out.

Nina shrugged, what did she care? She wondered would she get another kiss, just for the fun of it. He was sexy serious and the eyes...

“I've told Venus and Beag to search every nook and cranny,” Oengus said.

“Who?”

“The cat and the pigeon.”

“Oh, ok,” Nina said doubt clinging to her tones.

“I've looked everywhere obvious,” Oengus said.

“Toilet cistern?” Nina prompted, “or the floorboards?”

“Nothing.”

“Behind pictures on the walls, secret drawers in desks,” Nina built, remembering her last burglary with Hugo's gang.

“Did you?... were you here when Hugo robbed the place?” Oengus ventured.

“Yes, and there's nothing left and nothing to show where your uncle went,” Nina admitted with a tinge of embarrassment.

“So first the cops and then Hugo went through the place?” Oengus checked.

“Hugo was meticulous and because the cops were gone we had a lot of time. Crime scenes are easy to rob when the fuss dies down, especially when there are no relations or survivors staying on in the apartment,” Nina explained patiently.

Venus came and turned around Oengus's ankles.

“We'll need a sharp knife or a screwdriver,” Venus mewed.

“Well done,” Oengus said.

“It was Puca Beag, he went about as a snake, and got into corners and sussed out things out,” Venus gave credit where it was due.

“Well done Puca Beag,” Oengus said.

Nina squealed. She'd been about to stomp a snake when it turned into a pigeon and flew up on to a wardrobe.

“It's ok,” Oengus said and gave her a comforting hug. She puckered up for a kiss but Oengus asked her if there were knives or a screwdriver in the kitchen.

“No, Hugo took everything saleable.”

“Oh.”

“Take mine,” she said producing her knife from up her sleeve.

When Oengus stared she said, “a girl has to be careful, especially alone with a boy.”

Oengus reached for the knife but before he took it Nina pressed a catch and the blade shot out.

“Wow,” Oengus said impressed despite his reservations. As far as he knew no girls in Kerry carried knives.

Nina considered taking out the pigeon. She was still unnerved about its sudden transformation. A quick flick of the wrist and she'd impale him to the wardrobe with the knife. But she decided not to upset Oengus. He was a nice boy and clearly was uneasy about girls who were proficient with knives.

She swiveled the knife and handed it handle first to Oengus.

“This way,” Venus mewed.

To Nina's surprise Oengus followed the mewing cat into the bedroom. Curious, she followed.

“The mattress? Oengus asked.

“No the bedpost, where it meets the bed,” Venus mewed.

The bed had strong uprights in teak at both ends and was supported on strong teak plank side-lengths. The mattress was no longer on the bed but ripped open and propped against the wall after previous searches. However the frame of the bed seemed intact.

“Puca says it's not solid at the top where the cross plank meets the upright.”

“Looks solid,” Oengus said doubtfully.

He lay on his back on the floor and probed.

“What is it?” Nina asked, coming to sit beside him.

She rubbed his chest while he fiddled under the bedpost.

“Oengus, do you think I'm attractive?” she asked.

Oengus grunted.

“Have you ever been with a girl?” she asked.

“I intend to be a virgin when I marry,” Oengus said, without lifting his head from under the bed frame.

“You serious?”

“Yes.”

Nina regarded him with solemn eyes. She'd heard of girls deciding to marry as virgins but his was the first time she'd come across it in a boy?

“You serious?” she repeated.

Oengus grunted.

“You gay, I mean attracted to boys?”

Oengus came part of the way out from under the bedpost.

He was puzzled. “Boys?”

Nina wondered did he lack enthusiasm. She expected boys to show enthusiasm so she could say no and manage them. This was new. She wanted more of him. And Hugo would expect her to be forward and engage the boy until they were done with him.

Oengus tried to contain his emotions. He wondered if Nina in all her natural beauty would be generous if he pressed but he'd been warned. He had been told to be responsible. Not like his father.

Oengus sighed. Women were so complicated.

Hearing him sigh Nina kissed him. Oengus felt a surge of emotion and came up hard, hitting his head against the bed frame.

They both laughed.

“I guess you like girls,” Nina said with a smile.

Oengus reached for her.

There was a click.

“Found it,” Venus mewed.

A square metal object descended from the underneath of the cross plank of the bed frame.

“Is it a safe?” Oengus asked.

“Might be a cash box or valuables,” Nina said, surprised at this development. She looked at the cat with renewed respect. Had the creature put a claw on something and clicked the controls that let it descend?

Oengus put the point of the knife to a corner but Puca beat him to it, having spotted a small button on the side. He landed on Oengus's arm and pecked the button. The metal box opened and a rectangular object fell out. Oengus caught it before it could hit the floor.

“It's an iPad,” he said.

“It's an Apple air, if my guess is right” Nina said.

“I hope you are not going to do what you looked like you were going to do with that young girl?” Venus mewed in stern tones. Oengus blushed. Puca gave a pigeon laugh and flapped about.

Ignoring the remark Oengus took the iPad and pulled Nina to her feet. There's a table in the kitchen,” she said and led the way. Oengus followed, holding the iPad in one hand and Nina's hand in the other. He gave her back her knife and she slid it out of sight.

“That cat sounds like he's talking,” Nina said in a confused voice. “He mews a lot.”

“She, Venus is a she cat,” Oengus corrected.

They sat at the table and Oengus activated the iPad. It flickered to life.

“Low battery charge and you need a password,” Nina said with authority.

“What's the number of the apartment?” he asked Nina, remembering his conversation with his Uncle when he'd visited in Kerry.

“Donno, wait... try 2579,” Nina said.

That didn't work either nor variations of 2579.

“You are only a small inconsequential thing,” Oengus said to the computer. There was no sign it agreed or disagreed.

Then Oengus smiled. He had an idea. He typed ‘42579 ' incorporating the floor number with the room number.

“You are in,” Nina said. “Try the ‘my-documents' folder or the email.”

Oengus pushed the iPad over to Nina.

With confidence she went through all the apps.

Then she said, “Nothing, not even a contact name or number,” she said and handed it to Oengus.

“I don't think it's been used,” she added.

Oengus frowned and opened the email folder. It was blank. “I notice it's not got a Wi-Fi connection,” he said.

“There's a café near here with free Wi-Fi,” Nina informed him.

Hugo was waiting at the foot of the steps when they emerged. Nina had stuffed the iPad into her backpack. Beag was flying in pigeon mode and Oengus held Venus in his arms.

“Found anything?” he asked.

Nina gave a knowing laugh and Hugo grinned, thinking he'd cleaned it out. Finding something would be a surprise.

“Where you going man?” Hugo asked.

“He's upset about his uncle so I'm taking him to a café, you know the one that's near 38
th
and Lexington.”

“Angelo's?” Hugo checked.

“We'll there for about an hour, I'll see you later,” Nina said.

Hugo nodded. He was pleased that Nina was doing her job. He took out his cell phone.

“Message from Hugo,” Leanan said. “Oengus has turned up and is in the company of a girl called Nina.”

They were together behind the black-clouded windows of their limousine.

“Hugo said the girl is one of his gang,” Leanan added.

When her cell rang again. It was Hugo.

“Right,” she said and hung up.

“The girl is taking him to Angelo's café at thirty eight street and Lexington Avenue.”

The Greyman pulled out and made a turn. Both were delighted not to have to exit the car in bright daylight.

“Not much battery and we don't have a charger. What do you want to do?” Nina asked.

They had sat in a corner booth with coffees and Danish.

“Just go in and open mail and ask it to refresh? There might be incomings?” Oengus suggested.

There was one email in the in box when Nina passed the iPad over to Oengus.

The email had a title ‘Oengus.'

“Might be for you?” Nina guessed with a smile and sipped her coffee.

Oengus opened the email.

The email was written in Irish Gaelic.

“Interesting,” Oengus remarked.

“What does it say?” Nina asked.

“It says, ‘if you are Oengus this is your iPad. Tell me the name of the goat that was bad tempered.'”

“What?”

“Wait.”

Oengus pressed reply and typed.

He explained as he typed,

“The goat was right famous. It's a legend in Kerry. Story goes, the goat was in field called ‘Gort na Ghoathe' and that's what they called the goat. You had to go around the field or he'd run at you and butt till he dropped you. When they took him for the Killorglan Fair that was the end of that. About forty years ago, but they still talk about him in Kerry and someone wrote a song about the goat.”

As he spoke Oengus had typed in the name and pressed send.

They waited. There was no response.

“I expect he's busy,” Oengus said and waited until eventually he powered off. He wondered would Maedbh have a charger back at her apartment.

“I'd better go,” he said.

“Will I see you again?” Nina asked.

“I could email,” Oengus said with a grin and indicating to the iPad.

“Do you have a cell?”

“A what?”

“A cell phone.”

“We call them mobiles in Ireland. No I don't but I'm going to get one.”

“Let's go to the Apple shop then,” Nina suggested.

“Then we can text,” Oengus agreed.

“You on Facebook?” Nina asked as they departed the Café.

“Sure,” Oengus said.

Nina took Oengus by the hand and she led him towards the Apple shop.

When they were finished they exchanged cell numbers. Then Oengus said.

“I'll be in touch.”

He kissed her on the nose and with a smile he said “goodbye.”

“Hold on,” she said with warmth. “I'll come with you.”

Oengus shrugged and smiled, “sure,” he said agreeably, but surprised at her offer.

“I've nothing on today. I'll just text my mother so she knows I'm ok.”

“I'm walking,” he said.

“No problem just give me a second,” Nina replied, fishing out her cell phone.

Oengus had decided to walk. He needed to get to know Manhattan and it was a great day for a walk. He had his iPad and now an iPhone. He felt good and couldn't wait to try them further. If Uncle John got his reply he would contact him soon. All in all, a good day's work, he decided.

“Hugo,” she texted into her cell as she walked. “I'm still with him and I'll let you know when he arrives wherever he is staying.”

“Great,” Hugo said when he read Nina's text. 'Stay with him,' he texted back. Then he rang the number he had been given.

Leanan listened, “well done Hugo,” she said. “You'll get a bonus when your girl Nina gives us his address.”

She didn't mention that she and the Greyman were already in place and following Oengus and Nina. However she was happy that Nina was on foot, as they had to make several passes on route in order to stay unnoticed in the traffic.

Hugo went home whistling a happy song. The woman Morag had promised him a fee if he kept watch for a young man. He had done his bit and could expect his fee shortly and with luck a nice bonus. He wondered was there any other way in which he might leverage the situation to his advantage.

Nina wondered at Oengus and his naivety. He never looked around once nor seem to check to see if he was being followed, but instead struck out at pace. She was glad she was wearing comfortable boots. And she was mad curious to see where he lived and with whom.

Overhead Puca Beag soared and watched. He was glad he'd have something interesting to report.