The Last Enemy(40)

Jake shot a look at Dan, and saw from the grim and sickly look on his face that whatever Guy and Dan had been during their childhood at de Courcey Hall, they hadn’t been mates. Dan looked frightened.

Jake turned back to Guy.

‘I thought you were in trouble,’ Jake said accusingly. ‘Being held prisoner.’

‘Yes, that’s what you were supposed to think,’ said Guy. He looked up at the sky. ‘It really is starting to get dark. I think we ought to continue this inside.’ He jerked the gun. ‘Follow Spider. I’ll be bringing up the rear. And, like I said, any funny business . . . You’re dead.’

Spider led the way towards the ruin of Platt Castle. Jake, Lauren and Dan followed anxiously, aware of Guy and the second boy behind them.

‘Make sure you don’t drop that book, Jake,’ said Guy.

Jake could see that there were glimmers of light coming from the ruined castle. One corner of the interior had survived; it looked as if it had been repaired in a rough sort of fashion. The dim light was showing through a narrow gap where a wooden shutter had been put into place over a small window.

Spider reached a door, opened it, and disappeared inside. Jake, Lauren and Dan followed him, uncomfortably aware of the gun in Guy’s hand behind them.

The room was lit by oil lamps and had been kitted out with tatty-looking tables and chairs. Four young people were sprawled on the floor, sitting and lying on sleeping bags. They stood up as Spider led everyone in, their eyes watchful when they saw Jake, Lauren and Dan.

These four also seemed little more than kids. They looked like clones of each other with their sharp-eyes and rat-like faces. Feral. Dangerous.

‘Take their mobiles off them, Spider,’ Guy said. ‘And, you, put your hands above your heads and remember what I said. Try anything and I’ll shoot you.’

‘What’s this about, Guy?’ demanded Jake, as Spider began to rummage through their pockets.

‘What it’s always been about, Jake. Finding The Index,’ said Guy. ‘Looks like you’ve got the closest so far. Brownie points to Jake. Or was it your girlfriend who worked it out? You did say she knew more about this business than you did.’

‘I got their mobiles, Guy,’ said Spider, holding them up. ‘You want me to trash them?’

‘Yes, but take out the SIM cards and break them first.’ Guy looked at Jake and Lauren. ‘Just making sure we can’t be tracked here. No signals any more; I want to make sure we’re safe from interruptions. First, allow me to introduce my friends. Or, my crew, as we like to call ourselves.’ He pointed at the boy who’d taken their phones and was busy destroying them. They now saw that he had a tattoo of a spider on his neck. ‘Spider, you’ve met.’

He pointed at the other boy who’d been with him and Spider outside. ‘That’s Patch. Say hello to Patch, Jake.’

Jake looked at the boy. He looked about fifteen. Like Spider, Patch had a shaved head and a cold, hard stare. He also had what appeared to be a birthmark under his left eye.

‘Seems like Jake doesn’t want to talk to you at the moment, Patch,’ said Guy. ‘Don’t worry, he will.’

At the threat in Guy’s words, Jake felt a sickness in his stomach. We are in big, big trouble.

Guy’s arm swung round, pointing at two girls. They looked about thirteen, although — with their shapeless clothes and their almost shaven heads — it was difficult to tell.

‘Gadge and Midge,’ said Guy. ‘They are so clever, both of them. They can do things with a computer that will amaze you. Manipulation. Getting through encryptions.’ He looked at them admiringly. ‘I don’t know where they could have learnt such skills, but they have been absolutely invaluable to me!’

The two girls beamed broadly at this flattery, smiling at one another, and then looking at Guy with unconcealed admiration.

He’s charmed them, realised Jake. He’s charmed them all. That’s what Guy does.

‘Next to Gadge and Midge, that tall guy is Des, my muscleman.’

Jake noticed that Des, who was perhaps a year older than the other kids, wore heavy, metal rings on the fingers of his right hand, which made his fist a formidable weapon.

‘Next to Des, that’s Patch’s brother, Duke.’

Duke, skinheaded like his brother and wearing a street sports outfit, looked to be not much older than fourteen. He had picked up a wicked-looking machete which he flexed as he gave Jake and the others a cruel smile.

At the sight of the weapon, Jake thought of Jasper Brigstocke, his fingers cut off and lying on the floor beside his dead body.

‘So that’s my crew.’ Guy smiled. ‘Crew, meet Jake Wells and his girlfriend, Lauren. They’re the ones who are going to make us all very rich. The other one with them is Dan, an old boyhood friend of mine.’ And Guy laughed at that, a nasty laugh.