Chapter 53.

Williams and his young partner took the bottle of whiskey upstairs to play a few games of pool. He set the bottle down on one of the tables and poured two drinks whilst Stevens racked up the balls for the first game. The jackets came off, ties were loosened and shirt buttons were undone. The customary cigarettes were passed out and lit and the game began. Stevens was dreading his older partner saying anything about the scene they had come away from earlier. He knew in his heart he was going to explore the avenues of his own father’s brutal murder and the undeniable similarities between the two. And although Williams had already issued the caution about being extra careful from here on in, Stevens knew he would recover that ground at some point soon. The awkward not saying anything between them was getting unbearable.

Williams had been mulling over in his head how exactly he was going to approach the delicate matter. He didn’t want to crash into things without careful consideration for his young partner’s feelings no matter how well-placed his concern was, he didn’t want to appear too heavy-handed, too paternal. He knew that the young man leaning over the pool table aiming his shot had a duty to perform, but it seemed like such a waste of a young life if he went and got himself killed.

“So, you think it’s definitely the same vampire that killed my father then?” Stevens braved speaking first, cigarette still in his mouth and still aiming his shot. He struck the cue ball and sent the rest of the balls flying in all directions across the table. Williams had to admire the way he just jumped feet-first into the conversation. He stood for a moment considering his answer. Of course, both of them knew what it was going to be, and the look on his face was enough for his young partner.

“Yeah, yeah I do,” Williams answered, rubbing the chalk on the end of his cue, his voice laced with defeat. He was really becoming attached to this young man and didn’t like the idea of him meeting his maker so soon.

“Well, if that’s the case then I know what they are after. And I’m not going to give it up without one hell of a fight.” The young detective responded in a deadly serious tone. He paused, “…It also means that whoever she is, she’s here.” As he said the words something inside clicked, Rebecca had freaked out that night in his room when she discovered the talisman under his pillow. He discarded the thought almost as soon as he conjured it. She couldn’t be, that was impossible. They were only just getting to know each other. And surely fate wouldn’t be that cruel. Williams noticed the thoughtful expression on his face and wondered what notion he was toying with now.

“What it is?” He asked in a concerned tone.

“Oh, nothing, nothing. I was just wondering if Julia has had a chance to do my laundry that’s all.” He didn’t sound too convincing and Williams wanted to call bullshit immediately. But he didn’t want to push him too much. Whatever it was, he was confident that Stevens would reveal all when he was ready.

They continued playing pool until Williams had beaten his young partner too many times to be polite. Sitting down and they continued their conversation, each trying to find the appropriate small talk, two-thirds of the bottle down. Just as they had poured two new glasses the familiar buzz from Williams’ jacket pocket. He rolled his eyes and pulled the damn thing out. ‘The Wife’ was emblazoned on the screen.

“Hello dear!” He said in a strained cheery voice. “Yes, I’m nearly finished up for the day… What’s that love, the dog chewed what?” He poked his finger in his free ear to block out the background music and hear her better. “He did what?” His voice raised and a little agitated. “My bloody slippers? Woman, that’s the third pair that damn dog of yours has destroyed. Either he goes or I do.” He rang off still furious at the news he’d just received. The dog his wife loved so much was a small vicious little thing, no doubt overcompensating for his size or lack of it by attacking everything that crosses his path, and had insisted on chewing every pair of slippers he owned. Every time his wife brought home a new pair; he would rip them to shreds. And the most annoying part was that he would wait for a few weeks before doing it. He would allow Williams to get used to the new slippers, break them in so to speak, before he would strike. The stupid dog made a go for anyone, he even tried attacking a workman who had called out to fit the new kitchen, but didn’t realise that the shoe he was biting into had steel toecaps fitted and, in the end, he lost a tooth. But it never deterred him from trying to attack anything else.

Williams sank back the glass of whiskey and poured another still seething with the idea that another pair of slippers had been destroyed. It was like the empire of his home was under threat from that damn dog. He had just lit up a cigarette when the phone started its annoying buzz again. He lifted it and looked, it was ‘The Wife’ again. He took a deep intake of breath and answered.

“What now woman?” His voice was a little harsh and it wasn’t like him to be that sharp with her normally. She chirped in his ear asking him when he was going to be coming home. She even apologised; she was sure they could reach some compromise over the dog. She even suggested sending him to a behavioural specialist and his bad temper melted at her efforts to smooth things over. He knew though that by the time it would come to tomorrow she would lose the notion altogether and it would never be spoken of again. But he had to give points for effort.

He hung up and put the phone back in his pocket, then sank the whiskey back before slamming the glass down on the table. He held out his hand to his young partner who shook it despite being puzzled by the gesture.

“Well, Robert my son. I’m off home to the missus. You be careful walking home. Do you hear me?” His words were slightly slurred around the edges from the amount of alcohol consumed. He stood up and walked downstairs and out of the bar saying goodnight to Danny on the way.