The Midnight Men and Other Stories Read Online Free

supposed to do first.”
    The young man could not hide his triumph, and sat back with a sneer. “It’s juju,” he began. “Real black magic. The guy from Brixton told me this was the most potent charm ‘e ‘ad. Yes, you’re right in thinking they ain’t pieces of animal meat. They’re from a man. A living, breathing man. Apparently, the magic has more power when they’re alive.”
    “Power? What kind of power?”
    “The power to kill,” said Kane.
    “Kill?” Nathan said. “How?”
    Kane reached over and picked up one of the bloody chunks, the blood instantly turning his fingertips pink. “You put a piece in your mouth, you chew it, swallow it, then say the name of your intended victim, and . . . well, you can guess the rest.” He focused on the piece held between finger and thumb, and for one moment, Nathan thought he was going to put it in his mouth. But he sniggered, and placed it carefully back on the square of cloth.
    “That’s absurd,” said Nathan.
    “Absurd?” said Kane. “I’ve seen it being used, Mr Parker, and trust me, it works.”
    Nathan stared at the three pieces, then at the young man who had brought this evil magic into his home. He stood up and began to stalk around the living room.
    “What on earth would I want with such a thing?” he asked, the question directed not just at Kane but the world at large.
    “Who wouldn’t want to have that power? The power to kill from a distance, from the safety of your own living room? Nothing to tie you to the crime. All you need do is provide a strong alibi, which you’d always be able to do, and you’re free to kill whoever you like. Three pieces,” said Kane. “Three lives. Three murders.”
    Nathan studied the young man intently. “How much?”
    Kane regarded the juju package, weighing up the true worth of such a gift. “I think ten thousand is a fair price.”
    “How much for just one?”
    Kane shook his head. “I’m afraid they come as a triple pack.”
    Nathan nodded. He began to pace again. “Before I pay such a large fee, I want proof, Kane.”
    “Proof of what?”
    “Proof that this isn’t just three lumps of Danish I’m paying for. Proof that it works.”
    “You want a test.” Kane hissed through his teeth. “Now, Mr Parker, the only way you can test this stuff is to actually use it. You know that.”
    Nathan came over and sat down again. Excitement glowed bright in his gun-grey eyes. “All right,” he said. “What do you propose?”
    “Well, pick somebody. Someone you’d like to see dead.”
    “What? I can’t just . . .”
    “There must be somebody you have in mind; otherwise you wouldn’t be considering this purchase.”
    Nathan deliberated for a moment. “All right, there is someone,” he said, “but I want to make sure this definitely works before I try it on him. Can we not just try it on an animal first?”
    Kane shook his head again. “It doesn’t work on animals, Mr P. The victim must have a name.”
    In the ensuing silence, they were distracted by the sound of screeching tyres as a car came tearing down the street. After it screeched to a halt outside, they heard the dull throb of heavy metal music. Then the engine died along with the music. They heard the slam of a car door.
    Nathan and Kane moved wordlessly over to the bay window which gave them a king’s view of the next door neighbours’ yard. They watched as the lone figure staggered from the car, through the garden gate, stumbling briefly, before heading for the front door in a zigzag line. A mighty, echoing belch filled the night.
    “Terry Carson,” Nathan said, spitting the two names out like rotten teeth. “The neighbour from hell. Plays his music at full volume all hours of the day and night. Doesn’t talk to his wife, just screams at her. Probably knocks her around, too, knowing his type. And he’s always got some low-life characters hanging about the house, probably drug-dealers. Must be. I mean, how else does such a shit end