The Stalk Club Read Online Free Page A

skirmishes.  He learned to fight
and knew he could and would kill someone if he had to.  He learned to have no
regrets, to act violently first and to survive.  Through endless repetitions of
heavy weights he built up his slim young body and on the day he left prison he
tipped the scales at just on ninety kilograms of hard, lean, muscle, seventeen kilograms
heavier than when he went in.
    Upon
his release Bruno helped him find accommodation and work at the body shop. 
Since then, Manuel had come to Pellegrinos every Friday night to eat and talk
about old times and new plans with Bruno.  It was during these chats that
Manuel discovered Bruno had some troubles of his own and Manuel had willingly
offered to help in an attempt to repay his debt to him. 
    Manuel
entered the restaurant which was located in the base of a large office block on
Castlereagh Street.  Its double glazed façade afforded diners a clear view of
the street beyond without the accompanying noise and fumes.  Upon entering he
saw Bruno standing at his counter, checking the bookings for the night, just as
he did six nights of the week and had done so for fifteen years before Manuel had
ever set foot there. 
    “Good
Evening Manuel.  You look well,” said the old man in greeting, warmly shaking
his hand.  Manuel again noted how much Bruno had aged since he had first met
him.  His hair was now completely white and there were deep, permanent lines
around his eyes, mouth and forehead.  He had lost weight as he aged and now
only budged the scales to sixty kilograms and the black dinner suit he wore
hung a little loose in places.   
    “And
you old friend,” replied Manuel quietly. ”Freedom seems to be agreeing with you.  Please, take a
seat,” Bruno said, guiding his guest to a table in a quiet corner at the rear
of the restaurant.
    The
restaurant had undergone a facelift since Manuel had worked there and some
serious money had been spent.  An oval shaped island bar now occupied the
centre of the restaurant and the kitchen had been completely refurbished and
was now open plan, allowing the clientele to watch the kitchen staff dance
around the flaming grills as their meals were prepared. 
    New
customers entered the restaurant and Bruno left to greet them.  Manuel dined on
a huge serve of Linguini con Pollo and two pints of beer before leaving and
making his way to the Northern entrance of Hyde Park.  It was their usual
routine.
    After
a ten minute wait Bruno approached and they walked a short distance together before
taking a seat on a park bench beneath the night shade of the large fig trees.  At
that hour, the park remained a busy thoroughfare for those with money, and a
meeting place for those without, but their bench was far enough removed from
all so they could talk in peace.
    “You
look well my friend.  That girl of yours, Kylie?  She must be satisfying your
needs,” said Bruno with a wry smile.
    “Yes
she does, in every way,” replied Manuel, a rare smile briefly alighting on his
lips.
    “You
must tell her nothing of this,” added Bruno in a more serious tone.
    “I
know,” replied Manuel, deciding to quickly change the subject.  “How are
preparations coming along?”
    “We
are close now.”

Chapter
5
    It
was almost eight o’clock Wednesday evening and Craig Thoms was nearing the end
of his shift.  He was tired from being run off his feet for the last ten hours,
but he forced himself to concentrate on the task at hand because he couldn’t
afford to make a mistake.  He lazily strolled down the quiet hospital corridor
pushing a wheeled bucket with a mop, scanning the hallway ahead while also listening
for footsteps behind him.  He casually turned around to double check that he
was still alone and then ducked into the medical supply room on his left.
    Working
quickly, he pulled a key from his pocket, moved to the mesh walled drugs locker
located in the corner of the room and unlocked it.  It was the size of a large