Blood Junction Read Online Free Page A

spectators, staring at her. She could see the hostility
     burning in their eyes.
    To her disbelief, she heard Red-cap yell, “She’s still here!” Within seconds the mob was in the room.
    India slid off her stool, took two paces back. Her heart was hammering like a road drill. “Look, I don’t know what this is
     about, but I don’t want any trouble.”
    “Well, bitch, you’ve got it, whether you like it or not.” Red-cap stood slightly ahead of the mob, obviously the leader. Pale
     brown eyes the color of stale mustard ran from her feet to her head, then back down to settle on her breasts. He smiled without
     showing his teeth. “We’re going to carve you up and love every minute.”
    Dungarees came forward and gripped Red-cap’s arm. “Ken, we said we’d wait for Stan.”
    Red-cap shrugged him off. “Yeah, well, Stan’s not going to cry over a bit of spilt milk, is he?” He bunched his fists at his
     sides.
    Albert appeared, carrying an egg in each hand. “Holy moly,” he said, and stopped in his tracks. “What’re you lot doing here?”
    “We came to take this bitch away.”
    “What for?”
    “She killed Tiger.”
    India’s knees suddenly felt very unsteady and she put a hand out and gripped the counter.
    “What the hell are you talking about?” asked Albert.
    “We saw her last night. She was with him.” Red-cap’s tone turned vicious. “Murdering bitch!”
    “Tiger?” India repeated faintly. “Tiger’s dead?”
    Red-cap didn’t appear to have heard her. He spat on the floor and said, “You killed him. You killed our mate.”
    The mob started to rumble, like a gathering storm, and India could feel its menace.
    “Where’s Stan then?” Albert said. He looked at each of the men in turn. “He wouldn’t like you taking the law into your own
     hands.”
    Red-cap sneered at the cafe owner. “Get back to your stove, fat Albert, this ain’t none of your business.”
    “The hell it isn’t,” Albert said, his face flushed. “This is my place, and I’ll have no lynching in here.” Without moving
     his gaze from Red-cap’s he opened his hands and let the eggs drop to splatter softly on the floor. Slowly, he tracked for
     the counter and picked up a stool. Holding it high over his head, he took three paces towards the mob. “Someone go and get
     Stan then. Before one of you gets hurt.”
    Red-cap retreated, as did the mob behind him. “You can’t be serious, Albert. I mean, we know you’re effing Greek and all,
     bloody soft in the head for Abos and such … But you’re protecting a murderer. It’ll land you in jail.”
    India slithered past Polly, who was staring openmouthed at the mob, and took up position behind Albert. Her mouth was dry,
     and she felt ice cold although she was sweating. “Back door’s open,” hissed Albert.
    India turned and fled.

T HREE
    I NDIA TORE THROUGH A STOREROOM FILLED WITH CAR tons and crates, stacks of loo rolls, bleach and cooking oil, then down a corridor for the fly screen at the far end. She
     opened the screen and slammed it shut, hard as she could in front of her. Then she crept back up the corridor and through
     the storeroom. She stood by the door behind the counter and listened. Silence. Opening the door a crack, she saw Albert leaning
     weakly against the counter. Polly was holding his hand, looking anxious.
    “Is it safe to go out the front?” India hissed through the crack.
    Both Polly and Albert jumped visibly. “Jesus,” said Albert as Polly smiled, delighted.
    “Albert, could you check for me?”
    He gave her a nod and turned to Polly, a finger against his lips. “Keep quiet, will ya?” he whispered. “We’ll pretend she’s
     gone out back.”
    Polly nodded earnestly.
    Albert beckoned India behind the counter, whispered, “Duck down here for a bit ’til the coast is clear. I’ll check the street,
     see what’s happening.”
    Polly followed him while India hunched behind the counter, adrenaline pumping. She heard