There was a pub on the edge of the gay village.Julie’s.He hadn’t been inside.Didn’t know much about it.He just prayed it was already open.Surely by this time of evening it should be.
Hudson put on a greater burst of speed.
So, Robbie was in Blyham.No doubt about it now.Had he been here last weekend when Julian was killed?It seemed almost certain.
The man was a maniac.Capable of anything.Hudson was sure of that now.
Hudson looked behind again.Robbie was gaining.For an older man, seemingly out of shape, he could really move.
Hudson had almost reached the pub.He sprinted harder.
Relief washed over him when he realised the front door was open.
He burst inside.
A young woman behind the bar jerked with surprise.Three middle-aged guys, sitting together, turned to look at him.Hudson stumbled into the middle of the room, gasping for breath.He bent over, his hands on his thighs, unable to speak.
Two of the men stood up and approached.
“Are you all right, fella?”
Hudson huffed, struggling to find his voice.
“Don’t…” he panted, pointing at the door.“Don’t let him in.”
The bartender came out from behind the counter and went straight to the door, checking outside.One of the two men followed her.
“You best come and have a seat,” the second man said, leading him to a table.
Hudson realised for the first time how badly he was shaking.
The man said his name was Dan.He sat beside Hudson while he caught his breath.
“Who was it?”Dan asked.“Another queer basher?This whole area has become a hellhole.”
The bartender and the first man returned.
“Was it the stocky, balding guy?”she asked.
Hudson nodded.
“He legged it over the road and went down Broad Street.I think you’re okay.”
Her name was Kat.She got him a glass of water while he reported the incident to the police.Luke arrived before the cops did, rushing into the bar, his cheeks flushed.He ran straight for Hudson and put his arms around him.
“Are you all right?”
Hudson clung to him.Taking comfort from the strength of his body, the smell of his hair and cologne.
“I’m fine,” he said.He’d gotten himself together by then.In some way he was actually relieved.When he’d seen Robbie on Saturday night it had been from a distance.He couldn’t be one hundred per cent sure that it was him.But now there was no doubt.Robbie was in Blyham.It all tied into the sinister mail and Julian’s murder.
“I thought you were getting a taxi home.How come you were walking?”Luke asked.
He groaned.“Barbie and Ken, the podcasters.They distracted me on my way out and I forgot what I was supposed to do.I thought it would be okay at this time of night.Until I saw who was behind me.”
“Thank God you’re all right.Don’t take any chances like that again.Not ever.”
Kat, the bartender, returned.“I’ve had a look at the CCTV.You can see him clearly coming into range, before making off.When the police arrive, I’ll show them the footage.”
