a laugh. And they'll have money on them. They're not going to put up much of a fight, are they? They're a bunch of jessies."
"You're talking about going and robbing people?" Donny said, doubt in his voice.
Kenny shrugged. "They're poofs. They don't count. And they're not going to go running to the polis, are they? Otherwise they'd have to explain what they were doing hanging about St. Mary's Church in the dark."
"Could be a laugh," Brian slurred. "Scare the shit out of the shirtlifters." He giggled. "Scare the shit out of them. That could be bad news for somebody." He drained his pint and got to his feet. "Come on, then. What's keeping you?"
They lurched out into the night, nudging each other in the ribs and guffawing. It was a short walk up The Shore to the church ruins. A half-moon peeped out from fitful clouds, silvering the sea and lighting their way. As they approached they fell silent, prowling on the balls of their feet. They rounded the corner of the building. Nothing. They crept up the side and through the remains of a doorway. And there, in an alcove, they found what they were looking for.
A man leaned against the wall, head back, small noises of pleasure spilling from his lips. In front of him, another knelt, head bobbing back and forward.
"Well, well, well," Donny slurred. "What have we here?"
Startled, Ziggy pulled his head away and gazed in horror at his worst nightmare.
Brian Duff stepped forward. "I'm really going to enjoy this."
Chapter 15~16
Chapter 15
Ziggy had never been so scared. He stumbled to his feet and backed away. But Brian was upon him, his hand grabbing at the lapel of the sheepskin. Brian threw him against the wall, knocking the breath from him. Donny and Kenny stood uncertain as the other man hastily zipped himself up and took to his heels. "Brian, you want us to go after the other one?" Kenny said.
"No, this is perfect. You know who this creepy little fairy is?"
"Naw," Donny said. "Who is he?"
"He's only one of those bastards that killed Rosie." His hands bunched into fists, his eyes daring Ziggy to make an attempt at escape.
"We didn't kill Rosie," Ziggy said, unable to keep the tremor of fear out of his voice. "I'm the one who tried to save her."
"Aye, after you'd raped and stabbed her first. Were you trying to prove to your mates that you were a real man and not a poof?" Brian shouted. "Well, son, it's confession time. You're going to tell me the truth about what happened to my sister."
"I'm telling you the truth. We never harmed a hair on her head."
"I don't believe you. And I'm going to make you tell the truth. I know the very thing." Without taking his eyes off Ziggy, he said, "Kenny, away down the harbor and get me a rope. A good long length, mind."
Ziggy had no idea what lay ahead, but he knew it wasn't going to be pleasant. The only chance he had was to talk his way out. "This isn't a good idea," he said. "I didn't kill your sister. And I know the cops have already warned you to leave us alone. Don't think I'm not going to report this."
Brian laughed. "You think I'm stupid? You're going to go to the police and say, 'Please, sir, I was sucking some cunt's cock and Brian Duff came along and gave me a slap?' You must think I came up the Forth on a biscuit. You're not going to tell anybody about this. Because then they'd all know you're an arse bandit."
"I don't care," Ziggy said. And at this point, it seemed a fate less terrible than whatever an uncurbed Brian Duff might mete out. "I'll take my chances. Do you really want another load of grief dumped on your mother's doorstep?"
As soon as the words were out, Ziggy knew he'd miscalculated. Brian's face closed down. He raised his hand and slapped Ziggy so hard he heard the vertebrae in his neck crack. "Don't you mention my mother, cocksucker. She never knew grief before you bastards killed my sister." He slapped him again. "Admit it. You know you're going to have to pay sooner or later."
"I'm not admitting something I didn't do," Ziggy choked out. He could taste blood; the inside of his cheek had torn on the sharp edge of a tooth.
Brian pulled his hand back and gut-punched him with all his considerable strength. Ziggy folded, staggering. Hot