Page 94 of Two for Joy

“You know, Chad punched me once. I thought it was pretty hard, busted my lip, but it was a kitten swipe compared to this…”

He left his cheek alone, and waited for the painkillers to kick in.

“I’m gonna take that strip off your mouth, if you scream, I’ll have to hurt you. Understand?”

Neil nodded.

Romeo crouched down, ripped the tape off Neil’s mouth, then sat back on the sofa. Neil cursed, then licked his sore lips. Romeo kept a foot on Neil to keep him still.

He pointed at the movie he’d paused on the villain’s sneering face. “Chad’s not fond of action films, and he hates detective thrillers, he’s more of a sci-fi kinda guy.”

Neil didn’t say anything, he just stared up at Romeo, eyebrows twitching, bleeding lip shaking.

“He likes that one, what’s it called … Aliens Attack. You seen it?”

Neil shook his head.

“And he likes quiz shows, and crosswords, and this kids’ cartoon, I dunno what it’s called, but all the food has eyes, and it talks, odd program, don’t know why he likes it, but he does. Oh, and he likes paella, but without the prawns, and he likes ice cream, and Malibu with cola and ice, with a little umbrella in the top.”

Neil blinked up at him, looking more and more unsettled. Romeo pursed his lips. “Any of that ringing a bell? No? Okay, how about you tell me something Chad likes.”

“Don’t—don’t kill me.”

“Don’t be so boring, answer my question.”

“Chad liked this house.”

Romeo looked around the room. “It is impressive if you’re into that…”

“He liked the gifts, the holidays, the take-out.”

“Come on, Neil, try harder than that. Give me something hereallyloved because it certainly wasn’t you.”

He frowned. “His dog, Toby.”

“Yes,” Romeo laughed. “Gold star to you. He loved Toby. The only thing Chad’s ever loved, until me of course…”

“He doesn’t love you.”

Romeo grimaced. “He kinda does…”

“What do you want?”

“You were the last person to see Chad.”

“He came to me for help.”

“Yeah, and you ratted him out to the police.”

“They were looking for him—”

“So you just gave him up, no fight…”

“What do you want?”

“Someone has him. They’re going to do horrible things to him, I need to find him before they do, understand?”

Neil didn’t say anything. Romeo nudged him with his foot. “I said, understand?”

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