When Evil Wins (11 page)

Today was the day and there had been no last minute cancellations, so he got ready. Fully suited and booted Janus Malik phoned the local cab company; “Can you pick me up at six o'clock, I'll be going to Leigh station to catch a train.” He added the bit about the train to make sure the cab company understood the reasoning behind the specific time he’d mentioned.

The cab turned up exactly on time and he was taken to Leigh station. After paying the cab driver he bought his train ticket and made his way on to the platform.

Whilst waiting for the train to appear, he practiced answers to questions he hoped he would be asked by the TV executives and publishers that would undoubtedly be at the R.J. Publishing’s anniversary dinner.

Why did you decide to go into the history behind this haunting
? He imagined being asked, he certainly wasn’t going to say that it was only because he needed to bulk up the account of Royce’s haunting.

It’s because, in the main, writers that cover the area I work in don’t usually consider that the personal history behind the research they perform is interesting, whereas I do
. He answered the imagined question.

The fifty minute train journey passed quickly as Janus invented and responded to as many questions he thought he could be asked.

Leaving Fenchurch Street station Janus got into one of the waiting cabs and instructed the driver to take him to 48 Museum Street, the offices of Richard Jameson Publishing.

As they pulled up outside the R.J. Publishing premises the fact that there was something going on could not be mistaken, the entrance to the six story building was lit up by a multitude of coloured lights, but not too many.

“Twelve pounds exactly, sir,” the cab driver told Janus. Janus handed him some notes. “Keep the change.”

“Thank you very much, sir,” the cabby replied more than happy with his fare.

Janus entered the offices of Jameson's Publishing and Mandy greeted him.

“How are you, Mr Malik?”

“Good. How's the party doing?”

“You're a bit early, but there are a few people here already.”

“Are you going to enjoy the champagne tonight?”

Mandy blushed. “Mr Malik, I hope you’re not insinuating that I had too much at the last anniversary.”

“Me? Would I ever do a thing like that?” Janus smiled at the young receptionist.

“Being you, Mr Malik… I think you would,” Mandy finished that particular reference quickly. “Good news about your book isn’t it?”

“I think I've been lucky this time. Will we be expecting any important people tonight?”

“I think we will, Mr Malik,…,”

“Janus, please, Mandy.”

“Okay. Janus. I think we will, the guest list is quite a read.”

“Well… I hope I don't make a fool of myself. Are you sure you won't be drinking champagne tonight?”

“Janus, I can assure you that I was fine last year and I will be fine this year. Thank you very much.”

“Good on you, Mandy. I expect I'll be chatting to you later then.”

“You will indeed, if Mr Jameson lets me off reception.”

“I expect to see you in the entertainment suite, I'm sure Richard will let you.” Janus left the foyer and made his way to the third floor offices of the building. Instead of turning right out of the lift to Jameson's office he turned left to the Morecambe suite, where the party was being held.

He pushed open the double doors of the room and walked in. The left hand side of the room was filled with circular tables each laid to seat six people. On the right was a wooden floored dance area, with a platform for a DJ and next to the platform was the bar. Above the bar was a sign announcing the drinks for the evening were free.

At the far end of the room was a small group of four people, only one of whom Janus recognised, it was the six foot four, Mr Gregory Smith; Jameson Publishing's financial accountant. Smith looked as suave as ever with his slicked back dark hair, chiselled features, pin stripe suit, and obvious gold cufflinks poking out below the length of his jacket's sleeves. Janus assumed the others were close friends of Gregory or at least worked in the same office.

Janus walked over to the bar and ordered himself a drink. Taking the glass from the barman he turned around and scanned the room again, there was no sign of either Liz or Richard but he felt sure that they would appear soon.

He would like to see Liz again as he hadn't seen her since before the accident. Janus wanted to make sure that she was alright and had not suffered much because of the car crash, hoping their close relationship had not been diminished due the extended amount of time they’d been out of contact.

He supped his pint and watched as more people entered the room. Within an hour the place had taken on the atmosphere of a good party. During this time he’d seen Greg Dyke arrive, Richard Deverell, a controller of children's BBC and Tim Waterstone. After Tim Waterstone's arrival Richard and Liz Jameson entered the suite and instead of making their way to the important party goers they crossed the floor of the function suite making a beeline for Janus.

***

Greg Smith excused himself from the group he had been talking with and made his way to the toilets; he had to check the mirror to make sure he was still looking as good as he thought he should be.

After he’d freshened up he put his hand into his jacket pocket to check he hadn’t done anything dumb with his wallet and pulled out a small note; it was the one from the previous Saturday, the one he’d been given in Bar Room Bar.

After that disastrous evening he’d put the whole thing out of his mind and hadn’t worn this particular suit jacket since.

Leaving the toilets he made his way to the bar’s service hatch and ordered himself another pint, then, after speaking briefly with the barman and handing him a note, he made his way back to his colleagues from the finance department he’d been chatting with earlier.

Richard took Janus’s hand and shook it. Liz Jameson then leant over, placing a hand on each of Janus’s shoulders and kissed him on the cheek.

“How are you Janus?” Liz asked.

“I'm fine, but how are you? Are you okay?”

“I'm fine now Janus and that's all that is important,” Liz said.

As he pulled back from the welcomed embrace Janus noticed a few small scars on Liz's face, even though they were well concealed under her make-up; he guessed it would probably be quite a few more months yet before they were completely healed.

“I hear your book is doing very well,” Liz continued.

“It is; all thanks to your husband's many skills,” Janus said.

“Don't be ridiculous Janus,” Richard interjected, “if you hadn't given me something good to work with then you, and I, would be nowhere with it.”

“I suppose you're right,” Janus conceded, adding, “looks like this is going to be another good shindig.”

“Of course it is,” Richard said before turning to his wife; “Come on, Liz, we've got to mingle.”

“Speak to you soon, Janus. Enjoy the party,” Liz said, winking and smiling at him. Richard took his wife to speak to the industry movers and shakers.

The twenty-fifth anniversary party went on, all the guests sat down to a well-crafted menu and the drinks flowed. Once the meal was finished, and everyone had had the chance to let their dinner digest, the DJ started the music again. Couples got up and began to dance.

Janus leant himself against the bar, watching the party, his back towards the suite's entrance.

Mandy walked up to the bar and ordered a large glass of champagne. The barman pointed out a note that had been on the bar for most of the evening, waiting for her to collect it; she picked it up.

Once she’d got her drink she tapped Janus on the shoulder. He turned around to see Mandy standing next to him.

“You got let off reception duty then?” Janus said, smiling a little.

“Yeah, Richard told me to lock the door as everyone on the guest list has arrived.”

“What did you think of the meal then?” Janus asked the young secretary.

“Didn't get any of the meal,” Mandy retorted sourly.

“Don't worry; the buffet is going to be just as good I expect,” Janus said, his last word echoing around the function suite as the music had suddenly died away.

Janus and Mandy, along with the rest of the party goers, turned towards the DJ's platform to see Richard standing there.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am glad you could all make it tonight,” Richard announced. “I am lucky to be able to say that since I entered into the publishing business, barring one or two slight setbacks, my company has grown and grown. And now I can stand here before you all and say it is one quarter of a century since the day I started out. I have been in business, twenty-five years ladies and gentlemen, each year being as enjoyable as any other with only one exception and that's been in the last two months or so when my poor wife suffered, and survived, a terrible car accident. Suffice to say we're both back on form now and happy that we can take Jameson Publishing further by getting involved in the new media of this twenty-first century whilst still opening our doors to the traditionalists.

“Many of you have helped and assisted in the growth of my company and it is those people I consider as my family. You're all invited here today because of your input and help, and for that I thank you wholeheartedly.

“But, and there is a but, I must thank one person in particular and that is Janus Malik, not only for his creative foresight, but the understanding and emotional support he has given me and my family during the trauma of these last few months.

“So I propose that you all raise a toast to Mr Janus Malik, not just a darned good writer but an excellent friend as well. Please raise your glasses, ladies and gentlemen. Janus Malik.” The whole room chimed his name and Janus was stunned.

“Janus, come up here,” Richard said, beckoning him over to the platform.

Hesitantly, leaving his position of safety by the bar, Janus got up onto the platform and joined Richard Jameson.

“Thank you, Mr Jameson, I mean, Richard,” he stumbled, “I don't know what to say.” There was a pause. Janus's mind was doing overtime, he was well aware that everyone's eyes were upon him. “Richard Jameson, everyone,” Janus said, raising his glass and the party did the same and repeated his words. “Richard Jameson.” Everyone was satisfied.

Richard and Janus left the platform and the DJ started the music again.

“Richard,” Janus said, turning towards his boss after they’d left the platform, “you could've at least told me that you were going to do that.”

“Sorry, Janus, I never prepare my speeches and it just came out like that and I meant it.”

“Thank you, Richard, I really appreciate it.” Janus made his way back to the bar and stood next to Mandy once again.

“You're so good, Mr Malik,” Mandy said, appreciating Janus’s contribution to her boss’s business, echoing Richard’s comments.

“Thank you, Mandy, and so are you.”

“Oh! This is one of my favourites,” Mandy said as the DJ put on a Madonna track. “Do you want to dance with me?”

“Sorry, Mandy, I'm not a dancer; but I'm sure you'll find someone in that crowd.” Janus pointed to the party goers who were now on the dance floor moving in time with the track’s beat. Mandy left Janus and wobbled towards the dance enthusiasts, she'd obviously had a little bit too much champagne already.

As the evening carried on, Janus remained at the bar enjoying both the entertainment and the fact that everyone was having a good time.

Just as the party was getting into full swing the main lights exploded into brightness and the double doors of the Morecambe function room burst open crashing against the walls with force; all eyes turned towards the room’s entrance.

“Turn that music off,” an aggressive uniformed policeman yelled at the DJ as he entered; swiftly followed by more officers.

The music was immediately shut down. Apparently the security guard had allowed entrance after the doors had been locked, but with very good reason.

Richard Jameson left the group of people he’d been talking with and strode across the dance floor to confront the newly arrived police officer.

“Officer, how can I help you?”

“Are you the person in charge?” the policeman queried.

“Yes. I suppose I am,” Richard said.

“Can you please tell everyone to stay here and not leave until we've spoken to them?”

“Of course,” Richard capitulated, wanting to keep the situation as calm as possible and without any further questions he walked to the DJ platform and picked up the microphone. “Ladies and Gentlemen, the police officers that you have just seen enter our party have requested that we all remain here. I have no idea why but if we can do just that then I expect the whole situation will be resolved quickly. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.” Jameson turned the mike off and walked back to the police officer.

“What's going on officer?” he asked the policeman.

“Ten minutes ago the body of a young woman was discovered outside the entrance of your building. We need to know whether there is any link between her and this building.”