Page 19 of Geist Fleisch
Though he kept himself composed, Callum’s heart raced. He began to understand what people meant by feeling ‘butterflies’ inside them. Yes, he’d mentioned Max, perhaps with enough detail that they’d recognise a photo of the man. But they hadn’t just recognised one. They’dmadeone, and for what? What did they mean to do with it? What did they have over him, or hope to have over him? Hell! He pushed back his chair with a start and stood up.
“Don’t,” Robert said calmly.
Callum immediately sat down again, this time staying put as if he were glued or strapped to the chair. He could move his hands and head. In fact, he was perfectly comfortable. But his legs and trunk would not answer when he bade them to stand.
“We’re not done, Callum,” Frank continued, just as relaxed as Robert’s imperative had been. “If you are what we think you are,and have made the contact we think you have, you must at least hear what we have to say.”
“Where’s Anne?” he snarled. “What have you bastards done with her?”
“She’s at her Socialist’s meeting, plotting to fight the good fight and topple the bourgeoisie,” said Jacqueline.
Frank nodded. “And it will be far better for everyone if she dismisses what you’ve experienced as a dream. The less she knows about it, the better. That’s the best way to ensure she comes to no harm.”
“Also, ‘bastards?’” Robert challenged him. “I’d watch my language, if I were you.”
“I saw you! Those Brownshirts in the alley?”
“They won’t be missed.”
“Murderers! Bloody murderers is what you are!”
“‘Blood’ being the operative word, eh?” asked Robert. “Yes, everyone in this room knows what you saw. Though ‘murder’ is a dreadfully common term for it.”
Had he expected them to deny it? Or had expectations long taken flight from this horror show?
“You killed those men,” he murmured.
“Yes,” Jacqueline admitted with cool indifference. “Does that bother you?”
“Yes! You’re monsters!”
“This won’t make any sense to you,” said Frank, his voice warm with sympathy. “But if you knew, as we do, what thosemen will become, you’d have a very different understanding of that word.”
“What they’ll bec…” He struggled again, panic seizing his chest as his limbs refused to move. Not knowing what else to do, he began shouting. “Help! Someone help!”
“Stop it,” muttered Robert. “I’m humiliated for you.”
“Perhaps you should give us a moment,” said Frank, glancing at the two devils.
“Are you sure?” asked Jacqueline.
Frank offered Callum a resigned smile. “We need to start trusting one another eventually, don’t we?”
Jacqueline and Robert exchanged a look, then backed away into the darkness. Callum heard a door open and light spilled into the room.
“We’ll be right outside,” said Robert.
“That won’t be necessary,” said Frank, without turning around. “But thank you.”
The door closed, leaving them together in the darkened room. Callum’s chest heaved. His vigour returned. His mind flooded with questions.
“Well?” Frank asked. “Go on, if that’s your wish. If you think me a monster.”
“What?”
“No doubt you’re a stronger man than I. The others aren’t here to stop you.” Frank leaned forward, arching his fingertips together. “Will you strike me? Strangle me, perhaps? Knock me unconscious? And then what? You’ll just leave?”
“Are you threatening me?”
