Page 142 of Reinventing Cato
“I know the way. I’ve parked there before.”
“I’m dating a policeman. We think one of my housemates is the killer. Now I think he has Vigge. Or he’s done something to Vigge.” Cato could feel the fuzziness lifting. “The text telling me to go to the top floor of the car park came from Vigge’s phone.”
“We should call the police.”
“The message saidno police or he’ll die.”
“For fuck’s… Cato! We can’t handle this on our own.”
Cato was briefly cheered that Max had said we because if he’d ever needed help, he needed it now.
“I know. I want you to call them. Park below the top floor, then after I’ve walked up to the top, call 9-9-9. Tell them to come with no flashing lights, no sirens. Give them the name Vigge Sorensen. Tell them he’s a detective inspector in Huntingdon and he’s in danger from a guy who’s killed three times already.” Cato’s head was definitely clearing.
“Let me call them now.”
“Not until I see what’s happening. Give me time to get up there.”
“But—”
“Max, just do what I say! This guy wants to hurt anyone I care about. I don’t want to risk him doing something to Vigge. I need to be there on my own at first.” So he had the chance to save Vigge if he could, the chance to do something the police wouldn’t allow if he waited.
Max pulled into the car park and drove up the ramp to the next floor, then the next. When he stopped on the floor below the top, he put his hand on Cato’s arm. “I know you must really like this guy, but don’t do anything stupid.”
“I’ll do what I need to do.” Cato paused. “I’ll do the same as I’d have done for you, once upon a time.”
“Christ. Don’t—”
Cato climbed out of the car and hurried to the stairs. He was no longer quite so uncoordinated, but he was cold and frightened. He’d not seen Pedro or Sam in the kitchen, so he didn’t know who he was going to see up here.
He stepped through the door onto the roof into gently falling snow and saw Pedro in front of Vigge’s car. Vigge lay motionless on the ground at his feet. Cato ran towards them only to skid to a halt when Pedro shouted “Stop!”
Pedro held the bloodied letter opener in a gloved hand. There was blood on the ground and on Vigge’s shirt. Vigge wasn’t tied up, but he wasn’t moving.Is he dead?Cato sucked in a breath.Oh God.
“What the fuck, Pedro? Why? What the hell is going on?”
“I wanted to destroy you. You deserve to have your life ruined, like you ruined mine. The police were supposed to find the weapon, but you’d already found it, so things have changed. Now I need you dead. You’re going to throw yourself from this building. If you do, I won’t stab your boyfriend with the rest of the Lepus constellation.”
“So he’s not dead?”Please be telling the truth.
“Not yet. Not at all if you jump.”
The manic look in Pedro’s eyes told Cato the truth. You’ll kill him anyway.
“But you’ll get caught.”
“No, I won’t. I haven’t been yet, have I, Mr I-got-headhunted-by-NASA? Today marks the end of the overachieving Cato Smith who takes whatever the fuck he wants. Today, I hold the power.”
“Is that what this is about? The NASA job?” Cato took a step closer. “It’s not even remotely in your field. You hate me because I got headhunted? How is that my fault? You threatened and targeted my family, hurt my boyfriend because of a job I’m not even sure I’ll get? Killed people! Out of fucking professional jealousy?” As he tried to distract Pedro, Cato weighed up the possibilities, the chances, the risks of making a move.
“Professional jealousy? Don’t make me laugh, you arrogant bastard. You ruined everything. Everything. You took her away from me. My Marcie. Remember her, your one-night stand? She was mine, but you took her and fucked her and walked away. Because that’s what you do, isn’t it? You just take what you want and don’t give a damn. But not anymore. It’s time to pay for killing Marcie. Nowyouget to find out what it’s like to lose someone you care about.”
I didn’t kill her! You’re deranged. Oh God.They’d been right. Marciewasthe key. The police had to be on their way.Keep him talking.“She propositioned me. She told me she wasn’t going out with anyone. I always ask.”
“You’re lying. Marcie wasn’t like that. She was mine until you fucked her. You fucking ruined everything, Cato. It’s your fault I lost her. Don’t come any nearer. Climb onto the wall or I’ll stab him again.” Pedro poked Vigge’s back with the letter opener.
“Don’t!” Cato had been edging closer but now he pulled himself onto the wall and gingerly stood up.Could I leap on him from here?Not without running along the narrow top that already had a layer of snow. He had enough trouble standing on it. He glanced down and shuddered. It was a long way to the ground over a series of short sections of slanted tiled roofs. He’d drop from one to another and the last fall to the pavement would kill him if he wasn’t dead already.Wake up, Vigge!
“Vigge’s badly hurt. Please, Pedro. He’s innocent in all this. He needs help now.” Cato took a tiny step forward.
