The silence of the cab journey was less friendly as we swung past Midway and out along the coast road. Then the towers were looming up ahead, two with a scattering of lights showing, the third in ruined darkness.
“Which one you want?”
“Inshore side. Drop me before you reach the entryway.”
“Wait for you?”
It was reluctant, but he was honest, unwilling to leave me adrift. Or perhaps he just wanted to be certain he was paid before I got myself killed, raped and robbed. Not necessarily in that order. I hesitated. He seemed to be making up his mind about something.
“Or I could call back. I’m going on into Sutton, could swing by here on my way back. Hour or so.”
It was a good offer, worth what I’d have to pay. “Thanks. I’d be grateful.”
I hadn’t looked forward to making my way home, or staying out here till dawn.
“’Kay. Here’s my card. Call me up if you want.”
I took the card while he scanned my bracelet and collected his credits. Then he released the door lock.
“Thanks.”
I waved and turned towards the towers and tried not to feel a sudden ache of loneliness as his lights faded towards the city.
The emptiness of the place was almost familiar by now. I was wearing a dark tunic and trews and no one looking out from a lit room would have seen me as I walked across the waste ground, pausing for a moment in the shadows where I had watched last night, before slipping round to the inland side of the building. Across the deserted play area, careful not to trip on the remains of the broken swing and the jagged bars of metal which might once have been a climbing frame. Then I was staring up. Counting. Fifth floor. I frowned as I concentrated, remembering the turns in the staircase and that Jon’s old room had been on my left when I reached his landing. It was in darkness. I made my way back to the entrance.
Five flights up, stepping quietly. No one was likely to come out to look, especially not at night, but I’d rather they never even thought about it. I’d have to watch for the single vid on Blue Eyes’ floor which I knew was live.
If I’d been asked to explain what I was doing, I’m not sure how I’d have answered. The impulse which had driven me here seemed more stupid each time I thought of it but it was safer to loiter inside than out and the cab wouldn’t be back for a while yet. I could sit on the landing out of line of sight of that single red tell-tale and hope for Blue Eyes to wake up and answer the door or come back from wherever he was. Perhaps, just perhaps, he could tell me a little more about the packets he left for collection by the blader.
That was what I thought until I reached the landing and saw that the gate on his door was open.