A Question Of Honour: A Harry Royle Thriller by PR Hilton Read Free Book Online Page A

very good driver and had in fact impressed him. The conversation had touched on various subjects and for the most had centred on women drivers at Brooklands, a subject dear to Susan's heart. As they drove through Moss Side, she had asked Harry whereabouts he lived. Without thinking Royle began to reply, and then had second thoughts about the suitability of the run down house where his flat was. He had instead lied once again. He had indicated a very nice property on Moss Lane East as home but had explained that his landlady was having the carpets cleaned and so he couldn't go in until evening. Susan Brown had brushed her nose with the tip of a finger and exclaimed how grand it must be to have one's carpets cleaned, in a mock comic voice. They had both laughed and decided instead to find somewhere to eat.
    Susan noticed the cafe where Harry had eaten breakfast that morning, but he put her off it quickly, by telling her rats had been seen nearby. She had shrugged her shoulders and suggested maybe somewhere a little more sanitary. In the end, they had settled on a Lyons house close to where Susan lived. After eating and a stroll to walk off the food, they had parted and Harry had driven home. He spent the rest of the day going over the map. Over and over he checked all the possible routes to and from the ironworks. He also attempted to get to know the city centre in case of needing to drive through it.
    This took him hours and he only stopped when he found his head beginning to nod. Putting the maps away, his thoughts turned to Susan and he found himself smiling about the car ride and the meal. He had to admit, she was good to talk to and easy on the eye. Laying back on the bed he wondered what the future might hold for him and if she might just be a part of it.

Chapter 4
     
    The next day was like any other, consisting of breakfast at Barney's with Eric, followed by a walk around the local shops. Royle didn't have the heart to go far, knowing that something big was coming and not wanting to be too far from the flat. He helped Edna change a lightbulb, and she rewarded him with a glass of sweet sherry for his trouble. He disliked the drink but didn't like to refuse. The rest of the day passed slowly. He read the paper and listened to the radio.
    That evening was quiet, and he decided to stay in and spend another evening with his map. He had bought two bottles of brown ale and had kicked off his shoes relaxing in the battered armchair, in his small furniture crowded room. A cigarette was held loosely between his fingers as his hands held the map. On the bed, not three feet away was spread an identical copy of the map, but this one had various routes marked on it and a large pencil circle surrounding the ironworks.
    It was after eleven when the knock came. The house had gone to bed earlier, and the silence had played on his nerves a little. He had taken the gun out from beneath its mattress hiding place and had placed it on the chair beside his right thigh, beneath the map. Reaching out, he drank the ale straight from the bottle. He was just lighting a Woodbine when the knock came. It was not loud, yet seemed deafening in the silence.
    Snatching up the gun, he pushed himself into the corner behind the door. He found his voice, which seemed a pitch higher than normal.
    "Who is it?"
    The door was pushed open, and four men crowded into the tiny room. They came in fast, but Harry was already behind them and stood with the gun held level at chest height. With a soft kick, he sent the door back to its closed position. He found his voice again but made sure to keep it lower this time.
    "Can I help you, gentlemen?"
    They turned as one and seeing the gun, raised their hands quickly. Royle now recognised three of them, Pete, Eric and the third man he had met in the pub, Dave. The fourth man was a stranger. Pete with hands still held at shoulder level looked at Harry and took a slow step forward.
    "Sorry Harry, we didn't want to be seen