Hunt Hunted Murder Murdered by Michael McBride Read Free Book Online

his job. Many students treated him like shit, lower than a piece of shit even. One spat at his feet. His reaction was sudden. He had been provoked. That’s all that saved him from the sack. If he lost this job he wouldn’t get another – it would be the start of the rocky road to ruin. He was quite capable of doing that even with a job. He drank far too much, smoked like a chimney, and drugs were a recreation he partook of too often. Being around students made it too easy to be presented with opportunities.

    He dipped the mop into the bucket - the cleaner’s duty. He was the janitor, but what with cut backs the Facilities manager gave him the ultimatum. Do it or leave. No option really.
    Still, the hours suited and it was only a couple of hours until he would enjoy a few pints in the Union bar, before heading up the town to spend his earnings in the pub again – reliving past footballing glories with Kelty Hearts and the time he was given trials with Dunfermline. Too old now to dream about it. Injury put paid to it, but realistically it would never have happened. He didn’t have the head or heart for it. Too intent on self destruction on and off the pitch, too many brushes with the wrong side of the law and a marked man in the toun. Happy to stay below the parapet, but he still got his thrills when he could. A sly snog and fondle with a fresher for a few years - until he met Pam. Even then it didn’t stop him being entirely faithful. But it was as close as dammit for Spiv.

    Spiv had secrets. He was friends with all the guys, including Dev. In fact he was probably closer to Dev at the end than anyone. But then again that wasn’t a surprise.
    About 18 months before Simon Deuchar’s dad had told him a secret. He had told him that Dev Coulding was his brother. Simon didn’t know what to do about this. In fact it seemed pointless doing anything, but it was becoming more and more difficult when he was out – because every time Dev was there he felt it would come out. But why shouldn’t it?
    Pointless now. Simon's dad died a couple of months after Dev of lung cancer. A slow lingering death, ending abruptly one night when Spiv found him choked on blood pouring out of his mouth. Horrific find and another reason why Spiv kept drinking and smoking. To forget about it all. Now he was alone in the world...

    Except for Pam. Sweet little Pamela who had come onto the scene 2 years ago and been actively involved ever since. Times with her were the only special times and she even adjusted just to make sure he was OK. She was innocent. She was good. She was his judgment and his life. She had helped him out so much during the time his dad was really ill and, obviously, when Dev had been killed.

    The mop sploshed along the wall. Pools of dirty water falling and then soaking up again. It looked cleaner, but was it? Who cared? The good thoughts turned away again, and Spiv looked across at 2 student girls in their hockey uniforms coming closer.
    ‘Mind yer feet ladies’.
    They smiled at him. He was handsome after all and could be a gent.
    One of the girls slipped slightly. Spiv held her arm to prevent a fall.
    ‘I did warn you’.
    ‘My hero’, the giggling girl laughed, before walking on.
    ‘Maybe you can repay me later’, Spiv called on.
    The girl disappeared from view before a muted shout of ‘Maybe’ came through.
    Still got it!

2.8 Pam

    The lecture hall was half empty. Those that remained were wrapped up warm. These halls were murder in the winter months. So scarves and gloves were like personal protection. The subject was commercial law. The literature was dry. The questions would be fairly simple to gain a good score for, and it would certainly help her as she progressed into business. She didn’t see herself becoming a court lawyer. Perhaps commercial or contracts manager for a big firm, with a good salary and big benefits and less stress and no need to work the longest of hours.

    The lecture would be followed by