Nightside 05 - Paths Not Taken by Simon R. Green Read Free Book Online

said Eamonn. "Can I go home now? I really don't like it here."
    "I'm afraid not," I said. "I could escort you safely out of the Nightside, but the odds are our mutual enemy would find some way to bring you back and start this up all over again."
    "Oh God ..." Eamonn sat slumped in his chair, a small ordinary man struggling to cope with problems he should never have had to face. I felt sorry for him. The Nightside is hard enough to deal with when you choose to come here.
    "Don't worry," I said. "I'm on the case. I will find out who's doing this to you, and I will make them stop."
    "And if Taylor says that, you can take it to the bank," said Tommy, unexpectedly.
    "Talk to me, Eamonn," I said. "Tell me about yourself, about your life. There must be a clue in it somewhere."
    But Eamonn was already shaking his head. "I'm nobody. Or at least, nobody important. Just a minor cog in the great machinery of a big corporation. I do the necessary, everyday work that keeps the wheels turning."
    "All right," I said. "Who do you work for?"
    "The Widow's Mite Investment Corporation. It's a big company, with branches and offices worldwide. I've worked in the London branch almost twenty years now, man and boy. It's interesting work. We're a fund-raising company, persuading other companies to invest their money in worthy and charitable ventures. That's organized charities, of course, along with small start-up businesses that show promise, and some lobbying groups, for recognized Good Causes. We raise a lot of money, and take a reasonable percentage for ourselves along the way. I say ourselves, but of course I don't see any of the money. It's just when you work for a company for twenty years ... Anyway, mine may not be a particularly challenging job, not what I expected my life would be, but... that's life. Few people ever really achieve their dreams or ambitions. We also serve, who keep the wheels of civilization turning. Because the world couldn't get by without us. And anyway, all I've ever cared about is providing for my family. They are my dreams and ambitions now."
    And nothing would do but that he get his photos of the wife and children out again, to show to Tommy. He made all the correct polite noises while I frowned, thinking. I was still pretty sure Eamonn was bait in a trap for me, but I was beginning to think there was rather more to it than that.
    "What made you come to John Taylor for help?" said Tommy, as Eamonn carefully put away his photos again.
    "I found his business card in my hand when I arrived in the Nightside."
    "That's how I knew someone had to be playing us," I said. "I don't have a business card. Never saw the need. Everyone here knows who I am."
    "I have a card," said Tommy. "Or, at least sometimes I do. It depends."
    I knew better than to pursue that. "What matters," I said firmly, "is that someone is interfering in Eamonn's life, and mine. And I won't have that. Anyone wants to come after me, they can do it to my face. I'm used to it. I won't have them attacking me through innocents."
    "I've heard of the Widow's Mite company," said Tommy. "They have a branch here in the Nightside."
    Eamonn looked at us with something very like horror. "My company has a branch in this ... hellhole?"
    I shrugged. "Most big companies do. Can't say I've heard anything particularly good or bad about the Widow's Mite ... What say we go and pay them a visit?"
    "What if they won't let us in?" said Eamonn.
    Tommy and I shared a smile. "We'll get in," I said.
    "They couldn't have anything to do with ... all this," said Eamonn. "They just couldn't. They've always treated me well. Offered me promotions ... though of course I could never take them. It would mean leaving my family for long periods. You can't really believe a reputable company like the Widow's Mite is behind this!"
    "Sure I can," I said. "Big corporations aren't always the bad guys; but it's the sensible way to bet."

Four
    Time for Straight Talking

    W e left Strangefellows and