The Pilo Family Circus by Will Elliott Read Free Book Online

without thinking about those bastards.’
    Jamie left him to suffer alone. He stole a pair of boots from Marshall’s bedroom, went downstairs and braced himself for the cleanup.
    His eyes never left the clock. Two hours passed in which he cleared the bigger bits of glass. Then he fetched a shovel and scooped the remaining slivers into piles.
    The clock struck ten. He’d begun to tackle the stains and smells, and to sort out the salvageable items from the write- offs. By then, Steve had about six hours to go, give or take.
    Tick tock. Tick tock.
     
    He’d settled down for a moment’s rest on the seat cushions and drifted again into unexpected sleep. Someone banging on his door woke him with a start. He got up and flung it open. It was Steve.
    Jamie’s heart eased back to a frantic sprint. ‘What do you want?’
    Steve’s face looked haunted. ‘I got to think of something.’
    Jamie shut his eyes. ‘What are you talking about?’
    ‘To pass the audition. You know?’
    Ah, yes. Steve’s was not exactly a mind brimming with creativity. Jamie said, ‘Look, forget about it. If they come back here, call the cops. That’s all.’
    ‘Yeah, but … you know, what if …’
    ‘Did you get another note?’
    ‘No. But … I can’t sleep. I can’t stop watching the clock. I’m trying to come up with some kind of plan, just in case, but I can’t think of anything.’
    ‘No surprises there,’ said Jamie, a remark he would not have dared utter aloud this time last week. ‘I guess you just weren’t cut out to be a clown, Steve. Go away. I’m sleeping.’
    Steve gave him a beaten-puppy look over his shoulder as he left. Jamie lay back down.
     
    It was seven in the morning when he woke, having had far too much sleep. He scrambled to his feet, unsure if he was scared or not. Steve’s deadline had now passed.
    He went upstairs. From the kitchen window he saw a police car parked by the side of the house. The police! his mind screamed like a siren. Something happened — they blew up the club! I’m DOOMED.
    From the hallway he could hear voices. He crept into the living room and listened. The cops were talking to Marshall. ‘Yeah, I dunno,’ Marshall was saying. ‘Last I saw he was on the roof. Dunno what he was doing there.’
    ‘And there’s nothing like this in his room?’ said one of the police.
    ‘I dunno, man!’ Marshall wailed. ‘I don’t know who keeps fuckin’ drugs in their room and who doesn’t. Why don’t you go take a look? You’re the cop, aren’t you?’
    Jamie crept back into the kitchen and waited for the police to leave. When they were gone he heard Marshall swearing and throwing things around.
    ‘What happened?’ Jamie asked him from the doorway.
    Marshall turned. He was unhealthily thin, with a pointed goatee that was meant to look druidic. His room was adorned with Celtic symbols, many bearing slash and burn marks from the clowns’ visits. In his hand was an order to appear in court. He held a shaking index finger just below Jamie’s nose. ‘Those … fucking pigs … found a pipe and a clip bag. It had leaf in it, for Christ’s sake. I got done for having leaf !’ He spat and shook his head. ‘It’s not even quality pot. Do they know how much speed has gone through this house? ’ He pointed to a shoe box on the floor by the bed and whispered, ‘Last month I was minding fifty grand of heroin in that. AND I GET DONE FOR LEAF! ’
    Jamie had long ago ceased to be surprised by Marshall’s outlook on life. He shrugged. ‘Look, have you seen Steve today?’
    ‘I dunno, man. I can’t believe this …’
    ‘Did I overhear something about him climbing onto the roof?’
    ‘Huh? Yeah, he was on the roof.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘I don’t know. Dude was fucking high or something. He was shouting something about hoping it was good enough. If he’s the one who called the cops on me, I swear to God … leaf! ’
    Jamie left him to it. Climbing onto the roof … Surely not, surely that