Good Deed Bad Deed, Marcia Morgan [summer beach reads TXT] 📗

he had continued to sneak glances at the vehicle. “You’ll have to excuse me, Missus… Lilith… but I need to get upstairs. If you really feel frightened later, don’t hesitate to call 999.” He reached through the open window and patted her hand.

“I will, dear, but I just hope they leave soon.” She paused momentarily, and before Ben was half way up the stairs, she called him back. “Wait a minute. Come back and come to my door. I have a fresh-baked sweet for you to take upstairs.”

Not wanting to offend her, Ben did as he was told, rounding the banister and taking the few stairs down to her door, which already stood open. He remained in the doorway, fully aware that going inside would mean at least an hour of conversation and that cup of tea she had mentioned. While he stood waiting for her to wrap the treat, Ben heard a horn honk and turned to see the said vehicle’s door had been opened, causing an oncoming vehicle to swerve in order to avoid it. Less than an instant later he saw a familiar sight. The man from the night before, with his ratty leather jacket and bald tattooed head, was coming toward him at a fast pace. He stepped quickly inside Mrs. Ward-Thomas’ flat and slammed the door shut, locking it. He then rushed to close and latch the window.

She came out of the kitchen, clutched her chest in shock, and asked, “ What’s wrong? Why did you come in and lock the door?”

“I can’t explain everything right now,” he said emphatically, speaking in haste. “Go to the back of the flat … No! Go out in the garden and through the gate to the alleyway. Stay there until the police come. But don’t come inside until someone you know comes to get you.”

Lilith turned and took short quick steps through her kitchen to the garden door. She turned once, calling out to Ben, “What’s happening? Why must I go outside?

“There’s a man outside who I’m quite sure is trying to kidnap me. He already tried once, last night.” He reached into his pocket for his phone and quickly dialed 999. Unable to think of a way to explain the danger they were in, he told the operator that someone was trying to break into his neighbor’s basement flat, that she was elderly and very frightened. They assured that a car would be there shortly and not to engage the perpetrator. In a moment, Lilith came back into the sitting room. He told her again to go outside, and this time his tone was even more desperate. Then he noticed what she had in her hand. She extended to him her only means of defense, a golf club.

“Here, take this. It belonged to my husband. I’ve kept it around here on the odd chance I might have to defend myself.”

Just then Ben saw the man’s face at the window. A moment later he heard the man throw his weight against the door. It didn’t give, and there was a pause before he tried again. After providing Ben with her weapon, Lilith had made what was a hasty exit for a woman her age, and he didn’t have to worry about her at the moment. The door would surely come down with the next impact from the man’s shoulder. Ben positioned himself just behind the door, readying for the confrontation. There was no one to intercede on his behalf this time, and he only had complete use of one arm. Fortunately, that was his dominant side, but he was forced to pull the other arm out of its sling and ignore what damage using it might cause.

As expected, the man rammed the door one last time and it gave way, opening, but not coming off its hinges. This allowed Ben to stay partially hidden. The man stepped over the threshold and began to scan the room. After his would-be attacker had taken a few more steps forward, Ben took his shot. He winced with pain as he used both arms to accomplish a swing that might have reached at least the ninth hole. However, he was aiming high, and he caught the man mid-torso, causing him to cry out and fall to his knees. Ben readied himself to take another swing, hoping to neutralize his enemy completely, even knock him unconscious. But the man was as tough as he looked, with his dirty black boots and tattoos, and he got to his feet before Ben could get off another blow.

He spun around and grabbed at the club. Ben could only grasp it strongly with one hand, and soon it had been taken from him. This time he saw the man’s smile. He was missing two teeth, and the rest were the yellow-brown of a smoker. He was clean-shaven, but several small scars marred one side of his cheek. He came at Ben, who was backing toward the door, hoping to escape outside and call for help. Where’s that damn Panda full of cops, he thought as his heel hit the threshold. Ben turned and tried to run up the few stairs to the street, but his attacker reached him and started up the stairs, grabbing for his pant leg. Ben tried to continue forward, but was pulled off balance and fell forward onto the stairs, wincing with pain as he failed to protect his shoulder.

Just then he heard noise from inside the flat. The heavy sound of men running became louder, as did their raised voices. Two strapping lads broke through the doorway and jumped on Ben’s assailant, hoping to restrain him until the police arrived. Once again his brute strength secured his freedom. He dashed up the stairs and onto the sidewalk, signaling to his cohort to back up and get him. The SUV screeched backward and the door swung open. He looked fiercely at Ben one more time, shaking his fist as he jumped in. The