The Bullet Trick by Louise Welsh

the clearing up. Not our problem any more. Yeah, cheers, Candy, good luck.'
     
    Bill put the phone back on its cradle and I held the envelope out to him.
     
    'Mission accomplished.'
     
    For a brief moment his face was still. I wondered if he was already regretting telling me as much as he had, then his mouth creased into a grin.
     
    'OK, good.' He turned towards Sam. 'You got William’s fee?' Sam reached into his pocket, pulled out a white envelope and handed it to Bill. 'Cheers.' Bill slid it across the desk towards me. 'I think this’ll cover your trouble.'
     
    'Thanks.'
     
    'Fair exchange.'
     
    He weighed the packet I’d given him in his hand and for a second I thought he was going to open it, but the moment passed and he laid it carefully back on the top of the desk.
     
    'OK, I guess there’s no need, but I’ll say this anyway: tonight’s little adventure stays strictly between us.'
     
    Sam raised his eyebrows. I ignored him and said, 'Already understood.'
     
    'Good, because only three people know about it: you, me and Sam. So if word gets out I’ll know where it came from.'
     
    I tucked the fee into my pocket. Sam put his hand on Bill’s shoulder.
     
    'You bought a captain’s hat and a cat o’ nine tails for that new yacht of yours?'
     
    Bill laughed gently.
     
    'Yeah, point taken. OK.' He held out his hand. We shook and Bill palmed the IOUs to me. He gave me a quick wink. 'Good doing business with you.'
     
    'And you.'
     
    I meant it. I’d arrived that night deep in debt and left with cash in my pocket. I got to my feet taking my props case in my hand. Bill came out from behind his desk.
     
    'I’ll show you out the back way. Save you going past that lot.'
     
    Sam stepped to one side and Bill unlocked what I’d thought was a cupboard door in the wall behind him.
     
    I said what had been bothering me ever since I’d slipped the envelope from Montgomery’s pocket.
     
    'There’s always a chance he’s got a copy of whatever it is.'
     
    Sam grinned and suddenly he was the same comic I’d spent countless bar-room nights with.
     
    'Bill will molicate him if he has.'
     
    I laughed but Bill’s nod of agreement was serious.
     
    'He’s treading on thin ice as it is. He knows the score. I got it from him gently this time, for the sake of whatever there was between him and my dad, next time I won’t be so patient.'
     
    'And if he notices and comes up here?'
     
    'Five minutes and we’re gone.'
     
    'Good luck.'
     
    I was already halfway through the door when the knock came from the hallway. Bill tensed, looked at me and put a finger to his lips.
     
    'You in there, Bill?'
     
    We froze, silent as kids in bed hearing their dad come home from the boozer.
     
    'Good going, but you only got half the story there, Billy boy.'
     
    There was a hesitation in the policeman’s voice that made me sure he was lying.
     
    I whispered, 'He’s bluffing, I can tell.'
     
    But Bill shook his head. He shouted, 'Hangon a second.'
     
    Sam said, 'You promised me, Bill, no argy bargy.'
     
    Bill’s whisper managed to be furious and pleading at the same time.
     
    'Jesus fuck, Sam, he’s taking the piss now.'
     
    Sam’s voice was low and determined.
     
    'I know he is and you’re right to be angry, but I swear, Bill, you hit him and I’m out that door with William.'
     
    Bill shot me a dark look and I said, 'I think he means at the same time as me.'
     
    Sam shook his head.
     
    'Bloody hell, William, get a grip.'
     
    The knock came at the door again.
     
    'I know you’re in there, Bill. This is the one chance for you to find out the truth about your mother.'
     
    Sam took the envelope from his lover and shoved it into my hand.
     
    'Look, let him search the place — he’ll find nothing. This’ll be safe as houses with William.'
     
    I hissed, 'This is nothing to do with me.'
     
    Bill’s voice was low and determined.
     
    'Don’t worry; I’ll make it worth your while.' He smiled. 'And if you