Souls At Zero (A Dark Psychological Thriller) by Neal Martin Page A

secluded corner. The cafe was half full, mostly with couples who were out shopping, their shopping bags gathered around their feet on the floor. Rankin thanked the young waitress when she brought the coffees and he dumped three packets of sugar into his cup. Having given up the booze and cigarettes years ago, sugar had become his one weakness. It was something he could never give up, despite trying a few times, albeit half heartedly. The way he looked at it, you had to have some pleasures in life.
    Even if certain pleasures had to remain a secret.
    Rankin was half through his coffee before Edger finally walked into the cafe, dressed as he was the last time Rankin saw him, in dark jeans, boots and a black jacket that was zipped up this time, which meant Edger was carrying his gun underneath. His dark eyes were focused and serious as he came towards Rankin. Behind the deep focus in Edger's eyes, Rankin could see the taut desperation beginning to form. "I got you a coffee," Rankin said, although Edger looked wired enough without adding caffeine into the mix.
    Edger shook his head, waved his hand. "Thanks, but I'm fine."
    "You don't look fine, Harry. What's been happening?"
    Edger leaned his thick arms on the small table after moving his unwanted coffee cup to one side. He glanced briefly over his shoulder like a man who thought he might be being watched or listened to, then he turned back to focus his intense gaze on Rankin. Rankin tried to stay relaxed so they wouldn't attract too many stares from the other people in the cafe, but it was difficult when Edger was so clearly unsettled. "Kaitlin's kidnapper called me again," Edger said, his voice hushed as he leaned in towards Rankin, who sat with one arm leaning on the table, his other hand cradling his coffee cup.
    "And?" Rankin asked in a similar hushed tone. "What did he say?"
    Edger shook his head, like he couldn't believe what he was about to say. "The fucker wants me to kill someone."
    Rankin couldn't conceal the shock from his face and he looked past Edger for a second to see if anyone had overheard. "What the fuck, Harry? Is he for real?"
    Edger's jaw clenched. "Course he's fucking for real. He sent me a photograph of the target."
    "Who is it?" Rankin was nearly on the edge of his seat as he waited to hear who this person was.
    Edger leaned in close and lowered his voice to a harsh whisper. "The Lord Mayor of Belfast."
    Rankin stared at Edger in disbelief. He didn't know what to say to that. He shook his head and rubbed at the stubble on his chin. "Jesus Christ, Harry."
    Edger leaned back in his chair and folded his arms.
    "Do you know this person?" Rankin asked after a moment of silence.
    Edger shook his head. "No. He didn't tell me, and his voice was still disguised. Only thing he said was that this whole thing had everything to do with me and I would find out soon enough what it was all about."
    "That's it?"
    "No. I have twenty-four hours to do what he asked or he said he would start cutting pieces of off Kaitlin." Edger clenched his teeth as he struggled to contain himself.
    "Jesus, Harry. I'm sorry. This is…I don't know what to say. You should involve the cops in this. They can help you."
    Edger was adamant. "No. He said no cops, or Kaitlin would suffer the consequences."
    "So what, you're just going to do what he asked you to?"
    Edger shrugged and looked at his watch. "I have twenty-two hours left." He shook his head. "I have to make a decision, John."
    "Harry, you can't just—" Rankin lowered his voice. "—kill the fucking Lord Mayor."
    "Well what the fuck do you suggest I do?" Edger snapped. "What would you do if it was one of your kids, John, hmm?"
    Rankin sighed and said nothing as Edger stared fiercely at him. It was an impossible situation. What could you say to a man in Edger's position? Don't try to save your own daughter? As a father, Rankin would never presume to say such a thing. As an ex-cop, he was bound to advise against it, but he knew he would