‘My GodHoward, is that you? It’s Mark, we were at unitogether.’
Howard put the grubbypair of oven gloves he was carrying on the counter, took off hisglasses and came across to Mark’s table, staring at him.
‘Yes so it is, wow,what are you doing here?’
He looked more shockedthan Mark.
‘I don’t believe it,I read all about you, you were all over the news.’
Mark had never reallytaken the time to consider how people he had known just in passingbefore the murders and his imprisonment would have reacted and hecould see he would have to explain things to Howard.
‘Yes it musthave been a shock to people, but look, Howard, I was stupid and didsome mad things; but don’t worry, I’m not some sort of out ofcontrol maniac killer. And I’ve come over here to start again andrebuild things.’
He thought it probablybest not to tell Howard that he was in Dubrovnik as part of a planfor another possible but certainly final murder.
‘It must bemore than ten years since I last saw you, Howard.’
Howard pulleda chair over and sat down. He was tall and thin, skinny really, andquite tanned; even in a somewhat greasy T-shirt and jeans Markreckoned he looked better than he had done as a student in the late’sixties. Even in his work clothes, he exuded a confidence andsense of control that certainly hadn’t been apparent backthen.
‘No I’m notone to judge, but it’s amazing to see you here. I’ll get a bottleof our local wine and you can tell me what happened. I mean, whatare you doing here?’
‘Yes, it’sweird seeing you again, you look like you’re sort of at home here,though. Actually I’m on the cruise liner that arrived this morning,I’ve got to get back to the harbour around three but it’d be greatto catch up.’
Howard broughta bottle of red over and asked Lana, the waitress, to bring somebread and cheese and to deal with another couple of locals who’djust come in to the bar. He was obviously intrigued to find outjust what had happened. And judging from the way he talked to Lanahe was obviously more than just a part-time waiter.
‘You know weall thought you were so hip, I was a little in awe of you at uni;you probably don’t remember but I got some pot off you and Tom acouple of times. What happened to Tom? I mean I heard you’d got ajob at Sussex University and then, years later, a mate of minecalled me and said he’d heard you were on trial for murder. It wasmassive news.’
The atmospherein the café bar was pleasant and Mark felt pretty comfy and quitehappy to get things off his chest. He had lost touch with so manyold friends and contacts and it felt good to have someone from backthen to talk to. He launched into it.
‘Well it’s along story but actually Tom was one of the reasons I did what I didand in the end the bastard took off with my girlfriend. You know hewas really well off, well his parents were; he just flashed hismoney in front of her and turned her head. I know I was married butit wasn’t really working and my in-laws were rolling in it. Ineeded to sort things for me and Justine, she was my girlfriend andTom knew I was planning on leaving my wife and being with her.Anyway, as you no doubt heard, I got rid of them to get my hands onsome real money. I was only trying to get a future for me andJustine sorted until he intervened; in any case it’s water underthe bridge now. I served my time as they say, over six years andthe thing is that there is no future back there for me now.Actually I’ve got a decent stash of money, enough to invest insomething and start a new life somewhere. But look what about you?Tell me what you’re doing here.’
Howard poured themboth another glass.
‘Okay, butI’m not letting you go without finding out all about things. Youmurdered them – poisoned, I seem to remember. Bloody hell, Mark, Idid read about it once I’d heard it was you.’
‘Fair enough, if weget a chance I’ll tell you all about it, but how come you’rehere?’
Howard took apacket of Malboros out of his shirt pocket and offered Markone.
‘Well, I cameover soon after finishing at Kent, just for the summer initiallybut I met this Croatian girl, Branka, and came back the followingyear and basically stayed here. She had a bit of family money andwe decided to open this place. Her family were great; they couldsee tourism beginning to take off in the area and helped out. I’vedone a lot of the legwork to get it started and they’ve helped withthe legal and official stuff, and it’s going okay. In fact, we’rethinking of expanding things. We’re married now but she’s notaround today, gone to see her
