Terror On Tour
Chapter 6
We drove quickly to the
hospital and went up to the room we had left Dylan in earlier. Two doctors were
in the room when we arrived. Corey and I went in the room while the others
waited in the corridor.
What happened? I asked
the one doctor, a tall slim young man with a goatee and dark hair. He motioned
for Corey and me to the corridor where we joined the others.
Are you friends of his?
The doctor whose tag read Simpson asked. We nodded.
Someone snuck into Mr. Price’s
room and tried to harm him. Luckily a nurse came into the room and caught
him—well he got away but we’ve already alerted the authorities and given them a
description of the young man.
So it was a guy? I asked
and the doctor nodded. Yes, and the nurse had no trouble giving a description
of the guy. He was dressed like a punk and had a mohawk. A green mohawk.
What! I blurted out.
Yeah, you don’t see many
of those these days. He’s not a friend of yours, is he? The doctor said with a
frown.
No, but I think I know
who it is. Seth Teller. I explained quickly about our visit to London not being
without incident and how we had run into the guy with the green mohawk—Seth,
back in our hometown of Port Salser.
You should relay this
information to the authorities, the doctor said. But your friend is going to be
OK. It was touch and go there for a bit . This punk tried to poison your friend
again and he was able to put some into his interveinous tube but we’ve been
able to counteract it and he should be awake in a few hours. I would also
suggest putting a guard on his room. I can arrange that.
That would be great, Dr.
Simpson.
Yes, Corey remarked.
Say, are you a rock music fan?
I am as a matter of
fact.
Corey pulled 4 tickets
from his pocket and handed it to the doctor. Our band’s having a concert
tomorrow night. Here are some tickets for you and some friends.
That’s great, thank you,
Dr. Simpson said with a grin. He turned to the room. I’m afraid your friend in
there won’t be able to make it though. He’ll be too weak to be up and around
for at least a couple of days. You’re going to have to find a replacement
guitar player.
Back at the hotel we
decided to have a meeting with Darius. He was of course not very pleased with
the news that Dylan would now not be able to make the concert. As lead
guitarist he was of course a very important part of the band and the songs.
Corey, being the lead
singer was the voice of the band and was the most recognizable aspect of the
band and the music. But losing Dylan was huge. Renny already had the drum part
down, consummate professional that he was. I was worried about his mental state
more than anything, he had been withdrawn and quiet since the radio interview
that morning. He grinned and said everything was fine when I asked him how he
was. But I wasn’t convinced .
Charlie, the bass player
had picked up the part more quickly than Renny had the drum part. I wasn’t worried
about Charlie. He was chatting with Teresa now, a big grin on his face.
OK, you blokes need to
practice. I’ve lined up another guitarist, but if anyone else bails that’s it,
Darius said running a hand through his hair in frustration. The record company
will cut you guys loose.
We were silent. I was
afraid something else was going to happen. We had to find Seth Teller. At least
we knew he was here in London and he was definitely involved .
Why was he after the
band? I had to do some digging. The band headed to the practice room with Van
to watch over them and make sure nothing else happened. I would remain in the
room and do some research. I also had my meeting with Henry’s friend Ben at 5,
which I had almost forgotten in all the afternoon’s excitement. It was 4:15 now
so I had about half an hour before leaving for Ben’s apartment.
After they left I booted
up my laptop and did some checking on Seth Teller, but didn’t find much. He
lived in Toronto and had dropped out of school the previous year. He had been
arrested twice for mischief, probably vandalism or disturbing the peace. Prior
to dropping out of school he belonged to a punk rock band the X-Communicators.
That was an odd name for
a band. I had never heard of them.
On a hunch I quickly checked Henry Wilcox and
found 6 of them living in London. Through process of elimination I narrowed the
list down to 2 possibilities. And both lived in the area by the hotel. I jotted
down the addresses and realized one was in the same building as Ben Stewartson
so this was most likely the desk clerk. Nothing suspicious about that.
It was nearing 4:45 so I
shut down my computer and locked it in a desk drawer. I threw on a jacket and
headed down to the lobby. Ben’s apartment was only a few blocks away so I
walked. I was glad I wore my high-top sneakers.
A few minutes later it
started to rain. I pulled up the hood of my jacket and turned off the main
street onto Lanton Lane, where Ben’s apartment was. A sudden flash of green
caught my eye. Not green like in the trees and bushes, but in a vehicle that
passed by in the rain. I turned and saw a taxi move along the street. Someone
in the back seat had green hair. The person turned their head and I saw that
they had a mohawk!
I turned around and
headed back up Lanton Lane to the main road where the taxi had turned. Was it
headed for the hotel?
I followed it as best I
could but soon lost it in traffic. I made it back to the hotel and it was
almost 5. I was going to be late for Ben, but I had to know if the green mohawk
guy was at the hotel. I didn’t see the taxi or him anywhere. I quickly checked
the lobby but there was no one with a green mohawk.
Was he even Seth Teller?
I was sure of it . Seth was here in London. I had to find him and find out why
he was terrorizing the band.
I pulled out my cell and
tried calling Ben to let him know I was going to be a few minutes late, but he
didn’t answer.
Something pricked at the
back of my neck. Was he home? Did he forget our appointment? Did something
happen to him, like something happened to Henry?
I hurried out the door
of the hotel and started up the street once again towards Ben’s apartment. The
rain had intensified and was now coming down in torrents. My shoes were soon
soaked and I splashed in puddles as I moved along the sidewalk. Back onto Lanton
Lane and soon I came to Ben’s apartment. I ducked inside the entrance and stood
there dripping while I found Ben’s intercom.
I buzzed but no one
answered. I was starting to get worried. Had something happened to him or did
he get cold feet and not want to talk to me?
I buzzed a few more
times and was about to give up when someone answered. What? The voice said with
exasperation. Leave me alone, he added.
Ben? Is that you?
Yes, leave me alone, he
said and clicked off the intercom.
I buzzed again and he answered.
Leave me alone, he said again. I’ll call the police if you don’t leave. I don’t
want to talk to you.
Why? What’s happened?
He didn’t answer but
clicked off the intercom again.
What had happened? Seth
Teller, I would bet. Had he been here and had he threatened Ben? Seth probably
found out that Ben was the courier who had delivered the fruit basket and that
I would eventually come and talk to him.
I buzzed again but he
didn’t answer. A few minutes later an older lady came out the inner entrance door
with a small child. She hurried after the child who had run out the front main door.
I caught the inner door before it closed and went inside to the main corridor.
I took the elevator to the fourth floor and found Ben’s door. I knocked and he
answered, but his face fell when he saw me. You? How did you get in? Never
mind, leave me alone. I already told you I don’t want to talk to you. He went
to close the door but I blurted out. Did a guy in a green mohawk threaten you?
He stopped and stared at
me. How did you—?
Can I please come in. I
need to talk to you. It’s urgent.
He bit his lower lip
then finally moved aside and opened the door wider. If that guy comes back and
finds you here or that I’ve talked to you, he’s going to make trouble for me.
He was a nasty piece of work, that bloke.
He won’t find out, I
promise, I said with relief as I went inside. Ben checked the hallway then
closed and locked the door quickly, then turned to me. Who are you again?
I explained that I was
staying at the hotel that Henry worked at and that I was with a rock group on
tour , the ComfortZone .
I heard their song this
morning on that radio show. They were interviewed by Jonny Juice .
Yeah, that’s them, I
said. For some reason this green mohawk guy, Seth Teller is harassing the band
and I have no idea why. This is their first big break away from home and they
really need this to happen for them, but Teller has been causing them problems.
The reason I came here was to ask you about the delivery you made to the band.
The fruit basket. Do you remember who ordered it?
Ben sat on a small couch
in his living room and offered me a plush chair that looked like it had come
through the last world war—barely intact.
He thought for a moment.
I never saw the guy, but come to think of it, it might have been this bloke
with the crazy hair. His voice was similar, kind of scratchy and hoarse.
That makes sense. He
used to be in a punk rock band. If he was the singer he may have damaged his
voice. Ben nodded. I’m sure it was the same dude. He phoned in the order and
sent the fruit basket by another courier. Like is said , I never met the guy
just took instructions over the phone. I originally took the basket to the
other hotel then they called me and told me that the band wasn’t staying there.
I usually contact the sender for instructions, but the other hotel told me
where you had gone and I knew Henry, he’s a good mate of mine. So I just took
it. I’m really sorry if your friend is in the hospital. I was afraid the police
would blame me.
No one blames you, Ben.
You’ve been a big help.
He nodded. I know what
happened to Henry. I found out he’s in hospital too. The punk guy told me. Ben
got up, suddenly nervous. Look, I told you all I know. That nasty bloke can’t
find out you were here or he’ll hurt me, like Henry.
He admitted to you that
he hit Henry?
Ben nodded.
This is crazy, you have
to tell the police, I exclaimed
No! he shouted. Please
leave. Now, he said agitated. He paced the room then turned to me. Please, he
begged. You have to go .
Suddenly there was a
loud knock at the door.
Quick, hide, he hissed,
motioning me to move into the kitchen. There was a small broom closet along the
far wall that was just big enough for me to fit into.
Ben went to the door and
opened it up. A loud crash could be heard as the door flung open and hit the
wall behind it.
Where is he? A scratchy
voice muttered loudly. I know he’s here.
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