Twenty eightThe previous day, as the women peered out over the top of the door and grew excited at whatever it was they saw, Shelby took his chance and slipped upstairs. He calculated he had less than five minutes. His first act was to visit Josh, lying in a bed, with the covers up to his chin. He looked like s**t, his eyes red rimmed, skin the colour of a tallow candle. Reaching out his hand, Shelby touched his former partner's forehead and instantly recoiled. The flesh was clammy and cold. A quick glance towards the door and Shelby pulled out the metal embossed hip flask he always carried, uncorking it. Tipping it against Josh's lips, he allowed some of the whisky to dribble across the young man's lips. With a start, Josh's eyes sprang open and he spluttered, head snapping from side to s
