No Going Back

by Mick Moran

  “Unless someone squeals.”

 

  “That won’t happen.”

 

  “What about that lad? You said he once threatened to go to the police.”

 

  “He won’t. He knows better.”

 

  “Have you found out where he is yet?”

 

  “No. But, I’ve got my spies. We’ll find him sooner or later.”

 

  Brian turned to Tommy. “Wasn’t he a mate of yours?” he asked. “Haven’t you some idea where he is?”

 

  “Yes he was a mate of mine but I don’t know where he is now.”

 

  “Has he got family?”

 

  “Yes,” replied Dave. “Tommy has been to his parents house. They don’t know where he is either.”

 

  “Did you believe them Tommy?” asked Brian

 

  “Yes. Yes. I think so.”

 

  “Well, he must be found,” stated Brian. “Maybe he won’t go to the police. But, we don’t know who he’ll tell. Maybe he’s already talked to people.”

 

  Well, if he has there’s nothing we can do about that,” said Dave. But, I don’t think we need worry about him. He’s a smart lad. He’s not one to go round blabbing. He’s not that type. He never had a lot to say for himself.”

 

  “I hope you’re right.” Brian was far from convinced. “I’d still like to talk to him, though.” Then, turning to Tommy, “Tommy are you sure that you have no idea where he is? Has he any mates that he might be staying with?”

 

  “Well, when I saw him at his flat- the last time I saw him- Joe was there.”

 

  “Joe Casey?”

 

  “Yes.”

 

  “That Bastard,” Brian exploded.

 

  “Brian, keep your voice down,” urged Dave. Then, turning to Tommy, “you never told me that.”

 

  “It d d. didn’t seem important,” stuttered Tommy, clearly embarrassed.

 

  “That’s another one that we must find,” stated Brian. He must be taught that there are consequences for walking away like he did.”

 

  “Yes. Definitely,” agreed Dave. But, concerned about what Brian might do, cautioned, “we must let this lot die down first. We can’t make things any worse.”

 

  “We wouldn’t be making things worse. We’d simply be clearing up unfinished business.”

 

  “And how do you want to do that Brian?”

 

  “Maybe they will meet with accidents; a couple of accidents, down some dark alley. Much like you dealt with your problem. Only I would do it properly.”

 

  “Yes. Yes. Of course you would,” said Dave sarcastically. You would have to find them first. You don’t even know where they are.”

 

  “I know the firm that Joe works for. I’ll find him if he’s still there. Even if he’s not I’ll find him said Brain confidently. We can’t let him take the piss. Can we Tommy?

 

  Tommy simply shook his head. He was regretting mentioning Joe.

 

  Brian drained his glass. “I’ve got to go,” he announced. “I’ve a busy day tomorrow. I’ll be in touch”

 

  After Brian left, a worried Tommy turned to Brian. “What do you think he’ll do?” he asked.

 

  “Nothing”, replied Brian dismissively, seeing how worried Tommy was. “He’s all talk. He won’t do anything.”

 

  “He sounded like he would.”

 

  “Like I say, he’s all talk. I’ve often heard him talk like that. He likes to pretend that he’s as hard as nails. But, nothing ever comes of it. I wish you’d told me about seeing Joe with Alan though.”

 

  “Sorry. Why? What would you have done?

 

  “If he was round at Alan’s flat, then probably he knows where Alan is. Did you talk to him much?”

 

  “Just a bit. Like I told you, it was him that told me that the man was in hospital. Then he left soon after I got there.”

 

  “Yes. You told me that. Thank you.” After a pause Dave said, “Joe Casey; we’ll have his address at the office, at least his parents address. He probably doesn’t live there now but they’ll know where he does live. Do you fancy a trip there tomorrow evening? You’re very good at getting information.”

 

  Tommy, still looking worried, made no reply.

 

  “Better that we find him before Brian does,” continued Dave

 

  “O K,” replied Tommy. His last mission, although successful, had not gained him the respect that he had expected. Maybe another one would.

  ***

 

 

 

  It was Monday evening. Teresa was about to leave her parents house.

 

  “I’d better get back. I promised to make tea,” she said when they heard the knock on the door. As she was on her feet she walked down the short hall to answer it.

 

  “Does Joe Casey live here?” asked the caller.

 

  Teresa stared. Did she recognise him from the previous evening? However, she immediately recovered. She was probably mistaken, she thought. Outside The Antelope the street lighting was poor. And inside she didn’t get a proper look at him. Mostly, he was turned away from her.

 

  “Sorry,” she apologised. “No. He doesn’t live here any more.”

 

  “I’m Tommy Parsons,” the caller explained. “I used to work with Joe.”

 

  On hearing the name her doubts were dispelled. He was the young man that she was stood next to at the bar of The Antelope on the previous evening. She wondered if Joe’s plan had worked. Or had it backfired? Was that the reason that Tommy was here? If he recognised her he gave no indication of it. Could he be pretending? She thought not. He’d barely looked at her the previous evening.

 

  “Do you know where he lives?” asked Tommy.

 

  She did know. But, from she heard from her brother, she deemed it best not to reveal it.

  “He moved recently,” she said. “He hasn’t told us his new address.”

 

  “But,” Tommy insisted. “Is there any way that I can get in touch with him?”

 

  “I don’t know. Is it important?”

 

  “Yes. He’s owed some money from his last job. We need to get it to him.”

 

  Before she could answer her dad called from the living room. “Who is it Teresa?”

 

  “It’s someone after Joe,” she answered.

 

  “Will his parents know where he is?” asked Tommy Trying to look past her.

 

  She shook her head. “No. They won’t.”

 

  “Tell him to come in,” came the voice from the living room.

 

  Jesus, she thought, everyone that comes to this door gets asked in. She was sorry she left the door to the living room open.

  “Do you want to come in for a minute,” she asked.

 

  Tommy, having no luck so far had nothing to lose. “O K,” he replied

 

  “Come on then. Close the door.”

 

  Walking towards the living room Teresa thought maybe she could get Tommy to go some way to satisfying her curiosi
ty. It was more than curiosity. What her brother had said or, more importantly, what he had not said had left her seriously worried. Maybe Tommy would be more forthcoming. But, she must be on her guard. Also she was concerned about what her parents might say. As she entered the living she tried to warn them.

 

  “Tommy wants to know where Joe lives. Its strange,” she said, winking as she said it, “we’ve just been talking about that. I already told him that we don’t know Joe’s new address.” She hoped they got the message.

 

  “There’s some money from his last job that we need to get to him,” repeated Tommy to Teresa’s parents after he sat down.

 

  “Well if you leave it here we’ll make sure he gets it,” said Dom.

 

  Tommy was prepared for this. “I’m afraid he has to sign for it,” he said.

 

  “Is it a lot of money?”

 

  “A week’s wages, I think. Have you no idea where he is?”

 

  Teresa who was sat behind Tommy shook her head. He parents took the cue. They both shook their heads. In fact she was worried that her dad would overdo it.

 

  “He’s a strange one, our Joe,” he said “I don’t think he wants us to know where he is. I don’t know what he’s getting up to.” Then, changing the subject, he asked “What’s it like working for Dave Campbell now? That’s who you work for isn’t it?”

 

  “Yes.” Tommy nodded but didn’t elaborate.

 

  “Well, is he as bad as they say he is?”

 

  “He’s all right.”

 

  “Does he treat you good?”

 

  “All right,” repeated Tommy. Teresa noticed how uncomfortable the questioning was making Tommy. “I’ll have to go,” he said.

 

  “There were questions that Teresa would like to ask Tommy. From what her brother had said Tommy was somehow involved with those who wished to harm Martin. She didn’t think that Tommy’s part would be a big one but he probably knew what was going on. It might be easer to get information from him than from her brother. She was convinced that there was much that Joe was not telling her. However, she couldn’t ask Tommy those questions in the presence of her parents. The answers would probably worry them. Then she had an idea.

 

  “Where do you live Tommy?” she asked

 

  “In Sparkhill.”

 

  “How are you getting there?”

 

  “On the bus.”

 

  “I’m going now. I’ve got the car outside. I’ll drop you off.” She didn’t give him the option to decline.

 

  “Thank you.” He sounded reluctant.

 

  Teresa quickly said her goodbyes and they got going

  .

  “It’s cold now but it will soon warm up,” she said by way of conversation when they were both sat in the car. “That’s one good thing about this car.”

 

  Tommy made no reply. Getting him to open up would be difficult. But, at least Teresa was convinced that he hadn’t recognised her from the previous evening.

 

  “So, you never see Joe now?” she asked, as they got moving, keeping her voice as friendly as possible.

 

  “No. Not since he left.”

 

  “You wouldn’t leave? You’re happy working there?”

 

  “Yes. It’s all right”

 

  “Your boss, Dave Campbell. He has a reputation. Does he involve you in things other than work?”

 

  “No.”

 

  “Oh! That’s not what Joe said. I got the impression that that’s why he left. The work was O K, he said. It was the other stuff, as he put it, that he didn’t like.” She glanced at Tommy. He was staring ahead as if he hadn’t heard a word of what she said.

 

  “What about Dave?” she asked. “Is he still involved in other things?”

 

  “I don’t know.”

 

  “Oh, come on Tommy, you must know. What about that group he was running: The Angry something or other? Is that still going?”

 

  “Yes. I think so.”

 

  “Aren’t you involved?”

 

  “No.”

 

  It wasn’t working. She was getting nowhere. Tommy was clearly instructed to keep his mouth shut. She would have to try harder. She pulled the car into the side, stopped and turned to Tommy.

 

  “Tommy, I know,” she stated emphatically. “I know that’s not true. I saw you,” she bluffed, ”handing out the leaflets.”

 

  “Oh! I did that, a little,” replied Tommy dismissively. Teresa could see the questions were making him uncomfortable. “It’s O K I’ll walk from here.” He fumbled with the door controls, unsure how to open it.

 

  “Hang on Tommy, ordered Teresa. “Don’t go. I’ll take you where you wherever you wish in a minute.” Then, in a friendlier voice, she continued, “I’m just curious about a few things Tommy. I believe you can help me.”

 

  Tommy looked dubious but settled back in his seat.

 

  “For a start,” Teresa continued, “tell me why you want to contact Joe.”

 

  “I told you.”

 

  “Tommy, I know that wasn’t the truth. Joe is in danger, isn’t he?”

 

  “Tommy,” she stated. “I know Joe. He wouldn’t walk away without what was owed him.”

 

  “He did.”

 

  It was no good. She was getting nowhere. Tommy clearly didn’t trust her. To get anywhere, she would have to win his trust.

 

  “Tommy,” she said keeping her voice as friendly as possible, “I know you’re afraid to tell me anything. You’ve probably been threatened. I understand that and, believe me anything you tell me will be confidential. I’m not trying to get you in trouble. But please,” she pleaded, “tell me the truth about why you need to know where Joe lives. It’s not because he’s owed money, is it?”

 

  Tommy shook his head but made no reply.

 

  “He’s in danger, isn’t he?

 

  Tommy again shook his head. “I don’t know.”

 

  Teresa studied him. He was frightened. His hand again fumbled with the door controls.

 

  “Joe was your friend,” continued Teresa. “Surely you wouldn’t wish him any harm.”

 

  Tommy shook his head.

 

  Teresa pressed on. “Does the name Michael O'Malley mean anything to you?”

 

  Tommy turned his head away, seemingly unable to look Teresa in the eye.

 

  “Tommy, I know it does. You know what happened, don’t you? Look at me Tommy.”

 

  Suddenly Tommy’s door opened and Tommy was out of the car. In dismay she watched him leg it. Her couldn’t get away fast enough. He didn’t even close the door. Teresa got out of the car and walked round to close the passenger door. She thought about calling after Tommy. But, there was no point. She had lost him.

 

 

 

  Chapter 16. Martin on the mend.

 

  It was about eight o’clock on Monday evening, a quiet time in The

  Antelope, when Brendan’s phone rang. It was Andy.

  “Did you get to see
Martin,” he asked.

 

  “Oh, I did Andy, and it’s good news. He’s doing well. I think he’ll make a full recovery.”

 

  “That’s great. You were talking to him then?”

 

  “I was. He was sat up in the bed, talking away.”

 

  “Did he remember anything about what happened to him?”

 

  “No. I don’t think so. But, he didn’t seem to want to talk about it and I didn’t press him. The police had a talk with him, he said, but I don’t think he could tell them much.”

 

  “He was definitely assaulted then?”

 

  “Yes. There’s no doubt about that. He’s not as bandaged as he was. Some of the bandages have been removed, but the wound is still covered. It’s on the back of his head. Maybe he didn’t see anything.”

 

  “Why do you think Teresa doesn’t want us to tell anyone else about him getting better?”

 

  “I don’t know Andy. She seems to think that there are men out to harm him. But, if I know Martin, and I think I do, he had no enemies. He wasn’t that kind of man. Sure, everyone liked him.”

 

  “That’s what I thought.”

 

  “But, you never know. We’d better be on the safe side and do as she says.”

  ***

 

 

 

  “No coffee?” Tom sounded disappointed. On work mornings there was always a cup of coffee waiting for him when he got downstairs. Although Tom had to leave before her, Teresa was always up first. That Wednesday morning, however, her mind was on other things.

 

  “Sorry,” she apologised. “I’ll do it now.”

 

  “Never mind that. What’s wrong?”

 

  Teresa deep in thought, made no reply. She was sat at the dining room table holding a note, which she’d read over and over.

 

  “What’s that?” asked Tom. “Has the post come already?”

 

  “No. Not the post, but this was put through our letter box sometime during the night.”

 

  Tom snatched the note. It was just a few lines typed on plain paper

 

  Teresa.

  Lay off. Keep your nose out of

  things that don’t concern you.

  You know what happened to Michael O’Malley.

 

  “Some crank,” said a puzzled Tom “He didn’t even sign it. I wouldn’t worry about it. You must show it to the police though.”

 

  Teresa had been thinking about that. On balance she thought that Tom was probably right. But, she was worried. The note was clearly about her unsuccessful questioning of Tommy Parsons on Monday evening: something she hadn’t told Tom about. She had hoped Tommy would keep it to himself. But, clearly, he had told all to the person or persons that sent him.

 

  But, how did they know where she lived? That was the worrying thing. Teresa turned to Tom.

  “There’s something I haven’t told you.”