Nasty Business

by Gillian Godden

  ‘You’ve got it. And then Angus gets some of the guys down there, to have a drink and make it look like they are looking the place over. With that kind of gossip, they are going to be on their toes, and so any stranger that shows his face is going to cause concern.’

  ‘Bloody hell, Tony, that blue rinse of yours has gone to your head. Do you realise how wacky that sounds?’

  Tony laughed and ran his hand through his hair. ‘Worry and concern causes paranoia, Jake, and gossip makes it worse. I think I’ll probably get Angus’s men to throw in a fight somewhere and cause a little fear and mess. Then,’ Tony spread his hands wide with an innocent look on his face, ‘who are they going to call for? You and me, but we’ll be away. However, out of a sense of loyalty and protection, we’ll fly back and sort the problem out. What do you think?’ Tony was smiling, he had it all worked out. He was waiting for Jake’s response.

  Jake found it unbelievable. ‘Oh, yes, superhero to the rescue, I get it. Of course, this has nothing to do with the size of your ego.’ Jake stared at him wide-eyed, still in disbelief.

  ‘No, Jake, but it will remind them what they are paying for and why. We have to keep them feeling safe under our wing, that is good business.’

  The car stopped outside of the casino and Tony reached for the door handle, about to get out.

  ‘Wait! Just hold on, superhero Tony. Just how far into this holiday do you intend to be called back? Because if we’re flying all the way out there for a day, we may as well go to Margate.’ Jake was fed up; even going on holiday seemed to create an opportunity for Tony to do some form of business.

  ‘For goodness sake, Jake, don’t you think I’ve thought of that? The gossip starts a few days after we leave, a little fight starts, what, at least a day before we are due to come back. Then, when people are worried and panicking, they are told that we are doing our duty and coming home at their request. With that sort of protection, they’ll be willing to pay us double.’ Tony laughed at the thought of it. ‘Come on, I need to see Graham, he has a training room starting up, upstairs.

  ‘Why? There are already training rooms for croupiers, where do you think you got yours from?’

  ‘Aaah, Jake, but these are going to be “Lambrianu trained” croupiers, the very best. That, my friend, is the difference, and if I may say so, I’ve done quite well under Graham’s guiding hand.’

  ‘You really have a warped brain. What do you propose? If this all goes tits up, you’ll have a job to fall back on. Okay, mate, have it your way. You will, anyway.’

  Jake was worried Tony was becoming a workaholic. He lived and breathed the business. Even the female distractions he had didn’t seem to distract him that much. He loved the ladies and the ladies adored him, but Tony had a heart of stone. Jake knew he felt he had been let down by women for most of his life, starting with his mother, and as much as he was a control freak, he seemed wary of them.

  It was a fair point, because all he had ever met were models wanting to promote their career, or actresses from the theatre and well-known porn stars, getting on the front pages to boost their reviews. It was all a bit sad, really. It seemed everyone wanted Tony Lambrianu, and the celebrity status he had acquired. He was in the newspapers, he had been interviewed on television, talking about his clubs. Some of the male celebrities he knew and who seemed genuine had also mentioned to Tony the price of fame.

  Tony went into the casino to see Graham. ‘Well, if it’s not my number one pupil,’ Graham said, and Tony blushed at the compliment.

  ‘How is everything?’ Tony walked towards the offices. He always liked to check the receipts for the evening’s takings himself, and he relied on the accountant to go through them with him.

  ‘Everything is fine, Tony, and business is booming, which I am sure you already know. It seems no one ever goes home. Thankfully, we have a twenty-four-hour licence.’

  ‘That table has dust on it. Get the cleaners to make this place spick and span, will you? Who is the cleaning firm that comes in?’

  Graham informed him, while looking at Jake. He couldn’t see any dust; well, nothing major.

  ‘I’ll sort it, give me the telephone number.’ Tony took the telephone number of the cleaning company and put it in his pocket.

  Graham waited to see if there was anything else Tony wanted. ‘I can always have a word, if you want me to, Tony. After all, that is my job.’

  ‘Tony,’ Jake half whispered in Tony’s ear. ‘You’re becoming obsessed. You and I seriously need to talk. Let Graham do his job, is he the manager or what?’

  Jake felt Tony’s shoulders relax a little and the tension reduced. He really did need to get away from it all for a while.

  ‘You’re right, Graham, it’s your job. I’ll leave it in your capable hands. Sorry, I said I wouldn’t poke my nose in, and I won’t, but if you need me, you know where I am.’ Tony gave a weak smile, and saw the relief on Graham’s face. ‘Jake and I are going on holiday for a week or so, possibly to Italy. Are you okay with that?’

  ‘Absolutely, Tony, and everything will be in order and here for you, when you get back.’

  Even Jake thought Graham looked pleased to know that Tony was going away for a while. He was permanently hanging around, checking things. He must have driven them all crazy.

  ‘Come on, Jake, things to do, people to see.’ With that, Tony walked out of the casino, followed by Jake.

  Jake turned around to look at Graham, who was still standing by the table with the ‘dust’ on it. He wiped it and looked at his hand. He couldn’t see anything unusual. ‘Sorry,’ Jake mouthed to Graham, and he smiled.

  ‘Tony, you’re becoming a pain in the arse,’ Jake said, when they were back in the car. ‘Everyone is doing their job, they’re afraid not to. You’re always there, breathing down their necks. Go easy, mate, or else they’ll all leave you to it. If you show them you think they’re not up to the job, trust me, they’ll leave. You’re like a coiled spring, you’re so wound up. The sooner we go away, the better.’

  ‘You’re right, Jake. You always are. I need to keep my mouth shut. I tell you what, Christmas is coming soon, I think they’re all due a big fat bonus, don’t you? Will that suit you and them?’

  Jake nodded. ‘Good idea. By the way, I’m going to get Sharon to book our trip for next week. As you say, we’re not going to get away much around Christmastime. Now is the time to let them all get on with it.’ He punched Tony in the arm. ‘And it’s time to tell Angus about that wacky plan of yours, though I’m not sure he’ll understand it. We would be better off telling his wife!’ That made them both laugh.

  ***

  ‘You want that Bennie’s boys hanging around your pubs and that stripper agency in town. But, why? They’re nothing but trouble, Mr Lambrianu, everyone knows that.’ Angus’s face was going red again. The very thought that someone was going to cause trouble for Tony annoyed him. He felt he owed him a lot; his loyalty was unquestionable.

  Tony smiled that smug, charming smile of his and looked at Jake. He had said he wanted to cause concern and worry to the businessmen he collected from. Angus was already upset about it, and he was in on it. He had been right; there would be some form of public outcry. Tony and Jake felt it was like explaining to a child. ‘No, Angus, listen to me,’ Tony said.

  ‘God help us all.’ Angus’s wife was making herself busy, dusting, making tea and making it absolutely obvious she was doing her best to listen in on the conversation. She looked up at the ceiling, then hit Angus with her duster. ‘You Scottish idiot, you’re going to shake those people up. You’re going to scare them, even I got that bit. And I’m not listening.’ She looked at Tony and Jake and folded her arms, as if daring them to contradict her.

  They both thought she looked scary. She had a headscarf on, and a full-length floral apron that fastened at the back. Her face was set, like stone, and looked like she had never been taught how to smile. Her tone was harsh, and the dull red lipstick she wore was smudged just in the middl
e of her lips, like a little rosebud. It looks like she just bit the head off a bat, thought Jake.

  ‘Hello, Mrs Angus,’ said Tony. His voice was weak; even he was wary of this matriarch.

  ‘Elsie, my name is Elsie, Mr Lambrianu.’ Even though she was introducing herself, she didn’t sound very friendly about it. She stood there, feet apart, wielding her duster.

  ‘Well, Elsie, as you can hear, we have business to discuss with Angus.’ Tony wanted her to leave. Elsie turned on her worn slippers and left the room, muttering to herself.

  Jake leaned forward to whisper in Tony’s ear. ‘Her name might be Elsie, but I’m wondering what everyone else calls her.’ He glanced up at Tony and gave a little grin.

  ‘Angus, I want you to make sure that Bennie’s men are seen hanging around in my absence. All strangers. I want a couple of the old South London mob having a drink in the pubs, and playing snooker in the halls. Then I want some fighting to break out and a few threats to be made to the customers. Do you understand? You do all of this when I telephone you and tell you to. Okay?’

  ‘Aye, boss. There is one man I have in mind, always borrowing money, has debts all over the place. Greasy little shit, but he isn’t known by anyone. Christ, even I don’t want to know him, but he comes in handy for stuff like this. His name’s Luke, thinks he’s some kind of ladies’ man, but he’s a total waster. Aye, lads, he’s the one for the job.’ Angus seemed pleased with himself.

  Tony was curious. ‘What do you mean, “stuff like this”? Who is he and what have you used him for?’

  Angus looked a little sheepish, and worried. ‘He sometimes does some work for Bennie and his lot. I’m not into all that, so I’ve used him as a kind of go-between. He’s trying to get in with the lads, thinks he’s a part of the team. No way, though; like I say, he owes money everywhere and so he gets a few pounds for dropping stuff off for Bennie.’

  ‘How did you meet him? What makes you think you can trust him with this arrangement?’ Tony wasn’t happy; he eyed Angus up suspiciously while he waited for an explanation.

  ‘Look, Mr Lambrianu, if you don’t want to use him, that’s okay, it was just a suggestion. He’s in with the money-lenders, and owes them money. They give him real low-life jobs to do for them to pay off his debts. I only know this because when I still personally go to pick up your money from them, he’s usually hanging around like a lap dog. They use him for the crap stuff, that’s why I thought maybe we could, too. Your name wouldn’t come into it. It would be that mad dog Angus stirring up trouble and needing a tough man for the job. He’s an idiot and a wife-beater. I hear he would jump at the chance to prove he’s a hard nut.’

  ‘A low life like that, who no one cares about, could be just what we’re looking for,’ said Jake. It seemed Angus was learning fast.

  ‘I’m not going to get our guys into trouble, Mr Lambrianu, I’ve been in prison with most of them. That’s why an outsider like him, who thinks he’s on the inside, we can all afford to lose. Your choice, you’re the boss.’

  Even Tony thought Angus’s argument couldn’t be any fairer than that; he just didn’t like the idea that maybe all this power was going to Angus’s head.

  ‘I’m going to trust you on this, Angus, as long as you remember I’m your boss. Cross me and I’ll slit your throat. Do you hear me?’ Tony’s eyes darkened and he stared at Angus with that cold chilling stare of his.

  Angus was upset; he turned to Jake. ‘Jake, man, help me out here.’ He spread his hands out in wonder and innocence. ‘It was only a wee suggestion, you know I’m not going to piss down your back and tell you it’s raining. Aye, Jake, you know that.’

  ‘Calm down, Angus. It’s just that this is a delicate job, and there is no room for mistakes or careless whispers, okay?’ Jake was trying to ease the situation.

  Tony didn’t particularly like outsiders. He had his own army that he could trust, but he had to admit, using some low-life scumbag protected his own men.

  Tony nodded at Angus. ‘Jake’s right, you’ve done a good job, and it’s time I trusted your judgement.’ Tony held out his hand to shake Angus’s.

  Tony turned to leave and Jake shook Angus’s hand. ‘Don’t worry, Angus, we’ll be in touch when the time is right, okay?’

  ‘Aye, laddie.’ He shook his head. ‘I didn’t mean to upset him, you know. Man, he can turn as quick as a slippery eel.’

  ‘I know, Angus.’ Jake patted him on the back and started to leave.

  Tony really does need a holiday, he thought to himself, it can’t come soon enough. Although Angus’s turns of phrase about slippery eels and pissing down your back might be weird, he was absolutely right; Tony could turn on you very quickly, at any time. Everyone knew that, which is how he kept all those hard prisoners in order.

  ‘Bye, Elsie,’ shouted Jake, as he walked down the stairs. Even though Angus’s wife had made herself scarce he knew for a fact she would have been listening in on the conversation; she couldn’t help herself. That made him laugh; now she would go upstairs and give poor old Angus a piece of her mind, for upsetting Tony.

  ‘Did you really need to threaten him?’ Jake said, when they were back in the car. ‘His work has been excellent. Your money is always in full and on time, sometimes even earlier.’

  ‘I know, Jake, but it doesn’t hurt to remind people I’m watching them. Just because I’m on the other side of London doesn’t mean I haven’t got my eye on him. Out of sight, out of mind, eh? No, that’s not how I work.’

  Jake knew it was time to change the subject, this was only winding Tony up more.

  ‘I heard through the grapevine that there’s a big money poker game going on this afternoon. Do you feel lucky, Tony? I’m sure our professional card sharp, Graham, has put a few tricks up your sleeve.’ He elbowed Tony in the ribs and smiled.

  At last the smile appeared back on Tony’s face. ‘I reckon I could risk some of our hard-earnt money on the cards, it’ll get me in the holiday mood.’

  Jake phoned Sharon to book some flights to Italy for himself and Tony, and he also told her they would both be gone all afternoon. He said he was going to get Tony to wind down a little. Even she gave a sigh of relief, and sounded like she would be glad to have him out of the way for a while.

  RESPECT

  After a late lunch, Tony and Jake went to the poker game. It was at a closed local club they all knew and it was high stakes. The players were all businessmen who liked to take off the odd afternoon and have a little fun in their free time.

  Eight of them sat around the table. The stake was a minimum of a thousand pounds a game. Jake watched as Tony shuffled the cards like a professional. He knew he wouldn’t have let Graham get off with just showing him the right way to play cards, he knew Tony would also know how to cheat.

  The atmosphere was tense. Tony made a point of losing a few hands of cards gracefully, and the whisky was poured. Then he started to win, and win fast, claiming that at last he was having a lucky streak. It was finally left to Tony and an estate agent, who only dealt in big properties.

  Everyone else had decided the game was getting out of hand and had folded.

  On the table between Tony and the estate agent was eighty thousand pounds in cash. Normally, anyone who was out of their depth would have thrown their cards in by now, but the estate agent was determined to take that money off Tony and make him a laughing stock, as well. Tony put another ten thousand pounds down on the table, thankful that he had helped himself to a lot of money out of the safe before they went. He was determined not to back down to this man.

  ‘Your call,’ said Tony calmly, giving his friendliest smile. He could see the sweat on the man’s brow. All the other men were watching intently, and not a word was spoken. It seemed like everyone was holding their breath.

  ‘Will you take a credit note?’ the man asked Tony. He was wiping beads of sweat away.

  ‘No, I don’t do credit, and if you’re out of your depth, you should have folded. You shouldn’t b
e sitting at this table with these fine gentlemen if you can’t cover your bets.’ Tony reached forward; if the man couldn’t double his stakes the money was his. He put his hand on the huge pile of money and looked at Jake.

  ‘Stop! Wait, I have this.’ Everyone watched as the estate agent took out a set of keys with a brown label attached to them. ‘It’s a large mansion house by the sea, in Essex, around ten bedrooms; will you take that?’

  ‘Easy, fellas,’ said one of the other men at the table, who could see this was going too far. It had nothing to do with the cards each man was holding, it was a matter of reputation and who could hold their nerve under all this pressure. ‘That house is worth a lot more than what is on the table. I know it. It used to belong to a lord or something, it must be worth a couple of million.’

  ‘With what I’m holding in my hand,’ said the estate agent with a satisfied grin, ‘I won’t be losing. I won’t be losing anything. Will you take the keys?’ He looked across the table at Tony.

  ‘A lord, you say. Well, I haven’t seen the place so I suppose I have to take your word for it, but okay, I’ll accept the keys. Do you have the deeds?’ The man nodded at Tony and took the deeds out of the inside pocket of his jacket.

  ‘It’s been empty a while and is up for sale; my firm’s in charge of selling it. I have all the paperwork.’ The man put the deeds and the keys on the table. ‘Show me your cards, Mr Lambrianu, I’m about to take your money.’ The atmosphere was tense and even though the man seemed cocky, he was sweating and his hands were trembling as he waited for Tony to show his hand of cards.

  Tony fanned out his cards, teasing the other men and stringing out the big moment. Finally, he displayed his cards on the table. Each man gave an intake of breath. Tony had a full house. He saw the look on the estate agent’s face. He looked crushed; all he had was two pairs. The tears started to roll down his face and he was shaking. He stood up so quickly he nearly knocked the table over, then he ran to the bathroom.