Ryan and Rachel were waiting to pounce on the nurse who exited the theatre they’d been told Mikey was in.
“Please, can you tell us how Mikey Maguire is?” said Rachel.
“And you are?” said the nurse pleasantly.
“Rachel Law and my husband Ryan. He’s our brother-in-law.”
“I see. They’re still operating I’m afraid.”
“Is he stable? We heard he had a heart attack in the ambulance.”
“Yes, he’s remaining stable, he’s certainly a fighter.”
“How much longer are they going to be?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t have that information.”
With a sympathetic smile she continued on her way, leaving Rachel to huff and rake her fingers through her hair.
“You heard her, he’s fighting,” said Ryan, wrapping an arm around her.
“I don’t know how much longer I can take this.”
“You can take it, you’re tough. I’ll tell you what, why don’t we go to the police station and check on the kids? They’re going to be frantic with worry.”
“Taylor told us to stay here.”
“Since when do we do what the police say?”
Her lips curled into a reluctant smile. “Let’s go.”
On their way out they spotted Cathy slumped in a chair in reception, Shane sitting a discreet distance away, keeping watch over her.
“Cathy?” said Rachel, startling her.
She looked up. “Sorry, I’d no idea you were there.”
“You looked lost in your own world.”
“I was,” she sighed.
“Just to let you know, we’re off to the police station to check on the kids.”
She got to her feet. “I’ll come with you.”
Rachel looked to Shane. “We’re taking Cathy with us to the police station. Could you let the others know where we’ve gone?”
He nodded. “I’ll tell them,” he said before meandering back into the hospital. His walk was calm and casual but Rachel noted with approval how he constantly scanned his surroundings, alert and looking out for danger.
“Oh hell,” said Ryan as they stepped outside.
The press had got hold of the story and had congregated outside the hospital doors, some armed with cameras, others with microphones and a TV crew. They all went into a frenzy when they saw them emerge from the building, Ryan and Rachel shoving their way through them while Cathy hurried on, head bowed.
“Here,” said Ryan, steering them in the direction of a taxi that had just pulled up at the kerb, sighing with impatience as an octogenarian hauled her old bones out of the backseat.
“We’ll pay your fare,” said Ryan, ushering Rachel and Cathy into the back while he leapt into the passenger seat.
The old woman’s thanks was swallowed up by the tidal wave of reporters that surged at them, the driver’s eyes widening with horror, as though it were a zombie apocalypse. He slammed the car into gear and they set off. Ryan took out his phone to call Shane, warning him of what was lurking outside.
“You okay hon?” Rachel asked Cathy.
Cathy sighed and shook her head, tears sliding down her face. “My worst nightmare has always been Jez leaving for work and never coming home. But today was even worse. My kids nearly died, I nearly died.” Her head slumped onto her chest. “I can’t do it anymore.”
Rachel glanced at Ryan, who had turned in his seat, concerned. Cathy had always stood by Jez no matter what, their marriage was solid but they feared today had destroyed all that. Ryan didn’t like to think how Jez would cope without Cathy, he doted on her. Losing her might just break him. Katia and Clayton had a hell of a lot to answer for.
Leah, Ethan and Aaron raced into their parents’ arms the moment they stepped through the doors of the police station. Cathy found Ruby and Jack happily colouring at a table set up in one of the interview rooms, which had been turned into a crèche for the younger children under Beth and Daina’s watchful gazes. She thanked Christ she’d left her youngest son George with her parents.
“Are you all okay?” said Rachel, a weight lifting off her now her children were safe in her arms.
“We’re fine,” said Leah dismissively. “What about you two?”
“We’re fine too,” replied Ryan.
“How’s Jacob?” she said, eyes shining with joy at the mention of his name.
“He’s okay,” said Ryan. “I must admit, he’s tough.”
“Was that a compliment?” said Leah playfully.
“Well yes, I suppose it was,” he said a little stiffly.
“He was so amazing,” she gushed. “So strong and brave.”
“Yes, I’m sure he’s wonderful,” said Ryan flatly.
“I thought I told you to wait at the hospital,” boomed a deep voice.
Taylor strode up to them, looking severe.
“We’re well aware of that,” said Ryan. “But we were desperate to see our children and you lot better not have tried interrogating them without their parents present.”
“They tried asking Archie questions,” piped up Ethan. “But he told them to sod off.”
“Only because his mother was present, I can assure you,” added Taylor. “We’ve got child psychologists on standby should any of the children be suffering from trauma.”
“You mean people who’ll relay to you lot anything they say,” said Rachel, eyes black.
“I’m not the enemy here,” said Taylor. “I’m only trying to help.”
“You can help by backing off,” said Ryan.
“No can do I’m afraid,” said Taylor, meeting his steely glare with his own. “A very serious crime has been committed and if you think I can just sweep it under the carpet you’re wrong. Now I want statements from you both.”
“You’ve already taken our statements.”
“Not formally. I want it done properly in an interview room. How are the others by the way?”
“Mikey’s still in surgery, Jules was badly injured but she’s awake and lucid and Jez just got a scratch. He’s fine,” he said meaningfully, aware that Taylor was on Jez and Mikey’s payroll, fortunately for them. But Taylor was a bit of an anomaly. He wasn’t scared of them like the other coppers they had in their pockets and he didn’t let anyone intimidate him so he wasn’t as easy to control, although he was quite a decent bloke at heart and had helped them out before.
Taylor nodded, indicating he wanted to talk to them away from the children. Rachel was very proud of Leah when she picked up on this and distracted the boys with the vending machine.
“You should know,” began Taylor. “DI Dwyer’s been put on the case.”
“Oh that’s just great,” sighed Rachel. Dwyer was the brother of DCI Benton, the police officer who had murdered Rachel’s first husband Danny Maguire and had tried to kill her too. He’d died in prison, killed by inmates sent after him by Ryan, his death made to look like a suicide. Although this was the official verdict Dwyer didn’t believe it and had sworn to bring their family down in retaliation for his brother’s death.
“It’s the Chief Superintendent’s decision so I can’t do anything about it.”
“Don’t worry,” said Rachel. “We can handle him.”
“He’s strutting about like the cat who got the cream but he won’t care about the truth. He’ll use it to find a way to bring your family down.”
“He’s the least of our problems,” said Ryan.
“Let’s get your statements taken before he can get in there first.”
Ryan and Rachel nodded, knowing it would be far better to speak to Taylor.
They left the boys under Leah’s watchful eye and followed Taylor into the interview room.
“Have you found Battler yet?” said Rachel the moment the door was closed.
“Not yet but infrared equipment has shown a body trapped beneath the rubble. Sorry,” he added, a little surprised by the sadness in Rachel Law’s eyes. He hadn’t thought a woman like her capable of such emo
tion. “I’ll keep you updated,” he said more gently.
“Thank you,” she replied, taking a seat at the table and composing herself.
Ryan and Rachel repeated what they’d already told Taylor, who was a little dismayed that their stories didn’t vary at all. When they’d finished he sighed and switched off the recording equipment. “I can’t help unless I know who did this and don’t treat me like a fool by making out you don’t know. It’s only a matter of time before we identify those bodies at the scene.”
Ryan glanced at Rachel, both of them considering their options. Taylor watched this silent exchange with interest, experiencing a stab of envy. How he’d love to be so in tune with someone he could communicate without using words.
They nodded at each other almost imperceptibly before looking back at Taylor.
“Alright,” began Ryan. “You really want to help?”
“I’m going to be straight with you Mr Law. I’m due to retire next year. I’m divorced, my kids think I’m a loser, I’ve got an ulcer, a slight drink problem and arthritis in my right knee that fucking kills sometimes. My future isn’t exactly rosy. I’m also painfully aware that when I retire I’ll cease being useful to Jez and Mikey and the payments will stop rolling in. I need a big payoff, something that will mean I can run off into the sunset and spend my twilight years under the hot sun, sipping cocktails. I’ll do all in my power to ensure you get the bastards who did this with minimum interference from my lot if Jez and Mikey can make sure my dream comes true.”
Ryan and Rachel looked at each other again, another silent conversation before they looked back at him and nodded.
Taylor smiled, leaning back in his chair, clasping his hands behind his head, feeling lighter than he had in months. For once, the future looked bright.
CHAPTER 28
“What the hell is she doing here?” said Leah.
“Who?” said Alfie, turning in his seat. “Oh no.”
Amber walked into reception looking incredibly uncertain of herself with the boys in tow. Mark and Riley had dropped them at the door before heading back to the hospital.
“Hello Leah,” she said shyly.
“What are you doing here?”
“Riley brought us here, for our own safety.”
“I understand why he brought the boys but why bother with you? You’re not family anymore.”
“They think I could be in danger too.”
“Yeah, right. I bet you’re lapping up all this drama, you’re the biggest drama queen in Manchester.”
“Alright Leah, that’s enough,” said Beth, emerging from the room the younger children were playing in. “Hello Amber,” she said stonily.
“Hi Beth,” she replied as politely as she could. “I’m so sorry for what happened.”
She was unmoved. “We all nearly died today so none of us are in the mood for your dramatics. The kids need peace and calm. Can you manage that?”
“Of course. I’m not here to cause trouble, I’m here to support my boys and all of you in any way I can. You probably won’t believe it but I’ve changed Beth, I’m not the girl you remember.”
“Spoilt brat would be a more appropriate description.”
“I deserved that. I want to apologise for the horrible things I said to you.”
“And for how you treated Mikey?” she said, folding her arms across her chest.
Amber nodded, wide-eyed. “My stupidity cost me the best thing that ever happened to me. Thankfully these two have given me another chance,” she said, smiling down at the boys, ruffling Zach’s hair, who smiled up at her.
“Alright,” said Beth. “In times of trouble we band together. Let’s say no more about it, for now. The kids need us united, not squabbling. Why don’t you take the boys through to the playroom with the rest of the children?”
“Thank you.”
Amber only smiled once she’d walked by Beth. She was as gullible as the rest of them. She wouldn’t be so up herself when Katia and Hayden were done with them.
“Do you think she’s really changed Aunty Beth?” said Leah.
“I really couldn’t say sweetheart. I’d like to think so but in my experience people like her rarely change.”
“That’s just what I think.”
“Time will tell.”
Feeling she was being watched, Leah whipped round and scowled at the creepy guy with the Hitler side parting who was studying her with his intense blue eyes. He looked familiar, then it struck her. He was the detective who’d investigated the attack on her Aunty Jules that had put her in a coma. Her hackles rose as he continued to stare at her.
“You got a problem or are you just a pervert?” she called across the room.
Hearing this, Alfie stood before her, prepared to aggressively defend her, his bulk blocking her view of Dwyer.
“Leah Law,” said Dwyer with infuriating smugness. “Do you remember me?”
“Course I do and stop talking to me like I’m five years old.”
Dwyer’s left eye twitched. She was mouthy like her mum and arrogant like her dad, stepdad anyway. “I need to talk to you about what happened today at the wedding reception,” he said with feigned sympathy.
“I’m seventeen. You can’t talk to me without my parents present,” she retorted, folding her arms across her chest.
“While we wait why don’t you give me a little background?” he said pleasantly.
“Err, because it’s against the law,” she retorted.
“Yeah, so do one,” said Alfie.
“Who on earth are you?” Dwyer asked him.
“Alfie Maguire.”
“You seventeen too?”
“Sixteen,” he sneered.
Anger gripped Dwyer. He should have known this was one of Alex Maguire’s progeny. He’d encountered Alex a couple of times during his career, a lunatic of the first order. Alfie looked just like him, although he lacked the chaos that had existed in his father’s eyes. An air of imminent violence had perpetually hung around Alex while Alfie merely appeared to be defending his cousin, who he seemed a little too fond of. He wouldn’t be surprised if this family indulged in regular bouts of incest. Obviously they didn’t see anything wrong with it, not with Mikey and Jules getting wed.
“DI Dwyer,” said a voice.
Dwyer hissed out air between his teeth and turned to see Taylor emerge in reception with Rachel and Ryan Law, both of whom looked furious to see him so close to their daughter and nephew.
“You’d better not have been trying to interview them,” said Rachel, wrapping her arm around Leah and pulling her away from him.
“Of course not Mrs Law,” said Dwyer, eyes narrowing. “That’s against regulations.”
“Like you care about that,” she spat back.
“He was trying to interview me Mum,” said Leah.
Dwyer’s glare was turned on the daughter.
“DI Dwyer, why aren’t you at the crime scene?” demanded Taylor.
“I thought I’d be more use here, given that all the witnesses are here.”
“We have plenty of people here to cover that. I need you overseeing the processing of the scene. Now,” he added when Dwyer made no move to leave.
“Yes Sir,” he glowered.
With one last hard look at Rachel, he exited through the main doors.
“He’s bloody creepy,” said Leah, a shiver running down her spine. “Can we go to the hospital now? I want to see Aunty Jules.”
“I’m afraid no one can go anywhere until statements have been taken,” said Taylor.
“Oh come on Taylor,” said Ryan. “They’re just kids.”
“A very serious crime has been committed and we can’t simply allow you all to wander off into the sunset until all the facts have been taken. We’re forgoing interviews on the younger children at the recommendation of our psychologist but the older ones certainly need to be questioned and that includes all three of your children Mr and Mrs Law. And this boy here,” he added, waving a hand a
t an indignant Alfie. “I only require one of you to stay with your children. One of you is free to return to the hospital, just as long as you don’t go wandering off anywhere else.”
“You go,” Ryan told Rachel. “I’ll wait here with the kids.”
“Shouldn’t it be you? Your brother and sister are in there.”
“And they’re going to be fine. I know you’re desperate for news about Mikey.”
She nodded and squeezed his hand.
“Let me know if you hear anything,” he said. “DCI Taylor, would one of your men be able to give Rachel a lift to the hospital?”
“I can do it,” said Dwyer, seeming to emerge from the paintwork.
“I thought you’d already left,” said Taylor.
“I forgot my phone, I left it in CID.”
They all frowned, thinking this just a little too convenient.
“Fine,” said Taylor when a wailing started up from the temporary crèche. The children had been stuck here for a while now and were getting fed up. He just wanted the whole thing wrapped up as soon as possible.
“Isn’t there anyone else who can take her?” said Ryan.
“No, they’re all tied up. It’s either Dwyer or she stays here.”
“It’s fine,” said Rachel. “I’ll go with DI Dwyer.”
Dwyer’s eyes sparkled with satisfaction. “I won’t be a minute Mrs Law, I just need to get my phone from CID.”
She nodded magnanimously and he hurried through a door behind the reception desk.
“Are you sure about this?” Ryan asked his wife. “You could always get a taxi and I could have Mark or Riley meet you at the hospital.”
“It’ll be fine,” she said with a dismissive wave. She didn’t want to say anything in front of Taylor but she was curious to see how Dwyer interacted with her. She needed to know if he was still a threat.
Dwyer emerged from the depths of the station brandishing his car keys. “Ready Mrs Law?”
She nodded, pecking Ryan on the lips before following him outside.
“And make sure you drop her off at the back of the hospital,” called Taylor. “The press are hanging around like flies on shit.” He looked at the children. “Sorry.”
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