Ryan watched his wife leave, his eyes bright with anxiety.
“Don’t worry,” Taylor told him. “I’m sure your wife can handle Dwyer.”
“No doubt she once thought that about his brother,” he replied as he watched them disappear out the door. Ryan took out his phone. He wanted to ensure there was someone there to meet her.
Rachel detected the annoyance in Dwyer’s eyes when she climbed into the backseat of his car.
“I’m a police officer, not a chauffeur,” he said, getting into the driver’s seat and slamming the door shut.
“To be honest DI Dwyer, I feel more comfortable back here.”
“Physically or emotionally?”
Her eyes steadily met his through the rear-view mirror. “Both.”
He started the engine, not speaking again until they’d left the police station behind. “I was hoping we’d get the chance for a chat.”
“I bet you did.”
“I’m well aware you know exactly who attacked you today, despite what you told my colleagues. I also know why you’re keeping it a secret, because you’re going after the culprits yourselves. Not that I blame you. If someone tried to kill my family I’d probably do the same thing.”
Rachel stared back at the sharp blue eyes that worryingly seemed to be spending more time on her than on the road. “Is that some sort of reference to your brother?”
“Not at all Mrs Law. Why on earth would you think that?”
“Because you’ve already told me you want revenge for something I didn’t even do.”
“I’m merely referring to the fact that your children could have been killed today.”
“Believe me, I don’t need reminding.” If it hadn’t been for Jules and Cathy discovering the bomb and warning them they’d all be dead and gone now and this creature she was stuck in the car with would probably have been delighted by the news.
“As far as I can see there’s only two possible culprits - the McVays in Glasgow and Katia Brody down south. But why would Glasgow do this? Word is your family has a very profitable arrangement with theirs. Katia however hates you all, she was Alex’s lover, mother to his twin boys. Rumour has it someone in your family made Alex disappear. She’s probably still hurting over that one, although she did marry someone else, a Mancunian of all people. Hayden Brody, a decorated soldier whose past has been rather dubious ever since he left the army. Parachute Regiment. Trained sniper, no doubt also well-versed in explosives.”
“Hmmm,” was all she said, turning her gaze to the window.
“Then you’re all blown up and shot. Funny that, isn’t it?”
“Hilarious.”
“I’ll be very interested to see if any carnage erupts down south. Very interested indeed.”
“How nice for you.”
Dwyer gripped the steering wheel. He hated how superior she always sounded, like she was better than him, the stupid supercilious bitch. No wonder his brother snapped and tried to kill her. “I’ll be keeping an eye open to see if anything like that happens.”
“Hmmm.”
Rage jolted through Dwyer. Well he was determined to wrong-foot her and get some sort of reaction out of her. “Such a shame about your friend getting trapped in the barn when it collapsed.” He smiled to himself. Although he wasn’t looking at her he could sense her tense, feel her cold fury washing over him. “Battler, or Kenneth Longbottom according to his birth certificate,” he sniggered. “He was a big bloke but not even he could withstand that force,” he said with mock-sympathy. When he glanced in the rear-view mirror he smiled to see a pair of cold black eyes glaring back at him. “I expect he was crushed to death. He’ll be unrecognisable. I feel sorry for the poor sod who’ll have to ID him. Don’t worry, they’ll probably ask his brother to do that, Bruiser, or should I say Oliver Longbottom,” he chuckled.
“You think it’s fucking funny that he could be dead,” she said, voice harsh with emotion.
“Not funny Mrs Law, no. I’d rather call it karma. After all, how many people did he crush in his lifetime? And I don’t mean that metaphorically.”
When the car came to a halt at a set of traffic lights she yanked at the handle, just wanting to get away from the smug git but the door refused to open.
“Let me out.”
“I can’t do that I’m afraid Mrs Law, it would be incredibly dangerous. Someone tried to assassinate you today. Don’t worry, we’ll soon be at the hospital. I’m not going to kidnap you.”
“Like you’re capable,” she positively snarled, even more enraged when he chuckled again.
“I just wanted to give you a friendly warning,” he went on, putting the car into gear when the lights turned green. “We don’t tolerate vigilantes, so it would be very unwise of you to take matters into your own hands rather than leave it to us.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Let’s dispense with the games. Katia and her crew did this to you and you’re going after them in retaliation. But the last thing this city needs is another war, it’s been peaceful for so long, after your last little spat. I won’t let anything spoil it.”
Rachel smiled inwardly. The fool had no idea Liverpool was involved, even though he thought he had all the answers. Obviously they hadn’t managed to ID the bodies at the barn yet.
They completed the rest of the journey in silence, Rachel relieved when she saw Riley and Mark waiting for her at the doors into the rear of the hospital, the press nowhere in sight.
“You going to let me out now?” she said when Dwyer just sat there, making no move to open the doors.
He turned in his seat to face her, Rachel forcing herself not to recoil from the wrath in his eyes. “You’re making yourself out to be the victim in all this but you’re not. Your family has literally got away with murder for years and now it’s time to pay your debts. This is far from over.”
“You’ve got a nerve lecturing me after what your brother did and you’re just as bad, I see the same zeal in your eyes that had been in his. Just like him you dress up all your nasty little feelings in righteousness when in truth you’re as insane as he was. If you’re not careful you’re going to go down the same road he did.”
“Is that a threat?”
“No, merely an observation.” Her eyes turned even blacker. “Back off Dwyer while you still can. Now, are you going to open this door or shall I get my friends to smash the window in?” she said, indicating Riley and Mark who, becoming concerned by the heated exchange in the car were marching up to it, faces set.
Dwyer released the central locking. “Go on then, piss off. With any luck your enemies will finish the job. Let’s see how arrogant you are then.”
“I could report you for how you’ve spoken to me today,” she said, tilting back her head.
“Be my guest. I’ll just say you got all freaked out, flashbacks to the time my brother attacked you. In fact, go for it, I’d make you out to be losing your edge, a frail, helpless female psychologically damaged by the carnage at the wedding. Everyone in the city will think you’re a spent force.”
“Don’t you know DI Dwyer,” she said, lips curling into a malicious smile. “When someone comes after me it only makes me stronger. Keep fucking with me and I swear you’ll regret it.”
“The only regret I have is that my brother didn’t finish the job he started.”
The conversation was interrupted by Riley yanking Rachel’s door open with his good arm. “Everything okay?” he said with a suspicious look at Dwyer.
“Just making sure Mrs Law got here safely,” said Dwyer, the affability returning to his eyes.
“Come on Rachel,” said Riley, holding the door open wider.
She got out, slamming the door shut behind her, Mark casting Dwyer a glare through the window, who flashed him a sunny smile. Dwyer watched, bile rising in his throat as the two men escorted Rachel between them as though she were the most precious thing in the world, the fuckwits. On the bright side, three k
ey members of the family were badly injured, one of them might even die and the family had been thrown into confusion. With any luck the southern lot would put them out of their misery soon enough. Finally justice would be done.
On this cheerful note he set off, whistling a happy tune.
CHAPTER 29
“We were just about to call you,” Riley told Rachel. “Mikey’s out of surgery.”
“How is he?”
“Okay,” was all he said.
“Please Riley, I need the truth.”
“Sorry. His doctor was a little surprised that he survived the surgery.”
“Which doesn’t bode well for his recovery,” she sighed.
“Yes it does. If he can get through that then he can certainly pull through.”
Rachel knew Riley was only trying to make her feel better. He’d been an SAS soldier, he knew only too well how difficult it was recovering from a severe gunshot wound, never mind two. “I want to see him.”
“Course. I’ll take you up there. He’s on Intensive Care too, just a couple of doors down from Jules.”
“Has she been told?”
“Yep. We had to practically pin her down to stop her dragging herself out of bed to visit him. She’s desperate to see him.”
“Understandable. It’s still their wedding day.”
Riley sighed and nodded. “It’s so fucked up.”
“You’re right there,” said Mark. “We took Amber and the boys to the police station.”
“How did Amber seem?”
“Surprised and afraid but I suppose that’s understandable after we told her someone had just tried to kill the entire family.”
“Did she come quietly?”
“Yeah. Thankfully she didn’t have one of her dramas.”
“Are Beth and the kids okay?” Riley asked her.
“They’re fine. They’re still at the police station. Get yourself over there.”
“I don’t like leaving you…”
“We’re fine. Once the police finally say the kids can all go then get them down to Devon.”
“I’ve already warned Fletch and Leo that they’ll need to be waiting for us on arrival. I’ll take Paula Lawrence with me as well.”
“Good choice,” said Rachel. Paula was an ex-policewoman who had left the force in disgust at Dwyer’s attempts to plant evidence on suspects. She’d helped their family out before so she knew the score. “You might want to have Michelle Wright helping out too.”
“Who?”
“Jacob’s mum.”
“Jacob as in Leah’s boyfriend?”
“Yep. Battler took her on just before we left Devon.” Pain flickered through her eyes at the mere mention of him. “Trust me, you want her on your side.”
“Alright, who am I to argue with a recommendation like that? Is Jacob coming back with us?”
“Absolutely. The boy’s tough but I want him well away from what’s about to happen. Oh God.”
“What is it?” said Riley.
“I just remembered, no one’s told Belle.”
“Belle? Battler’s girlfriend?”
Rachel nodded sadly.
“Are you sure you don’t want to wait until it’s been confirmed that he’s dead? He’s one strong bugger, you never know.”
“I’ve been attempting to clutch onto that particular straw but I don’t see how he could have survived.”
Riley nodded. “I’ll tell her,” he said, not looking forward to that particular errand.
“Thanks. We’ll see you before you leave. Oh, one more thing.”
“I’m not sure how much more I can take.”
“I might be way off with this and I’ve absolutely no proof, it’s just a theory but the only person Mikey and Jules told about their wedding outside the immediate family was Amber.”
“You think she could have told Katia?”
“Like I say, it’s just a theory.”
“If she is responsible I’ll kill the conniving bitch.”
“I thought you should know as she’s going to Devon with you. Keep a close eye on her.”
“I bloody well will. Thanks for the head’s up.” He kissed her cheek. “See you later. Keep us informed about Mikey.”
“Will do.”
Riley hopped into a taxi while Mark escorted Rachel up to Intensive Care and into Mikey’s room, two of Dane Black’s men on guard duty at the door. A constable had also been assigned to guard Mikey’s room, the young, fresh-faced officer glancing uncomfortably at the two glowering men who were the size of barn doors.
Shane was sat by Mikey’s bedside, changed and freshly showered, looking as though he’d just had eight hours sleep. Rachel wished she had such energy, she was starting to feel her age.
These thoughts flickered only briefly through her head before they were eradicated by pain at the sight of Mikey on the bed. It was the first time she’d seen him look so heartbreakingly vulnerable. He was in a blue hospital gown, the blankets tucked around his waist. He was linked up to a ventilator to help him breathe, his arms and face dotted with bruises.
Shane vacated the chair for her and tactfully left the room, quietly closing the door behind him. Rachel slumped into the chair, took Mikey’s hand and finally allowed herself to cry, the sobs shaking her body.
“You can do it,” she told him when she could speak again. “I need my little brother. Please Mikey.”
“I want to see him,” said Jules.
Despite her injuries she felt filled with strength again. Her husband needed her and she was determined to be there for him.
“You can’t,” said Jez who had refused to go back to his own bed, despite the insistence of the hospital staff. “You can’t even stand.”
“Then get a wheelchair and wheel me down there. It’s only two doors down.”
“The doctor said you’re not to move. For Christ’s sake, you’ve just had surgery.”
“I’ll be fine,” she said, attempting to push herself upright. “More lives than a cat me. Fuck,” she groaned, slumping back down as pain shot through her chest.
“See.”
“Jez is right,” said Dane. “You’re not up to it.”
“It’s our wedding day,” she said miserably, a tear spilling from the corner of her eye.
Jez sighed and glanced at Jacob, who looked deeply uncomfortable then to Dane, who nodded. “Look, I’ll see if maybe they could wheel your bed in there?”
“Thank you. And I want my wedding and engagement rings back.”
“I’ll see to that too,” he said, slowly getting to his feet.
“Boss, what are you doing?” said Mark as he entered the room.
“I need to speak to a nurse. Jules is desperate to see Mikey and she wants her rings back.”
“I’ll speak to them.”
“You’re not family, they won’t discuss it with you.”
“Rachel’s in Mikey’s room. She used to work here, she might be able to pull a few strings.”
“It was years ago but it’s worth a try I suppose,” said Jez, glad of the excuse to slump back into the chair, feeling dizzy.
Mark nodded and left the room again. As he walked down the corridor he saw someone lurking there, a thin haggard figure with yellow straw-like hair, someone who resembled Estelle Law. He blinked and she vanished.
“I need some sleep,” he muttered before entering Mikey’s room.
Mark pretended he hadn’t seen Rachel crying, who hastily wiped her eyes on the backs of her hands. “Yes?” she said, black eyes bright and alert, cool and composed once again. Mark hadn’t worked for the family when Rachel had been in charge but he could easily imagine what a formidable leader she would have made.
“Sorry to interrupt.”
“That’s okay. Is something wrong?”
“Jules is insisting on seeing Mikey but she can’t get out of bed. We wondered if you still had some influence with the staff here? Maybe pull some strings for her?”
“I’m afr
aid not, all the staff have changed since I worked here.”
“Nothing’s going to stop her.”
“I don’t doubt it. I’ll ask the staff if they could wheel her bed in.”
“Thanks. She wants her wedding and engagement rings too. Shall I wait here with Mikey?” He knew she wasn’t part of the business anymore but it felt right that he go to her for orders, especially as his bosses were all laid up.
“No. There’s three guards on his door. You go back to Jez and help him keep Jules in check.”
“We’ll do our best, that’s all I can say,” he said with a self-deprecating smile.
“Mark?” she called as he headed to the door.
He stopped and turned. “Yes Mrs Law?”
“Thank you.”
He nodded, understanding she wasn’t just thanking him for helping keep Jules in check.
Rachel left Mikey’s room and headed to the nurse’s station. The two nurses there regarded her warily, well aware of who their patients were and that someone had recently tried to kill them.
“Hi, I’m Rachel, Jules Maguire’s sister-in-law,” she said in as friendly a tone as she could muster. “She’s desperate to see her husband and I wondered if her bed could be wheeled into his room? Her doctor said she’s not to get out of bed.”
One nurse hastily looked down at her paperwork, pretending she hadn’t heard, leaving her colleague to field the question. “I’m sorry Mrs Law but we can’t allow that on this ward.”
“But it’s their wedding day.”
Her eyes softened with sympathy. “I’m really sorry but that’s the Trust rules. I’m afraid she’ll have to wait until she can sit upright and we can wheel her in there.”
“Mikey’s condition is fragile,” said Rachel, struggling to contain her temper. She knew it wasn’t their fault, they were only following procedure but her family had suffered enough today and she didn’t want them to endure any more. “What if he dies and she doesn’t get to see him?” she said, eyes filling with tears, blinking to clear them.
“I’m very sorry but there’s really nothing we can do.” She took a step back when Rachel’s eyes turned black.
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