by Adam Maxwell
The door to the stairwell opened and Violet appeared.
“Katie’s been shot,” she said.
“Just finishing off back here,” said Zoe simultaneously.
Lucas winced, struggling to multitask. “What?”
“Come on,” said Violet. “We have to go.”
Lucas checked the desk, making sure he hadn’t left anything incriminating behind. Violet strode past the desk, her satchel flapping at her side and the now-familiar courier tube in her left hand.
“Big Terry has eyes on us.” Barry’s voice drifted through the earpiece from outside.
“Where?” asked Lucas, as he and Violet covered the ground over the carpark toward Barry.
“Red car, parked opposite,” Barry gestured and the pair of them turned. There were two men inside.
Arriving at Barry’s car, Violet gently threw the courier tube in through the open window.
Barry looked at the two of them, the seriousness on their faces. “What’s going on?” he asked.
“Katie was shot,” Violet said. “The banker’s gone. Zoe’s closing down in there and–”
While Violet was talking, Lucas checked out the car containing Big Terry’s goons one more time then opened the driver’s side door and got inside. Violet was still talking to Barry as Lucas turned the keys in the ignition and, after a momentary check to make sure the courier tube was on the passenger seat, he slammed the car into reverse.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Barry shouted, jumping out of the car’s way.
Lucas said nothing, just swung the car out of the car park, hammered it back into gear and accelerated away from them.
*
Of course, leaving behind the crew meant picking up new friends. Lucas had put a good ten minutes between himself and the banker’s flat before he pulled over to the side of the road.
The driver of the red car mistakenly believed that he had been taught to tail cars at spy school. As a result, he had driven a little further down the road then inexpertly veered to the side of the road.
Lucas got out of his car and walked over to them, tapping on the driver’s window.
The window slid down and a man whose I.Q. could be measured in sausages stared out.
“You’re following me for Big Terry?” Lucas did them the courtesy of asking, in spite of the fact that he knew the answer.
The driver looked confused, opened his mouth to speak and then closed it again.
“I’ve got the painting in the car,” Lucas gestured.
“I know,” the driver said, with a voice like a slap in the ear with an uncooked pork chop. “I watched the clever one throw it in.”
“You want to give Big Terry a call then? Cos I want my money.” Lucas flashed the driver a grin and then walked back to his car.
Two minutes passed, then the passenger got out of the red car and walked to Lucas.
“Boss says he’ll meet you in half an hour,” the goon said, then told Lucas where. It was some abandoned piece of ground halfway across town. Lucas nodded his acknowledgement then gunned the car and took off, leaving the goon running to get back to his own car.
One stress-free drive across town later and Lucas had had enough time to convince himself that what he had done was insane. Not only that, but the situation he was about to place himself in was almost certainly going to result in his untimely demise. His stomach was doing somersaults and he was half convinced that he may need to evacuate his bowels before the meeting – but something made him press on.
And at that moment, that very same something hopped out of the passenger seat of a black convertible and walked over to Lucas. He was followed by the two goons from the red car and someone else. Someone he recognised. It was Violet’s ex, Percy.
“Alright, thundercunt,” Big Terry said, staring unblinkingly at Lucas. “Where’s those other fuckers?”
Percy stood behind Big Terry, a look of confusion on his face.
“Well, originally this was between me and you,” said Lucas. His mouth was drier than he ever thought it possible to be. “So I wanted to deliver the goods. And apologise.”
Big Terry nodded.
“I’ll be honest with you, it was always my intention to stab them in the back,” Lucas went on and then, looking directly at Percy, “I even went as far as to line up a fence to shift the painting. But after the situation developed with yourself I thought I best make good on my debt and at least make a few quid off the back of that.”
Big Terry stared at him. Then he burst out laughing.
“Oh, that’s priceless,” he said.
Lucas shifted from one foot to the other as he stared down at the midget.
“And Percy here asked especially to come and see Violet come grovelling to me.” Big Terry barked another laugh. “I was going to make her beg. Shall I make you beg, you dirty little shitpipe?”
“I’d rather not. I just want to give you what I got for you, get my money and go,” Lucas said, being as careful as possible not to say anything that would inflame Big Terry’s sense of offence.
“You’d rather not?” Big Terry repeated, putting on a high-pitched voice. “And what makes you think I’m going to give you anything at all after you stole from me? Eh?”
“You’re a man of your word,” said Lucas.
“I’ve got two words for you,” said Big Terry. “Fuck off.”
The two goons and Percy laughed. Big Terry waved a hand in the air and the driver-goon started walking to where Lucas’ car was parked.
“This is how it’s going to go down,” said Big Terry. He reached up a stubby digit and scratched at the corner of his mouth. “He’s going to get the painting from your car. If it’s not there, I’m going to shoot you.”
“It’s there,” Lucas bleated.
“Good, I thought it would be,” replied Big Terry. “You’re a treacherous bastard but you don’t strike me as stupid.”
Lucas shook his head.
“Once I’ve got that painting we’re straight. You can walk.”
“No money then?” asked Lucas, his voice flat.
“Course not. For a clever person, you’re fucking stupid,” said Big Terry. “At what point did you think I would pay you?”
“If you pay me, I’ve got something else for you,” said Lucas. His eyes flicked to Percy for the briefest moment. Percy just looked pissed off.
Big Terry stared up at Lucas, weighing him up.
“You’ve got balls as big as me, haven’t you?”
“You brought the money?” continued Lucas.
Big Terry raised an eyebrow. “I have the money,” was all he said.
The driver-goon walked past the two of them carrying the courier tube.
“Get rid of those three,” said Lucas.
“If you try anything at all...” Big Terry began.
Lucas was playing at being confident in spite of the fact that he thought he might throw up. “With respect, Big Terry, your reputation precedes you and I am fully aware that I don’t have the slightest chance of taking you down.”
Big Terry smiled wide.
“Fair enough then,” he said. “Fuck off you three.”
The two goons and Percy reluctantly withdrew to a reasonable distance.
Lucas took out his phone and tapped the screen a couple of times until an image of himself appeared.
“If you show me a picture of your cock I swear I’ll cut it off.” Big Terry shifted around to Lucas’ side and Lucas tried to surreptitiously stoop to give him a better view of the screen.
He tapped the play button and the video began to play.
“Listen to me.” Percy’s voice could be heard before he could be seen, he was leaning in close to Lucas. “Big Terry is a big fucking moron. He wouldn’t notice a turd if you smeared it on his top lip. I’ve been skimming off the top of practically every deal I’ve ever been involved in for him and he doesn’t notice any of it.”
“Really? How the hell do you manage that?” Lucas heard h
is own voice and wondered if he actually sounded like that. Finally he watched himself move out of shot so Percy could now be seen fully.
“Well,” Percy continued on-screen. “Maybe it’s because I’m skimming off the top. So he can’t see it!” Big Terry drew breath sharply as Percy laughed in the video.
“I don’t get it,” said on-screen Lucas with a dumb smile. “What do you mean?”
“Have you met Big Terry?” asked Percy.
Lucas shook his head.
“He’s a dwarf. A midget. Whatever the fuck. He’s a short arse. So if I’m skimming off the top then he can’t see it because he’s too fucking short. Geddit?”
“Oh I see,” Lucas nodded but didn’t laugh.
The video ended. Big Terry said nothing.
“So...” said Lucas eventually.
“I’m not going to ask why the fuck you were recording this, because frankly I couldn’t give a shit,” said Big Terry quietly. “That you brought it to my attention is enough.”
Lucas nodded, then realised Big Terry was still looking at the screen. Big Terry pressed the play button again and watched it in its entirety once more.
“It’s not doctored,” said Big Terry.
“No,” said Lucas.
“I wasn’t asking.”
“No.”
“I’ll pay you,” said Big Terry deliberately. “And I’ll keep the phone.”
“Of course,” said Lucas. “And thank you.”
Big Terry walked over to his car and Lucas followed at what he considered as safe a distance as possible. As they drew close one of the goons popped the boot of the car open and took out a small bag. Big Terry took the bag and gave it to Lucas.
“We’re done,” he said. “Now fuck off.”
Lucas nodded.
Big Terry beckoned Percy over to him and pressed play on the video.
As Lucas walked away he could hear Percy’s protestations, accusations, excuses bubbling over into gabbled pleading. Lucas turned as he reached his car and saw the glint of something sharp in Big Terry’s hand.
Percy screamed as whatever it was plunged into his thigh, but his scream was short-lived. As Percy doubled over to clutch his leg, Big Terry swung up and punched him hard in the face. Lucas got into his car and shut the door. He turned the key in the ignition as one of the goons shoved Percy’s shoulder, toppling him into the boot of the car then slamming it shut.
Lucas stared at the bag of money he’d just conned. He wanted to feel happy about it but the terror was still overwhelming. Instead he dropped the car into gear and drove away from Big Terry.
2 weeks later…
Chapter 47
“I was sorry to hear about your finger,” said Violet and nodded towards Brad Fegan’s bandaged hand.
Fegan’s bushy black eyebrows collided in a frown as he stared at it. “Given the person who did this I can only think that I came out of the conversation pretty well.”
“Well, I suppose so, yes,” replied Violet.
Fegan had requested they meet in Kilchester’s winter garden, a huge glasshouse standing over three stories high. It was like an indoor jungle and housed thousands of species of plants that it would otherwise be impossible to see in Kilchester, or indeed this hemisphere. And it was warm. Really warm.
“I heard that you lost one of your crew,” said Fegan quietly. “I’m sorry.”
Violet shook her head and stared out of the windows at the pond and fountains outside. A single jet of water shot out of the mouth of an algae-encrusted stone lion.
“Oh?” said Fegan. “So what happened?”
“I’m sorry,” said Violet, and smiled. “I’m a bit tired. It’s been... intense.”
Fegan stared at the fountain too, both of them leaning on a handrail. “You’re milking it,” he said eventually.
“I am,” said Violet, with a familiar laugh. “I really am.”
“So...” Fegan badgered. “What happened?”
“Where do I start?”
“At the risk of sounding clichéd… at the very beginning?”
Violet nodded. “A very good place to start.” She ran her fingers through the leaves of an overhanging fern, gripping it tightly so that the chlorophyll stained her fingers. “After I got your message… I knew I had to make a decision.”
“After what had happened with your ex?”
“Exactly. I mean, time had passed and I suppose it was obvious that, either through lack of interest or his own ineptitude, it was unlikely I was in any danger.”
“You know, maybe you could just tell me what happened with the robbery? Did you get the painting?”
“Maybe I did. And maybe I’ll tell you if you let me tell you the whole story.”
Fegan sighed and rolled his hand forward. “Spill the beans, then.”
“I knew it was inevitable our paths would cross if I came back for any length of time, and so I made a decision.”
Fegan stared out at the rapidly setting sun. “And what decision was that?”
“That I would destroy him for what he did to my friend.”
“Harsh but fair.”
“I thought so, given the circumstances.”
“And what were the circumstances exactly? You…” Fegan paused, giving himself some time to contemplate the right words. “You were circumspect with some aspects of the story, I felt.”
“You’re right,” said Violet, staring off out into the park beyond the lake. “It’s hard to say it. She died. My friend. I tried to save her but she died. And he didn’t do it. But it was his fault.”
“And you wanted to… what? Make amends?”
Violet shrugged. “In my own way, I suppose, yes. Selflessly in part. Selfishly too, of course.”
“So…”
“Yes?”
“Stop stalling.”
“Fair enough. Well, after we met I set about putting my crew together. It wasn’t hard. Most people are incompetent so the list of possible people wasn’t long. But I met up with people I used to know and everyone wanted me to tell them what happened that night.”
Fegan nodded and dabbed at the perspiration on his brow with a handkerchief that was now almost soaked through.
“I came back to Kilchester because the balance of power had shifted back to me.” Violet turned her back to the great windows, leaning against the railing, staring up high at the palms that towered over them. “Now was the time to take action and your kind offer was the motivation to take back that power. The more people I talked to, the more I heard about him. Percy the success. Percy the womaniser. Percy who worked for Big Terry. So I made a decision… The job was always the number one priority but revenge would be the icing on the cake.
“I went to work, recruiting the crew I’d chosen and making my plans for how to get the painting.”
Violet heard a noise and stopped talking. Coming through the indoor undergrowth was Zoe. She smiled widely at Violet and Violet reciprocated.
“Do you want to know how it played out?” asked Violet.
“It’s a good story,” added Zoe. “The parts I know, anyway. The rest… I’m intrigued to know more.”
Fegan nodded and extended his hand in invitation; Zoe shook it.
“I recruited Zoe first,” said Violet.
Zoe smiled with pride but said nothing.
“And we set a trap, of sorts, to recruit Barry.”
“I was in the back of the car and…” Zoe began.
Fegan and Violet stared at her and she faltered. “I’ll just listen then, shall I?”
“I went in to help Lucas close a deal,” continued Violet. “And when I arrived, the two men he was conning… I recognised them. Not straight away but it itched at the back of my brain until I finally remembered who they were.”
“And who were they?” asked Fegan.
“Associates of Big Terry. Part of some of the restaurants he runs.”
“How did you know them?” asked Zoe.
“Long story,” said Violet. �
�I’ve been around longer than I care to admit. But the point was that we had a connection to Big Terry. One that we could exploit.”
Fegan let out a half-laugh and rubbed at the bandage on his finger. “You decided to factor Big Terry into the plan?”
Violet nodded.
“I’m not sure who’s the bigger psycho. Him or you?”
“It’s her,” said a voice. Its owner padded along a nearby walkway and appeared from behind a miniature waterfall wearing bright white trainers, pressed jeans, a polo neck jumper and crimson jacket. “She’s a maniac.”
“Barry,” said Violet.
“Your majesty,” said Barry.
Violet ignored his jibe and pressed on. “People talk. Especially to mister white-shoes here. Barry the geezer. And Barry found out that a certain forger was a good friend of Percy. We had two or three options, but that swung it for us. I visited him with Lucas and made a big display. Making sure he knew that someone had arrived back in Kilchester. It was inevitable he would tell Percy.”
“That’s true,” said Barry. “But who set Big Terry on us? Who told him that Lucas had ripped him off?”
Violet stared at him for a moment, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “I did,” she said. “Phoned him myself.”
Barry stared at her for a second. “If you’d told me that at the time…”
“Which is exactly why I didn’t.”
Fegan laughed.
“Well, that backfired,” said Violet with a sigh. “No pun intended. Big Terry went straight to the guys Lucas had conned – that I had helped Lucas to con – and he blew one of their brains out.”
Zoe stared at Violet, her mouth hanging open ever-so slightly.
“Well,” said Fegan blithely. “You go into business with Big Terry, there’s always the chance you’re going to get your brains blown out. Or…,” he held up his bandaged finger, “sustain other injuries. On with the story…”
“This was when I got Lucas in on the next phase of the plan. He was the professional con man, and if anyone could con Big Terry, the forger and Percy it was him. I mean, I could have done it but it was an easier sell to make it look like he’d betrayed us.”
Fegan gave a quiet whistle of amazement.