The Truth Will Out

by Karen J Mossman

  Sue’s eyes flickered away, and for a moment, they rested on Kelly again. She shivered at the hate she saw in them. How did Johnny expect her to intimidate people into handing over money when she was the one who felt intimidated?

  Eventually, Sue opened her bag, pulled out her purse and handed over a wad of cash.

  The next visit was to Jenny Needham, who had a toddler in a buggy. She also was returning from somewhere when she saw Johnny and Pete approach. Fear crossed her face, and as they talked, she appeared to be begging them.

  After a moment, Pete grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to the car, opening the door. He shoved her inside next to Kelly in the back seat. Kelly kept her eyes averted. Pete got in next to her and they all moved up. Johnny placed the buggy next to the car; Jenny’s heavy breathing and occasionally whimpers were the only sounds.

  Johnny got into the front and Kelly realised she was holding her breath. She glanced at Jenny who met her eyes pleadingly as they filled with tears.

  Pete said in a low voice, “We lent you that money in good faith.”

  “When you were desperate and had nowhere to turn,” added Johnny.

  “I know, I know.”

  Kelly felt her trembling beside her.

  “You love your little boy, don’t you?” asked Pete

  “Yes,” Jenny said, her voice breaking into a sob.

  “We don’t want to hurt your baby,” Johnny said with sincerity. “Nor do we want to hurt you.” His voice was soft, and he wore that smile again.

  “But we will,” Pete added. They were a perfect double act, and Kelly shuddered. They were even scaring her.

  Jenny was a young mum and clearly struggling. It made Kelly all the more uncomfortable with how things were going. How the hell was she supposed to handle this sort of situation on her own?

  Jenny promised to have the money for next week and hurriedly got out of the car.

  “What’s the matter with you?” Pete asked Kelly.

  “Nothing.”

  Johnny turned to look at her as Pete climbed back into the front driver’s seat.

  “You’ve not gone soft, have you?” Johnny said to Kelly.

  “I am soft. Have you no heart for that girl?”

  “Jesus!” said Johnny. “I helped her out when she needed it. That’s heart.”

  “Threatening her baby? For God’s sake!” Kelly snapped.

  “You think we’d really do it?” Pete asked, turning in his seat to look at her.

  “Yes, I bloody do.”

  Johnny shook his head. “I might slap her if she withheld our money, but you should know me better than that.”

  “Look, we’re done. Let’s go and let me sort out your precious money.”

  “Be careful,” Johnny said. “You enjoy that money, too.”

  She sighed. “Yes, well, I make sure that money balances, don’t I?”

  Pete started the car, and they headed for home. Kelly stared out the window and knew that Johnny’s eyes were on her in the wing mirror.

  Kelly was the last to enter the room where Johnny was holding his meeting. She didn’t usually attend these and had no wish to now. They were sitting around a table, and by the look on his face, they were waiting on her.

  “Good of you to join us, K, come and take a seat.”

  She sat in the empty chair and looked around. Johnny was sitting opposite her and to his right, was Pete. He gave her a wink as she sat down. Next to him was Dave Price, his hair neatly braided as usual; he gave her a smile of acknowledgment. Next to Dave was Shawn Nevin, a blond, blue-eyed man wearing a dapper navy suit. He didn’t look up.

  “Right, let’s get started—” Began Johnny.

  “Do I really have to be here?” Kelly interrupted, and Johnny looked agitated.

  “What did you find out about Spencer’s?” He asked Shawn, ignoring her.

  “Been around for about 10 years, sells good little run arounds like Polo’s and KAs, Corsas that sort of thing. Also, buys cars from a couple of the main dealers down on Trackham High Street and picks up part exchanges, and sells them at a good mark-up.”

  Dave picked up from Shawn, “He has a small workshop at the back. Does welding, repairs and cleaning etc. Gets the cars ready for sale.”

  “Who runs it?” Pete asked.

  “Guy called Malcolm Fidelley, yeah, I know,” Dave grinned when everyone picked up on the name.

  “Bloody hell,” said Pete. “Would you buy a car from this man?”

  Kelly listened to them guffaw and crack jokes before Dave continued, “Some of his staff have been around since the business started. I think a couple of them are related to him.”

  “Sounds promising then,” said Johnny, who was making notes. “Security cameras?”

  “None that I can see. We can send in a couple of lads over the next four weeks, just a little damage, nothing much.”

  “Good,” said Johnny. “I’ll leave that with you, then.”

  Kelly zoned out as she stared into the garden. The lilac tree was bending in the breeze, and she could see the gardener trimming along the edgings. He did a good job as everything outside the house was as neat as inside. Occasionally, she walked around looking at the flowers and plants or watched the birds landing on the feeders that Mrs Januka kept stocked.

  “Kelly, are you with us?” Johnny asked in an impatient tone.

  “Yes, sorry. I was just thinking about bird feeders.” She knew she shouldn’t goad him, as Johnny didn’t appreciate things like that. She saw Pete smirk, though.

  “I’m going to gift you Sue Parker and Jenny Needham, to start with.”

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  He was losing patience with her. “Why’s that?”

  “Because I think your books are more important. I’m more useful concentrating on those. The last thing I want is to know the stories behind the names, it will be distracting.”

  “Then learn not to be distracted. You’re not getting out of this, K. I want you more involved, and I want you enthusiastic. Dave can go with you until you are confident on your own.”

  Kelly made a face. “That Sue is a right tough nut. I’m not tough enough and with Jenny, I’ll probably be a soft arse.”

  “Damn it, Kelly!” He banged his fist on the table. “Just do it!”

  “Well, maybe you should get someone else to do your books then, because I’m not going to make mistakes just because you’re sending me out to do something else.”

  “Jesus Christ, woman!” He seethed through gritted teeth.

  “I’ll go with her,” Pete jumped in. “She’s better with me.”

  “Johnny, just let me do your books, I’d rather do what I am good at.” She hated the whining tone that had invaded her voice.

  Johnny’s face turned thunderous. “Fuck it.” He got to his feet. “Dave, sort out your lad to go into Spencer’s. This meeting is over.” He pointed at Kelly. “You with me.”

  Kelly reluctantly got up and followed him out, glancing at Pete as she went.

  In the lounge, she shut the door and faced him.

  “What the fucking hell is going on with you, K?”

  “Nothing,” she shouted back. “Why are you getting me involved in this?”

  “Because this is a business, darling, my business. We’re in it to make money and that includes you. And I don’t like you sounding off like that in front of the boys.”

  He was really angry, and she knew she had overstepped the mark this time.

  “I’m not a tough arse, Johnny. I’m not like that!”

  “In that case, I can toughen you up.”

  The slap came out of nowhere. Shocked, she stepped forward. “You bastard! Who do you think you are?”

  He slapped her again.

  “Johnny!” she cried.

  But he hit her again, and again. His face red, his eyes blazing until the door opened and Pete grabbed his arm. “Leave her be! She’s had enough.”

  Johnny came to his senses as
tears streamed down Kelly’s face. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself,” she snapped. “I’m not your fucking punching bag!”

  Leaving the room and running upstairs, she went straight to their en-suite and locked the door behind her. Sitting on the toilet lid, she bent over her knees as her face throbbed.

  He had never hit her before, but then again, she hadn’t ever challenged him in front of others. She should have known better. She would always tread on thin ice if she went down that route.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Kelly

  It was a big shock to Kelly. Johnny had never turned on her before. She always knew he was capable of violence, and was angry for letting it happen. If only I’d checked my temper. She knew better, and should have dealt with it in a way that wouldn’t have provoked him. This was all her fault.

  From the bathroom, she could hear Johnny and Peter arguing loudly. Pete, as usual, was sticking up for her.

  Eventually, all went quiet, and she heard Johnny come upstairs to their bedroom.

  “Kelly? Kelly, I’m sorry,” he said, gently knocking and trying the handle. “Please, open the door. I don’t know what came over me.”

  “Leave me alone. I don’t want to see you right now.” She was still sitting on the toilet with a cold flannel to her face.

  “Please, K,” he said in a quieter voice.

  She could hear him breathing as he waited for the door to open.

  “K?” he said, after a moment. “Open the door, baby.”

  “I’m not your punching bag, Johnny,” she said. “I’m not here for you to take your frustrations out on. I expect you to have a bit more respect for me than that.”

  “I do. I just don’t like being told no, although I still want you to do it.”

  He wasn’t letting her off, and she should have known that.

  “We’ll talk later,” she said, biting her lip. “Leave me alone for a while.”

  “Okay,” he conceded. “Later.”

  She heard the bedroom door close and sobbed into the flannel.

  Later, she came out of the bathroom and sat on the side of the bed. She had no idea what to do. Her face still smarted, but at least he only used the flat of his hand. She lay down and curled up on her side. Her thoughts chasing around her head.

  Could she trust Johnny again? No.

  Did she still want to live here? Yes.

  Did she love him? No.

  Did she ever? I don’t know.

  Was it time to move on? No. Yes, no.

  Johnny would never let her go. He’d chase her to the ends of the earth. Surely that meant he loved her, but if he loved her, why would he hit her? And why would he want her to collect his money from stupid bitches like Sue and Jenny? Didn’t he understand anything? She probably could handle Jenny, but Sue? God, she didn’t know. All this was making her weary.

  A tap on the door caused her to start. Not now, she couldn’t face him yet.

  “Kelly?” The door opened slightly. “I’ve just come to see if you’re okay.”

  “Pete.” She let out a sigh of relief. He came over and sat on the side of the bed, his ugly face staring at her, his eyes taking everything in. He put his hand on her thigh.

  “You’ll live. I think he’s seen the error of his ways.”

  “He’s not letting me get out of doing it.”

  “He’s right, I think you should do it. It will be good for you to get further into the business. It’s money, darling, and it’s the way we keep our heads above water and live like we do. You know that.”

  “I suppose.”

  “You’ll make him very happy.”

  “Huh.”

  “I’m going to come with you and you’re a tough lady, you can blag your way through anything. I should know.”

  She gave him a smile.

  She had known Pete a long time. Over the years they kept bumping into each other, and it wasn’t until one cold November night that he came across her and literally saved her life.

  Kelly learned to scam people from her dad, and a life on the road was something she was used to. She hadn’t intentionally followed in her father’s footsteps.

  Unfortunately, things didn’t always go to plan, and she found herself living on the street. Times were desperate, and she knew she could survive if she went on the game. She also knew a few drug dealers who occasionally gave her a little, and she promised to find buyers, which she did. Everyone seemed to be looking to score.

  An old pro called Gloria said she could get her work, but Kelly didn’t want to go on that game. Her body was the only thing she could call her own. She didn’t want to sell it for money. Gloria secretly envied her resilience to not get on that particular train, because once you did, you never got off.

  Gloria was a good girl; she had Kelly’s back and sometimes gave her a place to stay. With her help, Kelly found other ways to make money. She followed Gloria’s punters, and when she approached them, she knew where they lived, and more importantly, whom they lived with. They always ended up paying her to keep her mouth shut.

  Except one. She knew she had been living on luck for a while. Many of the girls had encountered violent men and warned each other. Kelly was good at ducking and diving, clever with words and perhaps bravado. So, she assumed she’d be all right.

  Her unlucky day came when a guy she threatened with exposure came for her and gave her a beating she wouldn’t forget.

  That November night, while she was slumped against a doorway, she was at her unluckiest. She didn’t know which was worse, the pain in her body, or the cold that numbed it.

  She saw the shadow of her father appear in front of her, “Kelly?” He leaned down as if getting a better look.

  “Dad?”

  He scooped her up and carried her through the back streets and up some rickety stairs.

  He laid her down on a bed and stared at her in the dim light. “Pete,” she said before everything faded away.

  “You’re a lucky girl,” he told her the next day as she lay in his bed drinking soup he’d heated for her. “Frost can be a killer, too.”

  It was a small space that did everything: kitchen, lounge, and bedroom. There was a second door, which she guessed was the bathroom.

  “I thought I was a goner.” She ached all over; her hands didn’t move properly, her vision was limited, and her face had swollen. She peered around the room through puffy eyes.

  “I had someone come and look you over. You’re lucky not to have broken anything. Everything else will mend.”

  “I don’t know what to say,” she mumbled unable to meet his eyes.

  Pete put his feet up on the coffee table and stretched back in the chair. “Say thank you, Pete.”

  “Thank you, Pete,” she whispered. “But why?”

  “Why did I save you?”

  “We don’t know each other that well. We’ve never been friends exactly.”

  He paused, then said, “I thought we were.”

  “I know your name, you know mine. You know what I do, and I know what you do, neither are exactly legal.”

  He grinned. “Legal?”

  “You know what I mean. You watched me scam that bloke in a tweed suit and did nothing. In fact, you looked quite impressed.”

  Pete picked up a whiskey glass, which was why he appeared so mellow. He looked at the contents for a minute before taking another sip and savouring before swallowing it. “Did I?”

  She finished the soup and put it on the floor next to the bed. “So what happens now?”

  He shrugged. “You get better, I suppose.”

  Kelly moved her tongue around her teeth and cheeks thoughtfully. “What do you want?”

  “I have a chance to get a job, a good job, I thought maybe you could take care of this place while I’m gone.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “Abroad for a bit, then when I come back, I might be needed elsewhere.”

  “Is that all?”

  “Why? What else is there?�
�

  “Nothing, but it doesn’t seem like a good swap.”

  He drained his glass, savouring it again in his mouth. She watched the liquid bulge his cheeks.

  “I don’t want squatters moving in here.”

  “Okay, I don’t suppose you want to leave me a little money as well?”

  He gave her a hard stare, which said, Yeah, right.

  She gave him a grin, but it hurt, and she grimaced instead.

  Pete left and two days later, she found an envelope: Kelly. Do something right. Inside was a wad of cash.

  She never understood why he rescued her that night and it turned out to be the leg up she needed. It helped focus her and she made sure she didn’t take anything for granted again.

  Three years later, while she was working in a bar, Pete walked in. He was surprised she still had the flat, and didn’t look like he belonged there anymore.

  His hair was slick, his face shaven, and his aftershave wafted over her. He wore a suit and whatever he was doing, he was doing it well.

  It turned out the reason he was doing so well was because he was working for a man called Johnny Hatton, the very one that owned the bar she was working in.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Sarah

  By the time the three of them had returned, I had been stitched up.

  “Now, you are going to stay in, aren’t you?” Said Abby.

  I smiled.

  “Sarah, you are hopeless.” She knew me too well.

  “Do as you’re told, Sarah,” the Soop said. “I’ll wait for you outside, Abby.”

  I looked at Ryan, who seemed amused and was about to say something when his phone rang. He went outside to take it as mobile phones interfered with hospital equipment.

  “He’s right,” said Abby. “Sometimes you don’t know what’s good for you.”

  “Whose side are you on?” I said, wriggling on the uncomfortable bed.

  “It’s not a matter of sides, Sarah. Be sensible. Me going back to my dad’s for a while is sensible. And, it might make things calm down. You need to make sure you’re well again before you go home.”

  “I’m a free spirit, Abby, and I know what’s good for me. And that’s going home.”