It was after a walk in the nearby countryside that Kelly followed a path and discovered Westleigh House, a large, white Georgian building, hidden away in the trees with breath-taking views over the plains.
Kelly was curious as to who owned such a beautiful building. It was partially hidden by foliage, making it seem mysterious. When she ventured a little closer, she saw a large conservatory filled with people sitting on the floor meditating.
She came regularly and followed what they were doing. Eventually, the owners invited her inside.
The more she learned, the more she became immersed in the lifestyle. Most mornings she went into the secluded part of the garden at home to practice.
She told the boys she was exercising as she didn’t want to tell them about the retreat.
Westleigh House was her secret. It was a clean and pure place, free from the likes of Johnny and his world. She didn’t want it tainted by them.
Had Johnny known about it, he’d have wanted to be involved. They often teased her about working out, but she could put up with it.
During meditation, one was supposed to keep a clear mind and just be. With everything going on, Kelly couldn’t clear her mind, as Johnny worried her. The new collecting system was also making her fret. Where was it leading, or more importantly, where would it lead her?
There was a different world out there and she wanted to be part of it.
The day of collecting dawned and Kelly realised she would have to meet it head on if she was going to do it at all. Pete looked dapper in his suit, just like a regular businessman setting off for the office.
Kelly chose to dress similarly and wore a dark blue trouser suit with a cream blouse and high heels. She looked smart for her new role.
They drove to the council estate, which consisted of maisonettes and flats that had balconies running past the front doors. Sue Parker lived here.
They had travelled most of the way in silence. Kelly suspected he knew she was nervous. “You’ll be fine,” Pete said as they went up the concrete stairway. It was full of graffiti and smelled of urine. “Just remember to be assertive.”
“Have you ever been in prison?” She asked as they went up another flight of stairs.
“Once, when I was a kid. Few months for TWOC.”
She nodded. Taking without owner’s consent was the term used for stealing cars. Kelly realised then she knew nothing about his early life, or who his parents were.
They reached Sue’s floor. Kelly cleared her throat and straightened her crease-free suit. She was on it now. She flashed him a grin as they stood outside. Then she knocked hard and loud, ignoring the lion’s head knocker.
Sue Parker could have been pretty, but her long hair was unwashed and in strings around her face. The few times Kelly saw her, she always wore a sneer and today was no different.
“Oh,” she said glancing at Pete, and resting her eyes on Kelly said, “You finally got out of the car, then?”
“Yes, we’re expanding now. Do you know anyone who wants a loan? Good rates?”
Sue shook her head. “God, you people never give up, do you?”
“This is business, Sue. Of course, we’re not going to give up. Are you going to ask us in, then?”
Sue turned and walked inside. Kelly looked at Pete, who nodded that she was doing all right.
“Some fucking business you’ve got,” Sue said, digging in a drawer that was full of crap. Pete gave a quick incline of his head.
“Wait,” said Kelly.
“I’m not pulling a knife on you if that’s what you think. Would I do that with him standing over me?”
“I wouldn’t know,” Kelly said.
Sue turned up her lip in a sneer. “Miss Fancy Pants. Pity you’re not here on your own.”
“Even if I was on my own, you wouldn’t try anything,” Kelly said with false bravado. “And I don’t appreciate being threatened.” Sue continued rifling through the drawer. “Because if you did,” Kelly continued. “I’d break your fingers and then I’d hike up your interest rate.”
She glanced at Pete wondering where that had come from. It was the type of thing Johnny or Pete would say. It seemed to have the desired effect.
Sue glared and handed her an envelope. Stony-faced, Kelly took it and counted the cash inside. Nodding, she said, “I’ll see you next week.”
Kelly trembled, and her heart pounded as they made their way outside and down the stairwell.
“You were great, I knew you would be,” Pete said with a grin. “I’m proud of you. Johnny would be, too.”
She held up her hand and her fingers shook. “Jenny next,” she stated.
“Jenny’s a doddle. We can walk from here.”
Her heels clicked along the concrete floor until they reached Jenny’s maisonette. Once again, she knocked forcefully on the door and Jenny, let them in.
She had clothes strung up all over the room, and the toddler in a playpen. The flat was untidy as if she found it difficult to look after them both. Kelly had always felt sorry for her and even more so now she saw how she lived.
Jenny’s dark brown hair was wound up in a bun, and she wore thick gold earrings. She flashed Pete a smile. “I have something to ask you,” she said, opening her bag and bringing out her purse.
The toddler was standing up, holding onto the side of the playpen. Kelly wondered if he was too old to be in there, or maybe, he had an old looking face. Some children were born old. Their circumstances making things generally harder for them.
“I’ll be collecting the money from now on,” Kelly told her.
“I’ve seen you before in the car.”
“Yes, well, our business is growing and I shall be out and about a bit more from now on.”
“Right,” Jenny said, handing over the cash.
Kelly took it and counted it and then put it in her jacket pocket.
“Thank you, Jenny. I’ll see you again next week.”
“About that,” she said. Her voice was soft, and there was something about her manner. “I just wondered,” she said almost coyly, looking at Pete. “Do you take payment in kind?”
Kelly’s eyes widened as Jenny’s eyes travelled the length of Pete. He looked stone-faced, and Kelly couldn’t help but chuckle. “No, we don’t. Cash only, I’m afraid, love.”
Jenny’s demeanour changed. “Can’t he speak for himself?”
Suddenly, Kelly didn’t feel sorry for her anymore and looked at the toddler. Thank goodness he didn’t understand what was happening.
“No, he can’t.” Kelly felt annoyed. “You’re dealing with me now, so don’t forget that. I want the money next week and make sure it is cash.”
“Cow,” Jenny muttered.
They left and as they walked, Kelly burst out, “Can you believe that?”
Pete was grinning. “I’ve heard it all before.”
She punched him in the arm. “I sounded convincing, didn’t I?”
“You had me scared.”
“Give over.”
As they got in the car, he fired up the engine. “Of course, I’ve never taken them up.”
She looked at him sharply. “Jeez! I bloody well hope you haven’t! What a skank!”
Pete chuckled as they drove away.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Kelly
A couple days later, Kelly returned from Westleigh House invigorated in mind and body. Opening the gate with the key fob, she didn’t expect to see an unknown car in the driveway.
The front door opened, and two men came out. She could tell immediately they were the police by the way they walked and dressed. They were just about to open the car doors when they saw her.
“Miss Burns?” Said one.
“Can we have a quick word?” The older of the two asked.
“No, sorry. I need to get inside to change.”
“It won’t take a minute,” said the younger one.
“I’m Detective Inspector Heath,” said the older, showing his ID.
&n
bsp; “And I’m DC Howarth,” said the other.
Bloody double act, Kelly thought and wondered if they finished each other’s sentences as well.
“It’s about Dave Price,” Heath said. “Know him?”
“Yes.” She looked anxiously at the door. Johnny would not like her talking to the police, but she wasn’t quite sure how to just walk away.
“Do you know what he was doing at Spencer’s Car Sales?” Howarth asked, or was it Heath? Pinky and Perky were pigs, weren’t they?
Kelly made a face and shook her head. “I don’t know him that well,” she lied. “So I certainly don’t know what he does on a day-to-day basis.”
“So he wasn’t buying a car?” said Pinky.
Kelly smiled. “Forgive me, but isn’t that where you go to buy a car?”
“So he was buying a car?” Said Perky.
“You’re the detective, you tell me.”
“Well, we don’t actually think he was,” said Pinky.
“Why do I care about what he does?” she said, going into her bag for her key.
“Miss Burns,” said Perky. “It’s not a difficult question.”
Kelly took a few steps toward the front door and nearer to where he was standing. “Detective Howarth.”
“I’m Heath,” he corrected, and Kelly deliberately turned to the other one.
“Detective Howarth,” she said again. “Why don’t you go and ask the postman, he probably has a better idea than I do. Now excuse me.”
At that moment, the front door opened, it was Johnny. “Come in, K.”
She threw them a sincere smile as if she was enjoying the conversation. “It’s very nice to meet you, though.”
Once inside, Johnny said, “What did they ask you?”
“That wanted to know why Dave was at Spencer’s, and I said perhaps he was buying a car. Like, how the hell would I know?”
“Well, if they approach you again, say nothing.” He reached into his pocket for his phone.
“What’s going on, Johnny?”
“Pete, where are you?” He said, ignoring her. “Get back here. Dave’s been arrested.”
Kelly realised it was something serious. “What for?” she asked as he brought the phone away from his ear.
“Attempted murder.”
“Shit. What happened?”
“He got into a fight with the nephew of the owner - an ex-army hothead,” he said as they made their way into the study. “Dave gave him a Glasgow kiss and now the fucker’s on a life-support machine. I’m gonna make some phone calls and get everybody here. I’ll need you in on it, too.”
Kelly nodded as she left the room. She was part of this now. Her stomach did a somersault. She didn’t want to be involved in that way, but now she was a money collector, it made her one of them.
“Shit!” She muttered again, taking the stairs two at a time. The police would love to take Johnny down. If they did, he would be gone from her life forever.
As she went into the bedroom, the thought pulled her to a stop. Is that what she wanted? To break loose from Johnny? The same little voice immediately responded, yes.
Oh God. She thought of the implications. Did she really want that? Yes. The voice in her head responded again.
She stripped off her clothes and walked naked to the bathroom shower cubicle. As the hot water cascaded down her back, she wondered what it would be like to not have the protection of people around her. Could she cope with that? It was a long time since she had been on the streets fending for herself. Money, said the voice. Yes, she thought, I would need money of my own and it would be easy to syphon. Johnny trusted her completely – and with that thought, she felt a rush of guilt.
Towelling herself dry, Kelly put on black slacks and a white blouse. She sat at the mirror to dry her hair.
Those thoughts frightened her. Johnny hated disloyalty. She was used to this lifestyle, but knew she wanted more. Something without the pressure of other people; something clean and good where life was simple, and she just looked after herself.
When she was a child, life was so much simpler. She used to write stories. People liked them and they liked her.
There was no fear of getting caught because nothing she did was illegal, well not really. Her mother had taught her the pleasure of doing good things. But when her parents were gone, she learned doing good things did not pay the bills.
Coming down the stairs, there were already people gathering in the hallway. Some of them she had rarely seen, but one she did recognise was Michael Stern, the solicitor.
Pete came in through the front door and as she reached the bottom of the stairs, he said, “Where’s Johnny?”
“Study, I guess. I’ve just seen Michael. It’s always serious when he’s here.”
Pete nodded. “The man of doom. I see trouble ahead,” he muttered as he headed over.
Kelly went into the kitchen and organised drinks and sandwiches with Mrs Januka.
When she returned, they were all sitting around the table and Johnny said, “Just to clarify, anyone, and I mean anybody around this table ever thinks of betraying me, I will kill you. Got it?”
There were several mutters and Kelly flushed. Could he have read what was in her mind? She was a fool to even think about it.
“If he talks—” said Pete.
“He won’t,” said Shawn, “He knows better than that.”
“I hope so, but we need to start covering our backs. Kelly, you know what you need to do with the books.”
She nodded. She always kept a duplicate set. The real ones were hidden in case they ever got raided and the legitimate ones were kept in the drawer of the desk.
Johnny went around the table with instructions. Each person was to take responsibility for their own people.
“Including the transportation side,” he added, looking at one of the guys that Kelly didn’t know. “Always best to err on the side of caution.” Kelly zoned out and idly watched the guy with the Rottweiler patrol round the gardens, passing by the window.
There was a knock on the door, and it opened just as someone jumped up to open it. Mrs Januka came in pushing a trolley containing refreshments and a variety of sandwiches.
“Thank you Mrs J,” Johnny said as she proceeded to unload it onto the table in the far corner.
Johnny carried on talking about precautions and how important it was to be cautious in other parts of the business.
Kelly had the feeling that things were about to change.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Sarah
I knew I couldn’t get out of it. Ryan was persistent. I’d never get rid of him, although, I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted to. That man would just keep hounding me until I agreed to look at the damn photographs.
Besides, I was actually scared now.
A police car stood at the kerb and just as I was about to walk up to it, Ryan’s Peugeot also pulled up. I glared at him as he got out. He didn’t have to come. What was he doing here now?
“What the hell’s going on? Who did you think was on the phone?” He asked coming over to me.
“My editor.” My heart was pounding.
“Your editor? Oh, right yeah, you usually speak to him like that, do you?”
I didn’t like his tone, and I certainly didn’t like him bossing me around.
“Think what you like, Inspector. I really don’t care. Can we just get this over with? It’s going to be a waste of time, anyway.”
“That’s for me to decide, but shall we start thinking of Abby as well? It’s in her interest to get this sorted.” He spoke briefly to the policeman as I grumbled to myself.
We got into the car, and I glared at him as I slammed into my seatbelt. How dare he tell me to think of Abby.
“I always do. Do you think I don’t?”
He started the engine and began to drive. “I don’t know, Sarah, but I’m trying to find out.”
I couldn’t help myself as I simmered about it. “We’re friends, for God’
s sake! Do you think I’d have gone to her rescue if we weren’t?”
Abby was my only friend. At this moment, I just wanted to get out of the car and run. I didn’t want this conversation, not with him, or anybody.
His demeanour changed then, his eyes softened as he glanced in my direction.
“What are you afraid of? What aren’t you telling me? Give me some credit. I know it wasn’t your editor on the phone.”
Jeez, he knew how to push buttons, because I felt tearful again. “It’s just — just stuff. I’m not afraid. I’m just busy and I can do without going to the station to look at photos.”
“Don’t you want to find out who stabbed you, who chased Abby, and cut her fingers up?”
I stared stubbornly out the window, not sure what to say. Did I know who was after me? No, not for sure. I’d pissed off so many people it could be anyone.
“Come on, Sarah,” he said. “Why don’t you tell me what’s really going on?”
“Why don’t you just drive?” I suggested. “Let’s get this over with.”
This was turning into a nightmare. It was all I could do not to look at him. We drove down Stretford Road and Urmston Lane in silence. I watched the houses with big gardens pass by. This was the route I took to my yoga classes, and I missed the normality of it. When all this was over, I hoped they would come back.
We passed the shopping mall and we still hadn’t spoken. As we turned left onto the road that would take us to HQ, I knew there was no stopping this now. Once again I was being taken down a path where I didn’t want to go.
I wanted to do some breathing exercises to calm myself down, but taking big inhalations, and slowly breathing out was something I didn’t want him to see me do or for me to show how scared and panicked I was.
He flicked on the radio and Against All Odds came on. Not the Phil Collins version, but Steve Brookstein who won X Factor at Christmas.
Abby and I sat on the sofa with wine and chocolate every Saturday night to watch. Everything felt good then. I relaxed a little and stopped biting the back of my thumb.
“I’m not your enemy here, you know?” Ryan said. “I’m looking out for both you and Abby.”
The Truth Will Out Page 6