Mikey hadn’t liked the smell on G wing but it was even worse on K wing. The prison had been built in the Victorian era and it smelled its age - old and musty. The noise hit them just after the odour, the sound of voices, shouts and bangs. K wing was four stories high and all the noise echoed upwards through its massive metal and brick ribcage. A dark pall hung over the wing - misery and the promise of violence. There was no natural light, everything illuminated by harsh fluorescent lights, giving it a surreal, make-believe look.
One of the two prison officers escorting them gave them a tedious lecture as they walked. On the basement level - or the ones as it was known - was the office and servery. It turned out all prisoners now ate in their cells. The prisoners were spread over the next three floors known as the twos, threes and fours, just six prison officers for every two hundred prisoners. Mikey and Jez were led up to the fours, the very top floor onto the one metre wide walkway where the prisoners could associate when let out of their cells. It was here where Jez and Mikey were separated, Jez placed in the very last cell on the left while Mikey was placed five doors down.
As they were taken onto the fours association time began and all the cell doors were unlocked. They were caught there clutching their bedding as some huge, hardened men stepped out, surprised to see the most notorious people in the country on their landing.
“Looks like you’re just in time to make some new friends,” smirked one of the screws.
Mikey and Jez dumped their stuff in their cells before reuniting outside the latter’s cell, both clinging onto the fact that they were the most powerful men not only in the room but in the entire country as they were penned in on either side of the landing by curious onlookers. However, separated from their family, finances and their very identities it was becoming harder to believe, especially as animosity rolled around the landing. There were many people in this prison who they’d hurt and who may choose this moment to get their revenge. But they’d faced worse odds than this so they threw back their shoulders and glared right back at the other inmates.
“There’s Warren Hart,” Mikey told Jez. “We beat the shit out of him and broke his younger brother’s knees,” he said spotting a large glowering brick of a man at the opposite end of the landing.
“And Jack Johnson,” said Jez, indicating a tattooed man with a squashed nose and cauliflower ears. “He was dealing coke without our permission. We put him in hospital and Jules cut off his little fingers.”
“Charlie Johnson. We burned down his garage because he tried to rip us off over a heroin deal.”
There were many other faces they recognised among the sea of people staring at them, all people they’d hurt in some way. However, among the hostile ones there were friendly faces too, people keen to ingratiate themselves with them. Both were aware that being locked up on suspicion of killing two women, especially women who’d been part of their family, was not doing their reputations any favour.
“I’m starving,” said Jez. “I wonder when we get fed. The food in those packs they give us isn’t enough.”
“I think the food’s the least of our worries,” said Mikey as the hostile looks grew more intense. “You know, if Jules was here she’d be telling us to make a brutal example of someone to get the others to back off.”
Jez’s lips curled into a smile at the prospect. “You’re right. Sounds like a good idea and we need to find some source of entertainment in here. Who?”
“I’m not sure yet.” He glimpsed the security cameras dotted about the landing. “And we have to make sure we’re not caught otherwise we will be stuck in here for life.”
“We need to ID the king and take them down. That should do it.”
“Agreed.”
Jez spied a group of five men keeping themselves apart from the rest of the herd. Although no one seemed to hassle them no one interacted with them either. “I wonder who they are,” he said, nodding in their direction.
Mikey turned to look over his shoulder. “I know one of them,” he said, indicating the tallest of the group who had black hair and piercing, intelligent blue eyes. “Vance Chambers.”
“Why does that name ring a bell?”
“He was a copper in Blackpool who worked for us.”
“A bent copper,” said Jez, lip curling with disgust. Despite how many he’d interacted with and how many he had in his pocket, he still loathed them more than the straight police.
“He was sent down for life for a murder which - so Jules tells me - he didn’t commit. He was fitted up.”
“Oh,” said Jez, starting to feel an affinity with the man.
“He’s alright actually. He managed to dispose of all evidence linking him to our operation before he was nicked. His sister’s started running the Blackpool branch of the firm.”
“Which is why I don’t know him because you and Jules have always overseen that.”
“Vance is one hard bastard. He and his friends, who are all ex-coppers, have survived in here by being as violent as possible. Now no one messes with them.”
“Shit, they would have been good allies too. We can’t be seen joining forces with bent coppers.”
“It wouldn’t do us any favours.”
“You’re not wrong there. There’s something else worrying me.”
“What?”
“I’m hoping we don’t end up on the ghost train.”
Mikey did a double-take. “The what?”
“They did it to Ryan a few times when he was inside. They shift a high profile prisoner around the country so they can’t establish any solid influence in one particular prison.”
“We’re remand prisoners. They can’t do that, can they?”
“We didn’t think they’d fit us up but they did.”
“We still have enough clout to make sure that doesn’t happen,” said Mikey with more confidence than he felt.
“Hi Michelle,” said Rachel, slumping into the chair opposite her desk in the office Battler and Bruiser used as headquarters for their security firm. Michelle had flatly refused to take Battler’s desk so it sat in state at one end of the room, untouched, exactly as he’d left it. When Rachel glanced at it she experienced the same sadness but this time it didn’t overwhelm her. Finally she was recovering from her grief.
Michelle was just as impressive sat behind her desk as Bruiser. She worked out incessantly at the gym, consequently her muscles were huge. Her blond hair was jaw length on one side and shaved up the other. Rachel had got along with Jacob’s mother from the moment they met and they were good friends, she’d even helped her get this job with Battler and Bruiser’s firm.
“Christ lady,” said Michelle. “You look done in. I heard about Mikey and Jez getting nicked. I’m sorry.”
“Thanks. Ryan’s gone up to Manchester with Bruiser to see if he can help but that’s not why I’m here.”
“You needing help with something?”
“Actually I am.”
She explained the whole Ethan-Isabella-Freddie incident, Michelle growing increasingly furious with each word.
“As if Ethan would do anything like that,” she said when Rachel had finished. “Obviously that poor little girl’s been frightened into changing her story.”
“My thoughts precisely. I wondered if you could get me the addresses of both Isabella and Freddie’s families?”
“Not a problem,” said Michelle. After a couple of phone calls and jabbing at her keyboard, she had just what Rachel needed.
“I’m impressed,” said Rachel, taking the piece of paper from her. “Battler would be proud, especially as he trained you himself.”
“That means a lot to me,” she replied, gazing wistfully at his desk. She hadn’t known him long but he’d made a huge impression on her and given her a job she absolutely loved.
“I’ll get out of your hair,” said Rachel, getting to her feet. “I want to visit these addresses before the boys finish school.”
“I’ll come with you,” said Michelle, leaping t
o her feet.
“You don’t need to. I know you’ve got a lot of work on.”
“I’ll cope. And it’s what Battler would have done.”
“Thank you,” she said, touched by her words. “I appreciate that.”
“Who do you want to tackle first?”
“Isabella’s family. I get the feeling they’ll be the most cooperative.”
“I can’t believe you’re crying Jimmy,” said Jules, standing over him brandishing her knives. “You were all big and hard earlier when you were attacking our men. What’s changed?”
Jimmy looked up at her through red rimmed eyes, bleeding from numerous lacerations to his body. His friend Noel already lay dead beside him on his own living room floor. He got the feeling he was the lucky one.
“No defence eh?” she said. “I’m not surprised. You’ve been a monumental dick Jimmy. Our family is stronger than ever and Mikey and Jez will soon be released. Now you’re going to pay big style. This city needs to know that it can’t fuck with us.”
“What are you going to do?” he said fearfully, glancing at Mark standing beside her, who looked down at him pitilessly.
“I’m going old school on your arse Jimmy. The Maguires used to leave a very particular calling card that hasn’t been used since the days of the mad king Alex. But I think now’s the time to reintroduce it. After all, I am a Maguire.”
“Wh…what do you mean?”
She knelt beside him and it was only when she was up close that Jimmy recognised the rage and pain sparking in her grey eyes. Here was a woman willing to do literally anything to free her husband and brother.
She nodded at Mark, who knelt behind him and held him down by the shoulders.
“Take a deep breath Jimmy,” she said, lining up one of her blades with his jaw. “This will hurt.”
Jimmy screamed as she dug her knife into his jaw. As she worked even Mark, who had thought he’d seen it all, was forced to look away.
The door of the Adams’ family home was opened by a small, fragile-looking woman with huge eyes. Undoubtedly Isabella’s mother.
“Can I help you?” she said timidly.
“Hi it’s Catherine, isn’t it?” replied Rachel in her friendliest tone, Michelle standing by her side in silent support. “My name’s Rachel Law…”
“Rachel Law?” she gasped.
Inwardly Rachel sighed. Once again her reputation preceded her. “I wondered if I might have a word with you please?”
“This is about your son, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Then no. The matter has been handed over to the police. Let them deal with it.”
“Please,” said Rachel when she tried to close the door in her face. “Ethan’s done nothing wrong, he’s a good boy.”
“No offence but you’re his mother, you’re bound to say that.”
“Isabella gave a completely different story at the school, she said Freddie was the one who attacked her. Why did she change her story?”
“Because you were there and you intimidated her.”
“I did not, I encouraged her to talk.”
“I mean your name intimidated her. Isabella is a gentle, sensitive girl who knows exactly who you are. She wouldn’t dream of blaming your son right in front of you.”
“Where is Isabella? I want to ask her myself.”
“You’ll do nothing of the sort. Now please leave or I’ll be forced to tell the police about this and it won’t look good for your son.”
“Fine I’m going but an innocent boy is being accused of something he didn’t do and that is on your head.”
Mrs Adams slammed the door shut in her face and Rachel sighed. “Well that got me nowhere.”
“That woman’s scared of something and it’s not you,” said Michelle as they returned to Rachel’s Mercedes. “I think someone got to her.”
“Freddie’s family are rich but I can’t imagine anyone being intimidated by them more than us.”
“Let’s do some digging into them,” said Michelle. “Whatever’s going on is down to them, I can feel it in my water.”
“Far be it from me to second guess your water,” smiled Rachel. “And thanks Michelle, I really appreciate your help.”
“Anytime for you lady,” she smiled back.
CHAPTER 18
Ryan was enjoying a cup of tea by the kitchen window of The Manor, looking out into the very pleasant gardens. The house was located away from traffic, so all he could hear was birdsong. It was hard to believe this pleasant house was the headquarters of a crime syndicate. Bruiser had retreated into another room to call Daina. He could hear his deep rumble. It seemed he was much more vocal with his wife than anyone else.
At the slam of the door Ryan’s hand went to the gun tucked into the back of his jeans. He considered them to be at war just as much as had they been attacked by another family. But it was only Mark and Jules.
“Well?” he said.
“It’s done,” replied the latter. “We sorted them in a way that no one will dare mess with us again.”
“Jules, what did you do?” he said noting the way her eyes glittered with excitement.
“I went old school on them.”
“Old school?”
“Old school Maguire to be specific.”
“I don’t follow you,” he said, looking questioningly at Mark, whose face was expressionless.
“You’ll soon find out big bruv, as will everyone else.” Her gaze darkened. “No one fucks with my husband and brother.”
She paused to grab a beer from the fridge before striding out into the garden.
“Mark, what did she do?” said Ryan.
“I’m sorry Ryan but she’s ordered me not to tell anyone. And right now she’s the boss.”
“It’s alright. I wouldn’t want to get you into trouble with her. That’s not a safe place to be.”
Mark nodded gratefully before exiting the room.
Ryan watched his sister through the window, who was tossing the alcohol down her throat. Deciding to take her advice, he wandered into the room Mikey and Jez used as an office, their desks sat either side of the room facing each other and switched on the television mounted on the wall. Jules’s recent exploits were already splashed all over the national media, the Maguires’ connection to it already being spoken of. The calling card hadn’t been used in years but it was unmistakable.
With a sigh he switched off the television and wandered back through the house into the garden. “I’ve just seen the result of your handiwork on the news.”
“It’s already on?” she said. “That was quick.”
“Hardly surprising. You dumped those bodies around the back of a bookies owned by Jimmy’s brother. The poor bastard fell over his own brother’s body then vomited all over it. It’s not funny,” he added when she chuckled.
“Yes it is.”
“What you did Jules…Jesus.”
“I had to make an example of Jimmy so I did.”
“You sliced his fucking face off.”
“Yeah, old school, like I said. The Maguire calling card.”
“Not for a long time.”
“Well I’m starting it back up again,” she yelled.
“What did it cost you to do that to him?” he said more gently.
She shrugged. “Not much. I’ve done some horrible things in my time.”
“When you were Venom. I know you don’t like to hear this but you’ve mellowed since then. You’re a wife and mother now.”
“I’m doing it for them too because if me and Mikey fall then what sort of future will they have? Cara will be alright, she’s with Jackson and Cindy but the boys will be left vulnerable. There are plenty of ruthless bastards around here who will happily top them so they don’t go looking for revenge when they’re all grown up.”
“For God’s sake Jules this is Manchester, not Sicily.”
“Doesn’t matter. It still works the same way. We considered killing Katia’s boys for t
he same reason and you know it.”
“Alright, you might have a point and I admire how you’re willing to do anything to protect the family.”
“Damn right I am,” she said, draining the bottle and tossing it into the grass. “I’ll pick it up later,” she barked at him when he raised an eyebrow.
“But I don’t want you to destroy yourself to do it.”
“I don’t give a fuck about me. I’ll shatter my fucking soul if I have to.”
When vulnerability flickered in her eyes Ryan pulled her into his chest. She struggled against him before deciding it was futile and slumping into him.
“I need Mikey back,” she rasped, allowing a single tear to fall. “I can’t stand it without him. Jez too.”
“And they need you whole. They wouldn’t want you hurting yourself for them. You’re doing a wonderful job of being the strong leader the family needs but learn from what happened to Alex. He took things too far and lost his mind.”
“I have the Maguire blood too. My dad was Terry Maguire, who went insane, like Alex and Jake. Now Archie’s following in their footsteps. I’m worried I’ll end up like them. What I did to Jimmy was easy for me and I could do it again.”
“You’re not like them Jules. If you were you would have gone that way long ago. You overcame Venom. She is no longer who you are.”
“But I could be again.”
“No you won’t because I won’t let you. If I see you going that way I’ll knock you out, tie you up and leave you in a cupboard.” It was a relief when she flashed her mischievous smile that always preceded one of her innuendoes.
“Way-hey, big bruv is getting his freak on. I always knew you were a kinky bugger.”
“Admittedly not many people would make statements like that to their own brother but I’m relieved you did. You sound like your old self.”
“I used to hate you Ryan, as you know, when I was younger and crazier but now I love you so much I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Right back at you little sis. Now, if you’ve quite finished cutting off faces for the day shall we get back to springing Mikey and Jez?”
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