“Yes, of course I will.”
“Have you any unsolved sexual assaults in the area?”
“In Exeter, yes.”
“How many?”
“Five.”
“Jesus.”
“It doesn’t mean Liam’s responsible.”
“Course he is. I know a psychopath when I meet one, I’ve had more experience of them than every officer in this entire station put together.”
“I don’t doubt it but…Liam Garrick.”
“Will you please stop saying his name as though he’s some sort of patron saint.”
“Sorry Rachel. I’m just trying to get my head around this.”
“It makes sense that Freddie learned his disgusting behaviour from his father.”
“Perhaps. Alright Rachel, I’ll look into Liam Garrick as long as you promise to desist from your own investigation. You’re not doing Ethan any favours by confronting the parents of the other children involved.”
“You might have a point there,” she replied, thinking how badly her interviews with both Isabella’s mum and Freddie’s dad had gone. “But I’ve hired Michelle to look into it for me.”
“You’re within your rights to do that, as long as Michelle remains inside her own legal limits.”
“She will, she knows her job.”
“Good.”
“How influential is Liam in this town? I’ve never come across him before.”
“That’s because he moved to Newton Abbott a couple of years ago from Exeter.”
“Where the sexual assaults have been happening. Predators stick to areas they know well.”
“Yes, I am aware of that fact thank you Rachel. And yes, he is influential around here. He works for a lot of businesses. He’s also good friends with the mayor and several other influential people too, so we need to move carefully. Do not speak of this to anyone else, it could be what he wants you to do so he can sue you for defamation and make out that you have a vendetta against his family because of all this business between your sons. And please, don’t let Ryan near him. I know his instinct will be to pull off Garrick’s arms but he’ll only get himself into trouble.”
“He doesn’t even know about it, he’s in Manchester.”
“Yes I saw on the news about your two brothers-in-law being remanded to prison.”
“I haven’t told Ryan about Liam precisely for the reason you said. I’ll wait until he comes home. I’m only telling you and Michelle.”
“Wise move. Liam could be someone who’s slipped through our net all these years, I mean with the vigilante work.”
“It’s looking that way but everyone has to pay the price one day,” she said, eyes turning black.
Josh and Zach were delighted to see their Uncle Ryan and gave him a warm reception, although they were disappointed that their cousins hadn’t come with him. The trusted nanny who had been with them all day left to go home. As they’d returned, Jules dismissed the man Mark had placed on discreet guard duty in their garden.
“You’re staying here while you’re in Manchester,” Jules told Ryan. “I’m not having you check into some crap hotel.”
“Actually I was going to choose a five star one but I can stay here if you like.”
“I do,” she said, pulling Zach onto her knee and cuddling him, making him grin.
“When’s Dad coming home?” Josh asked her.
“Not for a little while yet sweetheart,” she said. “He’s away on business.”
“Tommy in my class said he’s in prison.”
Jules held her breath praying that Tommy, the snot nosed little git, hadn’t told him why. She looked to Ryan for assistance who said, “You’d better tell him. It’s best coming from you.”
She sighed and nodded. “Come here sweetheart,” she told Josh, holding her arm out to him.
He leaned into her, eyes wide as he gazed up at her.
“Tommy’s right,” she said gently. “Your dad is in prison.”
Both boys started to cry and she pulled them to her. “I’m so sorry sweethearts.”
“Why did you lie to us?” said Josh, eyes full of hurt.
“I didn’t want to boys but I was trying to protect you. He’ll soon be out so it’s nothing to worry about.”
“Tommy said he killed someone.”
“Well I’m telling you he didn’t. He and Uncle Jez are both innocent and me and your Uncle Ryan are going to get them both released. The next thing you know they’ll be back home.”
Jules rocked them as they continued to cry.
“Could you get that bruv?” she said when there was a knock at the door.
Ryan nodded and got to his feet, one hand on the gun tucked into his belt as he peered through the spy hole. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw who it was and opened the door.
“Hello Jackson,” he said, extending his hand for him to shake. “Cindy,” he added, nodding at her.
“Hi Ryan,” said Jackson. “We heard about what happened to Mikey and Jez and we want to help.”
“That’s very good of you,” he said, pulling at the hem of his t-shirt to ensure it was hiding the gun. “Come on in.”
They walked into the lounge to find the boys had calmed down, although they were still tearful, Zach hiccupping with stifled sobs.
“Poor little things,” said Cindy, her massive blue eyes wide with sympathy.
“Thanks for coming,” said Jules.
Cara, Jules’s only biological child hugged Ryan’s legs before running to her mum and step brothers, giving each of them a hug in turn, which cheered the boys up slightly.
“We want to help in any way we can,” said Jackson. “This must be so difficult for you. We thought the boys could stay with us until this blows over?”
“That would be wonderful,” smiled Jules. “Thank you so much.” She looked down at Josh and Zach. “Would you like to stay at Uncle Jackson’s and Aunty Cindy’s?” She kissed her daughter’s cheek. “And Cara’s of course.”
“No,” said Josh, gripping onto her. “We want to stay here with you. If we don’t you might end up in prison too.”
“That’s not going to happen and if you stay with Uncle Jackson then I can work even harder to get your dad back.”
“Really?” said Josh, tilting his head to look her in the eye.
“Cross my heart.” His eyes were just like Mikey’s, making a lump form in her throat.
“Well, okay. We’ll do it if it helps you and Dad, won’t we Zach?”
The little boy nodded, wrapping his arms around Jules’s neck.
“That’s my brave boys,” she said, kissing them both. She took their hands and got to her feet. “Let’s go upstairs and pack your bags.”
“Need a hand Jules?” said Cindy.
“That would be great, thanks.”
While the two women headed upstairs with the three children, Ryan said to Jackson, “We really appreciate this.”
“No worries. Cara will be delighted to have the boys staying over, she loves them to pieces. We promise to keep them distracted.”
“And try to keep them away from the news. Some little turd at Josh’s school already blabbed.”
“We’ll do our best. Listen, I’m sorry to have to ask this but did Mikey…”
“No he didn’t, I promise you. Amber was killed by a wanted bank robber called Ray McGinnis. He knew Dwyer’s big prize is our family, every underworld figure in the country knows it and he said they ordered it to save himself a long prison sentence.”
“Makes sense.”
“Mikey would never do that to the mother of his children.”
“Yeah, I know. Despite what he does for a living he’s a good bloke.”
“He is and he’ll soon be released.”
“I’m glad you’ve come to support Jules. Is Rachel here too?”
“No, she’s had to stay in Devon because of the kids.”
“Oh I see. Well, give her my best.”
“I will.”
He was relieved when Jules, Cara and Cindy returned with the boys who looked a bit happier, their bags packed.
“Tomorrow we’re going to Blackpool for the day,” said Cindy.
“Yay,” cheered the boys.
“I will owe you forever for this,” Jules quietly told her.
“No you don’t. You’d do the same for us.”
Once upon a time Jules had hated this woman, when she’d discovered she’d not only slept with her husband while she’d been fighting for her life but had got pregnant by him but now she classed her as a good friend who she was grateful to have in her life.
The boys and Cara hugged Jules and Ryan goodbye before happily leaving with Jackson and Cindy. Jules saw them off with cheery waves and smiles but the moment she closed the door she burst into tears. Ryan rushed to her and pulled her to him.
“Christ, I’m going soft,” she said, wiping her eyes. “Twice in one day.”
“You are a long way from soft. You’ve just got a lot on your plate.”
“It feels like the family I’ve only just got is being pulled apart. Mikey in prison, the boys with Jackson and Cindy. I’m all alone again.”
“It’s only a temporary situation. They’ll all soon be home and you’re not alone. I’m here.”
She kissed his cheek. “I’m so glad you came.”
Ryan drew his gun when there came the tinkle of glass from the back of the house.
Together they made their way through the house towards the kitchen. Peering around the door Ryan saw two masked men dressed in black climbing in through the window.
Before he could act, a knife had flown through the air and embedded itself in the backside of the man climbing in, who released a roar of pain and dropped into the kitchen like a beetle. The second man ducked back out and vanished into the garden before they could catch him.
“Christ, my arse,” yelled the man on the floor.
“Stop being a big baby,” said Jules, snatching her blade back, making him yelp. “So, what have we here?” she said, pressing a booted foot down on his chest to push him onto his back, holding him down while Ryan searched him. “Who the hell is this wanker? Do you recognise him bruv?”
“Never seen him before,” he said, producing the man’s wallet and taking out a driving licence. “His name’s Stuart South.”
“South,” said Jules. “One of the names on the list Carter made was John South.” She pressed her boot down on the man’s throat. “A relation of yours?”
“Maybe you should take your foot off his throat so he can speak,” said Ryan when Stuart just made a gurgling sound.
“Oh yeah,” she said, removing her foot. “Well, we’re waiting.”
“Get me to hospital. My arse…”
“Will be separated from the rest of you if you don’t start talking,” she snapped.
“My brother hates your husband. He used to deal until Mikey beat the crap out of him and stole his patch.”
“I remember your brother. His drugs were killing people. He liked to cut it with all sorts of nasty shit.”
“So you thought now was the time for revenge, when Mikey and Jez are locked up,” said Ryan. “What did you intend to do by breaking in here?”
“Snatch his kids. We thought it was just them and the nanny. We didn’t know you’d be here.”
“Obviously,” said Jules. “And what then, once you’d got the boys?” she added, jamming the toe of her boot under his chin and tilting back his head.
“That was it,” he exclaimed.
“It wouldn’t be wise to lie right now,” she said, brandishing her knives.
“Kill them and dump them.”
“Bastard,” she yelled.
Before she could slash his throat her arm was caught in a vice-like grip.
“Get the fuck off me Ryan,” she said. “He deserves this.”
“I agree but not in your own house,” was his calm reply. “Not in the room where the boys eat their meals.”
She took in a deep shuddering breath. “You’re right.”
Ryan only released her when the aggression drained from her eyes.
“We’ll take him back to The Manor,” she said.
Ryan nodded and delivered a blow to the man’s jaw that knocked him out.
“Cathy and the kids,” gasped Jules.
“Jules, wait,” said Ryan as she charged out of the door, the sound of a car engine following. “Dammit,” he muttered. He had no car of his own.
After hastily tying up Stuart he charged out of the house after her. Cathy only lived a couple of streets away. Hopefully he’d get there in time.
CHAPTER 20
Jules’s Volvo screeched to a halt at the kerb. She flung open the door and ran inside the house, horrified by the sound of the children crying.
“No,” she breathed, racing into the living room. She came to a halt in the doorway, appalled to see the children cowering behind the couch, Jack and Ruby’s scared faces peeking out behind it while George wailed from his playpen in the corner. “Are you okay?” she said, rushing to their sides.
They both nodded, pale and terrified.
“Mum,” said Ruby, pointing towards the kitchen.
“Stay here,” she told them before running through to the back of the house, drawing her knives from their sheaths. “Cathy,” she cried when she found her lying on the floor near the back door in a pool of blood, struggling to breathe, the room around her torn apart, as though a huge struggle had taken place.
“Jules,” she murmured when she appeared in her line of sight. “Thank God. The kids?”
“Are fine. What happened?” she said, kneeling beside her and replacing the blades in their sheaths.
With a shaky hand she gestured to the back door, which was standing open. Through it she could see a man lying on his back, not moving, a knife sticking out of his chest.
“Where’s your guard?”
“Don’t know,” she breathed.
“You did good honey,” said Jules, taking out her phone to call an ambulance. “You protected your kids. Ambulance please,” said Jules, so relieved to hear the voice on the other end. She rhymed off the address before hanging up and turned her attention to Cathy’s injuries. It looked like she’d taken several punches but it was the injuries to her stomach that worried her. She’d been stabbed. She snatched up a tea towel and pressed it to Cathy’s belly, making her wince.
“They’re really okay?” said Cathy, referring to the kids.
“They’re fine. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of them.”
“Thank you,” breathed Cathy, her eyes rolling shut.
“No, don’t,” cried Jules. “Stay awake.”
Cathy didn’t respond.
The thud of footsteps had her leaping to her feet and she breathed a sigh of relief when Ryan charged in.
“Thank God it’s you. I don’t know what to do,” said Jules, frozen with horror as she watched one of her best friends possibly dying. She knew first aid but her mind had gone blank with fear.
Ryan knelt beside Cathy and pressed his fingers to her neck. “Her pulse is weak.”
“This is my fault. I should have sent more men to guard them.”
“Don’t start that talk Jules.”
They both watched Cathy exhale and her head fall to the side.
“No, Cathy please,” cried Jules, tears rolling down her face.
Ryan tilted back her head and began giving her mouth to mouth followed by chest compressions.
“Cathy, please come back,” said Jules through her tears.
Ryan continued to massage her heart but it had no effect.
“Come on Cathy,” he yelled.
Frantic, Jules slapped her across the face. Cathy coughed, her body jumping and she gasped for air.
“Thank God,” breathed Jules.
“It’s okay,” said Ryan gently, stroking Cathy’s hair back off her face. He looked to Jules. “Go and see to the kids. I’ll look after her.”
Jules nodded, hastily washed the blood off her hands and rushed out of the room.
Ryan didn’t dare put Cathy into the recovery position, she looked far too injured to move so instead he gently turned her head to one side. She grasped his hand, holding on tight as she drifted in and out of consciousness, as though he was keeping her anchored to life.
Mikey and Jez were on the receiving end of more hostile glares as they were let out of their cells for association but they were also swamped by men wanting to shake their hands and talk. Three prison officers were ranged around the walkway, keeping an eye out. They were extremely high profile prisoners and the governor didn’t want anything to happen that would reflect badly on the prison. Mikey spotted Vance Chambers and two of his crew at the far end of the walkway. Although their eyes locked Mikey didn’t acknowledge him. Despite how highly Jules thought of Vance and his sister he simply couldn’t be seen fraternising with bent coppers.
“Chris Parker,” grinned Jez, shaking the hand of a bony man with an extremely pointed Adam’s apple. “Good to see you mate.”
“You too Jez,” said the man deferentially.
“How long have you been stuck in this craphole?”
“Two years, seven months and eighteen days. I’ve got another three years, four months and thirteen days to go, maybe earlier with parole.”
“Oh no, that’s really shit.”
“Tell me about it. Still, could be worse. A lot of the blokes in here are doing ten stretches or even longer.”
“I know Chris from the Montford,” Jez told Mikey. “He’s an amazing forger.”
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