“She’s tough, like her parents. By the way, Brian’s still insisting there were two more men present that night in the forest and both of them had Mancunian accents.”
“He’s making it up,” said Rachel.
“He’s been pretty forthcoming so far.”
“Don’t let him distract you from your purpose,” said Ryan. “It’s just a ploy.”
Ashley was doubtful but he was willing to let it go, he had more than enough on his plate. “I’ve checked into your sister’s background and she is a very well-respected private sector bounty hunter with an excellent reputation.”
Rachel chastised herself, she’d completely forgotten to tell Ryan about that. “Yes, we know, don’t we Ryan?”
“Oh, yes, we do,” he said smoothly.
“Now her credentials are confirmed we may need her to give evidence.”
“Only if they plead not guilty?” said Rachel, thinking that wouldn’t go down well with Jules.
“Yes. We’ve got her statement so that’ll do, for now.”
“They’ll plead guilty,” said Ryan confidently.
“I think you’re right. Brian Crossly has already said that’s what he’s going to do, he seems terrified of something and it’s not me,” he said, looking curiously at Ryan. “Gerard Kerrell was brutally attacked in prison. Conveniently no one saw anything.”
“I’d say that was karma,” said Ryan.
“I’d say it was someone who knows people on the inside. Any idea who that could be Ryan?”
“None whatsoever.”
“Whoever arranged that attack ought to get a medal. Off the record that bastard deserves to suffer every day of his miserable little life. Speaking of which, there’s talk of giving you a commendation.”
“I don’t want it,” Ryan replied. “I just want to get on with my life.”
“Don’t write it off so quickly, it might go a long way to repairing your reputations in the area after the lurid articles about you both in the tabloids.”
“I don’t want it,” he repeated.
“Your decision.” Ashley hesitated before adding, “I’ve no illusions about who you two are, I’m well aware of your pasts. Please tell me all the businesses you own now are completely legitimate?”
“Course they are,” retorted Rachel, insulted. “I swear to you that’s all behind us, it’s why we moved here in the first place, to get away from all that.”
“If you’ve any doubt you’re welcome to go through every one of our businesses with a fine toothcomb,” said Ryan. “You’ll find nothing out of order.”
“I’m sure and I wouldn’t want to put that kind of stress on you, especially not now. I just wanted you to know where we stand. We’re friends but we wouldn’t be if you got up to anything illegal on my patch.”
“That won’t happen, I promise you,” said Rachel trying not think of the illegal things they’d already done down here, especially Lexie’s husband and his cohorts lying dead at the bottom of the sea somewhere. “We’re heading up to Aberdeenshire at the weekend for a few days, we need a break and we’re going, no matter what you say. We have to get away for a bit.”
“I won’t stand in your way, it’ll do you all good. Just let me know where you’re going in case I need to contact you. Hopefully I shouldn’t.” They both stared at him and he got the feeling they were willing him to leave. “Well, I’ve said my piece, so I’ll be off. I’ll see myself out,” he said, vanishing back inside the house.
Ryan watched him go wondering what Ashley would say if he ever found out he’d been The Dartmoor Butchers’ next intended victim, that they’d planned on cutting Ryan up and feeding Ashley his diced parts. Ryan never wanted him to find out, his dreams were going to be bad enough as it was.
“Oh for God’s sake,” exclaimed Ryan when the phone started to ring. “Can’t we get any peace?”
“It’ll get it,” she said, hurrying inside to answer. “Hello?” she said brusquely, anticipating it would be another reporter.
“Hello Rachel,” said a broad Aberdonian accent.
“Thane, it’s good to hear from you.”
“And you. I can’t wait to see you again,” he purred.
Rachel didn’t get to hear this because Ryan had taken the phone from her. “Are you talking to me?” he demanded.
“Oh hello Ryan, yes I was.”
“Nice try. What do you want?”
“I heard about what happened. Are you alright?”
“Fine,” he replied lightly. “Is that it?”
“Everything’s ready and waiting for you up here. I bet you could use some rest and relaxation?”
“You’re right there.”
“Tell Rachel I’ve grown more roses for her. See you at the weekend. Bye.”
“Wait, you…” Ryan stared at the phone before shaking his head and hanging up.
“Well?” smiled Rachel.
Ryan smiled back at her. “Somehow that fool always manages to make things seem not as bad as they are, it really is a gift.”
She slid her arms around his neck. “Are you starting to warm to him?”
“Certainly not but I think I might not find him as annoying as I did.”
“Wow, I’m amazed.” Her smile fell. “You’re sure you’re really okay? Do you want to talk to anyone? A counsellor might be a good idea.”
“I’m quite sure. The last thing I need is a stranger poking their nose in. All this has shaken me to my core, I’m not going to pretend it hasn’t but we’re all okay, we’re back home and that’s what’s important. From now on, we’re looking to the future.”
“Our path’s free and clear now. Katia’s dead.”
“Mike and Jez finally did it?”
“They’ve got the boys too, they’re going to raise them as Maguires.”
“In that case they’ll have a much better chance at life. Mikey and Jez were fools not to remove her sooner, I just hope they weren’t too late and she didn’t tell Jared Slattery anything. He’s much more devious and ambitious than his father was.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine. They’re strong, they can handle him. They’ve got Mark Cameron and Hayden Brody working for them too.”
“How did they get Mark Cameron on board? He’s always prided himself on remaining neutral.”
“He needs the cash, his mother’s in an expensive nursing home and I believe Jules had a lot to do with it too. She charmed him apparently.”
“I find the words Jules and charm in the same sentence ridiculous.”
“Say what you like, she saved your life.”
“And now I’m beholden to her. I’m not sure I like that.”
“Give her a chance. I like her.”
Ryan raised an eyebrow. “Your brain must be addled.”
“Cheeky bugger.”
He grinned when she slapped him on the arm. “I will say this for her, I prefer her to Lexie.”
“Me too. Jules has suffered, Lexie’s just spoilt. But she’s part of the family now.”
“I know and I suppose I have to accept it.” He glanced at the clock. “We have to pick the kids up in an hour. Let’s take them and your parents out for a big family meal, show our faces to the world. We’ve nothing to be ashamed of.”
“I like the sound of that.” Rachel smiled, as always amazed by her husband. Ryan was back and he was stronger than ever.
“You’re serious? The Starklaws?” frowned Jez. Jules was closeted with her brother and Mikey in the latter’s office at the compound. She’d gone straight there after Dane had left her shop.
“That’s what Dane said,” she replied.
“Is his information reliable?” added Mikey.
“In my experience Dane never says anything unless he knows he can back it up one hundred percent. It came from Ollie Starklaw himself bigging it up in the pub.”
“The Slatterys are going to use them to cause us trouble,” said Jez. “It seems our telling off didn’t work.”
Mikey nodded
solemnly from behind his desk. “Jared’s smart. Nothing can be traced back to him. Katia obviously talked.”
“Alex told her all about the businesses?” said Jules.
“She must have,” said Jez. “Fuck, we should have taken her out before she had the chance. She’d have been mad not to tell Jared what she knew. Giving him inside information got her into his good books and now he thinks he can start messing with our affairs.”
Mikey slammed his fist down on the table. “Sly bastard.” He looked from Jez to Jules. “This is fucking war. Again.”
“It looks that way,” said Jez quietly.
“So we’re agreed?” said Mikey.
They both nodded.
“We’re going to take on Essex.”
Jules had to fight to repress her grin. This was more like it.
THE END
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