by Tania Crosse
‘But not many of my employees realise what’s really going on like you do. And I want to keep it that way. No. You’re already involved, whether you like it or not.’
Jackson jerked his head, and Jimmy sagged with relief as his arm was released. But Hillie’s words were ringing in his head, and he wanted more than anything to do what she’d asked of him. She was right. And he loved her and wanted her back, to be a proper husband and wife again. If only he hadn’t got mixed up with Jackson in the first place! But the easy money had been so tempting, and to be honest, the thrill of something not quite legal had been enticing. But now…
He glowered at Jackson to show his displeasure, and thrust his lips forward as if coolly considering the situation when in fact he felt sick, his stomach was clamped so tightly. ‘All right. But this is the last time. And only ’cos I know your plans. And then I don’t want to know nothing more about what you’re up to. I’ve been grateful for all you’ve done for us, and I’ll never grass on you. But it’s time for us to part company.’
He waited, holding his breath, for Jackson’s reaction. The other man’s expression was inscrutable for a few seconds, and then Jimmy relaxed as a smile edged onto the fellow’s lips.
‘Hmm, we’ll see.’ Jackson flashed his eyes towards his heavy again. ‘Bruno hasn’t used his blade for a bit, have you, Bruno?’ he said in such a meaningful way that the thug grinned as he pulled a flick-knife from his pocket and clicked it open.
‘Pretty wife you’ve got, Jimmy,’ Jackson went on. ‘Pity if her face got rearranged. And then there’s those little girls she looks after. Her sisters, so our informant told me. Wouldn’t want any of them to get hurt, now, would we?’
Jimmy’s eyes widened and he stepped forward with hatred blazing in his heart. ‘You bastard!’ he snarled, but Jackson merely smiled.
‘You can call me all you like,’ he chuckled. ‘But I know all about your wife’s family. And her friends. Oh, yes. I make it my business to have eyes and ears everywhere. Be a tragedy if one or other of their houses burnt down in the night, and they perished in the flames, wouldn’t it? Oh, dear, oh, dear. So, I think you could be working for us for some time, don’t you agree? So, you come along as planned, or there could be consequences. Run along now, and we’ll see you then. Bruno?’
Bruno had been fondling the knife in his hands and now, snapping the blade back into the handle, he returned it to his pocket and went to hold open the door. Jimmy was rooted to the spot with sickened, maddened fury. But what could he do? He felt such a bloody coward, but he couldn’t risk Hillie…
He did the only thing he could. Leave. But with his head held high and his gaze burning into Jackson’s face.
Outside, he scurried down the darkened alley. But when he turned the corner, he sank onto his knees and vomited up his terror.
*
‘So, what did your parents say when you told them about Patrick? Have you introduced them yet?’
Hillie and Jessica were sitting at the table in the back room enjoying a cup of tea and the remnants of the Christmas cake Hillie had baked. Daisy and Frances were flitting about playing at being fairies, each with a pair of gauzy wings Hillie had made for them strapped to their backs, and waving wands fashioned out of cardboard and glitter. Trixie was devouring the illustrated version of The Jungle Book that Hillie had bought her for Christmas, and Joan had begun working on the little tapestry set.
Christmas seemed an age ago now, even though it was but a few days. And at that moment, Hillie was all ears to hear what had happened with Jessica over the Yuletide period. But to her dismay, her friend sucked in her cheeks and cast down her gaze.
Hillie’s expectations sank. ‘Don’t say you still haven’t told them?’
Jessica flashed up her eyes. ‘Well, I know I said I would after my birthday,’ she answered defensively. ‘But that was only a few days before Christmas and the atmosphere could’ve been awful if it went badly, and I didn’t want to spoil Christmas. They might even have thrown me out, and just think how dreadful that would’ve been! I’d have gone to Patrick’s, of course. But if we never made it up, there’d always be that memory at Christmas, and it’d never be the same. So, I’m going to try and break it to them gently in the New Year. At least they’re letting me go to the party at Belinda’s rather than the stuffy affair I usually have to go to with them. And Patrick’ll be there, so at least we’ll have a lovely evening before facing the music.’
‘Oh, Jessie—’
‘But I swear I’ll do it next week,’ Jessica went on earnestly. ‘I mightn’t tell them we’re actually engaged straightaway. I might work up to that in time. But it really will be a case of a new year and a new start.’
Yes, Hillie thought, suppressing her disappointment. A new year and a new start. It was going to be the same for her and Jimmy. He’d promised her. And once he had a proper job again, her love for him would be rekindled, or so she hoped. But how she was going to bury forever her growing passion for the man who was good and kind and honest and lit a beacon inside her, she really didn’t know.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Hillie gazed at her reflection in the old mottled mirror Jimmy had bought second-hand, considering the dress she’d sewn for herself for the New Year’s Eve party at Belinda’s. It was only cheap taffeta from a street stall, but the powder-blue suited her colouring and the little pearl buttons down the front gave the dress some class. Beneath the white knitted bolero she’d also made herself, the bodice of the dress clung to her small waist, and the full skirt swung attractively below her knees. She’d also had her hair trimmed, not fashionably short, but so that it brushed against her shoulders rather than tumbling down her back as before. Overall she was quite pleased with how she looked. New dress, new hairstyle, new year.
But who was it really for? It was uplifting to feel good about oneself, of course. But was it for Jimmy? To make him appreciate her more and want to make the effort so that they could be a proper couple again? Or deep down, did she want Kit to notice her, since she knew he’d be coming along to the party later on? But that would be cruel to both him and Jimmy. And it was a torment to herself.
She heard Jimmy come up behind her, and she turned to him with a smile painted on her lips. But the muscles around her mouth slackened as she took in what he was wearing. Instead of his best flannels and the shirt she’d washed and ironed especially, he’d put on some old black trousers and a dark, frayed jumper.
Her brow compressed into a frown. ‘Jimmy?’ she began in a quiet, uneasy voice. He’d seemed on tenterhooks the last couple of days. Was she about to find out why?
‘I’m sorry, love.’ Jimmy gave her a furtive, sideways glance as if he didn’t have the courage to look her straight in the eye. ‘I can’t come to the party.’
Hillie’s heart groaned. ‘W-what d’you mean you can’t come?’ she demanded.
‘I’ve… Mr Jackson’s got a job for me,’ Jimmy mumbled back.
Hillie stared at him in disbelief. And then all the pent-up frustration and feelings of betrayal erupted in a shower of fury. ‘Oh, but Jimmy, you promised!’ she squealed as angry tears welled in her eyes. ‘You said in the New Year—’
‘But it ain’t New Year till tomorrow.’
‘B-but you’ve known about the party for ages! So why didn’t you tell him no? Or did you know about it all along?’
Jimmy’s silence as he wriggled his lips awkwardly gave her the answer.
‘You did, didn’t you?’ she fumed. ‘Well, you can jolly well go and tell Jackson that you had a prior engagement and can’t do whatever underhand job it is he’s got for you!’
But Jimmy’s eyes flicked nervously at her, and she caught the glint of fear in them. ‘No, Hill, you don’t understand. Mr Jackson’s not the sort of man you say no to. I’m really sorry, love. But… I’ve got to go. I-I ain’t got no choice.’
Hillie’s face stilled as Jimmy met her gaze and the terror she saw there stung her to the core. She watched,
stunned, as he put on his new jacket and his old overcoat on top, checking something black and knitted – was it a balaclava? – in the pocket. A moment later, he was gone, and Hillie lowered herself onto the settee. She could feel herself shaking with each pounding beat of her heart. Dear Lord, what was Jimmy mixed up in?
Her brain was still whirling when she heard the knock on the front door. She dragged herself across to the attic window and looked down onto the street. Rob’s car, and she could see the top of Gert’s head as she waited by the door. Rob would have picked Gert and Jessica up, and now had come to collect Hillie and Jimmy as arranged.
Good, strong, dependable Gert. Hillie shook herself free from her shock, grabbed her coat and catapulted down the two flights of stairs to the front door.
When she opened it, she met Gert’s frowning face on the other side. ‘Hello, Hill. Was that Jimmy I saw disappearing round the corner? Ain’t he coming?’
‘Gert, listen to me.’ All of a sudden, Hillie’s brain seemed crystal clear. ‘Jimmy’s got himself mixed up in something. I don’t know exactly what. There’s been dodgy diamond dealing—’
‘What—?’
‘Yes, but I think this is something much bigger. Something Jimmy can’t get himself out of. I saw the fear in his eyes. You’ve got to believe me, Gert. I want you to go to the police and convince them something’s going to happen tonight. Tell them there’s a man called Jackson at the heart of it. It might mean something to them, I don’t know. Meanwhile, I’m going to follow Jimmy.’
‘Follow him?’ Gert’s eyes stretched wide. ‘But it could be dangerous. We can’t let you—’
‘Just do as I say,’ Hillie called, already running down the street. ‘If I see anything, I’ll find a phone box and get the operator to put me through to the police.’
‘Hillie, you be careful—’
But Gert’s voice was lost as she turned the corner and broke into a run. She couldn’t see Jimmy, but he couldn’t have gone far…
*
It wasn’t easy, following Jimmy through the darkened streets without losing him or being seen. Hillie kept telling herself it was utterly ridiculous, tracking her own husband. But she was terrified. Not of Jimmy, of course, but of what she might discover. And yet that was exactly what she wanted. Alert the police, put a stop to whatever it was. Save Jimmy from himself, even if it meant a spell in prison to rid himself of this Jackson blackguard.
Nearly ten o’clock on New Year’s Eve, so there were more people out and about than normal on such a cold, dank and drizzly night. And yet, with work the following morning, the number of revellers was limited. The pubs would doubtless be busy, with more women accompanying their menfolk than usual, it being more acceptable on a special occasion. Others would be going to family or friends, if only for a short while and not necessarily to see in midnight and listen to Big Ben chiming twelve o’clock on the radio.
So, although Hillie couldn’t lose herself in crowds, she came across couples and small groups on every street, making her feel less conspicuous and yet more alone. Here were people going off to enjoy themselves, while she… Well, she wasn’t quite sure what she was doing. All she knew was that she had to do it for Jimmy’s sake. For the sake of their future. If she really believed they would have one.
Her nerves were taut and ready to snap as Jimmy wove his way through the warren of back streets they both knew so well. Hillie had several times to dodge back round a corner as Jimmy checked around him, and then run to catch him up. After a while, though, he left the area she knew intimately, and Hillie had to look up and memorise the names of the streets.
At long last, they came to a wide back alley. Hillie retreated, hiding behind the corner, crouched down and peering round the wall of a house. The alley was in darkness but for the square of light from a couple of windows in the long terrace of houses that backed onto it. They had small backyards, just like the poorer side of Banbury Street, but most of them had ramshackle sheds or outhouses opening onto the alley. Jimmy stopped in front of one of them, looked furtively about him, and then slipped inside.
Hillie’s heart bucked painfully. Now what? Surely the police would need more than this? As her eyes adjusted to the increased darkness, she spotted some dustbins in a pitch-black corner by a shed. She’d have the perfect view and yet would be hidden from sight.
She checked the alley and then scurried across to settle down behind the bins and wait. Her wildly beating pulse thrummed in her ears, every nerve alert to the slightest movement or sound. A dog barked in the distance, happy laughter wafted along the adjacent street, then all went quiet again.
Hillie shivered, realising that her nervous sweat as she’d hurried through the streets was now turning ice-cold as she squatted down, not daring to move. She needed something to happen, and yet she was petrified that it would.
The flimsy dress beneath her coat was no match for the damp that seemed to penetrate her bones, and her cramped limbs were aching. She felt as if she’d been folded into her hiding place for hours, but if nothing happened soon, she’d go to the police anyway.
She was just about to give up when the purr of an engine tightened every muscle. A car turned into the alleyway, dimming its lights and crawling to a stop. Three men got out and, without a word, went inside the outhouse Jimmy had gone into earlier. Was one of them Jackson? Hillie wondered with contempt.
It was too dark to read the number plate, but then a van rumbled past her, illuminating the first vehicle. But all too briefly, its lights and engine were turned off, and more figures disappeared into the outbuilding.
Hillie watched, her heartbeat echoing in the silence. It was time to act. Would anyone else be arriving? She waited for what she hoped was sufficient time before checking the alleyway. All was clear. Her limbs protested as she made them move, and she had to force her muscles into action. Cautiously she extricated herself from behind the bins, being careful not to knock them or make a sound.
She turned to hurry back down the alley.
‘What ’ave we ’ere, then?’
Suddenly, three silhouettes appeared from out of the darkness, virtually blocking her path – two tall, broad shadows and a smaller one in the middle. Hillie’s brain froze, and yet somewhere in the depths of her mind, the voice sounded familiar.
But there was no time to think of that now. One of the black forms went to grab her. Instinct, years of dodging Harold’s blows, made Hillie duck sideways, avoiding the swiping arm. But the gap was narrow and as Hillie plunged through it, the other larger figure launched itself at her, closing firmly about her waist. She struggled, kicking out backwards. A male voice cursed as she felt her shoe crack against his shin. An instant later, other arms locked about her shoulders. She tried to sink her teeth into whatever she could, but her mouth found only the thick material of a winter coat. Panic streamed through her, but she fought like a wild cat, lashing out as best she could. But she was helpless against the two men, and felt herself being dragged along the alley and into the meeting place.
Inside, the glimmer from a single bare light bulb diffused through a fug of cigarette smoke. Hillie stopped struggling. Her instinct for survival told her it’d be better to use her wits if she was going to stand any chance of escaping.
‘Look who I found spying on us outside.’
The familiar woman’s voice again. Hillie felt her heart skip a beat as Dolly Maguire stepped forward, and a tall, thin man in an immaculate dark overcoat spun round, looking Hillie up and down.
‘You’re Jimmy Baxter’s wife, aren’t you?’ he growled, scowling with annoyance.
‘What!’
Hillie heard an intake of breath that could only be Jimmy’s, and the crowd of men parted as Jimmy gazed across at her, white-faced. Hillie’s eyes swivelled about her, trying to take everything in. Spot a means of escape. And what the heck was Dolly Maguire doing there?
‘Hill, what the hell are you—?’
‘Was she alone?’ the man Hillie imagined must be
Jackson barked again.
‘Yeah. We clocked ’er a few streets away, and when she turned into the alley and ’id, we thought we oughta stop and watch ’er. We was there for bleeding ages to make sure. I’m bloody frozen.’
Jackson nodded, and two men took hold of Jimmy and marched him forward. ‘Betrayed us, have you?’ he snarled.
‘No,’ Jimmy protested in desperation. ‘I ain’t told her nothing. She’s supposed to be at a party.’
‘Well, we can’t have grasses. Take them to the lock-up and we’ll deal with them later. Bruno, I need you on the job, but you know what to do afterwards,’ he said, dropping his voice so that Hillie couldn’t hear him clearly. ‘Lose the bodies downriver just as the tide’s turning, and they’ll get washed out to sea.’
‘Yeah, boss.’
‘No. She don’t know nothing—’
Hillie’s knees had turned weak with terror. As Jimmy tried to break free from the hands that held him, a giant of a man sprang forward and landed him such a blow in the belly that he doubled up in agony. Hillie barely had the chance to gasp before something – was it a sack? – was pulled over her head, plunging her into darkness. There was no point in struggling as she was bodily picked up.
Dear God, what had she done?
Chapter Twenty-Five
‘Hmm.’ The police sergeant pinched his bottom lip between his forefinger and thumb. ‘That isn’t a lot to go on, miss. And if there is something going on, it mightn’t be on our patch. Could be anywhere in the entire metropolis. And our men are going to be busy keeping drunks and overenthusiastic revellers at bay, it being New Year’s Eve.’
‘Forgive me, sergeant,’ Rob put in, ‘but wouldn’t that be exactly why a criminal would choose tonight for a major crime?’
The sergeant lifted a considering eyebrow. ‘Perhaps. But I can’t call a major alert for something that’s just hearsay, especially when my officers are busy keeping the peace. You sure this friend of yours is reliable?’