Pete nodded once in acknowledgement of her statement, failing to spot the amused glance that passed between Jules and Mikey.
Cass wanted rid of Gardner so she could discuss with Jules and Mikey things she didn’t want him to hear. “Professor,” she said. “Please could you sit with Brodie? I’ll feel better knowing a professional is keeping an eye on him.”
“Of course Cass,” he replied magnanimously. So far he’d done nothing to earn his money and he didn’t want her to send him away, so he was glad to take on the task.
“I’ll go with him,” said Pete, not wanting to hear what they were going to discuss because the professional in him would want to act on the information and that would put everyone in a precarious position. “Brodie might end up punching the professor and I couldn’t blame him.”
Only when Pete had closed the door behind him did Cass speak. “What do I do if it turns out Toni’s supplying Malachi with drugs?”
Jules left it to Mikey to field this question, who’d had more dealings with the infamous and deadly Toni McVay.
“That’s a tough one,” he replied. “I believe she’s fond of you and Brodie, which is a miracle in itself because she doesn’t seem to like anyone.”
“It’s more a case of her seeing us as her personal playthings rather than fondness. Plus she knows Brodie keeps an equilibrium in the city that assists her to operate. Her life would be made harder without him but I’m not sure that’s enough to make her pull out of a lucrative drug deal.”
“Probably not. Making money is her primary objective in life and she allows nothing to get in the way of it.”
“Just as I thought,” sighed Cass. She was tempted to ask if the Maguires would back them should Toni get nasty because their family was now stronger than hers but that wouldn’t be fair. This wasn’t their problem and she didn’t want to start a war.
“Your best way to get around Toni,” continued Mikey. “Is to make her believe something is to her benefit. That way she’s much more likely to act.”
“Yes, that makes a lot of sense,” said Cass thoughtfully.
“I know you want to bring down Malachi and I don’t blame you,” said Jules. “But the problem is, if Toni is his supplier and you do bring him down and end her lucrative deal she won’t thank you for it. She will make her displeasure known in a horrible, twisted way.”
Cass nodded and looked down at the floor, wondering what the hell she was going to do. “In that case I’ll have to hope that she isn’t his supplier.”
“If she isn’t that would work well in your favour,” said Mikey. “Because if someone else is making a fortune providing Malachi with drugs then she’ll go out of her way to destroy them. She hates anyone else dealing in her city.”
“Then let’s hope that’s the way it goes. The next step is to talk to her.”
“Does she know about any of this?”
“She must do. Nothing happens in this city without her knowing. I keep expecting her to flounce in here but so far nothing, which is not like her at all.”
“That’s because she’s away at a spa. I called to let her know we’d be coming into her territory but Caesar answered instead. He’s running things in her absence.”
“What reason did you give for coming here?”
“We said you and Brodie were in trouble and needed some help with a cult.”
“Did Caesar ask for details?”
He shook his head.
“Because they already know. Well that’s just great.” Foreboding settled over Cass. If Toni had wanted to stick her oar in, like she usually did, then she would have paid them a visit by now, whether she was at a spa or not. The fact that she hadn’t spoke volumes. “Well, we really appreciate all the trouble you’ve gone to for us.”
“I wish we could help more,” said Jules. “But sadly we’ve got to get back to Manchester.”
“I don’t know how to thank you both. Not only did you help Brodie but you saved me at Rottenrow too.”
“No need to thank us,” said Jules. “I love a challenge and I haven’t had one like this in ages. It was fascinating analysing Brodie’s blood.” She glanced at Mikey and smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, that sounded insensitive.”
“Just a bit,” he replied, slinging an arm around her shoulders and kissing her hair.
“Out of curiosity,” said Cass. “Why did you come here? You certainly weren’t obliged to.”
“Because we owe you after you helped us get Leah back when she was kidnapped,” replied Jules.
“But you already repaid that debt when you helped us out with Seth Creegan.”
“Sorting out that little tosser didn’t take much. When someone helps our family we never forget. You and Brodie put your necks on the line to get Leah back, so whenever you need anything, just shout.”
“Thank you. You’ve no idea how much I appreciate that. When you speak to Rachel next, say hi from me.”
“Will do. She likes you a lot.”
“I like her too. She’s brilliant.”
Jules beamed, her smile lighting up her eyes, telling Cass how much she appreciated that comment. It was rare for people to say nice things about members of her family. “She is that.” Jules looked to Mikey. “Right babe, let’s hit the road. We can be back in Manchester before midnight. The boys are staying at Jez and Cathy’s tonight so we can have some grown-up time before they come home in the morning.” She caught the amusement dancing in his eyes and looked to Cass. “Sorry. I have no boundaries. I’m trying though.”
“No need to apologise to me. Not enough people speak their mind, they’re too busy trying to hide everything. You should be proud of that trait.”
“You know what, I am,” she grinned. She smacked Mikey’s backside. “Let’s get back home then and enjoy our special adult toys.”
“Have fun,” called Cass as they made their way to the door, Mikey looking amused. A thought struck her. “Wait.”
They both turned to look at her.
“What if Malachi was to conveniently die?”
“It would solve a lot of problems,” replied Jules.
“I know you can make special hot shots that make it look like natural causes.”
“Are you saying you want to give him one of my hot shots?”
Cass took a deep breath and nodded.
“You ever kill anyone before?”
She shook her head.
“Then how do you know you can do it? You’ll have to get up close and personal. It’s not easy.”
“I can do it. All I have to do is think about what he did to Brodie and I’ll easily be able to stick him with a needle.”
“And what if Toni gets suspicious?” said Mikey. “Malachi suddenly dying of a heart attack so soon after we’ve been to Glasgow would make her suspicious.”
“She can’t prove anything,” countered Jules. “And even if she can, so what? She’s weaker than us. I’m sick of that bitch thinking she rules the roost.”
“I’d give it a few days before using it,” said Cass. “So it won’t be connected to your presence in the city.”
Mikey and Jules glanced at each other, a silent conversation going on between them.
“Alright Cass,” said Jules as they both turned their attention back to her. “But I don’t carry them about with me. Someone trustworthy will drop it off with you here tomorrow morning at six o’clock. No charge. Call it a little Brucie bonus.”
“Thank you.”
Jules nodded then looked to Mikey. “Come on sexy, let’s go home.”
They left and Cass breathed a little easier. She liked them and she was so grateful for all they’d done but being around such dangerous people was very intense.
CHAPTER 19
Cass headed into the spare bedroom to find Brodie still asleep, Pete and Gardner maintaining a vigil by his side.
“How’s he been?” she whispered.
“Fine,” Gardner whispered back. “He’s probably best sleeping off the effects of the
drug. As soon as he’s awake we can start the exit counselling.”
Cass indicated for the two men to follow her back into the office so they could talk without disturbing Brodie.
“Won’t he be back to normal once the drug’s worn off?” said Pete.
Cass shook her head. “Malachi’s messed with his head, implanted his fire and brimstone crap into him. He kept saying it even though he didn’t want to.”
“I’ve seen that before with the people I’ve counselled who escaped Malachi,” said Gardner. “Now I understand how he got into their heads so easily, thanks to your clever and very pretty friends.” He broke into a pleasant smile and lapsed into his own thoughts. When he realised they were frowning at him he wiped the smile off his face and cleared his throat. “As I was saying, he uses psychotropic drugs and weakens them physically. This lowers their guard and scepticism, allowing him to get inside their heads where he implants his teachings.”
“Brodie was with him for four days,” said Cass. “Is that long enough to get into his head that deeply?”
“A man like Malachi doesn’t need long, especially when implementing such powerful drugs. But the good news is Brodie seems exceptionally strong. He can do this.”
“Yeah he can,” she smiled.
Christian, Elliott and Ross arrived back amid the stench of lager.
“How’s the Bossman?” said Ross.
“Better. Zarqa injected him with something that should counteract the effects of the crap Malachi gave him and now he’s sleeping it off.”
“So what’s the next move?” said Elliott.
“Professor Gardner’s going to give Brodie some exit counselling.”
“And what can we do? We can’t let Malachi get away with this shit.”
“And we’re not going to,” said Cass. She wasn’t going to tell anyone about her plan to kill Malachi, no way was she going to put that on their shoulders. “But I’m not sure what we’re going to do yet, I’m still concentrating on Brodie.”
“Just take it easy son,” said Pete, patting Elliott’s shoulder. “We need to move really carefully. What happened today is all over the news.”
“Has Malachi made a complaint to your lot?” said Cass.
“According to my minions he said he was attacked by persons unknown and two of his cars were vandalised.”
“One of them by you,” commented Ross.
“Aye, I havenae forgotten,” retorted Pete. “Some of the shrewder officers have their suspicions about who was responsible, by which I mean you lot but for some reason Malachi’s keeping your identities a secret.”
“Because he wants to deal with us personally,” said Cass. “He told his men to kidnap me, he said I’d be an asset to his team but Brodie stopped them.”
“Why didn’t you mention this before?” exclaimed Pete. “You’re in danger.”
“Relax, he doesn’t even know we’re here.”
“How do you know?”
“Alright, I don’t. I don’t even know if he’ll try and get Brodie back.”
“We need to come up with a contingency,” said Elliott. “We can’t just sit about here waiting for the Bossman to come round. He’s going to need time to recover.”
Once again they all looked to Cass and for once she didn’t want to be second-in-command. “You’re right, we do,” she said.
The buzzer went, indicating there was a visitor at the door. They all looked at each other.
“Who the hell is that?” said Ross. “No one knows we’re here.”
Cass experienced a thrill of fear as she wondered if it was Toni McVay.
“Maybe Jules and Mikey forgot something?” said Christian. “Or it could be Zarqa stopping by to check on Brodie.”
“Somehow I don’t think so,” said Pete.
“I’ll find out,” said Elliott, heading over to the intercom on the wall. “Hello?” he said into it.
“We need to talk,” replied a deep, penetrating voice.
“Malachi,” said Cass. “How the hell did he find us?”
“Could he have planted a tracker on Brodie?” said Pete.
“His clothes,” she exclaimed. “I didn’t fucking check them.”
“It might not be in his clothes, it could be under his skin.”
“If you don’t want to talk,” said Malachi’s voice. “I could always take this up with the police.”
“Ask him how many people are with him?”
Elliott relayed the question and Malachi’s voice replied. “Just Cain and Abel.”
“Let him in,” said Cass. She looked to Pete. “You’d better make yourself scarce.”
“I’ll sit with Brodie but if you need me just yell,” he replied before vanishing.
Elliott buzzed the door open for Malachi and they all waited.
“Stand by the door boys,” Cass told them. “I don’t want him bursting in with an army.”
Elliott took one side of the door, Christian and Ross the other, ready to intervene should more bats attempt to swarm the place. Cass opened the door, which gave her a view of the top of the stairs. Should Malachi turn up with more people than expected it would give her time to shut and secure it.
The approaching footsteps were slow and deliberate. The bastard was drawing out his appearance, attempting to wind them up into an agitated state but Cass forced herself to remain calm.
Eventually he appeared, flanked by only his two bodyguards as promised, both of whom sported cuts and bruises. Malachi himself was untouched.
The moment they entered the room Elliott slammed the door shut behind them and locked it.
“No need to worry,” said Malachi. “As I said, it’s just the three of us.”
“Forgive us for not trusting a word you say,” Cass coldly replied.
“May we sit?”
She folded her arms across her chest. “No.”
“Is Brodie here?”
No one replied.
Malachi turned his attention to Gardner. “Ah, Professor Gardner. How nice to meet you at last.”
Gardner’s nervous twitches returned with a vengeance. “You…you know me?”
“I know everyone who interacts with ex-members of my church.” Malachi’s gaze darkened. “Although you do prefer to call it a cult.”
Cass was surprised when Gardner threw back his shoulders and lifted his head. “Because that’s what you are.”
“I fail to understand why everyone thinks we’re a cult.”
“Perhaps because you kidnap people, forcibly inject them with drugs and brainwash them,” frowned Christian.
Malachi smiled and shook his head. “Where did you hear such ridiculous rumours?”
“We didn’t hear them from anywhere,” said Cass. “We had Brodie’s blood analysed. He was forcibly injected with a concoction of psychotropic drugs.”
“I can assure you that nothing like that goes on…”
“Just fucking shut it,” she yelled at him, losing her grip on her temper. “Do you think we’re actually going to believe your pathetic, deluded lies? We’ve seen what you did to Brodie, all the injection marks covering his neck from that freak of a doctor who does all your bidding. But he was too strong for you Malachi, he’s broken your programming.”
“I’d be very careful if I were you Cass. So far I haven’t told the police about your involvement in the attack on me and my disciples at Rottenrow Gardens but that could always change.”
“Haven’t you learnt yet that your threats mean nothing to us? We’ve faced a lot worse than you.”
“So I believe. Seth and Sarah Creegan, Lucas Thorne. Such a litany of tragedy.”
“And you’d know all about it, wouldn’t you after visiting Sarah in prison?” She smiled when shock passed through his eyes. “You might think you know it all Malachi but your information network is nothing compared to ours. You actually talked her to death, not that anyone will mourn that bitch’s passing, not even her own kids but it’s still messed up.”
C
hristian grunted with rage when Malachi smiled. “Keep up that smug fucking look pal and you’re gonnae get a kicking.”
Cain and Abel rounded on him but Malachi raised his hand. “As I said, we come in peace. There’s no need for all this aggression. I’d like to speak to Brodie.”
“You can piss right off,” said Cass.
“I know he’s here. He’s one of my flock, do you honestly think you can keep him from me?”
“He’s done with you, you psycho.”
“I don’t think so. Brodie?” he called.
“He’s not a Labrador,” she frowned. “He’s not going to come because you called him.”
“Are you willing to wager on that?”
“I thought betting was against your beliefs?”
“Just a figure of speech. Brodie?”
“Hey pal, what are you doing?” they heard Pete say from deeper inside the flat.
Brodie emerged in the room, still in his shirt and jeans, hair askew.
“What the hell are you doing now you daftie?” demanded Pete, following him.
“Detective Inspector McLaren,” said Malachi.
“Oh it’s yerself,” said Pete. “Why are you spoiling this nice office with your mankiness?”
“I’ve come for what is mine.”
“Yours? He’s no’ a thing, he’s my best pal and you’re no’ taking him.”
“We’ll let Brodie decide that.” Malachi looked to Brodie. “Let’s go.”
“Don’t you bloody dare,” cried Cass, putting herself before him when he stepped towards Malachi.
“Have to go,” he murmured.
“You’re going nowhere. Boys, hold him.”
Cain and Abel rushed to meet Christian and Ross, the men shoving each other. Elliott and Pete took hold of one of Brodie’s arms each and held on tight.
“You’re not going to let them stop you doing what you want, are you Brodie?” said Malachi.
Brodie shoulder-barged Elliott in the chest, knocking him into his desk and tripped Pete, sending him stumbling backwards. Cass put herself before him but he took her by the shoulders and moved her aside.
“You can’t go with him,” she exclaimed.
The Devil Inside Page 24