Brodie stared at his phone beside him on the couch when it started to ring.
“Aren’t you gonnae answer it?” Ross asked him.
“I don’t want to. It’s always been shite lately. But I suppose I should.” He sighed and picked up the phone. “What?”
“Brodie, it’s Caesar.”
“Go away. I’m having a nice evening.”
“Don’t hang up,” he practically yelled down the line.
Brodie picked up on the panic in his voice. “Something wrong?”
“It’s the boss lady. She’s gone missing.”
“Missing? I wondered why she hadn’t been round, sticking her oar in.”
“She heard you were investigating that cult, Higher Light. It got her all intrigued and she decided she wanted to help, so she went undercover.”
“Undercover? Oh please don’t tell me…”
“She went to the church and never came back. She’s not even called and that’s no’ like her. So far I’ve managed to hide it, I’ve told the clan she’s gone to a spa for a few days but soon they’ll get suspicious. You’re the only one I can turn to Brodie.”
“By Christ it must have hurt saying that.”
“It hurt like hell, so I hope you understand how desperate I am.”
“Aye I do.”
“Where are you? You’re not at your office.”
“I’m having to lay low.”
“Because of Higher Light?”
“Aye.”
“Where are you? I’ll come to you.”
“You bloody won’t. I’ll meet you somewhere.”
“Where?”
Brodie knew this could well be some sort of trap, set by who and why he wasn’t sure but he wasn’t going to take the chance. “The Seven Bells,” he replied. This was the dodgy back street pub he used for a lot of clandestine meetings.
“I’ll be there in half an hour.”
“Alone.”
“Course. I don’t want anyone finding out about this,” said Caesar before hanging up.
“Who was that?” said Cass.
Brodie realised the entire room was looking at him expectantly, including Donaldson. He couldn’t mention his connection to the McVays in front of him. He was on his side with regards to Higher Light but if he found out about his relationship with a bunch of gangsters that would quickly change. “I’ve got to meet a contact about another case.” He got to his feet. “Cass, Christian, you’re with me. The rest of you stay here.”
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” said Pete.
“Maybe not but it’s necessary. They won’t hang around for long and if they go before I get there I’ll lose out on some important information.”
Pete knew his friend was lying but realised he had a good reason, which he guessed was due to Donaldson’s presence, so he decided not to argue. “Alright. Just take care out there, all three of you.”
“And make sure you’re not followed back here,” said Donaldson.
“Aye, thanks for that pal. I’ve been doing this work a lot longer than you.”
“Since you were in nappies Craig,” grinned Freya.
“I’m no’ that old doll,” commented Brodie. “Right, we’re off. We won’t be long.”
“Be careful out there,” Pete called after them.
Brodie nodded at him over his shoulder, touched by the worry in his eyes.
“God this place is even more of a toilet than I remember,” said Christian.
“Don’t let Del hear you say that,” said Brodie. “He’ll stab you in the knees with a broken vodka bottle, it’s one of his hobbies.” His eyes scanned the busy pub and found the landlord standing so proudly behind the bar he could have been a king surrounded by fawning courtiers. This particular king however had a head that resembled a pumpkin covered in dark stubble, a thick beard that he had to wash the blood out of after a Saturday night working in this place and an eye patch.
“Hey Brodie,” he called across the room, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Alright Del,” he replied walking up to the bar, the clientele returning to their drinks as well as their deep and meaningful conversation about what crimes they were going to perpetrate next. “Or should I say Long John Silver. What the hell happened?”
“Nothing major. I was enjoying my hobby of bottling roasters who start a rammy in my pub when a bit of glass landed in my eye. Hurt like a bastard it did. I’ve had it removed…”
“What, your eye?”
“No you fud, the glass but I have to keep the patch on till it’s healed.”
“Sounds like you need to get yourself a new hobby. How about stamp collecting?”
Del’s face set hard. “I was thinking of switching to axe throwing. Want me to practice on you?”
“I’m good thanks pal,” smiled Brodie, holding up his hands.
He indicated for him to lean closer. “You looking for Caesar?”
“Aye.”
“He’s in the back room. He wanted to be incognito.”
“Because he’s a dramatic prick. Is he alone?”
“Aye.”
“You sure?”
“I know I’m shite at maths Brodie but I can count to one. Yes he’s alone. You wantin’ your usual ponce drink?”
“You mean the manly red wine that’ll put hairs on your chest? No. We’re just here for a meet.”
Del turned to Cass. “The lovely Cass. How nice of you to grace my humble establishment with your presence.” His eyes widened when he saw the ring on her finger. “Please don’t tell me you’re engaged to this arsehole?”
“I am,” she smiled.
“You’ve shattered my heart lovely Cass.”
“You cannae shatter granite,” commented Brodie. “Right, we’re going through and we don’t want to be disturbed.”
“You won’t be.”
They headed through the bar to the back room, Brodie leading the way. He pushed open the door to find Caesar alone, nursing a glass of whisky. His smart suit was crumpled and his eyes were heavy with worry.
“About time,” said Caesar. “And I thought I told you to come alone?”
“I obey no one,” said Brodie, taking the seat opposite him, Christian and Cass sitting either side of him. “And we’ve had some trouble lately, so none of us go about alone.”
“Trouble with Higher Light?”
Brodie nodded.
“The jungle drums have been beating again. I heard about that rammy on Rottenrow Gardens.”
“When was the last time you heard from Toni?” said Brodie, steering the conversation away from that uncomfortable topic.
“Three days ago. She told me she was going to visit the church to check it out.”
“And you’re sure she’s no’ just decided to hop on a plane abroad somewhere?”
“Yes I’m sure because that’s not Toni. She’s a real homebody and she always likes to be where she can keep an eye on business.” He scowled at Brodie. “This is your fault.”
“How’s it my fault? I didnae ask her to stick her beak into my business. As usual she’s done it off her own back. Has she met Malachi before?”
“Aye, at some charity event. He was there promoting his own charity, some shite bout orphans. She thought he was sexy, especially those eyes of his but he wasnae interested in her. The man must be made of stone.”
“Was he with a blond woman with green eyes by any chance?” said Cass.
“I didn’t notice. Why are you asking about a blond woman?”
“Just curious.”
“They’ve got her in that compound of theirs,” continued Caesar. “I know it. I’ve asked around and heard all the rumours.”
Brodie wondered if he’d found a way to infiltrate Malachi’s compound without going in himself. “I know a way you can get in without having to get over the wall.”
Caesar leaned in closer, eyes burning. “How?”
“In the floor of the church on the main road is a secret hatch that runs u
nderground, straight into the compound. It comes out in The Breach, which is a dungeon in the base of the building.”
“Fucking fantastic,” he exclaimed, leaping to his feet. “Let’s go then.”
“What, us?”
“Aye you. Well moves your arses then.”
“Just hold your horses there pal. We can’t go.”
“How?”
“Because me and Cass are already a baw hair away from being flung into prison. We only just escaped it the last time we were lifted.”
“Why were you lifted?”
“Malachi has influential friends who’ve made it their mission to destroy us.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re trying to bring down the church.”
“Why are you trying to bring them down?”
“Because Malachi’s a murdering, brainwashing sack of sick.”
“And you think the best way to bring him down is to be a fucking pansy arse who daren’t go near him?”
“No but I’ve been warned no’ to go anywhere near the compound. If I do there’s no second chances and I like my freedom thanks pal.”
“I can’t storm the compound on my own.”
“Get your foot soldiers to go with you.”
“I can’t. As I’ve already told you, no one knows Toni’s vanished. They think she’s at a spa. If they find out any different they could rebel. Some of the men in the clan backed Uncle Tam over Toni in the last war. They turned to her because they’re terrified of her but if they find out she’s been kidnapped by a cult they’ll leave her there to rot. Then they’ll kill me and everyone loyal to her and fight for control of the family. She’s got this total twat of a cousin who I’m sure is waiting to step into her shoes. The fucking fairy would probably love putting on her high heels. He’s a nasty, sly wee sod and he’s just waiting for his chance. I keep telling Toni to top the bastard but she won’t, she says he’s harmless.”
“Then get someone else to help, hired mercenaries or something. You know plenty of people willing to commit carnage for a few quid. Or there’s always your Manc friends.”
“No way am I getting them involved.”
“Because they’re more powerful than you lot since they took over Liverpool?” said Brodie, eyes twinkling.
“They were quick enough to come and help you,” countered Caesar. “They called to let us know they were in the city. They didn’t ask for permission though,” he glowered.
“Because they don’t need to.”
“You’re no fucking use, as usual,” roared Caesar. “The boss lady’s in trouble and all you can do is wind me up about the fucking Maguires.”
“Sit back down you big fucking daisy.”
Caesar produced a gun from inside his jacket and aimed it at Brodie’s face.
“Don’t fucking move,” he told Cass and Christian when they leapt to their feet. “Unless you want your boss’s face to look like a polo mint.”
Slowly they retook their seats, eyes never leaving Caesar.
“Toni’s no’ here to stop me now,” said Caesar. “I’ve dreamt of this for fucking years.”
“Go ahead, pull the trigger,” said Brodie casually. “Then you’ll be all alone in this mess and you’ll never get her back.”
Caesar’s jaw tensed and his eyes narrowed as he took aim, finger starting to squeeze the trigger. For one horrible moment Cass was convinced he was going to shoot Brodie. Then he sighed, shoved the gun back inside his jacket and retook his seat. Cass quietly exhaled with relief but Brodie’s expression hadn’t changed. He’d known he wouldn’t do it. In fact it seemed he’d expected that display.
“Now you’ve got that out of your system,” said Brodie. “We can talk properly.”
Caesar scowled and folded his arms across his chest.
“We cannae go into the compound with you but we can still help.”
“You sure you even want to?” countered Caesar. “You’d probably be happier if she never came out of that place.”
“If Toni’s never seen again then war will break out on the streets and I don’t want that. She likes me around because I keep a balance in this city. Well I like having her around for the exact same reason. So let’s stop arguing and think how we can spring her from that hole.”
Caesar raked his fingers through his dark hair and sighed. “Alright. Tell me about this tunnel under the compound.”
They all looked round when there was the sound of yelling and shouting from the main bar area. Caesar produced his gun again and aimed it at them. “You set me up you two-faced bastards.”
“Oy, this isn’t down to us,” yelled back Brodie. “It’s probably a rammy that’s kicked off, it happens every night in this place.”
They all looked to the door as the sound of shouting and things being smashed got louder, Del’s bellow making the walls shake. Caesar aimed his gun at the door instead of at Brodie, who got up to stand by his side. Cass and Christian joined them, all of them listening expectantly as the noise reached a crescendo before going eerily silent. Brodie and Caesar glanced at each other questioningly as the silence stretched out.
The door erupted open and in strode Toni McVay.
CHAPTER 28
“Boss Lady,” beamed Caesar with relief, holstering his gun. “Jesus, it’s good to see you again.” His eyebrows shot up when she pointed a gun at him. “What are you doing?” he exclaimed.
“Look at her clothes,” said Brodie. “She’s all in black. She’s a bat now.”
“A what?”
“A member of Higher Light.”
“No fucking way, she hates any sort of religion or spirituality. She says it’s only for the weak.”
“It’s true,” said Toni. “I have seen the light.”
“And does seeing the light involve pointing guns at people?” said Cass.
“When it comes to minions of the devil, yes.”
“What’s wrong with her?” Caesar whispered to Brodie. “She sounds like a robot.”
“Malachi’s brainwashed her.”
“No fucking way. She’s too tough.”
“It doesnae matter how tough you are, he can do it to anyone.”
Caesar did a doubletake at the look in his eyes. “You mean…”
“Did you tell her we were meeting here?”
“No. I didn’t tell anyone.”
“You didn’t need to tell me,” interjected Toni. “I knew you’d contact Brodie for help Caesar and that you’d meet up here, so I placed a spy in the main bar. I’ve warned you before about being predictable. It makes you vulnerable.”
“He suggested this place,” said Caesar, pointing at Brodie. “Not me.”
“Shut it,” said Toni. “Put the gun down Caesar, slowly.”
He did as he was told.
“Kick it to me.”
Once again he obeyed and she snatched it up, her own weapon never once wavering. She pointed to the door at the back of the room with the gun. “Outside, all of you.”
“Why?” said Brodie.
“Malachi wants to talk to you. All of you.”
“You mean he wants to turn us into batty brainwashed bats.”
“He merely wants to bring you to the light and out of Satan’s clutches.”
“The only devil in this city is him. He makes you look like a girl guide Toni.”
“I only serve the light now,” she said mechanically. “I am free from the devils that were inside me.”
“I bet there’s still a few fluttering about in that curly heid of yours doll. Have a wee chat with them, they can help.” Brodie found the sight of Toni in black trousers and black shirt buttoned right up to her neck bizarre. Not a diamond, fur or cleavage in sight.
“He’s set me free and now he’s going to do the same to you.”
“By using guns? He’s no different to every other petty, limp-dicked little dictator that ever existed on this planet.”
“Do not insult our saviour,” she announced, black eyes widen
ing.
“Boss Lady,” said Caesar. “This isn’t you.”
“On the contrary, it’s the real me. Now out the door, all of you.”
Cain and Abel strolled through the door Toni had entered by.
“Oh not you pair of dicks again,” said Brodie. “Have you no’ learnt yet?”
They both produced guns and aimed them at them, looking intolerably smug.
“After getting your arses kicked so many times you’ve brought your little pop-pops,” said Brodie. “Put them down you cowardly sacks of shite and let’s go with our fists.”
Cain turned his gun on Cass, smiling when distress filled Brodie’s eyes. “One more word from that massive gob of yours and I’ll shoot her. Don’t worry, it won’t be a lethal shot. I might shoot her in the knee, so she won’t be able to do that parkour stuff anymore. Or how about straight into the belly? I know where to plant a bullet so it won’t kill but she might lose a vital organ.” He smiled when Brodie went purple with the effort of containing his rage and controlling his mouth. “Much better. Think of it as a lesson in control from our saviour. Now outside.”
They stepped outside to find two more armed disciples. A large black van was waiting in the alley. One of the disciples pulled open the rear doors. “Get in,” he told them.
“Wait,” said Toni.
Caesar’s eyes filled with hope when she stood before him but she just yanked the second gun from his jacket.
“He has a knife in his left boot too,” she told the bats.
“Boss Lady,” said a hurt Caesar as the knife was removed from his boot.
“I’m not a boss lady anymore,” she told him. “I’m an enlightened being working for the light.” Her eyes narrowed. “Now get in the fucking van.”
After they were all frisked for weapons and their phones were confiscated, they were ushered into the van.
“This is just too surreal,” said Cass as they climbed inside.
“I know hen,” replied Brodie. “I’m hoping I’m asleep and I start having the recurring dream about being chased naked by a giant chicken down Argyle Street. That would be less weird than this.”
“I hate it when you have that dream. You wake me up with your shouting about feathers.”
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