MURDER BY SUICIDE

by S FEATES

  I couldn't wait until then. ''Thanks Howard. What are we going to do about David Price, he could strike again and now he is angry he might do something worse.'' I hoped he wasn't giving up.

  ''Nothing, we will have to admit defeat and leave it. The police will be all over it now and we cannot afford to get involved, anyway I suspect the rapes will cease now even if David Price was or wasn't the offender. If it was him he may stop of his own volition either through the guilt of losing his brother or simply because he will no longer have an alibi, the taxi will no doubt have to be sold and without Brendon the opportunities will dry up. If the rapist was Brendon, which I now doubt, then the crimes will stop because he is dead.'' Howard had made up his mind.

  ''I agree we shouldn't do anything at this time but maybe in the future if the rapes continue then I will personally go after David Price.'' I was defiant that justice would be served.

  ''What you do when I retire is down to you Steve but don't involve this establishment while I am still here.'' There was a subtle threat in Howards reply.

  ''Of course, I would not dream of it Howard. We shall have to agree to disagree on this I think.'' I left it at that.

  25

  I sat in the Audi thinking of a hundred reasons why I shouldn't just drive off instead of getting out and taking the elevator up to the office where Viktor Nevsky was waiting for me. I came up with no good reasons and so I took a deep breath and let fate decide.

  Blondie was waiting in his usual place by the double doors and as I approached he stopped me and ordered me to raise my arms while he patted me down for concealed weapons. Finding none, he knocked on the door and to my surprise Viktor opened it, he must have been waiting on the other side of the door for me. I was even more concerned now.

  ''Come in my friend.'' He extended his arm towards the interior of the office as he spoke to direct me in. ''It is good that you are on time. We have much to discuss and I am anxious to get started.''

  I walked in and he closed the door behind me but only after he had passed on some instruction to Blondie who nodded that he understood.

  ''How can I be of assistance Mr Nevsky?'' I wanted the business concluded as soon as possible. Whatever it was.

  ''I won't offer you a drink as I remember you do not.'' He sat down at the desk and opened a folder. Picking up a photo he looked at it and said. ''This man has been taking an interest in our business and we don't like people who take an unauthorised interest in our business. We want him eliminated Mr Black.'' He smiled up at me as he condemned the man in the photo to death.

  I couldn't see who was in the photograph from where I stood.

  ''I am sorry my brother couldn't be here today he is in Moscow, he is visiting our Mother and taking care of some business at the same time. Sucking up to that pig Alexi Kominsky. No doubt he is poisoning my brother against me!'' Viktor had a look of pure hatred in his eyes.

  He suddenly remembered where he was and changed the subject. ''Do you like movies Mr Black?'' he posed the question as he put the photo back in the folder .

  Fucking odd thing to ask me! ''Yes I suppose I do, why do you ask?''

  ''I love the movies too, especially the gangster movies. Tarantino is my all time favourite Director and my favourite film is Reservoir Dogs, have you seen it?''

  ''Yes of course, it's a very good film.'' This was getting beyond bizarre.

  ''You remind me of one of the gang who carried out the diamond heist. You remember there was Mr White, Mr Blue etc. you are Mr Black.'' Viktor laughed out loud leaving me feeling very uneasy.

  I decided to laugh along with this crazy, unhinged nut.

  ''Yes I see the connection, very good.'' I laughed along with Viktor.

  Viktor stopped laughing and opened the folder again, he picked up the photo and handed it to me. ''I want him dead by the end of the week Mr Black.''

  I looked down at the photo and my heart sank. The man in the photo was none other than my good friend Derek Williams.

  ''Here are all the details you need, I don't want to find out that this time next week he is still breathing, you understand?'' He was deadly serious.

  I couldn't speak and just stood there nodding as I looked at the photo.

  ''Now Mr Black that concludes our business. If you, sorry when you, complete this task there will be a large token of our appreciation paid into your account. But if he is not dealt with by the time Dmitry is back then he will deal with you personally.'' He rose from his seat and shook my hand as he pointed to the door.

  Back in the Audi I put the folder on the passenger seat and sat there staring at it. The thought of touching it made me feel sick, how could I kill Derek he had been a good friend to me and all he had done wrong was look into the background of a Russian bloke who worked at the Embassy. The Nevsky's certainly deserved their ruthless reputation. I needed to seriously think this one through, the Sword of Damocles was hanging over me and I had to work out where my loyalty lay. It came down to a straight choice Derek or me.

  As I drove away from the Nevsky building I didn't notice the car keeping pace with me two vehicles behind. Blondie had been assigned by Viktor to follow me.

  26

  I decided to drop by and see Sylvie over in Brentwood. There was probably mail to pick up and I needed the company even if I couldn't tell her about Derek and what I had to do. She was at home when I arrived and she was pleased to see me.

  ''Hello stranger!'' She said as she planted a great big kiss full on my lips. ''What brings you to Essex. I didn't expect to see you again now that you are playing with the big boys.''

  ''I would never forget you my sweet after all those memories we've shared.'' I hugged her tight and didn't want to let go.

  ''What's wrong?'' Sylvie looked concerned as she pulled away and held me at arm's length. ''I know there is something.''

  ''It's nothing, I'm just getting sentimental ignore me.'' I looked away. ''How's that mangy old Persian I dumped on you?'' Change the subject Steve.

  ''She is doing fine, she misses you too.'' She wasn't convinced but didn't press me on it. ''I suppose you're here for a mercy shag?'' She laughed.

  ''Never crossed my mind. I've been beating women off with a stick over in Richmond but if you insist I suppose I could accommodate you.'' I dodged the slap that was headed my way.

  We ended up in bed and as Sylvie enjoyed her post coital smoke she tried again.

  ''You would tell me if there was something wrong wouldn't you Steve?'' She stroked my hair as she asked. ''Is Jackie ok?''

  ''He's doing well, loves his new home and has already caught three mice.'' I couldn't tell her the truth she was a friend of Derek's too. ''To tell you the truth I'm not sure I made the right choice when I went to work with Howard, but it's too late now and I have to make the best of it.''

  ''Is there no way out, I haven't let the apartment yet if you want to come back.''

  ''No it's a one way deal and the people I have signed up to now own me. Bit like a marriage, you know, until death us do part.'' It sounded a bit over dramatic but that was the reality. ''Anyway enough of my problems.'' I took the cigarette from her hand and stubbed it out. ''Round two!''

  Sylvie made us dinner and over a glass of red wine we put the world to rights. I was sorry when it was time to leave her.

  ''I will be in touch Sylv, you take care and make sure you don't let that apartment to some flash git with a big cock.''

  She kissed me on the cheek and said. ''How could there be another like you out there. I'm not that lucky.''

  I drove back to Richmond, I was in a bad place and my mind was racing. How could I solve this problem and still keep both Derek and I alive. I could kill the Nevsky brothers, that was one solution or I could warn Derek and then be looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life. I could even fake my own death and let Derek save his own skin. None of the above had a snowballs chance in Hell of working. I decided in the end that I would go against Viktor's wishes and tell Howard to see what he suggested,
after all he had more experience with the Russians than I did.

  I parked the car and made my way into Rest Assured. Blondie, who unbeknown to me had shadowed me all the way to Brentwood and then to Richmond parked up too.

  ''Can I have a quick word Howard?''

  He was busy washing down the steel table in the embalming room where he had just finished pumping fluid into the body of a young lad who had been killed in a motorbike accident.

  ''Hi Steve, how was Brentwood? Give me a minute to finish up here and I will see you in my office.''

  I was sitting in the chair waiting for Howard and to pass the time I was looking through the folder that held Derek's information. It was very detailed and for a minute I thought that it had been compiled by Derek himself. It was then that I noticed the writing on some of the pages, it was the unmistakeable handwriting of Howard Saltman. He had compiled the information. I hastily hid the folder beneath my jacket just as he entered the room.

  ''What ails you Steve?'' Howard gave nothing away.

  ''I just wanted to thank you for letting me have the time off, it was very important for me. Sylvie said hello by the way.'' I had to think on my feet, Howard probably knew where I had really been, but why the secrecy between him and Viktor that's what nagged at me.

  ''Nonsense my boy, least I could do. How's the shoulder?''

  ''No marks or bruising. It was a bit stiff for a while but it's as good as new now. Any news on Price?'' I needed time to think.

  ''The body has been released and the police are taking no further action, it looks like suicide despite the family contesting it. The autopsy revealed he had lung cancer and though he had not been diagnosed they said it could be a contributing factor in his decision to take his own life. Obviously the Coroner will have to have his say. But at least the funeral can take place. The Price's will be in tomorrow.''

  ''And are we still letting David Price off the hook?'' I didn't care either way now I had bigger things to worry about.

  ''Afraid so, we have nothing so unless there are more attacks then as far as I am concerned Brendon was the rapist.''

  ''I agree. Any other business I should be aware of, has Derek been in touch again?'' I was fishing now.

  ''Not heard anymore from Derek, he must have supplied all the info he could.'' There was not a hint of any discontent from the way Howard spoke of Derek.

  ''Well I'm off to see Jackie, I will say goodnight and I will see you tomorrow.'' I was wasting my time.

  Back in the flat I pulled out the folder and read it from cover to cover. The information was not recent and most of it was directed for the attention of Dmitry Nevsky there was nothing with Viktor's name on. Howard must have compiled the dossier for Dmitry. I surmised that it would explain the secrecy by Viktor, he must have got hold of it while Dmitry was in Russia and he didn't want Howard to know he had it. Perhaps Dmitry didn't want Derek killed, or at least not yet. I made the decision to mention nothing to Howard, that the best way forward was for me to warn Derek Williams that his life was in peril and that he should hide until Dmitry returned from Russia so that I had the chance to straighten things out. I banked on Dmitry being the saner of the two brothers and that he would see sense. If I was wrong then me and Derek were dead.

  I could have saved my own skin and killed Derek but A. It would have been very difficult and B. I realised that I didn't want to kill him. I liked Derek and it was time to draw a line in the sand, or maybe I had just found out that I had a conscience after all.

  27

  David Price once again accompanied his sister-in-law Janet to the funeral parlour to discuss the arrangements for her late husband. The body of Brendon Price had been released and he was now lying in our cold store. Jenny Groves was here too, she had been called by Howard because he felt that Price's body needed a bit of touching up after the rigours of the autopsy. Janet Price wanted to see her husband and he needed to look his best. Howard was sitting talking to Jenny when the Price's came in.

  Grace directed the two of them to sit by her desk so that they could look through a catalogue to find a suitable coffin. I joined them to give any advice on costing and materials. All the while I sat there I noticed that David couldn't take his eyes off Jenny, he barely looked at the catalogue and now and again murmured his approval when asked his opinion by Janet, he had no idea what he was saying yes or no to.

  I heard Jenny telling Howard that after she finished here she was going to take Sherbet to the park for a walk as it was a nice day, Howard told her to be careful. David Price also heard the conversation. During her chat with Howard Jenny crossed her legs and as she did her skirt, which was short anyway, rode up and exposed a great deal of thigh. I thought that David's eyes were going to pop out, he squirmed in his chair and you could almost read the thoughts that were going through his mind. I decided that I would take back control on Jenny's behalf and so I got up and went and whispered in Howards ear, two minutes later he said to Jenny.

  ''Shall we just pop through to the cold store there is something you should see.''

  Jenny said ok and she got up smoothing her skirt as she stood, she waved at me as she walked off with Howard but more importantly she walked out of the leering, David Price's sight.

  Price looked like a child who'd had his sweets taken away, he gave a deep sigh and turned back to the job in hand. By the time his attention was back Janet had picked out a coffin and was now looking at linings.

  ''I like that one, is it expensive?'' She had taken a shine to a Royal Blue silk. ''It looks kind of Regal, don't you think David?''

  ''Yea, I s'pose. Bet it's dear though.'' He had the right hump now.

  ''It is one of our more expensive lines I must admit but it is popular.'' I thought it was a bit over the top myself, white or cream satin was always my preferred choice for a coffin lining.

  ''I think we'll have it. I can afford it, we have sold the cab and the lads down at the fishing club had a collection along with the money donated by the Black Cabbies Association. They wanted to give Brendon a good send off so I can't let them or him down.'' She was pleased with her choices even if David wasn't. ''When can I see Brendon?''

  ''I don't think it will be possible today, Jenny has promised to have him ready for the morning if you would like to come in then. Around nine thirty perhaps.''

  ''Is this Jenny that young girl who was sitting over there earlier?'' David asked, there was a lustful look in his eye.

  ''Yes, that's right she is the best in her field so Mr Price will be in good hands I can assure you.

  ''She can come and take care of my body any time she likes.'' David's attempt at humour fell flat and he received a slap on the arm from Janet.

  ''David! Remember where we are and why we're here please. I'm sorry about that.'' Janet admonished his coarse behaviour and apologised to us on his behalf. ''I will come by in the morning of course. Thank you for your help.''

  When the Price's had left I went to find the others.

  ''He's a piece of work ain't he. He has taken a shine to you Jenny so be careful in the park.'' I was worried about her.

  ''I thought the rapist was dead. Are you saying it's the brother?'' Jenny was concerned by the revelation. ''Have you informed the police?''

  ''No, we don't know for sure, it's just a hunch.'' Howard played down Jenny's fear. ''Just watch yourself until the police confirm it themselves that's all.''

  ''Well I suppose I can start using black cabs again now they've sold theirs.'' Jenny was looking on the bright side as always.

  ''Fair enough but be aware when in the park. Now you should get started on Price, the grieving widow wants to see him in the morning.

  I finished up a bit earlier as I wanted to get over to Derek's office in Fenchurch Street. I had called him earlier and said I needed to see him today, luckily for us both he was available. I didn't tell him over the phone as it would have been too easy for someone to overhear, anyway face to face was better when you have to tell someone they are on a hit
list.

  The drive over there was a nightmare due to the rush hour traffic but eventually I arrived just after six. Parking was easy as long as you had a small fortune in change to feed the meter. I left the car and walked the short distance to the office.

  Blondie had also found a parking space and he watched as Black entered the building. He took out his old mobile phone and made a call to Viktor Nevsky.

  ''Mr Nevsky, Black has just arrived in Fenchurch Street, he must be visiting Williams...... No I don't know if he is going to kill him tonight......Yes I will wait until Black leaves and then follow him home.......No it would be too risky to enter the building to check if Williams is dead. We will know soon enough.......Ok bye Mr Nevsky.'' Blondie swore at the mobile after he hung up. He wasn't Viktor's biggest fan either, Blondie was Dmitry's man but while he was away Viktor called the shots. Blondie looked at the mobile and made the decision to make another call.

  ''Steve, hello. What was so urgent that you had to fight your way across Town to tell me?'' Derek shook my hand and welcomed me into his office.

  ''It's delicate and I don't know where to begin. I am not sure I believe it myself but it's all true I swear.'' I was struggling for the right words.

  ''Calm down and start from the beginning, always the best policy.'' He pulled me out a seat. ''Sit down.''

  I opened the flood gates and told him everything since I had started working with Howard. Derek listened intently and without interrupting. When I had finished he got up and fixed us both a drink.

  ''Well what can I say. I told you it was bad news getting involved with those Russians, they are crazy bastards. I can't believe that Howard got mixed up with them. Poor old Tony, I take it he didn't suffer?'' Derek downed his Scotch and poured another.

  I hadn't told Derek that I had killed Jackie Nolan but I had revealed the fact that I had taken Tony's life.