by S FEATES
''No he didn't suffer at my hands he was already in a bad way from what Viktor had done to him. I just put him out of his misery.'' It was true as far as I was concerned anyway.
''What to do now that's the question. You say that this Dmitry is away for two weeks and you reckon that you can square things with him when he comes back. How certain are you?''
''I can't be a hundred percent but it's all I can think of.'' I could understand his consternation, after all it was his life on the line. ''The only other way is to kill them all.''
Derek laughed, ''Good luck with that, they are worse than fucking Gypsies for holding a grudge. No, they will keep sending someone until me and all my family and friends are dead, you will be on their radar too if you don't do as they order. Don't think that Dmitry won't back his brother in this, blood is definitely thicker than water with them.'' He rolled the cut glass tumbler between his palms. ''I will disappear for two weeks, maybe go and stay at Sylvies. You tell Viktor that I have gone on holiday and you can't get to me until I return, that might buy you time. Speak to Dmitry and if it's no go then we will have to come up with a plan B. Meanwhile I will give it some more thought.''
I was relieved that he was taking the news so calmly. I would have been climbing the walls.
''If that's what you think then I am in. I will call Viktor tomorrow with the bad news and see if the shit hits the fan. I won't call you unless it's absolutely necessary. Will you tell Sylvie what's what?''
''No the least she knows the better, I will just say that I am hiding from a jealous husband she will understand that. I've got form.'' He chuckled to himself at the memory of it.
''She will, she's a diamond. I wish I had never left Brentwood.'' It was heartfelt.
I wasn't lying, since I had returned to work in the funeral trade I realised how much I had missed it. I enjoyed every minute of it and dealing with death every day I had now lost my appetite for killing people.
''Well I suppose I am partly to blame for that as it was me that introduced you to Howard. I'm sorry I didn't know who he was mixed up with.'' There was genuine remorse in Derek's voice. ''I knew they were criminals but not Russians, had I known I would have warned you off.
''Well don't be too hard on yourself it was my mad obsession to become a bloody hitman. We are all grownups so we must take responsibility for our own actions.'' I was ready to make the long trip back to Richmond so got up.
''Thanks for the heads up Steve, I owe you one. Good luck with Viktor and stay safe.''
''You too Derek.'' I patted him on the shoulder and left.
Blondie watched Black return to his car and drive off. Black didn't look to be in any hurry and he looked too relaxed for someone who had just killed another man. Perhaps he was just preparing the groundwork, he would continue to watch him. He followed the Audi all the way back to Rest Assured and then made a call.
28
The following morning I awoke to the news that a man had been arrested in Richmond Park late yesterday afternoon. A woman out walking her dog had been the victim of an attempted sexual assault, the only reason she escaped was because her dog defended her by biting the man's arm. The dog had refused to release its grip on the man despite being battered with his free arm. The diversion gave the woman enough time to call the police and shout for help. The attacker was arrested and taken to hospital where his injuries were being treated. My first thought was for Jenny's safety so I rang her mobile.
''Hi Steve, how are you. Is there a problem with Mr Price?'' She sounded pretty cheerful for the victim of a recent assault.
''No he's fine, or at least the dead one is. I was more concerned about you are you ok?'' I was still worried despite her happy demeanour.
''Fine, why wouldn't I be?'' She sounded confused.
''The attack yesterday in the park, I thought it was you.''
''Oh that, no silly that wasn't me but thanks for your concern. I didn't go to the park as it happens, I bumped into an old girlfriend of mine in a bar and we had several drinks and ended up back at her place.'' She said happily. '' You could say that my itch has now been well and truly scratched.'' She giggled.
''Thank God for that. I was really worried that it was you. I am glad you're safe.'' I was relieved by the news that she was safe and sound.
''I will see you soon, I must go as I have to get Daisy some breakfast, she doesn't have only the one big appetite to satisfy. Bye.'' She was gone.
Lucky girl I thought and I didn't mean Jenny. I too had breakfast and then before I headed down to work I gave Viktor a call knowing he wouldn't be happy!
''This is not the news I was expecting Mr Black, I am very disappointed in fact. You say he is on holiday and you don't know where, unbelievable. If what you say is true I will get my people onto it and they will track Williams down and then you can kill him. You have gone down in my estimation Mr Black and I am not happy. Dmitry will have to be told about this when he returns, it may be that we will have to reconsider your position with us.'' His anger was evident by the tone of his voice.
''I'm sorry Mr Nevsky but what can I do? Williams travels about a lot and from what I can gather it's not unusual for him to take off at short notice.'' I did my best to sound convincing. ''I will keep trying to locate him and when I do he is as good as dead.''
''The time frame has not changed, you have less than two weeks to do this and if at the end of that time Williams is not dead then mark my words, you will be.'' The line went dead.
That was me told! Everything now hinged on Dmitry's reaction when he returned and I wasn't convinced one iota it would be favourable.
Howard and Grace were listening to the local news, I walked in and they both looked up.
''Did you hear Steve? David Price has been arrested, he tried to assault a woman in the park yesterday and got bitten for his trouble.'' Howard was not celebrating, it confirmed I had killed the wrong brother.
''How appalling, how are we going to look Mrs Price in the eye when she comes in.'' Grace was naturally concerned about the other victim in all this.
''We carry on as normal and try not to mention it.'' I suggested.
''I agree,'' said Howard, ''it's none of our business, we are here for Mrs Price and she will get all our support. Can you give me a moment in the office Steve?''
'Sure!'' I replied wondering what he wanted.
We entered the office and he closed the door.
''I called Jenny this morning, I thought she was the victim.'' I said.
''Very gallant of you I'm sure. You do realise what this news means don't you?'' Howard was very tetchy.
''Yes I know I killed the wrong man, we can't change history now so we must move on. At least the right one was captured in the end.'' I could be tetchy too.
''I don't want you doing anything else without my full approval from now on, you understand?''
''As far as I recall we made the decision together,'' I was determined to argue the point, ''I had your full support as I remember.''
''Let's leave it. There are more important things to concern ourselves with.'' He didn't elaborate.
Viktor had called Howard and told him about the conversation with Black earlier that morning. He took his frustration out on Howard and he wanted answers. Howard now had to find out where Williams was and he was not happy about it.
''I don't suppose you've heard from Derek Williams lately have you?'' It was a question out of the blue. ''I am waiting for some information from him and he is leaving it a bit late.''
''I haven't spoken to him in ages,'' I was suspicious of Howard's motive, ''I take it you've tried ringing him?''
''Yes and his secretary said he was called away. He might have let me know before he went.''
''Maybe he will call you from wherever he is with your information.'' I played along with the charade.
Obviously Howard had been contacted by Viktor and he was on a fishing trip. I had to tread carefully if I wanted to keep breathing.
''I hope so
, I need that data. If you hear anything let me know.''
''Course I will Howard. I must go now Mrs Price will be in shortly to view her husband.''
I left the office and Howard picked up his Nokia and called Viktor.
Mrs Price was distraught when she came in, she had been up most of the night. The police had been round to see her and they told her of David's arrest. She couldn't comprehend the gravity of the situation.
''I'm sorry to hear about your brother-in-law Mrs Price,'' Grace was comforting her once again, ''so much tragedy in such a short space of time, you must be devastated.''
''There must be a mistake David isn't like that.'' Janet Price sobbed into the tissue that Grace had handed her.
Oh yes he is I thought. The poor woman didn't deserve this and I did feel a touch of remorse for killing her husband.
''Would you like to come through and see Brendon now Mrs Price? He is ready for you.'' I asked as gently as possible.
She nodded and with Grace by her side she followed me through to the viewing room.
Outside Blondie had taken a call from Viktor, he started his car and drove off in the direction of Essex. He was to visit Brentwood and check to see if Williams was holed up with Sylvie Braxton. Howard had told Viktor that Black hadn't seen Williams but Viktor knew it was a lie, Blondie had seen him visit the Fenchurch Street office. Howard suggested that Brentwood was the first place to look. He hadn't wanted to get involved, Sylvie and Derek were good people but his life was on the line too and he wasn't ready to die either.
29
The headlines the following day announced that the Richmond Rapist had finally been caught. David Price had confessed to the crimes and at the same time he had incriminated his brother Brendon, David made a statement that Brendon was his accomplice and it was he who supplied the alibis for the timings of the rapes. Because they were identical twins it was easy to dupe the authorities. During the enquiry the police had held back certain information from the public, specifically the heart tattoo on David's arm, all three victim's had described seeing the tattoo and it was regarded as crucial evidence. When the police questioned Brendon about the offences he was asked to show his arms to them, of course Brendon never had a tattoo so he was eliminated straight away. David and Brendon often swapped roles as the cab driver when it suited, not only when David wanted to commit his crimes but also for the benefit of Brendon who was engaged in an affair with a woman on the other side of town. Janet thought he was working when in fact it was David covering for him.
The day of the funeral was mayhem, there was a great deal of media presence and David had been given permission to attend, he arrived handcuffed to a plain clothes police officer. Janet refused to talk to him and even went as far as spitting in his face when he tried to apologise. The rest of the family gave him a wide berth also. Apart from the media there were many local people there too and they were very vocal in their opinions of the Price family. None of it good. The funeral, once we were all inside the church, went smoothly, afterwards Janet cried as she thanked us before departing to face the barrage of insults that were waiting outside the church.
''I suppose, knowing what we know now, it was true that Brendon took his own life. It goes to show that you never really know people do you? He was a good Christian man and the last person I would have said to have an affair and commit suicide, it goes against everything he believed in. Maybe all the guilt was too much for him, I don't know. As for David he is just pure evil.'' Janet wiped away the tears, straightened her back and walked with great dignity out to face the abuse.
The service at the crematorium was a family only affair and David wasn't invited so the police took him away. We carried the coffin into the crematorium and placed it on the plinth. While the service was going on we took the flowers round the side to the viewing area at the back so that afterwards mourners could read the tributes written on them. There was a large floral arrangement in the shape of a black cab which came from all the cabbies in Richmond and a large floral cross from Janet Price. We read a few of the cards on the smaller offerings before departing to wait for Janet out front so we could take her back home.
Blondie sat outside the four storey apartment block in Shenfield Road watching for any sign of life from behind the windows of the top floor penthouse apartment. After a couple of hours he was rewarded by the sight of Derek Williams pulling the net curtain aside and scanning the street below. Checking the photograph he had by his side Blondie confirmed it was indeed Williams. Blondie rang Viktor to tell him the news.
''Hello Mr Nevsky, I have just seen Williams at the apartment of the Braxton woman, I can confirm for sure it is him.''
''So I was lied to by Black, but then we knew that already didn't we Gregor.'' Viktor was seething with rage. ''Now we know for sure he is there you must go back to Richmond and carry out the orders I gave you yesterday. Do not let me down Gregor.'' There was no need to threaten, his reputation was threat enough.
''No mister Nevsky consider it done.'' Gregor cut the connection and left Brentwood.
Once Janet Price was back home we headed straight back to Rest Assured and gave Grace a brief resumé of the funeral. She was disgusted at the behaviour of the people who shouted abuse at Mrs Price outside the church.
''They should know better. There is a time and a place for anger and retribution and a funeral is not it.''
''Well emotions are running high at the moment and people will always vent their frustration and feelings regardless.'' I tried to calm her down with logic but it was pointless.
''It's a disgrace! The man they should be hounding is David Price not the poor widow.'' She continued her rant as she headed off to the kitchen.
I felt vindicated in one way, hearing the news that Brendon was in some way associated with the crimes of his brother made me feel less guilty about taking his life. I just wish I had killed David though instead. But that was in the past now I had my future to worry about.
30
It was late and dark when Howard walked out the back door of Rest Assured and walked over to the black Chrysler that was parked opposite, he tapped on the window waking up the occupant asleep at the wheel.
Gregor opened the window and yawned, it had been a long day and he was tired. He held out a gloved hand and Howard dropped a set of keys into it.
''The car is parked around the back, make sure nobody sees you take it Gregor. The things you asked for are in the trunk. I will take your car and park it up somewhere safe, when you are finished call me and I will drive over and collect you, understood.''
''I'm not an idiot Howard, it was you who screwed this up. Viktor wants blood and it's not going to be mine. I would watch yourself from now on and do as you are told.'' He shut the window and opened the door.
Howard slid in after Gregor and started the engine. ''I shall make amends for my error in judgement do not worry about that Gregor. Just you worry about your end!'' He drove off before there was a chance to reply.
Gregor stealthily crept around to the rear of Rest Assured and found the car parked where Howard had said, opened it and slid in. After adjusting the seat and mirror he started up the engine and pulled out into the night. He was soon making good progress as he headed towards his target.
Sylvie was tired she had been out shopping in the West End most of the day and her feet were sore. Derek had made dinner and she was opening a bottle of expensive red wine.
''Smells divine Derek darling.'' She sniffed the air over his shoulder as he stirred the casserole.
''Least I could do Sylv, I had to do something I was going stir crazy and it's only been a couple of days. Don't know if I can stand this for two weeks.'' He tasted the dish with a wooden spoon and added more pepper.
''Charming! Is my company that terrible then?'' Sylvie whinged as she poured the wine. ''I've told you, you needn't sleep on the couch my bed is big enough for three let alone two and it will help pass the time.''
''I appreciate the offer love and
you know I would jump into bed with you in a heartbeat but I need to concentrate and you would be a distraction, a bloody fine one but still a distraction nonetheless.'' He tasted the food again. ''This is ready, let's eat.''
Gregor pulled into the underground garage and switched off the engine. All he needed to do was wait until the early hours when everyone was fast asleep then he would carry out the plan. He had checked the contents of the trunk and true to his word Howard had supplied everything he had promised, the job was as good as done.
''That was fantastic, I should marry you Derek.'' Sylvie wiped the corners of her mouth on a napkin as she heaped praise on the chef.
''You had your chance but turned me down. Too late now for regrets.'' Derek answered her as he cleared the plates away.
It was true, a lifetime ago Derek had proposed to Sylvie but she loved her freedom and her job so she said no it was not the right time. Derek never asked again.
''Well you can't blame a girl for trying. I'm off for a bath and then bed so if you fancy scrubbing my back jump in.'' She rose from the table and headed for the bathroom.
''In your dreams! The only thing I'm scrubbing is these dishes. See you in the morning.''
Sylvie bathed while Derek washed up and then the two of them went to their separate beds. It didn't take long before they were both asleep.
The fire brigade got the call around six on Sunday morning. The top floor of an apartment block was ablaze and there was someone trapped inside. They responded within ten minutes by which time the fire was already out of control. A man had been found lying on the ground at the back of the block and he was critically injured, an ambulance had been called and he was currently being treated by paramedics. Four appliances soon had the fire back under control and two officers entered the building to check for casualties. Breaking into the smouldering, waterlogged penthouse they found the severely burned bodies of a middle aged woman and a Persian cat curled up together in a foetal position in the corner of a bedroom. There was no sign of anyone else in the apartment.