by S FEATES
I opened the steel door and pulled out the shelf that held the large coffin. Howard brushed past me and pulled open the lid. His face was frozen in shock and disbelief at the sight of the body.
''How did you manage this? It would normally take three men to subdue Gregor and that was on an off day.'' There was a touch of awe in his voice as he spoke despite the gravity of the situation the dead Russian posed.
''I think he must have had a heart attack when I gave him a burst from the stun gun. It's the only thing I can think of.'' I felt quite proud of the achievement.
''This gives us untold problems Steve, Gregor was a trusted employee and it won't improve Dmitry's mood that you killed him. We can't leave him here or we are likely to be just as dead.'' All thought of revealing the truth had been forgotten this now took precedence over that. ''Where is his car, the Chrysler?''
''I parked it a few miles away why?''
''You need to go and get it and we will use it to transport the body away from here.'' Howard was hastily forming a plan to save their skins.
''But I've already booked an emergency slot at the crematorium for the day after tomorrow to get rid of him.'' It had been my first thought after I realised he was dead.
''We can't wait that long. There is to be a meeting at the office in London tomorrow at noon and we are summoned. Gregor needs to be somewhere else before then. Get the car now!'' Howard was agitated and his nerves were becoming frayed.
''Well it would be quicker if you gave me a lift then.''
Howard drove me to where I had left the Chrysler and I drove it back to the funeral parlour. On the way to get it Howard explained what he had in mind.
''We will put the body back in the car and drive out into the park later this evening. I know a secluded spot where nobody goes after dark, one of us will then use Gregor's gun to shoot him in the head. Whoever does it must make sure Gregor's hand is holding the gun so that there is enough gunshot residue to confuse the police. At first sight it will look like a suicide but obviously there will be factors coming to light at the autopsy which will disprove that fact i.e. lack of blood at the scene due to the heart not beating when he was shot and obviously the medical evidence of the heart attack some hours earlier which killed him. The police will be baffled for a long time I hope but by then we will hopefully be in the clear with the Nevsky's.'' Howard was convinced the plan would work. It had to.
Between us we hauled the body from the coffin and back into the passenger seat of the Chrysler. It was a damn site easier with two than it had been when I did it alone. Gregor looked like he was asleep which was fine with us. I offered to get the gun out of the safe.
''No I will get it, you get some gloves and when I return we will go.''
Howard opened the safe and pulled out the MP-443 Grach pistol, a standard side arm used by the Russian military and Gregor's favoured choice of weapon. He then took out the stun gun. The stun gun he hid in his jacket pocket and the pistol he carried through to give to Black.
''Here take this, you can do the shooting as it's your mess.''
I had no experience with guns so Howard gave me a brief lesson on what to do and warned me about the kick and the loud bang. There was no time to practice and so it was to be one chance to get it right. I was nervous as Hell. I drove the Chrysler and followed Howard to his remote spot in the woods. The Viano was parked a short distance from the Chrysler's final destination so as not to contaminate the area. I had already started dragging Gregor back into the driver's seat when Howard walked up to help.
''Open the driver's window it will make it easier.''
I opened the window and then shut the door. Standing outside and leaning in I took hold of Gregor's hand and wrapped his fingers around the butt. It was difficult as rigor was beginning to set in, the effect of the cold storage had retarded the start of rigor mortis but now it was making up for lost time. Once I had the fingers tightly wrapped and the trigger finger in place I pushed the barrel of the pistol into Gregor's mouth and angled the barrel so it pointed up. Turning my face away I gingerly pressed home the dead man's finger. The loud bang caught me by surprise and I staggered back letting go of the hand. The top of Gregor's skull and a good deal of his brain were now decorating the roof lining of the Chrysler and as predicted by Howard there was no blood spraying everywhere. I looked at my right arm and saw that it was surprisingly clean. Gregor's arm had dropped into his lap still holding the MP-443.
''Good work Steve you've just shot your first dead man., let's get out of here quick.'' Howard laughed and patted me on the back.
My ears were ringing from the sound of the shot and it took until we were back inside the funeral parlour before they had returned to normal.
Howard made me a strong cup of coffee and we sat and talked. The meeting tomorrow would be a tetchy affair he said and we must have our stories straight. Then he told me his version of the fire at Brentwood. Derek and Sylvie were dead, he had just been told by Dmitry that Viktor had sent Gregor to kill them. I couldn't get my head around the news but it explained why I couldn't reach Sylvie. Howard said he didn't know my car had been stolen but he surmised that Gregor had gained entry, taken my car keys and used them to steal the Audi in an attempt to frame me for the murder. Fortunately for Howard, Gregor couldn't argue differently. I was filled with rage at the senseless killing of Sylvie, she was not involved with any of this, Derek had known the risk but he could handle himself. I blamed myself for letting Derek suggest staying at the penthouse, I should have foreseen the danger. I vowed to get my revenge.
EIGHT LIVES ALL DOWN TO LIES
34
The news bulletins were all talking about the body found in a secluded area of Richmond Park. The details were sketchy but the speculation was that a man had been found shot in the head in his car. Reports ranged from suicide to a gangland killing, police were keeping details of the crime under wraps for operational reasons. More information would be released as and when the opportunity arose.
In other news police were looking for the prime suspect in the Brentwood arson murder, a description and e-fit was broadcast and the image displayed bore a close resemblance to Steve Black. The authorities had no name for the suspect but it was claimed that he had rented an apartment in the block some time before the arson attack. Witnesses had given a description of the man and his car to the police. The car had already been impounded as evidence.
Police had looked at the records for the tenants at the letting agents and there was no record for the apartment situated below the penthouse. According to the agent it had been empty for two years. Sylvie Braxton kept the flat empty from time to time according to the agent as she liked to rent it for cash now and again. It was a tax fiddle and illegal.
Information was continually updated and drip fed to the public due to a new development in the case, a file had been handed in to the police that contained sensitive details pertaining to the crime. The Serious Crime Squad were now involved and they were controlling all media output.
I had seen the news and the e-fit and felt self conscious about being seen in public so I elected to stay in reception until it was time to leave for the meeting. Grace was there and we passed the time chatting.
''How long have you been here Grace?'' I wasn't sure if I had asked before.
''Forever it seems. I was married to the former owner, we met at a funeral weird as it sounds. I was working and he was a family member of the deceased. We got to talking and hit it off straight away, we had lots in common besides both working in the industry. He told me all about this place and asked me to visit, I never left. We married forty years ago next week as it happens. He had been married before and I was in my thirties and a spinster, so I came to marriage a bit later than most I suppose. Fate can be cruel and after only six years of wedded bliss he was taken from me. A short illness and he was gone.'' She wiped away a tear at the memory.
''I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you.'' I handed Grace a tissue from the box she kept
on her desk.
''Don't be daft Steve, I'm just a silly, sentimental old woman. I arranged his funeral myself, a grand affair it was too. His family had to come from a long way away and I had to source accommodation for all of them. I took over running the business by myself until Howard came along and made me an offer I couldn't refuse. He said I could stay on as I was well known in the area and people liked continuity. I liked Howard and agreed to work for him.''
''Did Mr Beresford come up with the name Rest Assured for the funeral parlour?'' I asked trying to lighten the mood.
''Beresford is my Maiden name I reverted back after his death, but no my husband, Alex, was more of a traditionalist. The new name was all Howards idea.'' She picked up a framed wedding photograph taken forty years before and showed it to me. ''This is me and Alex on our wedding day.''
I looked at the photo, there was something familiar about Alex but I couldn't put my finger on it. ''You look beautiful, lovely dress.''
''Thank you, you're making me blush.'' Grace was embarrassed by the compliment.
The phone rang interrupting our conversation. Grace took the call and after a short one sided conversation she said to me.
''That was Howard, he said that your presence is not now required at the meeting and that he will speak to you when he returns.''
I didn't know whether to be relieved or worried. I found it a bit odd that I was not required and I was suspicious as to why. Howard would have to explain the reasons. Perhaps he saw me as a liability because of Gregor. As long as the air was cleared it made no difference to me. I had time on my hands and I would make good use of it by plotting my revenge for Sylvie and Derek. I resumed my conversation with Grace.
''You must be past retirement age why are you still working?''
''I love the job, helping people means a lot to me and besides what else would I do. Seventy five is the new sixty five these days,'' she laughed, ''I'm fit and could still shift a body around if needed just like I did in the old days.''
I was surprised. ''You used to lift the bodies, surely not!'' She looked like a frail old woman but there did seem to be an underlying strength and vitality about her.
''Not so much now but I could if needed, don't judge a book by its tatty old cover.'' She smiled and then returned to her work.
Howard was informed that Black wasn't required after the news bulletin had aired. The Nevsky's had seen it and decided that Black was a liability. Viktor was secretly pleased that Gregor had managed to frame Black but Dmitry was more pragmatic about it, he saw it as a problem. Black could be linked back to them and that would be a disaster, why didn't Viktor see it that way. The two brothers had argued long into the night about Viktor's reckless stupidity. Viktor railed against the idea of being sent back to Russia he viewed it as an unjustified punishment for doing what Dmitry should have done already. In the end Dmitry won as he always did when the two of them had a fight.
Howard arrived dead on the dot of noon and was shown in by the new doorman Igor. Igor was built just like Gregor, in fact they could have been brothers.
''Hello Howard good to see you again.'' Dmitry was all smiles as he welcomed him in.
Viktor was sitting behind the desk and scowled at Howard, he was still sulking about being sent back home to Russia.
''The news bulletins are very disturbing don't you think Howard?' Dmitry wasn't smiling anymore. ''This dead man in the woods sounds very much like our missing friend Gregor. How can that be?''
''Black told me yesterday that he had killed Gregor, I didn't believe him. Gregor is a man mountain and Black could never have bested him in a fight let alone get him to a remote spot and shoot him. But I agree it sounds very much like your man.'' He was telling the truth just altering the facts.
''So he must have had an accomplice then?'' Viktor chimed in from behind the desk. ''Where were you when Gregor was dying?''
Dmitry stepped in breaking the tension that hung like a toxic cloud between the two men. ''Howard was collecting me from Farnborough.''
''Lucky for you Howard, having my brother as your alibi is fortuitous.'' He was annoyed at getting slapped down again.
''Black did it I am sure, accomplice or not. The question is what are we going to do about it. The man has become a liability. What with that and this Brentwood business, his face on every TV screen in the south east is unacceptable, the risk is too great for us. You chose him as your successor Howard so it should be your responsibility to remove him.''
''I have a solution in mind but there is something I want in return.'' Howard was pushing his luck.
''You dare to make demands!'' Viktor stood up and was about to walk round the desk when his brother intervened.
''This is your mess too Viktor! Let's hear what Howard has to say before making judgement. Sit down.''
''I want to go back home to Boston. Grace has said she would take back the business and I think she means it. I have pushed my luck recently, mostly since Black arrived on the scene and I take full responsibility for that. I will put that right but I want to leave with your blessing, I have served you well and for many years so I think I deserve that much. I have a plane ticket booked on British Airways tomorrow and I will dispose of Black before I go.''
Dmitry said nothing for a long while. He suddenly opened his arms stepped forward and embraced Howard in a tight bear hug, slapping him on the back and saying.
''It's a deal. You are right you have been loyal and I am sure Viktor will agree that you deserve our respect and thanks. You take your plane home tomorrow with our good grace but only after you have taken care of Black.'' Dmitry let go of the shaken Howard and walked back to the desk where Viktor was sitting seething with rage. Dmitry stood by him and squeezed his shoulder to keep him sitting down.
''You should go now Howard you have a lot to do before tomorrow.''
Howard thanked the brothers and left as fast as he could. As soon as he had gone Dmitry picked up the phone and made a call.
''Hello Boris my old friend how is the weather over there?.....Good, here it is not so good but why should we worry eh?.....Absolutely. There is a package arriving in Boston tomorrow on a British Airways flight from Heathrow can you collect it and deal with it when it arrives?.....Yes it needs to be taken out of circulation you understand?.....Good, I will email you details later, goodbye Boris.'' He hung up and dialled another number. ''Hello Aunt Grace, how are you?''
35
Howard arrived back at about 1.30pm he was looking old and tired, even a cup of Grace's tea failed to lift his fatigue.
''Can you pop down to the wholesalers Grace and pick up some more of that eco foam that we use to line the caskets, we've run low and I think we will need some.'' Howard wanted Grace out the way for a while.
''Of course Howard, I will just get my coat and I'll go.''
When Grace had gone Howard gave Black a shortened version of the meeting with the Nevsky's.
''It seems we are off the hook, they believe that Gregor was shot by a rival gang and they are too busy plotting revenge to worry about us. I said that everything here was under control and they were pleased. Can you take the Viano down to the garage and fill it up I'm afraid I forgot on the way back.''
''Sure, no problem. I'm pleased that we are all good I was worried. What about my car the police still have it, isn't that a cause for concern?'' I was worried that the police would be knocking on our door soon.
''Dmitry has a few high rank policemen on his payroll and he assures me the car will be buried along with any evidence linking you to the fire in Brentwood. We must forget all about that now. Go get the gas.'' Howard tried to sound confident despite the fact it was all lies.
Once Howard was alone he grabbed a pen and an A4 sheet of paper and wrote a letter to Grace, when he finished he put the letter in an envelope and wrote Dear Grace on it. He walked into the embalming room moved the empty coffin and positioned it on the steel table, Grace would re-line it later but first he needed to prepare something f
or her.
Howard finished what he was doing and went back into the kitchen, he had a large flat bladed screwdriver in his hand. Walking over to the hob he turned on the gas, lit the largest burner and held the screwdriver over the flame. When it was glowing red hot he took it to the kitchen table, sat down rolled up his shirt sleeve and pressed the tool to his forearm holding it there until the pain caused him to pass out.
I walked in and threw the Viano keys onto the desk in reception, I was a bit pissed off as it still had half a tank of fuel in it. What was Howard playing at. As I walked into the kitchen there was the unmistakable smell of burning flesh, I saw Howard slumped over at the table and rushed over to assist him. I saw the screwdriver still gripped tightly in his right hand and I also saw the long, red, blistering mark seared deep into his left arm just above two other scars that looked vaguely similar in size and shape. Howard had branded himself again which meant only one thing, he felt he had made an error of judgement. What was it I wondered and was it anything to do with me or the earlier meeting with the Nevsky's.
I took a tea towel and soaked it in cold water then placed it on the angry burn on his arm, the touch of the cold cloth made Howard stir and slowly he came too.
''What the Hell were you thinking Howard?'' I asked as he sat there blinking his red rimmed eyes, he wasn't quite with it yet.
''I've screwed up Steve and I needed to be punished. You know how I feel about making mistakes. This is the price I pay for my failure.'' He pushed the towel away and waved his injured left arm in my face.
''I thought you said we were all good with the Nevsky's?''
''We are but that doesn't make it right up here!'' He tapped his temple with his forefinger to emphasise his point. ''I cannot let it go without a permanent reminder that we nearly lost everything. It's what I do.'' He got up and crossed to the sink to get a glass of water.