Taking Liberties (Liberty Chapman)
Page 28
Jay and Liberty’s cars were parked nearby so she knew full well that the Greenwoods were still inside. Admittedly, she’d taken longer than the hour Mel had given but she should try dealing with buses on a Sunday.
Her mobile rang and she saw it was Sol. ‘Hiya,’ she said.
‘How are you?’ he asked.
‘I’m going to rehab, Sol,’ she said.
There was a pause. ‘Where?’
‘Not sure yet,’ Daisy said. ‘The Greenwoods are sorting it out.’
‘That’s very nice of them.’
Daisy walked around the side of the building to the door at the back of the bar. ‘Well, you know what they’re like, Sol. All heart.’
‘What about Rance?’ Sol asked.
Daisy sighed. ‘I told you before all this that I’m dropping it.’
‘The officer in the case won’t be happy.’
‘That ain’t my problem, Sol. Anyway, if I’m trying to get clean I don’t need the stress. I can’t be dealing with weeks in court being called every sort of cunt by his lawyers,’ she said. ‘Tell the Muslim bird I’m sorry. She seemed all right, but you know how it goes.’
‘Indeed.’
She got to the bar door and yanked it open. ‘Wish me luck?’
‘Good luck, Daisy,’he said. ‘I’ve got everything crossed for you.’
Brixton Dave leered at Dax when the boy entered the bar with the sack of cash. ‘Just what the therapist ordered,’he said.
‘Not really,’ said Liberty, and raised the gun so it was pointing at the young lad’s head.
Brixton Dave cocked his own head to one side. ‘Ain’t you full of surprises, Princess?’
Liberty handed Dax’s weapon to Crystal, who cocked it and aimed at Brixton Dave. ‘Seems you’re outnumbered,’ said Liberty.
Brixton Dave’s left eye began to wink uncontrollably as he stepped swiftly behind Frankie. He grabbed his chin, forced his head up and pushed the gun into Frankie’s mouth. The sound of one of Frankie’s teeth breaking filled the room. ‘Now here’s a thing,’ said Brixton Dave. ‘If you shoot me, what are the chances of my gun going off?’ He shoved the gun further into Frankie’s throat, making him gag. ‘What odds do you give your baby brother?’
Liberty felt Crystal stiffen beside her. The odds were very poor indeed.
‘See, I’m not a gambling man.’ Brixton Dave hauled Frankie to his feet. Blood-flecked spittle flew from Frankie’s mouth as he choked. ‘Frankie here will tell you that I don’t even play the slot machines.’
Behind him, at the back of the bar, the door opened and Daisy stuck her head around. She looked about to speak until she saw what was happening.
‘We can work this out,’ Liberty shouted. ‘Sit down like adults and have a drink.’
‘She’s right,’ said Crystal, who had also clocked Daisy. No doubt Jay had too.
‘Are you totally mental?’ asked Brixton Dave.
‘Probably.’ Liberty gave the loudest laugh she could muster, while Daisy stood there, eyes wide. ‘There’s a bottle of Jack Daniel’s, though, and I bet it’s got your name on it.’ She stared at Brixton Dave, willing him to stare back at her while Daisy crept up to the counter. Her hand, so pale and skinny, covered with scars, old and new, picked up the bottle.
‘Do it,’ Liberty screamed.
As if they were acting as one, Jay pulled Frankie backwards away from the gun and Daisy brought the bottle crashing down on Brixton Dave’s head.
‘Is he breathing?’ Liberty whispered.
No one answered as they all stared at Brixton Dave on the floor, the top half of his body already in a pool of thick blood. Something white protruded through his hair.
‘Is that bone?’ Daisy asked. ‘If it is, that is so rank.’
‘We should call an ambulance,’ said Liberty.
No one moved.
At last Mel spoke, her voice cool and clear. ‘Jay, get everyone out of here, please.’ He looked up at her and she nodded at him. ‘Lock the doors after you.’ She reached behind the bar for her handbag and pulled out two mobiles. ‘I’ll get the message out to the girls and tell them we’re closed today. Gas leak. If any of them still want to work I’ll organize transport to one of the other clubs.’
‘The place will need cleaning,’ said Crystal.
Mel had a phone in each hand. ‘I’ll get started as soon as you lot are out of here.’
Liberty felt herself being pulled gently by her brother, leading her to the door. She shot a last look at Brixton Dave. Then at Dax, who was still holding the sack of banknotes. ‘What about him?’ she asked. ‘He’s just a kid.’
‘What do you think I’m gonna do here?’ Mel asked. ‘Wring his neck with my bare hands? Now fuck off out of it and leave me to get on.’ Then she turned away and spoke into one of her phones. ‘Danny, it’s Mel here. How’s the weather out there?’ She paused, listened, laughed as if there was nothing wrong. ‘Listen, I need a little favour.’
A week later, Liberty crossed the Radisson car park with her suitcase and found Sol Connolly leaning against her car.
‘Officer Connolly,’ she said. ‘What an unexpected pleasure.’
‘Miss Chapman, or should I call you Miss Greenwood?’
Liberty laughed. ‘I really don’t mind.’
‘Daisy and Frankie doing okay?’ he asked.
‘As far as I know,’ she said. ‘Early days.’
‘What about our friend Brixton Dave? Any sign of him?’
‘Nope. Jay heard he’d taken off to Spain.’
Connolly nodded and moved the hair out of his eyes. ‘I wonder if we could have a quick word about your client Mr Rance?’
‘Daisy won’t change her mind,’ Liberty said.
‘I know,’ he said. ‘It’s not about that.’
‘What, then?’
‘Kyla Anderson’s woken up,’ he said. ‘She’s been able to identify the man who attacked her from photographs.’
‘And?’
‘And I’m afraid it seems to be the handiwork of your client Mr Rance.’ Connolly paused. ‘There’s forensic evidence, too, so we’ll be arresting him shortly to take his DNA. I’m pretty sure we’ll get a match.’
‘He’s not my client,’ said Liberty.
‘No? What about anyone else from your firm?’
‘You won’t get them on a Sunday,’ she said. ‘Golf course.’
‘He’ll just have to get the duty solicitor like everyone else, then,’ said Connolly. ‘I believe Mr Raj Singh is around today.’
Liberty laughed.
‘Right then,’ said Connolly, and began to move away. ‘I expect you’ll be heading back to London.’
Liberty opened the door and wedged her case on the back seat. ‘Actually, I’m going to stay with my brother for a bit.’
He nodded and smiled. ‘So you’re hanging around these parts?’
‘Like the proverbial bad penny,’ she said.
‘Well, if you ever get bored, you could call me,’ he said.
‘I will,’ said Liberty, and got into the car. ‘If ever I get bored.’
He gave her his two-fingered salute and she shut the door, gunned the engine and drove away.
Acknowledgements
Thanks as ever to the Buckmans. I appreciate your support in all things and your long-standing tolerance of my poor admin skills.
Thanks also to Krystyna and everyone on the Constable team for giving me the opportunity to bring Liberty to life.
Finally, love and gratitude to my family who are prepared to share me with my imaginary friends.
Table of Contents
Title
Copyright
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Acknowledgements