Disobey

by Jacqui Rose

‘Though I think we had a bit of a wasted journey if she’s safe and well. Where is she, anyway?’ Del spoke, not really very keen on seeing Chloe after his last run-in with her. But remembering what his daughter Star had said to him about coming over to help, he added, ‘I’m pleased she’s okay.’

  Franny turned to Del. There was still a lot of unfinished business between the two of them; things left unsaid, after all, the last time any of them had seen each other had been in Alfie’s club when Casey had been shot. It was, as she’d so often thought over the past few weeks, a mess.

  She sighed, not wanting to concentrate on the things that had passed, but rather on the things that still needed sorting out.

  ‘I think okay is too strong a word. She’s coping, but the problem’s moved on. It’s certainly not a waste of a journey.’

  Del looked embarrassed. ‘I didn’t mean it like that. I was only saying now the girl’s been found perhaps there isn’t the urgency like there was when Vaughn called … How is he by the way, Fran?’

  ‘Not great, he’s up in court in a day or so apparently. I don’t think any of us are too happy at the moment how everything is going … And I didn’t mean to sound like I was having a go at you, Del, for not wanting to be here. I understand all too well. Who wouldn’t swap a bit of Marbella for Soho? How’s Star?’

  Del smiled at the thought of his daughter. ‘She’s good. It was her who made me see sense about coming across and helping. She put me to shame.’

  Frankie joined in. ‘And it was Gypsy who had me packing too. Behind every man, hey?’

  Lola chuckled. ‘Exactly darlin’. What would you lot do without us girls, hey?’

  Del, remembering the conversation with Franny, picked it up again. ‘What were you saying about moving on, babe?’

  This time it was Alfie who shuffled, not appreciating Del calling Franny babe. He fought the urge to say anything, gritting his teeth as he listened.

  ‘Jodie, Chloe’s friend, she’s in trouble. We need to go and get her out of there. What Chloe tells us, it’s vital we do it as soon as possible. That Mr Lee …’

  Before Franny had time to finish, Lola butted in. ‘He’s a sick bastard. The stuff she’s told us would make you sick.’

  ‘Keep your voice down, she might hear you,’ Franny warned Lola, hating the idea of Chloe walking in and catching them talking about her.

  ‘Don’t worry love, she’s fast asleep still. Poor kid must have been exhausted.’

  Frankie Taylor spoke up. ‘Listen, I ain’t being funny but you’re not seriously asking us to put our necks on the line for some girl we don’t even know?’

  Del nodded in agreement. ‘He’s right, Fran, I didn’t sign up for that.’

  ‘Jodie’s a kid, guys. And like Chloe, she hasn’t got anyone either. Or rather, she’s only got us. Lola, why don’t you go and wake Chloe so she can tell them herself?’

  ‘You sure, love?’

  ‘Yeah, maybe they need to hear it from her.’

  As Lola walked out to wake Chloe, Franny continued to plead her case. ‘You’re seriously not trying to tell me we’re going to turn our backs on her, are you?’

  ‘I’m not trying to tell you anything, Fran. You can do what you like, obviously. But when it comes to me, I dunno …’ Del trailed off.

  ‘Guys, listen. I know you’re not feeling too clever about me, and I understand that. In fact … in fact …’ Alfie paused, finding it more difficult than he’d thought to apologise to the two men.

  As he looked at both Del and Frankie, he was sure he could see a glimmer of a smirk on each of their faces, and everything in his being told him to grab them by the scruff of their collar to show them who was boss.

  Franny, seeing Alfie was struggling, encouraged him. ‘Go on Alf, say it.’

  ‘Yeah Alf, we’re intrigued.’ Frankie winked at him.

  Alfie, having no other option but to continue, took a deep breath. ‘I’m sorry. There I’ve said it … I was a wanker, and I was wrong.’

  Del coughed. He stared at Alfie, sitting forward on the couch. ‘I didn’t hear that last part, mate, don’t suppose you can say it again can you?’

  Alfie swung round. ‘You’re enjoying this, ain’t you?’

  ‘No, just making sure I hear every word of this apology. Never thought the day would come … Did you, Frank?’

  Frank, not having quite the same beef Del had with Alfie, gave him a half smile. He knew only too well how easy it was for things to get out of hand. He only had to look at his own life and the mess he’d made of it at times to know just how Alf was feeling. He’d made the wrong decisions and paid a heavy price; a very heavy one. Although it wasn’t a case of no harm having been been done by Alfie’s actions, Frank didn’t have the desire of putting the boot in either.

  ‘I ain’t making any excuses for Alf, but I think we’ve all been in the same boat at one time or another. And I’m not saying it was right, but I am saying we live in a world where you’ve always got to be at the head of your game. We’re forever ducking and diving and sometimes we can dive too far with it all. Get carried away. I know I have in the past, and I know you have, Del.’

  Alfie winked at Frank, grateful for his support. Del, however, wasn’t as understanding.

  ‘There’s one thing diving too far and there’s another thing taking your friends to the bottom with you. Frank’s business went up in smoke, Lola’s got petrol-bombed, and look at Vaughn; look what happened to him, let alone Casey. Fuck me, that was just the start of it really, ’cos now your niece is caught up in it all. It was flat out of order, no matter what you say, Frank. The only reason I’m sitting here now being so frigging cordial is because if I don’t, claret is going to get spilled.’

  Alfie, having tried to keep his cool, exploded at the underlying threat. He leapt at Del, who hadn’t expected such a reaction and dropped the cup of tea he was holding.

  Alfie, although injured, pinned Del to the back of the couch. His face was red. His eyes projecting with anger. He bellowed the words into the face of a taken-aback Del Williams. ‘This ain’t a game, mate. Don’t try and wind me up, ’cos as much as I’m sorry, I’m still not having the piss ripped out of me. Tell me what it is you want me to do, ’cos I’m willing to do anything to make amends. If you want me to get down on me frigging knees and beg your forgiveness I will, ’cos all that matters is I get things back to how they were. But for fuck’s sake, Del, let me—’

  ‘She’s gone!’ Lola came running into the room, stopping Alfie in mid-flow.

  Franny stared at her. ‘Chloe?… But she can’t have done. Did you check in the bathroom?’

  ‘Ain’t no mistaking it, darlin’. Look …’ Lola shoved a quickly written note in Franny’s hand.

  Franny shook her head as she read out loud Chloe’s words.

  Franny, I know you’ll be pissed off with me for going without telling you, but I didn’t want you to stop me. Please don’t be angry with me. I understand it’s a lot to ask of you all to help me and I understand I’ve caused a lot of trouble since I’ve arrived but I can’t just sit around and do nothing. Jodie’s my friend and I know she needs my help, so I’m going to find her, like she found me.

  Ten minutes before Lola had discovered Chloe-Jane had gone, Chloe had been standing by the door of the front room, listening to the conversation between everyone. She’d been glad Franny and Alfie were finally talking, because although both of them had told her she shouldn’t feel responsible for their fallout, she did. Chloe felt responsible for a lot of things.

  When she’d heard Franny tell the faces about Jodie, her heart had soared but as quickly as her hopes had been raised, they had been shattered when she’d heard what Del had said. And it was then she’d decided to scrawl Franny a quick note before she’d tiptoed out of the flat, careful not to let anyone hear her and try to stop her. Because no one was going to do that. No one was going to stop Chloe finding her friend, Jodie.

  Outside, Chloe hurried down the street, clutch
ing Jodie’s letter in her hand. There was no way she was going to be part of hurting anyone else, and once again it looked like there was no one willing to help her.

  She pulled out her phone and dialled a number. It rang but eventually went to answering machine. She tried again. It rang first, then she heard the voice.

  ‘Hello?’

  ‘It’s Chloe-Jane.’

  ‘And what do I owe this call to, Chloe-Jane?’

  Chloe-Jane swallowed, her whole body shaking. ‘I was calling for Jodie, Mr Lee.’

  ‘And why would you do that?’

  ‘I … I want to know she’s alright.’

  ‘Oh, she’s fine.’

  Chloe hesitated before speaking. ‘Can I talk to her?’

  ‘Not now.’

  Chloe pushed on. ‘When?’

  ‘Well, that all depends. You and your uncle have caused a lot of problems, Chloe. And now you’re not here, the only person who’ll pay for it is Jodie.’

  ‘She didn’t know!… She didn’t know it was me Uncle Alfie, I swear.’

  ‘And you really expect me to believe that?’

  ‘I’m telling you the truth.’

  ‘And what if I do believe you, what then, Chloe?… What actual difference does it make, because it still leaves Jodie to take the blame. Unless … Do you want to see Jodie again?’

  Chloe couldn’t answer quickly enough. ‘Yes … yes.’

  ‘Then you’ll meet me by the bottom entrance of Highgate Cemetery, you do know where that is don’t you?’

  ‘Yes, but …’

  ‘Either you want to meet or you don’t want to, Chloe-Jane.’

  Chloe spoke in a tiny voice. ‘I can’t.’

  ‘Can’t – or won’t, Chloe-Jane, the two things are very different. So come on, what do you say? Which is it going to be?’

  Chloe closed her eyes. She knew it was a trap but what was she supposed to do?

  ‘I don’t think I’ll be able to do that, Mr Lee.’

  ‘Then I don’t think I’ll be able to guarantee your friend’s safety. It’s absolutely your choice.’

  Chloe began to walk down the street as she held the phone to her ear. She crossed the road, turning left near Charlotte Street. Once she’d got to the corner she spoke, quietly, resigned. ‘Fine, I’ll meet you. I’ll be there in an hour.’

  ‘Good choice, Chloe-Jane, but come alone. If I see you with anyone else or I think you’ve said anything to anyone, there’ll be no more Jodie. You understand?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Good. Then the cemetery it is. A perfect place, wouldn’t you say?’ Without waiting, Mr Lee clicked off the phone; he turned to Lin. ‘She’s coming.’

  ‘You think she’ll show?’

  Mr Lee grinned. ‘Oh yes, she’ll show alright; she’s stupid and sentimental enough to; they all are. Come on, I don’t want to keep her waiting.’ And with that, Mr Lee and Lin walked out of the room, leaving Jodie’s body swinging gently from the rafter.

  59

  The two Range Rovers seemed to almost lift off the ground as they flew out of the underground car park, screeching into Berwick Street before heading north up Tottenham Court Road.

  Fuck. Alfie rubbed his head in exasperation as he saw the late-afternoon traffic in front of him had blocked any quick access to Euston Road.

  ‘What the fuck are we supposed to do now?’ He glanced quickly at Franny as he headed the two-car convoy. He smashed his fist down on the horn, causing the other drivers to look around to see what the furore was.

  Without warning, and at the last possible moment, Alfie swerved left into New Cavendish Street. The sharp turn threw Franny into the passenger seat door. Clinging onto the handle to stay upright, she shouted. ‘Alf, slow down!’

  Alfie rammed his foot on the accelerator. ‘You want us to get there don’t you?’

  ‘Yes, but …’

  Keeping his eyes on the road, Alfie reached out to touch Franny’s leg. ‘Trust me, Fran, I’ll get us there in one piece … We’ll find her.

  ‘Are they still behind us, Fran?’

  Franny turned round, seeing Del’s silver Range Rover looping in and out of the traffic.

  ‘Just …’

  In the car behind Alfie it was all Del Williams could do to keep up and to keep from crashing into any of the other cars. He cursed, annoyed with himself at his waning expertise. Once were the days when he’d been able to give any car a run for its money, outracing or outsmarting any driver, police or otherwise on the road. But now it seemed, and Del hated to admit it, age was catching up with them all.

  Guessing Alfie was planning to head East for a bit before hanging a right further down, Del was shocked to see Alf choose Harley Street; a wide one way street coming the other way to them. The wrong way to them.

  Realising there wasn’t any other option but to cut through the street the wrong way, Del spoke to Lola who sat behind Frankie, wide eyed, clinging onto the white leather seat for dear life.

  ‘Ready?’

  She raised her eyebrows. ‘No, but do what you have to do, darlin’. You won’t hear any complaints from me.’ And with that, Del Williams, like Alfie, pushed his foot down on the accelerator.

  The two four by fours weaved in and out, avoiding the oncoming cars. Blaring horns and screeching tyres, raised fists and outraged faces sped past them, as all those present in the Range Rovers realised it was actually the perfect way to avoid the traffic jams heading out of town.

  In no time at all the two cars were out on the Euston Road, racing down the clear bus lane towards Paddington where Alf, still closely followed by Del, slowed down, turning right and eventually parking round the corner from the place where he and Chloe had been held captive by Mr Lee. Only this time, he was going to be the one calling the shots. This time he had back-up.

  In truth Alfie hadn’t been keen for Franny to come along in case there was trouble, but in actuality he’d really had no choice. She’d reminded him how capable she was of looking after herself and others, bringing up the past and recalling the times she’d helped out in other, similar situations where lives had been on the line.

  As for Lola, once she’d realised Franny was coming along, there’d been no stopping her. And now they were here, ready to confront whatever it was that would be waiting for them, Alfie found comfort in knowing he had people around him who cared.

  All of them made their way on foot towards the building. Alfie kept a lookout; remaining vigilant and on high alert. Out of all of them, he was the only one who knew what Mr Lee looked like. He spoke to Franny, his eyes darting about all the time.

  ‘When we get there, you and Lola keep walking; find a café or something and wait for me to call.’

  Franny looked surprised. ‘No, Alf, we do this together. All of us.’

  As they continued to hurry along the street, Alfie knew it was pointless arguing with her. He could see the steely determination in her eyes and once Franny had made up her mind to do something, no one was going to change it.

  Glancing at Lola, Alfie spoke authoritatively. ‘I can’t stop Franny, but there’s no way I’m letting you come in, Lo. It’s bound to be dangerous; I don’t want you getting hurt.’

  ‘You mean you don’t want an old bird slowing you down.’

  ‘You know that’s not what I mean.’

  ‘It’s alright Alf, I ain’t here to make things harder for you. All I want is to see Chloe back where she belongs. I’ll stay around here and if I see anyone coming, I’ll call.’

  ‘And if you do see Chloe, I want you and her to get as far away from here as you can.’

  Lola took a deep breath, looking around at the other four. She held onto Frankie’s hand.

  ‘Guys, be careful. I want you all coming back in one piece.’

  Alfie quickly led the others round the back; towards the basement entrance at the side of Mr Lee’s building. He was angry. Real angry, and ready for payback. He owed Chloe big time, and not bringing her back safely wasn’t an
option. Failure wasn’t an option.

  ‘Coast clear?’ Frankie called to Del who stood by the corner of the building. He quickly glanced around before nodding, whilst Alfie and Frankie began examining any possible entrances. The only way in was the tiny gap in the air vent which Chloe had showed Alfie and it was clear none of them could squeeze through it.

  Moving to the far end of the wall and pressing his ear to the steel security door, Frankie waved to the others to be quiet as he listened, checking there wasn’t anyone about.

  ‘Seems okay. Come on.’

  Stepping forward, Franny reached into the brown holdall she was carrying and pulled out a bright red set of eighteen-inch bolt croppers. She gave them to Alfie who, with surgical precision, nipped through the two security padlocks, before swapping the croppers to give Frankie a crowbar.

  ‘You do the honours.’

  Frankie took them, then deftly levered the heavy door frame away from the deadlocks and with one final controlled heave popped open the door. He looked around, signalling to Del to join them. ‘After you, gentlemen.’

  ‘Nice one,’ Alfie whispered to Frankie as he stepped past him, entering into the basement first. Again he listened, and once he’d established the coast was clear he gestured to the others to follow him.

  Alfie immediately recognised the passageway that he and Chloe had been down. He shivered as he saw the line of cell-like rooms again, not wanting to remember the fear he’d experienced whilst being held captive.

  Del and Frankie held guns in their hands as they quickly checked every room, kicking open each of the doors – with each door opening to reveal nothing inside. With a flick of his head, Alfie directed the others towards the stairwell and gestured with his thumb to head up. He held Franny’s arm, holding her back as she was about to pass.

  ‘You okay, sweetheart? You can go back to the car if you want.’

  Franny shook her head, appreciating his concern. ‘I’m fine, but thank you.’

  With their guns drawn, they crept up two flights of wooden stairs, avoiding the discarded needles and treading as quietly as possible. Leading the way, Alfie winced at every creak in the floorboards. He glanced back at the others; he could see them stepping round every noisy stair. They looked at him, alert and ready for action, and although he was definitely up for it, he sensed that the last few days or so had taken their toll as he heaved himself onwards. Alfie was determined but unclear exactly as to where he was leading them.