by Caz Finlay
‘We’ll deal with them. They won’t be causing any more trouble,’ Jock interrupted, earning himself a withering look from his boss. ‘We’ll make sure that word gets out that they were dealt with too.’
Grace turned her attention to Jock, whom she’d already decided she preferred of the two men. ‘I heard the Johnson brothers were working for you?’ she asked. ‘Selling your product? In Liverpool?’
‘In the Wirral, I believe,’ Alastair replied with a smirk and Grace had to fight the urge to slap him herself.
‘I think you’ll find the Wirral comes under our jurisdiction too,’ she said.
‘Well, I wasn’t aware of that at the time. But I’ve heard you’re a good businesswoman, Grace, so now that I am aware, then I’m prepared to let you sell our product instead.’
Grace smiled. Now that she’d met him, she had no intention of working with Alastair McGrath. Jock was a different story, but unfortunately he wasn’t the one who made the decisions. ‘We have our own product, thanks. So I’m not sure we’ll be needing yours.’
Alastair shrugged. ‘That’s fine. I have other connections in Liverpool.’
‘You mean Craig Johnson?’ Grace asked with a laugh. ‘And how did that work out for you last time?’
‘You just let me worry about that,’ Alastair replied with a scowl.
It was then that Michael spoke for the first time. ‘I think you’ll find that anyone worth knowing in Liverpool is loyal to us. So why don’t you think yourselves lucky that we allowed your two lads to leave Liverpool while they were still able to walk and talk, and fuck off back to Essex?’
Alastair stood up quickly, leaning forward as he did, another obvious intimidation tactic, but neither Michael or Grace flinched.
‘I don’t think you two have any idea who you’re dealing with,’ he said, signalling to Jock that they were leaving.
‘Oh, we do, Mr McGrath, but do you?’ Grace replied.
‘We’ll see,’ he said with a grin before he and Jock left the room.
Jock climbed into the waiting car beside his boss. His jaw was aching and he realised he’d been grinding his teeth throughout the entire meeting. It was the best way to stop himself from interrupting Alastair when he was being deliberately confrontational – which he seemed to be doing more and more lately.
‘You should have kept your mouth shut in there,’ Alastair growled as the car pulled away from the kerb. ‘I had it handled.’
Jock turned in his seat and glared at his boss. He could keep silent no more. ‘Are you fucking serious?’ he asked.
Alastair stared at him, open-mouthed. No one ever spoke to him like that. Jock went on before his boss could answer. ‘I don’t think you have any idea who you’re dealing with—’
‘Some tart, and her lapdog husband,’ Alastair snorted.
‘Don’t underestimate her because she’s a woman. And he ain’t no lapdog, he’s a fucking animal. Don’t be fooled by him sitting there all nice and pleasant and well-behaved today. He would slit your throat while you slept and take a bath in your blood.’
‘So they’re a pair of nutters then?’ Alastair said dismissively. ‘Nothing we haven’t dealt with before.’
‘No! Not nutters. They are business people. Cold, calculated and ruthless when they need to be, but they are fucking smart. They employ more people than John Sainsbury. And from what I’ve heard, there isn’t anyone who’s anyone around here who doesn’t owe that woman a favour.’
‘Oh, calm down,’ Alastair said. ‘I’ll sort it out.’
‘Like you sorted the Russians?’ Jock snapped.
‘Oh, for fuck’s sake, you’re not dragging that up again. Look, Jock, I pay you to do as you’re told. You don’t need to think, or speak, unless I tell you to. Okay?’ he snarled.
Jock sat back in his seat and remained silent as their driver drove them to their hotel in the city centre. Alastair McGrath thought he was fucking untouchable, and one day he was going to get the two of them killed.
‘What an arrogant prick!’ Grace said to Michael as they drove home from the restaurant.
‘Fucking tosser,’ he agreed. ‘We’re not going to work with him, are we?’
‘God, no!’
‘Good. So, what next?’
‘Let’s hope they take your advice and fuck off back to Essex,’ she said with a smile, despite knowing that was very unlikely. ‘But it wouldn’t hurt to have someone keep an eye on Alastair for us in the meantime, would it?’
Michael nodded. ‘Sounds like a good idea. Want me to ask Murf?’
‘Actually, I was thinking of asking John,’ she said. ‘We could do with Murf focusing on the security in case Alastair and his lads target any more of our clubs. What do you think?’
‘Hmm, makes sense,’ he agreed.
‘I’ll go and speak to John now then, before I pick up the kids.’
‘I was going to go into the office and catch up with Murf, but I can come with you if you want.’
‘No, there’s no need. I won’t be long. Can you drop me off there? Then John can give me a lift home when we’re done.’
Grace sat back in her seat. She considered herself a good judge of character and she could tell even from their brief meeting that Alastair McGrath wasn’t going to slope off back to Essex quietly. She had a feeling he was going to cause them some problems, and the sooner she dealt with him, the better.
Chapter Thirty
Grace had sent John a text to say she was on her way and he was waiting at the front door for her as she and Michael pulled up.
Leaning over in her seat, she gave Michael a kiss. ‘I’ll see you later,’ she said.
‘Yeah, see you later, love,’ he replied, although she noted the flicker of a scowl flash across his face when he looked at John.
Ten minutes later Grace was sitting in John’s kitchen drinking a hot mug of tea. He sat at the table opposite her.
‘Two home visits in the same week. I’m honoured,’ John said with a grin. ‘So, to what do I owe today’s pleasure?’
‘Can’t I just visit my good friend?’
John laughed out loud.
‘What’s so funny?’ Grace said.
‘How long have I worked for you now, Grace? I know you better than that,’ he said.
Grace smiled back at him. ‘Okay. Why do I ever visit you at home, John?’
He nodded and took a sip of his tea. ‘So, what do you need me to do, Boss?’ he asked.
‘You know me and Michael were meeting with that guy from Essex today?’
‘Yeah?’
‘Well, I think he’s going to cause us some trouble, and I want to be prepared.’
‘What makes you think that? Did he say something?’
‘Nothing specific. But there was just something about him. And if what I’ve heard about him is true, we’ll need to have our wits about us. He’s big enough to cause us some serious problems, John. He could give us a real run for our money if he so chooses.’
‘Okay. What do I need to know about the way this fella operates then, and what you need me to do?’
John listened intently as Grace told him all that she’d learned about Alastair McGrath in the last few days, including her own assessment of the kind of man he was. Then she told him all about the next stage of her plan.
Chapter Thirty-One
DI Leigh Moss frowned at the pile of paperwork on her desk. Sometimes she wondered if she’d made the right move, going for promotion. It seemed the higher you climbed up the ladder, the further you moved away from the action and the closer to a desk and a computer. Her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of her office phone.
‘DI Moss,’ she answered.
‘DI Moss, my name is DI Gavin Starkey, I’m calling from Essex police.’
‘Hi, Gavin, what can I do for you?’ Leigh asked.
‘I’m calling to let you know that someone who is a significant person of interest to us has just landed in Liverpool. We don’t know what he’s up to yet, but if pa
st history is anything to go by, he’ll be involved in something dodgy and I wanted to give you the heads up that he was on your turf. Please don’t attempt to intercept him though. He’s very dangerous and if he thinks you’re onto him he’ll go underground and we’ll never find out what he’s up to up there. But if you happen to hear anything could you pass on any relevant intel to me?’
Leigh’s interest was piqued and she took a notepad and pencil from her desk drawer. ‘Who is this guy, and what’s he into?’ she asked.
‘His name is Alastair McGrath and he’s into everything. If it’s illegal and there’s a profit to be made, he’s involved. I’ve been after this prick for years, but he’s as slippery as an eel. Like I said, if he gets a whiff of any police activity, he’ll be in the wind.’
‘Do you have any idea at all what he’s doing in Liverpool? Who he’s meeting with?’
‘Not yet,’ Gavin said with a sigh. ‘We do know he’s staying at the Radisson Blu hotel but little else. Actually, I was hoping that you might have some idea who he’s working with or what he might be doing up there.’
‘I have some ideas who he might be meeting with if he’s as big as you say he is.’
‘He is. He’s the kingpin around here, but we can never get anything to stick to the jammy little bastard.’
‘I know that feeling,’ Leigh said with a laugh.
‘So, who do you think he’s working with then?’ Gavin asked.
‘My money would be on Grace Carter and her firm. But I’ll look into it.’
‘That would be good, but please don’t make any waves. Just intel gathering. I want to play the long game on this one. All of his info is on his VISOR record anyway. Check him out and let me know if you hear anything. I’d do anything to bring this fucker down.’
‘I’ll check out his record, and I’ll make some enquiries.’
‘Brilliant. Thanks, Leigh.’
‘No problems, thanks for the heads up, Gavin. I’ll be in touch if I hear anything.’
Leigh hung up the phone and popped her head out of her office. ‘Nick,’ she shouted across the office. ‘Have you got a minute?’
‘Of course, Boss,’ he said with a smile as he made his way over.
Nick closed the door behind him and sat down. ‘What’s up?’ he asked.
‘I just had a very interesting call from my oppo in Essex who wanted to let me know that one of their major players is here in Liverpool. Alastair McGrath. Have you ever heard of him?’
Nick shook his head. ‘Can’t say I have, but I’ve never worked outside of the North West before. Any idea why he’s here?’
‘This DI didn’t know, but I’ll bet my life on it being something to do with the Carters, wouldn’t you?’
‘Probably.’
‘I wonder if it’s anything to do with Billy Johnson’s murder?’ Leigh asked with a frown.
‘What? You mean like they’re bringing in reinforcements or something?’
Leigh shrugged. ‘Maybe? But it’s funny that he turns up shortly after Jake and Connor have been arrested.’
‘It could be nothing to do with it though. And nothing to do with the Carters at all. Let’s not lose focus when we’re so close to finally nailing two of them.’
‘I know. But it wouldn’t hurt to keep our eyes open and do a bit of digging, would it?’
Nick rolled his eyes. ‘What did you have in mind?’
‘McGrath is staying at the Radisson Blu. Doesn’t your cousin work behind the bar in there?’
Nick nodded. ‘Our Ben, yeah.’
‘Why don’t you pop by and see him when he’s next on shift then? You might see Mr McGrath yourself, or Ben might be able to keep an eye on him for us? I’m sure he must be working with the Carters, because I doubt they’d allow him to stroll into Liverpool and start touting for business if he wasn’t.’
Nick shrugged. ‘I suppose it couldn’t hurt. I do owe our Ben a visit. I haven’t seen him for a few weeks. I’ll see when he’s next working. Maybe you could come for a drink with me?’ he said with a wink. ‘Meet some of the family?’
‘I can’t. Grace and Michael Carter might recognise me. I’ve met them before when Paul was killed, remember?
‘All right. A boys’ night it is then. Anything else I can do for you, Ma’am?’
‘Yes. You can pick us up something nice for tea on your way home. I’ll be stuck here until eight sorting this lot out.’ She indicated the pile of papers on her desk.
‘Will do,’ Nick said before leaving her office.
Leigh sat back in her chair and rubbed her temples, trying to stave off the headache she already knew was on its way. She was sure that Alastair’s sudden arrival in their city had something to do with Grace Carter, if only because Grace would have it no other way.
Leigh was ploughing through her paperwork when she saw the Chief Super, Henry James, making his way to her office. It was unusual for him to be on her floor of the building.
‘Evening, Sir,’ she said as he walked in.
‘Evening, Leigh. Hard at it as usual, I see?’ he said with a smile.
‘Well, this paperwork doesn’t file itself,’ she said with a laugh.
‘I heard our colleagues from Essex have been in touch?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Their Chief Super gave me a quick call too. She’d heard about your task force being quite new, and well…’
‘Well, what?’
‘I think she’s worried that you’re going to go after McGrath to try and make a name for yourself to promote the team.’
Leigh opened her mouth in surprise but didn’t say what she was thinking, which was that Henry’s opposite number was a cheeky, presumptuous bitch. ‘Seriously?’ she asked instead.
Henry nodded. ‘There are other factors at play here. Factors that I’m not at liberty to disclose. Anyway, I assured her that while we would arrest Mr McGrath if he gives us any cause to, we would not be actively seeking him out – or stepping on their toes.’
‘With respect, Sir, what exactly does that mean?’ she asked.
‘With respect, Leigh, it means stay the hell away from him,’ he said before he bade her good evening and left her office.
Chapter Thirty-Two
‘Thanks, Jock. We’ll see you at four o’clock,’ Craig Johnson said before ending the call and placing his phone in his coat pocket. He was contemplating the implications of a meeting with Alastair McGrath and Jock Stewart as he stepped out of his front door and saw John Brennan pulling up in his distinctive BMW X5.
‘You got five minutes?’ John asked through the open passenger window.
Craig checked his watch. He had over an hour to go before his meeting with Alastair.
‘Yeah. I’m just off to The Grapes if you fancy a pint?’ Craig suggested.
‘Nah. Haven’t really got time for one. But I can drop you off?’
‘Sound,’ Craig replied as he jumped into the passenger seat of John’s car. ‘What did you want to see me about?’
‘This Alastair McGrath, do you still have any sway with him?’
Craig nodded, a surge of pride swelling in his chest. ‘Yeah. I’m on my way to meet him now, in fact.’
‘Good. Can you arrange a meeting with him for me? Tell him I’m looking to branch out on my own and could do with a supplier.’
‘I suppose you can’t use any local ones, seeing as you’re about to screw over Grace Carter?’ Craig said with a chuckle.
‘Yeah, well, you just keep that to yourself for now, eh?’ John snapped and Craig saw a glimpse of the John that could instil fear into the hardest of men.
‘Of course I will. You can trust me, John.’
‘I’d better be able to,’ he replied as they pulled up outside The Grapes. ‘Let me know what Alastair says about a meeting.’
‘Will do,’ Craig said as he jumped out of the car with a smile. ‘But I’ll square it with him, don’t worry.’
‘I’ll look forward to hearing from you later then,�
� John replied before he drove off.
Craig strode through the doors of The Grapes as though he owned the place. Things were finally starting to look up. Not only had he found himself a new business associate in John Brennan, but he was about to impress his new boss by setting up a meeting with one of the biggest gangsters in the country. Alastair would be happy to learn that Craig had a new backer with some money and some credibility behind him. It was the perfect arrangement. And the icing on the cake was that it was all being done under the nose of Grace and Michael Carter. Craig was looking forward to the day Grace found out that her right-hand man – her most trusted soldier – was actually conspiring against her, and he hoped he was there to see the look on her face when she did.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Craig and Ged Johnson were sitting at their usual table in The Grapes waiting for Alastair and Jock to arrive. When he’d received the telephone call an hour earlier from Jock to let him know that Mr McGrath would like a meeting, Craig had been relieved at first that he hadn’t burned all of his bridges with the Essex gangster. However, as he sat in the pub waiting, his relief was starting to wane and was slowly being replaced with a with a sense of dread as he remembered who he was dealing with. He’d practically promised John Brennan he could arrange a meeting, but what if Alastair wanted nothing to do with him? What if he still intended to make an example out of him? Craig was slightly reassured that Jock had told him to pick the venue. Surely Alastair or Jock wouldn’t blow his brains out in the middle of their local boozer?
It was nice to be able to sit in The Grapes again. He and Ged had only been in hiding for a few days, and it had been the most stressful thing ever. He’d rather do another year inside than have to go through that again.
‘So, you think we can trust John Brennan then?’ Ged asked.
‘Well, he came through with the money for us, didn’t he?’ Craig replied as he took a swig of his pint.