by Todd, Ian
“Pat, Ah’m telling ye, that bunch ae cockerels need tae be dealt wae. They basturts think they’re aw tickets and the longer we leave them tae dae their ain thing, the harder it’ll be tae slap them doon and bring them intae the fold. There’s no jist a few ae them noo. They’re starting tae grow in numbers. We don’t want tae encourage any competition in the future, noo, dae we?” Shaun hid argued persuasively.
Of course, Shaun wis right, bit there wis jist something aboot them. The Big Man actually liked them, admired the cheek ae them and wanted them tae dae well fur themsels. He wis impressed that they’d the baws tae want tae hiv a go at somewan like Toby Simpson, even though The Big Man knew that, withoot his help, they’d get wiped oot in the process. Tony might think he wis smart, bit between the cunning ae Tam Simpson and the violence ae that brother ae his, Toby, Gucci’s crowd widnae know whit hid hit them. He’d spent a bit ae time thinking aboot the situation. The fact that Toby wis wandering aboot, aw o’er Springburn, wisnae really a big problem fur the time being. The Big Man didnae hiv tae be in Glesga tae sort Toby oot. It wis The Simpsons moving intae The West End that concerned him mair. Tam obviously felt confident if he wis daeing something as stupid as that. The fact that Shaun hid allowed it tae happen showed a weakness that could cause serious problems if it wisnae nipped in the bud. Tae resolve the immediate problem, The Big Man knew it wid hiv tae be doon tae himsel…wae a wee haun fae Tony Gucci’s manky mob. Toby Simpson wis an arsehole…a dangerous wan…bit an arsehole aw the same. He looked across at Tony again. Wis he gieing the boy and his wee crew too much responsibility in dealing wae Tam? They hid Wan-bob oan their side, who’d assured him that they wur up tae it.
“Ach, let the boys deal wae Tam, Pat. Let’s see whit they’re made ae. Ah think Tony’s goat the baws and the brain. If they fuck up, it’ll only come back oan them and we kin always clean up efter them,” he’d argued.
Wan-bob hid been in total agreement that Toby should be dealt wae by themsels.
“We’ll only get wan shot at him and it’ll hiv tae be done and dusted before he knows whit’s hit him. We couldnae leave that basturt still staunin wance we go fur his big brother.”
The Big Man continued tae stare intae Tony Gucci’s dark eyes, hoping they’d blink or turn away first, bit they never wavered. He smiled.
“Right, Tony, son, hiv ye hid a good Christmas so far then?”
“Brilliant,” he lied.
“Thanks fur taking the time tae come back oot here tae pay me a wee visit again, especially seeing it’s Boxing Day. It’s always good fur auld pals tae get thegither, especially at this time ae the year, eh?”
“Nae problem, Pat.”
“Right, well, Ah’m no gonnae fuck ye aboot and Ah expect ye tae show me the same respect. It’s the season ae good will tae aw men, so that means we don’t hiv tae start sparring wae each other, wasting precious time, and aw that.”
“Aye, Ah totally agree, Pat. So, whit kin Ah dae ye oot ae the day then?” Tony asked, warily, waiting fur the catch.
“Well, fur a start, ye kin gie me whit’s rightfully mine.”
“Like whit?”
“Ye know whit.”
“Dae Ah?”
“Aye. Where’s that good ring ae mine?”
“Ah telt ye, Ah hivnae goat it. Ah only used that wan as an excuse so that Ah could get the opportunity tae come and hiv a wee word in yer ear.”
“Harper Harris?”
“Whit aboot him?”
“He tanned the hoose in The West End and he haunded the ring across tae yersel.”
“Whit makes ye say that?” Tony asked, efter a slight hesitation.
“Because he wis clocked across in Petershill Road the other day there, efter hivving a couple a pints in The Auld Hoose oan Keppochhill Road, so he wis. Noo, Ah know Ah kin come across as being a bit slow at times, and Ah’ll admit, Ah’m daeing aw Ah kin tae sort that oot, bit Ah’m no bloody thick tae boot. Harper Harris, fae Possil, disnae jist end up oan Petershill Road, where Tony Gucci happens tae be living, fur nae reason. There’s nae such thing as coincidences...unless ye’re calling me a liar, that is?”
“Pat, Ah swear Ah never spoke tae or clapped eyes oan Harper Harris across in ma flat or oan the street in Petershill Road,” Tony said truthfully.
“So, ye’re saying ye’ve no goat the ring?”
“Ah’m saying Ah wisnae aware that Harper Harris wis across oan Petershill Road the other day there.”
The Big Man decided tae change tack.
“Ah know who plunged that pal ae yours.”
“Everywan knows it wis Toby Simpson.”
“Dae they? Says who? Wur they there?”
“Even a blind man knows who done it.”
“Aye, bit Ah’ve goat two eye witnesses, who wur there, saw it wae their ain eyes, so they did. No ifs or buts.”
Silence.
“Ah also know where Harper Harris is, right this minute, right noo, so Ah dae,” The Big Man announced, pleased tae clock a wee sleekit tic appearing at the side ae Gucci’s left eye.
It wis faint, bit it wis there. The Big Man decided tae change tack again.
“So, how ur ye getting oan wae yer plans tae take oot ma pal, Tam Simpson?” he asked.
“We’re oot and aboot trying tae check oot any regular runs he takes in that fancy Merc ae his.”
“Aye, ye’d need tae be up early in the morning tae catch a snake like Tam Simpson oot, so ye wid. Is that no right, Bob?”
“Aye,” Wan-bob agreed fae where he wis staunin, leaning back against the sink wae his erms folded across his chest.
“The real reason Ah asked ye oot wis tae tell ye that Ah’m heiding back abroad in the early hours ae Thursday morning. If ye’re telling me that ye still don’t know how ye’re gonnae plug Tam Simpson, then it’ll need tae wait until Ah’m back in circulation in the toon,” The Big Man said, feeling a warm glow inside at the pain that shot across Gucci’s face.
“And when wid that be, Pat?” he croaked.
“Ah’m no sure, probably Easter...roond aboot that time.”
“When is Easter then?”
“Sometime in April.”
Silence.
“So, where’s Harris, Pat?”
“Where’s ma ring?”
“Who wis it that actually did the stabbing?”
“Where’s ma good ring?”
Silence.
“Ah want the two hunner and fifty quid that it cost me,” Tony said eventually.
“Ye’ll get whit Lord Frank Owen ae The Glesga Echo is paying oot fur it’s return.”
“And how much is that?”
“Two hunner.”
Silence.
The Big Man wis starting tae relax and enjoy himsel, though he did feel a wee bit sorry fur the Tally, staunin there in front ae him, trying no tae advertise his true feelings across that coupon ae his. He knew fine well that the only way young Tony wis gonnae be able tae catch oot somewan like Tam Simpson, wis tae get his haun oan rock solid information…fae somewan close, who’d be in a position tae know ae any regular coming and gauns by Tam and his brother Toby. That somewan, whose very existence depended oan saving up that kind ae information fur a rainy day, wis Tony’s elephant in the room. The Big Man wanted tae be solemn and understaunin, bit he couldnae keep the grin aff ae that face ae his, as Tony slipped his haun intae the pocket ae his jeans and pulled oot the ring. He momentarily gied it a wee glance before letting oot a wee audible sigh. The Big Man caught the dazzling sparkle ae the lights bouncing aff ae it, as Tony tossed it across tae Wan-bob, who in turn tossed it across tae The Big Man, withoot looking at it.
“See, that wisnae too bad, noo, wis it, Tony?”
“Who wis it that done the damage, Pat?”
“Ye wur right...it wis Toby. Alex The Manager wis oot delivering the takings tae the all-night safe at the bank oan Springburn Road. He wis oan his way back when he heard a car screeching tae a halt and saw Toby Simpson, Jo Jo Robson and Frisky Fra
nk McKenna jump oot ae a red Ford Cortina ootside the bingo hall. They never clocked Alex…nor did they clock Harper Harris crouched doon behind a wee Escort, jist opposite oan Gourlay Street…”
“Harper Harris?” Tony gasped.
“Alex said that Harris wid’ve goat a better view ae whit wis happening than whit he did. He did say that it wis definitely Toby that done the damage though. He said he used whit looked like a bayonet.”
“And Harris? Where is he noo?”
“Well, it’s funny ye should ask me that, Tony. Ah only found oot this very morning. Seemingly, yer boy is holed up in a hoose in Bishopbriggs.”
“Bishopbriggs?”
“Aye, and a right fancy wan at that tae.”
“Whose hoose?”
“Ah’m no exactly sure.”
“Bit, Ah take it ye know where the hoose is?”
“Well, Ah widnae swear Ah knew the exact colour ae the front door, although Ah’ve goat the directions oan how tae get there?”
“Directions?”
“He wis clocked coming up aff the railway line oan Colston Road oan Christmas morning by Fast Track Dave, wan ae ma bookies. He said he nearly ran o’er the tap ae the stupid basturt.”
“Bit it wis definitely him?”
“Who, Fast Track?”
“Naw. Did Harris recognise that it wis Fast Track behind the wheel?”
“Ah don’t think so. Fast Track telt Wan-bob that he jist kept driving oan efter bouncing aff a pavement, before daeing a U-turn at the bend oan Ashgill Road, at the Milton end. He then crawled back tae see whit yer man, Harris, wis up tae. Fast Track awready knew that Wan-bob wis looking fur Harris. Yer boy turned left oan tae the Kirkintilloch road. By the time Fast Track turned at the lights, he’d clocked Harris turning intae a wee cul-dae-sac called Coltpark Avenue. He said that Harris nipped intae some big fancy hoose doon oan the left, at the very bottom.”
“And he’s sure? Harper widnae hiv clocked that he wis being tailed?”
“Fast Track said he hung aboot fur an hour and there wis nae sign ae him coming back oot. He said that there’s a big metal, spiked fence at the bottom ae the avenue and seeing as it wis daylight, he didnae think anywan could climb o’er that withoot being clocked and the bizzies being called.”
“It sounds a bit iffy.”
“Ah’ve never met this knob-end, bit he sounds a right eejit, so he dis. Ah’ve also been informed, oan good authority, jist the other day there, that the hoose yer boy is in is the same wan he tanned a few years ago and ended up in court fur, charged wae burglary. Ah even saw his previous conviction charge sheet and sure enough, there it wis, staring oot ae the sheet, hoosebreaking in Coltpark Avenue, Bishopbriggs. He ended up daeing time fur it as well. Ye’re no telling me that this is some sort ae coincidence, ur ye?”
“It sounds tae me as if he’s gone tae ground there, seeing as he knows things that he shouldnae. If Toby Simpson, or any ae that crowd ae his, even suspect that Harris saw whit happened tae yer pal, he’s as good as deid, so he is,” Wan-bob chipped in.
“So, it’s o’er tae yersel, Tony, boy. Ah don’t know how ye’re gonnae dae it, bit if Ah wis you, Ah’d get ma hauns oan Harper Harris, as soon as. He’s the man tae tell ye how tae target somewan like Tam Simpson, so he is. If anywan knows the movements ae Tam Simpson, he’s yer boy. Noo, if it’s okay wae yersel, that Abbot and Costello pair ur jist aboot tae come oan the telly...so unless there’s anything else?”
“Ma two hunner quid?”
“The Goat will gie ye that oan the way oot. Keep me posted, and remember, Ah’ll be heiding aff later in the week, so ye better get yer skates oan. Wance Ah’m gone, Tam Simpson is oot ae bounds tae aw and sundry till Ah get back,” The Big Man reminded him, looking across at Tony and Wan-bob tae make sure they’d baith goat the message.
“Bit...”
“And remember, Tony, Ah’ll still need ma forty eight hours notice, so Ah will.”
Efter Gucci disappeared wae The Goat and Wan-bob, The Big Man looked at the ring. It wis stunning. He could see why The Echo called it ‘The Princess’s Ring.’ Any Princess wid be glad tae hiv that slipped oan her slim finger. It wis well worth the four hunner quid reward that the paper wis putting up tae get it back. He’d need tae talk tae The Rat, in order tae set the wheels in motion fur opening up the negotiating channels. Two and a hauf grand wid be a good starting price, he thought tae himsel, as he leaned o’er and switched oan the telly.
Chapter Thirty Eight
Tony looked at the three ae them. He’d nipped roond tae Simon’s earlier, efter being drapped aff oan Auchentoshan Terrace by Wan-bob and The Goat. He’d telt Simon tae get Snappy and Pat roond tae Petershill Road. Snappy and Simon looked happy enough, bit Pat obviously wisnae convinced.
“Ah think it’s too dodgy. Whit if he isnae in the hoose?” Pat asked.
“So, there’s nae herm done then. We’ll jist look aboot and if we come across anything worth a few bob, we’ll take that as payment fur oor time,” Snappy replied, shrugging they shoulders ae his.
“It’s aw right fur youse wans. Ah’m mair comfortable hitting shoaps. Breaking intae a hoose isnae whit Ah’m comfortable wae.”
“Aw, fur fuck’s sake, Pat. Ye don’t hiv tae go in. Masel and Simon will dae that, won’t we, Simon?”
Tony let them ramble. He knew they hid tae go through the motions. He awready knew who wis daeing whit.
“Right, well, if ye’re no prepared tae go in then, it’ll jist be ten percent runner’s fees fur ye, if we come oot wae any goodies. Why the fuck should we hiv tae dae aw the work, eh?”
“Well, in that case, there’s nae point in me gaun then, is there? If ye want a runner, get Peter tae go wae youse,” Pat growled at Snappy.
“Look, shut the fuck up, Pat. Ye’re gaun and that’s that,” Tony growled.
“No fur ten per cent, Ah’m no.”
“Wid youse stupid pricks get serious and wise up? We need tae work oot whit the hell we’re daeing here. How ur we gonnae get intae that hoose withoot Harper daeing a runner oot ae the back door and o’er that fence beside the railway line?”
“Well, Ah’m yer man fur gaun in and dragging the bampot oot,” Snappy declared.
“So Am Ah,” Simon said.
“Snappy, you’ll be oot the back. Pat, ye’re in the car at the front.”
“Aw, fuck aff, Tony. Whit’s wrang wae Simple Simon?” Snappy whined.
“Look, Ah need ye oot the back, okay? If he dis a runner, Ah want somewan oot the back that’ll be able tae stoap him wae wan hit.”
“Ah’d manage wan hit, so Ah wid,” Simon declared, in case there wis any confusion oan his ability tae stoap somewan in their tracks wae wan jab.
“So, Ah kin go in then, in that case?” Snappy asked.
“Naw, ye cannae. It’s masel and Simon. You and Pat ur ootside. Ah’ve thought this through and it’s settled. Right, Simon, whit’s the score wae the hoose then?” Tony asked, before any mair arguments started up.
“Well, Ah only hid a quick look. Ah parked the car in Milton Drive, the wee street in between Colston Road and Coltpark Avenue, and sauntered doon towards the hoose, bit turned back hauf way. Ah didnae want tae get too close. The street’s quite quiet, particularly doon the far end, where he’s supposed tae be. And another thing, it’s no a cul-de-sac either. There’s a wee street hauf way doon oan the right called Stuart Drive that takes ye roond and back oan tae the Kirkintilloch road. Aw the hooses ur quite close tae wan another as well, so it wid definitely need tae be done in the dark. Anywan clocked wandering aboot the place wid staun oot a mile, so they wid, including somewan like Fast Track Dave. It widnae surprise me if he hisnae gied the game away. Aw the living rooms in the street ur facing oot oan tae the pavements. Ah think we’d get away wae parking a car doon at the bottom, facing the fence. The hooses doon there, including the wan that Harper’s supposed tae be in, ur big detached basturts, wae hedges in front ae them. Unless somewan wis looking oot the tap flair wi
ndaes, Ah don’t think we’d draw too much attention. If Pat’s daeing the driving, we could lie in the back seat or, even better, the boot and then crawl oot ae it wance we’re parked. The only problem Ah kin see is, if we hiv tae bodily carry him oot ae the hoose and he’s struggling and screaming.”
“Is that it?” Snappy asked.
“Well, unless ye’ve goat a better idea. Spit it oot, professor.”
“Ah think we come in fae the railway side. We nip up and o’er the fence intae the back garden and then intae the hoose. That’s obviously the way Harper dis it. We could leave the car parked in Milton Drive oot ae the way”
“So, why wis he walking doon intae the street fae the Kirkintilloch road end then?” Simon asked.
“Because, as Tony said, ye widnae be climbing o’er the fence during the day, bit at night, it wid be different.”
“And ye think trying tae get him o’er a big fence, if he wis struggling like a madman, nae tae mention him screaming like a banshee, wid be a piece ae piss?”
“Believe you me, Ah’ll gie him such a dig, he’ll no know whether it’s Christmas or Halloween, so he wullnae. Whit dae ye think, Tony?”
“We’ll stick tae the car in the street, doon by the fence, as Simon said. If Ah kin get intae the hoose and talk tae him, Ah’ll maybe be able tae convince him that he’ll be safe wae us. Keep in mind, Ah’ve still goat a hunner quid tae gie him,” Tony reminded them.
“Suit yersels, bit don’t say Ah never warned youse if it aw goes tae pot,” Snappy retorted.