“Is this true?” demands Alex, swinging the gun round on Terry, who appears completely unconcerned.
“Course not. I'll give you your due Rachel, you're smart.” He looks back at Alex. “You've known me your entire life Alex. Have I ever let you down before?” He smiles when he sees Alex waver. “Then trust me now.”
Alex swings the gun back at Rachel, who swallows nervously.
“If this is true,” says Alex, “then why didn't you let me in on it?”
“Truth be told, we didn't know which side you were on.”
Alex is dumbstruck. “You thought I'd go against my dad and my brother?”
“I'm sorry but no one knew except me and Danny. I only told Mikey an hour ago.”
Terry hisses maliciously in Alex’s ear. “She destroyed Danny. He was fine until she came along. She made him into a monster.”
Alex's expression darkens as he stares at her. He looks lethal and she knows he is more than capable of killing her.
“Terry killed your dad and he tried to kill Danny,” she retorts.
“Shut your lying mouth,” roars Terry.
Alex points the gun at him. “Shut the fuck up, for once.” He looks back at Rachel. “Continue.”
“Right now Danny and Frankie McVay are seizing everything you just turned over from the stately home this afternoon Terry. They’ve also had a chat with Lord Davenport and guess whose been feeding information about the family to The Coalition?”
“Another of her lies,” spits Terry. “It's not me, it's her. Why can't you fucking see that?” But the hesitation in his voice is obvious.
Alex looks at Rachel then back at Terry. “Well one of you is lying.” He’s torn. Here are two people he thought he could trust with his life and one is a lying traitor who killed his father.
“Don't tell me you actually believe her?” exclaims Terry, throwing his hands in the air.
Alex scrutinises them both carefully. Terry appears on the verge of insanity while Rachel is calm and collected. Terry had tried to convince Alex that her love for his brother was a sham and that she was just a gold digger but he had always been sure this was wrong and his uncle has been growing increasingly unstable lately.
“I've had enough of this, just kill her,” yells Terry.
Once more Alex aims the gun at Rachel, his hand steady as a rock. She stares straight back at him.
“Don’t do this Alex, please. I can prove to you I’m telling the truth.”
“Don’t listen to that witch. She’ll cast her spell on you just like she did Danny.”
At that moment Mikey comes round and staggers to his feet.
“What's happening?” he mumbles, putting a hand to his aching head.
No one answers him. Alex swallows hard and Rachel grits her teeth as she speaks in one last ditch attempt to save her life.
“Terry will kill you too Alex if you don’t conform with his plans. What will happen to your mum if she loses you too? What will happen to Beth?”
Rachel is relieved to see Alex’s resolve waiver and he lowers the gun slightly.
“You had your chance Alex. Kill the lot of them,” Terry orders the Devlins.
“Don't or I'll shoot him,” yells Alex, swinging the gun from Rachel to Terry's head.
Terry laughs maniacally. “Go on then.”
Alex pulls the trigger and the only sound is the impotent click of the empty chamber.
“I knew you wouldn't be able to do it,” smirks Terry. “Did you think I was stupid enough to give you a loaded gun?”
Ron and Marcus draw their weapons, all the while smiling maliciously.
Ron aims his gun at Mikey.
“No,” screams Rachel.
Everyone jumps as a gunshot rings out. Mikey, who has braced himself for the impact, is shocked when it is Ron who drops to the floor, a bullet wound to the chest. Immediately Marcus turns to the stairs and starts firing at Danny, who leaps behind the cover of the DJ stand. Alex, Rachel and Mikey throw themselves behind the bar while Terry makes a run for it.
Rachel tries to peer round the bar to see what's happening but Mikey pulls her back.
“Jesus Rach,” he exclaims. “You'll get your head blown off.”
“Alex, no,” she cries as he leaps over the bar to join in the fray.
Mikey pulls her back and keeps a tight hold on her to ensure she can’t endanger herself again.
Alex snatches up the gun dropped by Ron Devlin and ducks behind a table. He checks it’s loaded before peering round the side of the table and spies Marcus facing away from him, concentrating on Danny. Danny manages to hit Marcus in the shoulder but he barely flinches and continues pumping bullets in Danny’s direction. Carefully Alex takes aim and shoots Marcus twice in the back. He falls to the floor, dead. The sudden silence seems eerie after the gunfire. Danny and Alex tentatively leave the safety of their hiding places and stare down at the bodies of the Devlins.
Rachel leaps out from behind the bar and calls out her husband’s name as she runs into his outstretched arms. He grabs her and checks her for injuries, relieved that she isn’t hurt, then kisses her hard.
Alex approaches Danny a little cautiously, the gun tucked into his belt. Rachel clings to Danny‘s arm and regards him warily.
“I'm sorry Bruv. Terry lied to me, made me think you'd killed Dad and that Rachel was only after the clubs. I'd no idea…” His voice cracks and holds his hand out for Danny to shake. “Can you forgive me?”
Danny's hard expression softens and, ignoring his extended hand, he gives Alex a tight bear hug with some manly slapping on the back.
“Course I can,” says Danny. He knows Alex has been duped. After all, he'd had no reason to mistrust his uncle.
The door bursts open and Danny and Alex turn with their guns at the ready. They are relieved to see Battler and Bruiser charge in, likewise with their guns drawn. All four men relax.
“Have we missed the fun again?” says Battler.
“I’m afraid so but don't worry. You're just in time for the clean up,” replies Danny, indicating the Devlins.
“Wait, where's Terry?” says Mikey, his green eyes narrowing.
In all the excitement he'd been forgotten.
“Fan out,” orders Danny. “We have to find him.”
They all rush off to obey but Danny pulls Rachel back. “Not you. Terry's dangerous.” He's drawn his weapon again and his eyes scan the room.
“He'll be long gone by now, especially with Battler and Bruiser here.”
Danny nods then his gaze settles on the body of Ron Devlin and Rachel divines his thoughts instantly.
“You had no choice,” she says softly, taking his hand in her own. “He wouldn’t have hesitated to kill us all.”
He embraces her so tightly that the breath is squeezed from her body.
Everyone returns from their search to report that there's no sign of Terry. Bruiser found one of the fire exit doors had been opened. Terry is gone. Danny is furious because as long as Terry is out there he’s still a viable threat. But if he's any sense he'll put as much distance between them as possible.
“So are you coming home?” Rachel asks Danny.
He kisses her gently. “Yes, finally.”
CHAPTER 33
Danny and Frankie shake hands heartily. They have met on a patch of wasteground on the outskirts of the city and it is time for Frankie to return home.
“Thanks for all your help,” says Danny sincerely.
“No, thank you. I’ve been after that wee bastard for years and I‘m going home four million richer. So, what now for you?”
“First things first me and Rachel are taking a nice long holiday. We could do with the rest.”
“Rachel? Is she here? I’d love to meet her,” grins Frankie.
Danny nods and gesture to his car. “Rachel,” he calls.
Frankie watches in anticipation as the door of Danny’s Mercedes opens and a pair of long slender legs emerge. He’s heard so much about her he is
curious to see if she lives up to his expectations.
“Mr McVay it’s a pleasure to meet you at last,” she says pleasantly, extending her hand for him to shake. But to her surprise he raises her hand to his lips and kisses it.
“And you Mrs Maguire. I must say all the wonderful things I’ve heard about you do not do you justice.”
And he means it but he doesn’t just refer to he looks. He can sense the strength radiating off her, see the keen intelligence in her eyes. He is not disappointed.
Danny is amused. It’s strange to see Frankie McVay on the charm offensive.
She smiles at the compliment. “I wanted to thank you for the help you have given our family. It is very much appreciated.”
“I did it for Frank but I can see he has a worthy successor in his son,” he says and Danny smiles in recognition of the compliment. “Well, I’d better be getting back. If I spend too long in England I start to feel dirty.”
Rachel and Danny laugh.
“Why don’t you both come up for a wee visit one day? There’s a business venture I’d like to discuss, after your holiday of course.”
After they agree to the proposal they watch Frankie wander over to his car. Just before he climbs in he stops and turns back to face them.
“Oh Danny, I forgot to tell you. I kept a little souvenir.” Frankie reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a small plastic tub similar to the one in which he kept the accountants tongue.
“What’s that?” says Rachel.
“Believe me you don’t want to know,” replies Danny.
“Admit it, you killed him,” roars Superintendent Benton.
“I fucking didn't,” yells back Ryan Law, slamming his fist down on the tabletop.
“Don't give me that shit Ryan. Lord Davenport's body is found tortured and hacked to death in your lock-up and you know nothing about it. Do you think I'm stupid? No one can even fart without you knowing about it, so that tells me if you didn't kill him then you know who did. And another thing, where the fuck is his tongue because it sure as hell isn‘t in his mouth?”
Ryan is totally bewildered and very angry. He knows he’s been set up and he suspects rightly that the Maguires are the culprits.
“I haven’t the first fucking clue what you’re talking about. It was the Maguires. They set me up,” he says, struggling to keep his immense anger under control.
“Why?”
“Because they want everything and they need me out of the way.”
Benton frowns. “Then why wouldn't they just kill you like all the others? Why are you so fucking special?”
“Because....because…,” stammers Ryan, desperately trying to come up with an answer.
“And,” continues Benton, “why would they kill Lord Davenport? They had nothing to do with him. You on the other hand have known him for many years, haven't you Ryan?”
Ryan swallows nervously. He knows this is wrong but he can't tell Benton the truth without dropping himself in it.
Benton smiles predatorily and opens the manila folder lying on the desk in front of him. He pulls out a piece of paper with a flourish and starts to read:
“Cambridge University nineteen ninety seven. You studied together, were close friends. So Ryan, did that friendship continue after you left Cambridge?”
“No. Why would I want to hang around with a stuck up ponce like that?” he snarls.
“Oh come on Ryan, give me a break. For a genius you're acting bloody stupid. You needed an in to the big time for your drug dealing. Davenport got you high class clients, didn't he?” Benton is pleased to see Ryan swallow nervously, an unconscious reflex, although his face betrays nothing. Benton knows he's onto a winner.
“So what happened? Get greedy did he? Try to rip you off?”
Ryan resolutely folds his arms, refusing to say anything else but Benton continues relentlessly.
“We've looked into Davenport's financial records. He was in serious debt. Funny thing is he was receiving payments of fifty grand every two months. We haven't managed to trace where from yet but we will and the smart money is on you Ryan.”
Ryan glares at Benton with hatred in his eyes. They are interrupted by a knock at the door and a uniformed officer pokes his head in.
“Sir, can I have a word?”
“Superintendent Benton is leaving the room,” says the DS into the tape recorder and Ryan turns his glare on him. The DS stares back steadily, not dropping his gaze but Ryan is gratified when beads of nervous sweat pop out on his forehead. He smirks and shakes his head.
A couple of minutes later Benton returns, a triumphant smile on his face, causing Ryan's heart to sink.
“Forensics have just found a hair on Davenport's body. Guess who it belongs to?”
“The fucking queen,” huffs Ryan.
“You Ryan,” grins Benton.
Instantly a memory fills Ryan's mind of that wonderful night in Martina's Bar with Rachel. At the time he thought she’d tugged at his hair a little forcefully but he had put it down to passion. Now he knows why. The knowledge that he has been well and truly tucked up by the only woman he has ever cared about sends Ryan into a murderous rage. He upturns the table, slams his fist into the detective sergeant’s face and flies at Benton, who gives as good as he gets. It takes five of them to restrain him.
Danny and Rachel are finally alone together, at long last. They lie in their bed wrapped in each other's arms, shining with post-coital sweat and talking quietly, trying to make sense of the horror they have recently experienced.
“There's something I haven't told you yet,” begins Danny. “I know who's in The Coalition, apart from Davenport.”
Rachel lifts her head off his chest to look into his eyes. “Who?”
“Superintendent Benton.”
“No surprises there.”
“May Roberts, a Crown Court Judge and Jeremy Hammond…”
“The newspaper owner?”
“The same.”
Do you think they’ll give up with Davenport dead?”
“I hope so but I doubt it. I can’t see Benton giving up so easily.”
Rachel nods in agreement, a shiver running down her spine at the mention of Benton’s name. She has a feeling Danny is right.
“What about Ryan?”
“With Frankie’s help I’ve arranged a little surprise for him. He should be enjoying it as we speak.”
“You said you wouldn’t kill him.” Despite what he’s done the last thing she wants is to see him dead. She recalls the kindness he showed her after the miscarriage and that fiery night in the club, which Danny will never ever know about. She’d told him she took that hair off Ryan’s jacket and not plucked it from his head when she was kissing him. Desperately she tries to ignore the powerful feelings the memory generates inside her.
“No, I think you’re right. He could be a useful ally one day, when he’s seen the error of his ways. Anyway, let’s forget about him.” Danny reaches into his bedside cabinet and pulls out a small envelope. “I picked these up today,” he says handing her the envelope.
Eagerly she rips it open and gasps. “Two tickets to Rome.” With an exclamation of joy she kisses him hard. “I can’t believe it. I’m finally going to Italy.”
“We leave next month. I thought you’d want time to do some shopping first.”
“You know me so well,” she purrs, kissing him again.
“I got a bottle of champagne to celebrate,” he says, climbing out of bed.
“You stay here. I’ll get it.”
“Hurry back,” he grins, playfully slapping her backside.
Rachel wanders into the kitchen wrapped in one of Danny’s shirts, humming happily to herself. She is so caught up in her own thoughts that she doesn’t notice the pantry door slowly swing open. Taking two wine glasses out of the cupboard she places them carefully on the unit then she takes the bottle of champagne out of the fridge and puts that beside the glasses. Before she even realises he’s there, Terry leaps out o
f the pantry, clamps a hand over her mouth and holds a large knife to her throat.
“Call him,” he whispers in her ear, removing his hand from her mouth.
“No,” she says firmly.
“Call him or I'll slit your throat.”
“Go on then.”
He sticks the blade into her forearm, cutting deep, careful to avoid the major veins. He doesn't want her dead just yet. Biting her lip to stop herself from crying out she watches as her blood drips onto the tiled floor. She feels a little faint but still she makes no noise and he pushes her away in irritation. It’s only then she notices Jake standing behind the kitchen door, watching the scene with a sadistic smile.
“Call him or believe me it'll get a lot worse for you,” seethes Terry.
She spits in his face. He punches her in the stomach and she crumples to the floor. Still she refuses to make a sound.
Danny lies in bed smiling to himself. After the holiday he’s planning a blessing of their marriage. It will be a fresh start for them, a chance to put aside everything that has happened over the past few months.
The sudden silence hits him. He can't hear Rachel moving about below. He sits up and listens carefully. Nothing. Sliding out of bed he pulls on a pair of jogging bottoms then takes the gun out of his bedside cabinet and quietly slips down the stairs, careful to avoid the step that creaks at the bottom.
Downstairs all is in darkness, except for the light thrown from the open kitchen door. Sticking to the shadows he peers through the crack and what he sees causes him to hurl himself into the kitchen, gun at the ready. Rachel is deathly pale, her arm covered in blood. Terry holds her before him like a shield, the tip of his knife digging into her neck. Jake stands by the sink, also brandishing a knife.
“Let her go,” says Danny.
“Put the gun down or I'll slit her throat,” replies Terry.
“Shoot him Danny,” cries Rachel.
“Shut it bitch,” roars Terry, the tip of the blade drawing blood, making Rachel grimace.
“You hurt her and I swear to God I'll fucking tear you apart,” bellows Danny, his blue eyes blazing.
Terry presses the knife harder against her neck and more droplets of blood drip down her skin.
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