Toxic

by Lingard, Alice

  “We're waiting to hear from Jason,” Carol said.

  “Who is this Jason?” Suzy asked.

  “He's—” Carol always got stuck at this point. Who was he? Her friend? Her lover? “He's helping us. He should be here any time.”

  “Are you sure you don't want anything to eat?” Lacey asked.

  “There is one thing I could eat.”

  “Anything you like. There's a restaurant downstairs.”

  “I'd love a pizza.”

  “Done.” Lacey grabbed her phone. “I'll give Carlos at Chipmunk a call. Anyone else?”

  “Not for me,” Carol said.

  “Raw?”

  “Not hungry,” he grunted.

  Thirty minutes later, the lift lights lit up.

  “Looks like the pizza is here,” Lacey headed towards the lift doors.

  It wasn't the pizza delivery.

  “You must be Suzy,” Jason said.

  “Have you found Todd?” Suzy asked, before either Raw or Carol could ask the same question.

  “No, but I know who has him.”

  “Is he okay?” Suzy said.

  “I don't know.”

  “What do you mean you don't know?” Raw jumped into the conversation.

  “It was Goldie who took him.”

  “I thought you said he worked for the Gordons,” Carol said. “They've been paid haven't they?”

  “Who are the Gordons?” Suzy asked.

  “Todd owed them money,” Jason said. “The debt's been cleared now, but it seems it was too late for them to call off Goldie.”

  “But they can call him off now, right?” Carol said.

  “I hope so.”

  “You hope so?” Raw moved closer to Jason. “Is that the best you can do?”

  If Jason was troubled by Raw's aggression, he didn't show it. “I spoke to the Gordons just before I came here. They're trying to contact Goldie.”

  “What if it's already too late?” It was Suzy who asked the question which was on everyone's lips.

  “All we can do is wait.” Jason said. “They're going to call me.”

  “You'd better hope for your sake he's okay.” Raw thumped the boardroom table.

  “That's enough, Raw!” Carol yelled at her brother. “If it wasn't for Jason, we wouldn't even know who had taken Todd.”

  Just then the lift doors opened.

  “Hiya, Lacey.” Tony said. “I've got the pizza you ordered.”

  Tony pocketed the ten pound tip which Lacey had given him. “Thanks.” He could hardly miss the strained atmosphere in the room. “Is everything okay?” he whispered, as she walked him back to the lift.

  “Everything's fine. Thank Carlos for me, will you? See ya.”

  They were all seated at the table, waiting for the call. Suzy took a couple of bites of pizza, but her appetite had disappeared.

  “Drink anyone?” Lacey said.

  Before anyone could answer, Jason's phone rang.

  “Yes? Where? Are you sure? Okay.” He put the phone onto the table.

  “What's happened?” Suzy demanded.

  “Todd's okay,” Jason said. “A few bruises—that's all.”

  “Where is he?” Carol was on her feet.

  “They brought him back up here. The Gordons told Goldie that they had their money, and he could let Todd go, but Goldie took it upon himself to give him a few slaps anyway. He enjoys his work a little too much.”

  “Are you sure he's okay?” Raw said.

  “Positive. We can collect him from A&E now.”

  Raw, Lacey and Suzy took one car. Carol and Jason took another. They arrived at the doors of A&E within a few seconds of one another.

  “Can you see him?” Suzy asked, as she looked around the huge waiting area.

  Lacey shook her head.

  “I'll check with reception,” Carol said.

  “Hey honey,” Todd called from behind them. “Where have you been? Thought you were never going to get here.”

  Suzy ran over to Todd, and threw her arms around him.

  “Steady on, honey. Watch the ribs. They're a bit sore.”

  Lacey ran her gaze over Todd. Apart from some swelling under one eye, he looked okay.

  “What are you two doing here?” Todd glared at Raw and Carol.

  “They helped to get you out,” Lacey said.

  “I wasn't talking to you, sweet pie.”

  “You ungrateful piece of shit.” Raw lurched forward, but before he could grab hold of Todd, Jason stepped in between the two brothers.

  “Get out of my way.” Raw spat the words.

  Jason had his hands on Raw's chest. “This isn't going to help. Why don't we all get out of here?”

  “We can go back to the penthouse and talk there,” Carol suggested.

  “Forget it,” Todd said. “I'm not going anywhere near Raw Towers.”

  “Todd.” Suzy took his hand. “We have to.”

  “Like fuck we do. Come on.” He began to lead her away.

  “Wait!” Carol made to follow him.

  “Leave it,” Raw said. “He isn't worth it.”

  “We shouldn't let him go,” Jason said. “He isn't safe. Waverley is still after him.”

  “You've seen what he's like. There's no talking to him.”

  “I can follow him,” Jason said. “He won't know I'm there. I'll make sure he doesn't come to any harm until you can talk some sense into him.” He turned to Raw. “If that's okay with you?”

  “Do what you like.”

  Carol travelled back to the penthouse with Raw and Lacey.

  “Remind me why we bother?” Raw poured himself a Scotch.

  “Because he's our brother,” Carol said.

  “I'm done with him.” Raw took a drink. “His debts are paid. It's up to him what he does now.”

  “We can't abandon him. Not while Waverley wants him dead.”

  “We can't make him accept our help. If you or Jason can persuade him to take a new identity, then go ahead—knock yourself out. I'm done trying.”

  Chapter 21

  Todd and Suzy had booked into the first hotel they came across after leaving A&E.

  “Let me see your face.” Suzy ran a finger along Todd's cheek.

  “Don't fuss.” He pulled away. “What happened to Ben?”

  “I left him with the Warnes. He'll be okay there until we can pick him up. I was worried out of my mind when I got back to the house and you were gone. What happened?”

  “Hang on a minute while I order some food. I'm starving. Do you want anything?”

  “Just a sandwich. Anything will do.”

  “I'm having a drink,” he said. “Do you want one?”

  “Alcohol?”

  “Hell yeah. I've been kidnapped, and I've just had to listen to my self-righteous brother. Figure I deserve a bloody drink. And a big one too.”

  “I'll just have a coke.”

  “Suit yourself.”

  “I heard the car pull up outside while I was washing the dishes,” Todd said. “I thought it was tourists who'd lost their way. Next thing I know, two of them grabbed me from behind, and dragged me to the car. Goldie was waiting for me in there. I thought my time was up, I can tell you.”

  “It might have been if Rawhide hadn't paid off all your debts.”

  “Huh.” Todd shrugged.

  “Is that all you can say?”

  “What do you want me to say?”

  “If someone had coughed up a few million pounds to save my life, I think I might at least manage a 'thank-you'.”

  Before Todd could respond, there was a knock at the door.

  “Put it over there,” Todd instructed the waiter.

  Suzy's face dropped when she saw he'd ordered a bottle of whiskey.

  “That's not going to help,” she said.

  “Christ, you sound like Raw and Carol. Why don't you all get off my case?”

  “Don't worry, babes. That's exactly what I plan to do.” She grabbed her bag and started toward
s the door.

  “Why are you leaving?”

  “I'm done.”

  “Don't go, honey.”

  “My name's Suzy!” she shouted, as she slammed the door behind her.

  Tears welled in her eyes as she hurried down the stairs. She should have known better than to think it could last. The beach hadn't been real life; this was real life. And it stunk.

  **********

  Lacey felt her phone vibrate. Raw and Carol were still arguing about what they should or shouldn't do about Todd. As far as Raw was concerned, the answer was simple: nothing. He'd reached the end of his tether.

  Neither of them noticed Lacey slip into the master bedroom to take the call.

  “Suzy? Are you okay?”

  “Not really.” She was sobbing. “I need to get into the flat, but I haven't got my key.”

  “Is Todd with you?”

  “That fuck-up? No.”

  “Where is he? Is he okay?”

  “Don't worry about him. He's tucked up with a bottle of Jack Daniels.”

  “Why don't you come over to the penthouse? You can stay here for a couple of nights.”

  “No offence, but I can't face Rawhide and his sis. I need to be by myself for a while.”

  “I'll meet you at the flat. I can be there in twenty minutes.”

  “Okay. Thanks.”

  “Raw!” Lacey had to shout to be heard. The two siblings were still going at it hammer and tongs. “I'm going out to get some fresh air.”

  “Where are you going?” Raw said.

  “Nowhere. I won't be long. I just need to get out for a while.”

  “Okay.”

  Before she'd reached the lift doors, Raw and Carol were back at each other's throats.

  Suzy was already at the flat by the time Lacey arrived. She was sitting with her back against the wall—her head resting on her knees.

  “Are you okay?” Lacey held out a hand to help Suzy to her feet.

  “Me? Of course I am.”

  “I'll make us a nice cup of tea,” Lacey said, once they were inside.

  “Thanks, Mummy.”

  “What happened after you left the hospital?” Lacey asked.

  “We went to some crappy hotel.”

  “I mean what happened between you and Todd?”

  “What does it matter?”

  “Suzy.”

  “I told him to fuck off. It's done.”

  “That's it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Drink your tea,” Lacey said.

  Suzy took a sip. “Does Rawhide know you're here?”

  “No. I told him I needed some fresh air. He and Carol are going at it again.”

  “Todd's a bloody idiot. He doesn't know how lucky he is to have so many people looking out for him. He's a stupid, arrogant, self-centred—”

  “How ever did you manage to live with him for over a month if you hate him so much?”

  “I don't hate Todd. I hate the guy Todd pretends to be. The guy who calls everyone honey, and acts like a complete prick.”

  “That's the only version of him I've ever known.”

  “You should have seen him at the beach, Lacey. He was so nice.”

  “Nice? Since when did you go for nice?”

  “I know. I must be going soft. It's true though—there was none of his bullshit while we were living at the beach. If you'd seen how he was the last few weeks—you'd have liked him too.”

  Lacey nodded, but found it hard to believe she could ever like Todd. The man was an obnoxious waste of space, and Suzy was well shut of him.

  “He didn't have a single drink.”

  “Hmm.”

  “It's true. All of the time we were at the beach, he didn't have any alcohol. Neither of us did except—” She hesitated. “Remember the day I rang you? I was mightily pissed off, so I took a cab to the nearest town, and drank myself into oblivion. It was only the once though. The rest of the time I was stone cold sober.”

  “What happened that day to piss you off?”

  “I don't remember.”

  “Liar.”

  “It doesn't matter now.”

  “What was it?”

  “He used the 'L' word.”

  “The—? Love?”

  Suzy nodded.

  “The swine. How dare he do something as horrible as to say he loves you?”

  “He didn't say he loved me. He said we'd made love.”

  “Bloody hell. String the bastard up.”

  “You're not helping.” Suzy gave Lacey a friendly nudge. “You're supposed to be on my side.”

  “I am on your side, but from where I'm sitting, what he did doesn't seem like such a crime.”

  “I know. I was being stupid. I apologised the next day when I'd sobered up.”

  “Do you love him?” Lacey asked.

  “Which one? The Todd I lived with at the beach or the arse hole I just walked out on?” Suzy shrugged. “I'm not sure what love is meant to feel like, but yeah—I think I did.”

  “Did? What's changed?”

  “As soon as we got back, the bubble burst and reality came flooding in. The old Todd came back.”

  “Does he love you?”

  “You'd have to ask him.”

  “I'm asking you.”

  “I thought he did.”

  “So what are you going to do about it?” Lacey put her hand on Suzy's.

  “Get pissed.”

  “Like that's going to help.”

  “It can't make things any worse.”

  “Why don't you sleep on it, and talk to Todd in the morning?”

  “No way. When I left him, he was just starting on a bottle of whiskey. He'll still be drunk in the morning. Anyway, there's nothing to talk about. We had a good time while it lasted, but now it's over. I might give Daggers a call tomorrow. I'll let him buy me a few drinks, and then I'll fuck his brains out.”

  “Great idea.”

  “Why not? At least I know what I'm getting with him. A no-strings attached fuck. You should try it some time, babes.”

  “Don't babes me.”

  “What's up with you?”

  “You're what's up with me. You sit there and complain about Todd being two different people, when all of the time you're doing exactly the same thing.”

  “That's bollocks.”

  “It's true. All this babes crap doesn't fool anyone—especially not me. That isn't the real you.”

  “Who is it then?”

  “I don't know. It's like you're trying to be your mum.”

  Suzy's cheeks were red with anger. “Fuck off home, Lacey.”

  “I'm sorry. I didn't mean—”

  “Oh, you meant it all right. Just fuck off back to your cosy little penthouse.”

  “Suzy. I'm sorry.”

  “Get out!”

  “I'll call you tomorrow.”

  “Don't bother.”

  Chapter 22

  Carol had left by the time Lacey arrived back at the penthouse. Raw was at the dining table.

  “I wasn't sure when you'd be back,” he said. “I can order you something.”

  “It's okay. I'm not hungry. What have you got?”

  “Fish. I nipped out and caught it while you were gone. You know how much I like to go fishing.”

  Lacey smiled, and kissed him on the cheek. “I love you.”

  “I love you too. I'm sorry about all the madness. I'll make it up to you when everything is sorted.”

  “When it is, you can take me to the villa for a month.”

  “A month?”

  “You're the boss. You can have as many holidays as you like.”

  “It doesn't work like that.”

  “A month!”

  “Okay.” Raw smiled. “I promise. On one condition.”

  “What?”

  “No trespassing on other people's boats this time.”

  Lacey thumped his arm. “I've just been to see Suzy.”

  “I thought as much.”

  �
��She's back in the flat. She walked out on Todd.”

  “Probably for the best.”

  “Best for who?”

  “Suzy. She doesn't need his brand of madness.”

  “I think they're in love.”

  “Todd? In love? She's even crazier than I thought she was if she believes that.”

  “It's no crazier than believing Suzy could love someone. I think their time together at the beach has changed them both.”

  “Todd didn't look like he'd changed to me. Same old selfish shit.”

  “That's because we don't get to see the same Todd as Suzy saw at the beach.”

  “When you're drunk, you see what you want to see.”

  “That's just it. Neither of them had a drink all of the time they were there.”

  “Todd go without a drink for over a month? If you believe that, you'll believe anything.”

  “I don't think she was lying.”

  “Lacey.” Raw put his arm around her waist, and pulled her close to him. “I know she's your friend, but you can't really believe any of this. You've seen what Todd's like, and from what you've told me about Suzy—”

  “I know. You're probably right. I just want her to be happy.”

  “It's better this way. They're bad enough when they're apart, but together? It's a toxic combination.”

  **********

  Jason was on the phone when Carol arrived back at her apartment.

  “Hi,” she mouthed.

  “Are you sure?” he said into the phone. “When?” Okay, keep me posted.”

  “Any news?” Carol asked when he'd ended the call.

  “Waverley has gone quiet.”

  “Surely that's a good thing, isn't it?”

  “I'm not sure. He isn't the kind of man to forgive and forget. His reputation is his most valuable asset. If it became known that some no-mark—no offence—like your brother has stiffed him, and gotten away with it—. Well let's just say, he isn't going to allow that to happen.”

  “So what do you think is happening?”

  “I'm not sure, but it's possible he has already taken out a contract on Todd. If that is the case, it's not in his interest to be seen discussing him. He'll want to distance himself as far as possible from any incident.”