“Usual shit,” Amal replied, shaking his head. “Nothing to lose sleep over.”
“You just got to keep your head up,” he said.
Amal shrugged. Sanjay narrowed his eyes. He knew his brother too well to be fooled by his casual attitude, but he let it slide.
“What about you?” Amal asked. “Any update on, well, you know what?”
Sanjay glanced around but nobody paid them any notice.
“Not yet,” Sanjay replied. “I’ve started working for Tyrese Banks.”
“Working for him?” Amal asked.
“For now,” Sanjay said, winking. “Don’t worry.”
“It’ll be a good chance to see what’s going on,” Amal relented. He leant forward and lowered his voice. “So there ain’t no changes to what we discussed?”
Sanjay eyed his brother, smiling. Amal knew his older brother was proud of him and the way he handled himself in prison and for his smarts.
“You know, I think there might be a change,” Sanjay said. Amal narrowed his eyes. He hoped his brother wasn’t thinking of giving up.
“Come on, we can do it easily –” Amal protested, but stopped at a look from his brother.
“Let me finish,” Sanjay chastised him. “I said there was a change, not that the whole fucking plan was off, okay?” Amal nodded, pacified. Sanjay glanced around again, satisfied nobody would hear them. “I reckon there ain’t much point in doing it the way we previously discussed. I’ve heard some talk on the estate, and the Banks brothers aren’t the ones we’ve got to worry about.”
“What do you mean?” Amal asked, bewildered.
“The Banks brothers are on the bones of their arses,” Sanjay said with a snigger. “I could wipe them off the face of the earth in a day.”
“Why don’t you then?” Amal asked. “They’ve been top for too long, it’s time for some fresh blood. It’s time we took over the Goldsworth.”
“Yeah, but if I take them out now the Healys are going to run right in and take it all over,” Sanjay said, shaking his head. “They’ve got more powerful since I got locked up. I underestimated Jayden, but he doesn’t have any reason to have a problem with me.”
“So, we need to take out the Banks brothers and the Healys?” Amal asked, seeing where his brother was going with his plan. “How are we going to do that?”
“Not overnight,” Sanjay admitted. “But we’ll manage it. We just need to make sure they wipe each other out. From what you told me, they almost did it before. Tensions are still there. It won’t take much to get them going to war against each other all over again.”
“And then what?” Amal asked. Sanjay smiled, and Amal knew. He grinned too, his older brother never failing to impress him. “Right, we let them wipe each other and take out whoever’s left standing,” Amal concluded.
Sanjay nodded.
“Then the Goldsworth is ours for the taking,” he said. Amal clapped his hands together, excited. “We’ll have to be careful though,” Sanjay warned, lowering his voice to a whisper. “And I’ll need you to keep an eye on Troy. Don’t let anything on to him and listen when he talks about his brothers. Could be they don’t trust him with anything, but maybe we’ll luck out and get some inside info. He trusts you, so keep it that way.”
Amal didn’t think twice about betraying Troy. Troy was a pussy and he’d been riding on the coattails of his brothers for far too long. It would be a pleasure to wipe that smile off his smug fucking face, Amal thought.
“I’ll keep you posted,” Amal nodded.
“You’re a good lad,” Sanjay smiled.
Amal beamed at the praise, already tasting how sweet the victory would be when they took charge of the Goldsworth and the Banks brothers became history.
* * *
Brandy stood in the dock and looked defiantly back at the judge. Her hearing had passed in a blur, her head spinning and her stomach churning with tequila and vodka. Her mind was on only one thing though, and had been since she had been discharged from hospital; the fact that she was pregnant and that Troy, her ex-boyfriend, in prison awaiting trial for murder, was the father. She wished that she had been more careful now, but it was too late for that.
“Miss Mason, I am inclined to be lenient,” the judge said in his loud, clear voice. Brandy swallowed hard, hardly daring to hope. “You assisted police with their investigations…eventually. I have also taken into account that you provided crucial evidence and are due to take the witness stand in another trial to which this case relates,” he went on. “And you pled guilty to the charges of obstructing a police investigation and here today have freely professed your admission of guilt.”
Brandy wondered what would happen if he let her walk out free. Would it make any difference? She would still be carrying Troy’s baby and the Goldsworth Estate was pretty much a prison, just without the free food.
She glanced towards the seating area for the public. Her mother had not shown up, but she had expected nothing less. She was probably flat on her back getting fucked by some stranger. That or getting high, Brandy thought. Aunt Bo was there though, and seeing Brandy’s look, she smiled, nodding encouragingly. Brandy looked away, returning her gaze to the judge.
Aunt Bo was a good woman; religious and kind, perhaps the complete opposite of her sister. Brandy knew that Aunt Bo had always looked out for her, but she couldn’t bring herself to like her. She was too good, and it made her feel bad.
What would Aunt Bo say if she knew she was pregnant? Brandy realised she didn’t care. Standing in the dock, she knew that she didn’t want to be a mother; she had never wanted that. And she was no longer in love with Troy, so why the fuck would she want to have his kid? The last thing the world needed was another Troy, she thought. Look where loving Troy had got her, she thought, meeting the judge’s eye again.
He was still droning on in his monotonous voice and she yawned.
“However,” the judge said, his tone changing. “I cannot overlook the simple fact that because of your obstruction a family was left to grieve without answers, and that had you not been questioned by police you may never have given such assistance.”
Brandy shivered and felt the first flourishing of fear.
“You have shown no remorse here today,” the judge said, levelling stern eyes at her, and Brandy knew what was coming. “Upon review of this case, it would be inappropriate if a custodial sentence was not passed down.”
“What?” Brandy snapped. “I said sorry, didn’t I?”
The court room rippled with shock at her outburst and she caught a glance of Aunt Bo shaking her head sadly, eyes to the floor.
The judge glared at her.
“Miss Mason,” he said, voice rising. “I am imposing a sentence of seven months.”
Brandy bowed her head, biting her tongue. She felt handcuffs snap around her wrists and wanted to scream. As if wasn’t bad enough, she thought, that she was pregnant, now she was going to prison.
She held her head high as she was led from the court. She tried not to look at Aunt Bo’s disappointed face as she passed, willing herself to stay strong and brave.
* * *
Troy caught sight of his eldest brother across the visiting room and hurried between tables and chairs to him. Tyrese Banks made no move to stand or hug him, and Troy sat down across the plastic table from him. His brother looked much as he had when he’d last seen him, an imposing figure.
“How you doing?” Tyrese asked, leaning forward and scrutinising him. “Don’t look like you got no bruises, you handling yourself all right are you?”
“Yeah, ‘course I am,” Troy said, insulted that his brother would think that he couldn’t handle himself. Hadn’t he proved his worth already? He’d killed Shaniqua, and he’d taken out that ponce from a rival gang a few months after. “Nobody gives me any trouble in here, they wouldn’t fucking dare.”
Tyrese smiled, nodding. Troy wondered if he was being mocked.
“Right, so I can tell mum there’s no need for
her to worry,” he said.
“She’s been worried about me?” he asked. He had not thought much of her, since she had kicked him out and hadn’t been in touch since his arrest. Tyrese raised an eyebrow at the question, and Troy composed himself. “Not that I care, mind, but you can tell her I said hey.”
“That’s all?” Tyrese sniggered. “Right, sure she’ll be pleased with that, bro, but now ain’t the time for chit chat, if you get me?”
Troy nodded, though he didn’t know what his brother meant.
“I ain’t seen you in a while,” Troy said, hoping it didn’t sound like an accusation. “Thought maybe you and Trent might’ve come seen me.”
“We’ve been busy,” Tyrese shrugged.
“Where’s Trent?” Troy asked.
“He still not keen on stepping foot here yet,” Tyrese said. His eyes narrowed and Troy suspected he was referring to when Trent had been wrongfully arrested for a double-shooting that he himself had been responsible for.
“So what you come here to see me for then if you’re so busy?” Troy asked dully, and Tyrese laughed at the bitterness in his brother’s voice.
“Listen, we’ve been clearing up the fucking mess you left behind,” Tyrese said, lowering his voice. “You really did a number on us, you know?”
Troy narrowed his eyes but leant closer despite himself, intrigued.
“Business ain’t going good then?” he asked.
“We’re sorting it out,” Tyrese said ominously, “But you don’t need to worry yourself about what’s going on outside. I need you to start focusing on what’s going on in here.”
“Nothing ever fucking goes on in here,” Troy groaned. “It’s a shit hole.”
“Exactly,” Tyrese grinned. “And it could be a fucking gold mine.”
Troy was disbelieving, and he knew it had shown on his face because Tyrese leant across the table and lowered his voice still further. The prison officer’s paid little attention to them.
“You got a captive market right here,” Tyrese whispered. “Hundreds of guys sat on their arses all day with nothing to do except smoke some weed and snort some blow, get me?”
“You want to me to start dealing in here?” Troy gasped.
Had his brother lost his fucking mind? Troy wondered.
“Sssh!” Tyrese hissed. “Keep your voice down.”
Troy glared at him but kept silent. Tyrese shot a glance about them but nobody was within earshot when he was speaking so low.
“I’ve got a mate who is working here and he owes me a couple of favours,” Tyrese said. “He’ll bring the gear in for you and you can shift it. These guys are going to pay anything we ask for in here. We’ll be rolling in the money in no time.”
Troy considered his brother and knew that he was talking sense.
“So what do I have to do?” he asked.
“Sell it,” Tyrese said, shaking his head, frustrated. “What the fuck did you think I wanted you to do? But make sure they do bank transfers, no cash or phone credit in shit like that.”
“What? How am I supposed to get the money from a bank?” Troy asked. “I’m locked up in case you fucking forgot.”
“I didn’t forget,” Tyrese snapped. “Make sure the guys wanting to buy some gear transfer the money from their accounts. They want it bad enough they’ll do it, don’t think they won’t. I’ll let you know once the money hits our account and you can give them the gear. Don’t give them anything ‘til I confirm the money’s in, ok?”
“How are you going to let me know if –”
“I’ll give you a ring in a couple days; make sure my mate delivered the gear to you. He’ll bring a phone with him, so you can keep in touch with me.”
“Really? Awesome,” Troy exclaimed, excited at the prospect of having a mobile again, so that he could call or text anyone whenever he wanted and not have to queue up for the useless payphones in the communal areas.
“Only for business mind,” Tyrese said.
Troy felt affronted but he kept his look guarded. What would his brother care if he made a few extra calls so long as he brought in enough money for him? Not that he’d see any of it, he thought glumly. But if this mate of Tyrese’s brought the gear in, Troy could always skim a bit off for himself and make a tidy profit on the side and his brothers would be none the wiser. He smiled, and Tyrese seemed pleased.
“You up for it?” Tyrese asked.
Troy nodded.
“Well done mate,” Tyrese said. “You’ll be our star earner.”
Troy beamed at the praise.
“I’ve got to dash now, but I’ll be in touch,” Tyrese said, getting to his feet and giving his brother a wink. “Good to see you handling yourself too.”
“Later then,” Troy called to his brother’s retreating back.
As he was led from the visiting room and back to his cell, Troy couldn’t help but feel frustrated. He had been pleased to see his brother, but he was beginning to wonder if his brother had only visited because he wanted Troy to start earning him some money. Not that Troy had a problem with the job he’d been tasked with, but it was a slight on him to treat him like some stupid kid. He’d earned some respect; surely, after all that he had done, and he’d have thought his brother would credit him with a bit more respect. He could’ve at least asked when the trial date had been set. Still, the thought of earning some money, getting a mobile of his own and some weed into the bargain kept Troy feeling positive.
He pushed the notion that his brother might be using him from his mind, focusing instead on earning some serious money whilst he was locked up. That would make it all the better when he got out; he would have the money and the reputation and all those who had landed him in here would pay their dues.
SEVEN MONTHS LATER
CHAPTER ONE
Aurora felt a bead of sweat slide from her collarbone down between her breasts and used her hands to fan her face, the heat in the small garden becoming too much for her. Her stomach was round and fit to burst, and she stood up from the wooden chair with a groan, heaving herself up. She was scared to give birth but now that she was so heavily pregnant she longed to have the baby out of her so that she could walk and breathe as normal.
Music blared from a few houses down and a car engine revved in the street on the other side of the house. A trolley’s wheels bounced along the pavement and one of the neighbours was having a barbecue, drunken laughter and the smells of burning chicken filled the air. Children shouted from other gardens, and more than one mother shouted from their back doors to them.
Aurora retreated from the garden into the shade of the kitchen and found Kojo standing at the counter pouring himself a drink. He had been out with his mates and Aurora felt pleased that in the months since they had moved into their new home he had made some friends on the estate. She knew that he missed London; she couldn’t even deny that she missed it too, but it was safer for them here in Manchester.
“You sticking around for a bit?” she asked. “You can put the kettle on if you are, I’d love a cuppa, and Clint will be back soon.”
“Do it yourself,” Kojo snapped. He gulped down his coke and left the empty glass on the counter, walking past her and out of the room.
“Get back here!” She called after him but the front door opened and slammed shut and she knew he was back with his mates, getting up to God knows what. She sighed and filled the kettle up herself.
Kojo didn’t understand why it had been so important for them to leave the Goldsworth. He had not seen the estate in all its horror; the crime, the fear. He remembered only his mates, kicking a footie about after school. Even his memories of his dad’s abuse seemed to be fading. Now whenever he talked about his parents it was with a longing, lost voice, and Aurora felt bad that he was stuck here with them when he wanted so badly to be at home with his mum and dad. She knew Clint felt it too, and she knew that he had sleepless nights battling with his guilt.
She made herself a cup of tea and went into the lounge. The
window was open and a breeze drifted into the room, making the hot, sticky summer air a little more bearable, and sat down heavily on the sofa.
She heard the front door open again and half-rose.
“If that’s you Ko-” she called, and trailed off as the front door closed and Clint came into the lounge, smiling at her with tired eyes. “Good day at work?” she asked him, but Clint was not so easily led.
“What’s happened with Kojo?” he asked. “You haven’t had a row, have you?”
“Not exactly,” Aurora sighed.
“Look, when I’m back in London I’ll have a word with mum, see what she thinks about all this,” Clint said wearily, sitting down in the armchair. “Maybe we can sort something out, like she can visit us or whatever.”
“When you go to London?” Aurora frowned. “We’re all –”
“I’m not going over this again,” Clint said. “You and Kojo are staying here.”
“It’s no more dangerous for us,” Aurora insisted.
It was an argument they had often had in the last few months. Clint wanted to go alone to London and Aurora wanted them all to go.
“You won’t be safe there,” Clint pointed out. “And Kojo will just feel worse.”
“We can’t stop him from wanting to go home,” Aurora argued. “He misses his parents, and we have no right –”
“I’m not listening to this right now,” Clint said firmly, getting to his feet. “We’ve been over this before and you and Kojo aren’t coming with me.” He gave her a decisive look before walking from the room.
Aurora was too hot and too tired to follow him. She knew that he meant well but she was tired of him trying to protect her. She was in no more danger than he was in going back to London, probably less, because she wasn’t giving evidence in court against Troy. She didn’t want to miss the trial. She wanted to see justice for her sister, she wanted to look at Troy and see his face crumple as he was found guilty and sentenced. She wanted to hold her mum’s hand through it all and tell her that, finally, Shan could rest in peace now that her killer had been sent down.
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