“You’re welcome. Sleep well?”
“Surprisingly yes.”
Riley sat opposite him nursing his own coffee. “So, what’s the plan for today?”
Ryan took a thoughtful sip before replying, “not sure yet. I might wait and see what happens. We got a lot of backs up yesterday.”
“True. Let’s hope it doesn’t rebound on us.”
“It won’t.” Riley seemed his usual composed self so Ryan determined to have that chat with him. “I saw how you were looking at Beth last night.”
Riley took a sip of coffee, giving himself time to mull over his reply, giving away nothing. “And how was that?”
“Like she fascinated you.”
“She’s a good woman and I’ve always had a weakness for blonds.”
“She is nice but I know you think more of her than that.”
“I feel so guilty.”
“Why?”
Riley stared into his coffee as he decided whether to confide in him or not. But this was his brother. If he couldn’t talk to him then who could he talk to? He took a slow deep breath as he lowered his mental defences. “Since I met Zoe I’ve not been interested in any other woman. There have been a couple of one night stands since she died but they were purely physical just to fulfil a need and were as meaningful as eating and sleeping. But Beth’s….oh I don’t know, there’s just something about her.”
“She’s all over the place and so are you. The last thing either of you need is an added complication because it will be on the rebound and you’ll both get hurt.”
“I’m not going to act on it. It’s just nice to feel normal emotions again. I feel guilty too, like I’m being unfaithful to Zoe.”
“You can’t be alone your whole life.”
“I know but I’m not ready yet.”
Reassured that Riley wouldn’t try anything inappropriate with Beth and upset the delicate balance of their current living situation, Ryan let the conversation go and they sat in silence for a few minutes, drinking their coffee. One thing he liked about Riley’s company was the absence of meaningless chatter. The silences were just as comfortable as the conversation.
“I’ll have some breakfast then go to the hospital,” said Ryan.
“You just can’t keep away from her,” smiled Riley.
“No I can’t. It was a long lonely night last night without her next to me.” He cringed at his own tactlessness. “Sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it. You don’t need to tread on eggshells around me.”
Riley’s gaze moved off his brother when Beth walked in, Holly in her arms. She looked exhausted, blond hair all over the place, dark shadows around her eyes but to Riley she looked glorious.
“Sleep well?” Ryan asked her.
“Not really,” she yawned.
“Are you not comfortable?”
“It’s nothing to do with the room. It’s the dreams.”
Riley felt an even greater affinity with this woman and the sense of loneliness decreased a little more. He watched as she placed Holly in the highchair and set about preparing her breakfast.
“Are you going to see Rachel this morning?” she asked Ryan as she worked.
“Yeah, straight after breakfast.”
“Can I come with you?”
“Maybe not a good idea. A lot happened yesterday and we don’t know what the repercussions are going to be. You’re safer staying here.”
“I want to see her,” she replied in that hard determined voice she’d recently adopted.
“You will but we need to be cautious. Alex will be seriously gunning for you and your kids need you.”
“Okay, but if not today then tomorrow.”
“Promise.”
Rick was up next, looking much better than he had the day before. He was once again his usual neat and tidy self and his skin was a much better colour.
“Morning,” he yawned.
“Morning,” they all chimed back.
He paused by Holly’s high chair, who gazed up at him, her lips stained with milk. “Hello cutie pie.”
She just stared at him impassively and Beth swallowed down the lump in her throat. It seemed her daughter’s big beaming smile was gone. She just prayed it came back.
Beth looked so sad and it broke Rick’s heart. He’d known her since she was a little girl and he thought the world of her. He gave her a hug and she gripped onto him. She’d always felt a closer affinity to Rick Thomas than she had her own dad.
“Have you told your mum and dad about all this?” he asked her.
“Course not, they’d flip. They’re not as understanding as you.”
“I don’t think I’m understanding love, in fact I’m bloody baffled,” he replied with a gentle smile.
“I’ve told them me and Alex have split up and I’m taking the kids away for some space. They didn’t believe it but I don’t think they want to know the truth.”
“Can’t say I blame them. The truth’s a bitter pill to swallow.”
Rick settled himself at the breakfast bar and Riley poured him a coffee.
“Thanks,” he said, releasing another yawn.
“I want you to go abroad again Rick,” said Ryan.
Rick almost choked on his coffee. “Not a bloody chance. I’m not leaving until I know my daughter’s safe.”
“She is safe.”
“Not as long as that bastard lives.” He recalled the man’s wife and daughter were in the same room. “Sorry Beth.”
“It’s alright Rick. I want him gone as much as you do,” she replied casually, spooning more cereal into Holly’s mouth.
“Oh, right.”
“Rick, you can’t be around for this,” said Ryan reasonably.
“Why not?”
“Because Alex could use you to get to Rachel. By staying you could inadvertently put her in more danger.”
“Rubbish.”
“It’s not Rick. Please listen to me.”
“I will do anything to protect my little girl, anything,” he said passionately.
“And I respect that but please, go back to Gill and the grandkids. I need you looking out for them.”
“Don’t treat me like an idiot, you know they’re safe.”
“And they need you with them. Gill and Leah have got enough to worry about without worrying about you on top of everything else.”
Rick was beginning to waver but was afraid of leaving Rachel behind in case he never saw her again. “I can’t leave Rachel, I just can’t until I know the danger is over.”
“It will be soon, I promise. Rachel’s on the mend. Please Rick, get yourself out of harm’s way so I don’t have to waste time worrying about you. All you’re going to do is take up resources we can’t spare because you’re going to need someone guarding you at all times and you’ll give us another weak spot that Alex will try to exploit.” He knew he was being harsh but he had to get through to Rick the danger he would pose not only to himself but to the rest of them if he stayed.
“Ryan’s right,” interjected Beth. “I love you like a dad Rick but you’ll only get in the way. So will I, the kids too, which is why we’re joining Cathy and Amber in Italy. What’s to come isn’t for people like us.”
“I suppose you agree with them?” Rick asked Riley, who nodded.
Rick sighed and hung his head. “I’m afraid if I go I’ll never see my only child again.”
“That’s not going to happen. We’re going to win this.”
Rick fixed him with a sad, steady gaze. “What if you don’t?”
“Alex is laid up in hospital, his men are leaving him in droves and, thanks to Mikey, his access to the businesses has been cut off and a stranglehold put on his finances. There’s no way we can’t win.”
“I’m glad you’re confident Ryan but you should know to expect the unexpected.”
“I’d die before I let anything happen to her.”
“I know but look what happened to her just a couple of days ago.”
Ryan inhaled sharply and looked down at his hands.
Rick put a hand on his shoulder. “You did everything you could to stop that happening, but it did anyway. Now do you understand why I don’t want to go?”
Ryan raised his head to look him in the eye. “I have a daughter myself, of course I do, but you still can’t stay. Leah needs you too, she knows what’s been going on. She’s out there with all that going round inside her head with no way to let it out because Gill still doesn’t know.”
The thought of his little granddaughter needing him started to sway Rick.
“Please,” pressed Ryan.
“Alright, I’ll go back.”
“Thank you.”
“Will Rachel join us when she’s fit to fly?”
“We both will.”
“Before or after you’ve taken care of Alex?”
“I think you already know the answer to that.”
“She’s going to help you hunt him down and kill him,” he said, shoulders slumping.
“She’ll help us hunt him down, but she won’t be a part of the killing.”
“You promise?.”
“I do.”
“Okay, that’s the best I’m going to get I suppose.”
“Yes, I’m afraid it is.”
“Just try and convince her to come out to us when she’s better. I doubt it’ll work but have a go, for me.”
“I will Rick.” It was a lie, he’d already promised Rachel he wouldn’t cut her out and he’d much rather break a promise to his father-in-law than his wife.
“You’re a good lad, better than Danny Maguire ever was.” He downed his coffee and hauled himself to his feet. “I’ll make some calls and book myself on a flight out.”
“You’re already booked on a flight this afternoon.”
“That was fast,” he frowned.
“The sooner the better Rick.”
“Fine. I want to see her before I go though.”
“I’ll take you in this morning, then you leave with no arguments.”
“Scout’s honour,” he replied, making Ryan smile.
CHAPTER 11
Rachel was dozing after another examination, Battler and Bruiser sat in their chairs reading newspapers. Neither of them had slept the whole night but they were still bright eyed and alert, not so much as a crease in their expensive tailored suits.
Rick crept in and took the chair by Rachel’s side, watching her sleep. When he took her hand her eyes rolled open.
“Dad?” she murmured, rubbing her eyes.
“It’s me Sweetpea. I’ve come to say goodbye, I’m booked on a flight out this afternoon.”
“I’ll miss you,” she replied, hoping she didn’t look too relieved.
“I’ll miss you too.” He kissed her forehead and gazed down at her, stroking her hair back off her face. “Please be careful Rachel. I know you’re full of anger and you want to get back at Alex for what he’s done but remember you have three kids who need you. Don’t do anything stupid, please.”
“I won’t.”
“If you don’t meet us out there you’ll be in big trouble young lady,” he said, eyes filling with tears.
“I’m sorry for all the worry I’ve put on you,” she said, starting to cry too.
“So you should be,” he replied with a gentle smile. “Did you talk to your mum?”
“Yeah. She didn’t want to know about what was really going on. She’s happy believing it’s the after-effects of the fire.”
“I wish I could do that. I’ve got lots of stuff in my head that I wish wasn’t there. I don’t know how you do it.”
“Neither do I,” she rasped, a tear sliding down her cheek. She wanted him away from all this but she was also going to miss him horribly. What girl didn’t want her dad around when things were bad? “I spoke to Leah too, she’s hanging in there but she needs you.”
“I’ll look after her, don’t you worry.”
“I’ll take him to the airport myself then I’ll come back,” Ryan told her.
Rachel was pleased. Her dad would be safe in Ryan’s capable hands.
“Bye Dad. I love you.”
“Love you too,” he said, kissing her hair.
After they’d gone Rachel found herself drifting back off to sleep. Twenty minutes later she jumped awake at a loud bang, which turned out to be the door being pushed open by five large men, four in police uniform and one plain-clothes.
“What’s going on?” she said, rubbing her eyes and attempting to sit up.
The plain-clothes officer stepped forwards and flashed his warrant card at Battler and Bruiser. He wore a short black jacket, black trousers that appeared to be a size too big and a scowl.
“I’m DS Leyland. You two are under arrest.”
Battler and Bruiser were amused by the concept. “For what?” said the former.
“Armed robbery a week ago.”
“Bullshit, this is Alex,” said Rachel, her voice still a hoarse bark.
Leyland ignored her. “Kenneth Longbottom, Oliver Longbottom, you’re under arrest…,” said Leyland, before reading them their rights.
“Longbottom?” said Rachel, fighting the bizarre urge to laugh. No wonder they’d taken on tough-guy pseudonyms.
“We’ll come with you,” said Battler, talking over Leyland’s speech, “as long as you let us arrange security for Rachel first. She could still be in danger and your lot have done one.”
Glancing out of the window Rachel saw the two police officers who had been stationed in the corridor outside her room had vanished and her heart started to race.
“Put the phone down,” said Leyland when Battler pulled his mobile out of his pocket.
“Look, we’ll come quietly but we refuse to leave her all alone.”
“Her kidnappers are dead, there’s no danger now so boost yourselves before we have to get rough.”
Battler got to his feet and Leyland found himself staring up into the face of a pissed off giant. If it hadn’t been for the presence of his four uniforms he would have felt seriously out of his depth. Glancing at his colleagues he saw that none of them were particularly keen on taking on the brothers either.
“We’ve got orders not to let you make any calls. Now move it,” said Leyland, feeling a bit ridiculous standing nose to shoulder with the man.
“This has come from higher up than you, hasn’t it?” said Rachel, talking still painful for her. “You’re not the ones being bribed by Alex.”
All five officers turned to regard her, intrigued.
“Excuse me?” said Leyland, affronted. “I’d be careful making accusations like that Madam.”
Rachel recalled she wasn’t supposed to let slip about Alex’s involvement in the attack. There was no choice but to remain quiet about it. “They didn’t commit any robbery,” she persevered, waving her hand at her bodyguards.
“That’s for us to determine,” replied Leyland. He looked to the uniforms. “Cuff them.”
Bruiser got to his feet too and glared down at them like a huge immobile statue. “I wouldn’t recommend it boys.”
Leyland opened his mouth then, unsure what to say, looked back over his shoulder at his officers again.
“Just let us make one goddamn phone call to arrange some more security for Rachel,” seethed Battler. “Or do you want her to be left all alone? Is that your fucking game?”
The last thing Rachel wanted was the brothers getting arrested because they wouldn’t think twice about assaulting five police officers. Then they’d be locked up for years. Anxiously she chewed her lip before pressing the call button for the nurse.
“Now be sensible and come with us,” said Leyland, snatching the phone from Battler’s hand and pocketing it.
“Hey, you can’t do that you bastard,” he protested.
When he thrust his face into Leyland’s aggressively, the officers formed a tight circle around them both, their fingers twitching over the pepper spray hanging from their belts.
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“Give me that you,” said Leyland when Bruiser started to dial on his own mobile. He tried to snatch it from him but Bruiser held it higher, so he couldn’t reach. A couple of the uniforms hid smiles when Leyland jumped up in an attempt to swipe it from his hand.
“Get it off him,” an angry Leyland barked at his officers.
Rachel was appalled when they started to scuffle. Finally two nurses arrived however they couldn’t get into the room because of the seven tussling men. An older woman Rachel recognised as the sister of the ward banged the door into one of the officer’s backs until he moved and she stormed in, furious.
“What is the meaning of this?” she yelled, nostrils flaring. “This is a ward for very sick people. How dare you behave this way?”
All seven men ceased struggling against each other and stared at their shoes like naughty boys.
“Who’s in charge here?” demanded Sister.
“I am,” said Leyland, raising his hand as though he was in school.
“Who are you?”
“Detective Sergeant Leyland. We’re here to arrest these men.”
“Sergeant I demand you and your men conduct yourselves in a more professional manner. I have never in all my years seen such appalling behaviour…”
As she admonished them the other nurse rushed over to Rachel.
“I’m fine. Sorry for causing a panic. Please call my husband, I need him here right now.”
“Visitors aren’t allowed back on the ward until twelve thirty, after the ward round.”
“Please, someone’s going to try to kill me if I’m left alone.”
“Now I’m sure that’s not true…”
“Call him. Now,” she hissed through gritted teeth, fear and frustration making her angry.
The nurse gawped as Rachel’s eyes turned black and she thought it would be in her best interests to do as she wanted.
“Okay,” she replied before hurrying out.
When Battler shoved Leyland backwards Rachel decided things had gone far enough. “Battler, please don’t make it worse. Go with them. I’ll arrange for your solicitor to meet you at the station. You’ll be out in a few hours, I promise you that. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
“We can’t leave you alone.”
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