Face in the Frame

by Heather Atkinson

  “He never did have any taste,” she said, lip curling with disdain. “Eyes are pretty and even hands can make a very interesting display but what can you do with stinky old toes?”

  “Malc’s adamant he’s not going to let you stop him from doing exactly what he wants.”

  “You disappoint me,” she said, voice as hard as a block of ice.

  “What did you expect me to do? You know Malc, stubborn as a sodding mule.”

  “You’re bringing war to our streets.”

  “I’m not, you lot are. Listen, if you’re so keen to avoid bloodshed - which I highly doubt - then let Malc play the big man for a little bit, so he can get it out of his system then crush his little drug dealing ring with your huge empire. He’ll come running back to you, cap in hand, begging for forgiveness.”

  “If he does he’s going to end up with his head in his hands,” she hissed.

  “I don’t know what you want me to say except that Uncle Tam won’t be impressed if you kill him.”

  “He’ll be sad but not for very long. Anyway, it won’t come to that because you’re going to convince Malc to return to the fold.”

  “Me?” he spluttered. “Do it yourself.”

  Toni got to her feet and threw back her head, her mane of dark curls cascading down her back. “Don’t piss me off Brodie. I’m very fond of you but I won’t hesitate to pluck those pretty whisky-coloured eyes right out of your head if you fuck with me.”

  “I thought that was Caesar’s job,” he retorted.

  Toni’s black eyes honed into daggers, then the danger passed and she barked with husky laughter. “You’re fortunate you can make me laugh. I’ll give you another two days to change Malc’s mind. Now you may go.”

  “Excuse me, I don’t work for you and I have better things to do with my time. Looks like you’re going to have to sort this one out yourself.”

  “You dare defy me?”

  “I hate to burst your bubble but you’re not queen of the world. You’re a violent drug dealer and violent drug dealers sort their own problems out. They don’t run to other people saying ooh please help me with the nasty man.”

  “You wouldn’t have turned down my brother.”

  “If you think this is because you’re a woman then you’re wrong and the difference is Frankie wouldn’t have involved me in the first place. He wouldn’t have wanted an outsider knowing someone was getting the better of him. By now he’d have Malc’s hands nailed to his wall.”

  “I would love nothing more than to lop Malc’s stupid melon head off his shoulders but Uncle Tam can be sentimental. He wants to bring Malc to his senses before permanently removing him from them.”

  “Then let Tam talk him round. He’s more likely to listen to him than me. Why are you looking at me like that?”

  Toni’s smile was evil. “You’ve just given me an idea.”

  “Oh…hell.”

  Brodie returned to the office feeling even more miserable. Not only was Toni insisting on dragging him into something he really didn’t want to be involved in but he’d spent ten minutes tactfully declining her offer to turn the threesome she’d planned with Caesar and the blond into a foursome with himself right in the centre. He’d been left with no choice but to help with the Malc situation though, she’d threatened to take Cass’s beautiful eyes if he’d refused. Toni was clever, she knew Cass was his weakness and she wasn’t afraid to exploit that.

  It didn’t help his mood when he returned to the office to find Cass cooing down the phone to her new lover. Hastily she whispered her goodbyes before hanging up. The happiness shining from her eyes both heartened and depressed him.

  “What’s up Bossman?” she said.

  He fell into the chair on the opposite side of her desk. “I’ve just been pulled into a meeting with Toni McVay.”

  “Oh my God, are you alright?”

  “Fine. She made her usual threats but I left unscathed.”

  “Was it about Big Malc again?”

  “It was. She seems to think I can talk him round.”

  “Frankie wouldn’t have bothered. He would just have killed him and enjoyed it and bugger what Uncle Tam said. Do you buy all this sentimental crap?”

  “I don’t know. Uncle Tam did raise Malc from being a wean. If it was left to Toni then Malc would have conveniently disappeared by now but she’s always been fond of Tam, he helped Frankie climb the ranks and put the family where it is today.”

  “I’m thinking Toni needs Tam to help her hold the operation together, which is why she’s so keen on keeping him happy. But the longer this drags on the weaker she looks, which is why she’s turned to you in desperation.”

  “Thanks,” he said flatly.

  “I didn’t mean it like that. For a McVay to turn to an ex-copper means they’re desperate. Anyway, Frankie ended up getting murdered in Manchester. If that’s what Uncle Tam does for people then Toni would be better off without him. And how can the McVays still do business with the Maguires and Laws after they did that to her brother?”

  “Because their deal rakes in a hell of a lot of cash. As Toni is a psychopath this means more to her than family ties. Besides, I’m pretty sure she was grateful when they topped Frankie, he had a weird thing for his sister.”

  Cass screwed up her face. “Gross.”

  “That was Frankie. You never met him, did you?”

  “No. I’m not sure whether I’m disappointed or relieved about that.”

  “He was a mad bastard but in a way he was likeable. You could have a laugh with him. Toni seriously lacks a sense of humour, although she says she finds me funny. I think she likes someone who stands up to her and doesn’t kiss her arse. Makes a change for her.”

  “Malc must be really stupid to go up against Toni when she has the back-up of Manchester.”

  “He always was a thick bastard so that doesn’t surprise me. But there’s something more going on here, I’m sure of it.”

  “Careful Bossman. Don’t go anywhere without back-up. This will turn nasty.”

  “Aye I won’t,” he replied with a fond smile. “Did you get anything off Norrie’s phone?”

  “Apart from saucy text messages to his great love, no.”

  “Bugger.”

  “Lauren Creegan’s doctor rang again.”

  “Oh great,” he sighed. “I can’t do anything now, not with all this McVay shit flying about. Just put her off until I’ve had more time to think.”

  “Okay but don’t take too long, she’s getting really persistent.”

  “I won’t. So…seeing Lucas tonight?”

  “Yes,” she said slowly. “Why?”

  He shrugged. “Just curious.”

  “He’s not a loon Brodie, honestly.”

  “If you say so.”

  “I do. He treats me well, which is more than my last three boyfriends did.”

  “Good. Tell him if he hurts you I’ll tear his spleen out.”

  “I will,” she said with a sweet smile that made his heart both pound and sink.

  Lucas and Cass stumbled through the door of the former’s penthouse apartment, frantically kissing. Lucas slammed the door shut behind them and pushed her up against it, his lips on her neck, both startling her and exciting her with his passion.

  “Steady,” she breathed.

  He tore his lips from her neck and pressed his forehead to hers. “Sorry, you just drive me crazy. Take this down,” he said, sliding the bobble from her ponytail, her hair falling down her back.

  They both sighed when there was a knock on the other side of the door and Oliver’s voice called, “cooee, it’s me. Open up.”

  Lucas tutted and shook his head. “Give me a minute and I’ll get rid of him.”

  They both adjusted their clothing before Lucas opened the door and said, “listen Ollie, I’ve got company.”

  Oliver stepped round him and inside, a smirk on his lips. “Good, I was hoping Cass would be here.”

  Something about his satisfied s
mile made Cass’s stomach drop.

  “Please Ollie,” said an impatient Lucas. “Don’t spoil this for me.”

  “I’m not the one who’s going to spoil it. She’s already done that.”

  “What are you talking about? Have you been drinking?” said Lucas.

  “She’s been lying to you. Her name isn’t Carmichael, it’s Carlisle and she works for a private detection agency.”

  Cass wanted to punch the smirk off his face.

  “Don’t be ridiculous Ollie, where did you get that rubbish from?” said Lucas.

  “You can find out anything if you pay enough money. She’s playing you Lucas, she’s investigating you.”

  “That’s not true,” she retorted, hating the pain in Lucas’s eyes.

  “What’s not true, all of it?” he said hopefully.

  “The part about me investigating you isn’t true,” she replied, seeing the best relationship she’d ever had slipping away.

  “You don’t work in strategy and job changing?”

  “No,” she said, shame-faced, feeling terrible.

  “I told you there was something wrong about her, didn’t I?” exclaimed a triumphant Oliver. “Be sensible Lucas and send her packing.”

  “Oliver, I would be grateful if you could leave us alone,” said Lucas quietly, his eyes never leaving Cass.

  “You’re throwing me out?” he said, aghast.

  “Not throwing, no. I wish to speak to Cass in private.”

  “What’s to talk about? She’s a liar. Get rid of her, you can’t trust her.”

  “Oliver, please,” barked Lucas.

  “Fine, I’m going,” he pouted. “But don’t let her talk you round.”

  Lucas stared at Cass until he’d gone, his cat’s eyes growing brighter and harder by the second.

  “Would you care to explain?” was all he said once the door had closed behind Oliver.

  “I’m not investigating you. I was at your exhibition because I genuinely love your work. My boss did a favour for someone and in gratitude she gave him a ticket. Art’s not his thing and he knows I’m a fan of yours, so he gave it to me.”

  “And the woman you were with, does she work with you?”

  “No. She’s the one my boss did the favour for. Please don’t tell anyone I told you that or I might lose my job.”

  “Why did you tell me you work for a consultancy agency?”

  “Because I didn’t know you then. The nature of my work is covert. I can’t tell anyone the truth unless I get close to them and I know I can trust them to keep it secret.”

  “You don’t trust me?” he practically yelled. It was the first time she’d seen him angry and she couldn’t help but think how beautiful his eyes looked - like burning emeralds.

  “Of course I do but I also need my boss’s permission to tell you and he hasn’t given it yet.”

  “Your boss can’t dictate what you do in your personal time,” he said coldly.

  “You have to understand that my work can be dangerous. This rule protects us all.”

  Now he was concerned. “How dangerous?”

  “We deal with bad people on a daily basis so it can get a bit hairy.”

  “I hope you work in admin, behind a desk?”

  It was Cass’s turn to be annoyed. “No, I’m an investigator. I’m out there in the thick of it.”

  “Have you ever been hurt?”

  “A couple of scrapes, nothing serious. I can take care of myself.”

  “How exactly?” he said brusquely, sounding like a stern parent.

  “I’m a black belt in karate and kickboxing.”

  “Impressive,” he replied, sounding less angry. “Very impressive in fact.”

  “I’m also a free runner.”

  “Free runner?”

  “It’s a form of running and jumping over obstacles.”

  “Oh yes, I think I’ve seen that on the television.”

  “It makes it very difficult for anyone to catch me,” she said with a tight smile.

  “I don’t like the thought of you putting yourself at risk.”

  Cass thought it a good sign that he was still concerned for her safety. “I’ve done it for years. It’s fine, honestly.”

  “I wish I’d found out from you instead of Ollie. You’re the first woman I’ve ever genuinely cared about and you’ve already told me a lie, a big one. How can I trust you again?”

  “When I told you what I did for a living I didn’t know you. I’d no idea we were going to end up seeing each other, so I didn’t think it would matter.”

  “I accept that but you’ve had ample time to tell me since. You know I don’t like to be immodest but I’m a famous man. How do I know you’ve not got some ulterior motive? Am I one of your assignments?”

  “No,” she exclaimed. “This is purely personal.”

  “There are other artists who are jealous of my success. I wouldn’t put it past them to stoop to something like this to discover my secrets.”

  “I’m not working for anyone. I’m with you because I want to be.”

  “I always wondered what a woman like you was doing with me and now I know. It was all a pretence, wasn’t it?”

  “No. I genuinely like you Lucas, in fact I’ve never met a man who makes me happier but your low self esteem won’t allow you to believe it. Please don’t let this ruin what we have.”

  He stared at her, his cat’s eyes getting brighter and stormier until he released a loud sigh and turned his back on her. “You should leave.”

  Cass was appalled when tears filled her eyes but there was nothing she could do to stop them. “Don’t do this Lucas, it’s too good.”

  “It was. You’ve spoilt it.”

  “This is what Oliver wants. He can’t bear to share you with anyone else.”

  “If you think I’m going to continue seeing a woman I can’t trust just to avoid pleasing Oliver then you’re wrong.”

  “We’re good together and you know it. If we could just talk about it a bit more…”

  “I said get out Cass. We’re finished,” he said, voice dripping ice.

  “Fine, if that’s how you feel,” she hissed back, swallowing down her tears, refusing to show him how much he’d hurt her. “I’m going and I won’t be back.”

  “Good,” he retorted as she snatched up her jacket and stalked to the door, head held high.

  She hesitated at the door, hoping he’d call her back. When he didn’t she felt even more pathetic and stormed out, slamming the door shut as hard as she could.

  “Idiot,” she whispered to herself.

  The urge to cry was replaced by the desperate desire to kick the living crap out of someone when she saw Oliver standing by the lift, practically hopping with glee.

  “Finally Lucas has thrown out the rubbish,” he smirked.

  Enraged by this man who had taken from her one of the best things to ever come into her life, she grabbed his left arm and twisted it up his back.

  “You malicious little prick,” she spat in his ear.

  “Get off, you can’t treat me like this. You have no idea of the power I have…ow,” he groaned when she twisted harder.

  “You’re a nasty little leech living vicariously off a man with ten times your talent.”

  “You haven’t a clue what you’re talking about…ow that really hurts,” he grimaced as her grip tightened.

  “You’ve been sticking your nose into my life so you must know what I’m capable of,” she said, revelling in his pain.

  “I know that you and your boss are thugs,” he rasped. “Lucas deserves better than you.”

  “Like you?” she said sarcastically. “I’m sorry to have to break this to you but Lucas is entirely straight. How many of his relationships have you sabotaged? You called him to say there was a problem at the exhibition when we were on a date, just to get in the way, you sad little moron. I bet you’re the reason why he has absolutely no belief in himself.”

  “That’s not down to
me, his parents are nightmares. Ow, you’re really hurting me now, I can’t feel my fingers,” he wailed.

  The door to Lucas’s flat opened to reveal the man himself, frowning at the scene before him.

  “Lucas help me,” cried Oliver. “She’s run mad.”

  “Let him go Cass,” said Lucas quietly, his voice and eyes still cold.

  “I’ll get you back for this,” she hissed in Oliver’s ear before releasing him.

  Oliver stumbled towards Lucas, cradling his left arm. “She hurt me, she really did. Do you see now what she is?”

  “Yes, I do,” he replied in a flat, disappointed tone as Oliver rushed inside.

  Lucas kept his eyes on her as the door swung shut, blocking out the sight of him, leaving Cass alone in the corridor feeling wretched.

  CHAPTER 13

  Brodie was just settling down for the evening in front of the telly with a glass of red wine when there was a knock at the door.

  “Oh for Christ’s sake,” he sighed. After the day he’d had he needed peace and quiet.

  Rather than answer the door he peered at the monitor he kept on the coffee table, linked to the hidden camera outside the front door. On the screen he saw a short, round man with a funny egg-shaped head. “I don’t believe it,” he muttered. His quiet night in was out the window.

  He took his time answering the door then stood there staring down at the tubby little man blinking up at him.

  “Uncle Tam. To what do I owe this pleasure?” said Brodie sarcastically.

  “She wants to talk to you,” he said gruffly, thrusting a phone out to him.

  “Toni’s having people hand-deliver her phone calls now, is she?” said Brodie, accepting the phone off him.

  “Hello Mr Brodie,” Toni McVay purred in his ear.

  “What’s this about Toni? I was settling down for the evening.”

  “What are you, an old man? It’s only nine o’clock.”

  “I’ve had a very hard day and I think it’s about to get worse.”

  “It certainly is, if you don’t do exactly what I say.”

  “Now listen. You can’t send your uncle round here and start making demands. This is my time to relax and I will not have anything spoil it, so you can keep what you’re going to say until I’m in the mood to hear it.”