Rachel refused to rise to the bait, staring past him at the wall, attempting to block out his frightening words.
Rachel’s solicitor, a tall imperious woman called Veronica, stalked into the room, clutching a briefcase. Her hazel eyes settled on Benton and she smiled predatorily, relishing the fight ahead.
“What is my client accused of?” she demanded.
“The murder of Douggie Jones, possession of an illegal firearm and possession of a class A drug with intent to distribute.”
“What evidence do you have?”
“We found the cocaine and weapon in the boot of her car, the same weapon ballistics will prove killed poor old Douggie and she doesn‘t have an alibi.”
“I was at home, alone. I wasn’t feeling well that night, I was very pregnant,” Rachel exclaimed, at the end of her tether.
“That is not enough to charge my client. You’ve no proof she pulled the trigger,” said Veronica.
“You’re right, it wouldn’t be enough on its own. But how about this. We have a witness who will testify in court that they saw Rachel kill him.”
“They’re fucking lying,” exclaimed Rachel.
“Why would they do that?”
“I have enemies.”
“Now why would an innocent, hardworking mother and businesswoman have enemies? It’s a puzzler that one,” he said sarcastically.
“I didn’t do it,” she yelled in his face. “Two months ago I was heavily pregnant, I could hardly move. Do you really think I had the energy to go around shooting people, you stupid bastard?”
Veronica put a restraining hand on her arm and Benton smirked, pleased that he’d got Rachel so riled. “Please Mrs Maguire, calm down.”
“Calm down? He’s set me up. He’s crazy, he’s had it in for me ever since me and Danny got together.”
When her solicitor appeared sceptical Rachel was a heartbeat away from throttling her.
“Say something,” Rachel cried. “I’m not paying you all that money to sit there looking gormless.”
Veronica appeared unruffled and turned her attention back to Benton.
“Superintendent, I would like a break to consult with my client.”
“Alright,” he said, getting to his feet, “for all the good it will do you.”
When he’d left Veronica turned to Rachel gravely.
“This doesn’t look good Rachel. The evidence is strong,”
“Yes thank you for pointing out the bloody obvious.”
“I’m only going to ask you once and you have to tell me the truth. Did you do it?”
“No I didn’t,” she snarled angrily. “Jesus, if you don’t believe me what chance do I have?”
“I’m sorry but I had to ask and I do believe you.”
“I’m telling you, he’s setting me up, he’s got some weird obsession with me. You have to do something.”
“Alright, please calm down. When he comes back just let me do the talking.”
“Okay,” said Rachel, taking a deep breath in an effort to relax.
“Break time’s over,” said Benton, stomping back into the room.
“I have advised my client to say nothing Superintendent. I think she’s been here long enough. I insist you release her.”
“With the evidence we have? Not a chance. Rachel Maguire I am charging you with the murder of Douggie Jones.”
As he continued to read Rachel her rights she sank down into her chair with a sigh.
The moment the police finally left the house Danny dropped Leah off at his mum’s then raced to the police station. Because of the enormous fuss he made in reception the desk sergeant placed him in an interview room to wait, where he paced back and forth, drinking coffee from a polystyrene cup. Benton entered the room and Danny’s blue eyes blazed with anger.
“Where’s my wife?”
“Locked in a cell where she’ll stay until we go to court in the morning. She’s been charged with Douggie’s murder.”
“You bastard, you know she didn’t do it.”
“The evidence says otherwise.”
“Evidence you planted.”
“Are you making an official complaint Mr Maguire?”
“What’s the point? You will have covered your tracks too well but do you think I’m going to let you take her from me?”
“You have no choice. She’ll be going down for a very long time. By the time she gets out little Leah will no doubt be a cold murderess herself, just like her mum.”
Danny grabbed Benton by the throat and pinned him up against the wall.
“Go on Danny, do it,” he goaded. “I’ll tell what, I’ll even lock you up in the same cell.”
For a moment Danny was tempted to shove his fist down his throat but only the thought of Leah without either parent restrained him. Taking a deep breath he released Benton, who appeared disappointed.
“I want to see her,” said Danny.
“What do you think this is, a hotel? Go home. You can see her in court in the morning.”
With that Benton stalked out of the room, leaving Danny with his rage.
Danny sat anxiously in the gallery with Alex, Mikey and Beth, the latter insisting on being present despite her husband’s objections, her hands cradling her swollen belly. Danny jumped to his feet when Rachel was led in by a female officer, her hands cuffed before her, making her look guilty already. She looked up at them and beamed, her heart lifting to see them.
“The Honourable Judge Roberts,” called the usher and Rachel’s smile dropped when May Roberts walked into the room, looking smug.
“I thought she was a crown court judge,” whispered Alex. “What’s she doing in a magistrate’s court?”
Danny shrugged, equally perplexed.
After the charges were read out May leaned back in her seat and regarded Rachel severely.
“Due to the seriousness of the crime bail is denied,” announced May.
“No,” bellowed Danny, flying to his feet.
“I recommend you sit down,” said May, fixing him with a glare.
“Danny sit down,” said Alex, pulling him back into his seat. “You’re not going to help Rachel getting banged up.”
Reluctantly he obeyed, watching as Veronica got to her feet.
“Your Honour, my client has a two month old baby. It would be detrimental to the child to be parted from her mother.”
“Mrs Maguire should have thought about her child before she involved herself with guns and drugs. She will be remanded to Styal Prison with immediate effect to await trial.”
Rachel looked up at her family, who watched horrified as she was led away. They’d fully expected her to get bailed.
She was allowed one mercy. Danny was permitted to see her in the holding cell before she was taken to prison. She flew into his arms and he hugged her tightly, drinking her in before she was taken from him.
“Don’t worry,” he whispered in her ear. “We’ll get you out of this.”
“I know you will,” she whispered back with such faith he prayed he didn’t let her down.
“You’ll soon be back home, just hang in there. Your name will ensure you don’t get any trouble inside.”
“I’ll be fine,” she bravely replied. “And for God’s sake don’t tell my parents about this, it’ll only drive them away again.”
“I won’t.” Danny experienced a flush of pride. Most women would have been in hysterics by now.
“Alright Maguire, the van’s here,” said the WPC solemnly.
Danny kissed Rachel hard and she responded equally passionately, running her hands through his hair and down his back, not knowing when she’d get the chance to touch him again.
“I love you,” he said.
“Love you too.”
“Come on, break it up you two,” said the WPC, spoiling the moment.
Styal Women’s Prison in Wilmslow, Cheshire, wasn’t as draconian as Rachel had expected. A former Victorian orphanage, it was made up of sixteen detached red bric
k houses.
“Well well well, we’ve got a VIP,” said one of the guards in reception. “Rachel Maguire.”
The other guards stared at her curiously and she stared right back at them as she handed over her personal items. It pained her to relinquish her wedding and engagement rings.
“You’d better look after them,” warned Rachel.
“Don’t worry, you’ll get them back,” snapped the officer.
“I’d better,” she glowered.
Rachel was then put through the indignity of a strip search before being led to the showers. As an unconvicted prisoner she was entitled to wear her own clothes, for which she was very grateful. She was then checked over by a nurse before being taken to the First Night Centre, where she’d remain for the next forty eight hours before being introduced into the general prison population. This building was new, clean and comfortable, the idea being to ease prisoners into prison life rather than throw them in head first.
She was greeted by a tall stocky woman who appeared more than capable of taking care of herself.
“Hello Rachel, I’m Prison Officer Fletcher and I’m your personal officer. You can come to me with any queries or problems. I’ll also help with your appeal for bail. I take it you will be appealing?”
“Damn right,” replied Rachel firmly.
“In that case I’ll put you in touch with your legal advisor. You look tired so we’ll leave the induction until morning. I’ll take you to your room.”
Rachel was pleased to find that it was warm and cosy with a TV and radio.
“Not bad eh?” grinned Fletcher. “Get a good night’s sleep and we’ll talk more in the morning, alright?”
Rachel nodded.
As she locked the door Fletcher found it hard to equate the woman she’d just met with the infamous Rachel Maguire, whose reputation was fearsome. However one thing she’d learnt in her line of work was that the most quiet and demure demeanour could hide a psychotic personality. Only time would tell.
As the key turned in the lock the enormity of her situation hit Rachel. She sank onto the bed and buried her face in her hands, murmuring her husband’s name.
Danny had gathered everyone together to witness his rage.
“I want that fucking witness found and if he can’t be persuaded to keep his mouth shut then you fucking kill him.”
DS Sharples shuffled uncomfortably. “I don’t have the witness’s name. Only Benton knows and he’s not telling anyone.”
“In that case you get rid of that gun. Without that it doesn’t matter what the fucking witness says, it’s just their word against Rachel’s.” Danny downed the whisky and hurled the glass against the wall where it smashed.
“Benton said no one’s allowed anywhere near that evidence,” continued Sharples nervously. “He knows you’ve got someone in your pay and he’s not taking any chances.”
“Then you’d better get creative Ron because if you don’t sort it and Rachel goes down then life as you know it is over. Understand?”
Sharples turned pale with fright and nodded dumbly. Normally his status as a police officer would keep him relatively safe but he realised Danny would stop at nothing to get his wife back.
Danny sighed and turned to Alex. “Help him out will you bruv? I’m sure you’ve thought of a way already.”
“Actually I have,” grinned Alex.
Danny smiled at him gratefully.
“That just leaves her alibi,” interjected Mikey, “and it has to be a bloody good one. They won’t take our word for it.”
“We also have to find who really killed Douggie,” said Ryan sombrely. “No matter what you do to try and free Rachel, Benton will find some other way to fit her up because we all know she didn’t do it. The only way to set her free for good is to find the real killer.” He was frantic with worry about Rachel, although he was careful to keep that emotion carefully hidden. He’d been inside himself, unlike Danny and Alex, so he had a better idea than any of them of what she was going through. He hated the thought of that divine creature being stuck in that filthy hole and was determined to do all in his power to get her out.
“Any ideas?” said Danny.
“No but I will find out,” replied Ryan.
“Thank you.” Danny was well aware of Ryan’s feelings for his wife but right then he was glad for them because it meant he would do everything he could to get her out.
“I’ll help too,” said Jez.
Danny nodded at him in gratitude. “Let us know if you need anything.”
“Will do,” replied Ryan.
Danny felt better now they had some sort of plan. They’d get Rachel back, they had to.
“Come on Maguire, time to get up,” called PO Fletcher cheerfully.
Rachel glanced at the clock, which read six am. She groaned and rubbed her eyes. She hated getting up early.
Breakfast was a basic affair but it meant Rachel got to meet some of the other women. A few were obviously addicts, pale and sickly-looking with gaunt faces while most of them looked absolutely terrified. There were a few hard cases who were old hands at prison life. All of them watched Rachel curiously with a hint of unease. They were aware of who she was and were worried as to how she’d react to incarceration. But they needn’t have worried because Rachel paid them no mind. All she could think about were her husband and child. The pain of separation was a physical one and it was making her irritable. So when Fletcher approached her with a sunny smile and patronising camaraderie she felt like punching her.
“We’ll get your induction done once you’ve finished breakfast then we can get a visit arranged with one of the legal advisors about the bail application.”
The thought of bail pleased her somewhat and she managed to give Fletcher a small smile.
Ryan’s fury at Rachel’s imprisonment boiled over when he arrived at the house of Michael Saunders, a nasty character who’d been known to kill for just a few grand. Rather than knock Ryan kicked the door in and found the fat greasy bastard sat in his armchair, the newspaper open on his lap, staring up into Ryan’s angry face with his mouth hanging open.
Without a word Ryan grabbed him by the scruff of the shirt and threw him to the floor.
“Did you kill Douggie Jones?” he demanded.
“No,” he cried.
“Wrong answer,” snarled Ryan, delivering a kick to the ribs. “I’ll only ask once more nicely. Did you kill him?”
“No I didn’t, I swear on my kids’ lives.”
Ryan hauled him to his feet, threw him against the wall and delivered two punches to his gut, crumpling him in two. “Did you kill him?” he bellowed.
“No,” gasped Michael, the air knocked from his body.
Jez put a steadying hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I think he’s telling the truth.”
“Bullshit, he’s a fucking dirty assassin, we all know it. Who ordered the hit?”
“Please listen Ryan,” said Michael, trying to remain calm. “Why would I take Douggie out? We were in business together and his death has fucking hurt me. I don’t know who did it. All I can tell you is that it wasn’t me.”
Something in his eyes told Ryan he was being truthful but he wanted to vent his rage on someone. However this wasn’t the man to do it on. He was respected and worked for a lot of people. Hurting him would only bring more trouble down on their heads.
“Alright,” said Ryan, running a hand through his hair. “I believe you.” He threw a wad of notes on the floor beside him. “That’s for the door.”
With that he strode from the house, Jez hurrying after him.
“You can’t go around treating people like that,” said Jez once they were back in the car. “Michael has powerful friends, you’re only going to make things worse.”
“I know. I apologised nicely, didn’t I?”
“As nice as you ever get. Take it easy. You’re not going to help Rachel acting like Dirty Harry.”
“I’m doing this for us all. If Benton can fit Ra
chel up he can do it to any of us. We can’t let him win.”
“That’s bollocks, I know you’re crazy about Rachel.”
Ryan’s grey eyes hardened. “What did you say to me?”
“That doesn’t work on me anymore Ryan, I was scared of you once but not now. Even Danny knows how you feel about his wife but he respects you enough not to take you on over it. You’ve got to keep calm for your own sake as well as hers.”
“Makes sense,” he spat through tight lips.
“Danny trusts Rachel enough to leave her alone with you. Surely that says it all? He knows she’ll never stray.”
It was clear Rachel had never told Danny about that night in Martina’s Bar. If she had he wouldn’t let her be alone with him. That secret soothed his rage and stoked a passion in him that was solely reserved for Rachel.
“I can hope.”
“You can but it’s a vain hope. She and Danny are made for each other, everyone knows it. She’ll never leave him. It’s time you moved on,” Jez said gently.
For once Ryan’s eyes were open and honest, revealing his inner pain. “What if I can’t?”
“She’s one in a million I grant you but there’s no way it’s ever going to happen. Find someone else or you’re only going to cause yourself more pain.”
The hardness returned to Ryan’s eyes as he started the engine. “Listen to you, Jeremy fucking Kyle all of a sudden.”
“You know I’m talking sense Ryan.”
“I do know,” he said softly, pulling the car onto the road. “But there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.”
Jez sighed in frustration and sank back into his seat. Ryan’s infatuation with Rachel was only going to lead to something bad, he could feel it.
CHAPTER 8
It was time for Rachel to leave the peace of the First Night Centre for Waite Wing. As she entered the building the first thing that hit her was the horrendous noise. It was all around her, filling the cavernous building. As it was recreation time everyone was out of their cells and yet again Rachel was a one woman circus as they all stopped to watch the newcomer. Unlike the other remand prisoners, Rachel walked with her head held high, staring right back at them. She didn’t notice Liz Law watching from the gantry above.
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