Payback

by Kimberley Chambers

  ‘I saw the TV appeal, Scott. The police are bound to come round again because they’ve appealed for witnesses. If they find out I lied, then I will go to prison as well. How could you put me in that position, eh? And how could you involve that poor child?’

  ‘Have you lost the plot, Fi? I do not have a clue what you’re on about. What TV appeal?’

  ‘The one about Vinny Butler’s missing daughter.’

  ‘No way! Vinny’s kid has gone missing?’

  ‘Oh, don’t act shocked, Scott. It’s too late for that. You wouldn’t have hidden in my wardrobe and made me lie to the police if you had nothing to hide. You think I’m stupid because I’ve always stood by you, but I’m not. Go and pack your things. I can’t take any more.’

  ‘Fi, I swear on my life and yours that I had nothing to do with the disappearance of Vinny’s kid. I might be a fucker, but I would never hurt a child. The reason I asked you to give me an alibi is because me and a pal committed a robbery. That’s why I thought the Old Bill had turned up here, not because of some kid.’

  ‘I don’t believe you.’

  ‘I can get my pal to confirm the story to you, if you like? We did over a jeweller’s shop.’

  ‘OK, but ring him now and hand the phone straight to me.’

  ‘I can’t. He’s gone to Belgium with the jewellery.’

  ‘Oh, how very convenient, Scott – you must think I was born bloody yesterday. Just pack your stuff and get out.’

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Vinny Butler woke up with a thumping headache. The news from Geary had knocked him for six, and he had sat up until the early hours downing Scotch and bending Michael and Ahmed’s ears. The main topic of conversation was how he would dispose of Bobby Jackson, and Vinny had decided to cut the bastard open while he was still alive, rip his heart out with his own bare hands, then feed it to the stray dog that was always hanging around outside the club.

  Michael opened the bedroom door. ‘Wakey, wakey. I feel like shit, I dunno about you. Ahmed’s gone to the café. I ordered you two sandwiches. Egg and bacon, and sausage and onion.’

  The thought of either concoction made Vinny want to vomit. He had barely eaten a morsel since Molly had gone missing. ‘Answer that, would you, Michael,’ Vinny said when the buzzer rang.

  He was trying to summon up the strength to have a shave and a shower when Michael yelled out that the police wanted to speak to him. Vinny quickly got dressed and ran down the stairs. Had they charged Bobby Jackson?

  ‘Morning, Vinny. I need to ask you a few more questions regarding certain information we have received,’ DS Townsend said.

  Vinny gestured for Townsend and his colleague to follow him into his office. He was fully expecting questions about Bobby Jackson to be fired his way, but to Vinny’s amazement, Townsend never mentioned him. Instead, he asked Vinny if he had seen a teenage boy hanging around outside the club recently.

  ‘No. Not that I can remember. Why?’

  ‘We have reason to believe that this lad might prove to be a key witness. We have a description and are planning to release a photofit later today.’

  Vinny was gobsmacked. ‘What does this lad look like?’

  ‘We’re not sure of his height yet, because in all the sightings we have he was sitting down in the doorway opposite your club. But he’s described as being between seventeen and twenty, with dark hair and green eyes. On the day Molly went missing, he was wearing a navy tracksuit and white trainers.’

  Vinny wanted to ask why they were chasing after some young kid when they had Bobby Jackson in custody, but for obvious reasons he couldn’t. ‘Are there any other witnesses or suspects?’ he asked.

  Townsend’s answer was noncommittal. ‘We’re chasing up various leads. The TV appeal resulted in lots of phone calls and we’re sifting through them all, but this lad who was seen sitting opposite your club on the day in question might well be able to assist us in our enquiries. The flood you had in your cellar – is there any way it could have been started deliberately?’

  Vinny shook his head. ‘No chance. I plumbed that machine in myself and it had already flooded the cellar once before. There’s a dodgy pipe at the back, and I should have got it properly sorted ages ago.’

  ‘Who loaded the wash and switched it on?’

  ‘My cleaner, Edna. She always sticks the towels, tea-towels and all that stuff in every Thursday. My son noticed the flood when he went down to the cellar to stock up the mixers, then rang me immediately. What are you trying to imply? That some teenage kid came into the club, put a wash on, then flooded my fucking cellar before snatching my daughter?’

  ‘I’m not implying anything, Vinny. We’re just exploring all the angles. That’s our job.’

  ‘Where’s your boss today? I want to know why you’ve described this teenage lad as a witness when he’s obviously a fucking suspect. Why would you release a photofit of him otherwise?’

  DS Townsend was none too comfortable around Vinny Butler. The man made him feel edgy. ‘The boss is meeting with the media again this morning. He wants to get as much publicity for Molly as possible. As for your question about this lad being a suspect, we can’t be sure at this stage. As soon as we receive any more information, you will be the first to know.’

  When Townsend and his seemingly mute colleague left the office, Vinny picked up the photo of Molly that sat pride of place on his desk. Tears streaming down his face, he looked at his daughter sitting on her rocking horse. With her mop of curly blonde hair, bright green eyes and dashing smile, she looked so incredibly beautiful. His voice choked with tears, he whispered to her, ‘Where are you, my angel? Daddy loves and misses you so very much.’

  Christopher Walker was at home with his mother. He had slept better since Molly had been missing. Obviously, he didn’t wish the child any harm, but her disappearance could not have come at a better time for him. It gave him the breathing space he so badly needed after the horrendous situation he’d found himself in. It might even mean he would be spared having to arrest Vinny Butler. When a child as young as Molly went missing for this length of time, there was rarely a happy ending. That being the case, participating in drug deals should be the last thing on Vinny Butler’s mind for the foreseeable future.

  ‘What you up to on your day off? Doing anything nice?’ Mary asked her son.

  ‘I’m meeting Olivia after work and taking her for a meal. Are you not working in the café today?’

  ‘No. I’m planning to pop round to see Joanna and Nancy. The pair of them are in bits, and I can’t stop thinking of that poor little girl. I know you hate Vinny, son, but that child is a dear little soul and Jo’s a lovely girl too. Do you think Molly will turn up? Has anybody said anything about her disappearance at work?’

  ‘A few of the lads have spoken about it, but I try to distance myself. It’s very embarrassing for me in my position to be linked to a family like the Butlers. As for Molly being found safe, I would prepare yourself for the worst.’

  The sound of the phone ringing stopped Mary from asking any more questions. Her face fell as she listened to what the caller had to say.

  ‘Are you sure it was Daniel? … OK, I’ll come and collect him now.’

  ‘What’s the matter?’ Christopher asked his mother.

  ‘It’s Daniel. He’s had a fight at school and cut another little boy’s head open. He’s very distressed apparently, and the school wants me to bring him home.’

  Christopher tutted and shook his head in disgust. ‘Like father like son.’

  DI Smithers was flummoxed. Since the TV appeal, four witnesses had come forward to say they had seen the lad opposite the club around the time of Molly’s disappearance. Two other witnesses had reported seeing a lad in Victoria Park with a child in a pushchair who could have been Molly.

  DI Smithers scratched his head. Even though the lad outside Vinny’s club was sitting down, the four witnesses who had so far come forward all reckoned he was tall. One had even said he had long
legs. Yet the lad who was seen with the pushchair in the park was described as being short and wearing a woolly hat. Both were described as wearing a navy tracksuit, so surely it had to be the same lad, didn’t it?

  ‘Boss, I’ve spoken to the dog section and they’re on their way to Victoria Park as we speak. Robbo and Pat have just headed over to Dagenham again to check out Jackson’s alibi. They know where the lady lives now, but she wasn’t in last night.’

  Smithers nodded at his colleague. His gut instinct told him that the quicker Victoria Park was searched, the better.

  Nancy immediately assumed the worst when she opened the front door and saw Michael standing there. ‘What is it? Has something happened?’

  ‘No, I just wanted to pop round to see how you and Jo are coping? Can I come in?’

  ‘Yes, of course. Jo isn’t here. Her mum has taken her to see her dad. Please don’t tell Vinny though. Jo is in a bad enough state as it is, without her getting any more grief from him.’

  ‘I won’t say a dickie, I promise. But thanks for telling me the truth. My mum has always said that a liar is worse than a thief and that was why I was so pissed off with you. You could have trusted me you know, about the wedding. I am your husband.’

  Unaware that Michael had been anything but honest with her in the past, Nancy put her arms around his neck. ‘I know that now, and I am really sorry.’

  Vinny Butler put the phone down and digested the news Geary had just given him. Micky Dunn had been released yesterday evening, but they still had Bobby Jackson in custody. Surely they must have some proof that the bastard had something to do with Molly’s disappearance? Else they would have let him go by now.

  ‘Ahmed, answer that. It’s probably Nick. He rang earlier to say he was popping by.’

  Feeling the stress more than ever, Vinny poured himself a Scotch. The longer the search went on for Molly, the more his heart ached and he feared the worst.

  ‘Eddie Mitchell is outside and wishes to speak to you. Do you want me to invite him in?’ Ahmed asked.

  Vinny was stunned. Since the Krays had been banged up, his family and the Mitchells had been the two main forces in the East End. However, apart from the odd hello and the Mitchells attending Roy and Lenny’s funeral, the two families had never really crossed one another’s paths. ‘Yes, invite him in.’

  Ahmed did so, but at the same time told Vinny he had to pop out for a bit. He had heard about the Mitchell brothers and their father and even though he was not scared of any bastard, he would rather steer clear of that family.

  ‘Can I get you a drink, Eddie?’ Vinny asked politely.

  ‘I’ll have a Scotch on the rocks, but only if you’re having one yourself.’

  Vinny strolled behind the bar. Did Eddie have some information about his daughter? If not, what was the purpose of his visit?

  Vinny put the drinks on the table, then sat down. ‘I take it you’ve heard about Molly?’

  ‘Yes. I have a daughter myself and I cannot begin to imagine what you must be going through. My Jessica saw the appeal on TV last night, so I thought I’d pop in and see if we can help in any way, just say the word.’

  ‘Cheers, Eddie. That’s decent of you, mate. It’s been fucking awful not knowing where Molly is … it’s the worst thing I have ever had to go through.’

  Eddie Mitchell took a sip of his drink. ‘I can well believe that. I would rip any bastard’s limbs off who ever touched my Frankie, that’s for sure. Do you have any idea who might have taken Molly?’

  ‘I have my suspicions, but no concrete proof yet. Whoever has taken her will wish they’d never been born by the time I finish with them, trust me on that one.’

  ‘Well, I’ll keep my ear to the ground and my father and brothers will do the same, Vinny. Most things are deemed as acceptable in our world, but not when it involves children. I’ll be in touch if I get wind of anything.’

  ‘Thanks, mate. Can I get you another drink?’

  ‘No, thanks. My brother Ronny is waiting outside in the car. We have to be somewhere soon. This is my number if you need anything,’ Eddie said, handing Vinny a card.

  ‘Well, I really appreciate you taking the time to pop in and see me, Eddie. It means a lot and I won’t forget it.’

  Eddie Mitchell held out his right hand. ‘It’s called mutual respect, Vinny, and I hope and pray that Molly is reunited with you soon. I really do.’

  DI Smithers was about to leave his office for the press briefing when a colleague came dashing his way. ‘We’ve just had another anonymous phonecall. Same lad as yesterday. He said Molly was being held in a block of flats, but wouldn’t say where. I tried to keep him talking. I asked after Molly’s welfare and urged him to call back to speak to a senior officer, but he just put the phone down on me.’

  ‘Did you pick up any background noises?’

  ‘Yes, I could hear traffic and I’m sure I heard a trader shout something out. Perhaps he’s calling from a phonebox in a market? It could even be Whitechapel.’

  ‘Get on to the TSU in case he calls back again. It could be some crank, but let’s not take any chances. We need to trace the next call.’

  Joanna Preston could not face going back to her parents’ house in Tiptree. For one thing, she wanted to stay near to home in case there was any news of Molly. And secondly, now that her daughter’s disappearance was common know-ledge, she could not bear the thought of bumping into any of her former neighbours or her old pal Chloe.

  Discussing Molly’s plight with family was one thing, but she couldn’t handle strangers asking about her. That was why her dad had taken a train to Barking and they were currently sitting in the park together.

  After the awful rain over the past couple of days, the September weather was now warm and sunny again. Knowing that Johnny wanted to chat to Joanna alone, Deborah said she was off to get some refreshments.

  Johnny winked at his wife. ‘A nice cold can of beer or two would go down a treat, if you can find an offie, babe.’

  When Deborah walked away, Johnny put his arm around his daughter’s shoulders. She had looked so happy and vibrant at the wedding, but resembled a different person today. ‘The police will find Molly, sweetheart. They know what they’re doing.’

  ‘But will she be alive or dead, Dad?’ Joanna wept. It had been forty-eight hours now since her daughter had gone missing and Jo knew that the more time ticked on, the less chance there was of Molly being found alive.

  ‘All we can do is pray that Molly is safe, darling. Your mum told me what happened at the press conference yesterday. I would put money on it that Vinny couldn’t go through with it because he knows it was down to him that Molly got snatched. He’s a wrong ’un, love, and the quicker you realize that, the better.’

  Joanna squeezed her father’s hand. ‘I am starting to realize that, Dad, and I’ve already decided that if Molly does come home, we cannot live with Vinny any more. No way can I ever go through anything like this again, not ever.’

  When Micky Dunn opened his front door, his face fell the moment he saw Vinny Butler. ‘What do you want?’ he asked, unable to keep the quiver out of his voice.

  ‘A little chat,’ Vinny spat.

  ‘My wife and kids are indoors, so we can’t chat here,’ Micky gabbled. He was petrified of Vinny. His reputation was bad enough, but he also had the most piercing evil green eyes that Micky had ever seen.

  Vinny grabbed Micky’s arm. ‘Best me and you go for a little drive then, eh?’

  ‘I can’t, Vinny. My wife has to go out in a minute and I have to take care of my kids.’

  Vinny Butler gave Micky Dunn a swift knee in the bollocks, then as the man crashed to his knees, Vinny smashed his head against the pavement. ‘If you don’t get in my car, I swear on my dear old mum’s life I will fucking kill you. And you know how much I love my dear old mum, don’t you?’

  Absolutely terrified, Micky nodded and got in the car.

  Donald Walker was utterly horrified on learning of his
grandson’s violent behaviour and Mary was currently trying to calm the awkward situation down. ‘Go to your room, boys, while me and your granddad have a little chat,’ Mary ordered.

  ‘I am appalled, Mary. That child needs to be taken in hand. I told you I had noticed a change in him just recently, didn’t I?’

  Donald was a nightmare once he got a bee in his bonnet, so Mary had no alternative other than to stick up for her grandson. ‘You don’t even know the full story yet. Billy Jenkins was mocking Daniel over Molly’s disappearance, which is why Daniel flipped. He loves his cousin, Donald, and is very upset over what has happened.’

  ‘I don’t care how upset Daniel is. That does not excuse the fact he has repeatedly smashed a boy’s head against the school railings. As much as I love our grandsons, I have always been worried about how they will one day turn out. Once a Butler, always a bloody Butler, Mary.’

  Burak Zane poured himself and his cousin a drink. ‘So, how’s it going? And how is our dear friend coping with the loss of his daughter?’

  Ahmed grinned. ‘Not very well. I think he’s had some information off that retired crooked Chief Inspector he knows, but he wouldn’t say what.’

  Burak sighed. ‘That is worrying, Ahmed. Vinny used to confide in you with everything. Do you think he has any inkling we are no longer his friends?’

  ‘No. He said Geary had sworn him to secrecy. I presume the police have just tugged somebody in relation to Molly going missing. I will find out later, when Vinny gets pissed again tonight. I am sure he was on the verge of blabbing last night, but changed his mind at the very last moment. There is good news though: I have now bonded with his son. Little Vinny is my new best friend.’

  Burak chuckled. ‘So, what are we going to do about this drug set-up?’

  ‘Believe me, the last thing on Vinny’s mind at this moment is participating in any drug deal. But I think this can work in our favour. As soon as I find out who the Old Bill have in custody, I will encourage Vinny to kill them, or any of their associates. I will then make sure he gets done for murder. That will carry a much longer sentence than drugs and it will save us paying Carl Thompson. That cunt had the cheek to not only slam the phone down on me, but also throw my money back in my face. I am not happy about that, Burak. Not happy at all.’