by Taylor Leon
‘Come on it’s fine,’ she called back over her shoulder. I noticed for the first time she was swaying slightly as she walked.
‘Moira, it’s dark in there You don’t know what or who’s there.’
‘For Christ’s sake Erin. We are the “what’s in there” that people worry about.’
I sighed and caught up with her just as she disappeared into the darkness. Everything went black. There were no streetlights in here to light our way. The noise of the occasional car behind us sounded far away.
As my eyes grew used to the dark, I could just make Moira out ahead of me, striding purposefully forwards between the thick tall trees.
‘Moira, please tell me there’s a point to this.’
She stopped and turned to face me.
‘This is the point Erin,’ she said, smiled at me, and –poof- she was gone. A darker blur zipping between the trees with a sharp whooshing sound, before she suddenly appeared behind me.
‘Two women out on their own in the forest,’ she whispered, leaning in over my shoulder, her warm breath on my neck. ‘In the middle of the night. Unafraid.’
I turned to face her. She clasped my hands. ‘Forget all the spells, this confidence we have is our real strength.’
‘But we joined because we had a…’ I searched for the right word. ‘Grievance.’
Moira nodded. ‘We all have a past, Erin.’
‘The Coven collects hurt waifs and strays?’
‘Something like that.’
‘I don’t understand you. You have Max and your kids why do you need The Coven?’
‘Max is my second husband. Alice and Tom aren’t his kids.’ Then she vanished again zipping between the trees, suddenly appearing back at my side.
‘That feels good,’ she breathed in deeply. ‘I feel like a dog that needed exercise.’
‘Their father?’ I asked.
Her face dropped so I couldn’t see her reaction. ‘Skeletons in the cupboard.’
She strode past me, towards the screen of trees that led back to the car.
‘What about Desiree?’ I called after her. ‘Did she leave?’
Moira turned. ‘It’s okay thinking “out”,’ she said. ‘But don’t ever try and leave.’ She stepped back towards me. ‘Erin the truth is, it does sometimes get to me. You know, what we do- the damnations and so on. After all, I have a husband and kids that I hide this from. But I also know when push comes to shove, first and foremost I’m part of The Coven and it is part of me. I’m too far down the line now to ever go back.’
‘What happened to Desiree?’ I insisted.
‘It’s all just gossip,’ Moria said.
There was long pause, and I could see her sobering up before my eyes, her back straightening, her head held high. She was no longer the hurt older housewife and mother being insulted in the pub by some oik.
‘She died.’
‘How?’
‘It was before my time.’ She shook her head. ‘They found her lying across some train tracks.’
‘Murdered?’
‘The police said it was suicide.’
‘What do you think?’ I said.
She turned away and continued walking. ‘Erin, just be careful.’
I ran to catch up with her. ‘Be careful of what?’
‘I can sense it with you. Frankie got it wrong. She got you wrong. You joined The Coven because you want to exorcise your inner demons.’
‘Isn’t that why we all joined?’
‘Of course, but the difference is we’ll stay committed after we’ve exorcised them.’
‘And I won’t?’
‘No, we don’t think you will.’
We.
I reached for her as she started walking away and pulled her back, a little rougher than I’d intended.
She rolled her eyes and sighed. The genie was out the bottle. ‘Tell me something,’ she said, ‘have you faced your past yet?’
‘No, his name is Edward Cryle.’
‘And…’
‘And I don’t know where he is, yet.’
‘Yet?’
‘After he murdered my Mom he went on the run. That was fourteen years ago.’
‘And if you find him?’
I shrugged.
Moira tilted her head. ‘You don’t want all this,’ she said. ‘Not forever. You want a husband, children…’
‘Are you asking me or telling me?’
‘I’m telling you.’
‘You have those things and you’re still here.’
Moira smiled. ‘Maybe I find leading a double life easier than you.’
‘I do pretty well.’
‘Early days,’ she said and pushed past me.
I followed her back through the screen of trees and onto the grass verge leading to the car.
‘How can you be so sure about what I want?’ I called after her.
She stopped and turned. ‘Victoria read you,’ she said. ‘Frankie probably did as well, but kept it quiet. Guess she was just too keen to bring you on board. Probably thought you would change over time.’
‘How do you know I haven’t?’
‘A woman’s intuition,’ she said and carried on walking. Cars were zipping passed us as we climbed back inside. She pulled on her seatbelt, then sat back for a moment with her eyes closed, as though trying to formulate what she wanted to say.
‘I don’t need to lie to you Erin,’ she said eventually, opening her eyes and facing me, ‘and I don’t hate you. I actually quite like you. Now. There’s nothing wrong with wanting something else. Just know if you do, The Coven must always come first.’
We drove the rest of the way in silence while I contemplated what she had told me. I pulled up into her driveway about ten minutes later.
‘See you tomorrow night,’ she said as she climbed out.
I nodded in response, still deep in thought, as she closed the passenger door and headed up the steps just as the front door opened on cue. I saw Max’s silhouette in the hallway light. He waved to me, then hugged Moira as she stepped inside. She turned around one last time. Again the smile, but I couldn’t be sure if it was meant to be friendly or not.
The door closed.
Part Two
TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK
13
DEATH. DESTRUCTION. MAYHEM. That’s what they brought with them. Packed in four cardboard boxes which they carefully placed on the ground in front of them.
A small clearing in some woodland late at night. Two cars with headlights burning, providing the only light.
They stood on opposite sides to each other, the three arms dealers and Wayne Young.
‘I was surprised to see you again,’ Hugo Marr said. ‘Norris explained everything to me though.’
Wayne wondered what exactly the Old Man had said, then decided it didn't really matter. This was only going to end one way. Getting Hugo Marr here had been the important thing.
‘Open them?’ Hugo Marr asked, indicating the boxes.
‘Of course,’ Wayne said calmly, but feeling his anger rise. He despised Hugo Marr.
Marr nodded to the men on either side, both dressed in leather jackets and jeans. They took Stanley knives out that Wayne suspected had more than one use, and slit the tape around the boxes. Marr leaned forward and opened each of them before stepping back.
‘You can take them out,’ Marr smirked. ‘They won’t bite.’
Wayne looked up before reaching in and pulling one of the devices out. It had a couple of wires still coiled around it. He examined it carefully, turning it round in his hands as though it were some sort of religious artefact, before gently placing it back.
‘You know how to fix these up, right?’ Marr said.
Wayne glared at him, drew a deep exasperated breath, then thought twice and didn’t say anything. He stepped over to the next box and pulled out a small handgun, weighing it in his hand before putting it back.
‘We good?’ Marr said.
Wayne nodded. ‘You
’ll be paid in the usual way.’
‘Do I get a tip?’ Marr chuckled.
‘Yeah.’
‘Eh?’
‘You shouldn’t have fucked with me.’
Marr glanced at his men, and laughed softy, fixing Wayne with a hard look. ‘You weird looking fuck.’ He turned and started walking back towards his car. ‘Just tell your fat fuck of a boss to make sure the money hits my account tonight.’
‘He’s not my boss.’
Hugo Marr turned around, his eyebrows raised in surprise. ‘Really?’
‘I’m self- employed,’ Wayne smiled.
‘Whatever,’ Marr said, ‘just remember I know where your skeletons are buried.’
‘Fuck you,’ Wayne said calmly.
And that was the signal.
Four guns drawn at the same time, aimed at each other across the clearing.
‘Three verses one,’ Marr smirked. ‘I’ll be generous. Why don’t we agree on a draw and call it a night?’
Two shots echoed out and the men on either side of Hugo Marr fell forward with light thuds.
Marr whirled around to see a shadow step out from the darkness of Wayne’s car.
Wayne calmly cut through the headlight beams and crossed over to Marr as he turned back round, his face suddenly white with fear.
‘Two verses one,’ Wayne said. ‘I suddenly don’t fancy your odds Hugo. Drop your gun.’
Marr held his hands up and dropped his weapon.
‘On your knees,’ Wayne said.
‘What?’
‘I said, on your knees. Hands on your head.’ Wayne’s voice remained calm and even.
Marr did as he was told.
Wayne pushed his gun against Marr’s head.
‘You going to kill me?’ Marr hissed. ‘Who else is going to make your toys?’
‘You’d be surprised how many others want to play.’
‘All this because I insulted you? Insulted the Old Man?’
Wayne laughed. ‘Don’t be a prick. You think we’re bothered about the name calling?’
‘So what’s this about then?’ Marr was visibly shaking now, seeing death stare back at him
Wayne reached into his shirt breast pocket with one hand and pulled out his mobile. The number was on fast dial so he only needed to press one key with his thumb.
‘Jason?’ Wayne said. He never called the Old Man direct. Everything went through his driver and batman. ‘It’s me. Is he there?’
‘He’s kind of busy.’
Wayne smiled. He was probably shagging Carly again. ‘It’s important.’
Jason knew if Wayne said it was important, then it was important.
‘Alright, give me a minute.’
Wayne held the phone away and smiled down at Marr. ‘Sorry about this. Be with you in a minute.’ There was a snigger from the shadow in the background.
Marr looked up. He was scared and Wayne was surprised. He had always imagined that when it came down to it, Hugo Marr would remain obstinate and defiant to the end.
The Old Man came on the line. ‘You got him?’ he growled.
‘He’s right here.’
‘Put him on.’
Wayne pressed the loudspeaker key and, crouching down, held the phone to Marr’s ear.
‘How are you Hugo?’ The Old Man said.
‘Anthony, what is this about? We’ve worked together for years.’ He was stammering, his voice all cracked and shaking.
‘It was you, wasn’t it? You gave Mark and George up.’
‘What do you mean? Of course I didn’t give them up. It was Kane. We all know it was Kane.’
‘Nuh-uh. That’s always been the problem. Kane didn’t know about Mark and George. You did.’
‘Are you mad? I’ve never-’
‘Save it,’ the Old Man said. ‘I know.’
‘For the love of God. You’ve got it wrong.’
‘Did you hear me? I said, I know it was you Hugo.’
‘Anthony, this is madness. We go way back.’
‘I remember you telling me five years ago that the NID was finished and that you were moving onto better things. You said I was a washed-up-has-been.’
‘We’ve moved on since then. Here we are now. Together again.’
‘Yes Hugo, here we are.’
Wayne stood back up, turned the loudspeaker off, and held it up to his ear.
‘Well?’ he asked.
‘Have you got the toys you wanted?’ Norris said.
‘Yeah, I’ve got them.’
‘Fine.’ There was a short pause. ‘He’s all yours.’
The line went dead.
Wayne slipped the phone back into his pocket.
‘Can we deal?’ Marr was panicking now; his voice was whining.
‘I wish I could say I’m sorry, but I’m not,’ Wayne said. ‘Mark paid a heavy price for what you did.’
‘I didn’t do anything. It was Kane.’
‘Oh, Kane was guilty as well, no doubt about it, he snitched.’
‘Then for Christ’s sake, find him and make him pay.’
‘Haven’t you seen the news? We did find him.’
‘So, why me?’ His voice rose to a shriek. ‘WHY ME?’
‘Because he may have been a grass, but he never gave Mark up.’
‘NEITHER DID I!’ His voice dropped. ‘Listen to me. I’ve done nothing wrong.’
Wayne looked back over his shoulder as the young shadow stepped forward into the light.
‘Let me do this,’ he said, and Wayne nodded.
He took Wayne’s place and pushed the gun hard against Marr’s head.
‘From one weird looking fuck to another,’ Wayne said stepping back. ‘You said you know where our skeletons are buried. Now we’ll know where yours is.’
There was a loud crack and Marr’s head split open, blood splashing out in a crimson explosion, the lifeless body tipping over to the side.
Wayne looked down impassively.
He saw revenge. He saw the future.
Death, destruction, mayhem.
He saw the Old Man.
Death, destruction, mayhem.
For you Mark.
He smiled and gave Hugo Marr’s body a gentle kick.
‘Clean up,’ he said, ‘we’ve got work to do.’
He looked back over at the boxes.
His mobile rang. He listened, then when he finished, he looked over at the kid still standing over Marr’s body.
‘You okay?’ Wayne asked.
‘Of course.’ The kid’s voice was cold, detached. That was good. Very good.
‘The target has left work and is on her way home,’ Wayne said to him. ‘We have to go.’
The kid looked up. ‘Can’t we just jump to the grand finale?’
Wayne shook his head. ‘We’re building up to it. Revenge first.’
His expression was uncompromising.
Death, destruction, mayhem.
14
I SHOULDN’T BE here. I knew that. Charley’s nightclub housed trouble. You didn’t want to get caught up in some of the stuff that went on down here.
But I was here for a reason.
Derek Mundy.
I parked up a side road and walked right past the canopied entrance and the two tuxedoed- built-like-brick-shithouses at the top of the steps, hearing the steady throb of music from inside the monster.
I went up the small dark alley that ran along the side, and waited.
Twenty minutes later, right on cue, I heard giggling and laughing. Leaning forward I could see Frankie’s silhouette, her arms wrapped around a tall shadow.
Derek Mundy.
‘You ever done it outside?’ she asked him, her loud whisper echoing down the alleyway.
I couldn’t make out his face, but I knew what he looked like. We’d studied scores of photos over the last couple of days. There was no room for any mistakes with what we did.
I stepped further back into the shadows. Didn’t want to risk being seen yet. Not w
hile he still had the opportunity to run off. Leaning back into a small alcove, trying to keep my breathing to a minimum, I felt like a voyeur. I counted down the seconds as Frankie led Mundy down, until I sensed they were only three feet or so away from me.
‘Right here?’ he whispered.
‘Why not?’ Her voice was soft and seductive, and well-rehearsed. She was a consummate actress.
I closed my eyes and reminded myself why we were here tonight. Why Derek Mundy.
Elizabeth Sidwell had been his last victim, and the first one Victoria had shown us in the briefing. He’d picked up girls in bars and nightclubs, including Charley’s. He spiked their drinks. As soon as they started feeling woozy, he’d usher them out into his car, offering to take them to his place, or promising to just drive them home.
Now in the darkness of the alley I heard the rustling of bodies, the wet sound of kissing and licking.
Then two shadows appeared at the far end of the alley and started walking towards us.
Bella and Moira.
That was Frankie’s signal.
I heard a high-pitched scream. My instinct was that it must have been Frankie, that Mundy had struck her. But as I stepped out of the shadows I could see him under the shafts of moonlight, writhing on the floor clutching his manhood.
‘BITCH!’ he screamed.
Bella and Moira joined us as we stood around him.
I flipped my compact open and whispered the spell.
‘You ready Jessie?’
‘All done.’
I flipped it closed and nodded to the others.
Bella reached down and picked Mundy up with one hand as though he weighed nothing. She pinned him up against the wall.
‘Derek Mundy,’ I said. ‘Did you rape Abi Hanks, Denise Crane and Elizabeth Sidwell?’
His eyes, all watery, widened when he heard my voice and saw me.
‘Answer the question,’ I said.
‘Fuck off.’
I glanced across at Frankie who nodded. ‘No regrets,’ she said.
Mundy suddenly lashed out, catching Bella with a left hook. She’s a tough cookie, most people would have been knocked out cold. She just dropped her arms and rocked back a couple of paces. But it was enough for Mundy to make a dash for it.
Moira was on him in a flash. Right in front of him, blocking his charge down the alley. Mundy didn’t even have time to register surprise that she had somehow raced ahead of him, as he collided into her.