Out of Promises

by Simon Leigh

  ‘Untie him.’

  Lenka moved around to Matherson, took a flick knife from her pocket and cut through the restraints.

  Matherson nursed his wrists, soothing the aching pain. He said, ‘You won’t achieve what you want in this city without my help.’

  ‘You can help me by getting out of my way. Things will happen tonight that will make me a lot of money and I don’t need you interfering.’

  ‘Like what? Last I checked you didn’t have a leg to stand on.’

  Preston smiled. ‘That’s clever. But I do have legs. Soon enough you won’t have a head.’

  ‘Well, you do have legs,’ Matherson said, leaning in. ‘But you can’t use them. Is your dick limp too? Is that why you’re trying to compensate by taking over the city?’

  Bill stood up. ‘God damn it. Will you shut the fuck up?’

  Chloe started crying again.

  Lenka grabbed him, slamming him against the wall. ‘Don’t leave this wall until told to, OK?’ She looked down at Lucy and said, ‘Shut your child up before I do.’

  Lucy nodded and tried to hush Chloe to be quiet.

  Preston pushed the revolver across the table to Matherson. ‘Come on. It’s fun.’

  ‘Will you be playing?’

  Preston sniggered. ‘No, I don’t play games.’

  ‘Because you’re a pussy. Always were and always will be.’

  Cyrus clenched his fists, ready to hit him. The tension boiled. If any one of them died nobody would know, not a passer-by on the street or a salesman at the door. They feared for their lives and Cyrus’s unpredictable nature made matters unbearable.

  Preston said, ‘Play the game.’

  ‘And if I refuse?’

  ‘Play the game,’ he said again.

  ‘That’s right. You’ve got nothing on me.’

  ‘If you refuse we’ll make your death as painful as it can possibly be. You’re not as strong as you once were, right? With age comes weakness.’

  Bill interrupted, ‘Why don’t you just let Lucy and Chloe go? They didn’t do anything.’

  ‘They were to be used as a bargaining chip, but that won’t happen now we have everything we want. They’ve seen my face and my house. They know who and what you are. Valerie too. Lucy opened her mouth once to rat you out and she’ll do it again in a far better environment.’

  ‘Valerie is long gone.’

  ‘She’ll be here as a playmate for Cyrus before the day is out.’

  Cyrus smiled.

  Bill stood up again. Lenka moved and pushed him down, harder this time. ‘One more time, Bill.’

  ‘Come on, you’re not a child murderer like that old bastard in front of you.’

  ‘You have no idea my friend now shut your mouth and stay down.’

  Cyrus lit up a cigarette and smoked it in silence. Nobody said a word. Preston tapped his hands on the table. Tap, tap, tap. The sound was loud. Matherson looked at the revolver in front of him, debating whether or not to do it.

  Preston looked at his watch and said, ‘Come on, play the game, time is short.’

  ‘For what?’

  ‘Oh, nothing really. Just a shipment coming in tonight.’ He pointed at the gun on the table. ‘Now play the game.’

  Matherson picked it up and held it in his hands, mulling it over for a few seconds. He figured he had a one in six chance that he would die on the first shot. ‘That was my shipment,’ he said, raising the gun to Preston and pulling the trigger.

  CHAPTER SIXTY FIVE

  Rodriguez’s man was driving. Valerie was in the passenger seat, nervously anticipating what await her at their destination. A piece of her feared she was heading into the same trap Bill had sprung on her, but she couldn’t wait back at the house with the remains of their attackers painting the walls, so she just sat it out and let whatever happens, happen.

  Snow filled the window making visibility almost impossible as the wipers fought to relieve the windshield before it was smothered with even more. Taking corners turned out to be a long, slow chore with the wheels sliding, difficult to regain control even at these slow speeds. It was cold inside the car and their adrenaline had faded, placing them in a melancholy mood.

  Valerie broke the silence. ‘So what’s your name?’

  ‘James.’

  ‘Well, James, thanks for helping me back there.’

  ‘Don’t mention it.’

  ‘You almost killed me though.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘At the house. You shot at me.’

  ‘I told you, I thought you were one of Preston’s. He has a woman working for him called Lenka and in the dark I couldn’t make you out clearly. I’m sorry.’

  ‘Lenka? The same Lenka that worked for Matherson?’

  ‘Correct.’

  Another ghost from Valerie’s past creeping up on her. She felt like she was at a family reunion. A family that hated each other, but a reunion nonetheless.

  James continued, ‘Lenka and Bill have been seen working with each other. He’s a piece of work.’

  She sighed and said, ‘Bill is working for Preston because Preston has his sister under surveillance and will kill her if he doesn’t do as he’s told.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I thought you should know the real reason he’s working for Preston.’

  He glanced over to her. ‘Are you on his side?’

  ‘No. Well, yes. Kind of. I understand why he did what he did but I hate him for it. He’s caused me no end of pain these last two days.’

  ‘Whatever reason he has, he’s still a threat.’

  ‘I’m not arguing that.’

  They entered an area named Chapel Street Industrial and neared the warehouse passing other businesses, still open with workers moving pallets and using forklifts with great difficulty, oblivious to their presence.

  ‘Rodriguez will help you,’ said James. ‘His goal is to wipe out Preston and Matherson from this city and give it back to the people.’

  ‘How long have you worked with him?’

  ‘For about seven years. So far we’ve just been putting spanners in the works. Now he’s decided on a complete removal.’

  ‘So all the problems Matherson had were because of you guys?’

  ‘Some of them were. We got our hands on a weapons container from him. If you ever need a weapon, find that container. We have it sitting idle at the docks. It’s on the south side, container number SBD six eight one nine four five. We use it all the time when we’re low and for extra storage.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘Like I said, we want to help you. We’re here.’

  He came to a halt outside a large warehouse. The building was a free standing grey structure with a door at the front and beside it, a shutter used for loading and unloading. There was also a window at the top with blinds that she assumed belonged to some sort of office. To the front were piles of snow that someone had tried to move from the parking area before more snow landed making the job meaningless. The place was quiet.

  They got out of the car.

  Valerie’s feet turned to ice as her shoes sank in a foot of snow, freezing every pore it could find. James walked around the car and guided her towards the building. Visibility was low. A light shone from the warehouse as a door opened and someone walked out. She couldn’t quite believe what she was seeing.

  Cook walked out towards her. He nodded to James, who left them and walked inside.

  ‘How are you here?’ she asked him.

  ‘Good to see you too. I have a lot to explain, come inside. Rodriguez is waiting.’

  She followed him towards the building when from nowhere, the warehouse exploded. The first thing she heard before the ringing started was a loud, fiery boom as the shutter was flung from its mechanical fixing, shattering into large fragments of melting plastic and metal followed by the wall. The wave of energy pushed Cook forward into her and they hit the ground together. Glass and debris rained down around them. She couldn’t breathe and the heat
roared violently. Flames fanned out from the newly formed hole like an uncontrollable force, desperate to escape. Panting and trying desperately to refill her lungs, she looked up into the evening sky as the heat encased her,

  A shadow emerged from a top floor window.

  ‘Help,’ shouted the man, who started climbing out when another explosion came from within, launching him to the road.

  More flames blazed and the whole building creaked, ready to drop. Parts of it fell off and, with a loud crash, the roof caved in. Snow turned to steam and did nothing to quench the overwhelming might of the fire.

  She felt the melting snow trickle around her, soaking into her clothes and hair. She had to move before the entire place came roaring down on top of her. Dizzy. Disorientated. Nauseated. She tried to push Cook off of her. She screamed, barely hearing herself through ringing ears.

  ‘Cook!’ she yelled.

  He didn’t move.

  With her arms around him, she tried to free herself. Warm liquid mixed with the cold snowy droplets touched her skin: blood. Summing up all the energy she could, she pushed with all her might, managing to slide him off. He was unconscious and bleeding badly and his back was covered in shrapnel. She had to pull him to safety. In her panicky state, she climbed to her feet, grabbed his arms, and dragged him to the road, slipping with each step taken until she was clear.

  A crowd gathered across the street and watched. Some ran to help her.

  Then the building gave up and fell. The crowd screamed as the supports caved and the top floor fell through, crumbling the weakened frame until no more than a pile of smouldering rubble.

  Weak and unable to move anymore, all her energy was gone. The ground below her seemed more and more like the best option; her only option. She fell with a thud, blankly looking up at nothing through her glazed eyes. Snow fell on her. but she didn’t care. She felt like closing her eyes and never opening them again. It was like her life was leaving her and nothing could stop it.

  Images flashed before her: a childhood with happy parents; her life on the streets; meeting Freddie; extorting an innocent business man for his protection. All of it negative apart from Freddie, and she realized her life meant nothing. She saw Bill, his calm demeanour overshadowed by an underhanded secret to gain information from her.

  Tires screeched to a halt on the wet road. The onlookers screamed and ran as men with rifles jumped out and she felt herself being picked up and thrown into the back of a vehicle.

  CHAPTER SIXTY SIX

  The gun clicked and within a second Cyrus launched forward, grabbing his revolver and punching Matherson. He pressed it hard into Matherson’s temple. The gamble had been a bad one. That was one shot down so now there were a maximum five shots left.

  ‘I don’t want to die,’ Matherson cried.

  ‘Neither did I at Amber Heights!’ yelled Preston. ‘You left me for dead. It’s as you always say, people are replaceable.’

  He nodded to Cyrus.

  Sweat and fear washed over Matherson. ‘Please don’t, please,’ he pleaded.

  Bill covered his face. Lucy covered Chloe’s ears but it wasn’t enough to mask the sound as Cyrus pulled the trigger. Click, click, and then the single round in the cylinder flew through Matherson’s skull like jelly. Lucy and Chloe screamed as blood spray hit them.

  Cyrus slammed the gun on the table again.

  Matherson was no more. His ruthless regime was over and his body just hung there to the left with blood and skull seeping out, dripping on the floor like a leaky tap.

  ‘Who’s next?’ asked Preston.

  CHAPTER SIXTY SEVEN

  At 20:00, the scene at the house was nothing short of shocking. A minimum of thirty officers swarmed the area interviewing neighbours with forensics desperate to gather what they could from the snow that had made its way inside before their arrival. McGowan stood inside a tent that had been erected to the front and rear of the house, dumbstruck at the sight before him. Bullet holes dotted the walls, evidence markers covered the floors and almost everything was damaged to some extent. Twelve bodies were being zipped into body bags along with the dog from the rear.

  Someone’s been busy.

  He walked out and listened in on one of the interviews, to a neighbour describing the sound of gunfire, lots of gunfire. ‘...when it all stopped, the van closed up and off it went like there was nothing wrong. We were all afraid we were next. I’ve never seen anything like it.’

  McGowan’s phone rang. He answered it.

  ‘McGowan, its Baker.’

  ‘This place is a mess. Dead bodies everywhere and the place is shot to hell. I personally didn’t think Matherson could pull something like this off.’

  ‘I don’t think he did.’

  The media arrived at the police cordon.

  ‘I hope you’re right. The whole neighbourhood is out here giving statements and forensics are combing the place. This place is turning into a media circus.’

  ‘Well you need to leave them to it. I just heard reports of an explosion on Chapel Street Industrial. I need you over there as soon as you can.’

  ‘Yeah, I think I heard it from here. It’s no coincidence these two events happening so close to each other is it? It’s almost like Valerie and Bill are on a rampage.’

  ‘Give it a rest,’ Baker said. ‘Look, we’re almost finished here about to leave for The Truman building.’

  ‘Looks like you’ll be doing it without me.’

  ‘Seems that way. Get over there as soon as you can, all right?’

  ‘Sure,’ he said.

  ‘Oh, and McGowan. My undercover guy is at that warehouse. He’s a priority, get to him as soon as you can. He’ll respond to the name Cook.’

  CHAPTER SIXTY EIGHT

  Matherson’s body was discarded into a corner like a piece of sour meat. Blood was left on the floor and the splatter wasn’t touched, left there to ignite fear into them.

  Lenka sat Bill in the same chair and another bullet was placed in the revolver.

  ‘Your turn,’ said Preston.

  ‘No!’ screamed Lucy, still holding Chloe. ‘You’re a monster.’

  ‘Why do you like him so much?’ Preston asked. ‘This man, along with Cyrus took Michael from your house. A defenceless baby no less. This man ruined your life.’

  Lucy cried, ‘You’re a liar. Michael is dead.’

  ‘Tell her,’ said Preston.

  ‘It’s true, Lucy. We did it under Preston’s orders.’

  Preston laughed. ‘See. I’m not a liar.’

  Bill said, ‘Michael’s alive, Lucy.’

  ‘Enough!’ Preston yelled.

  ‘No. She needs to know the truth.’

  ‘The truth is she will never see Michael again.’

  ‘Lucy, he’s alive and you need to find him. He’s being cared for by a foster family. He was kept alive to be uses as ransom, but Freddie found out too much. These toys were his and so was that bed.’

  Preston slammed his fists on the table. ‘Shut your fucking mouth.’

  She looked at the bed, imagining Michael at one year old sitting on it, playing with the toys so innocently, unaware of what was really happening to him. ‘Is this true?’

  ‘Yes. This man also ordered Cyrus to shoot Freddie in cold blood.’

  Preston said, ‘He should have killed you at Ada’s house like he was meant to.’

  Cyrus lowered his head, ashamed.

  Bill picked up the gun and pressed it to his temple. He said, ‘I’m not afraid anymore,’ and pulled the trigger.

  Click.

  He dropped the gun back on the table.

  ‘Get him out of that chair!’ shouted Preston.

  Lenka and Cyrus pulled him off and pushed him to the ground.

  ‘What are you going to do?’ he asked.

  ‘Put Chloe in the seat.’

  ‘No!’ shouted Bill and Lucy.

  Lenka grabbed her, but Lucy wouldn’t let go. ‘Please, she’s just a child.’

&nb
sp; Chloe screamed as Lucy kept a tight hold. She stood up and Lenka backslapped her, making her lose her grip.

  ‘We’re going to play a game,’ said Preston.

  Chloe was placed on the chair crying hysterically. The sound went through Preston. He hated it.

  Chloe jumped off the chair and ran to Lucy. ‘Mommy.’

  Now angry, Preston yelled, ‘Lenka, get that child on that chair and make her stay there.’

  She grabbed her again when Bill got to his feet and pulled her away from Chloe. ‘Lenka. We can end this now.’

  ‘Bill I will shoot you if you don’t let me go,’ she said and pushed him back.

  Cyrus grabbed him from behind, holding him tight.

  Lenka picked Chloe up and held her down on the chair.

  ‘Please,’ Lucy pleaded. ‘Please don’t do this.’

  ‘Oh, I’m not. You are. Put this revolver here against her head and do it yourself.’

  ‘No, I won’t.’

  ‘You will or I’ll get Cyrus here to do unimaginable things to her before you both die. It’s your choice, a slow death or a fast one.’

  Her face was streaming with tears. ‘Please,’ she begged.

  Lenka stood her up and placed the gun in her hand.

  Preston said, ‘Pull that trigger now. I’ll count to three.’

  ‘I can’t.’

  ‘One.’

  ‘You’ll get what’s coming to you,’ said Bill, still in Cyrus’s grip.

  ‘Two.’

  Lucy was shaking so badly that her whole arm was moving. ‘I’m sorry,’ she yelled, closing her eyes and squeezing the trigger. The gun fired and missed, skimming through Chloe’s hair.

  ‘You did that on purpose,’ said Preston.

  She didn’t say anything. She just dropped the gun and hugged Chloe, both of them in uncontrollable tears.

  ‘Do it again,’ he ordered.

  ‘Preston,’ said Bill. ‘Give it a fucking rest.’

  The door opened and they all stopped, watching as Valerie was tossed inside before the door was slammed shut.

  ‘Well look who’s here,’ said Preston.

  Bill broke free and he ran over to her. ‘Valerie?’ he said, softly.