“I wish you had run this past me yesterday, I’ve made other plans. Sorry, I can’t change them.”
“Can’t or won’t?” she challenged him.
“Both,” Bobby replied.
“Come to the beach with us,” Carol coaxed her friend.
“I will, but I have to check with Diane first. I’ll text you and let you know what I’m doing.”
“Of course I’d love to have him all to myself. You go off and have some fun. I’ll arrange dinner for around six, so that gives you the whole day. Why don’t you arrange to meet up with Bobby?”
“I did suggest it this morning, but he had other plans.”
“Damn! It’ll be that blasted Swede. She has him besotted. I’m quite worried, I’ve never seen him like this. He seems to think that she’s ‘the one’.” Diane tormented Erin.
“I hope they’ll be very happy together,” was Erin’s reply.
“It doesn’t bother you that he’s chasing her? Don’t tell me it doesn’t, it’s written all over your face every time he looks at you.”
Erin’s face was scarlet with embarrassment “Whether it bothers me or not, that ship has sailed and I’m not making a fool of myself again.”
“You’ll lose him. I know my son, and if you are going to stand a chance with him you have to see off the competition. Surely this little chap deserves a daddy? So, you’ll have to fight for him and you’re not going to win if you’re home in Glasgow. You leaving will give her a clear field. But, as you say, that ship has probably sailed.” Diane said, turning the knife.
“See you later,” she called as Erin left the apartment. Well, that sure as hell hit home, Diane smiled to herself.
In Motion
When Michael walked into the portacabin he was surprised to see Paddy deep in conversation with Sean’s babysitter, as the two referred to him in private.
“Gerry,” Michael nodded.
“Michael,” Gerry reciprocated.
“Gerry’s been putting me right on a few things, Michael. It would seem your twin is on the mend, and certainly not the ten-year-old we’ve been presented with.”
“So, how often have you seen him lately and not just relied on third party reports?” said Michael, nodding in Gerry’s direction.
“About as many times as you have, pal. C’mon, let’s not get into a pissing contest. He’s a cute bugger and he knew he was safe enough while we thought he was about as bright as wee Jimmy Crankie,” Paddy accused. “I take it he’s regained most of his memory?”
“So I believe. I had a call from Ma this morning, didn’t I, Gerry?” answered Michael in an equally accusatory tone. “Why hasn’t she let on before now?”
“For God’s sake, Michael, she’d never betray him, or either of us for that matter.”
“I filled Paddy in on the situation, Michael. Sean’s way out of control. Your mother has arranged for him to be admitted to Gartnavel in the next few days, but seriously, there’s no saying how much damage he could cause between now and then.”
“Where is he?” Michael queried.
“At home, as far as I know,” Gerry answered.
Paddy, watching his young brother intently, saw the signs that Michael was about to kick off at Gerry. In Paddy’s opinion this would not be one of his brother’s best ideas. Gerry could, and would, easily take Michael out. This was so unlike his brother, he was always the reasonable one, the least likely to start a ruck. So what was it about Gerry that annoyed him so much? Jealousy, maybe? The twins had been inseparable all their lives and Michael did not like the fact that Gerry and Sean appeared to be mates, but he had to realise that Paddy was paying for the friendship – it wasn’t real.
“Okay, Gerry, We’ll sort things out. Thanks for stopping by.” Paddy stood up to shake his hand. He wanted Gerry out before things escalated.
“That’s not all,” Gerry remained in situ, shuffling his feet. “I’m not sure how to say this.”
“Get on with it, man. You don’t need to make a bloody drama out everything.”
“What?” Gerry didn’t appreciate being spoken to in that manner.
“Michael, for Christ’s sake, let him get on with it.”
“I know I was hired to take over his job and be mates with Sean, but guys, he’s fucking psychotic. And the way he’s carrying on, somebody is going to do him over.”
“Remember, mate, that’s our brother you’re talking about.”
“Well, maybe you should remember him from time to time and we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” The two men squared up to one another.
“Boys! Boys! Calm down.”
“Tell him, Paddy. He’s trying to mug me off and I’ve done my best for Sean. You do know everyone’s on the lookout for him and the word on the street is that Tommy Riley is convinced Sean had something to do with young Billy’s disappearance, and he’s going to report it today?”
Gerry knew he had not imagined the look that passed between the two brothers. So it was true, Sean was responsible in some way for the kid’s disappearance.
“He’s back on the ‘brown’ and he has no real cash to speak of, so how’s he going to feed his habit?”
“Well, it wouldn’t take a Philadelphia lawyer to work that out,” quipped Paddy. “He’ll go on the rob, mugging old ladies for their pension money or turning over small time bagmen for their merchandise. It’s not like he hasn’t done it before.”
“He’s talking about setting up a rival crew, which I get the impression he’s done in the past. I’m sorry to have to say this, but, he’s a real loose cannon and he doesn’t seem to have any respect or loyalty for either of you.”
“Okay, Gerry, not a word to a living soul about this.”
“Goes without saying, boss. Should I pick him up as usual today?
“Yes, just keep him out of mischief and out of sight, by any means you like.” Paddy shoved two small packets across the desk to Gerry, “As I said, whatever it takes. I don’t want him roaming the streets trying to score.”
Gerry took his leave. The stage was set. He would soon give Sean Coyle exactly what was coming to him.
Paddy sat with his head in his hands, a figure of despair. He turned to his brother. “You know what has to be done. I’ve dreaded this since way before the attack, but honestly I thought that with him losing his memory and getting hurt, I wouldn’t have to take those measures, but there’s no other way.”
“For fuck’s sake, Paddy, he’s our brother, my other half. I can’t stand by and let you murder him, no matter what he’s done. How do you know it’s not a set up?”
“Who would be setting anything up? The fucking tooth fairy? Michael, it has to be done. He’ll bring us all down, and I’m not talking about a couple of years, but a bloody great lump. And I’m telling you, you wouldn’t last five minutes. Christ, I’d be hard pushed myself nowadays. He has to be silenced.”
“Surely he could be shipped off somewhere?”
“Where? And who with? Because he’d still need to be watched, and if we let him get taken out by a rival firm, we would have to be seen to exact revenge or go under.”
“We can’t murder our own brother, Paddy. I won’t let you. That’s exactly what it is, murder. Cain and Abel style. Think what it’ll do to Ma and Marie. We have to find another way.”
“The wheels are already in motion, mate. I can’t let the filth get to him either. Better you don’t know the details. If you don’t know, you can’t tell. The perpetrator himself doesn’t know I’ve just set him up.”
Michael twigged immediately that Gerry would be the one to do the deed.
Decisions
Erin strolled along past the marina on her way to meet Carol and Amy, hoping to catch a glimpse of Bobby and his paramour. No matter how much she protested, her feelings for Bobby had grown considerably, rather than diminished as she professed. Life in Marbella really was fabulous, she thought to herself. The weather and the lifestyle were a far cry from Glasgow. But, she had family back
home, and even though she and Paddy were having problems at the moment, she couldn’t imagine her life without her family in it.
She scanned the busy marina, but there was no sign of the Lady Di, Pete’s tribute to his wife. The cruiser was already making its way out to sea.
Erin knew she was being played. Diane couldn’t give a damn whether she stayed on or not, Ryan was the attraction. The woman would go to any lengths to spend more time with her grandson.
Should she stay longer? There was no pressing reason for her to return home. Maybe it would teach Paddy a lesson; he would be missing his grandson terribly. On the other hand, what good would it do to stay another week? If Bobby was as keen on this woman as his mother made out, what could she do in such a short time?
As she wandered aimlessly, daydreaming about a life in the sun, her attention was suddenly grabbed by an odd couple making their way along the walkways towards a large cruiser preparing to leave the berth.
She saw an elderly, dark-skinned man in a garish Hawaiian-style shirt and a young boy in similar garb. The man had obviously spent too long in the sun. There was something familiar about him, he definitely reminded Erin of someone. Of course, this must be the person Amy had seen. She could understand the child’s mistake. If she didn’t know that the canon was deceased and feeding the fishes somewhere off the coast of Africa, she too could have made the same mistake.
“So you escaped the shopping mall?” Carol was pleased to see her friend. “She’ll be like a cat with two tails having Ryan all to herself.”
“Yes, pleased is an understatement, but it’s been a really strange morning.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Diane has been trying to get me to stay. She’s implying that if I don’t, some chick that Bobby has been seeing will capture him and make an honest man of him.”
“It’ll take more than a ring to do that,” quipped Carol.
“She more or less told me that if I return to Glasgow then I can say goodbye to him as Ryan’s daddy, because I’ll be leaving the field clear.”
“I suppose she’s got a point, but do you really think Bobby is the type to settle down? ‘Cos I don’t.”
“Truly? I’m not sure. But I do know a week’s not going to make any difference and I don’t think I could stand being in the same house with her for any length of time without us butting heads. She’s far too domineering for me.”
“Hmm, I get you. I definitely couldn’t, but you’re far more tolerant than me.”
“That’s not all. When I was walking along past the marina, I’m sure I saw Amy’s gentleman. I definitely did a double-take. There was an old man and probably his grandson, wearing those wild Hawaiian shirts, strolling along the walkway. I could have sworn it was the canon, but this man was either black or really, really, tanned. But he was too far away and I did only get a glimpse.”
“Well, you know everyone is supposed to have a doppelgänger, so who knows? I don’t want to think about him. Let’s face it, if he was alive and living in Marbella, do you not think Diane Mack would have done something about him? She hates him with a vengeance and she holds him responsible for the mess Pete got into.”
“Diane blames everyone except her husband and son for that, but you’re right, he’s not top of her Christmas list.”
Erin was ready for some serious sunbathing and to put the morning’s events to the back of her mind. As she spread her towel on the sand, Carol pointed out a figure wandering up to the beachside bar – it was Diane with baby Ryan.
“Christ, she looks as if she could be his mother, not his grandmother.”
“Look how she’s dressed,” Erin whispered. “Who the hell does she think she is?”
Diane, the baby and the pram were all co-ordinated down to the last detail. They looked like they had stepped off the pages of Hello magazine. Diane’s was not a hurriedly thrown together outfit; this had been planned. Fabulous though it was, it was a bit sad, thought Erin. Diane might be able to pass as Ryan’s mother from a distance, but she wasn’t and never would be. Erin shuddered.
Counterplan
It was downright daft to farm her grandson out to a family who were only interested in money. For all they cared they might as well be contracted to mind a dog, not this precious little boy. Why couldn’t she hire professionals to ensure his safety, and do it legally? Despite what Bobby and that interfering old sod believed, Paddy Coyle couldn’t simply march in and grab Ryan. No, despite their plans, Diane was not planning to give him up without a fight.
As she pondered her dilemma, who did she spot but that bloody girl, her side-kick and Amy, enjoying an iced tea in one of the many cafes along the front. Diane forced a broad smile onto her face and stopped to greet them.
“Fancy meeting you here,” the older woman said, pretending to be pleased.
“Small town,” Carol smiled at Diane.
“You better believe it. Marbella is basically a village at heart, and nothing gets past the locals.”
“Where are you off to, dressed to the nines? Surely that’s a bit over the top to be wearing for a walk along the beach?”
“I’m taking this little one to visit his godfather,” smiled Diane. “I don’t believe he’s seen him since you arrived and, by the way, this is not considered to be ‘dressed to the nines’, simply daywear for ladies here.”
Suitably snubbed and put in their place, Diane marched off towards the town hall. Was that laughter she heard, were they laughing at her? She’d soon wipe the smile off their faces. This visit was not without a purpose.
“Buenos Dias, Señora Mack,” the receptionist greeted Diane.
“Buenos Dias, Rosa.” Diane was a frequent visitor to the town hall and most of the officials and admin staff knew her.
“El Alcalde is waiting for you, if you’d like to come with me?” The young girl showed Diane and her charge into the ornate offices.
“Ah, Diane. Buenos dias, my dear. And who do we have here?” asked the mayor, tickling Ryan under his chin.
“Hasn’t he grown since you last saw him?” Diane and the mayor spent the next ten minutes or so exchanging pleasantries and sipping tea.
“Now, down to business, my dear. I have checked out the position regarding the legal guardianship of the boy and it would seem that Bobby is named on the UK birth certificate so there is no problem there. However, the matter of his mother being unfit is more delicate and extremely difficult to prove. Spain, like most Catholic countries, believes in the sanctity of motherhood and it is very unusual for the father to be awarded custody. Also, it would be almost impossible to be completed quickly.
“But can it be done, Julio? For the right price?”
“Diane, this is not a case of just throwing money around. I can help in most municipal cases but this is a different ballgame altogether. Adoptions follow very strict procedures. At the very earliest it would take maybe three, possibly four months to complete the paperwork. Then there is a period of time to allow the participants to, as you say, change their minds. So, even with my help and backing we are looking at six months from now.”
“That’s no good, my friend, we have to work more quickly than that.”
“I must say, I was surprised at what has been going on. Señor Coyle and his family seemed to be very close and the child looks well enough. But if, as you say, the girl is drinking and taking drugs, then yes she is not fit. Perhaps you should speak to her parents.”
“You don’t know that family, Julio. They are without a doubt the most powerful and dangerous family in Scotland and if it was thought for a moment that their name was being dragged in the mud, God knows what would happen.”
“You can be assured I will do everything in my power, Diane, but unfortunately it will take time.”
“That’s the one thing we don’t have.”
Although disappointed at the outcome of her meeting, Diane was still sure that dumping the boy on an unknown family was not the way forward. It was all the more impera
tive for Erin to stay on for longer.
Legal or not, Diane had no intention of giving up her grandchild to anyone.
Mystery
Since day one Gerry had kept Paddy up to speed on his brother’s condition and behaviour. How much of that information Paddy passed on to the rest of his family, Gerry had no idea. But from Michael’s reaction this morning, it was clear he didn’t know a great deal. However the news of Sean’s involvement in the disappearance of young Billy certainly had not come as a surprise to either man. It was obvious that Sean had some involvement in the mystery, but Gerry was no nearer solving it than the whole of the Greater Glasgow Police Force.
Gerry’s main concern was that the Coyles could be planning on fitting him up for the crime. No way would that happen. He’d already played patsy for this family and he wouldn’t be doing it a second time. Should there be any likelihood of a fit-up, he’d take every bugger down with him.
He was taking his weekly delivery to Dumbarton, but for the first time ever Gerry examined the package, carefully opened it and extracted a quantity of the contents.
When he arrived at 28 Lomond Crescent, Sean was waiting. “Where the fuck have you been? I was expecting you half an hour ago.”
“Jesus, Sean, do you want me to clock in and out, or maybe run to the number 23 timetable? I’m here when I arrive, not a minute sooner or later,” joked Gerry. “What’s up with you, anyway? Somebody rattle your cage this morning?”
“I’m fine, don’t you worry about me,” said Sean, whose behaviour belied his words. He was considerably agitated and belligerent.
“Look, if you’re in one of your moods you can fuck right off. I’m not pussyfooting about today because you got out of bed on the wrong side. So make up your mind. Are we going to have a pleasant day or am I dropping you here and now?”
The Betrayal Page 16