by Jacqui Rose
‘Alfie, don’t! Let him go. It’s not his fault.’ Alice pulled on Alfie’s arm.
‘Don’t you see, Ally, it’s got to be one of them. One of you must’ve done it! One of you must’ve seen it! Someone here must’ve put it in my pocket.’
The punters stared blankly at Alfie as he continued to wave the photo above his head, his voice thunderous, filling the room. ‘Answer me, you fuckers! Which one of you was it?’
‘Alfie, come, let me get you back home. Please, just come with me.’
Alfie, still very drunk, tried to focus on Alice, his voice softer. ‘But if it wasn’t them, who was it? They must be watching us. They could be watching us now and it’ll be you who’s next. They’re after you, Alice.’
With huge sadness in her heart, Alice stared at Alfie. ‘Alfie, we’re safe here, I promise. You’re very drunk and everything’s confused right now, but it’s only a photo that you had in your pocket, that’s all. I swear it is … Alfie, you’re bleeding. Look, you’ve cut your hand.’
Alfie’s head lolled back and forth as Alice took off her thin jacket and wrapped it round Alfie’s hand gently. She bent down to pick up the photo but she trembled as she looked at it – Franny’s face was now obscured by Alfie’s blood and no matter what she told herself, she couldn’t help but think it was a sign of things to come.
Back in the flat, Alfie staggered, supported by Alice, along the hallway. She led him into his room, where he sat down heavily on the chair.
She looked at him, her heart breaking for him, fully understanding now what he and her dad had gone through for her. At the thought of her dad she gave a sharp intake of breath. Since she’d found out the kind of life he’d led, she had shut him out of both her thoughts and her heart, but that was all going to change now. She was going to put it right. And with the help of her friend, Isaiah, she would get her revenge. Nico Russo would finally get the punishment he deserved.
‘Alfie, are you all right? Will you be all right if I leave you now? I can stay if you want me to, though.’
‘You shouldn’t be looking after me; it’s me who should be looking after you. I should’ve been looking after all of you, but look how that turned out.’
‘Alfie, you’re not to blame. Lola’s right, we all know how hard you’ve tried. You’ve done everything you could possibly think of. You’ve been amazing.’
Too drunk to concentrate on what Alice was saying, Alfie rolled his head back and forth. His words still slurred as he spoke more to himself than Alice. ‘How the fuck could I have chosen, though? And now I ain’t even got that option. I fucked up and there ain’t no way I can put it right.’ He looked up suddenly at Alice. ‘I’m not surprised you don’t want anything to do with me.’
‘Alfie, that’s not true.’
‘Ain’t it?’
Recoiling slightly from the reek of alcohol but not from Alfie himself, Alice smiled. ‘I didn’t understand. I was stupid. I see that now. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8, chapter 32. And it has, Alfie. The truth has freed me to see what needs to be done. I was blind before.’
Through his drunkenness, Alfie gave a wry smile. ‘You know that I’m past redeeming, don’t you?’
Alice gazed down at Alfie warmly and laughed as she gave him a big hug. ‘It’s going to be all right, I swear it is.’
Gently pulling away from his much-needed hug, Alfie shook his head, looking at Alice sadly. ‘I wish I could believe you, darlin’, and I appreciate your words, I really do, sweetheart, but they ain’t going to help get Bree and Franny back, are they?’
Alice nodded as she pulled the duvet off the bed, covering Alfie with it. ‘You’re right, they’re not.’ But as Alfie slumped into a drunken sleep, Alice whispered into his ear, ‘Words may not, Alfie, but action will, and I promise you, I swear on my Bible that I’ll do whatever it takes to bring them back. Whatever it takes.’
46
Beads of sweat sat on Isaiah Thomas’s forehead as he gripped the gun, his heart working overtime as he crept through the dark, wet tunnel, emerging onto a rooftop before waiting patiently, not making a move. Suddenly, seeing a movement over by the burnt-out car, he aimed his gun as a tall man, dressed in camouflage shirt and trousers, came into the cross hairs of his rifle’s scope. Quickly, Isaiah pulled the trigger – a direct hit. The man’s neck exploded and the blood splattered …
‘Isaiah, come on, you’ll be late for Bible class! Isaiah!’
‘I’m coming, Mom!’
‘Isaiah, I hope you’re not on that computer still!’
‘I was just finishing off a college assignment.’ Isaiah Thomas sighed as he put down the game controller, switched off his Xbox and picked up his Bible ready for class. From downstairs in the kitchen, his mum shouted up again.
‘Well, I’m sure that can wait, whereas God’s army can’t!’
Sighing, he rolled his eyes as he slipped on his red canvas trainers. ‘Whatever, Mom!!’
Then, slamming out of his room and running down the stairs, Isaiah Thomas waved a quick goodbye to his mum, who stood in the hallway looking despairingly at her son.
It was just gone five o’ clock in the afternoon and the Mississippi sun still sat high in the blue sky as Isaiah headed along the pebbled path with his Bible tucked firmly under his arm.
It was hot and he was tired, his pale white skin pink from the burning sun. In truth, he’d rather not go to another Bible study class led by Pastor Michaels, who constantly seemed to enjoy finding fault with him. This only reiterated to the other students that he was something of a laughing stock, an oddball, someone to be avoided at all costs, apart from when they wanted to stick his head down the john.
He’d thought that getting a mouthful of toilet water would’ve finished in middle school and his classmates would’ve got bored with it, then he thought the same when he was in senior school. Now he was a freshman in college, just turned nineteen, he’d long given up thinking it was ever going to stop and instead he just accepted it.
It didn’t help him that he’d spent all his life wrapped up in a small religious community, not that the kids there had been any better or kinder to him, the only difference being that when they’d stuck his head down the john, they’d said a few extra Hail Marys at Mass.
He’d always been the tall, spotty geek with the bifocal lenses, the freak show to everyone – everyone apart from Alice Rose, the only friend he’d ever had. The best friend anyone could have.
Alice, who’d been special and kind, funny and vulnerable, hadn’t minded that he was odd. They’d just hung out regardless and wow! how he missed her.
He sighed as he stood in the doorway of the small hall, watching as Pastor Michaels placed worksheets on every chair. At least when her dad had sent her to the convent she was able to sneak the phone out of the nuns’ office and give him a call, but since the tragedy at the nunnery he hadn’t heard from her at all – until a couple of hours ago. And he’d been delighted, so happy to hear from her, but what they’d spoken about and what she’d asked him had been even more exciting, because now life was just about to start getting interesting, very interesting, indeed.
Alice waited in the corridor listening to the hubbub outside in Old Compton Street. The bars, pubs and restaurants thronged with people – a constant stream of tourists, theatregoers and locals who shopped and ate, enjoying the warm, balmy night in Central London.
Hearing snores coming through Lola’s bedroom wall, Alice smiled to herself as she crept past, not wanting to wake her. With the moonlight coming through the window, Alice slowly opened the door by the kitchen, carefully turning the gold handle, not wanting to make a sound.
Tiptoeing across the small white-painted room, Alice gently sat down on the end of the bed.
‘Abel! Abel!’ Alice whispered his name, surprised at how deeply asleep he was, then, shaking him gently, she tried again. ‘Abel, it’s me, Alice … Abel?’
Suddenly, Abel sat up in bed, grabbing Al
ice hard by her arm. Terrified, she screamed as he whipped out a jagged knife from under his pillow, his eyes dark and wild. He pressed the tip of the knife against her cheek, a spot of blood coming to the surface of her smooth velvet skin.
Alice sat perfectly still, taking sharp, shallow breaths, her eyes darting across Abel’s face, but there was nothing there. No recognition. Terrified to move, Alice spoke in the quietest of voices. ‘Abel, it’s me. Put the knife down. It’s just me, that’s all.’
Then, tentatively, Alice moved her hand towards Abel’s. She paused before touching it gently.
‘Abel, Abel, it’s okay. You’re here, you’re in the flat with me … It’s all right … Abel?’
Abel blinked, tilting his head as he stared at Alice. His lips moved slowly. ‘Natalia? Natalia, is that you?’
‘No, Abel, it’s me. It’s Alice.’
Abel blinked again, then looked at the knife that he held against Alice’s face, a sudden awareness coming into his eyes. ‘Alice, oh my God, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry …’ He let out a deep sigh, bowing his head as he dropped the knife on the bed.
‘It’s okay.’
‘No, no, it ain’t though, is it? None of this is okay. I could’ve hurt you.’
‘But you didn’t.’
‘Alice, you got to promise me, you won’t do that again, will you? You can’t come in here when I’m asleep. You got to be careful, you understand?’
Alice nodded and it was like she was seeing Abel for the first time. Although his face was hollow, strained and gaunt, she suddenly saw the real Abel. The handsome, chiselled Abel. The man he would’ve looked like before the Russos entered his life.
‘I ain’t so good at this people thing, Alice. It’s been a while since I’ve had company and …’
‘It’s all right, Abel, you don’t have to explain. But I woke you up because I need your help. I need you to drive me to the hospital to see Cabhan.’
‘What? Now?’
‘We have to go quickly, we haven’t got much time. I’ll explain in the car, but Alfie’s falling apart and we’ve only got a few days left, so we’ve got to move fast.’
‘Alice, you’re not making sense and it’s late for you to be up. I’m sure this can wait until the morning. Why don’t you get some sleep?’
Alice stood up to switch on the light. ‘No. You’ve got to listen, you’ve got to help me. I’ve got a plan but I can’t do it on my own.’
‘What are you talking about? And why aren’t you asking Alfie? Where is he?’
Getting Abel’s shoes and bringing them to him whether he wanted them or not, Alice sat back down on the bed. ‘Alfie’s drunk but even if he wasn’t, I wouldn’t ask him because I know what his answer would be … The thing is, I want to help get Franny and Bree back and I reckon I know how. It was something that you said that got me thinking.’
Abel pulled on the blue sweatshirt Alfie had picked up from the market for him, slipped on his shoes and tapped his head. ‘I may not be all there some of the time, but I know what the Russos are like, and you, Alice Rose, are just a kid.’
‘I’m not! I’m sixteen.’
‘I don’t mean your age – but that as well – I’m actually talking about you. You ain’t lived, darlin’. Out there on the street there are some sixteen-year-olds who would give Alfie a run for his money, but not you.’
‘You’re wrong!’
‘He’s told me all about you and I can see for meself how fragile you are.’
‘I’m not like that, not anymore. I’m strong, I know I am. Look at what I’ve been through. I’ve changed. You know that and you know that you can’t go through the things I did and not see life differently.’
A faraway look came into Abel’s eyes. He gazed towards the night sky. ‘Yeah, I do, I know that.’ He turned back to Alice, warmth for the first time coming into his eyes. ‘You remind me of Natalia. You would’ve liked her and she would’ve liked you. She was pure, innocent, it was something I loved about her, but she was also strong; though turns out just not strong enough. Anyway, whatever it is you’re thinking, I can’t let you do it, Alice.’
Alice’s eyes flashed with anger. ‘I thought you wanted to bring down the Russos? Well, I want to go up against them as well. I want to bring them down, but I need your help, and you need me, so let’s work together, along with my friend, Isaiah.’
‘The one who can do all that technical stuff you were telling me about?’
Excitedly, Alice grabbed hold of Abel’s hands. ‘Yes, that’s him, and it was you who got me thinking. We can do this, I know we can. What do you say?’
‘I don’t know, Alice. I don’t even know what the plan is. I’m worried that … you might be hurt like …’
Alice shook her head. ‘I won’t, but if I am, that’s the risk I’m willing to take. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 9 … Sometimes sacrifices have to be made, Abel.’
‘Alice, stop! I know this is who you are, and it makes you special, I’m not knocking it, but you’ve got to understand that this ain’t a Bible class where you sit in the comfort of some church hall reciting lines. This is real. The Russos make them Romans look like the Salvation Army. They will kill you, and kill you slowly and cruelly.’
‘Don’t you see, Abel, I can’t live if something happens to Franny and Bree. And to my dad, look what they did to him. You of all people have to understand that. This is all my fault and I need to make it right. I don’t care about me, I care about them.’
Abel shook his head. ‘But you will care when they torture you, when you scream for mercy and all they do is laugh and hurt you some more, that’s when you’ll realise you care and that’s when it’ll become real to you.’
‘Then if you won’t help, I’ll do it on my own. You won’t stop me, no matter what you say.’
Abel stared at Alice, not seeing a broken bird in front of him but a strong, powerful eagle. He spoke to her, beginning to take her seriously. ‘But if it’ll just be you and me, we can’t take them on.’
Full of passion, Alice shook her head. ‘No, it’ll be you, me and Isaiah, plus we shall put on the whole armour of God that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. Ephesians 6, chapter 11.’
Despairingly, Abel blew out his cheeks, not sure whether he should seriously begin to panic.‘You see, it’s saying those kinds of things, Alice, which makes me think this ain’t a good idea from the start.’
‘Abel, please, trust me. Wait and just listen then …’
Alice pulled out Lola’s phone from her jeans pocket and dialled a number. It rang before a familiar voice answered.
‘Hello?’
‘Hello, Nico, it’s Alice, how are you? I’ve missed you.’
Abel went to grab for the phone, but Alice quickly turned away, putting her finger against her lips to shush Abel.
‘Alice, I was just thinking about you. I was wondering if we’d ever speak again. I’ve tried calling you.’
‘I know and I’m sorry, but I was afraid to answer it in case anyone heard me. I don’t want them to know about you. They have their secrets; I don’t know why I can’t have mine. Everything’s a lie. They don’t tell me anything. Nothing at all. I wanted to know where Franny had gone and all they told me was she was away on business. But what business and where? But I’m through with it, it’s going to be on my terms now.’
‘You sound different, Alice.’
‘I feel different. You’ve made me feel like that, Nico. I feel strong. If it wasn’t for you I’d be doubting who I was, I would never have seen the person I was supposed to be. For that, Nico, I want to thank you.’
Nico groaned down the phone. ‘Alice. Alice. It’s a shame you can’t be here, we could talk all the time.’
‘That would be nice, Nico. We’ve spoken so much it’s almost as if I know what you’re thinking now. Even if you don’t say everything to me, I know who you are now.’
Nico smiled, overwhelmed by wanti
ng, needing Alice. ‘I still have your photo next to my daughter’s. I pray for you every day, Alice.’
Alice glanced at Abel, who watched her intently. ‘I can’t be too long, Nico. I have to go and see my dad in hospital. He’s still at Addenbrooke’s, but I got a call from one of the nurses to say he’s not doing very well. It’s touch and go.’
Without saying a word, Abel waved to Alice to get her attention. He shrugged, gesturing and looking concerned. She shook her head to let him know what she was saying wasn’t real before waving him away as she continued to speak to Nico.
‘I wasn’t going to go and see him because of all the lies he’s told me, but if he’s not going to pull through, I think it’s better I do visit. But I’m going to go on my own. I don’t want the others coming with me. I’ll have to sneak out though. What do you think? I value your opinion, Nico.’
Smiling again, feeling the rush of excitement in his stomach, Nico nodded as he spoke down the phone. ‘I think that’s a good idea, Alice. It’s important you make your peace with your dad and if you go on your own, then you’ll have space to be able to tell him everything that you want to say … Are you thinking of going now, Alice?’
It was Alice’s turn to smile. ‘Yes, but it’ll take me an hour or so to get there. I’m going to jump in a cab and hopefully the nurses will let me stay as long as I like with him, so I’ll be there for a while. Thank you, Nico, for helping me decide. I can always rely on you to give me the right answer.’
‘So, where are you, Alice, where are you staying now? I thought you were at Abel’s house?’
‘I was but … Nico, I have to go, they’ve just walked into the kitchen.’
‘Alice, no, wait!’
Alice clicked off the phone. She stared at Abel. ‘There you go, the fly is about to come into our web. Game on, Mr Russo, game on.’
47
The drive down to Addenbrooke’s Hospital was clear and quick, taking just over an hour as Abel sped along, listening to Alice telling him her plan.
Pulling up a few minutes’ walk away from the hospital, Abel parked the car. He turned to look at Alice, who noticed there was a light in his eyes, something she hadn’t seen before.