Backlash

by Charley Dee Brown

  They both looked at each other baffled. The black girl asked. ‘Do you speak English?’

  ‘Brita replied. ‘nej.’ She could see how they were both thrown.

  ‘Stan Weaver looked at Zelda. ‘George didn’t say she was a fucking foreigner.’

  Brita’s thoughts had been confirmed, so it was the vile George Brook.

  ‘See to ‘er.’ Weaver instructed the girl. He left the room.

  Zelda left the room, when she returned she was carrying a glass of water and a sandwich, which she placed on the table. Pointing to the door she bade Brita to follow her, on the landing she pointed to a door opposite and muttered. ‘Toilet.’ Opening the door she waited for Brita to enter. ‘I’ll wait.’ Zelda had no idea what language the woman was speaking.

  ‘Tack.’ Brita replied.

  Back in the bedroom, the girl locked the door; Brita looked around and found her case had been pushed under the bed. She had faith that her granddaughter would be aware of what was taking place, Crimson was strong like herself…in this knowledge she sat down, the sandwich was cheese, she decided to eat as she had no idea what their next move would be, or if she would be offered food….

  Rudy and Jack were sitting in the car opposite ‘Clouds’ nightclub. They were aware George would be impatient to contact Weaver. With this in mind they were determined to impede his contact for as long as possible. As Rudy knew the inside of the building, he slipped out of the car and made his way to the back entrance of the club. The back door had a glass panel, searching the yard in the teaming rain, he found a half brick. Standing back he hurled the brick towards the glass, on the second attempt the glass shattered. Standing on a beer crate he pushed his arm through the shattered glass and unclipped the door. Fortunately his old man had been neglectful of security. Once inside he disconnected the phones, ripping the wires out from the wall.

  Their next port of call was the house; being his mother lived next door, they parked in a side street and made their way around to the back of the building. The rain was constant; Rudy had checked this door out previously. They were inside within minutes, and once again the phone connections were ripped from the walls. He knew his mother wouldn’t have heard anything as she would be glued to the television, as for the girls they’d be far too busy entertaining their so called clients. They headed back to ‘Clouds,’ and parked up so they could watch out for the fiend to turn up…this would be Jacks first sighting of the notorious bastard…..knowing he was Rudy’s old man, made it all the more weird….

  Chapter 4

  With Matilda and Ava safely on their way to Denham, I suggested to Johnboy that we made a late night visit to Hampstead. He left through the kitchen window; I secured the lock, and then made a quick phone call to Fred telling him to expect us. As Johnboy pulled up outside in the van, I securely locked Matilda’s front door, she’d given me a set of keys a long time ago, and tonight I felt the need to use the mortise lock. I believed it would be safe to go to Hampstead tonight, Jack and Rudy were watching out for George, and Seb was keeping tabs on the Weavers and Scrubs. Fred and Archie were waiting for us when we reached the house. ‘Patsy has gone off to bed lass; she’s had a tiring day.’ Fred explained.

  ‘I don’t blame her at all Fred, and I’m sorry we’re so late. Nevertheless I felt we needed to keep you in the picture. Ava and Matilda are now on their way to a safe house with Billy and Janet.’

  Archie interrupted. ‘Don’t I ever get a say in any of this, she’s my mother and once again she’s been taken away.’ He said defensively. I hate all of this, why don’t you just sell the bloody club and get out of it?’

  ‘And in your eyes that would solve all of the problems, please don’t be so naïve.’ I added.

  ‘It would for me and mum, and now they’ve even taken our Grandmother.’

  I noticed Fred and Johnboy glancing at each other. I took a deep breath, I hated seeing Archie so upset, however he needed to understand. ‘Our family Archie is the firm, and I’m running things because that’s what dad trained me to do. You chose to stay out of the organisation, nobody forced you out.’ I endorsed. ‘So you are not affected on a daily basis.’

  ‘I am when I’m separated from mum again.’ He replied critically.

  ‘If we hadn’t moved mum to a safe house, the demon George would have her confined again.’

  ‘So now he’s got Brita!’

  ‘Calm down Archie, I do know what I’m doing, you have to trust me, and you’ll be able to speak to mum on the phone.’ I assured.

  ‘Well give me her number then, and tell me where she is?’ He urged.

  ‘I’m sorry I can’t do that, mum will ring you for safety’s sake. I don’t want anyone to know where they are its much safer that way, please try and understand.’

  ‘Well I don’t understand and I never will, I hate the bloody underworld and all the gangsters involved. And that includes you Crimson!’ With that he marched out of the room and slammed the door.

  ‘He’ll calm down sweetheart.’ Fred added cautiously.

  ‘I just wish he had friends Fred, and didn’t rely on mums company all of the time. I do understand how he feels, although he has to realise that everything we own is down to the firm, it’s our way of life.’

  ‘I’ll speak to him tomorrow lass, try and make him see reason.’ Fred assured.

  ‘This is the first time ever that Archie has reacted this way.’ I added sadly.

  ‘Like Fred says lass, by the morning he’ll see things differently.’ Johnboy said quietly. ‘Let’s call it a day, time you turned in.’

  ‘I agree with Johnboy, get some rest love, ring me tomorrow and keep me updated. When you speak to Ava please send our love.’

  As we prepared to leave, I kissed Fred on the cheek. This wonderful man had been a tower of strength through our lives….and our fathers most loyal and trusted friend, in fact a second father to us both…

  George Brook had to contact Stan Weaver, had he snatched Ava? He’d been sleeping in an old ford van, he’d acquired from a drunk. It was past midnight, time to make a move. Black clouds were sprawling across the sky, billowing in from the west. A stillness fell over the street and in the silence came a low crack of thunder….He’d have to take the van, he had to get to Clouds to use the phone….With a sharp turn of the key, the old engine spluttered into life. He checked for fuel, there was half a tank. As he pulled away from the car park, a streak of hot silver split the sky, and the downpour began…The wipers whirred noisily from side to side, nearing the club he heard someone calling his name….how? He was in the van….Lightning flashed across the sky, and sheets of rain sliced the air…he heard his name called again, he slowed the van down…it was then that the apparition appeared…fear compressed him like a vice…the sound of blood curdling screams…moaning….sweat excreted through the pores of his skin…gasping for breath…and then the crack of thunder and the banging on the roof of the van…the shafts of lightning flashed and then, only then he could see the ghost of his brother…pushing the cross closer and closer to his face….terror stricken as if death were pursuing him…..the world went black…..

  ‘You alright mate?’

  Soaked in his own perspiration and urine, George opened his bleary eyes to see a man standing by the open door of the van. ‘Ye…yeah’ His jaw went slack and he gritted his teeth. ‘I’m ok.’ He managed the wheezy response.

  ‘If you say so mate, I’d move the motor if I were you, it’s in the middle of the fucking road.’

  Jack Carr sauntered back to the car and Rudy, so that was the infamous fiend George Brook!

  ‘Did he speak to you?’ Rudy asked curiously.

  ‘Hardly, whatever took place in that van, I’d say scared him to close to death. And he stank of piss!’

  ‘It sounds as though he’s had a visit from his brother.’ Rudy gave a lopsided grin.

  ‘But Harry’s dead.’ Jack emphasised.

  ‘You still have a bit to learn about our family firm Jack.�
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  Jack looked temporarily puzzled. ‘Look he’s getting out of the van.’

  They both watched with interest, as George made a valiant attempt to traipse over to the club entrance. The rain was still heavy although the storm seemed to have passed. He fumbled with the keys, oblivious of the fact he was being watched by his own son. Once he was inside the building, they waited for his return, knowing full well the phone call he was so eager to make was impossible. After around fifteen minutes he re-appeared, after slamming the club door he trudged back to the van. He started the engine, which choked and spluttered, and then pulled away slowly. They trailed him to a local car park, where he turned off the engine. After a while Jack nipped out of the car and checked the van…. ‘There’s no sign of him, I’d say he’s out cold in the back.’

  ‘Let’s get some shut eye then, he won’t move for a few hours.’ Rudy suggested.

  Brita woke feeling cold; she’d fallen asleep on top of the bed fully clothed. Glancing at her watch she could see it was five thirty, she needed to use the bathroom. No one had been near her since she was allowed to use the bathroom the previous day, and given the sandwich and glass of water. She’d had enough of this treatment, she was hungry and thirsty. Sliding off of the bed she went to the door, and started to thump hard for attention.

  ‘Ok wait!’ The black girl shouted.

  Brita cursed in Swedish, as she knew this would anger them. The door opened, she pushed past the girl and rushed into the bathroom.

  ‘Hurry up Ava!’ The girl ordered. ‘I need more sleep.’

  As Brita went back into the bedroom she pointed to the glass and plate.

  ‘I’ll bring you something later.’ The key turned in the lock.

  Brita realised they still thought she was Ava, how stupid were these people. If they had searched through her handbag they would have established her true identity. Without the proper use of a bathroom she was feeling uncomfortable, unclean, so taking her only set of clothes from her case, she attempted to wash at the basin. Cleanliness certainly wasn’t at the top of their list of hygiene. Her thoughts went to her lovely daughter, how had she ever endured sixteen years of being confined in a hellhole such as this. She spent the rest of the time reflecting on her life. She’d married into the underworld, was this all her fault? She’d loved Eddie so much, when he went on the missing list, she was heartbroken. And then her beautiful Ava was affirmed to have been heinously killed. The whole affair was a travesty, and now the nefarious fiend George Brook craves to re-enact. Why? Only one answer solves the issue, my daughter Ava knows something that would incriminate the bastard! Keeping Ava safe was paramount….

  At seven o’clock the bedroom door opened and the girl placed a small dented beer tray on the table. There was a mug of what resembled steaming, muddy water; on a side plate was a slice of burnt toast. Brita realised she was in no position to refuse the meagre offerings. The sound of male voices drifted up the stairs, she stood close to the door in the hope of getting information. The voices were muffled, there seemed to be several men speaking at the same time. Then one gruff voice yelled, ‘Well there’s still no contact from the bastard!’

  After drinking the unappealing liquid, Brita was unsure if it was tea or coffee, she waited for the next move. The delay wasn’t long, the door burst open, and the short bald man barged into the room. ‘Pick up your stuff Ava you’re coming with me.’

  Without a word, she picked up her case and handbag, and then followed him down the shabby stairway, to what appeared to be some kind of club. The woman appeared by her side and pushed her out of the back door, so there had been no time to look around. She was then bundled none too carefully into the back of a car.

  The black girl sat next to her, a younger man took the wheel, and the objectionable bald one sat in the passenger seat. The engine started up and the car pulled away, only time would tell the next destination….

  George stirred, he was shivering with the cold, his hand went out to grab the blanket…and he felt the dampness…then slowly the memories were like worms eating into his flesh…Harry…fear clutched at his heart…Ava…the phone wires pulled from the wall…who? Panic gripped him he had to find Weaver…as he pulled himself up the stench of urine was nauseating…what was happening to him? He must get to the house and clean up, then contact Weaver. He knew the van would be quicker...No! The thought of Harry’s ghost filled him with dread. He’d have to walk, looking at his watch it was five thirty, and he had to go now!

  Jack had slept for a couple of hours; he knew he must be around when George made his next move. Crimson wanted every detail. When he arrived at the car park he was relieved to see George’s van was still in the same place. He waited for a few minutes…nothing…so he decided to take a closer look. Peering inside the van it seemed empty…he tried the back doors and they were unlocked….he tugged them, they creaked…the smell was putrid, his head shot back with the lingering odour of stale urine and sweat. He must trace him, he was sure he wouldn’t have gone far. He drove to Clouds, and then a thought came to mind…George had been inside the club last night and the phones were dead. He had to be at the house. As he approached the house he turned the engine off, letting the vehicle freewheel the last few yards. And there he was …just about to enter the house. He parked the car a distance away, daylight was breaking through, the rain had ceased, although the clouds were dense and grey, blocking out the morning light. After a while Jack was stumped as to why he was taking so long inside the house. The phone line was dead. Assuring himself there was no way he could have missed his exit, Jack kept his early morning vigil….

  Stan Weaver directed his son Cliff to Clouds club, he was angry to see no vehicles parked outside. He hammered on the entrance door, to no avail. He made his way around to the back of the club; he noticed the building had been broken into. He was livid, the plan had been to grab the woman, Ava, and then make a quick exchange with George Brook. What was the idiot playing at; no way did he want to be lumbered with the women. The plan had been Ava, in exchange for Clouds! He was already taking over most of Brooks’s turf. Then the big one, The Docket, that would be a piece of piss once George had Ava…..so where was the cunt?

  The following morning I joined Johnboy and Seb in the office, it really was the morning after the night before. ‘None of Weaver’s mob left Scrubs last night girl.’ Seb divulged. ‘And there was no sign of your grandmother lass.’

  ‘I doubted there would be.’

  ‘Weaver is certainly using Scrubs to run his mob.’ Johnboy added. ‘The man’s got more mouth than money.’

  ‘My thoughts exactly, I doubt he’ll want to keep Brita around for long girl.’ Seb endorsed.

  The office door opened and Rudy appeared, he recalled the events of the previous night. ‘I’m sure he’d had a ‘visit’ Crimson, we watched the van come to a sudden halt in the middle of the road. The storm was pretty rough, Jack went over to the van and he said George looked spaced out and stunk of urine.’ He said politely.

  I looked upwards and smiled, ‘Thank you dad.’ The boys all grinned, knowing full well what I meant.

  ‘Did you get the van details?’ I asked Rudy. He passed me a crumbled piece of paper with the registration number on.

  ‘What’s the next move?’ Seb enquired.

  ‘I’ll ring Billy and make sure they’re all ok.’ Before I had chance to say more Archie burst through the office door and threw his arms around me, he began to sob noisily.

  ‘Give us a minute.’ I nodded to the boys.

  As they left the room I urged Archie to sit on the sofa.

  ‘I’m so sorry sis.’ He sniffed. ‘I don’t hate you, I..I could never hate you.’ His lips trembled as he uttered the words.

  ‘I know that Archie, you were upset over mum, I do understand how you feel. Why don’t you come and stay here for a few days?’

  ‘No sis, I hate this place, I’m ok with Fred and Patsy.’

  ‘Stay there and I’ll get some coffee, and
then we can chat.’ I suddenly realised how vulnerable he was. Not just his character, but he was the only person who knew the details of all dads’ properties. A cold shiver ran down my spine, if any of the mob got hold of Archie they’d tear him apart like a fucking rag doll….

  ‘The lads gonna be a sitting duck.’ Seb declared. ‘He knows too much of Harry’s business.’

  ‘I’ve been thinking the same.’ Johnboy added. ‘He needs to be moved out somewhere, Weaver’s mob would annihilate him for information.’

  ‘You’ll have to persuade her mate.’ Seb looked at Johnboy. ‘She’ll take more notice of you. By the way what’s the old girl like, is she the same?’

  ‘Oh Brita’s a tough one, she won’t take shit from anyone. Ava and the boy both need to be out the way.’

  Rudy nodded in agreement. ‘Crimson takes after her grandmother.’

  As I joined the boys I could see they were in deep conversation. ‘It’s just dawned on me how vulnerable Archie is; he’d be totally defenceless against Weaver’s mob. We have to get him away from here.’

  ‘You’ve read our minds girl; he needs to be moved out straight away.’ Seb suggested.

  ‘He won’t want to go; I’ll have a fight on my hands with him.’

  ‘It’s the only way lass.’ Johnboy assured.

  I ordered two coffees to take back to the office, my next conversation with Archie would be challenging. ‘Try and come up with some ideas while I try and appease him.’

  ‘Would it be better if we were with you?’ Johnboy asked.

  ‘Yes, yes maybe that would be helpful, to make Archie realise the severity of what’s occurring.’

  ‘I’m going back to meet up with Jack.’ Rudy affirmed. ‘I’ll be back when there’s any news.’