Backlash

by Charley Dee Brown

‘Ok Rudy.’

  Seb and Johnboy followed me into the office, Archie was still sitting were I’d left him, sadness clouded his features. I passed him a coffee. ‘Archie we need to make sure you are kept safe.’ I began. ‘Apart from me you’re the only person who has all the details of dad’s properties.’

  ‘Well I wouldn’t tell anyone sis.’ He replied innocently.

  ‘We know that Archie, however these people have ways of making you talk. Do you understand what I’m saying?’

  ‘They use torture lad, to make you speak.’ Seb added. ‘They won’t take no for an answer.’

  Archie stayed silent……

  ‘This is why we have to keep you safe and out of the way. George Brooks is aware that you keep the accounts for The Docket, so you would be his first link to your mother.’ Johnboy assured.

  Archie stayed silent…

  ‘Mum obviously has information that would further incriminate George that is why he wants to end her life Archie. You have to believe what we’re saying to you.

  So I want you to go back to Hampstead, pack essentials and I’ll ring you later to finalise arrangements. You’ll be safe today as George is still unaware that Grandma Brita was snatched instead of mum.’

  Archie got up slowly…kissed me on the cheek and without a word left the office….

  ‘I believe it’s all too overwhelming for him lass.’ Johnboy suggested.

  ‘Possibly, nevertheless his silence concerns me. He hates this life. I need to find him a safe place as soon as possible.’

  ‘I’ll check out with the boys, and see what’s taking place between Weaver and George. ‘Seb stated.’ We need to get Archie out before George realises Weaver snatched the wrong woman.’

  Weaver was back at The Scrubs and he was fuming, as he’d had no contact at all with George Brook. He decided he’d give it another twenty four hours, so with this in mind he sent his son Cliff over to George’s club Clouds, to leave a note. Whatever took place in the next day would confirm the outcome…..

  ‘Hi Billy how are things?’ I asked somewhat cautiously.

  ‘Everything went to plan lass; your mum seems to love the house already. That could have something to do with Janet finding some family photographs, which she placed in the study while the ladies were resting.’

  ‘I believe dad bought that property with retirement in mind, as you know that was a long time ago, and so much has changed. How is Matilda?’

  ‘Matilda feels she’s on holiday, the two of them are getting on well together.’

  ‘That’s what I hoped for, please ask Matilda to ring me when my mother is taking a rest.’

  I then bought Billy up to date with what was taking place here, and reminded him that my mother mustn’t hear about Brita and Archie.

  ‘Ok lass I’ll speak to you later.’ Billy agreed.

  As I replaced the receiver Johnboy came back into the office. ‘I rang a couple of estate agents in Kent; there are a couple of furnished flats available in the Maidstone area. I jotted down the details lass.’ Johnboy handed me a slip of paper.

  Inside the house George felt knackered, the walk had tired him out and he was freezing cold. The shock of Harry’s ghost was a haunting memory of the previous night. He felt the oppressive crush of dread……he made his way upstairs to the bedroom to change. He stripped off his stinking wet clothes, exhaustion gripped him, so he dropped face down onto the bed and within seconds he was snoring loudly… George was unaware someone was keeping tabs on his every move….

  Jack had been keeping vigil for hours; Rudy was due to meet up with him, so far there had been no movement from the house. He assumed the bastard had crashed out. There had been no sign of Weaver, maybe he’d gone to Clouds, perhaps he didn’t know about the house? The more time that elapsed before Weaver and George met, the longer Crimson had to plan her next move…..

  Seb arrived back at the club with the news that there had been no further movement from George. This was good news; he must have crashed out, or keeled over….either way it gave me more time to acquire a flat for Archie. After ringing the estate agent, I was told one of the flats had already gone, however the small furnished one was still available on a three month lease. That was ideal, and I assured the agent that someone would be over to accept the tenancy and pay the three months rent in advance, by cash. ‘How d’you fancy a run out to Maidstone Seb, to secure the flat for Archie?’

  ‘I’ll go straight away lass, give you time to make arrangements with the lad.’ Seb gave an inward sigh, getting the boy out of the way was a must.

  I handed Seb the address and the cash. ‘I’ve put the tenancy in a false name. Patricia Fielding. Should any questions be asked say the flat is for an author?’

  ‘The agents won’t give two hoots lass, so long as they have the cash.’ Seb assured. ‘I’ll get off times of the essence.’

  ‘Where did that name come from?’ Johnboy remarked with a lopsided grin.

  ‘I vaguely recall her being a character in a book.’ I returned his smile. ‘Time I put Archie in the picture.’

  ‘I’ll grab us a sandwich while you make the call.’

  As I dialled the Hampstead number, I hoped Archie would have packed and be waiting for my call. Fred answered. ‘Hello sweetheart how are you.’

  ‘I’m ok Fred, I’ve just secured a flat for Archie, is he ready to leave?’

  ‘No lass he’s gone to work.’

  ‘As soon as he returns Fred send him over to the club, we need to get him out of the way. I won’t give you the details for obvious reasons; you know what I’m saying.’

  ‘Of course sweetheart, I’ll send him over as soon as he returns.’

  Why had he decided to go to work today? Surely he realised how serious this was….George is sure to make contact with Weaver soon, and then the wheels will fall off the wagon!

  Chapter 5

  The phone buzzed into action. Who could this be? From now on every call was a guessing game…..I was somewhat relieved to hear Matilda’s soothing voice. After her greeting, she confirmed that my mother liked the Denham house. ‘The study is her favourite room, with all the photos of you and Archie when you were children. As well as a beautiful picture of your parents wedding, that made me nostalgic to see Harry.’

  ‘Has she opened up at all Matilda?’

  ‘Not yet lass, nevertheless very early days, she will lass…I know. Matilda assured. ‘What is happening with Brita?’

  ‘Weaver still has her.’ I brought Matilda up to date with what we knew. ‘My priority is getting Archie to safety first; any chance to rescue Brita will come when Weaver and George meet.’

  ‘I’d better go lass in case Ava wakes, I’ll ring when I can…stay safe girl. A dark cloud is looming above you…don’t go out alone….’

  As Matilda ended the call, a chill ran down my spine. She always knew when trouble was brewing, she was never wrong….

  By late afternoon Seb had returned from Maidstone with keys to the rented flat. There was still no sign of Archie. Jack had reported back on his vigil of the egregious George. There had been no movement from the house, and now Rudy had taken over the surveillance. Even if George was to see Rudy, he would never recognise his own son, I was sure of that. I decided that six o’clock was the deadline; if Archie hadn’t shown up, I’d ring Hampstead again. I was beginning to feel uneasy, I wasn’t sure why, as I knew Fred would ring if there was a problem. There were now three of the boys in the office with me Seb, Johnboy and Jack; it was a mutual decision to go into the bar for a meal. Everyone seemed to be deep in their own thoughts throughout the meal. Matilda’s words constantly flashed through my mind, a sense of dread…fearful, anxious anticipation. Something was horribly wrong!

  We all took our coffees back to the office. As soon as I sat down, the buzz of the phone filled the silence of the room. Everyone exchanged anxious glances. As I picked up the receiver Fred’s voice filled me with anguish. ‘Archie is missing!’ Fear compressed me like a vice! Fre
d continued to explain. ‘He left early this morning, as he often does. He’d had a hot drink as his coffee mug was on the draining board. We had no reason to believe anything was wrong. However, he normally always returns by four o’clock, Patsy had prepared dinner, still no sign of him, I went into his room just now…and found a note on the bedside table.’

  ‘Read it to me Fred.’

  ‘I’m sorry to have to leave this way. I can’t live this life anymore. I have to save mum. I love you both. Yours, Archie.’

  ‘What has he taken with him?’

  ‘Patsy is checking his room as we speak.’

  ‘What about Dad’s safe Fred…the keys?’ I asked with concern.

  ‘I’ll check everything lass and ring you back. I did notice your fathers’ leather brief case was on Archie’s bed.’

  ‘Ok Fred, ring me back as soon as you can.’ I replaced the receiver. Looking around at the boys faces I could tell they had the gist of the conversation. After I’d repeated the contents of the note Archie had written Seb said firmly. ‘It sounds as though he’s on his way to Denham lass.’

  ‘Not necessarily Seb, I hadn’t disclosed to Archie or Fred where Billy was taking mum and Matilda. Although once Fred has checked the keys in the safe, that could help.’

  ‘Do you know how many sets of keys there are lass?’ Johnboy asked.

  ‘Not exactly, when the family used the Denham house previously, more sets were copied. Plus some of the rented properties could be vacant, so more keys available. Archie is the only one who would know veraciously. That’s part of his work.’

  ‘I’ll go and check on Rudy, Crimson; he’ll be in need of a break, now its dark George could be on the move.’ Jack stated.

  ‘You know what to do Jack if Brita is in any sign of danger.’ I endorsed.

  Jack patted his jacket pocket and quickly left the office.

  As Archie made his way back to Hampstead, after leaving The Docket, he felt deeply disturbed. He recalled the time his evil cousin Lance had abducted him, he knew he’d survived because of his sister’s bravery. The night Crimson and the boys had burst into the basement flat in Shepherds Bush; Lance had held him at knife point. His courageous sister had offered herself to the manic Lance, in order to save him. However his continual fear was Seb and Billy…how they’d shot Lance in cold blood, and neither one had turned a hair….He knew Lance deserved to die that way, he was pure evil….the same thought flashed through his mind…

  They’re on your side Archie…..

  Why couldn’t he accept this way of life? The life his father had chosen for them all to live. Crimson had, she fitted in, and she was strong and courageous. He hated himself, his lack of resolve, he was weak…small in stature. He believed the men looked upon him as a lad, a kid…He knew he would never be like them. He had to save his mother, he was like her, she understood how he felt, and they would be better together…away from the world of gangsters, and the sordid underworld….

  Jack met up with Rudy outside of George’s house. ‘Any movement?’ Jack asked optimistically.

  ‘He’s in my old girls place next door, probably using her phone. I’d say he’ll be on the move again soon.’

  Rudy was right, within minutes the ominous George was traipsing along, looking much older than his fifty seven years. They trailed him, as he headed towards Clouds; they kept a distance, although the onerous man seemed oblivious to anything taking place around him. He wore a long dark overcoat, the collar was up and his head was down. He appeared to fumble with the keys to the entrance of the club…then he disappeared inside. At that moment Seb arrived, he’d parked further down the road. ‘So what’s going on?’ He asked bluntly.

  ‘I reckon he’s arranged to meet Weaver tonight.’ Jack offered. The three of them watched intently.

  As expected they didn’t have to wait long, Weaver’s old Vauxhall chuntered to a halt outside of Clouds. ‘What a fucking heap of shite for a motor.’ Seb added with sarcasm. As Weaver got out of the car Seb motioned to Jack to get nearer to the building. Jack was light on his feet, and within seconds he was pressed close to the main wall of the club. The nefarious George appeared in the entrance doorway, Brita was brought out of the car, the black girl stayed inside. George’s immediate reaction was to yell. ‘That’s not fucking Ava!’ Weaver squared up to George.

  ‘You said you wanted the bitch’s mother!’

  ‘That’s her fucking grandmother you stupid bastard!’ George growled. He went to grab Brita’s arm as he yelled. ‘Where is Ava?’

  ‘She’s in Sweden, out of your way!’ Brita retaliated.

  For fear Brita would be harmed, Jack nodded towards the boys, although their car was out of the way, he knew they would see him. Rudy fired the engine up, aiming the car towards the group, Seb got out and grabbed Brita, and at that same moment Jack fired the shot…it was over in seconds….

  Who had Jack shot?

  Back at The Docket Seb ushered Brita into the safety of the office. ‘How are you feeling Grandma?’ I asked cautiously. ‘Did they harm you in any way?’

  ‘’I’m fine girl apart from being ravenous.’ Brita defined. ‘And they have my case in the back of their car.’

  ‘Don’t worry with trivialities, have a decent meal and you can stay in the flat with me tonight.’ I urged as I gave her a hug. ‘Tomorrow we will secure you a flight back to Sweden, and then I will be sure you are safe.’

  ‘They don’t want me Crimson, they want your mother.’ She exclaimed. ‘By the way where is my daughter? I told the nefarious George she was in Sweden.’

  ‘Ava is safe, as you need to settle your affairs in Sweden, best to continue on that course, until we solve the problems here.’

  ‘How safe? Tell me where she is girl.’ Brita insisted.

  ‘I’m sorry Grandma I can’t tell you that, for your own safety. You’ll have to trust me, mum is a priority.’ I didn’t want to add so was Archie….. ‘Come into the bar and we’ll order a meal.’

  After eventually settling my grandmother into Archie’s room, I laundered her clothes ready for the following day. Johnboy had secured a late morning flight, due to a cancellation. Seb and Rudy were going to escort her to the airport, to ensure there were no further delays….Jaded; I slipped into bed, though sleep eluded me. Where was Archie? Why had he gone missing? Was it me that was causing his fear? Had I changed that much in his eyes? On reflection, I knew that I’d changed, I even felt different….at twenty eight years old I was in charge of my father’s company, we were loan sharks, I now thought like the boys who worked for me….boys, they were heavies, capable of violent reactions immediately, without a thought. I’d taken a man’s life to save my own…nothing phased me….I was now one of them….and that’s what Archie despised. So far in my young life I have spent years searching for my mother’s ‘killer’….now I have to seek the truth about what happened to her, at the hands of my depraved uncle. She holds secrets that she is terrified to share, what did she witness back in 1956? Something that caused evil George to ‘fake’ my mother’s death, that’s why he’ll go to any lengths to seize her again. It was the day of my father’s funeral, George was so drunk, that Seb locked him in The Docket; it was the next morning that Rudy found my terrified mother. After sixteen years of being imprisoned by that bastard. I will go to any lengths to ensure my mother’s safety…..However death is too quick for him, he made us suffer for fifteen years, I intend for him to pay the price….at my cost, and in my time. I’m aware Seb and Billy would take him out at the flick of a coin, for me that was too easy, he has to feel the sick, oppressive crush of dread….

  As for my personal life, maybe I’ve put it on hold; I’ve never had an intimate relationship. The feeling of a man I love holding me in his arms….I can only imagine. All I’ve encountered to date have been three hideous men lusting after me, Lance, Ollie and Michael, who all had to die….There are only two people who truly understand how I feel, Johnboy and Matilda, both my dearest friends. What would I
do without Johnboy’s support? I won’t allow my thoughts to explore my feelings towards him. I know he supports me because his boss was my dad Harry A, he does it for him, and he’s loyal to my father’s memory. Although I’m aware of a special bond between us, the thought of not having him in my life fills me with sadness, that is not akin to pain….I felt hot tears running down my cheeks….slowly I turned on my side and the tears deluged my heart like the rain…..

  I must find Archie; I have to keep him safe….

  As the bullet had hit his foot, George was thrown completely off balance. Weaver was hurling abuse, and then he watched in a daze as Brita was grabbed and lifted into a car. He was totally disorientated, what the fuck was going on, and his foot was hurting like hell. The car sped off and Weaver was cursing…then his brother Harry was standing over him…chanting… I am always behind you…I am the darkness you bleed…you are already dead….darkness engulfed him, as he slid to the ground….

  Weaver was angry, what the fucking hell was going on? He’d only brought the girl Zelda with him, and now the old girl had been snatched from under his nose, and George had been shot. Well he wasn’t gonna lose out now, there was far too much at stake. ‘Get out the fucking car woman and help me!’ He raged at Zelda.

  Between the two of them, they managed to bundle George into the back of the car. The girl stayed silent. Weaver drove to Hammersmith Hospital, thankful it was late and dark, he stopped as close to the entrance as possible. Again with Zelda’s help, they dragged the unconscious George out of the car and dumped his bleeding body onto the concrete. He didn’t think they’d been seen, so once back in the car he sped off in the direction of The Scrubs. All the time thinking how was he going to find this Ava…how many fucking woman were there in the bitches family? As soon as George was fixed up, he’d get all the info he needed, he wasn’t gonna let this lot slip through his fingers…whoever he had to waste!