She picked up the receiver. ‘Well there’s a dialling tone, aint you paid the fucking bill?’
‘Hardly, I’m on the bones of me arse. Give it here then and I’ll tell Weaver. Seb will get in The Docket no problems.’
As expected, Billy and Jack found a very distressed Patsy sitting by Fred’s grave, trembling with the cold. Jack took his coat off and placed it around her shoulders. ‘Come on lass let’s get you home.’ He lifted her up, she was so thin, the weight of a young child. As he carried her back to the car, Billy kept a look out, obviously a lost opportunity for the Weaver mob. When they had her safely installed back in the Hampstead house, Lauren put Patsy to bed….they were all of the same thoughts that she wanted to join Fred, and nothing would stop her….
‘I know the time has come to find Seb, before he gets the chance to torture another one of us.’ I voiced my opinion to the boys. They all nodded in agreement…and then Matt Turner arrived and everything changed. He related the conversation he’d heard between Nancy and George.
‘I stayed long enough to hear the one sided conflab between George and Weaver. He could have spoken to Seb also.’ Matt confirmed. ‘I had to make a move as Nancy was about to leave.’
‘Did it sound as though they’d brought George’s story?’ Billy asked.
‘Definitely, the last I heard George say was Ok tell me the plan later. Then Nancy said she was going. I went round the side of the building until she’d cleared off. Believe me although I didn’t see the bastard, the stench was nauseating, my apologies Crimson.’ He nodded towards me.
‘No need for apologies, I need to know everything, I’m in this with you all.’ I assured. ‘Now we need to make a plan.’
‘I reckon Seb will try it alone, he’s the only one who knows his way around the gaff. But how the hell’s he going to get in? And when?’ Billy asked openly. ‘All the locks have been changed.’
Jack and Johnboy nodded in agreement.
‘Ok listen up; I’m pretty sure I know what he’ll try.’ I said firmly. ‘He probably knows he can’t gain entrance with keys, however he also knows there’s another possible way. The Draymen deliver our beer order early on a Thursday morning, so the access doors to the cellar are left open the night before. Not many people know this, but he does. He could lower himself down easily; I’ve jumped down there myself often. Getting back up is not so easy…he won’t have that problem.
‘That would only give him entrance to the beer cellar.’ Jack added.
‘Yes you’re right Jack; before I had the alterations carried out you could walk straight through to the basement. For security I had a door put in, fire hazard if you get my drift. He would be able to open that door with the right tools.’
‘The security above would soon catch onto that.’ Billy added.
‘Of course, so the plan is to ‘help’ him, make it easier. He knows the layout, and if my mother was being kept here she’d be sharing my flat. He knows Jack and Rudy share George’s old flat; Johnboy has one of the single flats. He may not know that Billy and Janet are in his old flat, what he does know, is that is where George had my mother imprisoned for years. So the obvious place is my flat.’ I took a deep breath. ‘Who does he want to dispose of, me, and my mother would be his second choice, as she has little gain for him personally. So it would be like killing two birds with one stone.’ The boys stayed quiet. ‘You know what I’m saying; we set him up….as he won’t be leaving. It will save going to the General Smuts for a shoot out, and one of us meeting a sticky end.’
‘So you think he’ll attempt on Wednesday night then lass?’ Billy maintained.
I nodded.
‘Ok we’ll rig your flat out, to appear there are two women sleeping, we’ll work on the details later. It could make a mess of your flat girl.’ Billy added.
‘That’s a small price to pay.’ I assured. ‘So how about lunch and then we can work on the finer details.’
After the phone call from George Brook, the content of which had put a whole new light on the issue. ‘We’ll go mob handed.’ Stan implied. ‘Take the lot of ‘em out.’
‘Hold on mate, that aint the way to go.’ Seb argued. ‘Best I go alone; I’m the only one who knows the way around. There should only be two goons inside, and they’ll be up the other end. Think about it, once the bitches are gone, we’re in.’ Seb lied. The Docket was his, so why let Stan get his grubby mits anywhere near it. The only reason he’d joined up with the Weavers was for a bit of backup, and somewhere to hang out, all due to the bitch cutting him out of the club. Maybe she even had the boy down there, if so the road for him was clear. Billy and Janet lived in the house that Harry A originally gave them all to share; Rudy was at Hampstead, so that left Johnboy and Jack living in. He could take the lot out in one hit, piece of piss; they wouldn’t know what had hit ‘em!
‘Well a couple of us will hang around outside, just in case.’ Stan urged.
‘No, she has a goon upstairs in the club; any noise will only create trouble. I’ll be out of there in minutes. Job done!’ He assured. Seb smirked inwardly, this was the chance he’d been waiting for…Wednesday night, the access doors open….he struggled to stop himself laughing, why hadn’t he thought of this before….He needed the bitch out, however the mother as well what a result!
Matilda had been restless since Crimson and Johnboy’s last visit. She knew trouble was brewing and she’d warned them. Something had happened since; she sensed their closeness, they were now together…at last. For this she was grateful, the girl had been far too courageous, with no release. Who cared that they came from completely different back grounds, she didn’t…although she was aware not everybody would feel the same, so they would need to be cautious. They’d both managed without their mothers from a young age; he’d lived on bread and jam, a latch door kid… there’d been no keys….whereas she’d had a respectable upbringing with a private education. Johnboy continues to educate himself, spending hours reading….. They fit together….soul mates. Matilda wanted them to be happy…trouble is in the underworld that’s a mighty big ask…nothing ever goes to plan.
The finer details of our plan was in place, I would be in Johnboy’s flat, and Rudy would be outside the building. Billy and Jack would be in my flat. Janet in Sebs flat, and Johnboy was covering the entrance end of the basement. Matt Turner would be in the beer cellar, out of the way….there were no security lights on in the basement, everything was in place…this could go one of two ways…perfect, or a bloody disaster…
Knowing Weaver would tail him to The Docket, Seb told Stan he would be leaving at two thirty. ‘Best time to hit ‘em, middle of the night.’ Seb exaggerated. ‘So I’ll get some kip first. I need to do this alone, like I said a fucking mob will create mayhem.’
‘Yeah well we’ll be around if you need backup.’ Stan pressed the point.
Seb didn’t need their fucking backup, he worked alone. Knowing they’d tail him anyway, he slipped out of Smuts at midnight; the mob had all turned in. He made his way towards The Docket by cab, starting up his motor would have woke the bastards up. Edging passed the dog track, keeping in the shadows; he could see The Docket was in virtual darkness. Checking his watch, it was half past midnight; he could see the basement lights were all out. The security lights were on in the club, whoever was on duty would be in the small security office, sitting with their feet up, he’d done it many times. He bided his time; he needed them all to be asleep. Checking his weapons, he made his way around to the cellar access doors, he raised one of them. There’s a central chute used to roll the barrels in, no good for him, he needed to lower himself in, he hoped there was nothing in his way. The empty barrels were all stacked outside, ready for the morning collection. Sitting on the edge of the pit, he prepared himself to jump….
Billy knew Seb was now in the cellar; Rudy had tapped on the window of Crimson’s flat once, to say he was in, and a second time to say he was alone. Billy knew there was no way he would get back out, as Matt was wa
tching in the beer cellar, hidden behind the gas cylinders. Once Seb had forced his entry through the cellar door, Matt would follow him in….then there were four of them monitoring his movements….
Seb landed awkwardly as he jumped, twisting his right ankle, he swore fiercely under his breath. A sharp pain shot through his calf as he edged his way forward ….it was as dark as the devils mouth….he felt his way over towards the door…shadows in the gloom deceived him…the blackness engulfed his thoughts…and the pain shot through his leg like fire…he took tentative steps, the darkness had taken over his sense of direction. Seb had never feared anything in his life…until now…the air became cold, his body heat had deserted his blood for the frigid atmosphere…an awareness crept over him that he was no longer alone…the ghost was frozen in place…only the movement of its transparent hair gave away that it was not an old Halloween decoration…it stared with it’s one eye…it’s face passive and slack…in utter paralysis he was drawn towards it. The grim outline of a shadowy reflection had possessed him. Seb had never believed in ghosts, all the apparitions of Lance…Ollie, and even his boss Harry A, had all been directed at others, never him, he’d thought they were all crazy…until now…Every muscle in his body had knotted up…his ankle was swelling… he had to get his boot off…nausea coiled like a snake in his guts….the ghost was still rooted in place…he struggled to release his foot from the boot….and the pain was increasing in waves…he felt for the lock on the door, fumbling with a pick set, he was shocked that the door opened. Searing fiery bursts pulsated around his ankle…intensifying with each dragging step…his leg ached like hell, no matter how he tried to move it…he knew his ankle was busted. He leant against the wall for support…if he slid to the ground he would never get up….anger boiled inside him…..why was this happening tonight! He had to stay focused….the ghost had stayed with him….the sudden sound of a phone ringing…the pain increasing in waves…his consciousness ebbed…
As the phone burst into life, Billy physically jumped, where the hell was Seb? He’d been in the cellar a while, now the fucking phone was ringing, he was in Crimsons room, he grabbed the extension and listened. ‘Are you there sis?’ The caller said softly. ‘Sorry to wake you, but we’ve only just arrived.’
Billy realised it was Archie, not knowing where Seb was he needed to end the call. ‘Call in the morning lad.’ Billy said quietly, as he attempted to replace the receiver.
‘What’s wrong with her, where is she!’ Archie replied anxiously.
‘Nothing she’s fine, please ring in the morning.’ Billy held the receiver down until the dialling tone returned, and then left the receiver off the hook. Had Seb heard him, or had his plan worked better than anticipated?
Matt Turner had clocked all that had taken place since Seb had jumped into the cellar, and landed badly. Billy’s plan had worked perfectly. Earlier in the day Billy had jumped into the beer cellar and marked his landing spot by embedding a brick, knowing full well Seb wouldn’t see that in the dark. He’d assumed that Seb would have lifted the right access door, being right handed. The strategy had worked perfectly, and slowed Seb up. In fact Matt believed Sebs ankle was broken, the sound when he hit the ground was sickening. The weird sounds and the icy cold feeling had frozen Matt to the spot, lying low he couldn’t see all that was going on, although he knew it was fucking spooky….He’d heard the others relating to tales of seeing ghosts, he’d thought it was a fallacy….until now….he had the urge to stand up and watch….if he did he knew that could be his last time…..He waited ….The stillness of the air seemed to suck even the beating of his heart into nothingness…it was a kind of silence that falls right before you get knifed in the back….it sent a shiver down his spine, and he felt the blood chill in his veins….then Seb was moving….odd sounds…he could see nothing….then he heard the door open…..
Matt hung back…he felt something on the floor…Sebs boot….once through the door he looked towards Crimsons flat, Seb was in a heap on the floor, his right ankle expanded like a balloon….his head flopped to one side…unconscious…the phone was ringing…he kept close to the wall and edged his way to Johnboy’s flat. The door was open….in a muted voice he portrayed the events in the cellar. ‘And I’m sure his ankle is busted.’ He added at the end.
Matt’s mention of ghosts had amused me, his first encounter with the supernatural; we’ll have to introduce him to Matilda. I knew Seb would somehow make his way to my flat, whatever the pain….he had no idea he was being watched. The phone ringing in the early hours had surprised us all…who the hell had rung?
Billy could hear a dragging sound coming from the hallway, he was tempted to look, however he stayed in the bedroom behind the open door. All Seb would see was the form of a person laying under the blankets…Knowing Seb so well, Billy guessed he would either shoot at the form in the bed…or attack with a knife….whichever way he chose, Billy was ready for a fair fight. He wouldn’t shoot him in the back, not even Seb, cunt that he was….the dragging sound continued…
Seb jerked forward, he strained to remember where he was, and the searing fiery bursts of pain pulsated around the wound. There was a white jagged end of a broken bone cutting through the skin, and scarlet blood was matting amongst the hairs on his leg. He had to move he had to finish the bitch off, how the fucking hell had this happened to him. There was no support to haul himself up….he edged along on his arse, the pain was gut wrenching, dragging his foot…at the doorway he pulled himself up…he’d always ignored pain and rocked on regardless, but that wasn’t possible now, it dominated every thought, controlled every action. As he stood on his left foot he felt as though he had a snake in his guts, the nausea rose to his throat…he swallowed hard…any sound would wake her, and he knew she was evil….a trained killer, he’d seen her in action, though she wouldn’t beat his gun. A dim shaft of light allowed him to see the open door to the side, each movement accentuated the pain. The fucking ghost had disappeared, although he had a strange whirring sound in his head. Seb rubbed his hands together as he leant against the door frame….the thought of killing the bitch excited him. The pain throbbed through his body…a thought flashed through his mind, how would he get out…the pleasure of taking her life was so rousing he dismissed the thought….the dim light made it more thrilling…he wanted to hear her beg as he sucked the life from her….He could see her bleeding already…the first stab through the covers would scare her shitless…then he’d pull the covers off and watch her die….The coldness of the blade only steadied Sebs resolve…His fingers clasped to the handle he lunged forward, and thrust the blade into the form on the bed….
Billy watched as Seb tore at the bedding, there was enough light to see the shock had numbed him out….The bullet spat out of Billy’s hand in the darkness, it hit the bed right next to Sebs hand…as he turned and saw Billy, the look of terror oozed from him. ‘Just me and you now Seb, a fair shoot out….Seb eyed Billy’s weapon with bleak grey eyes…he knew how fast he was….suddenly there was the sound of two shots fired in rapid succession….
Chapter 13
The sound of the shots echoed through the basement, I rushed towards my flat, close behind Johnboy and Matt. Billy and Jack were already clearing up, Sebs body was lying on my bed in a pool of blood, and it gave the room a sickly sweet butcher-shop odour. The man we’d once all trusted, and none of us had suspected a thing; he’d even fooled my father. He’d gained our trust….then after Harry A’s demise….the monster appeared. As I looked around the bedroom I noticed the bullet mark on the door….it had left a scar in the paintwork. ‘Billy, how many shots did he fire?’ I asked curiously.
‘Just the one girl.’ Billy replied bluntly.
‘He hit the door.’ I questioned.
‘It was a fair shoot out lass, though something got in his way.’ Billy added.
‘Or someone.’ I knew instinctively what had occurred; I’d say my father had intervened. I believe Billy is afraid of upsetting me. In fact it’s the oppos
ite; I found the scenario amusing in a distorted kind of way.
‘Do you want anything left in the room lass?’ Billy asked.
‘No thanks Billy clear it all out.’ I walked out of the flat and went to the basement doors, Rudy had the van ready with the engine running. I knew Johnboy had wanted me to leave the flat; he was sensitive about what I had to see, as far as Sebs remains. ‘All ok Rudy?’ I asked. ‘Did any of Weavers mob show?’
‘There was someone hanging around for a while, but no attempts to get in lass.’ Rudy stated. ‘D’you want me to go to the scrap yard?’
‘No, you come in, four of them will be enough, and you must be frozen anyway.’ I smiled knowingly.
By the time my bedroom had been stripped down to the floor boards, and the boys had left for the scrap yard, reality had kicked in. Although this was the end of Seb, I knew there was much more to come…..
Janet had stayed out of the way during the events of the night, and was up early this morning taking calls in the office. Billy had explained about Archie’s phone call, and as anticipated he’d rung back, anxiously wanting to know what was going on. Why did I always see Archie as a kid, I was economical with the truth, giving him a watered down version. He hates the firm, so best to keep it simple, what the eye doesn’t see….I still find it hard to credit with veracity, his relationship with Larry…how did they fit, a down to earth workman….how hypocritical of me to even have these thoughts, as many would say me and Johnboy are miles apart….I don’t see it that way, to me we are soul mates….whatever, nobody is aware of our affinity….well with the exception of Matilda…..
Janet made her way into the main office with a tray of steaming mugs of coffee. ‘How did it go at the yard last night?’ I aimed at nobody in particular.
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