Backlash

by Charley Dee Brown

  Weaver was baffled, he’d never heard of the firm J. Boyston before, nevertheless the girl had said they’d been running for twenty five years. He couldn’t book an appointment; he didn’t own a fucking property. However Ken Reed did. With this in mind he arranged to meet him that night. There was always a way of checking these bastards out, the van was no longer outside the Hampstead house, his boys watched the place every day, there had been no other visitors. George was a fucking mystery, where was the bastard, he’d go and see his old woman again. Nothing was going to plan, but he knew exactly how to change that.

  Larry came into The Docket, fully kitted out in his biking gear, no one would recognise him. After searching in the cellar, I’d found an old biking helmet, it was rough, however I wasn’t entering a beauty contest. Larry took the bike around to the back of the building, behind the new gym premises. Although I was once again searching for my elusive brother, the actual fact of riding on the back of a motorbike was exhilarating. I seem to have been virtually imprisoned in the club recently, apart from a visit to Matilda and the opening of Scrubs. Now racing along on the back of a motor bike with the wind in my face, was a brief burst of freedom. As we pulled into the underground car park, I hoped we would find Archie safe and well. We tried knocking, to no avail. Larry had a key, so we let ourselves into the apartment. There was no sign of Archie. ‘Check his belongings Larry.’ I asked as I looked in the fridge. No food to speak of, half a bottle of milk and a piece of cheese.

  ‘As always everything is neat and tidy, I can’t tell if anything is missing.’ He sighed. ‘I’m so untidy, I wouldn’t know, that’s something that annoyed Archie.’

  ‘He’s always been systematic; I feel he may have a tendency towards OCD. At least he doesn’t appear to have gone.’ I feared my own words as I spoke them. Archie is mysterious to say the least. ‘Do you have a pen and paper please Larry, I feel if I leave him a note saying I was here, it may inspire him to contact me.’ As Larry handed me a writing pad and pen, I scribbled a note and hoped Archie would respond. ‘Let’s go Larry, I guess we’re not doing any good waiting around, Archie needs time to cool down.’ As we walked back to the bike a thought flashed through my mind, almost a message… ‘On the way back, will you drop me at Nancy’s.’ Something was inciting me to go there…..

  Larry pulled up at the back of George’s old house, which I now owned. ‘Wait here for me Larry, I won’t be long.’

  ‘Let me come with you Crimson.’ He urged.

  ‘No, this is something I need to do alone.’ I removed my helmet and placed it on the back seat of the bike, ran my fingers through my hair and headed around to Nancy’s den of iniquity. What was driving me, I didn’t know? I went to the back door, which was ajar; I could see Nancy sitting at the kitchen table. As I tapped lightly on the open door, I was taken aback by her fast reaction.

  ‘What the fuck do you want?’ She said icily.

  As she spoke I noticed how haggard she looked, life hadn’t been kind to Nancy. Had she brought this on herself? ‘Time we had a chat Nancy.’ I replied coolly.

  ‘I can’t think of anything we need to discuss.’ As she replied there was a knock on her front door. She got up slowly, she looked anxious. The knock came again, louder this time. I moved forward, there was a door leading to the laundry room, I stood just inside. I was disturbed by the gruff male voice I could hear.

  ‘I warned you last time you stupid cow, my old man has lost his patience now!’ He yelled, I could hear a scuffle, then Nancy screamed and the door slammed. I peered through the crack in the door; the young bloke was inside and pushing Nancy towards the kitchen. I took cover behind the door, to see what was taking place. Nancy looked clammy and there was a glisten of cold sweat, her eyes were as wide as if someone was going to deliver a fatal blow…..I hardly breathed, he mustn’t know I’m here….yet….

  ‘Last time bitch, where is the bastard?’He yelled.

  ‘I..I…d…don’t know’ she lied. ‘She was shaking uncontrollably. Then to my horror out came the gun, fuck he was going to shoot her…now there’s no love lost between me and Nancy, however I don’t agree with women being used as targets, my mother’s face beamed in front of my eyes….He clicked the gun into action…

  ‘Last time now, where is the fucker?’

  I could see her brain had shut down…she was trying to scream but there was no sound….I had to make my move…the boys had always warned me about fighting a man with a shooter…No way could I watch this woman shot down, defenceless…what would that make me…..I was behind him…the gun was in his right hand…with my right hand I had his left arm tight up his back and my left arm around his throat….I could feel the shock in his body….I screamed at Nancy to move…she was frozen…it was now or never….I had to take a chance…with my knee I hurled him to the floor….I tried to watch the gun…I kicked at his throat….the sound of the gunshot cracked into the room like thunder…I couldn’t breathe….and then the blood flowed thickly through my fingers…..

  ‘So where did she go Janet?’ Johnboy asked anxiously.

  ‘She was on her way over to the gym to speak to the builders.’ Janet replied. ‘I haven’t seen her since.’

  ‘Where are the rest of the boys?’

  ‘Jack and Billy are out on loans, Rudy’s still in Hampstead and Matt’s just returned.’ Janet responded uneasily.

  ‘Where’s Larry?’ Johnboy quizzed.

  ‘I’m not sure, maybe at the scrap yard.’

  Johnboy picked up the phone and rang the scrap yard. ‘Hi Doug, is Larry around?’ He asked eagerly, after a moment he replaced the receiver. ‘Crimson rang Larry at the yard earlier, and asked him to bring the bike over here, Dougie wasn’t sure what time.’ The colour drained out of his face and his jaw tightened.’

  ‘See if you can get the boys back please Janet, something’s not right here, I’ll ring Archie.’

  Johnboy dialled Archie’s number, he didn’t pick up, fear clutched at his heart, he loved her so much. He knew how intrepid she was, he rang Matilda, and he was desperate now….

  Larry was concerned with how long Crimson had been gone, too long he felt. The sudden sound of a gunshot rented through the air. He bolted around to the back of Nancy’s house, looking through the back door he was stunned at the sight, Crimson was lying on the floor with a man sprawled awkwardly across her, blood pumping from his guts. He looked dead. Nancy was slumped on the floor…..His instinct took him to Crimson; relief filled him as he heard her say. ‘Get him off me Larry I can’t move.’ Larry struggled to move the dead weight of the man’s body. He recognised the corpse, it was one of Weavers younger sons, who he’d encountered on the way to Dover. What the fuck had happened here? Helping Crimson up, he dragged a chair towards her.

  ‘I’m ok Larry, pass me the phone, there’s no time to waste.’

  As I dialled The Docket, I asked Janet to book a hotel room for a couple of nights, in the name of Isobel Peachy. I knew she was long gone, a thought flashed through my mind…what was driving me? It was almost as though someone had taken over my mind…. ‘Are the boys back?’I asked hopefully.

  ‘Johnboy and Matt are on the way to you now; the others are on their way back. ‘Janet replied quickly.

  I knew Johnboy would have been anxious. ‘Ok, now ring Dougie, and tell him Johnboy will be over soon with the van.’ I knew she would understand. ‘Then ring Cedric Allen and ask him to bring a for sale board over to Nancy’s, as soon as possible, I’ll wait here for him.’

  ‘Will do.’ The line went dead.

  As Johnboy and Matt arrived, not a word was spoken, Johnboy organised the clear up. Larry helped him load the corpse into the van; Matt cleared the blood from the floor. Nancy was now slumped in a chair with her back to the gory proceedings. Pulling a chair up in front of Nancy I took hold of her hands. ‘Now you need to listen to me Nancy, the house must be sold.’

  ‘Why? Where am I gonna live?’ she muttered.

  ‘If you stay here you wo
n’t have that problem, he would have killed you. I’ve booked you a hotel room for a couple of nights. Then I’ll move you into a flat, until the sale is finalised.’

  ‘Why are you helping me?’Her lower lip trembled as she spoke.

  ‘You’re a woman, and I despise women being punished for what their man has done.’ I said truthfully. ‘George imprisoned my mother for sixteen years, he’s evil Nancy. Time you got a grip; once this house is sold you’ll be able to buy an apartment, bungalow, or house of your choice. Plus you’ll have money left to live comfortably on.’ I took a deep breath; the smell of the blood was sickening. ‘There are two conditions, first you have to divorce George, and second you will have to move right out of London.’

  ‘But..but..’ She mumbled. ‘But George is here, in this house,’

  ‘I know where George is Nancy, leave him to me. I’m offering you a way out, so take it. If you don’t you know full well what the other option is.’

  ‘Now go pack a bag and fetch me the deeds.’

  ‘But… he’ll go mad if I give you the deeds, his names on them.’ She blurted out.

  ‘Just do it Nancy, there’s no time, Weaver’s mob will be back.’

  As she got up from the chair she swayed at first, then she slowly headed up the stairs. The phone rang, and Janet gave me the details of the hotel she’d booked. Billy and Jack had now turned up. Johnboy, Billy and Larry went in the van to the scrap yard. Matt took a disorientated Nancy to the hotel. After locking the doors, Jack and I went in search of George. The house was a nondescript affair, its reputation darkened by the way Nancy had basically run it as a brothel, six stories high, and numerous bedrooms. As we climbed the stairs, we could see there were only four rooms in use. Obviously used by the three hookers Nancy was housing, and one for herself, so where was George? The house had seen better days, through lack of maintenance, never the less it was in a general clean condition. The sound of knocking on the front door made us hurry down to ground level. Jack let Cedric in, within half an hour, the for sale board was fixed outside of the building, the phone number on the board was one of Cedric’s. The board would only stay up for a few days, and then a sold sign would appear. I was going to buy the property, Cedric would arrange it all. The three hookers would be given a week to move out, and then Matt and Larry would move in temporarily…..

  As Cedric left, Jack and I continued our search for George. The smell was nauseating, the first door was locked, Jack found the key at the top of the door, we were shocked as we entered, there was no natural light, nevertheless the rooms were basically furnished. We found him in the bedroom….stinking, and laying in his own filth….enough said…there was a bathroom and kitchenette….I’d make sure food was left in the kitchen…my strategy for now….the sight of this evil creature, and the memories of what he’d done to our families lives …instinct made me want to end him now….but there is too much more to be revealed about this repugnant, evil being…

  The sound of the boys returning took us back up to the kitchen, Jack had stayed silent throughout….We all sat around the kitchen table, Larry had made coffee. ‘Matt, I’d like you and Larry to move in temporarily.’ I urged.

  ‘No problem girl.’ Matt agreed.

  Larry nodded as he placed the cups of steaming coffee onto the table.

  ‘There’s supposed to be three hookers living in, give them a week to move out. Best to tell them Nancy is unwell, and has moved to the coast with her cousin. No keys, and no visitors, as Weavers mob is sure to quiz them, and being in there line of business they’ll be easily bought.’ I gave a half grin. The rooms are clean from the second floor. He’s down in the basement, just leave food in the kitchenette once a day. The smell is stomach churning.’

  ‘The place is up for sale.’ Larry asked innocently.

  ‘We have to move quick Larry; it’ll be sold by tomorrow.’ Billy tapped his nose. They all grinned.

  Larry watched as the van and cars pulled away from the house. He got on well with Matt, and he was now in possession of a hand gun…he could almost hear Archie’s comments of disgust. He felt a thrill of fear as he handled the gun, not that he yearned to use it, just belonging to the firm….the buzz was greater than what he felt with Archie….He didn’t know exactly what had taken place between Crimson and Weavers son, The bloke had been bleeding from his gut, but that hadn’t killed him. He’d probably shot himself in the gut….his neck was broken…He admired this woman so much, she was fearless, he wished he’d seen her in action….for the first time in his life he felt committed, Johnboy’s words flashed through his mind… ‘Only a few are suited to this life’….and today he knew he was one of those people…..

  Back at The Docket, I headed down to my flat to take a bath. The once scarlet blood that had oozed freely from his wound had dried, and I smelt like an abattoir. I discarded my clothes, and slid down into the hot soapy water. What, or who had sent me to Nancy’s? Today, yet another can of worms had been opened. I knew there would be severe backlash from the events. Had someone else been watching the house? Or had Weaver sent just one bloke to scare the shit out of a woman. If she hadn’t told him what he wanted, there was no doubt he’d have taken her out. Now when his son fails to show up, the need for revenge will be relentless and unceasing. I know they’re all connected Weaver, Reed and even Sean McRoy. I knew I was the main target, because I had the answers to so many questions. Doubling up security everywhere was essential. Keeping my mother safe was paramount, a picture of my mother wielding a gun flashed through my mind, which brought on a bout of hysterical giggling, it must be the reaction of the eventful day…..She was so gentle, she would never be capable of firing a weapon….Dressing quickly, I took to the stairs and back to the office….were my thoughts visible, there would be an inverse explosion, of crazy chaotic twists and turns….

  Weaver and Reed were at Smuts. ‘Where’s Ronnie, he should have been back hours ago.’ Weaver growled angrily. ‘Who was in that fucking house apart from the old woman?’

  ‘Why the fuck did you send him on his own.’ Reed replied.

  ‘Because the old girls always there on her own, so it should have been a piece of piss.’ He argued.

  ‘Well it couldn’t have been the bitch, she’s full of her new gym, and she hasn’t left the club today.’ Reed responded. ‘There’s a bloke watching The Docket all the fucking time.’

  ‘None of ‘em go near the brothel, I’ll send a couple of blokes over there now, they’ll soon sort it out.’ Weaver declared.

  ‘Don’t forget one of her heavies is George’s son.’

  ‘Yeah but they haven’t spoken for years.’ Weaver assured.

  ‘I wouldn’t take that as gospel. We need to find the old bastard, and maybe we should pick up the son. She’s a devious bitch, don’t forget that.’

  As I walked into the office I was relieved to see Johnboy, Billy and Jack were there. ‘We need to double up on security, as they won’t take this sitting down.’ I declared.

  ‘That’s already in hand lass.’ Billy assured.

  ‘Matt and Larry will keep us up to date with what’s taking place at the house.’ Jack added.

  ‘Weaver has to work out what the hell took place; he’s not the brain of Britain is he.’ Johnboy added with humour.

  ‘Any plans for the house yet lass?’ Billy asked.

  ‘Open to ideas, today was never planned; I’m still trying to work out what sent me there.’

  ‘I think we all know the answer to that girl.’ Johnboy gave one of his rare grins.

  ‘What will you do with George?’ Billy asked casually.

  ‘He’s in no fit state to go far, however I’ll tell the boys to leave the basement doors open. Maybe because Nancy had him locked in….I cannot imagine what goes on in his evil mind.’ I said bluntly. ‘They want him alive; mind you he’ll need watching…I’m not ready for him yet.’ As the words had tripped off of my tongue I was aware they didn’t all agree with the way I was handling George. I can see the
ir point, however I had my reasons, and I knew Johnboy understood. Not that any of them would question my reasons, they did understand. Taking him out would be simple…the sixteen years of my family suffering and the final truth being exposed, was absolutely necessary, indispensable….I drifted away from my thoughts as Janet joined us in the office. ‘Did Cedric find an empty flat for Nancy?’ I asked Janet. ‘Thank you so much for acting so quickly.’

  ‘Yes he’s going to put her in the small flat that Archie had, he said he’ll take her there tomorrow.’

  ‘Great, I’ll make sure she gets the market value for the house. Cedric will guide her with a new property, the further away the better.’

  ‘Where would she be if you hadn’t turned up there today?’ Billy added. ‘She’ll be living in clover after this.’

  ‘She wasn’t a part of what George did to my mother, even though she disliked us all. Somehow I can see why, two brothers and she picked the loser. There are usually reasons why people become rebellious, some are stronger than others. ‘I said quietly.

  ‘If George clears out, you could have more bedsits, like his old place.’ Jack suggested.

  ‘Trouble is Nancy has boarded up Clouds. ‘Janet added.

  ‘No problem, we can soon sort that.’ Johnboy said bluntly.

  ‘Wasn’t George’s name on the deeds of the brothel?’ Billy chipped in.

  ‘That’s sorted, Cedric’s seeing Rudy today, and he’ll sign.’ I assured. ‘Maybe best to hold off until this feud settles, they’ll be watching, let’s keep them guessing, nothing stopping us refurbishing the inside. Let’s see what their next move is.’