Backlash

by Charley Dee Brown

  As they both left the office, I hoped this was a mystery we could solve quickly, as the last thing we needed was more mobsters becoming involved. Re calling my first thought, I dialled Matilda’s number…..

  Chapter 18

  Archie had parked his car in a side road, since his recent weird encounter, he was being controlled by a voice in his head. A voice that terrified him….As he walked slowly towards Nancy’s house, the sound of footsteps stopped him abruptly. He could see a man emerging from the back of the building; he stood back in the shadows. The man was Larry, as he passed by Archie’s heart skipped a beat, he loved this man beyond words. Tonight he would prove he was a real man…the guttural voice screamed in his head…now get in there you wimp, show him what you’re made of…Archie took a step forward, he could see the back door was ajar, nervously he peered into the room….there was a man painting a door..That’s him you cunt, get on with it…Archie pulled the knife from his jacket…his reflection in the steel made his mind flick to Larry. The man hadn’t turned, his brush moved aimlessly on the door, the smell was stifling….do it now! There’s no time, if he turns you’ll be fucked….The coldness of the blade steadied Archie’s resolve. He’s shagging your man! Do it…NOW!

  The first stab of the knife hit Matt in the back, at once a fountain of red spouted from the wound…the paint can Matt was holding spun to the floor…blue paint mingling with the red….with each thrust of the knife, blood gushed with sickening determination from Matt’s body…his screams of pain were terrifying …they drove Archie on….Matt’s body was emptying of fluid…the blood flowed thickly through Archie’s fingers….the screaming had stopped…he must have died sometime ago…the voice in Archie’s head had also stopped..Just maniacal laughter now…..His body began to shudder …the violent red had stained his hands, the colour burned in his mind…what had he done? A sickness crawled within him, the remains of the man on the floor was lifeless….The smell was disturbing, blood, paint and he’d released his bowels…as Archie began to vomit…he felt someone grip his arm……

  Billy and Johnboy returned to the office, with no further information as to who George’s visitor was. They’d found the back door to Clouds locked. This seemed odd, as when Matt had been there earlier, the place was open.

  ‘I didn’t think you’d want us to break in lass.’ Billy offered.

  ‘No, not at this point, I’ll ring Matt later, and get him to watch the building.’ I assured.

  ‘The trouble is girl he probably won’t know who the bloke is.’ Johnboy added.

  ‘Well as soon as there’s any movement, one of you can go down and suss the place out. ‘As I finished speaking Jack walked into the room’

  ‘Anyone ready to eat?’ Jack suggested. ‘I’m starving.’

  ‘Yeah.’ Came the general reply. I was still feeling uneasy; however I didn’t want it to show. My earlier chat with Matilda, I felt had been slightly guarded, almost as though she was holding something back. Probably my imagination, I’m just waiting for the next offensive from the mob. As I stood up to walk through to the bar, the phone burst into action. The boys all stood still, I guess we’re all edgy. I lifted the receiver. ‘Hi…..OMG! No!!!........

  Larry had jogged back from the chip shop, he was starving. He’d decided to give Archie a ring later in the day, as he knew Crimson was upset about the rift between them, even though she’d assured him she understood. His meeting with Archie had changed his life, and he’d never forget that. As he neared the house, he could see the back door was still open, he had a hunch Matt must still be painting.…then the smell hit him….a glimpse inside the kitchen filled him with dread….he thought he was on the set of a horror movie…the putrid smell…his gut lurched, and a mixture of digestive fluids filled his mouth. He swallowed….trying to take in the horrific scene….the newspaper parcel of fish and chips dropped to the floor…he grabbed Archie’s arm and removed the knife from his bloodied hand…..Matt’s body was like a ghoulish mannequin, sprawled awkwardly….carved like a piece of meat…the smell was choking him..he swallowed hard again…..his hand trembled as he lifted the phone….

  Crimson told him to take Archie to the basement….They were all coming over….Archie’s brain had shut down, trapped in his own psychosis…he had frozen…Larry carried him like a child down the stairs…laying him on the bed. A brittle silence stretched like iced cords through the kitchen…he swallowed again….and then the sound of a vehicle…footsteps and voices….

  ‘What the fuck!’ Billy yelled.

  They were all shocked, speechless momentarily. Johnboy went out to the van; silent as despair, the three boys placed Matt’s remains into a body bag. I knew I had to get to grips with this hideous ordeal….Trembling, I rang our doctor, I needed a death certificate for Matt, no way was he going to the scrap yard….how the hell had this happened? Choking on the nauseating smell, I made my way to the basement to find Archie; he was the quiet helpless one, insanity had stolen his mind, like a deranged thief….. Opening the door, I felt for the light switch….my kid brother was laying face down on the floor…in a pool of blood….I shouted out….then I gently rolled him over…I felt a weak pulse in his neck….his wrists were slashed…Jack was the first one down the stairs.. ‘How has he done this Jack?’ I felt the sob leaving my voice, as I struggled to cope with yet another tragic incident.

  Jack held up a slither of broken glass, bloodied. ‘He’s broken the glass from a picture.’

  Johnboy came down to the basement, followed by the doctor, I stayed with him.

  ‘I need to take him with me Crimson.’ The doctor said quietly. ‘Will someone carry him out to my car?’

  As I grabbed a blanket from the bed, the doctor had attempted to stop the flow of blood from Archie’s wrists. ‘Will he make it?’ I asked cautiously.

  ‘I’ll do what I can lass, let’s get him out of here. The death certificate is on the table upstairs. This is a grim night Crimson, a grim night.’

  To me this was a catastrophic night, I felt as though I was living through a nightmare. I am watching them all without turning my head, I had to stay strong. Through a swirl of sickening fears, came my father’s voice, stay calm honey you can do this….

  Larry was in the yard outside, he’d thrown up in the dustbin several times, and he felt this was all down to him. He’d watched Johnboy carry Archie out to the doctor’s car. Archie wasn’t a killer, he was loving and kind, and he’d done this, as he once again went to the dustbin he felt an arm on his shoulder. ‘Larry this is not your fault, I know how you’re feeling, don’t punish yourself.’ I placed my arm around his shoulders, he was trembling. I could see the pain he was in, and I knew he was blaming himself. I also knew that Archie’s mind was unbalanced, maybe once again I was being guided…my brother had been so weak and delicate all of his life. He had never recovered from losing our mother; he had only been five years old. ‘Come inside, we all need to talk. Don’t worry you won’t have to stay here any longer, plans have changed.’

  The foul mess was cleared, Billy had made coffee, and we all sat around the table, deep in thought. The boys had stomachs of iron. The undertaker had Matt’s body, now I must arrange a funeral, and contact any relatives, find the fitting words….I knew the boys must all loathe my brother, and who could blame them. Matt was a great bloke, I felt for them all, especially Larry. I knew whatever I said, he would forever blame himself. Once again I needed to speak to Matilda….I took a long drink of my coffee. Tonight had been nonsensical, insane….The boys stayed silent, I didn’t blame them. ‘Larry you come back with us to the club tonight.’ I proposed. ‘You can have a room in Rudy’s flat, if that’s ok with you Jack?’

  ‘No problem lass.’ Jack replied.

  ‘I’ll speak to Cedric tomorrow, this house must go. We’re all aware we’ve been followed tonight, leaving anyone alone here tonight could prove fatal.’ I desperately wanted to thank them all for their understanding over Archie, however I knew it was the wrong thing to say. Deep
down they all wished him dead….God forbid…the thought flashed through my mind….would it be the kindest answer? My kid brother was possessed…who by? I had my own theory….

  ‘Shall we make a move girl?’ Billy suggested.

  ‘Yes maybe we should.’ I replied quietly. ‘We can all go in the van.’

  ‘I’ll take the bike Crimson.’ Larry added.

  ‘I’ll go with you mate.’ Jack added firmly.

  I locked all the doors, after I’d collected any relevant paperwork. I had a strong feeling that Nancy’s old knocking shop, would be procuring more visitors tonight….

  Ken Reed and his mate Jamie had watched the events of the night, outside of the old brothel. They’d seen a coffin removed from the house, and someone carted off in the back of a black limousine. The one thing they were sure of, the bitch owned the gaff. The last vehicle to leave was the van, followed by two of her heavies on a motorbike. The question now was, had they left anyone inside? Reed plastered a smile on his face. ‘Ok let’s go in.’

  ‘The front way, or the back?’ Jamie asked with sarcasm.

  ‘Tradesmen’s entrance of course.’ Reed gloated as he slammed the car door. Breaking in was easy, little did they know they were expected. With the kitchen door having been closed, the foul, offensive smell had lingered. ‘What the fuck’s gone on in here. ‘Reed growled as his nose twitched against the odour.

  ‘Fuck this mate I’m not hanging around in here.’ Jamie stated.

  ‘Now we’re in, we’ll take a good look round; you never know what we’ll find. You go upstairs and take a butchers, I’ll go down to the basement.’ Reed yelled as he made his way down the stairs. When he switched on the light, the first thing he saw was the amount of blood on the floor, broken glass, as none of this had been cleaned up. After a quick look in each room, the sour smell lingering, he headed back to the kitchen. ‘I reckon they’ve done old George in, blood and guts everywhere.’ Reed yelled.

  ‘There aint nothing upstairs, let’s get the fuck out of here.’ Jamie flared. ‘This gaff gives me the fucking creeps.

  No wait, if they’ve topped the old man, we can take this gaff over.’ Reed stated.

  ‘What the fuck do you want it for?’ Jamie said glibly.

  ‘I don’t you twat, but Weaver does.’ Reed assured, as he searched through the drawers and the cupboards. There’s fuck all here.’ He growled. ‘I’ll tell Weaver to get his fat arse in here tomorrow; there’ll be fuck all she can do once he’s in.’

  The next morning early, Johnboy and Billy made their way to Nancy’s, we’d all come to the same conclusion to board the place up, temporarily. Whoever had broken in the building last night, and whatever conclusions they’d drawn, we had to stay in front. I needed to see Matilda, Jack was sifting through paperwork. ‘Could you take me to Matilda’s on the bike, for an hour or so?’ I asked hopefully, as I knew he had work to do.

  ‘No problem lass, will it be ok if I drop you off for a while, then I can call in these debts.’ Jack said with a lopsided grin. ‘You can’t wait to take that bike out on your own.’

  ‘Absolutely.’ I added with a grin.

  ‘How about you drive it back then.’ He suggested.

  ‘Ok you’re on!’ As I went downstairs to my flat to change, I made a quick call to Matilda, telling her I was on my way. The doctor had rung to inform me that Archie was in a critical condition….I had to speak with Matilda….

  Jack dropped me off at the back of her flats; we arranged to meet in a couple of hours. He had collections to make, and I knew he enjoyed using the bike. Matilda’s face lit up as she unlocked the kitchen window.

  ‘It’s so good to see you lass, kettles on.’

  I gave her a peck on the cheek. ‘I have to speak to you about last night, so much took place.’

  ‘I know lass.’

  ‘You know?’I replied, as I watched her making the tea.

  ‘Sit down and tell me the whole story. Then I’ll explain my knowledge.’

  She poured the tea, as I defined the events of the previous evening. ‘The doctor rang this morning to inform me that Archie is still critical.’ I took a sip of my tea; Matilda looked to be deep in thought.

  ‘I have to tell you girl, Archie is possessed by an evil spirit, and the spirit is that of Seb. He’s inside the lads head, and without doubt, he’ll kill again.’

  ‘Is there anything you can do to help him?’ I asked fearfully.

  ‘If I attempted to, he would kill me.’ She sighed deeply. ‘Let me try to explain, in the spirit world, take your father, he connects with Ava and me, and he also guides you. Even though he watches over George, and haunts him, he doesn’t allow George to hurt others.’ She took a long drink of her tea. ‘With Seb, he is an evil spirit, Archie is weak and vulnerable, and he made it easy for Seb. He’s inside the lads head, he’ll make him destroy, Matt is just the beginning, the person he wants destroyed, is you girl.’

  ‘Archie would never hurt me.’ I interrupted.

  ‘It wouldn’t be Archie girl, it would be Seb. Archie is demonised.’

  ‘I could hold Archie off, I’m much stronger.’

  ‘My darling girl.’ Matilda grabbed both my hands. ‘You have to devise what you would do, if faced with the choice, Archie killing you, or you killing Archie.’

  ‘Bu..but if we kept him away somewhere.’

  ‘That is impossible lass….Seb won’t stop until you’re dead.’

  As I walked away from Matilda’s I was stunned with her revelations, I knew how much it had saddened her to tell me. I could see Jack waiting for me, I had always been with Johnboy at Matilda’s, and today I needed his assurance..

  ‘Are you ok lass?’ Jack enquired cautiously.

  ‘Not exactly Jack, could we go somewhere for a drink?’I asked pensively.

  ‘D’you want to drive lass?’ He responded.

  ‘No I’m ok.’ I fixed my helmet and silently slipped onto the pillion.

  Jack could see that Crimson was uneasy. Not wanting to go anywhere local for obvious reasons, he made a split decision and headed towards Hampstead Heath, and the Magdala, a decent pub. He was concerned what was troubling her, she was such a strong girl, and he admired that in her. She had her arms around his waist, she didn’t normally do this, and it was almost as though she was afraid of being alone. He liked this feeling…too much….However he knew he must stop any thoughts in that direction, He knew he would always be pulled towards her, he had been from the first day he’d set eyes on her. Jack had lived his life alone, after being brought up in children’s homes, never making connections. Although recently, being alone had become meaningless, and he’d become uniquely conscious of this beautiful girl. With her arms around him, sitting so close…she felt like a magnet…

  Inside the pub, which was quiet, I settled for a table in the far corner of the bar. I ordered a brandy; I’ve never been much of a drinker, a glass of wine with a meal. Today was different; I felt the need for a brandy…Matilda’s poison…. Jack placed the cognac glass in front of me, and then sat down opposite. I could see the concern in his eyes; if Johnboy were here, I would have told him everything…I needed to talk. When jack gave me the second brandy, the warm feeling inside gave me courage…I knew I had to come to terms with the plight I was facing. I observed Jack, quietly drinking his lager…then after another sip of the fiery liquid, I began to speak. It was almost as though someone was encouraging me….I repeated all of Matilda’s words, he listened in silence. At the end of my declaration I placed my hand over Jack’s ‘I’m so sorry to have unloaded all of this on you.’ A rare bizarre moment followed, where we both looked intensely into each other’s eyes. I quickly removed my hand and finished my drink, the fiery liquid burned as I swallowed…. ‘Maybe we should go back now; the others will wonder where we are.’ As I left the bar my head was filled with questions…they hung like music in my thoughts….what had just occurred?

  Larry arrived at the Hampstead House to collect Rudy, he hadn’t sl
ept, and he couldn’t get rid of the vile images of what Archie had done to Matt. How had someone so weak and loving turned into a psycho killer overnight? Each time the vivid picture flashed through his mind, his stomach lurched. Patsy made him a coffee, while he waited for Rudy to collect his gear. Their next job was at Clouds, watching the gaff, to see what evil George was up to.

  ‘You’re quite lad, have you had a bad night?’ Ava asked cautiously.

  ‘Yeah sorry a bit tired.’ He agreed.

  No way could he mention what had taken place at Nancy’s last night, the fact her son was fighting for his life. Let alone telling her that her son had turned into a violent killer. As Rudy appeared in the kitchen, Larry sighed inwardly with relief. ‘I’ve bought you a helmet mate, as we’re on the bike.’

  ‘It seems we’ll all be using bikes soon.’ Rudy quipped. ‘Not that I mind.’ He added.

  When they arrived at Clouds, Larry took the bike round the back of the building. Rudy opened the shed up and they piled a few pallet boards up to sit on. Then Larry informed an astounded Rudy, as to what had taken place he previous night……

  As soon as Billy and Johnboy drove around the back of Nancy’s, it was clear the back door had been kicked in. Once inside Billy rang for the firm to board the place up. ‘This is a right fuck up mate.’ Billy said angrily. ‘No way did Matt deserve to cop it last night, he was a good bloke. I hope that fucking bastard kid snuffs it!’

  ‘I doubt he’ll pull through, he’s always been a weirdo.’ Johnboy added.

  ‘The girl won’t let him die, if there’s a choice, maybe time we stepped in and made the fucking decision for her.’ Billy said gruffly. ‘If we don’t make a stand, who knows what the fucker will do next.’

  As much as he loved Crimson, Johnboy knew Billy was right… ‘I know you’re right mate, let’s play it by ear.’

  Billy knew Johnboy was unaware of his relationship with Crimson, he liked the man, and they’d been mates for years. Nevertheless this had to be sorted, and he trusted Johnboy to be with him. There would always be a way…….