Backlash

by Charley Dee Brown

  Chapter 20

  Ava replaced the receiver from her second phone call of the day. Her first call had been from Crimson, her beautiful daughter, and then Matilda her true and trusted friend. Ava was aware that everyone was keeping her wrapped in cotton wool, she knew why, and appreciated how much they cared for her well being. Although what none of them realised was, that she knew more than any of them. During her call with Crimson, her daughter had avoided mentioning Archie’s name, and she’d let this go, as she knew this was Crimson’s way of protecting her. However, Ava was already aware that her son had been demonised by Seb, Harry A her beloved husband, contacts her every day through the spirit world. They had promised each other there would be no more secrets. She chose to let them all think she was defenceless, and vulnerable. What they hadn’t established, was that she knew more than any of them. She’d arranged for Mattie and Herby to come and stay with her for a few days, she was thrilled, because at long last she would be able to finally put the record straight. Her intentions were to share everything with Mattie; she already knew the dear lady had been recording her biography to date. Bless Mattie; she was eighty three years old, nevertheless perspicacious, a truly wise and vigilant woman. After spending the time together, Mattie would know everything, well almost….as there was one revelation she would hold back…..until the time was right…..Ava’s fears had all dispersed, and she was aware that her memoirs would stun the toughest of men….She smiled to herself, she knew she must complete her journals before her mother returned from Sweden, as she tended to interfere. Ava’s greatest wish was to have courage like her daughter, alas that was not so, that’s why she had chosen Mattie to portray her mysteries….and reveal her hidden knowledge….knowledge like religion, must be experienced to be known…..

  Larry pulled up in The Docket car park at the same time as Jack, both on bikes, it was turned midnight. ‘You’re late.’ Jack hinted.

  ‘Yeah, I’ve been hanging around at Clouds; Rudy’s decided to kip there tonight. In the hopes he can catch the old blokes out.’

  ‘Who the fucks that?’ Jack pointed towards the basement steps.

  ‘No idea, the van’s still out.’

  They both looked at each other in the dim light, suddenly reality kicked in. within seconds they were on the basement steps. The door had just closed, to gain entrance you required a key, Crimson had seen to that during the refurbishment. Once inside they could see somebody heading towards Crimsons flat. Without a word they both ran, her flat door was open, the scene before them was unbelievable…shocking….Archie was standing over Crimson, he was holding six inches of cold steel, murderous even in the making…..he was about to plunge the blade into his sister….Jack grabbed his arm from behind, there was stillness from both sides, then Archie plunged the knife….Larry grabbed him…and recognition kicked in, Archie ran, Larry followed behind…..Jack’s arm was oozing blood, Crimson had grabbed a towel to stop the flow of blood….the silence was deafening….they both just sat on the side of the bed…stunned beyond belief…..it was as if the impact had knocked every wisp of air from my lungs…now I’m trying to remember how to breath, totally stunned, as Archie’s name bounces around inside my skull! I would be dead now if the boys hadn’t returned….looking towards Jack, I threw myself into his arms…..

  Johnboy was tense, an unusual feeling , as not much fazed him. However they’d been away from the office all day, and it was now well after midnight. Billy wouldn’t rest, Archie had scarpered, and they’d searched around to no avail. ‘The little bastard could be hiding out anywhere.’ Billy yelled

  ‘No mate you need to think what Seb would do next, he’s the one ruling his head. We ought to head back.’

  ‘Not yet the bastards around here somewhere, that fucking bed was warm. All this ghost stuff gives me the creeps.’ Billy added angrily.

  Johnboy had an eerie feeling, he needed to get back, the bastard could have got to Crimson. Archie had all the keys, fear felt like a nightmare that had yet to be dreamt. ‘Where d’you think he’d be heading then mate, he wouldn’t have busted out the clinic to walk the fucking streets. He’d be heading for The Docket!’

  ‘Ok then, let’s get back. I promise you I’ll finish that little fucker off.’ Billy added angrily.

  They drove back in silence, each deep in their own thoughts. As they pulled up in the car park, Johnboy noticed the lights on in the basement, without a word he rushed towards the steps, Billy close on his heels. All the lights were blazing through the passageway; on reaching Crimson’s flat he could see the door was open. The sight that met his eyes, made his heart lurch, she was sitting next to Jack on the bed, and his arm was around her. His other arm was wrapped in a blood soaked towel….He should have been with her, he felt sick….the gut feeling he had was jealousy….and guilt.

  Jack described what had taken place. ‘So where the fuck is he?’ Billy asked bluntly. ‘Why did you let him get away?’ he added without thought.

  ‘We’ll discuss this in the morning.’ I managed to mutter the words. ‘Would one of you take Jack to get his arm stitched?’

  Billy and Jack left the flat silently…..

  ‘I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you lass.’ Johnboy said softly. ‘I’ll stay with you until this is solved. ‘As he spoke the last few words, he silently cursed himself, why had he said until this is solved? He meant he’d never leave her side….never before had he wanted them all to know they were a couple…he’d rather die than lose her. ‘Would you like a drink?’ He urged, why did he feel so useless.

  I wanted to say so much, though I felt too distraught, the reality of what had taken place was inconceivable. I gently squeezed his hand as I lay down on the bed. I closed my eyes and silently prayed that oblivion would help me drift into a dreamless sleep….

  Johnboy pulled the covers over her, this beautiful woman that had changed his life forever. He would give his life for her, he should have been there to protect her, not roaming the streets with Billy….Jack had been with her, he’d saved her, and the emulous feeling was knawing at his guts….He went into the lounge and closed the front door, he checked for his gun, then lay on the sofa. The dark consumed, though sleep still eluded. After a tortured eternity the room began to get lighter, his mind was regurgitating the worries of the day ahead, he had no brilliant solutions….

  The following morning, there was no sign of Larry. Jack’s arm had been stitched at the hospital, he’d told the doctor his hand had slipped while he was working. No more questions were asked. Janet was astounded when she heard what had taken place after she’d gone home. Once again Billy was the first to speak. ‘We have to find him girl, or he’ll take us all one by one.’

  ‘I know you’re right Billy, however that may prove difficult. We should all stay here today.’ I said anxiously. ‘By the way where is Larry?’

  ‘He didn’t return last night lass.’ Jack informed. ‘I need to go out lass; I didn’t get a chance to put you in the picture about yesterday.’

  ‘That sounds serious Jack; you were meeting the new chap, so didn’t he turn up?’

  ‘Well someone turned up; first I need you to tell me Janet, about the man you interviewed.’ Jack probed.

  ‘He was a normal run of the mill Londoner, his background checked out, why?’

  ‘Well the bloke who turned up was a scouser, which immediately set the alarm bells ringing. I soon sussed him out, however I stayed with it, the bloke Steve, was as thick as two short planks. ‘He gave a lopsided grin. ‘Obviously I told him nothing; I went to a couple of fake addresses, and left him outside. He showed no interest in my work. By around six o’clock, he asked if I fancied a beer, I agreed. He told me he drank at the Mailcoach. Once inside everything started to fall into place, the girl behind the bar was no other than Coleen, McRoy’s granddaughter. Now if you recall, she had no idea who I was, when I met her at Scrubs, the night I went with Larry. In fact I told her a cock and bull story.’

  ‘Who else was in the pub?’ Bi
lly asked.

  ‘No one I recognised, though I guessed it was a set up. So I played dumb.’

  ‘You could have been in trouble Jack.’ I stated with concern.

  ‘I could have taken him out with one hand behind my back. Jack assured.

  ‘He could have had a shooter. ‘I insisted.

  Jack grinned and tapped his chest. ‘I’m always prepared girl. I let them feel I was totally sucked in.’

  ‘Did he mention Reed or Weaver?’ Billy asked.

  ‘No, but he referred to Sean McRoy, said he was looking for heavies. I knew then I was onto something.’

  ‘But Sean’s looking for his son’s murderer.’ I added.

  ‘Yes that’s as maybe girl, but he’s also in with Reed, his son in law is Reed’s best mate. I didn’t like the look of him from the first glance. ‘Billy assured. ‘So did he say any more mate?’

  ‘After he’d sunk a few pints he was on a roll, a total blockhead. Asked me how much I’d want to work for McRoy.’

  ‘Be careful mate.’ Johnboy said bluntly.

  ‘Don’t worry, I’ve got a plan, I’m meeting this Steve again today. I’ve already told him McRoy couldn’t afford me, after a few more beers he’ll squeal like a pig. By the way I had to tell Coleen I’d see her at the club on Saturday night.’

  ‘Ok mate, where are you meeting him, I’ll be around, no worries.’ Billy confirmed.

  Rudy had walked into the office, mid conversation. ‘What’s going on?’

  After I put him in the picture, he said he’d go with Billy. ‘Nothing going on at Cloud’s lass, where’s Larry?’

  ‘Sorry Rudy, we haven’t seen him since last night.’ I added.

  ‘When we found Archie about to knife you girl, Larry screamed for him to stop, I grabbed Archie’s arm, he plunged the knife at me, then he fled, Larry chased after him.’

  ‘Another butchered body laying somewhere, poor sod.’ Billy said angrily.

  I didn’t want to speak about the subject anymore, well not right now; thoughts were twisting like snakes in my brain. ‘Ok, let’s all meet up again this evening.’

  Janet went into her office, which just left me and Johnboy. ‘Would you like coffee lass?’

  ‘Yes please.’

  While we drank our coffee, I opened up to Johnboy about my thoughts. ‘When I woke last night and saw Archie standing over me with the knife, I knew how I was going to react. I believe he’d only been there for moments; however I also believe he wanted me to see it was him, before he began to stab me.’

  ‘How were you going to react lass, if Jack and Larry hadn’t appeared?’ Johnboy asked cautiously.

  ‘I can’t believe I’m going to say this, I would have killed him….my own brother. I didn’t see him as my brother; all I could see was the devil.’

  Johnboy’s arms went around me, and as much as I tried to hold it in, the pain came out like an uproar from my throat, in the form of a silent scream….the beads of salty water started falling down one after another…without a sign of stopping. Johnboy held me close…..

  It was midday when Larry walked into the office, he was expecting to be thrown out, nevertheless he owed Crimson the truth. ‘Larry thank God you’re ok.’ I said with relief. ‘We all feared you’d been killed.’

  ‘I’m sorry Crimson, I need to tell you what took place, I know I should have finished him off.’ He rambled.

  ‘Hey slow down mate, take a breath.’ Johnboy urged. ‘I’ll get us all a coffee, then you can explain.’

  ‘I know I’ve let you down lass.’ The colour had drained from his face. ‘You see I’ve never killed anyone in my life.’

  Johnboy returned with the coffee. ‘Ok now take your time.’ He prompted, as he handed him a mug. ‘Just fill in the blanks mate.’

  ‘When me and Jack found Archie standing over you lass, it all happened so quick, Jack grabbed Archie’s arm, at the same time I yelled his name. He plunged the knife, which embedded into Jack’s arm, I yelled again, there was a scuffle, Archie ran, I followed. For a moment I thought he recognised my voice…he ran fast, I caught up with him outside, as I made a grab for him, he threw a punch, then he sank to the ground into the darkness.’ He sighed deeply, and then drank thirstily. ‘I know I should have killed him, he was going to kill you lass.’ His eyes were weighted with unshed tears. ‘I’m gutless I couldn’t do it, so I picked him up and carried him to the road. I hailed a cab; I had to assure the driver he wasn’t drunk.’

  ‘Where did you take him Larry?’ I asked cautiously. ‘Take your time.’

  ‘The flat, Dollis Hill, I had a key. He was out cold, so I carried him in, he was like a rag doll, I lay him on the bed. I sat on the sofa; I was knackered and must have dropped off.’ Sadness clouded his features. ‘When I opened my eyes I could see the daylight, my mind was a blur at first, until I realised where I was. I opened the bedroom door; Archie was still dead to the world…. I noticed his big bunch of keys on the coffee table, so I grabbed them as I left the flat….I am so sorry for letting you down lass’ He said guiltily, and pushed the keys towards her.

  ‘Larry please no way have you let me down, it would have taken a hardened gangster to have killed Archie.’ I knew I was exaggerating, as most of the boys would have done it willingly. However Larry was a decent man, and he was honest, he hadn’t been hired as a killer. If circumstances had been different, he no doubt would have reacted comparably. I knew this man was filled with guilt, Archie had been his lover. At least now we knew where he was, for now anyway, also he no longer had the keys…to the club, or Hampstead, or the properties.

  ‘Get yourself a meal and a have a cleanup mate, we’ll talk later.’ Johnboy suggested. ‘Bringing the keys back is a bonus.’

  When he’d left the office I knew the dilemma was still with us, although as Johnboy had said, having his keys was a bonus…..

  Johnboy knew the only answer was to take him out, before the devil reared its ugly head, and he knew exactly who would take care of that….the sooner the better…he couldn’t watch the lass suffer any more….

  Chapter 21

  We were about to order a meal when the phone burst into action. Matilda’s voice sounded troubled. ‘I’m so glad I’ve caught you lass, Herby’s on his way to collect me, we’re going to stay at Hampstead for a while. Things have transformed girl, seriously.’

  ‘Whatever’s happened?’ I asked with concern.

  ‘I don’t have long, so listen up, Daley’s been on the phone, and he’s warned me and Herby to leave our homes, for safety’s sake. You can no longer trust Sean McRoy, Daley says he’s between a rock and a hard place. Reed is running the show now, they plan to take The Docket, they’re all involved girl. As we speak they’re trying to get Jack on their side.’

  ‘Jack won’t go.’ I interrupted.

  ‘I know he wouldn’t normally lass, I have to tell you something, are you alone?’

  ‘Johnboy’s just about to order us a meal.’ I forced a smile; and he nodded and left the office. ‘Now I’m alone, you are making me anxious.’

  ‘Listen girl, I’ve kept this information concealed for a reason, however it’s time to share with you. This is not the time for you and Johnboy to go public with your relationship. As the last thing you need at the moment is animosity between your boys.’

  ‘But…why…how?’ I stuttered.

  ‘Jack’s in love with you, so until this feud is settled, you need to be extra careful. He mustn’t know about you and Johnboy as it could tip him over the edge. Be amiable, please try and understand what I’m saying lass.’

  ‘Jack’s never shown an interest in having a relationship?’ I questioned.

  ‘That’s as maybe, he respects you, my thoughts are he’s fallen in love and is unsure how to deal with his feelings. You are easy to love lass.’

  ‘There have been a couple of moments…lately…I’m confused.’

  ‘Hold onto that thought. I contemplated that you’d realised.’

  ‘No not at
all, I’m useless at defining men’s feelings, look how long it took me with Johnboy.’

  ‘You need all the boys to stay together and support you now; you’re not just up against Weaver and his mob, Reed and Sean McRoy also. According to Daley, they plan to hit on The Docket, they also know about Archie. Stay strong, I’ll ring you from Hampstead, please ask Johnboy to keep an eye on my flat.’

  ‘Give my love to them all at Hampstead, take care Matilda.’

  ‘I must go, Herby’s just turned up, Remember don’t go public now.’

  Her final words stuck in my head, did anyone else know about me and Johnboy? There had been those recent moments with Jack, that had left me feeling odd…I can’t share my reservations with anybody…I have to get to grips with this myself…we all knew things would eventually come to a head….darkness washed over me..It was the chill of fear…was I truly that naïve where men were concerned? The thoughts were clouding my judgement….if only my dad was here. At that moment Johnboy walked back into the office with a tray of food….the desire for food had long gone….all I felt was a twisted knot in my stomach….and I couldn’t say a word…..

  As arranged Jack met up with Steve in the Mailcoach, he was aware that Billy and Rudy were already seated in the bar, both reading newspapers. He purposely didn’t look in their direction. Steve placed a pint of lager in front of Jack, and then promptly took a crumpled envelope from his inside pocket, pushing it towards Jack. ‘What’s that?’ Jack responded, although he surmised it was a bribe.