Archie stood back…now you fucker! That’s him!...the first thrust of the knife met flesh…soft and pudgy….the cry was an agonised roar….Archie twisted the blade in deeper and deeper…until his victim dropped to his knees…blood flowing freely from the gaping hole in his back…his skin was tearing to shreds, as Archie pushed the black handle into the flesh…the plea for mercy had long stopped….Archie was stained with blood…the lifeless body lay face down in the blood soaked filth….then the nausea hit Archie and as he began to vomit….the back door swung open……
I woke with a start, I could feel the presence of the chilling knife around my throat…I could hear my own heavy breathing and the sweat from my forehead was enough to fill an entire bottle….it was a nightmare….I screamed No! Archie No!....though my eyes are open I can’t think why my heart is pounding and my mind is empty…a sudden touch to my arm, makes me jerk awake to see Johnboy standing over me….my reaction was to pull him down towards me…..he wrapped his arms around me…. ‘I heard you call out lass.’ He whispered softly in my ear.
Chapter 22
Coleen stood in the doorway, she’d heard a scream. The night had brought an unrelenting darkness, the air was thick and the temperature had dropped…it was then she heard the hideous sound…someone heaving…her eyes straining to focus in the blackness of the night….then the sound of footsteps pounding on the gravel…the movement, it was timeless and indistinct…like a shifting shadow…it was then she saw the shape of a body…moving slowly forwards…she could see the man was lying face down in the filth…the smell was the most disturbing thing she’d ever sniffed…..it was then the lifeless body…so still on the earth….flesh torn apart…she realised this mass of gore was the remains of her father. The scream tore through her like a shard of glass….her pulse quickened…the scream came again…desperate and terrified. Then the nausea crept from her stomach to her head….and the world went black……
Billy was uneasy, with the knowledge Archie could be on the loose. If Weavers mob had snatched him, surely they would have heard by now. He knew Jack had planned to meet the bloke Steve at the Mailcoach, so he intended to tail him. Billy and trust didn’t mix. He’d resolved to arrive at the pub before Jack, so there would be no chance of them being connected. Billy noticed the vast change in bar staff; the young girl had been replaced by eighteen stone of solid muscle, with a gleaming bald head, and gold crucifixes hanging from his oversized ears. Billy ordered a pint, and then sat up at the bar with his newspaper. There were a couple sitting at a small table by a window, apart from that, the bar was empty. When Jack walked in, Billy kept reading his sports page; there was no sign of the dude Steve.
Jack was taken aback when he met with the bulk behind the bar; he’d expected to see Coleen. After ordering a pint, he moved over to the far end of the bar, he could feel the bulks eyes burning into his back. Who was this arsehole? Taking a long drink of his lager, he scanned the notice board. He could feel trouble brewing, something was amiss. He glanced over at Billy, who appeared engrossed in his paper. The pub was unusually quiet. Instinct was telling Jack to fuck off …it was at that moment he felt the presence of someone close to him…too fucking close….and then he felt the barrel of the gun pressed hard against his temple…what the fuck!
Archie was burnt out, he was back in the old house, debilitated, and he had no memory of finding his way back. As he opened his eyes his limbs flexed in shock…there was liquid in them…around his body….He went to stand...but his legs gave way to weakness…then he realised what the liquid was…the stench…vomit…the retching continued….the coldness of the air is apparent…the foul odour dominates…..the voice was back…I am your worst nightmare…I know what makes you tick…I can control you like a remote toy…only when you have become the person your old self would have loathed… beyond all others…when you’ve killed the final person…I will disappear…because that will be the end of my fucking game…… through the vile odour…Archie struggled to muster his brain power…all he could see was rotting flesh….blood oozing from the rusted knife….where was the knife? The voice had stopped….for now…fear clutched him…and he closed his eyes…..a different voice…a warm voice…his breathing became erratic…deep, then shallow…the voice came again….soothing….his mother….each time he heard her he became stronger…trying to cope…her tone as warm and tender as a wound…..he cried out…..and then there was silence…oblivion……
Johnboy had stayed with me for the rest of the night…the dream was grotesque. When I opened my eyes he handed me a mug of coffee. ‘How you feeling lass?’ He asked anxiously. ‘Your scream was so loud, it’s a wonder you didn’t wake the boys.’
‘Maybe they heard me.’ I replied sheepishly. ‘I hope not.’
‘I doubt it lass, I was already awake, so I moved fast. You must have had a nightmare, do you remember?’
‘Yes it was Archie; he had a knife at my throat.’ I took a sip of my coffee. ‘The only place I can think of that he could be hiding out…is the scrap yard…what do you think?’
‘Dougie would have been in touch, surely.’
‘Not necessarily, the way Archie is, terrifies me, I don’t want anyone else falling spell to his violence.’
‘Ok lass I’ll go over there and have a word, you stay in the club though.’ He gently squeezed my arm. A feeling washed over me, that I should be doing something, my dad put me in charge of his empire and what am I doing…..zero…this must change…and today!
Billy had the measure of things, it was a fucking set up, the cunt holding a gun to Jacks head hadn’t walked through the fucking door, he’d come from the back of the building. He was tall, scrawny with thin lips, sunken into his sallow skin, and thick eyebrows that met in the middle…Jack was young, fit and strong…and Billy knew he’d make a move. There was stillness on both sides; if hatred was visible the air would have been scarlet…then he saw eyebrows press the gun harder into Jacks head. Billy shoved his empty glass towards muscles yelling ‘Fill it!’ As muscles reluctantly took the glass, Billy heard movement from the side of him….with a quick glance he saw the bloke from the table approaching…Billy shot him in the leg, he screamed like a girl…..muscles froze…Billy held the gun to his head……
At the same time….Jack swung a punch at his attacker, they struggled on the floor…and then a shot rang out….Jack felt the blood run over his hand, the thick fluid…no warmer, or cooler than his own skin…a second shot….Jacks assailant was lying across him…..Jack heaved him off…. He was dead…blood gushing from his wounds….he’d shot himself…..maybe with a little help from Jack…. …
The man in the background was still sobbing like a pussy…..his bird was leaning over him…..Billy dropped the gun from muscles head and swiftly knocked him out…. ‘Hold on mate.’ Billy said gruffly, as he pulled a small glass bottle from his pocket….emptying the contents onto muscles crutch…the acid hissed as it hit the spot…the screams was piercing…. ‘Let’s get out of here!’ Billy didn’t play by the rules…there were no rules…when you’d been stitched up!
After Ken Reed heard Coleen’s screams, he’d rushed outside the back of the club. He’d found the girl collapsed in the cold gravel…it was then the putrid smell hit him, the sight that next met his eyes shocked him speechless. His best mate and brother in law, was lying there with his guts sliced to ribbons…Reeds face fell faster than a corpse in cement boots. In that instance he shook in disbelief and fell backwards…who the fuck had done this to Jamie? Suddenly reality hit him, he’d heard about Archie Brook being possessed by the bastard devil…had he done this? Reed had never believed in ghosts, to him it was a load of crap…..nevertheless, word on the street claimed Brook was doing the devils work. A chill ran down his spine, and for the first time in his life, fear had gripped him like a vice. He couldn’t breathe; he felt as though someone was chocking him….The absolute horror completely paralysed him….mortality! He’d lost touch with how long he’d been there…until someone grabbed h
is arm.
Sean McRoy was horror struck when he realised what had taken place in his own back yard. He’d never seen Reed fall apart before. Sean had heard the buzz, words of scandal spread like a spot of oil. Archie was the girl Crimsons fucking brother, enough said; Daley had told him she was a decent girl. Until now he’d believed that…Daley had also told him that the old girl called Matilda was ok, he was engaged to her back in the day. Some say she’s a witch…he was filled with doubt now…his daughter Adeen’s husband had just been wiped out, gutted like a fucking fish…the desire for revenge was paramount….His family were destroyed by this hideous killing….where was the cunt hiding out? The only places he could think of was The Docket, or the old girl Matilda’s place, Daley would tell him where she lived. He had to be found and butchered in the same way. So he needed to find a torturer, with a penchant for causing pain…someone born in the darkness, who would never see the light…hatred! He knew the plan was for the girl’s minder to meet them in the Mailcoach tomorrow. He had to work fast, the fuckers could all die, the sooner the better!
Reed had been in the Mailcoach when Jack had arrived. He’d set the three men up that Sean had dragged in, they had cost a bundle. The big muscle bastard was the maimer. They’d been told exactly how to play it….Reed hadn’t planned on Jack having backup, he’d locked the fucking pub door himself. After hearing the shots and the screams he was convinced Jack was a goner. It was only when he heard the bloke shout… ‘Let’s get out of here.’ That he realised something was amiss. He kept out of the way; the fear was still with him….where had Sean found these fucking goons? One was dead, the big bastard had had his balls baked with acid, and the third had been shot in the leg, and was howling like a teenage girl! Reed knew there was only one way to solve this, he had to hire the right men….and then walk into The Docket while it was open and take over! He knew everyone had their price…now he had to find them…and fast!
D.I.Turner was sitting in my office when I walked in. ‘Good morning.’ I said as cheerfully as I could muster, although he’s a bent copper, you always know troubles brewing when he turns up. ‘What do I owe this pleasure?’
‘I’ve come to warn you, your brother’s on the wanted list. Word has it he’s going crazy with a knife; someone was stabbed to death last night.’ Turner declared.
‘Do you have a body?’ I asked with a hint of sarcasm.
‘Not yet, but the yard have received calls, just letting you know lass, as I would have done your father.’
He’d always been a good informant in the past, and I knew he was waiting for a bung. So I opened my desk drawer and took out a sealed envelope, there was a ton inside. As I handed him the bung I said pleasantly. ‘I appreciate your concern, keep me informed.’
He tipped his hat and left the office. So had someone been stabbed last night….had her dream been realistic? As Janet came into the office the phone burst into life.
‘Good Morning, The Docket.’ I said with concern.
‘Hello is that Crimson?’ The voice was low and appealing.
‘Yes this is Crimson, how can I help?’
‘It’s Daley, Daley Malone, Mattie’s friend. I have to talk to you, urgent like.’ Came his rather breathless reply.
‘What’s wrong Daley?’ I tried to encourage him. ‘You sound troubled.
‘My cousin Sean has just rung me, he wants Mattie’s address.’ I heard him take a deep breath. ‘You see Jamie, his son in law was slashed to death last night outside Scrubs, and they think your brother done it.’
‘That’s quite a statement Daley, and why would he want Mattie’s address?’ OMG…Jamie was dead…the horror struck me, but I had to hold it together.
‘Sean thinks he could be hiding out with her, he thinks she’s a witch.’ His voice was tremulous. ‘I lied and said Mattie had recently moved to the coast. I know my cousin, he’ll be over here soon and all hell will break lose.’ He began to cough. ‘I’ll never give him Mattie’s address; you know how I feel about her girl.’
‘Ok Daley just stay with the story that she’s moved.’ My mind was working overtime, and a plan had already formed.
‘Trouble is girl; Sean will likely beat it out of me.’ Once again he began to cough. ‘Just get her somewhere safe and quick, I have to go his cars just pulled up outside.’
The line went dead, poor old sod, I so wanted to help him, however now I had to put my plan in action...first an urgent phone call and then Johnboy…..
Janet looked puzzled as she listened to my phone call. ‘Sorry Janet I’ll explain the whole story in a jiffy, just need to speak to Johnboy first.’ I dashed over to the garage and as predicted Johnboy was working on the van engine. I gave him the lowdown on my conversation with Daley, and what I’d arranged, he left immediately. As I made my way back to the office I heard a taxi pulling up, Billy and Jack jumped out…
The boys described what had taken place in the Mailcoach earlier. Janet interrupted. ‘I was about to tell you Crimson, that I checked who’d bought the tenancy of that pub, no other than Sean McRoy.’
‘Well there’s a surprise.’ Billy added. ‘But why the set up, he’d wanted Jack on their side?’
‘Jamie was stabbed to death outside Scrubs last night. Need I say more?’
‘Fucking hell!’ Billy yelled. ‘We have to find him girl…or else.’
I filled them in with Daley’s call. ‘Johnboy’s over at Matilda’s flat now, we’ve arranged for the place to be boarded up temporarily. Then he’s going to Hampstead to speak with her.’
‘Will he tell her…about the flat?’ Janet asked gingerly.
‘No, as you know she’s a tough lady, nevertheless she’s eighty three years old. He’ll speak to my mother and make sure that Matilda and Herby stay at Hampstead. ‘I assured. ‘My other concern is Daley, he may be Sean’s cousin, however the old boys in bad health, and again in his eighties.’
‘Can we do anything?’Jack asked.
‘Johnboy’s going to get his address from Matilda, and then we can check up on him.’
‘This is all coming to a head girl, so we need to be prepared.’ Billy added.
‘Do you think Weaver is still involved with Reed?’ Jack questioned.
‘Weaver’s more concerned with George and taking over his club Clouds, he doesn’t have the back up and he’s brasic.’ Billy stated.
‘Well that’s a lost cause, because when George is gone, that clubs future is already set up.’ I replied with a half smile. They all looked at me in surprise…I decided that now was not the time to intensify the subject……
Johnboy had stayed at Matilda’s flat until it was securely boarded up. He knew his old friend would be heartbroken to see her home, of so many years, ripped apart. He also knew that if anyone hurt a hair on the old lady’s head, he would do for them….All she’d ever done was help, and having her spiritual connections was a bonus to them all. Johnboy loved her, he’d never had the closeness of a mother, or grandmother in his life, Matilda had fulfilled them both. As he pulled up at the back of the Hampstead house, he knew he had to be cautious, guarded with his words. As always he was welcomed by them all, he’d had a few words with Rudy and Larry before he went inside. ‘Johnboy you have to stay for lunch.’ Ava insisted.
The conversation was easy throughout the meal; however he wanted to speak to Matilda alone. Unfortunately this became a problem, as they had all moved into the front room, and Patsy was serving coffee. His break came when Ava announced she was going for a rest. ‘Johnboy I have some items I’d like you to take to Crimson, if you come with me I’ve done them up in a parcel.’
‘Of course Ava, in fact I’d better say goodbye to you all, and thanks for the lovely meal.’ Johnboy had only learned the etiquettes of family life since his close involvement with Crimson….a totally different world for a gangster.
‘Come in and close the door lad.’ Ava urged. ‘I know why you’re here, although I don’t want Matilda to worry. Having said that I’m aware she knows
more than any of us.’ Ava pointed to the chair next to her bed. ‘Please sit for a moment and hear me out.’ Ava sighed deeply. ‘I’m aware of what Archie is doing; Harry speaks to me through the spirit world every night.’
‘Ava, someone else was stabbed last night. ’
‘I know.’ She replied blandly.
Johnboy went on to explain the situation to date, over Daley and Matilda. ‘She must stay here Ava; Crimson is so worried for her.’
‘That’s not a problem lad, it won’t be for long, this feud is coming to a head. Soon it will all be over.’ As she spoke she looked distant, dreamy even. ‘I know where my son is, however, I cannot tell you yet, you have to trust me…..they won’t find him…only I can do that. You need to protect The Docket….leave Archie to me.’ She handed him a small parcel. ‘Take care lad and give my love to Crimson.’
As Johnboy left the Hampstead house he was totally baffled, what had Ava meant….what was really going on? Did she know where Archie was? Feeling unable to question her, he had no choice but to let Crimson make the decisions, although he knew if Billy had heard those words he would have acted differently, to him there would have been no respect for hurting feelings…not when people were being impaled…..
Stan Weaver had heard the rumours that the bitch’s brother, the weakling, had turned murderer. He wasn’t sure about this. He knew Reed was planning a surge on The Docket, he was more interested in George fucking Brook, he knew the bastard was close to snuffing it, all he wanted was to move into his club Clouds. He only had one son left, and he was a crack head, worse than useless. Today he intended to pay George a visit, The Ava woman was abroad, so no chance of finding her. His old lady had scarpered, and the knocking shop had been sold and boarded up. So all George had left was Clouds, and that was worth a good few bob….With Reeds interests resting on The Docket, the way was clear for him to take Clouds…..
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