The Downfall Series Box Set

by Edie Baylis

  Anna shook her head. “I don’t know...”

  “Why don’t you know?” Seth roared. “And where’s Toby?”

  Anna smiled weakly. “He’s upstairs asleep.”

  Seth nodded, slightly placated and sat down at the kitchen table.

  “Let me get you a drink,” Anna said, her face hurting from the smile she was continually forcing over her face. The last thing she wanted to do was wait on this man who might have killed her mother. “Whisky?”

  She grated her teeth as she walked to the cabinet to fetch the bottle of whisky. Judging by Seth’s mood, he wouldn’t care whether his drink came from the bottle instead of the decanter.

  Whether she liked it or not, she had to remain under this roof. She’d done what Tina had asked and now had to wait for the opportunity to put the rest of what she’d requested into motion. She didn’t pretend to understand why she’d been asked to do the things she had, but no longer cared. She needed to do what Tina said without question. Or guilt.

  “Some mail came for you today,” Anna said quietly as she handed Seth an extra-large measure of his favourite whisky.

  Seth’s head shot up. “Where is it?”

  “I put it all on Jane’s desk in her study. Most of it was for her. Sorry - I should have sorted it.”

  “No matter,” Seth muttered, downing the whisky in one.

  Rapidly leaving the room he strode up the stairs to Jane’s office, seeing a pile of mail sitting on top of a green folder on the desk. Recognising the envelope on top of the pile, Seth snatched it up and quickly put it in his pocket. He didn’t need to open it to know exactly what it was about. That was it. Decided.

  Seth nodded almost imperceptibly to himself. He’d made his decision. He wouldn’t wait for Dan and neither would he sit up waiting for Jane. He’d go and do what he should have done earlier.

  Unlocking his cabinet, Seth pulled out a sawn-off shotgun. That would be the last threatening letter they’d be receiving.

  “ANNA?” AIDEN SAID BREATHLESSLY, recognising the voice on the other end of the phone. He’d finally got a night off and he’d hoped he’d spend it in peace without having to deal with her. “What’s up?”

  “Just wanted to see how you are,” Anna said quietly. She was missing him like crazy. She’d have to wait until her next day off until she saw him again and that was days away. Since she’d realised Seth’s guys were tailing her each time she left the house with Toby it had scuppered the routine she’d got into for meeting up with Aiden every day when she took Toby for his afternoon walk in the park.

  She couldn’t risk being caught after the grief she’d got in before, especially with the little boy in tow. That would definitely get her in the shit and she couldn’t afford to be kicked out now. Not for anything.

  “I’ve missed you,” Anna whispered, hoping Aiden would say the same. She had missed him. Missed him desperately and wanted to unburden herself over what Tina had asked her to do. Especially regarding Toby. She felt more than uncomfortable about trying to snatch the child. Surely that had to be so wrong?

  She’d been trying to convince herself Toby would be better off somewhere else. Look how unstable the Wright’s relationship had become and how dangerous things were. A child should not be subjected to that.

  Anna needed to hear that Aiden agreed with her. Maybe even help her carry things out? He’d been so good about the nightmare with her mother and had been so understanding.

  She sighed despondently. This was different. She couldn’t put this on him. It wasn’t fair. Although she trusted him, what if he was so horrified that he left her? It wasn’t worth the risk. No, she’d just have to deal with this on her own.

  “Aiden can you hear me?” Anna asked when she received no response.

  “Oh yeah, sorry. Of course I can hear you babe,” Aiden muttered. He was distracted. Distracted by the naked body of the girl writhing on his bed whilst his fingers worked overtime on her. He ran his other hand down his rigid cock in readiness, whilst ensuring the phone didn’t slip from where it was wedged in his neck. Why did Anna have to phone him now of all times?

  He’d waited weeks to get back in the sack with this gorgeous barmaid and now Anna was ballsing it up.

  “When will I see you again. Properly?” Anna asked, her voice pleading.

  Aiden pulled a face. Christ she was so desperate – unlike this beauty. His eyes ran over the girls pert breasts, across her flat stomach and down to where his fingers were delving. He watched the girl bite her lip and raise her hips. God how he wanted to put it in her.

  Smiling he upped the pressure of his thumb circling her clitoris and his fingers continued working hard inside her.

  “Ohhhh...” the girl groaned.

  “Who’s that?” Anna cried. “Who’s with you?”

  “What?” Aiden said, winking at the girl below him and raised a finger to his lips. “What do you mean?”

  “I can hear something,” Anna said, panic in her voice. It sounded like a girl. Was he with another girl? She felt tears stinging in her eyes.

  “No one baby. There’s no one here,” Aiden said, pulling his hand back down his length. There was no way he’d lose his hard on because of this whining cow. “Just the TV... I’ll turn it down.”

  “It’s horrible here Aiden,” Anna moaned. “Seth’s in a foul mood.”

  Aiden suppressed a gasp as the barmaid took him into her mouth. “Oh god, that’s good.”

  “Good?” Anna asked confused. “What are you talking about?”

  Shit! “Oh, erm nothing. Don’t worry about it. Listen, I’ll see you soon,” Aiden sighed. He had to get rid of her. “As soon as I can ok?”

  Without waiting to give Anna the chance to start rambling, Aiden quickly put the phone down. Realising he’d lost his erection, he lay down on the bed and pulled the pretty barmaid across to lay on his chest.

  “Sorry sweetheart. Just give me a few minutes. Things have been getting complicated around here lately.” He stared up at the ceiling thinking what a gross understatement that was. Complicated? Things were more than complicated.

  He’d been filling his car up with petrol this afternoon when his name was called across the forecourt. Turning, he’d been surprised to see his brother crossing between the petrol pumps, waving frantically.

  “Christ, I’m glad I’ve seen you!” Alan had gasped. “What the fuck’s going on?”

  Confused, Aiden had beckoned Alan into his car. He knew he was up shit creek the minute he was asked why he’d been lying about where he was working.

  He hadn’t meant to come out with another lie – especially not to Alan. He’d never lied to his brother before, but it was for his sake not his own. He’d lied to keep Alan safe.

  It never ceased to amaze him how easily the lies tripped from his tongue these days. “The guy’s lying, Al. I didn’t walk out of that job. They gave me the boot and I’ve been out of work ever since. I was so embarrassed, I pretended I still worked there. I didn’t want you to be disappointed in me...”

  That was partly true. He hadn’t wanted to tell Alan the truth about where he was really working. Plus he hadn’t wanted to admit to his brother the type of work he’d found himself involved in. Especially lately. Alan was a nice person. A lot nicer than him and he’d have been mortified, not to mention frightened if he knew the truth.

  “I got pulled in by Seth Wright...” Alan had said.

  Aiden had hoped sitting inside the car had detracted from the pale colour his face had most likely become when he’d heard that. This revelation about Seth Wright had turned out to be even worse than he’d first thought.

  From what Alan had said, it was clear Seth was putting two and two together. He’d been grilling Alan over Anna and about sending runners into the clubs. Now it appeared Toby had been added to the list. It turned out that he’d been seen on several occasions and it was a clear case of mistaken identity. Mistaking him for Alan...

  Aiden sighed. He and Alan had always looked
alike, but he’d never thought about the possibility of something like this happening.

  “You’ve got to be honest with me bruv,” Alan had said. “Was it you? Is it you they’re after?”

  Aiden had felt like shit. Alan had looked terrified. It wasn’t supposed to be like this...

  “Are you seeing that au pair? What the fuck have you done to make the likes of Seth Wright come for you?” Alan barked.

  Aiden had needed to make a split-second decision. His eyebrows knitted together as he aimlessly twirled the barmaid’s hair in his fingers. He hoped he’d made the right choice. He’d had two: Lie to his brother, or level with him.

  He kept telling himself the choice to lie was the right one because it would protect Alan – no other reason.

  “Of course it’s not me!” he’d chuckled. “Have you seen the state of her? Hardly my type is she?”

  But then Alan had started grilling him about Billie-Jo.

  “Who’s Billie-Jo?” Aiden had asked weakly, trying to act none the wiser and hurt about Alan’s obvious suspicion. He knew who she was alright. So they’d linked him to that too? Holy God.

  “I’m sorry, but I had to ask you Ade,” Alan had explained. “I just can’t work out why anyone thinks it’s me.”

  “I don’t know either, but I promise I’ve got nothing to do with any of this,” Aiden had lied for the hundredth time. “Maybe someone from the Limelight’s got it in for you?”

  “Seth Wright has threatened me Aiden and I get the distinct impression it’s not over. I won’t be angry, but you have to tell me whether you know anything about this.”

  Alan had been giving him a final get-out-of-jail-free card. He knew that, but still couldn’t bring himself to tell the truth. Not even to his brother. He didn’t want Alan to know what he’d become and what he’d done. He didn’t want to have to tell him that on top of what he already knew, there were worse things. A lot worse.

  Aiden knew Alan would be disgusted. He also knew he was putting his brother in a precarious position, so what choice did he have?

  If Alan knew the truth he wouldn’t serve him up, so knowing the score would give him a heads up. Aiden owed him that at least didn’t he?

  Apparently not. Shamefully he’d kept his mouth well and truly shut.

  Alan wouldn’t end up taking the rap for it all anyway. It was all something and nothing. It was only a matter of time before Seth and his crew worked out things didn’t add up and it couldn’t be Alan.

  Aiden swallowed uncomfortably. This meant conversely that it would take an equal amount of time for it to be discovered that he was the one they were really looking for. He needed to up his game and fast.

  He sat up in bed and smiled at the barmaid. He didn’t know what he’d been thinking. He hadn’t got the time for a night off during all of this shit. “Sorry love. I’m going to have to take a rain check on the rest of the night. I’ve got things I need to do.”

  Giving Aiden a withering glare, the barmaid threw herself quickly out of his bed and pulled on her clothes. “You’ve got fucking rocks in your head if you think you’ll get another chance with me after this!” she snapped, huffily stalking from the room.

  Aiden exhaled raggedly. For fuck’s sake.

  FORTY ONE

  SETH PULLED HIS CAR into the alley behind the garage. Fishing the keys out of his pocket, he yanked the metal door up. Getting into the van, he reversed it smoothly out of the garage and pulled the handbrake on. Leaving the engine to run, he jumped back out and pulled the metal door down.

  Safely back in the van, he sped along the road in the direction of the Limelight. Fucking Jason Miller and his bastard cronies. The true reason why he’d pulled out of their association was coming to light. All of this shit was a set up.

  Seth frowned. It was below the belt orchestrating threats on his child to get to him. And to think he’d trusted the guy. If he’d wanted full rein of the business he should have just had the bollocks to say so, not pull all of these extravagant mind-fuck stunts.

  His anger was palpable and he willed his brain to slow down to the point where he could function. He’d be no good to anyone with his mind speeding and considering he was on his own, then he’d best pull himself together.

  Seth crunched the van into fourth gear, cringing as the grinding metal noise vibrated through his teeth. He might not be quite as hands-on in the business as he used to be, but he was still very capable. He still owned and controlled access to all the lock ups and equipment his crew utilised on a regular basis and he knew exactly when these were being used. One was vacant tonight, which was a good job – because he needed it. He was doing this job. It was personal.

  He’d kept abreast of the notes Dan had collated on Alan Barber’s movements so he knew when the man’s shifts were, where he parked and at what time. He also knew where the guy would be heading right now. He’d pick up the tail as he made his way towards the car park and take him from there.

  He scowled. Jason Miller was next on his list, but he needed to remove the monkey first.

  Waiting at the underpass with the van’s engine on tick over, Seth’s eyes scanned both carriageways of the road ahead. He pulled out his wallet and looked at the well-thumbed photograph he kept in the see-through window and touched the image of Toby’s curly little head as he sat in Jane’s arms. How dare this cunt threaten his baby boy!

  Spotting Alan Barber’s car approaching, Seth slipped his wallet back in his pocket and shoved the van into gear.

  ELIZA COULD HAVE DONE without Aiden’s bleating. She was up to her neck as it was. Jane bloody Wright doing that appeal on the news hadn’t helped. The more clout behind Lacey’s disappearance, the more the police would dig and at this precise moment all leads led back to the Elipse.

  Aiden fidgeted on his seat whilst Digger glared at him out of the corner of his eye. He knew no one was paying much attention to what he was saying, but it was important. Very bloody important.

  “Listen, I’ve already gone above and beyond for you and this business,” Aiden stated clearly before he lost his nerve. “My brother’s in serious danger. Seth Wright is suspicious and thinks Alan’s been the one seeing Anna, sending letters and sending runners into the clubs.”

  Eliza stared at him in amazement. Was he saying he expected special treatment for doing his job? Seriously? “For fuck’s sake Aiden, you should be glad. Whilst they’re convinced Alan’s the culprit, you’re in the clear. Think yourself lucky!”

  Digger guffawed loudly in the corner at Eliza’s comment.

  Aiden glared at him, red-faced with rage. “He’s my fucking brother! He wasn’t supposed to be involved! I said from the off I didn’t want him dragged into anything! You sa...”

  Digger launched himself from the chair and wrapped his hand around Aiden’s throat, squashing him painfully against the back of his seat. “Less of the fucking lip! You work for us and therefore do what we say. That’s part and parcel of having a bloody job dickhead. We never involved your brother - you two shouldn’t look so alike! If you’re that similar then get plastic surgery or buy Seth Wright some fucking glasses!”

  Eliza smiled. That was quite amusing for Digger. She stared at Aiden. She understood to a point what he was saying, but it didn’t mean anything. It wasn’t their problem. “Nothing’s going to happen to your brother. It’s all hot air. You said they’ve already spoken to him didn’t you, so what are you worrying about?” She laced her fingers together. “I’m more concerned about things leading back to us...”

  Aiden tried to take solace from Eliza’s words, but failed. He was sure it wasn’t over. He was sick to death of this stupid vendetta Eliza and Digger had against Seth and Jane Wright and felt tempted to bin off the whole thing - including his job.

  Yes, he’d been part of it, but only for their sakes. He’d never had any run-ins with the Wrights. Was his job so important he’d risk his brother’s neck? He needed to think fast on this before things progressed further.

  “M
y main concern right now is stopping Jane Wright from bringing even more attention to Lacey Garner’s disappearance.” Eliza said spikily.

  Digger lit a cigarette and blew the smoke out slowly. “The cops won’t dig too deep over a scatter-brained hooker. You worry too much. The body’s gone now so there’s no reason to link it to us. No one even knew Lacey worked here and let’s face it, none of the tarts here will open their gobs.”

  “You’ve dumped the body?” Eliza cried. He could have said. She’d been bloody worrying about that for DAYS. “Did you use the hair I gave you?”

  “Yes I did. It’s all done and sorted.” Digger had made sure that a liberal amount of hair from Seth Wright’s brush Tina had managed to produce was wrapped between Lacey’s fingers. It was a done deal.

  Eliza scowled. Ok, so that was good, but the baseline was a sixteen-year-old had gone missing and that sort of thing always gained public support, which put pressure on the authorities to make a double effort to get to the bottom of it. “Anything else we can do to point them further towards Seth?”

  Digger shrugged. Eliza was so melodramatic and caused extra work for them all for no reason, but if it shut her up? “Aiden any ideas?”

  Aiden stared at the floor. He was reluctant to do anything else to help them in their twisted quest. What was he going to get out of it anyway? It was him who was constantly putting his neck on the line. Although if their plan meant Seth Wright wouldn’t be on the scene anymore, then maybe both Alan and him would be ok. And where was this life insurance pay-out Tina had promised him?

  Eliza felt more than frustrated. “How’s Anna by the way?”

  Aiden scowled. “She thinks Seth’s a suspect in her mother’s death and hates him almost as much as you do I reckon.”

  Eliza grinned. Unlikely. No one hated Seth and Jane Wright as much as she did.

  ALAN BARBER STRUGGLED pointlessly as he was pulled from the back of the van.

  He’d parked up in the car park ready for his shift at the Limelight and hadn’t even had time to react when a van had screeched to a halt in front of him. He’d been yanked from behind the wheel of his car, a hand had clamped over his mouth and he’d quickly lost his footing when he’d been bodily dragged backwards.