by Edie Baylis
In a state of utter confusion, he stared as men stormed into the room, his eyes widening with shock when he realised who whey were.
“Steve Lomond?” Seth said, his voice betraying the utter contempt he held for this pitiful excuse of a man sitting in front of him.
Unable to articulate any coherent words, Lomond continued staring wildly around him and fruitlessly attempted to shove his now limp cock back into his trousers.
“Yeah, that’s Lomond,” the girl muttered.
“You little bitch!” Lomond hissed at the girl, having finally found his voice.
Jane Wright stepped forward, grabbed the girl and pulled her out of the room to where Selena was waiting. “Get your stuff and get packed. Selena will tell you what you need to do next.”
The girl nodded and ran off up the corridor, whilst Jane returned to the room, seeing Seth had the man pinned up against the wall.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Lomond barked, attempting to play his bravado.
“Lomond,” Seth snarled, tempted to smile at the arrogance of the man before him. “Or should I say Carl Mulligan... How are you, mate?”
Seth watched Lomond scowl, making his fat, pig-like face even more grotesque. “Hear you’ve got a good thing going at this place, what with your penchant for young girls?”
Lomond squared up to Seth and sneered. “Don’t know what you mean. All the girls here are legal and over-age. There’s jack shit untoward in this gaff mate.”
Seth’s mouth twisted into a snarl. “Over-age? Barely! You think that’s ok do you? Holding young girls against their will?”
Lomond laughed. “Against their will? You joking? They want it. They all do. They don’t have to be here!”
Jane felt her fists clenching. The need to claw this man’s squinty little eyes from his sarcastic face was strong, but she’d let Seth have his time. Judging by the expressions of the other men’s faces she could tell they were finding it equally difficult not to pummel the fat bastard into the floor.
“What’s with all the set-ups then?” Seth barked, tightening his grip around Lomond’s throat.
Lomond snorted derisively. “Nothing to do with me. That’s down to Eliza and Digger. I’m merely the messenger.”
“Then you need to take responsibility for that don’t you! Your part in everything is your choice!” Seth raged.
“Why have you been setting us up against each other?” Jason Miller raged, stepping forward. He wanted to rip the bastard apart.
“And what about Lacey Garner, you perverted bastard?” Jane added, unable to help herself.
Lomond grinned. Let them do whatever they wanted. He didn’t care. He was happy for them to finish him if they wanted to, but either way they wouldn’t be receiving any form of apology. Not now. Not ever.
“Think this is funny do you?” Seth raged. The man was lighting his touch paper. He needed to keep cool. “Where’s my daughter?”
Lomond laughed openly and heartily. “Pretty thing she is. She’ll do just fine here, don’t you worry about that. Not sure if she’s been broken in yet or not though,” he smirked. That comment would push the baboon over the edge.
Seth snarled as he laid into Lomond with the speed of light, but as his fist pounded the man’s face into a mush, Jason Miller pulled at his arm.
“Seth,” he hissed. He couldn’t blow it now. “Remember the plan.”
Jane stepped forward and knelt down where Lomond was lying breathing heavily. He still retained a smug smile across his face. “He’s enjoying this, the twisted freak,” she spat.
Repositioning herself so she was looking directly into Lomond’s repulsive face, she smiled nastily. “It would suit you to be finished wouldn’t it?” she said quietly. “You’re a bit fucked now really, so you’re past caring, right?” She hated this man more than she thought physically possible.
Having reined his temper back in, Seth picked up Jane’s threat. He knew where she was going with this. He placed his foot on Lomond’s windpipe and exerted a slight amount of pressure. “There’s not much more than we’d like to do, other than rip you to pieces. It’s exactly what you deserve.”
He pushed down a little harder with his foot and smiled when Lomond gagged. “The thing is, after much discussion we’ve come to the conclusion you’re such a fucking head-case, you’d get some satisfaction from that. Not to mention, the easy way out.”
Lomond forced himself to look up at the man who was slowly choking him. “Nah, you’re wrong. Whatever you do to me you’re still fucked, Mr Wright. You’re the one in the frame for the girl’s rape and murder after all,” he grinned. “And there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Seth grinned widely, exposing his straight white teeth. “Except there is. I can almost guarantee you’ve left your ‘calling card’ in that poor girl, you filthy piece of shit,” he snarled. “Although I’d love to finish you, it will be much worse for you to go down for this...”
Realisation seeped into Lomond’s brain. The first sign of fear flickered across his face when what could happen focused in his mind. He quickly shook it off. They were playing him. “And how do you plan to pull that off?” he sneered. “Unlikely you’ll involve the police in all this. You won’t be able to help yourself from killing me. I’ve heard all about you.”
Seth ground his boot a little harder into Lomond’s throat. It was true. He’d have finished this prick if it had been up to him. His temper played right into some people’s hands. Not this time though.
“Got to say you’re wrong on that one. I’m not quite as predictable as some people like to think... You’re right on one thing though – we’re not going to the police...” Seth watched the sneer creep back across Lomond’s face.
“That’s right Lomond, we’re not going to the police, but that’s not to say you won’t be served up by anyone else does it?”
Jane quickly injected Lomond’s thigh. “You’ll be staying right here until the cops arrive.” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “And I’d say that will be in about forty-five minutes from now.”
“What was that? What have you just done?” Lomond screamed, feeling the stab of the needle.
“Nothing dangerous. It’ll just bliss you out for a couple of hours until you get picked up. The cops will be here soon and will be more than happy to find your DNA matches the sample they’re waiting to put a name to,” Jane sneered.
“Now hang on,” Lomond babbled, attempting to push himself up, then realising the boot was no longer against his neck. Instead, his arms and legs were going fluffy and his head was beginning to spin. “Wh-what you...”
“Hang on nothing, you cunt!” Seth roared. “You’re done! Furthermore, there’s a very good associate of mine who’s more than happy to spread the word of your deeds once you get sent down. That way you’ll be dealt with accordingly.”
Real fear spread across Lomond’s face. If he got sent down it would be for a good stretch. If the other inmates knew what he’d done, then he’d get grief for years. “Wait, that won’t... oh Christ...” His mind was spinning faster and faster and he knew he was beginning to lose consciousness.
This wasn’t part of the plan. He hadn’t expected them to pull this off. He couldn’t go to jail. Fuck no! “You bastards,” Lomond slurred.
Seth brushed himself down and smiled, watching Lomond’s eyes rolling. “We’ll leave you to it now. Enjoy the next few years. Don’t forget, I’ll be waiting for you when you come out too – that’s if you last that long...”
“You can’t do this,” Lomond mumbled, desperately losing his fight against the strong sedative coursing through his veins.
“We just did, didn’t we?” Seth laughed. “Now shut the fuck up.”
Grabbing Jane’s arm, Seth walked out of the room. “Let’s get on the road. Selena can put the call in to the cops as soon as we go.”
Jane nodded as they all hurriedly made their way down the stairs. “The drug will last him about an hour. I’ve already given
Selena the address of Pegasus Place. I’ve squared it away with that Sylvia that Jenny told us about. She’s expecting all of the girls from here.”
“What about the junky?” Jason Miller asked. When she came round would she attempt to help Lomond before the cops got hold of him?
“Tina will be doing a runner the minute she can, I don’t doubt,” Jane said. It was guaranteed that woman wouldn’t be helping Steve Lomond with anything – that much was clear. “Let’s get a move on.”
FIFTY FIVE
THEY’D WANTED TO DRAG it out and turn it into several hours of prolonged torture and misery, but it hadn’t quite worked out like that.
Jane had got as far as individually breaking each of Eliza’s fingers whilst she’d lay screaming and writhing on the floor, but she hadn’t been able to bear looking at the woman using up oxygen any longer. Without warning, she’d slit her throat in one fail swoop.
Even Jason Miller had been surprised at how rapidly Jane had meted out the final payback.
The only thing she held in her mind was the terrified expression across Eliza’s face when the knife had sliced through her neck. It was done.
Jane was still slightly in shock as to how her once good friend had turned into such a monster. Despite everything, she still felt a slight pang of guilt that it had come to this. It should never have come to this.
However, things couldn’t be changed. Eliza couldn’t take back what she’d done and nor could she. And she didn’t want to.
She’d had no choice but to finish it. Even if she’d somehow found it in her power to forgive Eliza for the pain and damage she’d personally caused, it wouldn’t have brought justice for Lacey or for any of the girls she’d used so despicably for a few quid. It certainly wouldn’t have been justice over what she’d had planned for Grace either. Her beautiful daughter.
Jane scowled down at Eliza’s inert body lying crumpled on the floor and shivered involuntarily with the creeping knowledge of what might have happened to Grace if Eliza and Digger had had their way.
The fact that the pair hated her and Seth so much that they were using their child as means to try and destroy them – an innocent child – in their quest for payback wasn’t remotely acceptable in anyone’s logic. Neither was what they had done to Lacey or what they had allowed to happen at the hands of that beast, Lomond.
Jane shuddered again and a mix of hatred and sadness washed over her, which was a strange combination. She blankly turned her gaze to the body of Digger who laid slumped on the floor the other side of the room.
Seth hadn’t fared much better than her with keeping a lid on his temper. He’d rapidly dispatched Digger after spending a few minutes enjoying the man’s agony during the removal of both his kneecaps.
Like Jane, Seth’s combined hurt and anger had been his downfall and stopped him from dragging out the punishment they’d both agreed should be used. He’d finished Digger with a single clean shot to the temple.
Seth pulled himself up from the blood-splattered chair where he’d been sitting, staring vacantly as Jason and Dan started moving both the bodies into the centre of the room.
He ran the back of his hand across his mouth. “Think that’s us done then,” he muttered, placing his hand gently on Jane’s arm.
Nodding, Jane stepped aside to let Seth begin setting up what was needed to ensure the evidence of their presence was removed.
EPILOGUE
“SO HOW ARE YOU FEELING about it all now it’s final?” Seth studied Jason Miller sitting in one of the leather armchairs in their living room.
“Relieved!” Jason answered. It was true. Divorcing Linda was the only option he’d had. Apart from the stirring she’d previously been responsible for, she’d also been publicly outed as manufacturing stories to the press. It had become obvious to all and sundry, especially Jason. Her aim had been to expose his dealings and then divorce him to get her hands on his assets.
Due to this, Jason had been able to cleanly remove his association with her, along with his marriage - without her receiving a penny. Not only had she lost her affluent lifestyle, but she’d also lost her standing with her beloved cliques. This was payback enough – at least for someone like her.
He couldn’t even say he was upset. He just felt embarrassed and stupid for allowing her to get as far as she had. However, everything had worked out for the best in the end because his and Seth’s joint venture was going from strength to strength.
The collateral they’d generated by merging their businesses into one joint holding company had been huge. Wright-Miller Clubs were now more on the map than ever. So much so that they’d recently purchased two further clubs in another city. It was all going well, however he was in no rush to get involved with another woman after getting his fingers burnt with Linda.
Jason Miller smiled warmly at Jane as she moved awkwardly across the room to sit next to Seth on the sofa. The expensive cream dress she wore clung to her heavily pregnant figure. “How are you feeling, Jane?”
“Four days overdue is how I’m feeling,” Jane grumbled, wincing uncomfortably as she eased herself onto the seat.
Seth stared transfixed watching Jane’s belly distinctly rippled from a flurry of kicks visible through her skin-tight dress. He was unable to stop himself from placing his hands on her and feel the miraculous movements.
“I wish they’d hurry up! I’ve been waiting ages as it is!” Seth smiled, picking up Toby’s car which had slammed into his foot. He passed it back to his son, who took it and giggling, ran back across to the other side of the room to attempt to steer the car at his father once more.
“You’ve been waiting ages?” Jane squealed. She’d been shocked to discover she was pregnant again a couple of weeks after the Eliza and Digger incident. Another baby hadn’t been on the cards until everything was sorted and they’d got Grace back, but nature had other plans it seemed.
She’d been even more shocked to discover she was expecting twins. Even Seth had been gobsmacked, but Seth being Seth, was doubly elated.
Shortly after this revelation, Seth had been officially cleared and exonerated from all charges or suspicions over the Lacey Garner case and a well-timed payment to someone in the right place ensured nothing else was being looked into by the police. It couldn’t have gone better.
The sickening set-up Eliza and Digger had been operating had been nationally reported and cited their involvement in Lacey Garner’s death, as well as the housing of the perpetrator – Steve Lomond.
Lomond had been duly charged for both murder and rape when the DNA samples inevitably matched and he’d been sentenced to fifteen years. It had also not been sad news for anyone to learn the charred remains, only identified by dental records in the burnt-out shell of a plush suburban residence, had belonged to Eliza and Digger. Freak electrical fire by all accounts.
Had they not been already dead it was likely they’d have been lynched.
Jane winced once again as a barrage of kicks pounded inside her from the two tiny pairs of feet. Enjoying the feel of Seth’s fingers trailing absentmindedly up and down her arm as he chatted to Dan and Jason, Jane closed her eyes momentarily in satisfaction.
Toby had not suffered for his kidnapping ordeal and it had been true that Tina had looked after him surprisingly well. Jane had no idea what had happened to that woman since that night in Elipse and quite frankly, she didn’t care.
Anna however had been charged with aiding and abetting and had been sentenced to three years. The authorities however had, after a complete breakdown in police custody, deemed her mentally unfit and she was seeing her time out in a secure unit.
The girl had written several times apologising and asking for forgiveness. She’d even had the cheek to ask how Toby was. Jane had not replied. She would never forgive Anna for what she’d put them all through. Even though she hadn’t breathed a word about anything that could have incriminated them, that girl had done too much to hurt her family to ever warrant any forgiveness in her op
inion. No – it was done and she would not dwell on Anna Slater a moment longer.
Seth had also finally taken a back seat. The Wright-Miller holdings were all but running themselves and Dan had taken over the majority of the day to day running – not that there was much to do. They had so many staff between their businesses they were fast becoming one of the city’s biggest employers.
There had been some further satisfying news when word had reached Seth that Lomond had been refused the protection of isolation. Seth had managed to ensure Lomond had been chucked into general population inside, thanks to his contacts. Lomond, the twisted bastard, had endured five months of consistent torture, degradation, humiliation and pain before he’d been finally found dead in his cell. Shame...
Things were definitely good.
“Look who’s got something to show you,” Maggie exclaimed, entering the living room, quickly followed by Grace who darted past her like a little whirlwind.
“Mum, look at my hair!” Grace cried, her exquisite heart-shaped face alight with excitement and her dark green eyes bright. She tossed her curly raven hair from side to side and smiled widely when Jane admired the collection of tiny butterfly clips Maggie had placed in her hair.
“Auntie Maggie’s done it. Do you like it? Do I look pretty?” Grace asked.
Seth scooped his daughter up onto his lap and kissed her on the forehead. “You look beautiful Princess – as always,” he smiled.
Jane squeezed Seth’s hand. The icing on the cake that had completed Jane’s world had occurred when she was five month’s pregnant and they had won custody back.
They both knew they still had some way to go with their daughter, because the last six years couldn’t be erased just like that. At first, Grace had retreated deep inside her shell, but after a couple of weeks, she’d begun to tentatively shine through.
It had been heart-breaking when Grace had consistently asked when she’d be sent back or how long she’d be staying for. It had taken several further weeks for it to sink in that she wouldn’t have to leave ever again. Now, apart from the occasional hiccup and nightmare, things were settling down.