Dead Watch

by Steve Liszka

  Wesley walked out of the toilet, still adjusting his belt as he looked up at the unexpected arrival. ‘All right, Jim? Aren’t you supposed to be at the training centre?’

  ‘Yeah,’ Jimmy answered. ‘I am.’

  Wesley shrugged like the answer was perfectly acceptable and sat down next to Jo.

  ‘So, what’s up, Bud?’ Bodhi asked.

  ‘What’s up,’ he said, ‘is I’ve had enough of this shit. It’s time we put a stop to it once and for all.’

  ‘What shit?’ Jo asked.

  ‘That bastard Mac threatening us and our families,’ Jimmy said, ‘that’s what I’m talking about. It’s time we got things sorted.’

  ‘It is sorted,’ Lenny said. ‘He’s gone. The prick’s out of our lives for good.’

  ‘Really? ‘Til when? What happens next time he needs a favour?’

  ‘But he promised,’ Dylan said.

  Jimmy shook his head and laughed. ‘Grow up, for fuck’s sake. Do you really think that bastard is going to stay away from us just because he said so?’

  ‘I’m not being funny, Jim,’ Lenny said, ‘but is this about Mac or you failing your course?'

  ‘I don’t give a shit about my course. What I care about is there’s a psychopath out there who had you stabbed, tried to attack her,’ he nodded at Jo, ‘and threatened to kill the rest of us. That’s what this is about, Len. You may not think that’s a problem, but I fucking well do.’

  Lenny shrugged. ‘It was just for show. He was trying to scare us. Seriously, Jim, I honestly think we’re better off leaving him well alone. Being stabbed wasn’t much fun, and I’m no expert here, but being killed is even less of a giggle, I reckon. We fuck with this guy again and Dead Watch won’t just be our nickname.’

  ‘So, what do you propose?’ Dylan said.

  ‘Please,’ Lenny laughed, ‘don’t tell me you, of all people, agree with this tough guy bullshit.’

  ‘Jimmy’s right,’ Dylan said. ‘The man’s a bully, and bullies don’t stop until someone makes them. If we don’t do something about it, he’ll be back, and when he is, he’ll want his pound of flesh.’

  ‘Damn right he will,’ Jimmy added.

  Lenny turned his attention back to the man who’d just spoken. ‘Come on, then, let’s hear you out. What exactly are you proposing?’

  Jimmy looked around at the faces of the people sitting in front of him before he spoke again. ‘I say we take him down.’

  Lenny’s fingers and thumb formed a pistol shape as he pointed them at his own head. ‘What, you mean, take him down?’

  Jimmy shook his head. ‘Don’t be stupid. I mean follow him, find out who he is, where he lives, where he takes his drugs to, all that shit. Then, when we’ve got enough evidence, we drop a call to the police and make sure they find him with his stash. He’d go down for a long stretch, and no one would even know it was us that did it.’

  Lenny rolled his eyes. ‘Jesus, Jim, who do you think we are, The Famous Fucking Five? So, let’s say, we do it, and he finds out that we’re onto him. What do you think he’s gonna do? Like you said, the man’s a psycho. This isn’t the A-Team. These fuckers pack real bullets, and they can shoot straight.’

  ‘And you think I don’t know that?’

  Lenny put his palms up in the air when he realised what he’d said. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean that.’

  Jimmy nodded, acknowledging the apology. ‘I’m not just shit-stirring here, Len. I genuinely think that motherfucker has no intention of dropping this. He’s going to keep pushing and pushing us until one or more of us is in jail or dead. He’ll squeeze us dry – it’s what people like him do.’

  ‘I like the idea,’ Jo said ‘especially after what those twats tried to do to me. As far as I’m concerned, they’ve got it coming to them.’

  Jimmy looked to Bodhi. ‘What about you?’

  ‘It’s like she said. After what they did to her,’ he shrugged, ‘I’m up for anything.’

  ‘Ah, fuck it,’ Lenny said. ‘Who wants to live forever anyway?’

  Jimmy’s gaze rested on Wesley next.

  ‘It doesn’t look like I’ve got a choice, does it?’

  ‘Yes, you do,’ Jimmy said. ‘We only do this if we all agree to it. We’ve got to be one hundred percent sure.’

  Wes looked up at the ceiling and stroked his chin. ‘I guess it’s time I took responsibility for my mistakes… I’m in.’

  ‘So, what’s the plan?’ Jo asked. ‘How are we going to keep tabs on him? We know nothing about the guy, and if we try contacting him again, he’s going to know that something’s up.’

  Jo’s words set their minds in motion as they thought of a solution to the problem. Before anyone could break the silence, a familiar face appeared in the doorway Jimmy had charged through minutes before.

  ‘Is this a private meeting, or can anyone join in?’ Harrison said.

  ‘Fucking hell,’ Lenny replied. ‘I thought you were dead.’

  ‘That’s what I miss most about this place,’ Harrison said. ‘The warm welcome I get from my friends.’

  ‘Colleagues,’ Lenny corrected him with a smile.

  ‘So, other than a cup of tea, what can we do for you?’ Wesley asked.

  Harrison pointed his bony finger at Dylan. ‘You could lend me him for five minutes, if that’s okay.’

  ‘So, how’s things at home?’ Dylan asked.

  He was at a bit of a loss as to what else to say. He loved Harrison, but had no idea why the man would want to speak to him. Wesley had used the opportunity to get the rest of them into the bays where they would carry out the daily routines. The canteen had been left empty for the two of them to talk in private.

  ‘You know what,’ Harrison said, ‘things are great. Better than they have been for a long time. Janet’s doing well, she’s taking her meds, and at times, it feels like I’ve got the woman I married back. Just goes to show what a bit of time away from this place can do for you.’

  ‘That’s good to hear,’ Dylan said, trying not to look uncomfortable.

  Some of the guys were happy to tell all about their situations at home, but not Harrison. Usually, he kept his cards close to his chest; he never so much as mentioned his son anymore, so hearing this admission, especially away from the others, felt strange to him.

  ‘And what about the investigation?’ he asked. ‘You got a date sorted out for that yet?’

  ‘Funnily enough,’ Harrison said, ‘that’s what I’ve come to talk to you about. It’s booked in for next Thursday, and Matt Finch, the regional rep, has offered to represent me.’

  ‘That’s good.’ Dylan said. ‘I’ve heard he’s tough.’

  ‘He is that. A right tenacious little bastard when he gets going.’

  ‘That’s just what you need, someone who’ll keep at them until they back down.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Harrison said, ‘except I don’t want him.’

  ‘Why not?’ Dylan asked. ‘You said he was the best man for the job.’

  ‘No, I didn’t. I said he was good at what he does. I think you’re the best person for the job.’

  ‘You, what?’

  ‘I’m asking if you’ll represent me at the investigation.’

  Dylan rubbed his head the way kids did when they couldn’t answer a maths question. ‘I can’t represent you. I wouldn’t know what I was talking about.’

  ‘Why not? You’re clever, articulate, you know me as well as anyone in the service, you’d be perfect.’

  ‘But I’m not a union rep.’

  Harrison brushed it off with his hand. ‘That can soon be sorted out. We’ll get the rest of the Watches to vote you in, and the job is yours. I can guarantee that, for all their bluster, there’s no one else who wants to do it. By the weekend, you will be the union chair for this station.’

  ‘But that’s your job.’

  Harrison shook his head. ‘Was my job. I’ve spent long enough in the role. It’s time I passed it on to new blood.’

  Dylan sc
ratched his head again. ‘So, what’s brought this on?’

  ‘Three things. Firstly, I could get sacked next week, so it may be inevitable. Second, having time away from dealing with all this union stuff has been a weight off my shoulders. I think that’s why things have been so good between me and Jan. For once, I’ve been able to put her first instead of this bunch of ’erberts. And thirdly, because I think it will be good for you. I meant those things I said about you, but you’re also a lazy bastard who runs a mile anytime anyone tries to give you any responsibility.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Dylan said.

  ‘No problem. I won’t lie, it’s not an easy role, in fact, sometimes, it can be bloody infuriating. When things are going wrong, you’ll get the blame for it. When things are going right, they’ll say they did it off their own backs. If you try to get people to help you with campaigns, they’ll run a mile, but you’ll be the first person they call on when they’ve got themselves in trouble. Most of the time, it’s a thankless job, but you know what, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m glad I did it, and I think in twenty years’ time, you will too.’

  Dylan shrugged. ‘I don’t know, it’s a big ask.’

  ‘Yeah, you’re right, it is. And I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t think you were up for it. It’ll be good for you, I promise.’

  ‘All right,’ Dylan said. ‘Let me think about it.’

  After doing the practical tests on the hydraulic cutting gear, Wesley and Lenny headed to the office. They needed to discuss how Lenny was going to be able to do the job until his injuries had fully healed. Jo, in the meantime, had taken herself off to the gym to squeeze in a quick 10k on the running machine before lunch. As she shook her legs out in preparation for the punishing pace she was about to set, Bodhi slipped into the room. He looked nervous, like he was spying on her in the shower.

  ‘Do you mind if I have a word?’

  Jo glanced at her watch. ‘Can’t we leave it ’til after lunch. I haven’t got much time to play with.’

  ‘I’d rather we did it now, if you don’t mind.’

  Jo rolled her eyes. ‘Make it quick, then.’

  ‘First of all, I want to know why you’ve been avoiding me.’

  ‘I haven’t,’ she said, bending down to touch her toes. ‘I’ve just been busy.’

  ‘I thought you wanted to make this quick,’ Bodhi said. ‘Rather than spend the next five minutes doing the whole “yes, you have, no, I haven’t” thing, why don’t you just be honest and tell me what’s really going on here.’

  Jo grabbed her knee and pulled it towards her chest, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

  ‘It’s the abortion, right? You went and got it done on your own, didn’t you?’

  ‘No,’ Jo answered, bringing her knee down and her ankle up behind her so it made contact with her bum.

  ‘Yes, you did, I can tell. Look, I know you’re independent and all that shit, but this wasn’t just about you. You should have involved me in it too. Don’t you think I deserve that much?’

  Jo stopped stretching and turned to face him, ‘Look, Bodhi, I haven’t had the abortion yet, okay? I just don’t want to talk about it right now.’

  ‘Then, when are we going to talk about it!’ Bodhi shouted, shocking the pair of them. It was rare for him to raise his voice above a whisper. ‘You know you haven’t got forever. There’s a time limit on these things.’

  ‘I’m keeping it,’ she said quietly.

  ‘You’re what?’

  ‘I said I’m keeping the baby. I’ve thought about it non-stop since I found out, and I’m going to keep it. I’d like you to be involved, but if you don’t want anything to do with us, then I’ll understand.’

  At first, Bodhi couldn’t say anything. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to, he just didn’t know where to begin.

  ‘So?’ Jo finally said when the silence became too much. ‘What do you think?’

  ‘I think,’ he said, ‘that’s a brilliant idea.’ And then, it crashed down on him like a wave he’d paddled for and badly mistimed; he meant it too.

  Blood Brothers

  Even though it was summer time, the south-westerly wind was whipping up off the beach onto Marine Parade. Lenny and another man stood next to their cars watching the waves crash against the legs of the pier. It was funny to look at Paul. He was shorter than Lenny, with less bulk and hair, but they both shared the same look that instantly marked them as blood. Even though he was less imposing than Lenny, Paul was more intimidating. There was something in both of their eyes that represented danger, but while in Lenny’s case that may have meant a kicking behind the nightclub, with Paul, his gaze suggested if you got on his wrong side, things could end up much, much worse. And that was how things had to be in his line of business. It wasn’t just about the threat of violence; it was the repercussions if those threats were to be ignored that mattered.

  ‘So, after twenty years,’ Paul said, staring intently at his brother like he was trying to work out exactly what it was about him that was different, ‘you finally break this vow of silence we’ve got going.’ He put his cigarette to his mouth and inhaled deeply. ‘Fucking hell, bruv, you must have really fucked up this time.’

  ‘Look, Paul,’ Lenny said. ‘I’m not asking you to get involved. I just want to know if you do business with him or not.’

  Paul nodded, like he hadn’t already heard the request. ‘That’s the thing, though, you may not be involving me, but if I tell you what you want to know, then it is going to affect me, isn’t it? You take down my main supplier, which is why I assume you want this information, and it means I’ve got to go sniffing around for a new source, which is going to cost me a lot of time, money and effort. Now, tell me, considering the nature of our relationship, why the fuck should I do this for you?’

  Lenny stared at his brother for a long time before answering. ‘Forget it,’ he said, turning to get into his car. ‘I knew this was a waste of time.’

  ‘Wait!’ Paul said as Lenny played with the door handle.

  Lenny turned to see his brother looking at him like he had done when he was a teenager, watching the younger boy’s back.

  ‘How deep are you in this?’

  ‘I’m not out of my depth yet.’

  ‘Good,’ Paul answered, ‘because, seriously, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but this a guy you do not want to fuck with. I’m guessing you know about that Albanian who got on the wrong side of him… This hasn’t got anything to do with that, has it?’

  Lenny shrugged. ‘Kind of.’

  Paul shook his head. ‘Fuck… Listen, I know you’re not going to believe this, but I care for you, always have, always will. If this guy has got a beef with you, then you need to take him out before he takes you out. If you can’t do it, then I can get someone else to. I’ll make sure it never comes back to you.’

  ‘Nah, that’s not my way.’

  Paul smiled. ‘I know.’

  ‘I couldn’t do it,’ Lenny said after a long pause. ‘I couldn’t kill him. I know what that meant for you, but I haven’t got it in me. Deggsy was our friend, even if he did rat us out.’

  ‘It’s okay.’

  ‘I know I should have done him in, I could have stopped you going to prison, but I was a kid. I didn’t have it in me, still haven’t. I’m sorry.’

  ‘You’ve got nothing to apologise for, you stupid bastard. I never should have asked you to do it in the first place. I know that now. I have done for a long time. I’m your brother, I was meant to look after you.’

  ‘You did look after me. You never grassed me up, and you did more time because of it. I’m grateful to you for that.’

  ‘Don’t be,’ Paul snapped. ‘If you’d listened to me and rubbed him out, they would have collared you for it in no time. You’d have done fifteen years because of my actions. I never should have dragged you into any of that shit.’

  ‘Yeah, well,’ Lenny said, ‘what chance did either of us have? We’re Johnsons. It’s in
our blood.’

  ‘That don’t make what I did right though, does it?’

  Lenny leant against his car and took in the sunset. ‘If that’s how you feel, why didn’t you say something before? You could have gone through Mum. We didn’t have to do any of this. Twenty years is a long fucking time.’

  ‘I was ashamed,’ Paul said, blowing out a stream of smoke. ‘Plus, I thought you were better off without me in your life.’

  ‘You’re a fucking idiot,’ Lenny said.

  Paul laughed. ‘And what about you? I don’t remember any olive branches coming from your way.’

  Lenny kicked imaginary stones at his feet. ‘I guess I was ashamed too.’

  ‘You shouldn’t have been. You know they say that people change when they have kids? Well, it’s bollocks. It’s killing someone, that’s what changes you, in ways you couldn’t even imagine. Not listening to me that day was the smartest thing you’ve ever done… Look, I don’t know much about him. All I’ve got is a contact number. I don’t even know his real name, I just got the same one he gave you: Mac. What I’ll do is arrange a meeting. I need to stock up anyway. I’ll give you a call when it happens, and you can take it from there.’

  ‘Is it going to be a real pain in the ass for you if he goes down?’

  Paul shook his head. ‘Not really. The guy’s a tight arse. The Albanians were good for me. The competition brought the prices down to a place I liked. Since they’ve gone, the greedy bastard’s started to take the piss again. I’ll be glad to see the back of him. If he starts talking to the cops, they’ll find nothing on me, I can promise you that. I’ve learnt from my mistakes.’

  Lenny pushed off the car and held out his hand.

  His brother looked at it with suspicion before reaching out with his own. ‘I was thinking, how about this Sunday we eat at Mum’s house at the same time? One o’clock sound good?’

  ‘Sounds great. Just break it to her gently. We don’t want her having a heart attack.’