by Jacqui Rose
Del and Edith’s heads shot round at the same time to look at Bunny in astonishment.
‘Authorities?’
‘Yes, Del. I’m calling the police.’ Bunny got out her phone. Del looked at her, dumbfounded. ‘You can’t do that.’
‘Can’t I?’
‘No. We’ll find her ourselves. We don’t need the police crawling everywhere. Someone will know something.’
Bunny’s stared hard at Del, her tone full of amazement.
‘Will they? They’ll know where to find Star?’
Del said nothing as Bunny continued to talk.
‘You’re incredible. Our daughter’s missing and you don’t want me to call the police. Where are your priorities?’
Edith piped up. ‘Money and his drugs empire; I thought you would’ve known that by now. Family comes second. Look at the way he treated me.’ Del and Bunny ignored Edith’s little outburst.
‘That’s unfair, Bunny. Star’s my priority.’
‘Is she? Burkey told me you didn’t contact the police when you thought the Russians had her. Fine, that was your decision, you did what you thought was best, but now this is my decision. We need all the help we can get.’
‘You can’t call them.’
‘Just try stopping me.’ Bunny walked out of the room, followed by Del.
‘Bunny! Bunny!’ Del jogged down the corridor after Bunny who went into the master bedroom. The room they’d shared when they’d stayed here together in what seemed to be only a short while ago. So much had happened since then.
‘Please, Bunny, just wait. I’m not telling you that you can’t.’
‘Aren’t you?’
Del sat down, rubbing his head. ‘No. I’m just saying …’ Del gestured his arms, not really being able to put how he felt into words.
‘What else would you have me do? Do you expect me to sit here and do nothing?’
‘No …’
‘What are you worried about – because it’s clearly not Star.’
Bunny saw Del’s face drop.
‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. I know you care, but I can’t just do nothing. Get your men to move everything out if that’s what you’re worried about, but I’m calling the police.’
‘It’s not that. Christ, as if I leave mountains of coke about the place. Give me some credit, Bun.’
‘What is it then?’
Del shrugged. ‘I dunno …’
‘Then there’s no problem, is there?’
‘But the Spanish police, Bun?’
Bunny held Del’s stare as she dialled a number. She walked out of the room as it rang. ‘Hello? Hello? It’s Bunny Barker. I need your help and you owe me big time.’
49
Star sat cross-legged on the grass and looked up at the sky, watching the clouds rushing by. It was only a short while ago since she’d lain on the beach with her dad watching them. She wondered if they were the same clouds being blown round and round or if they were different ones from the other side of the world.
Hearing a bird in the trees, Star turned her head, but quickly looked back down at the grass as she saw Julian staring at her. Even though she now knew Alfonso was mean, he didn’t make her feel like Julian did.
‘I wouldn’t bother thinking of running away.’
‘I’m not.’ Star answered Julian without looking at him.
‘Then why were you looking over here?’
Star shrugged. Julian cackled, spitting out the dried grass he was chewing. ‘Seen something you like?’
‘Leave her alone, Julian.’ Alfonso spoke to his brother as he sat on the log.
Julian got up from where he was sitting. ‘No, I want to know if she saw something she liked.’ Julian walked over to Star, making her scuttle over to Alfonso who kicked her away gently.
‘Don’t be a mug, Julian.’
Julian didn’t like the way his brother was speaking to him. He hadn’t come over to Spain to be talked to like shit. He grabbed Star by her arm, leaning into her face. ‘Come on, darlin’, tell me what you were looking at.’
Star shook her head. ‘Nothin’. I wasn’t looking at nothin.’
‘See that. She thinks you’re a nothing.’ Alfonso let out a roar of laughter. He turned to his brother, then thought twice about it before twisting back round to Star. ‘Is that right?’
Star looked nervously at Alfonso, hoping he’d come to her rescue. Alfonso grinned, amused by what was unfolding in front of him.
‘No. I don’t think you’re nothing. I never said that.’
Julian smirked. ‘So what do you think of me?’
Star could feel her heart pounding. She knew what she thought but equally, she knew what to say. ‘I like you mister. I think you’re all right.’
Julian looked at Alfonso triumphantly.
‘Then how about a kiss?’
Immediately, Alfonso jumped up. Star heard the flick of the knife. She backed away slightly as Julian let go of her arm. ‘I told you to stay away from her, Julian.’
Julian looked at the knife and then at Alfonso. ‘I was only having a laugh with her, Alf.’
‘Well, make sure that’s all it is.’ Alfonso sat back down, stabbing the knife into the log.
‘Have you tried Alan again?’
Julian scowled. ‘Yeah but there’s no answer.’
‘What about his office?’
‘I’m not stupid. Of course I have, but no one’s answering the office phone either.’
Alfonso shouted. ‘Fuck. What are we going to do? We’re supposed to move her in the next couple of days. Without a passport for her, we won’t be able to get her through customs. Keep trying.’
Julian nodded as he pulled out his mobile to phone Alan. He winked at Star, wondering when he’d be able to get her on her own.
50
Teddy Davies was drenched. His brown mackintosh stuck to him, and the handle of his luggage had broken, leaving him to tuck the bag under his arm. But the sudden summer downpour and the inadequate luggage were the least of his troubles as he stood on the doorstep, staring into the cold brown eyes of Del Williams.
‘Weather’s not very clever …’ Teddy trailed off, feeling the squelch of the water in his sandals.
Del stared, saying nothing very loudly. He swung the front door wide open and turned, walking down the corridor towards the kitchen. This he couldn’t get his head round. This was like something you read in a book or watched in a film, thinking it could never happen. But as he walked down the cool marble corridor, hearing Teddy’s footsteps behind him, Del knew there was no getting away from how real it was.
They walked into the kitchen. It was empty. Del put his hand out and stared at Teddy. It took Teddy a moment to realise Del was wanting to take his coat. Quickly he took it off, passing the wet mac to Del, who held his gaze as well as the coat before dropping it on the floor where they were standing, prior to stepping on it as he walked across to switch the kettle on.
The next couple of moments saw Teddy standing in the middle of the room wondering whether it was wise or not to pick his coat up. Catching Del’s unwelcoming gaze, Teddy decided it was probably best to leave it where it was.
‘How do you have your tea, Teddy? Is this too strong? Come and see.’ Del’s voice was light as he made the drinks.
Taken aback by the change of tone, Teddy walked across and looked at the steaming hot mug of tea. Just as he was about to demand more milk, he felt Del’s tight grip on his arm.
Teddy’s face drained as Del spoke through gritted teeth.
‘You being here ain’t got nothing to do with me. If I had my way …’ Del paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. ‘Bunny’s got it into her head that you can help. That’s how desperate she is. So just make sure you do something. Oh, and I don’t want her knowing that I know about you and her. Do I make myself clear?’
‘Everything all right?’ Bunny opened the kitchen door.
‘Everything’s fine, doll. Me and Teddy were j
ust discussing if you put the milk in first or the water.’ Teddy nodded, unable to raise a smile as he unsteadily went to sit down.
Bunny took the plates of biscuits over to the table, watching Del, who was now sitting out near the pool. She sat down next to Teddy. ‘Biscuit?’
‘Oh, don’t mind if I do.’
Seeing that Del wasn’t looking at them, Bunny’s voice turned into an angry whisper. ‘Del’s none too happy about you being here but like I said on the phone, I’m going to keep my mouth shut about your involvement in my shooting if you help us, and you’re going to keep yours shut about you and me. Do I make myself clear?’
‘Everything all right?’ Del walked back in from the pool area, eyeing Bunny and Teddy suspiciously as they sat at the table over a plate of chocolate biscuits.
‘Everything’s fine. We were just discussing if it’s better to dunk or dip. Ain’t that right, Teddy?’ As if to prove her point, Bunny dropped a whole chocolate biscuit into Teddy’s mug before getting up from the table and walking away.
Teddy Davies nodded, wondering what else could make his already shitty week worse. And he didn’t need to wait much longer to find out.
‘Bleedin’ hell, look what the tide’s brought in.’ It was Edith.
Del sneered at Teddy and Edith. ‘No introductions are necessary. Clearly you two are well acquainted.’
The silence that followed was excruciating and it was only broken by more awkwardness as Fat Man and Claudia came in. Claudia stared, recognising but not quite understanding why the copper from Soho was standing in Del’s kitchen. Fat Man also stared, recognising not a copper from Soho, but the copper who’d once put him away for a five-year stretch.
Del saw the look on their faces. ‘Don’t ask me. Ask her.’
All eyes turned to Bunny. Even Teddy’s, who was just as eager for an explanation as to why he had really been summoned, albeit blackmailed, here by Bunny.
‘I know it’s not ideal but everyone here wants the same thing.’ Bunny paused for a moment, looking at Edith. ‘Well, nearly everybody here wants the same thing. We want Star back. I thought because, for better or for worse, we’ve all had dealings with Teddy …’
Everyone at that point put their heads down, finding a sudden interest in the floor. ‘But he knows the system. He has access to information we don’t have.’
Bunny stopped, fighting the tears away. She looked round the room at everyone. ‘Okay, maybe it was a stupid idea, but I’m just trying to think of anything that will help. It’s better than doing nothing.’
Claudia stepped forward, putting her arms round Bunny. ‘I know it is, babe. I know. We’ll find her, won’t we?’ Claudia looked round the room, seeking reassurance. No one answered. No one was willing to catch her gaze.
* * *
‘Coke, Teddy?’
‘I never touch the stuff.’ Teddy eyeballed Edith, watching the smirk appear on her face as she offered him a drink at dinner with a glint in her eye.
He looked along the table. Bunny, Del, Edith, Burkey, Claudia and himself – as well as some of Del’s men, who looked like they’d stepped out of a guide book on Neanderthals. He was desperate for some quiver. He’d contemplated bringing some through customs but the humiliation of being caught with a few grams stuffed up his arse had stopped him. But it’d been hours now, almost twenty-four hours in fact, and he was beginning to feel it.
‘Cold turkey?’ Del spoke to Teddy, his face emotionless as he passed him the plate of meat.
Teddy gazed back. ‘No.’
Del narrowed his eyes. ‘You sure?’
‘Perfectly.’
Fat Man nudged Claudia, who smiled back coyly. Silence fell once more in the room. No one ate the dinner, pushing it round their plates, deep in their own thoughts.
‘Did you change your ring tone?’ Bunny spoke to Del as she listened to the phone ringing out from the bedroom.
‘It’s not my phone, my phone’s here.’
‘Well, whose is it?’
Del pulled a face. It was the first time he’d heard it. Bunny got up, walking into the master bedroom, which was next door to where they were sitting. She followed the ring tone. It was coming from Del’s suitcase. Quickly she opened it, rummaging amongst the clothes. It was coming from his fawn jacket pocket. Pulling the phone out, she looked at it and not recognising the number, she passed it to Del who was standing next to her. The caller ID had been withheld.
‘Answer it.’ Bunny urged Del.
He looked at her. He’d forgotten about this phone. ‘It’s Alan’s.’
Bunny stared at Del as he pressed the green button.
‘Hello?’
‘Alan?’
‘No …’ Del paused, realising what he’d just said. Quickly trying to make amends he lowered his voice, trying to sound more like Alan. ‘Yes, yes it is.’
He chewed his lip as he waited, hoping he hadn’t given the game away. He was curious to see who it was. Patiently, he listened to the breathing on the other end, not wanting to scare the person off. Eventually the caller spoke.
‘It’s Julian. I’ve been trying to call you. I’m going to draw in my favours … I’ve got a keeper. I need you to get a girl out …’
The voice cut off and Del looked at the mobile in despair. The battery had gone.
‘No!’ Del yelled as Bunny looked at him, not understanding what was going on.
‘Quick, get a charger. Now!’
Bunny looked at the phone, seeing it was a Samsung.
‘I haven’t got a charger for that.’
‘Someone must.’
Bunny raced down the corridor, holding her sides as a pain ran through her. She burst into the sun room where everyone was still congregating. Her voice verging on the hysterical, she asked, ‘Has anyone got a phone charger for a Samsung? Quickly!’
‘I have.’ Teddy stood up. ‘It’s in my case though.’
‘Then get it!’
Teddy rushed to his bag, wishing he hadn’t volunteered the information of his charger as he saw Del staring down at him whilst he pulled out everything from striped pyjamas to off-white Y-fronts.
‘Can’t you be any fucking quicker?’
Teddy nodded, his hand shaking from a combination of terror and lack of quiver. Frigging bag. It had too many compartments in it and now he couldn’t find a thing. Continuing to rummage, Teddy pulled out a mini clear grip-seal bag. He stared at it as if hypnotised; seeing the remnants of cocaine inside. The moment was broken by Del hitting the bag out of Teddy’s hand.
‘What the fuck are you doing?’
‘Sorry … sorry.’ Teddy blinked, delving deep into a side compartment. His hand hit on something hard. The charger.
Del grabbed it from Teddy’s hands, not giving him a word of thanks. He rushed to the side and plugged it in. Impatiently waiting for it to charge up, Del’s mind began to race. Julian. Julian. Why did he know that name? He looked at the phone, seeing a voicemail message.
Please enter the pin. The woman’s automated voice told him what he didn’t want to know. Alan had protected his mail. Shit.
‘What did the person say?’ Bunny spoke to Del, breaking his thoughts.
‘I don’t know, maybe it’s nothing to do with Star, but …’
‘What?’
Del looked around at Teddy, Claudia and Fat Man. ‘He said he had a keeper.’
Claudia put her head in her hands, making Del feel the need to give her blind reassurance. ‘Maybe it doesn’t mean what we think it does. It could be about anything. So a guy calls and asks Alan for some papers for a kid. Big deal. He did it all the time. We did it for Star.’
He turned to look at Bunny, scanning her face. Seeing the pain, but also the strength in her big blue eyes. ‘Don’t worry, Bun. It’s probably innocent.’
As he said the words, Del tried to ignore the sinking feeling in his heart.
51
The morning didn’t bring any brightness. The sun hid behind the low clouds. The sea, u
sually sparkling and jewel-like, faded and merged into the grey sea mist. Del sat with Fat Man outside by the pool, the air thick with despondency.
‘Do you think it was about Star?’ It was the same question Fat Man had been asking since the phone call yesterday. Del stared at Alan’s mobile, lying silently on the table. He didn’t know. But what other leads did they have? Though the idea they were talking about Star was too horrific to contemplate.
‘I dunno, Burkey. Like I said, it could be a pile up of coincidences.’
‘Can I have a word?’
Del and Fat Man looked round. It was Teddy. They watched as he stood in a vest and striped pyjama bottoms, wrapping a blanket tightly round him, tears streaming down his face.
‘Christ geeze, you need to pull yourself together.’
‘I couldn’t sleep. I feel terrible …’
He burst into tears again, dabbing his eyes with the hem of his string vest. Del and Fat Man looked at each other, embarrassed for Teddy.
Del, suspecting what was wrong, motioned the wiping of his nose to Fat Man, who nodded, grasping the situation. Del stared at Teddy with enough disdain for Fat Man to speak.
‘Take it easy, mate. We’re all under pressure.’
Del spoke slowly, not taking his eyes off Teddy for a second. ‘My men will sort you out with what you need, but make sure you’re not so coked-up you end up with shit for brains.’
An hour later, Teddy was singing. Life was good and the Marbella sun, although not shining, was beginning to break out. Yes, this is exactly what he needed. A rest from Soho. A rest from work and a few fat lines of quiver.
‘Oi mate, I want a word with you.’ Edith slid into Teddy’s room, escaping from the hostage situation she regarded herself to be in. Teddy, glaze-eyed and annoyed at the interruption, snapped at Edith, ‘What do you think you’re doing?’
Edith, slanted her eyes. ‘The question is, what do you think you’re doing? I nearly had bleedin’ calves when I saw your boat, walking in here.’
Teddy, rubbing some quiver on his gums, stepped forward to Edith. He whispered, ‘How do you think I felt? I’m the one who’s been brought into the lion’s cave, not you. I’ve got your gorilla of a husband breathing down my neck, expecting me to turn into Inspector Poirot.’