While the two heavies had a discussion about who had the keys to their Lexus, Shane managed to pick up from their accents that they weren’t local boys and it suddenly clicked with Shane where he’d seen the big blond man before. However he wanted to double check before he called Ryan. He wouldn’t be impressed with incorrect information.
Finally the heavies found the keys and the three men got into the car and drove off. Shane was about to jog up to Estelle’s flat to make sure she was okay when her door opened and she ran out, pulling on her fake leather jacket, tripping over her high heels in her eagerness while stuffing a big wad of cash into her jacket pocket. Shane scowled at her as she descended the stairs and rushed off in the direction of the pub. She’d just been paid for something and judging by the look of those men - the blond one had been really good looking - it wasn’t sex, which was all Estelle had to offer. Why would three southerners come to Nottingham to shag a nasty, wrinkled old tom? The only other thing she had to give was information - about her sons.
“Shit,” he said, rushing back to his parents’ flat.
“Hello sweetheart, you back for tea?” called his mum as he dashed through the front door and into his bedroom.
“Yeah, just give me a few minutes. I have to phone someone,” he called back over his shoulder.
He rushed into his room, shut the door and locked it. His mum had the annoying habit of walking in without knocking, so he’d installed the lock personally after she’d caught him enjoying a private moment with his magazines. He’d been unable to look her in the eye for weeks after that one.
Diving under his bed, he pulled out his gangster scrapbook and dumped it on the bed to flick through. There were plenty of stories about Ryan and Rachel, Alex Maguire’s disappearance and his brother Danny’s death. There were other gangsters in there too from across the country, including Toni McVay and her notorious brother, Frankie. Idly Shane wondered if the rumours about his axe were true.
“Focus Shane,” he told himself, turning the page sporting Frankie’s gurning face after he was caught by surprise by a photographer outside court. Finally he found the big blond man near the back. Jared Slattery from the infamous Slattery clan in Essex. What interest could someone in Essex have in the Laws? Still, it wasn’t up to him to puzzle that one out.
Heart pounding, he took out his phone and summoned up the courage to call Ryan Law.
“Kirsty, Valentine, how nice of you to join us,” said Ryan pleasantly, getting to his feet to welcome the Hallidays.
Rachel smiled inwardly. They’d never guess that inside Ryan was raging about their lies. The Hallidays looked relaxed bordering on smug as they took their seats. She couldn’t wait to see their faces when they realised they’d been rumbled.
“We arranged to be seated in the private room so we could talk without risk of being overhead,” said Ryan genially. “I’m sure we all want this conversation kept between the four of us.”
“Yes, quite right,” said Valentine, a prematurely grey, overweight man with a permanently red face that made everyone who met him fear he was on the verge of a heart attack.
They made small talk as the waiters brought them their drinks. Once they’d left and closed the door behind them, Rachel said, “I’ve explained things to Ryan, so we don’t need to go over old ground.”
“Very efficient of you Mrs Law,” said Valentine, confident in the knowledge that what he wanted had already been granted. “We’ve been meaning to come and eat here ever since you took it over. It used to be in a shocking state, the last owners didn’t have a clue how to run a restaurant. We hear your chef is Michelin-starred?”
“He is,” replied Rachel before taking a sip of white wine.
“I’m really looking forward to tasting the food,” he said, already placing his napkin on his lap.
“How can you talk like this Valentine?” said Kirsty angrily. “We’re here to discuss poor Gloria.”
“Oh yes, quite right,” he said, dropping the smile.
“There’s just one point we’re not clear on,” said Ryan. “What exactly do you want to happen to Billy Whitelock?”
“Surely you don’t need us to spell it out?” said Valentine.
“Actually we do. We need to be absolutely sure we’re on the same page. If we’re not then things could get very messy indeed.”
“I want him gone, out of our daughter’s life,” said Kirsty with surprising vehemence. “He’s going to drag her down, ruin her. What sort of life is she going to have tied to that?”
“Kirsty’s right,” added Valentine. “The boy’s a menace. I’m sure you already know why?”
Neither Rachel nor Ryan replied.
“We want him out of our lives and out of our daughter’s life,” said Kirsty.
“So what are you saying?” said Ryan.
“We want him beaten within an inch of his life,” said Kirsty. “I want every bone in his body broken so he gets the message loud and clear - he is not welcome at our house and he’s not to go near Gloria again. I want all the bones in both hands broken too so he can never touch her again.”
Rachel and Ryan, who had seen a lot of savagery in their time, were shocked by the savagery in Kirsty’s eyes. She had always seemed so prim and proper. Rachel wondered if she was a psychopath, she’d met plenty of those in her time too and she understood all too well how good they were at throwing up fronts to the world, Alex Maguire being the prime example. He’d fooled her like no one else ever had.
“Seems a bit harsh,” said Ryan, interrupting Rachel’s thoughts.
“He is not good enough,” said Kirsty, unwittingly confirming Tracey’s theory.
Rachel had finally had enough of this loathsome conversation. It was quite chilling to listen to these outwardly respectable people demanding they half-kill someone simply because they didn’t fit in with their pretensions. “Let’s end this charade right now,” she said.
“What charade?” frowned Kirsty.
“We know Billy’s a decent lad. Yes, he got up to some dodgy stuff when he was younger but he’s turned his life around and he makes your daughter happy. We can find no evidence that he’s nothing but a good guy trying to better himself. He even volunteers at the local dog rescue centre.” Rachel leaned forwards in her chair, eyes turning black. “So why did you lie to us?”
Valentine looked away, embarrassed, unable to meet Rachel’s black eyes or Ryan’s steely grey ones, but Kirsty was defiant.
“He’s a loser,” she hissed. “Gloria could have someone rich and well connected, but no, she’s throwing her beautiful self away on that idiot. He stinks of dogs you know,” she said, as though that alone made him deserve the harsh punishment she wanted doled out.
“So?” said Rachel. “He makes your daughter happy, surely that should be the most important thing?”
“The most important thing is keeping us happy,” said Valentine, recovering his courage. “And you should be working very hard to do that if you want The Tower. If you don’t get rid of Billy for us, I’ll make sure someone else buys that land. There are plenty of people wanting it.”
“Are you blackmailing us?” said Ryan.
“I’m merely trying to encourage you to do the right thing, for everyone,” he said slyly.
“It’s not right for Billy or Gloria,” said Rachel. “Why can’t you just leave them alone?”
“I wasn’t expecting to hear sentiment from someone like you,” said Kirsty, freely revealing her nasty side.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” said Rachel.
“You know what I’m talking about. Why should we use euphemisms? You’re gangsters masquerading as respectable people.”
“And you’re a psychopath masquerading as a respectable person,” said Rachel, voice dripping ice.
“What I’m curious to know is, why come to us?” said Ryan casually, reclining back in his chair. “Why not just hire some local thugs to beat him up? You’ve certainly got the cash to do it.”
“Because coming from you the message would mean so much more,” said Valentine. “He’d be so scared he’d leave the area and never come back. But it would seem we’ve no choice but to turn to someone who doesn’t think so much of themselves. Oh, and by the way, you’re not getting The Tower, I can promise you that,” he ended smugly before nodding at Kirsty. “Come on Dear, let’s go.”
“Sit down,” said Ryan when they both got to their feet. He had a way of being obeyed without having to raise his voice and it worked very well on the Hallidays, who immediately retook their seats.
“This isn’t over. You’ll leave when we say you can leave.”
Valentine swallowed hard as Ryan glared at him. Even Kirsty suddenly looked nervous. Ryan, enjoying their discomfort, leaned forwards in his seat, looking from one to the other. “Do you see that up there?” he said, nodding at the far right corner of the room. “It’s called a camera.”
Kirsty and Valentine both looked up, faces paling.
“It has audio too,” he continued. “It’s captured everything you just said.”
“You can’t do anything with it without incriminating yourselves,” retorted Kirsty.
“Why not? Myself and Rachel have done nothing wrong. You were the ones demanding we beat Billy Whitelock to within an inch of his life and break all the bones in his hands so he can’t touch your daughter again.”
There was a pause as Valentine and Kirsty thought over the conversation.
“You sly, conniving bastards,” spat Kirsty, glaring at them.
“Do you take us for amateurs Kirsty?” said Rachel, finally starting to enjoy the evening. “You’re playing in the big leagues now but it doesn’t look like you’re up to it.”
“This is just low,” said Valentine. “Can’t say I’m surprised, you are criminals after all.”
“Us the criminals?” said Ryan, more amused than angry. “We’re here to enjoy a quiet meal. You were the ones who tried to incite us to violence. But we don’t have to justify ourselves to you. Now, here’s what’s going to happen. You will ensure The Tower is sold to us. We want it and you should know that what we want we always get. If we don’t get it then the footage recorded on that camera will be circulated round all the local newspapers, television stations and police stations.”
“You fu…,” began Valentine, turning even more purple.
“I wouldn’t recommend name-calling,” said Ryan, eyes flinty, silencing Valentine’s tirade. “And I’ll be watching over Billy Whitelock. Should a single hair on his head get hurt then the same applies. Everyone will see you for what you really are.” He nodded his head graciously. “Now you may leave.”
Kirsty shot to her feet, snatched up her coat and handbag then stood there, shaking with anger. “And we’ll make sure everyone sees you for what you really are. We’ll have you ostracised from society, we’ll make your lives a living hell.”
“It’s not smart mouthing off to the people who have incriminating footage of you,” said Rachel. “Go away so we can enjoy our meal in peace.”
“You’ve just made a big mistake and powerful enemies.” They were incensed when Rachel and Ryan looked at each other and laughed.
“This isn’t over,” said Kirsty before they both stomped out.
The waiter popped his head round the door. “Are you ready to eat now Mr and Mrs Law?”
“Yes we are,” smiled Ryan, taking Rachel’s hand. “We’ll have a bottle of champagne too, we’ve just pulled off a big business deal.”
“Congratulations. I’ll have everything brought in.”
“That was so much fun,” said Ryan when the waiter had gone. “I do enjoy bringing down pompous fools like them.”
“Kirsty wasn’t making an idle threat. She will do her best to make trouble for us.”
“Rachel, you’ve faced Alex Maguire, Frankie McVay, the Jordans and mad Uncle Terry, not to mention the band of serial killers. Do the Hallidays really faze you?”
“Not at all but I do want life to be normal for a while.”
He kissed her hand. “It will be. The worst is finally behind us, I can feel it.”
They both stared at each other, their hearts sinking when his phone rang. The timing was just too prophetic.
“I’ll ignore it,” he said.
“No, you’d better get it. It might be about the kids.”
“You’re right,” he said, digging his phone out of his trouser pocket. “Hello?”
“Hello, Mr Law?”
“Yes, who is this?”
“Shane.”
Ryan had to pause to remember who Shane was, until he recalled the teenager in Nottingham he’d asked to keep an eye on his mother, the evil witch Estelle. “Oh yes, hello Shane. What can I do for you?”
“I thought you should know that your mum’s had some visitors.”
“What sort of visitors? Unless it’s a man bearing money and drugs she wouldn’t be interested.”
“Southerners. Jared Slattery and two of his men.”
Ryan’s grip tightened on the phone. “Are they still there?”
“No, they just left. I think they gave her some cash because she went straight to the pub.”
“And you’re sure it was Jared Slattery?”
“Yeah, I’ve seen his picture in the paper.”
“Excellent work Shane, you’ll receive a nice bonus for this information. Keep a closer eye on Estelle, ask around, she’s probably mouthed off about how she got the money. If you see Slattery again, call me immediately.”
“I will Mr Law,” said Shane, all eagerness.
“Have you told anyone else about this?”
“No Sir. I’ve kept it to myself, just like you told me to.”
“Excellent. Let me know the second you hear anything.” He hung up and stared out of the window, lost in thought.
“Who was that?” said Rachel.
“Shane,” he replied in a faraway voice.
“Shane? The lad from Nottingham?”
“The very same. Jared Slattery paid Estelle a visit.”
“Oh shit, is she alright?”
Love swelled inside Ryan for his wife. He was well aware how much she hated Estelle because of her treatment of him but she was still concerned for her welfare because she was his mum. “Fine. It seemed they paid her money, so of course she’s indulging all her revolting, hedonistic tendencies.”
“Money, why?”
“That’s what’s worrying me.”
“It can only mean she gave them information about us. They wouldn’t have paid her otherwise.”
“Oh wonderful. Why am I not surprised? She sold one of her own children, so it stands to reason she’d sell us all out too.”
“What are you going to do?”
“First I’m going to call Jez.”
“And Jules.”
Ryan arched an eyebrow.
“She’s your sister and Estelle’s her mum too, well, biologically anyway. If Jared Slattery’s involved he’ll be interested in her as well, after all she’s working for Mikey now. She has a right to know.”
“I suppose you have a point. I’ll phone her too but first, Jez.”
Rachel listened as he made his call, finding it entertaining how he listened carefully to Jez’s carefully considered thoughts then winced and held the phone away from his ear as Jules screamed down the line about all the tortures she was going to inflict on their bitch of a mother.
“Well that was helpful,” he said sarcastically, ending the call with Jules.
“What did they say?”
“Jez thought we should pay her a visit and find out exactly what she told Jared and I’m inclined to agree. Jules thought we should drown her in the bog, her words,” he said, pulling a face at the crude turn of phrase.
Secretly Rachel agreed with Jules, but didn’t say this. She loathed Estelle but she was still Ryan’s mother. “You’re going to Nottingham?”
He nodded. “It’s the only thing I can do.”
“I
’ll come with you.”
“No, I need you to stay here.” The corner of his mouth lifted into a smile when she frowned and her eyes turned black. “You can pull that delectable look all you want but you must stay here, the kids need you. If they’re dumped on their grandparents again they’re going to get scared, especially Leah.”
“You’re right. I’ll stay. Please be careful.”
“The Slatterys will be long gone. They’re not going to hang around Nottingham indefinitely. But it’s vital we know what damage Estelle’s done so we can limit it.”
“Do you think they’ll come for us?”
“Why would Jared bother? Katia’s dead and she was the one who wanted revenge on us. He couldn’t care less what we did to Alex. He’ll be using Estelle to find out what he can about Jez and probably Jules too.”
“She won’t be able to tell them much.”
“From what I gathered they’ve paid her cash, so she must have told them something. Jared isn’t known for spontaneous acts of generosity.”
“I get it that you have to go, but please hurry back and don’t let Estelle get to you.”
“You know I can’t bear to be parted from you for long,” he said, kissing her neck. “Every moment in Nottingham will be torture.”
“You are such a smooth talker,” she murmured, enjoying his attentions.
They were forced to part when an entourage of waiters entered with their food and a chilled bottle of champagne. Suddenly neither of them felt like celebrating.
CHAPTER 14
Jules sat astride her beloved Harley Davidson Superlow with the snake’s head emblazoned on the tank. She was in the underground car park she always used for any covert meetings she didn’t want the authorities or Mikey and Jez to know about. She sat there smoking, seemingly oblivious to the shadowy figure creeping up behind her.
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