The Locksmith

by Linda Calvey

  ‘Tell me, Cathy.’ Her voice was low. She felt like a tiger in the long grasses, waiting to pounce.

  ‘It was . . .’

  ‘Go on, love.’

  ‘George,’ Cathy whispered.

  But Ruby had known already.

  And now Archie and Alfie did too.

  Both men were standing in the doorway, their eyes wild, their faces twisted with rage and grief.

  ‘I’ll tear him to pieces. I’ll rip his dick off. I’ll feed him to the pigs while there’s still breath in him!’ Archie looked half demented. His fists were bunched tight. The shock of Cathy’s revelation filled the room. Waves of disbelief and horror lapped at the walls.

  ‘Stop, Archie.’ Ruby turned to look at her husband and brother-in-law. Archie stared at her from the doorway, holding back while she tended to their daughter, his eyes dark in the evening light. She felt his need for revenge, the need for blood to be spilled, as a visceral force.

  She nodded, acknowledging his savagery, accepting it completely.

  Something had to be done – and fast. This unthinkable crime against their beautiful girl could not go unpunished. There would be no police called, no trust placed in the authorities. They’d handle this themselves.

  Ruby’s gaze was steady, her decision made.

  ‘Find him,’ she said.

  CHAPTER 38

  ‘Come on, darlin’, I’m takin’ you to Uncle Bobby’s. You’ll be safe there.’ Ruby held her daughter tightly, knowing she had to protect her from whatever was coming next.

  There was a slight pause. ‘From what, Mum?’ Cathy had stopped crying, and instead she turned to face her mother, looking directly into her eyes.

  Ruby stopped and stared back. She couldn’t tell Cathy what she instinctively knew inside. She couldn’t tell her that George, when he was found, was a dead man walking, yet Cathy sensed enough to even ask the question.

  ‘I don’t want you around when they find him. You’ve had enough trauma for one night,’ Ruby said eventually.

  It was enough to satisfy her daughter.

  Cathy nodded. ‘OK, Mum, I don’t really want to see him anyway. I’ll go to Bobby and Belle’s, just promise me one thing . . .’

  ‘What’s that, darlin’?’

  ‘Don’t let him suffer,’ Cathy said, tears welling up in her eyes again. Ruby’s heart broke again at the sight of her, looking so young and forlorn, her innocence ripped from her so brutally.

  She pulled Cathy into her arms again. ‘I promise, darlin’, I won’t let that happen.’ Ruby felt a thud of guilt, which she quickly dismissed. She knew that George would not survive the night. Her brother would be hunted down like prey. His life was worthless now. Archie would not let him live after raping their daughter. It was the way of the underworld, the law of survival. George had transgressed the line that separated man from beast, and he would pay the ultimate price. Ruby couldn’t begin to understand her own shock, her own desperation.

  There was nothing Ruby could do to protect him, no matter how torn she was. On the one hand George was the baby brother she loved with all her heart, on the other hand he’d brutalised her daughter, the other innocent who Ruby had sworn to protect.

  She went to her daughter’s wardrobe and pulled out a thick fluffy dressing gown and soft underwear for her to change into. She watched as her daughter winced with pain as she gently pulled off her jeans and knickers, revealing scratched skin and yet more blood from George’s violent attack.

  The sight was almost enough to make Ruby break down. Stay strong for Cathy, stay strong, you can fall apart later, she chanted in her mind, gritting her teeth to stop the tears and shock coming.

  ‘We’ll put you in a nice, warm bath and Belle will stay with you day and night. You’re safe now, Cathy,’ Ruby murmured as she worked, dressing her daughter with the tenderest care, all the while trying to hold in the emotions that seized her.

  Maternal love is as fierce as it is caring, and Ruby felt a swirling torrent of grief, rage and sadness inside her, yet no one would’ve guessed. The years of keeping a poker-straight face in business deals were so ingrained in her now that she was able to care for her daughter without exposing her horror. Ruby knew if she broke down, she wouldn’t be able to do what she knew she had to.

  Ruby helped Cathy into their new Bentley, and drove off into the night, her headlights dipped to try to avoid attention. Ruby rang ahead as she drove.

  ‘I can’t say nuthin’ but we’re comin’ over. Cathy’s been attacked. I need you two to look after her,’ Ruby said. Her voice was low, her tone serious.

  ‘What’s ’appened, Rube?’ Bobby said, his voice sounded instantly alert.

  ‘I’ll explain later. Cathy needs to be kept safe. We’re almost at yours.’ Ruby hung up.

  A couple of minutes later, she pulled into the drive of the house they’d once lived in, now Bobby and Belle’s home. They were already standing outside the house, Belle in a dressing gown, Bobby in his day clothes. They had clearly been preparing to go to bed when she rang.

  ‘Let’s just get inside,’ Ruby ordered. She helped Cathy out of the car. Her daughter had been silent through the drive, and in a strange way, this frightened Ruby more. It didn’t seem natural to be so calm after the attack she’d suffered.

  ‘Belle, please run Cathy a bath. Bobby, I need to speak to you urgently,’ Ruby said sharply. Belle looked to her husband and he nodded. She smiled at Cathy, putting her arms around her as she led Ruby’s daughter upstairs and into the bathroom.

  Ruby marched into the kitchen. She started to pace up and down, holding her head in her hands. Bobby looked alarmed.

  ‘What is it, Rube? Tell me,’ Bobby said, grabbing her by the elbows and forcing her to stop walking.

  Ruby’s face, when she brought it up to hold Bobby’s gaze, was grief-stricken. ‘It was George. George raped Cathy. Archie won’t let him live. He has to go, Bobby, and I can’t bear any of it.’ Ruby felt herself starting to fall down a deep, black well of emotion. She had to be strong. She had to get back. The night wasn’t over yet.

  ‘Fuckin’ hell. Fuck!’ Bobby let go of her arms like she was made of hot coals. It was his turn to pace.

  He shook his head, disbelief fighting with anger.

  ‘Our little brother was high on drugs, Bobby. We had a terrible argument earlier in the day and he stormed out. We went out for a meal to try and calm it all down . . .’ At this point, Ruby felt a pang of shame and guilt so strong it almost knocked her sideways. ‘I can’t believe I left her. I can’t believe I left Cathy in the house alone. I let this happen, Bobby.’ Tears streamed down Ruby’s face now. They were unstoppable. The dam had burst. ‘Cathy was in the house. She said she’d ’ave a quiet word with George when he got back but I knew he was high, I could see it and I left her . . .’

  ‘It wasn’t your fault. You’re not to blame for our brother’s actions,’ Bobby burst out.

  ‘Maybe. Maybe not. The truth was that George went and took more drugs, God knows what he scored, and he came back . . . and that’s when he raped my little girl . . .’ Ruby keened, doubling up with terrible pain at the violence, the worst crime that can be inflicted upon a woman.

  Bobby was now sitting at the kitchen island, his head in his hands, crying softly. Eventually, Ruby stood up and wiped her eyes.

  ‘I promised myself I wouldn’t let Cathy see my pain. This has to be about helpin’ her, and her alone. Listen, Bobby, I need you and Belle to stay up with Cathy, all night if you ’ave to, as I ’ave to go back. There’s more to be done. Justice needs to be done.’ Ruby’s face was dark in the shadows thrown by the overhead light.

  Bobby looked over at her pleadingly, ‘Don’t go back, Rube. Stay ’ere with Cathy. She needs her mum tonight . . .’

  Ruby shook her head. ‘I’ll be back later but there’s somethin’ I need to do first . . .’

  Bobby knew not to ask.

  Ruby obviously looked as desperate as sh
e felt, because Bobby nodded and said, ‘All right, go, do what you ’ave to do.’

  A look of understanding that went beyond words passed between the two siblings. Evil had to be put right, it had to be avenged, and they both knew that Archie and Alfie would stop at nothing.

  CHAPTER 39

  Back at the mansion, Ruby walked in. The house was silent. Suddenly her mobile buzzed. She opened it and saw it was her husband calling.

  ‘Archie?’ she said, putting her Gucci handbag down on the marble worktop.

  ‘We’ve got him. We’re on our way.’

  Ruby hung up. She put her phone back in her bag and looked around the room, waiting. Everything appeared the same, yet everything was different.

  The minutes felt like hours as she waited. Then she heard the sound of the car wheels on the gravel. Glancing up at the clock, she saw it was now almost 2 a.m. The darkest hour of the night.

  But there was no sound of footsteps. Suddenly, she saw the lights go on in the plush garden office outside. Picking up her handbag, Ruby prepared to walk out to meet her adored little brother, who had become a monster.

  Fear wrestled with fury as she walked across the immaculate lawn. She could hear Alfie shouting, and she willed him to quieten down. They didn’t want to alert the neighbours.

  Her hand trembled as she opened the office door. Alfie was screaming in George’s face. Her little brother had a black eye and was cowering on the sofa. He had clearly taken a beating.

  ‘Careful, Alfie, or you’ll ’ave the Old Bill breathin’ down our necks,’ said Ruby quietly. There was something in her tone that had authority, that men like Alfie – violent, reckless men – seemed to obey instantly.

  He backed off, glaring into George’s face, which was red from crying. Her gaze travelled over him. His clothes were dishevelled, as you’d expect if he’d taken a kicking, and he was clutching at an injury on his arm.

  ‘Where was he?’ she said eventually, looking over at Archie, who was standing by the window, his back to the three of them. It was as if he could not bear to even look at her brother.

  It was Alfie who replied.

  ‘He was at his mate’s house. Big-time dealer boy ’ere was crouching low at his friend’s house gettin’ fucked up on crack.’

  Ruby nodded. She looked over at her brother and, in that moment, felt a surge of pity. He was a pathetic sight, sobbing and shaking, as the effects of the drugs wore off, and the knowledge of his attack sunk in.

  Ruby saw she needed to take control. It was only a matter of time before Archie’s pent-up anger would be released, and she could see Alfie snarling next to her. He’d always reminded her of a dog bred to fight, an animal straining at the leash. Well, soon he’d be freed to set upon her brother, the shivering, swaying mess that had brutalised her girl.

  ‘Leave us,’ she said.

  Archie looked round. He spoke at last. ‘I’m not leavin’ you alone in ’ere with him. No way, babe.’

  ‘Leave us, please,’ Ruby said, ‘both of you. I want to speak to my brother.’ She looked into her husband’s eyes, seeing pure revenge there, and she nodded. ‘I understand. I still want to speak to him . . . whatever he’s done, he is my brother, and more like a son to me . . .’

  Archie saw his wife’s determination and relented.

  He signalled to Alfie to follow him out.

  ‘We’ll be right outside if he tries anythin’, fuckin’ ponce,’ Alfie sneered.

  Ruby waited until the door was shut behind them.

  She came over to the sofa where her brother was sitting. She put her arm around him, feeling the sweat soaking through his clothes, the smell of fear leaching from him.

  ‘Why did you do it?’ she asked.

  George shook his head. ‘It’s the drugs. They make me mental. I don’t know why I did that to Cathy. I love Cathy, she’s the best one of all of us . . .’ George snivelled, snot and tears running down his face. ‘I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry. Promise me somethin’, Ruby?’ he sobbed.

  ‘What’s that, darlin’?’ Ruby replied, rubbing his back to calm him as if he was a child again. How many times had she rubbed his tummy when it was sore, or soothed his night terrors as a child? Far too many to count. How many times had she wiped away childish tears, calmed his frustrations and fussed over imagined injuries? It seemed like their whole life together was suddenly in front of them and Ruby was left to pick out the memories: George smiling with an ice cream on a hot summer’s day, holding him as he giggled in a bubble bath as a baby, walking him to school on his first day. It had all led to this, this degradation, this disgrace, an unforgiveable crime.

  ‘Promise me you won’t let them hurt me.’ George turned his face up to hers and the pain and regret was there to see.

  He burst into fresh tears and Ruby found herself comforting him again, saying, ‘There, there, it’s goin’ to be OK.’

  ‘It isn’t Ruby, I know . . .’

  Ruby felt her heart lurch with the love she bore this young man, her baby brother, now a rapist. He was her flesh and blood, whatever he’d done. She looked back into his eyes. They were filled with desperation, and he clung to her, shaking and crying. She could feel his tears soaking into her blouse.

  Her decision had been made hours ago yet she almost balked, almost turned away from the path she needed to follow. Her love for him had to stay strong or she wouldn’t be able to do it. She held him closer. Behind her was the Gucci bag, now open, and she placed her hand inside it.

  The seconds stretched out yet George didn’t appear to notice.

  She mustn’t wobble. She mustn’t hesitate.

  ‘I promise I won’t let them hurt you,’ she said. ‘I love you, darlin’.’

  As she said the words her hand grasped the cold metal of the handgun she carried with her always.

  She brought the weapon gently to the side of George’s head.

  She had to do this. She had to show mercy because she knew her husband would not.

  Ruby took a deep breath – and pulled the trigger.

  BANG!

  Blood, gristle and bone shot around the room. George’s skull exploded into a million fragments. Drops of red were sprayed across the room, covering the sofa, the floor in front of them and Ruby herself.

  His body, now a dead weight, slumped onto the sofa cushion, and she dropped the gun on the wooden floor, a sound which would stay with her for ever.

  The door burst open.

  Ruby didn’t look up. She was leaning over him, cradling the lump of bone and blood that was her brother.

  ‘It’s done,’ she said.

  No one spoke. Nobody moved. It was as if they’d been frozen in a terrible spell, a nightmare with no beginning or end.

  Then the spell was broken.

  ‘Fuck!’ yelled Alfie.

  ‘What did you do, Ruby? What did you go and do?’ Archie said as he ran over to his wife.

  Slowly, Ruby stood up. It was as if everything went numb. The world slipped away and all she could hear was the rush of blood and grief in her head.

  ‘Get her out of ’ere. Now!’ Alfie shouted to his twin, who seemed as stunned as Ruby was. ‘Take her inside. Get her to take all her clothes off. Put Ruby in the bath, quickly. Grab the clothes and bring them back ’ere,’ Alfie commanded. He was a practised killer and knew the drill.

  ‘Why did ya do this, Ruby? Why?’ Archie said, staring up at his wife with new eyes.

  Ruby didn’t notice the blood trickling down her face, covering her hands, soaking through her silk dress. She felt like she was in a trance as she looked back at the man she married so long ago.

  ‘For love . . .’ was all she said, taking his arm and letting herself be led away to the house.

  ‘When you’ve undressed her, put everythin’ in a black bin liner. Her shoes, her handbag, everything’,’ Alfie added. He was already dragging the body onto the floor.

  ‘Go!’

  Archie led Ruby up to the main bathroom where
there was a wet area and a roll-top bath. She was shaking violently now, but let herself be taken.

  Slowly, carefully, as if undressing a small child, Archie peeled off her clothes. Ruby barely noticed. In her mind’s eye she was still at the scene of the crime, witnessing what would inevitably be coming next.

  As Ruby stepped into the shower, as the rivulets of blood ran from her body, swirled in the plug hole and disappeared, she knew what her husband’s twin would be doing.

  In her mind’s eye, she saw him strip George’s body, putting his clothes and shoes into a bin bag. She saw him take another, smaller bag, and fill it with his rings and his gold chains, all covered in his blood. She saw him shave his head, pull out his fingernails and toenails with pliers before pulling out her brother’s teeth and placing them in the same small bag. She could almost hear the crack of splintering bone, the grunts of the effort required to rip apart a human being, one she still loved dearly despite his terrible crime against Cathy.

  Ruby stepped out of the shower and let her husband pat her down, before stepping into a bubble bath for the final part of her cleansing.

  ‘Thank you,’ Ruby murmured at last as she sank down into the sweet-smelling water.

  They heard a sound. An electric chainsaw. It was a strange sound for the depths of the night but she knew exactly what it was being used for.

  Alfie would’ve laid down thick plastic sheeting on the floor, then dragged George’s remains onto it. The final part of the macabre theatre of her brother’s death was playing out. He would have to saw off his limbs, cut the trunk into several parts, and cut everything; his arms, legs, body, neck, spine, into bits small enough for the pigs to digest.

  In Ruby’s mind there was no other way they could hide the body. George’s body would be taken in large sacks to the pig farm that lay just outside London, in Essex. Pigs couldn’t digest fingernails and toenails, something to do with the protein in them, so they would pass straight through them. That’s why the nails, hair and jewellery would have to be disposed of another way. She knew that Alfie would then take a car on the Woolwich Ferry and throw those remains over the side, letting the water carry away the evidence.