by Martina Cole
Roy had one, and so did most of the people he knew, and Angus now felt that his refusing one for so long gave him a certain cachet. Angus still didn’t trust mobile phones; he was old school, and what he couldn’t understand he wouldn’t give houseroom. Even now, if he had to make a call that was about business, he would drive out of London and use a phone box in the middle of nowhere. That was how he had always conducted certain business, and he didn’t see any reason to stop that now – though he had to admit it was getting harder to find them these days.
Sean was forever trying to convince him about the merits of burner phones. But, as he pointed out, he had left the majority of his businesses to him and Eilish, so he didn’t need one. They laughed at him, and he took it in good part, but he had a feeling that, one day, his natural distrust of everything pertaining to computers and mobile phones would be proved right.
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard Sean say, ‘Granny’s on her way up.’
Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-six
Lorna was contemplating Alia’s room and wondering what else she could do to make it better.
She resented Jamilla and the way she had relegated her to second best. Alia was still her son’s child, no matter what the circumstances of her birth might have been. But she couldn’t say anything, because Angus had warned her more than once that, if she kicked off, Jamilla would be well within her rights to stop all access. She knew he was talking sense, but she also felt that he should have fought for her and for her right to see her grandchild as and when she wanted to.
She only saw him when Alia was here now, and that hurt. It felt like he was policing her, because he made sure that she was never alone with the child. Her Eilish was just the same; she turned up like a bad smell and wouldn’t leave unless her father was there, and that fucking rankled. Why didn’t they trust her with her own grandchild?
She took her medication, and she made sure that they were all aware of that. She just wanted to see Alia and enjoy the child alone occasionally. She could see Angus Junior in her. She had his eyes, his beautiful blue eyes, and she had also inherited his stance. She walked like she owned the place, and she was so quick like him as well. She could talk your leg off and make everyone around her feel like they were the only person in her world that mattered. She was a gorgeous child, and Lorna hated that she couldn’t see her on a daily basis and teach her properly.
If it was left to the Thomases, the child would be brought up like an animal. Look at the sons! They couldn’t string a sentence together if they were given two days’ notice. And as for that Carly, she was bright enough, but she ignored the child. Anyone would think that Jamilla was the mother. No, it was all unfair, and she had to do something about it. She just didn’t know what.
She was well aware that her own children avoided her if they could. She yearned for the days when she had been everything to them, when she had kept them safely within her orbit and she had looked after them and made sure that they were protected.
She prowled the house once more, and reminisced about her children when they were all still at home with her.
She needed another child to fill up her time and energy.
She needed a drink.
Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-seven
Diana was happy to see her Angus and Sean, and she kissed them both heartily. They hugged her back, as she expected.
She was looking frail lately and Angus felt sad to see it, because she had always been such a force of nature. Even with her make-up and her expensive clothes, she looked like an old woman now, and Angus was surprised to notice that Gabriel looked a lot older too. He had always had time for Gabriel. He knew that the man genuinely loved his mum and that had been proved, time and time again throughout the years.
Diana sat down and settled herself in her chair with the maximum of fuss and then, sipping her drink, she said pointedly, ‘I am assuming this is about Hamid Fazilla?’
Angus wasn’t in the least surprised that his mother was, as always, one step ahead, but he could see that Sean was. He guessed that Sean had prepared a whole speech and now it wasn’t needed. He had just found out why his granny was still in the game. Sean recovered his equilibrium quickly, and Angus and Roy both suppressed a smile.
‘What do you know about him, Granny?’
Diana smiled that lazy smile of hers and, taking another big sip of her whiskey, she said easily, ‘His father is Ali Fazilla. I knew him years ago, when he worked with Abad’s father, and he was a good bloke. He was murdered in the late eighties, in Kabul, by what were assumed to be rival distributers. Personally, I never believed that. I think he was involved with certain political factions. Whatever happened, his body was found on the side of the road, riddled with bullets. One thing I do know is that that event terrified Abad’s old man. I had never seen him so frightened – and, believe me, he wasn’t a man who was easily intimidated.’
She sipped her drink again and waited for her words to sink in. She was pleased to see that she had everyone’s undivided attention.
‘I wouldn’t touch that Hamid or his associates with a bargepole, and I think Abad knows that, but he had to put him out there for propriety’s sake. He knows that I wouldn’t countenance anything to do with Hamid or his so-called associates. But, in fairness, Abad would not have had any choice in the matter. These are not people anyone with half a brain would willingly want as partners, and why Hamid is involved with them after what happened to his father, we can only guess. Anyway, bottom line is, we swerve the fuckers and do what Sean says: stick with the Colombians.’
Sean was so impressed with his grandmother and her acumen, he was speechless. Angus stood up and began replenishing everyone’s drinks. Unlike his son, he wasn’t surprised that his mother knew the score.
‘I had a feeling he wasn’t on the up, Mum. There was something definitely off about him.’ Angus sat back down heavily. ‘But do you think that if we blank him, he might try and force us to go into business with him?’
It was a valid question, and everyone was interested to know the answer.
Diana shook her head. ‘No, these people only targeted us because we could give them an in immediately. They won’t try and force it. But they will still be looking for someone they can use to get a foothold here. So keep your eye out, because they will eventually want what you have, and they will promise that to whoever is fool enough to go into partnership with them – and we all know someone will. My guess is it will be one of the big Pakistani outfits. One thing we have going for us is the Colombians, because they don’t take any prisoners and they are formidable enemies. All they are interested in is the earn, nothing more. They are all good Catholics too.’
Everyone laughed, Diana the hardest. The man had not been born yet who could scare her. She had gone into a man’s world after her husband’s death, and she had out-thought the men she had dealt with and always made sure that she had a better deal to put on the table. She had learned very early on that if she was to survive, she needed to be as ruthless as the people she had to do business with.
Her acumen and her reputation for earning a crust had been why people had come to her if they had a business proposition. And if she thought it had legs, she had been more than happy to bankroll it, but always as a silent partner. That was why she had her finger in so many pies, and why she was so liked and respected by her peers. Most of the Faces were only where they were because of her, and they knew that as well as she did.
She watched as they talked among themselves, and she relaxed once more in her chair. She had no real interest in her businesses any more. It was strange, but ducking and diving had once been the reason she had got up in the morning, and now she just wanted to sit back and enjoy the fruits of her labours.
Angus would be a worthy successor – she had trained him well – and that pleased her. She had to admit that she enjoyed being the fountain of wisdom where Hamid Fazilla was concerned today though. She had given them the benefit of her ex
perience but she had to acknowledge that she didn’t miss this life at all.
Gabriel was watching her and she knew that he would be able to tell what she was thinking. Even after all their years together, he still loved her, and she loved him in her own way.
He caught her eye and winked at her, and she winked back.
Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-eight
Abad wasn’t surprised when Angus politely declined the opportunity to work with Hamid Fazilla. In all honesty, he was relieved. He would not have relished having Fazilla and all he stood for dictating his life – because that is what would have happened.
Hamid was smiling amiably, and Abad wondered if he had guessed what the answer was going to be before he even got to this meeting. Angus and Sean had taken them for a meal in the West End, and there had been no expense spared. There was no way Hamid could feel insulted. Now they were in the private bar of Angus’s main club, and Hamid was happy with his large brandy and the girls that were on offer.
Hamid was a good-looking man with thick dark hair and dark eyes. He had the requisite beard that most Arabs had, and it suited him. He was well dressed and he had a good disposition. He spoke excellent English and he was knowledgeable on many subjects. All in all, he was a great companion, and Angus found himself enjoying the night – especially as Hamid had taken the refusal with such good grace.
There was a young blonde dancer called Mariah who was slim and lithe. Angus was sure she had said that she had once been a ballet dancer. She had something about her, and she was popular. Hamid was very taken with her, and she was quite happy to be his partner for the evening, because she knew that it would earn her a big wedge – and that was what it was all about.
Hamid was sitting and chatting to her, and Abad was with one of his usual girls, so Angus and Sean were quite happy to excuse themselves and leave them to it. Eilish had made sure that they had everything they needed, and she was waiting for them in the main bar.
‘Fucking hell, Eilish, this music is terrible.’
Eilish laughed at her father. ‘It’s what the girls want to dance to, Dad, and what the punters like.’
Angus picked up his drink and, raising his glass in a toast to them, he said jokingly, ‘Fucking Bolero it ain’t!’
Sean was laughing, and Angus recognised it was with relief at how easily the night had gone. After Diana had given them the full story, they had wondered what they might be dealing with. Eilish and Sean were talking shop, and Angus looked at them proudly. They were both good-looking, well dressed and at the top of their respective games. They were children any man would be proud of.
Angus saw Davey Proctor approaching and he smiled and held out his hand to shake. He liked Davey, though he still didn’t relish him being with his daughter. But what could he do?
‘All right, Davey?’
He watched as Davey kissed Eilish hello, and he had to admit they had lasted a lot longer than he had believed possible. Sean and Davey got on well, and soon they were all chatting easily. Davey did a good job at overseeing the club and Angus appreciated that. There was a lot more aggro than people realised in the lap-dancing clubs and, when it occurred, it needed to be contained and dealt with as quickly and as quietly as possible. Davey was good at doing just that. Alcohol, drugs and half-naked women could cause murders, and even the most passive men had been known to throw a wobbler if they thought they had been had over.
Angus looked at the stage and watched the girls as they energetically grappled with their poles. They were good dancers and he watched as the men slipped them money for a smile and a private flash. The place was busy, as always, and he was pleased to see that, because he knew that they would clear a good few grand this evening.
Sean leaned towards him and whispered in his ear, ‘I’m glad that’s over, Dad, aren’t you?’
Angus grinned. ‘Yeah, son, but it had to be done.’
Sean nodded. ‘Did Eilish tell you about Mum?’
‘No, what about Mum?’ Angus was now on red alert.
Sean rolled his eyes with annoyance. ‘She’s threatening to go round the Thomases and take Alia. She’s got it into her head that Jamilla and Jamie aren’t fit to look after her.’
Angus could tell a manic episode was on its way. Lorna had been building up to it recently. She had too much time on her hands, and that was never a good thing. ‘She’s been taking her meds, though, I know she has.’
Sean shrugged with irritation. ‘We all know she forgets to take her meds, Dad! She’s a nut, so give her half a chance and she’ll go on a rampage.’
His son was right, but Angus still didn’t like him talking about his mother like that. ‘Come on, Sean, you know she’s not well. She can’t help it.’
Sean shrugged again. ‘Well, that is your opinion, and I beg to differ. It’s about attention and getting what she wants – and that’s mainly getting you home.’
Angus didn’t answer him, because he knew there was an element of truth in what he said.
‘Why don’t you divorce her, Dad? She’s never going to change, is she?’
Angus had wondered the same thing himself over the last few years. But he still loved her, and he still felt responsible for her, and he knew that he always would.
Angus picked up his drink and sipped it slowly. Sean was only looking out for him, and that made him feel even worse.
The first gunshot was loud, even with the noise of the club.
The second was loud enough for the customers and the girls to stop what they were doing and look around them, trying to work out the source of the bangs.
The third shot caused chaos.
Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-nine
‘Fucking hell.’
Angus was in shock. They all were.
Hamid and Abad were both dead. Young Mariah, who had been shot in the chest, was still alive but lying on the floor in a pool of blood and trying to talk to them. The other dancers had done a runner, and Angus couldn’t blame them. He would have done the same in their position.
Angus sat by Mariah and, holding her hand in his, he kept saying, ‘Don’t try and talk, just wait for the ambulance. You are going to be all right, you are going to be fine, I promise you.’
She looked so young lying there, bleeding everywhere, and he grabbed a towel that was on one of the sofas and held it tightly against her wound. Sean and Eilish were doing speedy damage limitation, and Davey was making sure that the CCTV cameras elsewhere in the club would show nothing. They would peruse them later and try to piece together what had happened. It was a fucking nightmare.
Sean had rung his grandmother so she would make sure that any police involved would be from her payroll and would say whatever they were paid to say. But this was a fucking disaster – especially where Hamid fucking Fazilla was concerned. Angus had a feeling that Fazilla was the real target tonight, and Abad and poor Mariah were just collateral damage.
He waited with her until the ambulance arrived. Once she had been taken away and was safe, he stood up and bellowed, ‘What the actual fuck is going on here?’
He was seriously angry now, and Angus Davis and his temper were legendary. Even the police were subdued, and that suited him right down to the ground.
The last thing he needed was those fuckers interfering in his private business.
Chapter One Hundred and Thirty
Angus really appreciated that both Sean and Eilish had refused to leave him. They had moved to the offices of the club, still in shock at what had happened. When Roy arrived, Angus just looked at him in genuine bewilderment.
Roy poured himself a large drink before saying, ‘This had to be planned. Who else knew about Hamid and Abad coming here?’
Angus didn’t answer him. Instead, he looked at his son saying, ‘Can you think of anything that has happened recently that you thought was a bit off? Anyone new suddenly coming in here, or someone hanging about?’
Sean shook his head. ‘No, Dad. But I rarely come here, as you know. I�
��m normally in Spain.’
Eilish chipped in. ‘I have been wondering the same thing, and, in all honesty, Dad, I can’t think of anything that was out of the ordinary. Davey is going to bring the tapes up and we can look at them in a minute. I hope to fuck there’s something on them that can explain this shit.’
There was a polite tap on the office door and then Detective Inspector Lionel Marks walked into the room. He looked at Angus and said sheepishly, ‘Do you have any idea what happened here?’
Angus shook his head in abject disbelief at such a stupid question. ‘Do you honestly think that I would arrange two murders in my own fucking club?’
Lionel Marks shook his large bald head in denial. ‘What I mean is, Angus, was this someone coming after you?’
Angus was weighing up whether he could be bothered to punch this moron in the face when Roy said quickly, ‘Well, of course not, use your fucking loaf! Whoever did this was after the Arabs. They are the ones who got shot, or haven’t you noticed?’
Lionel Marks took a deep breath before saying calmly, ‘What I am asking you all is whether anyone here has any idea why this might have happened. Were the men targeted for a reason that you might be aware of? And, if so, what do you want me to do about it?’
Roy sighed and Angus bellowed once more, ‘No, Lionel, we have no idea why this happened! This is as big a fucking surprise to us as it is to you!’
Lionel knew better than to antagonise Angus or his cohorts, so he said quietly, ‘I am going downstairs as I am the lead detective, along with Bill Smith, and I need to show my face. If you have anything to tell me, you know where I am.’ He left the room as quietly as he had entered it.