by Sam Michaels
A word of warning – don’t think that that you can pretend to step down, only to finish me off as soon as you set eyes on me. Any such plan will fail because I will be keeping Ethel Mipple until I see fit. You have absolutely no chance of finding her, so if anything happens to me, she will die of starvation. However, she will be released back to your custody once I am assured of my position, though my threat will still stand if you make any future move against me.
‘I’ve signed it off with The Dentist. It’s good, isn’t it? I’m self-taught, you know. I had hardly any schooling but you wouldn’t know, would you?’
Jimmy carefully placed the letter back in the envelope and returned it to his pocket. Then, he clicked his heels together and picked up his cane, which was leaning against the wall. ‘I’ll get this to Miss Garrett this evening and then give her a day to think about it. If nothing happens, I need to show her I’m serious so I’ll have to remove your teeth; but don’t worry, Ethel, it doesn’t hurt for very long.’
*
Georgina’s taxi pulled up outside of David Maynard’s well-appointed office. She didn’t have her pistol to hand over to his heavies but they still frisked her before she was shown through to see him.
‘Good afternoon, Miss Garrett. This is an unexpected but nice surprise,’ he greeted her with genuine pleasure.
‘I wish I could say the same,’ she replied.
‘Please, take a seat and allow me to get you a drink and then you can tell me what’s troubling you. But I hope you haven’t come to discuss politics. I’ve had a run-in with some Blackshirts today, fucking fascists. That Mosley has a lot of followers round here.’
‘No, I’m not here to talk about politics and I don’t have time for niceties. Would you like to explain to me what the hell your Dentist is doing in Battersea?’ Georgina was direct in her approach and noticed Mr Maynard seemed somewhat staggered at her news.
‘I’m sorry, I had no idea. Has he been causing you problems?’
‘Yes, he bloody well has. He’s attacked one of my girls but worse than that, he’s kidnapped Molly Wilcox’s sister. As you can imagine, I’m extremely concerned for her safety and it’s imperative I find out where she and this Dentist bloke are.’
‘Yes, yes, I understand. He’s an evil piece of work. You have every right to be concerned.’
‘That’s not helping.’
‘I’m sorry, Georgina. Do you mind if I address you as Georgina? And please, as we’re friends, call me David.’
‘Fine, David. So, can you tell me where I can find him?’
‘I really wish I could. I had to let him go after a misunderstanding. I suppose you know why he’s called The Dentist?’
‘Yes. My girl is minus two front teeth now, though he returned one to me.’
‘Jimmy Hewitt, aka The Dentist, worked for me for years and was good at what he did. Unfortunately, his dentistry skills go further than roughing up my enemies. He has this weird thing for prostitutes and, well, you can work out the rest. Kidnap is new behaviour for him. Sounds to me like he’s upped his game and he wants to be top dog now.’
‘Yes, I believe so. I can’t predict his next move but at this moment in time, I just want Ethel Mipple back. Is there anything you can tell me about his whereabouts?’
‘No, but I’ll put the word out, though I don’t reckon he’ll show his face round here again. He’s as sly as a fox, that one. However, Georgina, you have my assurance that if we find him first, it’ll be the last anyone sees of him.’
‘Thank you, but I’d rather you brought him to me.’
David smiled at her. ‘As you wish.’
‘And if you hear anything, you’ll call?’
‘You have my word.’
‘Thank you. I must get back. Would you spare me a driver again please?’
‘Don’t tell me you still haven’t got a man and a car? Especially now with this nutter on the loose.’
‘I’ve been busy but I will get round to it.’
‘You must. It’s a priority, but in the meantime, you can have mine. Victor is the best and will take good care of you,’ David said, then turned to the muscular man standing by the door. ‘Victor, you heard all that. Stay with Miss Garrett and don’t let anything happen to her. And what she says, goes.’
‘Yes, Guv,’ Victor answered.
Georgina was taken aback by Victor’s voice. It was so deep that it almost sounded like rolling thunder. She wasn’t going to be proud and decline David’s generous offer. She needed Victor and if he was David’s best man, she’d be able to trust him.
‘Thank you, David. I owe you one.’
‘It’s the least I can do. And, Georgina, if you catch up with Jimmy Hewitt before I do, don’t give him a quick death. Make the bastard suffer.’
Georgina had every intention of ensuring Jimmy’s death was slow and torturous but first she had to find him and could only hope she did before he hurt Ethel.
‘Queenstown Road,’ she said to Victor as they set off in David’s gin tin palace. ‘There’s something I need to collect,’ she added, thinking of Willy’s gun in her desk drawer.
*
Varvara wasn’t sure what was going on but she knew something wasn’t right. First, Georgina had rushed out of the house and a short time after, following a telephone call, Knuckles had too. There was trouble brewing. She could feel it and prayed Georgina was safe.
Varvara had already seen to three customers that day and now her fourth had just arrived. She looked the man up and down. Barney’s blubbery stomach hung over the top of his trousers and the few strands of hair on his head looked greasy. He was one of her regulars and though she found him repulsive, she was relieved to see him. Barney was easily pleased and didn’t take long to glean his pleasure. Easy money. All she had to do was bend over at the window and smoke a cigarette whilst he’d take her from behind.
‘You’re looking lovely,’ Barney said and slavered from his lips as he rubbed his hand over his groin area.
Varvara couldn’t be bothered to answer him. Instead, she positioned herself at the window and pulled her skirts up to her waist, revealing her pert bottom.
‘Ah, that’s it,’ Barney said huskily. ‘Light a fag.’
Varvara rested her elbows on the windowsill as she dragged on the cigarette and grimaced as she felt Barney enter her. He always started off slowly and rhythmically and as she faked her pleasure, he’d build into a crescendo.
As expected, Barney’s pace was slow and she offered a slight moan of faked ecstasy every now and again, hoping it would spur him on.
‘Oh, Barney, you’re so big… Aw, I love it, Barney, love it,’ she lied before drawing on her cigarette again.
As he pounded away, Varvara spotted a very smart car pull up outside. A large man with brown hair climbed out of the driver’s seat and opened the back door. To her astonishment, she saw Georgina’s long legs emerge followed by the rest of her slender body. She looked stunning in a burgundy wool coat and her black hair shone with almost a blue-black hue in the afternoon sun.
Varvara felt her vagina clench at the sight of Georgina and as Barney pulled in and out of her, she used her muscles to squeeze his penis. He groaned and she could feel his manhood becoming more engorged. She reached between her legs and stimulated herself. ‘That’s it… Oh, yes… yes…’ she husked, imagining Georgina grinding against her.
Barney thrust harder and seconds later, they both climaxed. It was the first time Varvara had ever orgasmed, though she knew it was the thought of Georgina that had brought it on.
Barney pulled out of her and grabbed a tissue from the side to wipe himself. ‘Bloomin’ hell, you’ve never been like that before,’ he said.
Varvara reached for a tissue too. ‘It will cost you extra. Pay me and I will do that every time,’ she said in her Russian slur.
‘Fair enough. It was worth it,’ Barney answered breathlessly and rummaged in his pockets for some coins. ‘See you in two weeks,’ he said and slapped the
money next to the tissue box. As he went to walk out of the door, he turned and added, ‘There’s something I should tell you, only don’t say it came from me.’
‘What?’
‘There was talk last night, down the Queen’s Head, about Miss Garrett.’
‘What about her?’ Varvara asked defensively.
‘There’s a few of the landlords getting together. They ain’t happy about paying for protection from a woman.’
‘Pathetic. What do they intend to do about it?’
‘I didn’t hear the whole conversation but from what I could gather, they’re gonna tell her blokes that she can sling her hook.’
‘Thank you, Barney. I’ll inform Miss Garrett but I won’t mention your name.’
Once the door had closed behind him, Varvara didn’t bother to douche herself and quickly ran to the stairs, desperate to see Georgina. As she trotted down, Georgina was coming out of her office and heading for the front door.
‘Miss Garrett,’ Varvara called.
Georgina spun around and once again, Varvara was struck by the woman’s beauty. ‘I have to speak to you.’
‘It’ll have to wait, Varvara.’
‘It’s important.’
‘Not as important as what is going on right now. Listen, be aware of a dangerous man called Jimmy Hewitt. Only let regular customers in today. No, in fact, don’t let anyone in. Mr Harel will be leaving in a minute. Once he’s gone, lock the place down. I’ll get Mr Harel to telephone Dina and tell her to do the same at Livingstone Road. Keep indoors, all of you. Is that clear?’
‘Yes, but…’
Georgina cut in and as she opened the front door, Mr Harel came out of the office.
‘I’ve got to go. Just do as I’ve said. Benjamin, call Livingstone Road before you leave. Tell them to shut down until further notice.’
The door closed and Varvara stood on the stairs not knowing if she had anything to fear or not.
‘Has Miss Garrett spoken to you about what’s going on?’ he asked.
‘Yes. What is the problem with this Jimmy Hewitt?’
‘It’s not for me to say, Varvara. Just do whatever Miss Garrett has told you to and be careful,’ he said, pushing his glasses up his nose.
‘Can I call Dina?’
‘Yes, you can do it, but make sure she understands what she has to do. Goodbye,’ he answered and then he left too.
Varvara didn’t like the sound of this and after locking and bolting the door she ran through to the back room where she could telephone her sister. She relayed Miss Garrett’s instructions to Dina who seemed less concerned. She then hurried upstairs to knock on the other girls’ doors, but found herself filled with a feeling of foreboding. She should have insisted she went with Miss Garrett. She’d vowed to herself that she’d do anything to look after Georgina, but how could she do that if she wasn’t by her side?
‘Stay safe,’ she muttered. ‘Please, my beautiful one, stay safe.’
*
There’d been no consoling Fanny and much to Molly’s dismay, her mum had taken out her angst on Georgina. She’d spat venom at her, telling Georgina it was all her fault and that if anything happened to Ethel, she’d never forgive her. Fanny was now rocking back and forth on the sofa and crying for her daughter.
In the kitchen, Molly said to Georgina, ‘I’m sorry about my mum. She’s beside herself with worry but that’s not really an excuse to talk to you like that.’
‘It’s all right, Molly. If I was your mum, I’d be angry with me too. I suppose she feels like I’ve let you all down. I was supposed to protect you and I haven’t.’
‘You’ve done everything you can. You can’t be with each one of us at every minute of every day.’
‘I realise that, but it shouldn’t have come to this. Nobody would have done this to Billy and you do know why? Because they were too scared of him. I’ll get this sorted, I promise and then I’m gonna get really bloody nasty. I can’t allow this to ever happen again. I need it to be known that if anyone comes near me or mine, they’ll be fucking sorry. I obviously haven’t made that clear enough.’
‘Do you think Ethel will be all right?’
‘I hope so, Molly, I really do. But I can’t promise anything. Knuckles is out now looking for Charlotte and all my blokes are searching for Jimmy Hewitt. He’s got to be in Battersea somewhere and when we find him, we’ll find Ethel.’
Molly was trying not to cry again. She had to stay strong for her mum. ‘I know you’re doing everything you can. I wish we could help look for her. I feel so useless just sitting here.’
‘Me too, but if Jimmy’s got something to say to me, I reckon this is where he’ll come for me.’
‘Knuckles was really good with Mum. He managed to calm her down. I’m glad he’s out looking but I wish he was here now. I don’t know what to do with her, but he did.’ Molly picked up the tea she’d poured for Fanny. Her hand shook, which made the cup rattle in the saucer.
‘I know you’re scared, Molly, but this is the safest place for you to be. Jimmy Hewitt is gonna be in for a shock when he meets me… and Victor.’
Molly smiled weakly at her friend and took the tea through to her mum.
‘What’s she doing, hiding here? She should be out there looking for my girls!’ Fanny spat.
‘Georgina’s got everyone looking, Mum. She has to be here to take care of us in case Jimmy comes here.’
‘So she says! Well, she ain’t got everyone looking, has she? The Old Bill ain’t looking. They don’t know that a maniac has got my Ethel. I’ve got a good mind to get on that telephone contraption thing and call them.’
‘No, Mum, you can’t! You understand how this works. It’s got nothing to do with the police. Anyway, off the record, they are looking. Georgina’s got contacts with police and she’s had a word.’
‘Oh, Gawd, where’s Charlotte? It’s bad enough that he’s got Ethel but what if he’s got Charlotte too? How would we know?’
‘Stop, Mum, you’re upsetting yourself. Charlotte will be back soon as she gets hungry. You know what she’s like.’
‘Upsetting meself… Of course I’m bloody upsetting meself! Oh, Molly, I feel sick, I really do.’
Molly sat beside her mum and placed her arm over Fanny’s shoulder. ‘I know. I’m out of my mind too.’
Fanny rested her head on Molly and they cried together until Molly thought her heart would break. ‘Oh, Mum,’ she said. The thought of Ethel’s frightened face. The pain was unbearable.
They’d been sobbing together for long enough for Fanny’s tea to have turned cold. When she reached for it she pulled a face. Molly offered, ‘I’ll make you a fresh one.’
As she stood up from the sofa, the house fell into a tense silence when they heard a light tap on the front door. Molly ran to the window. ‘It’s a young lad,’ she said to Georgina who had now walked into the room.
‘He may be a ruse to get us to open the door,’ Georgina said. ‘Molly, Fanny, get upstairs… Quick.’
Molly dragged her mum to the stairs and pushed her upwards. As Fanny darted into the bedroom where Ivy was with Edward, Molly stopped at the top of the stairs and watched what was unfolding below. She saw Georgina nod to Victor, indicating for him to open the door. Victor had one hand on his holster and Georgina had her hand in her bag. She could feel her heart hammering and the sound of blood rushing in her ears. Molly thought her friend was the bravest person she knew and though she was desperate for news of Ethel, she wasn’t sure if she would have had the courage to open the door.
Victor slowly opened it. The evening sun was low in the sky and flooded the hallway with an orange haze. Molly could see the silhouette of the lad and he was holding out an envelope.
‘Who gave you this?’ Victor asked.
‘A man. He gave me tuppence to deliver it,’ the lad answered proudly.
‘Where is the man? Did you see where he went?’ asked Victor.
Georgina pushed past Victor and ran out into the
street.
The lad shook his head. ‘No, mister, he’s long gawn. He told me to count to one hundred. I said I could only count to ten so he said I had to count to ten for ten times.’
‘What did the man look like?’
‘A bit posh, I suppose. Short. Old. Bowler hat and cane, you know the sort.’
Molly knew from the description that if was definitely Jimmy Hewitt.
‘Did he tell you to do anything else?’
‘No, mister, that was it. Can I go now? I ain’t done nuffink wrong, ’ave I?’
‘No, lad, you did well. Off you go but if you see the man again, come straight here and tell me. I’ll pay you twice as much as he did.’
‘Cor, fanks, mister. I hope I sees him. See ya.’
Victor looked behind him and spotted Molly quivering at the top of the stairs. She knew he was going to chase after Georgina and desperately whispered, ‘Please, stay here. She’ll be back in a minute.’
Victor nodded but stood at the door with it wide open. Thankfully, Georgina soon returned.
‘Nothing?’ Victor asked.
Georgina shook her head. ‘Give me the letter,’ she said and held out her hand.
Molly tiptoed back down the stairs. She was desperate to know what news the letter held but didn’t want her mother to find out about it yet. If it was bad news, she would have to prepare herself to tell Fanny. She followed Georgina through to the front room and quietly closed the door. ‘What does it say?’
Georgina had read it and handed it to Molly. ‘Oh. Dear God,’ Molly gasped as her hand flew to her mouth.
‘But she’s alive, Molly, and he hasn’t taken her teeth out.’
‘What are you going to do?’ Molly asked. She knew nothing less than giving in to this man would satisfy her mother but she also knew her friend well. Georgina wouldn’t bow down to him and wouldn’t believe that she could lose this battle. Even if Ethel could lose her life.