“Apart from Gerry Cake.”
“He won’t be troubling us for much longer,” said Hayden, making Mick grin.
CHAPTER 39
Rachel was sat in the hospital canteen opposite Mikey and Jez, Ryan beside her. She’d explained her encounter with DI Dwyer and now they were all sat back in their seats, mulling it over.
“I never thought that would come back to haunt us,” Mikey eventually said.
“Me neither,” sighed Jez. “If it’s not one thing it’s another.”
“Dwyer’s making a lot of noise, throwing his weight around,” said Ryan. “There’s no evidence to find. The man I hired to do the job died in prison years ago and there’s no other links in the chain.”
Rachel regarded her husband with worried eyes. He was the one who’d arranged Benton’s ‘suicide’ so if there was anything to find he would bear the brunt of it. But he’d only done it for her, to give her peace of mind and protect her because Benton would not have stopped trying to hurt her until she was dead. “I hope to God you’re right.”
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Of course I am. There’s no proof, despite his suspicions.”
“But Paula said he has a history of fitting people up. He could falsify something.”
“And if he does we’ll pull it apart. Have no fear.”
“Ryan’s right,” said Jez. “Dwyer’s all bluster. He’s just trying to put the wind up you and panic you into revealing something.”
She looked to Mikey, who nodded in agreement and she released a breath of relief. She’d needed their assurances and she’d got them. “Yeah, I’m probably worrying over nothing but it’s alright for us,” she said, gesturing from herself to Ryan. “We live in Devon but he’s right on your doorstep. Watch your backs.”
“We will,” said Mikey.
“You’d better,” she said. “Or we’ll be back up here to kick you both up the arse.”
Jez held up his hands. “That’s something I could certainly do without. We solemnly swear to keep an eye on the spooky bastard, alright?”
Rachel nodded. No way was Dwyer going to hurt her family. “Good. By the way, we forgot to mention that on the way here we ran into a friend of yours.”
“Who?” said Jez.
“Brodie MacBride,” she said with relish. She couldn’t help but chuckle when they both scowled. “I see he’s made a lasting impression.”
“The man’s a cock,” said Mikey.
“I quite agree,” said Ryan.
“He and Brodie nearly got into a fight in the middle of a service station,” smiled Rachel.
“You should have battered the cretin bruv,” said Jez.
“I would if we hadn’t had an audience.”
“And Leah has a soft spot for Brodie,” said Rachel.
“She’s only young,” said Mikey. “Her nob detector hasn’t fully formed yet.”
As the three men discussed their mutual dislike of the infamous Scottish PI, Rachel leaned back in her seat and sipped her tea with a smile, feeling much better. Sensing someone staring at her, she looked across the canteen and something cold gripped her heart. After what they’d been through, she decided not to tell the others that DI Dwyer was sitting at the other side of the canteen, watching them.
Beth had arranged an impromptu family meal for them all. Now the immediate Slattery threat had been neutralised Riley had handed over guard duty on Jules to Paula and Fletch, so he was free to join them. Even Jackson was there, wanting to give Cara a little fun and normality after her traumatic experience.
“It’s a good job you have a big house Beth,” said Rachel, helping her friend prepare dinner while all the children charged through the room and outside into the huge back garden, Cara among them, looking happy and relaxed.
“I know,” she grinned, delighted to have all her family around her. Her eyes filled with sadness. “It isn’t the same without Jules though.”
Rachel nodded. “She’ll soon be back on her feet and it’ll be as though she’s never been away.”
Beth’s expression was grim. “What if she doesn’t wake up?” she whispered.
“There isn’t a force on earth that can keep Jules down, not even a coma.”
“And you really believe that?”
“I do. Keep thinking positively. She’ll make it.”
Beth nodded and blinked away her tears. “That’s just what Riley keeps saying.” Since he’d been guarding Jules, Riley’s attitude towards her had softened, he felt very protective of her now, for which Beth was incredibly grateful. It meant she no longer had to feel guilty about her love for her friend.
“And he’s right.” Rachel became aware of someone watching her and she turned to see Archie standing in the corner of the room, staring right at her, expression inscrutable. “Hey there sweetie,” she said. “Are you waiting for your dinner?”
He didn’t reply, continuing to stare at her in a way that put her very much in mind of Alex.
“Archie, you okay?” said Beth, feeling uneasy. The boy looked so grave and - if she was honest with herself - a little malevolent and it was all aimed at Rachel.
Rachel swallowed hard, recalling the moment Alex had tried to rape her and this little boy had witnessed that attempt. Even now the memory was enough to make her sick to her stomach and she was forced to look away from Archie’s intense gaze, which made her feel ashamed.
“Why don’t you go and play with the others?” suggested Beth, trying to keep her voice light and sunny and failing. Archie’s presence was oppressive, smothering. It made her feel uncertain of herself and awkward, like she was a guest in her own home.
“Don’t want to,” he replied, still looking at Rachel.
An unexpected spurt of anger filled Rachel. Alex had put her through hell and she was buggered if she was going to let his son intimidate her. He was only ten years old, it was ridiculous. “Go and play with the others Archie,” she told him in her most determined voice.
“Don’t want to,” he repeated.
“We’re getting dinner ready and you’re in the way. Go and play.”
“I don’t want to you stupid bitch,” he hissed, looking like some malicious sprite.
“Archie,” exclaimed Beth. “Do not talk to your Aunty Rachel like that.”
“Why not? Dad did.”
“He had no right to. Go and play.”
“No,” he said, glaring at them furiously
Riley walked into the room and instantly Archie’s demeanour changed. “What’s going on?” he said.
“I’m just going out to play,” said Archie, expression suddenly sunny, skipping outside into the garden without a care in the world.
“Mmm, dinner smells good,” said Riley, peering into a pan on the hob. “I’m starving.”
Rachel and Beth looked at one another, both equally shocked.
Cathy wandered into the room as Riley exited and frowned at them both. “What’s wrong with you two?” she said. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
They glanced at each other with worried frowns.
“Nothing,” said Rachel, the first to snap herself out of it. “Fancy an orange juice?” she said, opening the fridge and peering inside.
“Yes please,” said Cathy, slumping into a chair at the kitchen table. “Amber’s being a pain in the arse out there.”
“Again?” said Beth dryly.
“She won’t stop pawing at poor Jackson. I think at first he appreciated her concern, now she’s just getting on his nerves but she can’t see it. Mikey doesn’t even seem to have noticed because he’s lost in his own world. There’s trouble brewing if you ask me.”
“I think you might be right,” said Rachel, stirring a pan on the hob.
“Why, what do you know?” said Cathy.
“Nothing.”
“Don’t give me that, your sixth sense is creepy.”
Rachel shut the kitchen door before continuing. “I caught Amber all over Jackson at the hospital. She was hug
ging him right by Jules’s bedside, making out she was just comforting him but there was more to it, the way she was holding him wasn’t appropriate.”
“And what was Jackson doing?” said Cathy, her anger clear in her voice.
“Poor bugger was crying his heart out, he only wanted a shoulder to cry on but for Amber it was more.”
“The cow,” hissed Beth. “That is so low, Jules is in a coma for fuck’s sake.”
“We have to go home tomorrow so I wondered if you’d keep an eye out, make sure she’s not hassling Jackson.”
“Course we will, won’t we Cathy?” said Amber.
Cathy nodded. “Too bloody right we will, not that I think Jackson will even look twice at Amber, he can’t stand her.”
“I agree but still, he’s going to vulnerable for a while, depending on how long it takes Jules to wake up.”
“Don’t worry Rach,” said Beth. “We’ll keep an eye out for Jules then - when she wakes up - she can kick Amber’s arse.”
“I can’t believe I used to think she was sweet,” said Rachel.
“We all did,” said Cathy. “But it seems that was all an act.”
Rachel nodded, inwardly raging. There were very few people who could pull the wool over her eyes but Amber had managed it spectacularly well. But then again, she had just lost Thomas at the time so she hadn’t exactly been thinking straight.
All three women were distracted by a wailing from outside. They ran into the garden to find Holly crying, blood on her lips, Alfie and Leah attempting to comfort her while the younger children looked on.
“Oh my God, what happened?” cried Beth, rushing to her daughter.
“We don’t know,” said Alfie. “Me and Leah were playing badminton so we didn’t see.”
Beth looked to her other son. “Archie?”
The boy just shrugged but the cold look in his eyes made Beth swallow hard. Instead she looked to the other assembled children. “Did anyone see what happened?” Holly might just have tripped and fallen but instinct told Beth there was more to it and it scared her. She noticed Cathy’s son, four year old Jack, eyeing Archie warily. “Jack, did you see?” she asked him, dreading his reply.
When Archie looked his way, Jack looked at the ground and shook his head. “No.”
Beth didn’t need any more proof. Holly managed to calm down enough to let her examine her mouth. “Looks like you bit your lip when you fell. Your teeth all look fine. Come on honey, let’s get you cleaned up.” As she carried her daughter back into the house she was able to feel her younger son’s eyes boring into her back and automatically her free hand fluttered to her stomach, her thoughts turning to her unborn child.
Cara, who had been getting over her recent trauma had a relapse and started to cry. Rachel picked her up. “Do you want your daddy?”
Cara nodded, lower lip wobbling, so she took her back into the house.
When Cathy followed them Jack hurried after his mum, taking her hand.
“What’s wrong sweetie? You not wanting to play out anymore?” she asked him.
Jack shook his head, turning to look back over his shoulder at Archie, who was glaring at him.
Holly quickly calmed down when Beth settled her at the kitchen table with some ice cream. Her lip had stopped bleeding and fortunately her injuries were very minor. Leaving her under Cathy’s watchful eye, she hurried into the front room.
“Mikey,” she said, bustling up to him. “I really need to talk to you, in private.”
“Course,” he said, picking up on the anxiety in her eyes. He followed her into the smaller second lounge and shut the door behind them.
“This might sound weird,” she began. “But I need to know, did Alex exhibit any odd behaviour when he was a kid?”
“What do you mean, odd?”
“Anything violent?”
He shrugged. “He was always rough-housing with Danny but it was all in good fun.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
He thought carefully before replying. “Well, as you know I was a lot different when I was a kid, really shy and weak and Alex used to scare the shit out of me. He was always aggressive. He used to pick on me, he whacked me round the head a few times and laughed about it.”
“So he targeted you?”
“Yeah but I was an easy target because I let him. I always tried to avoid him when he came to the house. What’s brought this on?”
“Archie just pushed Holly over in the garden.”
“So that’s what the crying was about. Is she okay?”
“Oh she’s fine and I know siblings fight but it was the look on his face that was weird and I’m sure Jack saw what happened because he seemed frightened of Archie. What if he ends up going the same way as Alex?”
Mikey released a troubled sigh. “We won’t let him.”
“How can we stop him? Sometimes it’s like his dad’s been reincarnated but not the Alex we all loved, the one I married. He’s more like how he was before he died, the scary, psycho one.”
Gently he took her by the shoulders. “Archie isn’t going to go that way. He’ll grow and mature and he’ll get over the trauma he went through. You’ll see.”
Beth forced a smile and nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m being overdramatic.”
“No you’re not, you’re a worried mother. You’re not alone in this, you’ve got lots of family to help. If you need anything, just ask.”
“Thanks Mikey,” she said, actually feeling a bit better, although she got the feeling not even Mikey Maguire could help her son.
CHAPTER 40
“I can’t believe you let him get away,” shrieked Katia.
It was the first time Hayden had seen her in such a fury and for once her rage was directed at him.
“Me and Mick did all we could. He’s one lucky sod. First he gets away from the Laws and Maguires, then us.”
“It is not luck, it is incompetence,” she screamed, picking up a vase and hurling it across the room. It hit the wall and smashed into a hundred pieces.
“Just take it easy,” he said. “We did our best.”
“Well it wasn’t good enough,” she snarled, breathing hard, eyes wild and jaw tense.
Hayden had to admit he did find this pure, unadulterated fury a bit of a turn on but he also needed her to calm down. At least the nanny had taken the boys out for a walk so they weren’t being exposed to their mother’s violence. “Throwing things isn’t going to help, it’s only going to attract the attention of everyone in the surrounding flats, so please get it together.”
She stamped her foot in frustration before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. “I apologise.”
“It’s alright.”
“No, I insulted you and that’s not fair. You did your best. But we need to hunt down the pig man.”
“We’re hunting him, the Maguires and Laws are hunting him. Either way, he’ll be caught and killed. Plus he’s no power anymore, all his men are gone and his precious mummy is dead.”
“You know this for sure?”
“My contact said a woman’s body was found in there. According to the dental records it’s Tanya.”
Katia burst out laughing. “Oh that is wonderful news. Now Jared has lost someone he loved he will be suffering just like I suffered when he killed my sweet Irina.” Even now the memory of the only female friend she’d ever had, murdered by Jared, still broke her heart in two.
He took her face in his hands and kissed her. “Yes he will. He’s finished. Already his business partners are looking to cut fresh deals with someone else and we need to get in there before anyone else does, namely Gerry Cake.”
“Stupid name for a stupid man. We must get rid of him.”
“I know and I’ve already arranged it.”
This news cheered her up. “You have?”
“Yes. I wondered if you wanted to come along?”
“You want me to be there when you kill him?” she said, astonished.
“I
might be the muscle here but you’re the brains behind everything we do. It’s time you took your rightful place.”
“You mean, be in charge?”
He smiled and nodded.
She clapped her hands together with glee then realised that wasn’t the way a hard-nosed gangster behaved, so she changed her expression to a more sombre one. “It is what I have always wanted, what I’ve always known I’m capable of and you will be my number two.”
“That’s a relief,” he smiled, pleased with how happy she was. “Mick will be in charge of our security.”
“And we will run this entire county.”
“And parts of London and Kent too. The Slattery’s territory extended that far.”
“Then let’s hurry before Gerry takes it all.”
Hayden had to rush out the door after her just to keep up, she was so keen. Christ he loved this woman.
“Any sign of Jared?” said Gerry.
Tom - his second-in-command - shook his head, looking worried. “The bastard’s dropped off the face of the planet, which is no mean feat for someone his size.”
“Fuck,” huffed Gerry. “Mikey and Jez might not give us their back-up if we don’t finish him.”
“Why should we run around like our arses are on fire? If they’d done what they were supposed to do in the first place we wouldn’t be in this mess now.”
“I know but they’re a hell of a lot stronger than us so I’m not going to tell them that, they’d squash us like a bug.”
“And it’s thanks to us they even got that little girl back,” continued Tom as though he hadn’t heard. “They’d have had no chance of getting into The Homestead without The Tank.”
“You’re not telling me anything I’m not already aware of,” said Gerry, trying to hide his exasperation. “But it doesn’t change the fact that we’re in the weaker position.” He sighed and took his mobile phone out of his suit pocket. “I’ve no choice, I’ve got to call Mikey.” He frowned when Tom continued to mutter to himself. “Would you shut up? I can’t hear a bloody thing.”
Hayden’s plan was big and bold and involved going the direct route, which his men - all nine of them and fully armed - admired.
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