Reckoning (37 page)

“Oh for fuck’s sake,” she sighed. “I’ll call Battler and Bruiser.”

Ryan smiled. His Rachel never panicked or resorted to hysterics. “That’s my girl. Where are you?”

“At home with the kids. With our new security system I’ll see anyone coming a mile off.”

“Good. Stay there and don’t be alone. I want Battler and Bruiser staying with you.”

“I will.”

“Have you got your taser?”

“Yep. You know I always keep it close.

“You are so sexy. Jules is back.”

“Thank God for that. Is she okay?”

“She’s her usual jocular self. See you soon sweetheart.”

“I’ll look forward to it. Bye.”

Ryan hung up. “I’m going back to Devon,” he announced to the room.

Jez’s face fell. “You can’t leave us, we need you here.”

“That was Hayden Brody.”

“What did that two-faced twat want?” said Mikey.

“To warn me. Apparently Jared’s sending his men after me and Rachel. I need to protect my family.”

“Course you do,” said Jules. “We can handle things here, can’t we boys?”

“Yeah, no problem,” said Mikey. “Get yourself off Ryan and keep them safe.”

“I intend to.”

“Has he got Alex and Daniel?”

“Yes. They’re safe Mikey.”

“I suppose that’s all I can ask, even though Katia will raise them to be a couple of psychopaths with a grudge against us all.”

“Probably,” said Ryan, “but we might just have to accept that.”

“This could all be a trick to get you out of Manchester,” said Jez.

“I already considered that and I know it’s not a trick on Hayden’s part. Yes, he betrayed us but he has a strong sense of honour and it was that honour which made him side with Katia. He was entirely genuine but Jared could have used him to pass on the message, he must have known Hayden would warn me.”

“Jared’s trying to divide us,” said Jez.

“Probably but I’m taking no chances with my wife and children. I’m returning to Devon. Now.” He caught his brother’s worried look and said, “you can do this. You’re ready. Just remember what I said, the secret to staying on top is…”

“Yeah, I’ve not forgot,” said Jez, interrupting him before he could finish the sentence, disappointing Shane. “Get yourself home. Do you want Mark or Grant to go with you?”

“Thanks for the offer but no, you’re going to need them. Rachel and I will be fine with Battler and Bruiser.” He looked to Jules. “You lady are coming to stay with us when this is over. It’s time we got to know you better.”

“I will, thanks,” she smiled, delighted.

After a whirlwind of packing, hugs and handshaking, Ryan was gone.

CHAPTER 37

Rachel was waiting for Ryan at the airport, flanked by a stern-looking Battler and Bruiser.

“What are you doing here? You shouldn’t be making yourself so visible,” said Ryan as he embraced her.

“That’s what we said but she wouldn’t listen,” said Battler, face creased with disapproval.

“I am not hiding away from that bunch of tossers,” she retorted.

“Jared Slattery is not a man to be taken lightly,” chided Ryan. “He achieved what no one else has managed. The compound’s a pile of rubble.”

“We can’t believe it’s gone,” said Battler, gesturing from himself to his brother, who nodded in agreement. “We were just teenagers when Frank had that building converted, it was his idea. He said,
it’ll be tougher to crack than the Tower of bastarding London
.”

“Clearly not,” replied Ryan. “Let’s discuss it in the car, I’m nervous about airports after what happened last time.”

Battler’s big face creased with guilt and Rachel patted his arm. “It wasn’t your fault.”

Alex had abducted Rachel from Exeter airport right under Battler’s nose and he’d never forgiven himself for it. He smiled down at her, wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “Thanks love,” he said, although deep down he knew it was. He’d almost lost this woman who was the daughter he’d never had.

None of them spoke until they were safely in Battler’s black Mercedes, who sat up front with his brother, Ryan and Rachel sliding into each other’s arms in the back.

“How are the kids?” Ryan asked her.

“Fine. I’ve managed to keep everything from them, even Leah. I told them you’ve been away on business in Liverpool, I didn’t want to mention Manchester, it would only make her nervous. Battler’s got Fletch and Leo watching over them discreetly at school and nursery.”

“And your parents?”

“More of Battler and Bruiser’s men are watching them. I’ve not told them anything either, they’ve been through enough, especially Dad. Hopefully they won’t have to know anything.”

“That’s a relief. I couldn’t take any more of Gill’s histrionics. Have you noticed anyone watching you or following you?”

“Nothing,” replied Battler from the front. “But we don’t know if this is an idle threat. Jared probably just wanted you out of Manchester.”

“Perhaps but I’m not about to take the chance.”

“How’s Jules?” said Rachel.

Ryan’s looked thoughtful. “Still full of her usual belligerence and innuendo but at the same time, slightly different. I think her experiences in the Slattery home unnerved her.”

“Unnerved Jules?” replied Rachel. “It must have been bad.”

“Intense and creepy are more the words. They dressed her in pink.”

“Pink?” exclaimed Battler before bursting into hearty laughter. “I bet she fucking loved that.”

“They faked her death so we wouldn’t go looking for her?” said Rachel.

“Yes but it seems they underestimated her.”

“So Jules is coping?”

“She’s thrown up a front against the world if that’s what you mean. I told her to come and stay with us when this is over, I think she could use the break.”

“You really care about her, don’t you?” she smiled.

“I admit I have certain feelings for her, purely because of the fact we share blood.”

“Yeah right. You love your little sister, admit it.”

“I care about her and that’s the best you’re going to get out of me.”

Rachel smiled and took his hand, understanding him completely. “Some nice news, Riley proposed to Beth.”

“That was quick,” commented Ryan.

“I think Riley doesn’t want to waste time after what happened to Zoe.”

“I can understand that I suppose. I just hope he isn’t rushing into something he’ll regret.”

“He won’t, they’re great together. Beth’s really happy.”

“That’s good,” he said. “It’s pleasant to have some normal news for a change. When this is over we can get round to dealing with David Hughes. We don’t want a paedophile in the area.”

Rachel’s eyes met Battler’s through the rear-view mirror. “No need. He’s already left,” she said.

“Left, why?”

“Well, me and Battler had a quiet word with him.”

Ryan’s lips pinched. “You went ahead and did it without me?”

Bruiser turned in his seat to frown at his brother, outrage in his eyes.

“We didn’t want to involve you,” Battler explained. “You’ve got so much on your plate with Daina and the baby.”

“And you had so much going on with Manchester,” Rachel told Ryan. “We were trying to lighten the load, for both of you. It was easy, nothing to worry about.”

“We were supposed to do it together,” pressed Ryan.

“I know but I didn’t know how long you were going to be up north and in the meantime he might have hurt a child.”

Ryan’s expression softened. “You’re right and at least you had Battler with you. Come here,” he said, enveloping her in his arms.

Battler wasn’t getting such an easy time from his brother, who was continuing to glare at him. “Alright, I said I’m sorry,” exclaimed Battler. “Yes, I know it’s the first time I’ve done a job without you but I didn’t want to get you involved.” Bruiser’s silent stare was relentless and Battler exhaled noisily. “Stop going on about it will you? I can’t change things. What’s done is done.”

Ryan and Rachel listened to Battler having a one-sided argument and smiled at each other.

Ollie Starklaw sat at the head of the table in the back room of his pub, which was shut for the night in honour of this very special evening. He took a moment to sit back and enjoy his triumph. He’d done it, finally. He was king of Manchester along with Nilsen, who sat in equal triumph beside him. They were here with Joel and four other men who had got sick of Mikey and Jez running things to decide who would run the businesses that had once belonged to them. Ollie couldn’t fucking believe it, God bless Jared Slattery. He took a sip of his prized scotch from a bottle worth three grand that he’d been saving for ten years for such a moment.

“Alright everyone, settle down,” he called, banging his hand on the table until they all went silent, turning to him with respect shining in their eyes. Ollie knew he and Nilsen would have the final word on whatever was decided, this was just a formality to show his new business partners respect.

“Dane Black’s decided not to show his face,” sighed Nilsen, shaking his head. “Bad move. I had hoped he would, I wanted him onside.”

“He had his chance,” said Ollie. “Forget about him, he’s nothing anyway. Now, me, Joel and Bobby are taking over running the coke and heroin. Jared Slattery’s setting up a new deal with Toni McVay, running it from Glasgow, through here then down south.”

Denny Lambourne looked uneasy. “Will she go for it? This has sort of been forced on her.” Like everyone else at this table he’d got sick of the Maguires and Laws being top dog and - although he hadn’t been in on the plot to depose them - he’d snatched Nilsen’s hand off when he’d offered him a share of the spoils. Now he was starting to wish he hadn’t, this didn’t feel right, especially after his encounter with Jez outside his club. He still couldn’t be sure whether that had been his drunken imagination or not.

Ollie leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands behind his head. “She’s no choice and she knows it.”

“Yeah but she’s a McVay.”

“She’s not her brother, she’s smarter. She’s not going to turn up on our doorstep with an axe.”

“So if you’re running all the drugs, what does that leave us with?” frowned Denny.

“The women. Thought that would cheer you up,” he said when Denny grinned. “Jez Law is no longer king pimp around here.”

They all turned to look when the door opened and Dane walked in.

“You finally made it,” smiled Ollie. “We thought you weren’t coming.”

“I wouldn’t miss this for anything.”

Something in Dane’s eyes made Ollie’s heart stop ticking in his chest.

“You’re a bit late,” said Joel. “We’ve already divvied everything up but take a seat and we’ll sort you out some scraps.”

This brought Ollie’s bravado screaming back and he smiled. Dane was in the weaker position and he was determined to revel in it, he hadn’t forgotten about the trap Dane had set for him and Joel, which had ended in them getting a severe beating from Mikey and Jez personally, putting them in hospital for weeks.

“I’ll remain standing,” said Dane coldly. “This won’t take long.”

“I said sit,” yelled Ollie, furious. This prick had no idea who he was dealing with now. He and Joel were far from the street rats they used to be.

“Fuck off dickhead, I don’t take orders from you,” thundered Dane.

“You always were an arrogant fucker Dane. Your little friends are finished. Mikey Maguire’s dead and Jez is probably hiding in a corner, crying. So you’d better be a bit fucking nicer to me.”

Dane’s smile was malevolent. “You’re a silly bastard Ollie.”

Furious, Ollie drew the knife he always carried and slammed it point down into the table. “You’re a dead man Black. Fucking dead.”

“No, not me Ollie,” he grinned, thoroughly enjoying himself. “You’re the silly bastard thinking you were capable of killing Mikey Maguire.”

Ollie felt sick again. “What do you mean?” he said, glancing sideways at the other men gathered around the table, who suddenly looked equally nervous, all except for Joel, who was too thick to be afraid.

Dane stood aside and Ollie almost wet himself when Mikey Maguire walked into the room, bold as brass, and alive. He was followed by Jez and - most astonishingly of all - the bitch queen, Jules. Four of their heavies piled in behind them, blocking them all in. Ollie just blinked at his worst nightmare assembled before him.

“You’re alive,” exclaimed Joel, pointing first at Jules then to Mikey.

“There he goes, Brain of Britain,” she said sarcastically.

“Jared lied to you,” announced Mikey. “He knew I escaped the compound before it exploded and he rigged that footage of Jules getting shot. That was some other poor woman he put in her place.”

“No he didn’t,” retorted Joel. “You are so full of shit.”

“If he’s lying then why are he and Jules standing in front of us?” erupted Ollie, his brother’s stupidity infuriating him. “Jared lied to us.”

“No, he wouldn’t do that,” said Joel, shaking his head.

Ollie realised his dreams had all been a house of cards built on a foundation of sand and now his house was falling. This time they weren’t just in for a beating, they were going to die. “Don’t take this out on my wife and kids,” said Ollie. “It’s nothing to do with them.”

“That’s your style, not ours,” said Mikey, drawing a gun.

Ollie just sat back in his seat, resigned to his fate while Joel leapt up and tried to jump out of the window, which was still shut, screaming his head off.

“Have some dignity Joel,” sighed Ollie as Mark and Grant dragged him back into the room, kicking and screaming.

Ollie just had chance to take another sip of his fine scotch before the bullet slammed into his head, snapping it backwards. He stared up at the ceiling vacantly, the glass slipping from his hand, his prized scotch tipping to the floor and soaking into the carpet.

“Oh God, Ollie,” wailed Joel, slumping to his knees.

Nilsen had more fight about him. He jumped up and attempted to yank Ollie’s knife out of the table, but Jules and Jez opened fire on him while Mikey, Grant, Mark and Declan finished off three of the other men. Shane stood in the corner, forcing himself to watch the scene but he hadn’t been given a gun, none of them expected him to take part in this massacre. But Mikey and Jez had wanted him to be present to ensure their new employee was capable of stomaching the violence. It was all over so quickly he barely had chance to take it in.

When the sound of gunfire died away only Denny remained. He got to his feet with magnificent dignity, fastening up his suit jacket over his podgy belly. “Go on then, get it over with.”

“You just wait your turn,” said Mikey. “Jules.”

She drew her knives and stood over Joel, who was still on his knees on the floor, whimpering.

“I haven’t forgotten about the night you tried to force yourself on me, you snivelling little piece of shit,” she said. “I know I wasn’t the first woman you tried that on. This is for all those women.”

With that she slammed both knives into his chest, straight into his heart. It was quick, over in a second, much faster than he deserved.

“This little sod has tried to make my life miserable for years,” she said, pulling out the blades and wiping them on Joel’s clothes before replacing them in their sheaths. “It’s good to know that I won’t have to keep my eye on him anymore.”

“That just leaves you,” said Jez, pointing at Denny.

“Go on then, top me too, see if I care,” he retorted like a child.

“You’ve got balls, I’ll give you that,” said Mikey. “But you’re going to live. You’re going to go out there and tell everyone what happened here tonight, let them all know what happens when you fuck with us.”