No Going Back

by Mick Moran

“Yes.” Brian decided to stop playing games. “We were outside waiting for that man, Paddy. Like Tommy said, the police walked past on their way to the house, but they took no notice of us.”

 

  “They didn’t see your faces then.”

 

  “No. No worries. They didn’t see us. “It wasn’t right outside the house. I parked a few doors away. I’m not that daft.”

 

  “At least you did one thing right.” Dave sounded relieved.

 

  But Brian was furious. “One thing! One thing! I did everything bloody right. I got what I went for. What more could I have done? You can’t blame me if it was an empty bloody envelope. This is all down to your cock up anyway.”

 

  “O K. Brian. Calm down. I didn’t mean it like that. Just when did you find out that the envelope was empty?”

 

  “When we were at the service station. We were fifty miles away then. No way was I going back, especially with the police there

 

  “OK Brian. I understand. We’ll have to leave it at that. Forget about the letter. Let’s just hope it not in police hands.”

 

  “You hope you mean.”

 

  “Whatever you say Brian.”

  ***

 

 

 

  It was about two O’clock on Saturday afternoon when Brian King arrived home. His wife greeted him with “The police were here. They want to talk to you.”

 

  “Oh! What did they want?”

 

  “I don’t know. They just said they wanted to talk to you. They’re calling back.”

 

  “Did they say when?”

 

  “No. They asked when you’d be back, but I couldn’t tell them. I didn’t know. You seem worried.”

 

  “I’m not worried. Why would I be worried?”

 

  “I don’t know. You never tell me anything. Why do you think they want to talk to you?”

 

  Brian shook his head.

 

  “Is there something you’re not telling me?” his wife asked.

 

  “No,” he replied angrily. “Just leave me alone. I need to make a phone call. I need to be on my own.”

 

  His wife left the room. Brian immediately picked up the phone and dialled.

  “Dave, what’s going on?

 

  “What are you on about?”

  “The police want to talk to me.”

  “Well, don’t panic. It’s probably nothing. You haven’t talked to them yet?”

  “No. They were at my house when I was out. They’re coming back.”

  “Like I said, don’t worry. It’s probably nothing.”

  “Do you think they’ll know were I was yesterday.”

  “I don’t see how. You said they were there, but they didn’t see you.”

 

  “I did. I’m sure of that.”

 

  “No worries then. You didn’t break any traffic rules: speeding, jumping light, or anything like that?”

 

  “I don’t think so.”

 

  “You don’t sound too sure. Maybe your number was taken for some reason. Don’t tell them where you were unless you have to, but if they’ve got your number you can’t deny it. They might want to know what you were doing up there. Have you any relatives you might be visiting?”

 

  “No.”

 

  “That could be a problem. You’d better come round here. We’ll think of a story. Get out of the house before the police come back.”

 

  “Jesus Christ. If you think I’m carrying the can for this….”

 

  “Brian, I don’t think anything. Just come round and we’ll talk about it. OK.”

 

  Brian put the phone down. “I’m going out,” he called to his wife.

 

  “Again! Where are you going?”

 

  “I have some business to se to.”

 

  “When will you be back?”

 

  “I don’t know.”

 

  “What about the police?”

 

  Without replying Brian left slamming the door after him. He needed to get out of the house fast.

 

  On the road Brian thought about his problem. If the police were aware of where he was yesterday and questioned his reason for being there he didn’t know what to tell them. He hoped Dave could help there. He’d better. This was all down to Dave. Bloody Dave. But, could he trust him? Dave would only be interested in keeping his own name out of it. Was he Dave’s fall guy? Was that Dave’s plan all along? The more Brian thought about it the less he trusted Dave. His anger was rising by the minute.

 

  As he turned down Ivy Street, where Dave lived, this time Brian was determined to stand for no more nonsense.

  .

  The house was in the middle of a row of fairly large terraced houses. Brian was pleased to see Dave’s Ford transit in the street in front of his house: at least he was home. As he drew level with the van he slowed down intending to park in front of the van. There was always a parking space there.

 

  Not this time. Hidden from view by the van were the two police cars. Brian’s first reaction was to panic. He had many brushes with the law resulting in having an intense hatred and fear of the police. He knew his fear, which was bordering on paranoia, was irrational, but he couldn’t help it. It was a weakness, which he tried to hide from others by pretending to be indifferent the police.

 

  This time, however, getting away was all he could think of. Brian immediately speeded up again. He didn’t know why the police were there, but he wasn’t staying around to find out. With no more than a surreptitious glance at the cars he continued to the end of the street. He turned left up South road where he stopped and took some deep breaths.

 

  After a while he calmed down and managed to access the situation. One good thing was that no one witnessed his panic. It then occurred to him that he might even have jumped to the wrong conclusion. The reason for the police being there might have nothing to do with Dave. The cars weren’t even in front of Dave’s house, although they couldn’t be because the van was there.

 

  Brian needed to know. But, how? Calling at the house was too dangerous. He considered finding a phone box and phoning, but he didn’t feel comfortable with that either. Eventually he decided to drive back to the street and, without getting too close, see what he could see.

 

  He stopped the car at what he considered to be a safe distance from Dave’s house on the opposite side of the street where he had clear view of the house and if the policemen were in he would be able to see them when they came out.

 

  Not wishing to draw any attention to himself he shut the engine down, although he could have done with it running for warmth. It was a cold day. The heating was poor at the best of times and without the engine running non-existent.

 

  However, he didn’t have to wait long until two policemen emerged from the house followed by Dave who was followed by two more policemen.

 

  What was going on? Was Dave being arrested? It certainly looked like it. Four policemen wouldn’t be there just to talk to him, but if he resisted arrest it might take that many to restrain him: he was a powerful man.

 

  However, he seemed to be going quietly. One of the policemen opened the rear door of the front police car and Dave with his head down appeared to me
ekly get in. A policeman joined him on the rear seat while two others got in the front. The fourth policeman got in the other car and both cars were driven away.

 

  Brian shuddered. It was cold, but it wasn’t that. He was dreading what might happen next. Things had suddenly got extremely serious. Would the police come for him next? What was it they wanted to talk to him about? He had assumed that it was about where he was on the previous day, but seeing Dave arrested made him fear that it was about something far more serious.

 

  Dave was involved in a murder, maybe two murders. Did the police know?

  It looked that way. Brian’s thoughts were running wild. Was he too a suspect? Was that why the police were after him? Neither of the murders, if that’s what they were, had anything to do with him, but could he prove it? Dave had said they were all in it together. Sod that. Sod Dave. He was not having it. What Dave did was down to Dave. However, sooner or later Brian must talk to the police. He couldn’t keep running away.

 

  Ten minutes after the police cars left, and seeing no more comings or goings at the house, Brian concluded that there were no more policemen there. He wondered if Dave’s wife was in. She should be able to tell him something.

 

 

  Chapter 20. Good news

 

  Alarmed by the ringing of the doorbell, Teresa felt herself tense up. In spite of her efforts to move on her nerves were still in a state. She rested the book she had started to read on her lap, but remained seated. Maybe whoever it was would just go away.

 

  It was ten o’clock in the evening and she was alone in the house. She wasn’t expecting any callers. Tom, she knew, would not be back for at least an hour. In any case he would let himself in.

 

  The bell rang again, this time for longer. He or she was not going anywhere. Teresa stood up and warily moved to the door. “Who is it,” she called, hoping her voice did not betray how frightened she was.

 

  “It’s only me. Open up.”

 

  It was her brother Joe. Relieved, she opened the door, but concerned as to what news he was bringing at that time.

 

  “Joe. What do you want?”

 

  “That’s a nice welcome.”

 

  “Sorry. Come in.” Joe followed her into the living room. “Sit down. Would you like a drink or something?”

 

  “No. Thank you. I’m all right.” Joe sat on the settee. “I thought you weren’t going to let me in. On your own then?”

 

  “Yes. Tom has a parents evening.” Teresa sat on the chair facing Joe. “I wasn’t expecting anyone this late.”

 

  “It’s only ten o’clock. Are you all right? You seem a bit on edge.”

 

  Yes. She was edgy, although she had tried to conceal it. The threatening note and one or two other things had caused it to at last sink in how dangerous a situation she was in. Joe had warned her. He was right. But, what could she say? If she admitted it he would shout at her and blame her for getting involved.

 

  “I’m just tired,” she said. “It’s been a long day.” To Joe’s curious look she explained. “I brought work home to mark.” She nodded towards a pile of papers on the table. “I just finished before you got here. Anyway, don’t keep me in suspense. Why are you here?”

 

  “I’ve got some good news.”

 

  “You’ve won the pools?” Teresa’s eyes lit up. She was starting to relax.

 

  Joe shook his head.

 

  “You’re getting married?”

 

  “No. Listen. You’re being silly. Remember that note that was put through your letter box; threatening you?”

 

  Teresa nodded. How could she forget?

 

  “Well,” Joe continued, “you needn’t worry about it any more.

 

  “Why? What happened? What do you know?”

 

  “The man that sent it is in prison.”

 

  “Oh! Who’s that?”

 

  “Dave Campbell.”

 

  “You know that he is the one that sent it?”

 

  “Yes. Maybe not personally, but he’s definitely the one behind it.”

 

  “You say he’s in prison.”

 

  “Yes, and he won’t be out for a long time.”

 

  “How do you know all this? Have you inside information?”

 

  “You could say that.”

 

  “I worry about who you associate with. Go on then. What do you know?”

 

  “It was Dave that assaulted Martin and almost killed him. Dave was also behind the assault on the man in Broadfield that resulted in his death. The two boys did it, but it was Dave that sent them.”

 

  “Has he been charged with those crimes?”

 

  “No. Not yet. But, he will be. He’s in custody; helping the police with their enquiries I think they call it. They’re still gathering evidence. I’m certain he won’t be out for a long time.”

 

  Teresa was still sceptical. “How do you know all this? She asked

 

  “It’s a long story. Alan, one of the boys that Dave sent has worked with me for the last few weeks. It was the other boy Tommy that actually did the deed. Alan pulled him off the man.”

 

  “That’s what he told you.”

 

  “I believed him. I’ve known Alan for a long time. He’d never do anything like that. I was surprised that he agreed to go in the fist place, but we all make mistakes, and Dave can be very persuasive. He needed Alan to go: he’s smarter than Tommy. Dave could rely on him. But, of course, it all went wrong. They got the wrong man. While I know Dave is capable of murder I don’t believe the plan that time was to kill the man; just scare him; make him leave town again; preferably force him back to Ireland.”

 

  “Alan was there when Dave assaulted Martin. He saw it all. It all happened so fast there was nothing Alan could do about it, but he was so disgusted with Dave he wanted no more to do with him. He left the job. Oh, I didn’t say he worked for Dave up to then; they both did, him and Tommy. You’ve met Tommy; that evening in The Antelope.”

 

  “Yes.” Teresa nodded. “I met him again since then.”

 

  “Oh. When?

 

  “At our mum and dad’s house. He called one evening when I was there. He said he was after you. Don’t worry, we didn’t tell him were you lived.”

 

  “Good, but with Dave out of the way I’m not bothered any more.”

 

  “What about his cronies?”

 

  “Ah, forget them. They’re all shit scared. I used to think he had a lot more influence than he actually had but one or two things I’ve seen lately has made me change my mind on that.”

 

  “Dave liked to give the impression that he had a lot of mates that would stand by him no matter what: no one would grass on him for fear of what those mates would do. I believed it too, but now I’m sure that it was a load of rubbish. His so-called mates are all shitting themselves. I met Brian king today. He liked to think he was Dave’s second in command. He’s too scared to go home. He’s terrified, thinking he’ll be arrested next. I didn’t think he’d even talk to me again after our last encounter, but he was trying to be palls with me today and he was trying to distance himself from
Dave saying he was never one of his associates.”

 

  “But, about Alan; he’s also in custody. He went to the police voluntarily. I advised him against it, but he wouldn’t be told. He couldn’t live with the guilt of what he did any longer, he said. I managed to get to see him today for the first time. He’s not happy in prison, but at the same time he’s relieved that he has got it all off his chest. He has told them everything. That’s what got Dave arrested. Like I said I was against him going to the police, but after seeing him today maybe he has done the right thing. I haven’t heard yet, but I’m sure Tommy will have been arrested too.”

 

  “You’re saying there’s something you don’t know. I’m surprised, but seriously would he tell on his mate?”

 

  “I think he told everything, although he’s not blaming Tommy so much. It’s all Dave’s fault he says. Alan knows a lot about Dave; a lot of other things that the police are interested in. Tommy too. He might think he’s loyal to Dave, but in police custody he’ll crack.”

 

  “I couldn’t get him to crack.” Ops. Teresa immediately regretted the remark.

 

  “What do you mean? What have you been up to?”

 

  “It was nothing. Forget it.”

 

  “Tell me,” Joe insisted, “I want to know. I worry about what you get up to too.”

 

  “OK. It was the evening that I met him at our mum and dad’s. I gave Tommy a lift home. I asked him a few questions about why he wanted to see you and about Dave Campbell. I got nowhere with him. In fact when I stopped the car he suddenly got out and ran away.”

 

  “Yes. He’ll have been told to say nothing by Dave: threatened more like, but in police custody it will be different. He can’t run away from there.”

 

  “ Yes. You’re probably right. I got the impression that if I had more time with him I would have got something from him. I’m afraid I didn’t handle it very well.”

 

  “Well, it doesn’t matter now.”

 

  “I don’t understand. You say Dave sent those boys up there to scare Martin. Why? What was in it for Dave?”

 

  “Money. There was money in it. Somehow Dave has got involved with an anti IRA group or organisation. It’s very secret. No one knows who’s in this group. There might be Irish connections: I’m not sure. I don’t think even Dave knows much about them, but they have a lot of money. That’s all he cares about. He got money for that job, probably a lot more than he gave the boys that he sent to do it.”

 

  “Why did the boys agree to do it?”

 

  “I think they saw it as a bit of an adventure, and Dave, like I said, can be very persuasive. He told them it was fool proof: nothing could go wrong.”