Back in the Game

by Caz Finlay

  ‘How could I get lost? I practically live in this place.’

  ‘Yeah, and about that, Mum,’ he said. ‘I’m going to be fine. You don’t have to be here all the time. You can go home sometimes, you know.’

  ‘I do go home.’

  ‘Yeah, last thing at night. Belle will be missing you.’

  ‘I know.’ Grace sighed, feeling a pang of guilt for neglecting her daughter. But her other child had needed her.

  ‘To be honest, you’re starting to do my head in,’ he added with a grin.

  ‘You’re a cheeky sod, Jake Conlon.’

  ‘Seriously, Mum. Go home. You can still visit every day. But you don’t have to be here all day.’

  ‘Okay.’ She held her hands up in mock surrender. ‘I’ll go home if you don’t want me around cramping your style.’

  They both sipped their coffee in silence until Jake spoke.

  ‘I am sorry, you know, Mum,’ he said.

  ‘What for?’

  ‘For the way I acted when I found out about Eddie.’

  Grace shrugged. ‘Forget about it now.’

  ‘No. I need you to know that I didn’t mean any of it. I don’t know what I’d do without you. You always have my back, and I should have trusted that you didn’t tell me about Eddie for a reason.’

  ‘Jake, maybe I was wrong in not telling you about him. There just never seemed to be a good time. But let’s forget about that little ratbag now, eh?’

  ‘Sounds good to me.’

  Grace finished her coffee and threw the paper cup into the bin. ‘Well, I’m off home then. I could do with a long soak in a very hot tub.’ She leaned in to give Jake a kiss and he hugged her unexpectedly, clinging onto her. ‘I love you, Mum,’ he whispered.

  ‘I love you too, son,’ she replied as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed the top of his head. His hair smelled of his favourite designer shampoo – the one he’d insisted on using since the age of fourteen when she’d taken him shopping at Harvey Nichols for his birthday. A wave of relief and happiness washed over her as she realised that her boy was going to be okay, and that she would be able to buy him his favourite shampoo for a long time to come.

  Chapter 75

  Bobby White eyed his young protégé warily. Liam McGuinness was on edge. The fact that both Jake and Michael were still alive wasn’t sitting particularly well with him either, but Liam was getting far too twitchy for Bobby’s liking. He trusted the lad, but he’d learned from experience that living on your nerves made you prone to mistakes.

  ‘So, I want you to arrange me a meet with Grace Sumner as soon as possible. You’re going to tell her I have some information about who took her kid. I want her to think I’m doing her a favour. Then we’ll hang Martin and Reuben out to dry, and we’ll be in the clear. This could end up working out well for us. Grace Sumner will think she owes me one.’

  ‘Okay, boss,’ Liam said as he avoided Bobby’s gaze.

  ‘This is going to work out, as long as you can hold your fucking nerve, lad. You’re the one who has been desperate to off Conlon, and now that we’ve almost succeeded you’re acting like a fucking fanny. Get a grip.’

  Liam raised his eyes to meet Bobby’s. ‘I’ll sort it.’

  ‘Sort it soon. I want this dealt with before the week is out.’

  ‘Consider it done. I’ll get onto it now.’

  ***

  An hour later and Liam McGuinness groaned in pleasure as he watched Leanne White’s head bobbing up and down on his cock. She was going to be the bloody death of him. Bobby would skin them both alive if he ever found out. Liam just had to make sure he never did.

  ‘Fuck, yeah,’ he moaned as Leanne finished him off.

  She looked up at him as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand before giving him an angelic smile. God, she was beautiful. How the fuck had an ugly fat bastard like Bobby ever landed her?

  He wrapped an arm around her as she moved up to lie next to him on the bed.

  ‘That was fucking amazing, babe,’ he panted.

  ‘You’re amazing, Liam,’ she said as she kissed his neck.

  He pulled her on top of him and brushed a blonde curl from her face. ‘I fucking love you, Lea.’

  ‘I love you too,’ she said, smiling, but Liam could see the tears in her eyes.

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘We have to stop seeing each other. Bobby is getting suspicious.’

  Liam shook his head. ‘But we’re careful. Trust me. He doesn’t suspect a thing.’

  Leanne climbed off him and started searching the floor of Liam’s bedroom for her clothes. ‘He’s getting twitchy, Liam. I can tell. If he found out about us …’

  She didn’t finish her sentence. She didn’t have to. Liam knew. He also knew that Bobby’s twitchiness was more likely to do with their recent failed attempt on Jake Conlon and Michael Carter’s lives. If only they had finished them off quickly and quietly like Liam had wanted to. But no. Bobby had wanted to teach them a lesson first. He just couldn’t resist showing off. He’d had to make a big fucking show of the whole thing. So instead of leaving two dead bodies in a warehouse, they’d left two live ones. Although one was only barely alive, and Liam had hoped that Jake Conlon wouldn’t make it, but he had. That fucking police helicopter turning up had spooked the lot of them and they’d had to bail before the job was finished.

  ‘So, I can’t see you again,’ Leanne said, bringing him back to the matter at hand.

  ‘I’ll figure something out, Lea. I promise.’

  ‘He’ll never let me go, Liam.’ She started to cry and he jumped out of bed and pulled her to him.

  ‘I’ll figure something out,’ he whispered.

  ***

  Liam lay in bed long after Leanne had left, contemplating how his life had turned to shit in a matter of days. Bobby’s grandstanding had meant their plan to off Jake and Michael hadn’t succeeded. It seemed every criminal in Liverpool, including Nudge Richards, was working for Grace Sumner to find out who was responsible. Despite Bobby’s assurances that he could pin the whole thing on Martin and Reuben, Liam wasn’t convinced. The pair of them just didn’t have the balls or the brains for that kind of job. And now Leanne was getting jumpy. If Bobby didn’t suspect anything yet, he soon would if she didn’t wind her neck in.

  Sooner or later, Liam would be fucked.

  There was only one thing for it. He had to get ahead of the game, and that meant making an ally of Grace Sumner.

  Chapter 76

  Grace had just finished a meeting with Sean Carter and was opening the door to her car when she heard someone calling her name. She turned around to see a man she didn’t recognise jogging over the road towards her.

  ‘Grace,’ he panted as he reached her.

  ‘Yes.’ She eyed him suspiciously.

  ‘I have some information for you.’

  ‘About?’

  ‘About who took your son.’

  Grace’s heart leaped into her mouth. ‘You’d better come inside,’ she said as she closed the door to her car and walked back into Antonelli’s restaurant.

  The stranger followed her inside and she sat at a table near the bar, gesturing to him to sit opposite her. From the corner of her eye, she saw Sean Carter watching the two of them while talking on his mobile phone.

  ‘So, you are?’ Grace asked.

  He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. ‘Liam,’ he said as he wiped beads of sweat from his top lip.

  ‘So, who took my son, Liam?’

  He looked around him. ‘Bobby White,’ he whispered.

  ‘And how do you know that?’

  ‘Could I get a drink?’ Liam asked as he ran his fingers up and down his throat.

  ‘Of course,’ Grace said and signalled the waitress over.

  ‘A glass of water please, Heidi,’ she said.

  A moment later, Heidi placed a glass of water on the table and Liam took a long gulp.

  ‘So?’ Grace went on.

 
‘I know because I worked for Bobby. I still work for him.’

  ‘So, why are you telling me this?’ she frowned at him. ‘What’s in it for you?’

  ‘I’m telling you because he’s fucking unhinged, Grace. Going after Jake and Michael Carter like that. He’s going to get us all killed.’

  ‘Were you involved?’

  ‘Do you think I’d come here to you if I was?’ He shook his head. ‘Of course I wasn’t.’

  ‘So who was?’

  ‘Bobby and some of his goons. I told him I’d have no part of it.’

  ‘I need names, Liam. Jake said there were at least six of them.’

  ‘Okay. I can get you the names. Bobby wants to meet with you though. He’s going to try and pin the whole job on Martin Mitchell and Reuben McBride.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘He thinks that if he gives you those two, it will put him in the clear, and you’ll owe him then.’

  Grace laughed. ‘Me? Owe Bobby fucking White?’

  ‘That’s his plan.’

  ‘But why Martin and Reuben? They’re a pair of prize turkeys. What have they ever done to Bobby?’

  ‘Reuben lost him a shitload of money. As for Martin’—Liam shrugged—‘he came to Bobby after you fired him, looking for revenge, I guess. Bobby saw an opportunity to use him.’

  ‘Okay. Let’s say I believe you, Liam. What now?’

  ‘We need to arrange a meet. With me, you and Bobby.’

  ‘Do you think I’m soft?’ Grace frowned at him.

  ‘Of course I don’t. But Bobby will have no idea what’s going on. I’ll be handing him to you on a plate. You can have your backup on standby. Play along with Bobby’s little scheme for a few minutes and then have your lads come in and do what they do best,’ he said as he wiped his brow with his forearm.

  ‘And what about you?’

  ‘Me? I’ll walk away. You won’t have any bother from me, Grace.’

  ‘I want the names of everyone involved and I want them tonight.’

  Liam looked at her for a few seconds before nodding. ‘Okay, I suppose,’ he said as he looked around the room again. ‘It might take a while though. How do I get them to you?’

  Taking a pen from her handbag, Grace wrote her telephone number on a napkin. ‘Text me the names by ten o’clock, or I go to Bobby and get them from him myself. And I won’t mind telling him who put me onto him either.’

  ‘Okay. Okay.’

  ‘Good. I’d like this meet with Bobby as soon as possible. Meet me tomorrow. Two o’clock. Nudge Richards’s place.’

  ‘Nudge’s place? Why?’

  ‘Has to be somewhere neutral, or Bobby might get suspicious.’

  ‘Tomorrow at two. It won’t be a problem. Bobby won’t have a clue. He thinks he’s untouchable. But going after your lad, and Michael Carter … well, that was just fucking stupid.’

  ‘Hmm,’ Grace agreed.

  ‘I’ll see you tomorrow then,’ Liam said as he stood to leave.

  ‘Tomorrow.’

  ***

  Grace watched as Liam left the restaurant, pulling his hood up as he walked out of the door. Sean Carter sat down on the chair beside her. ‘What was that all about?’ he asked.

  ‘He claims he knows who took Jake and Michael,’ Grace said. ‘Bobby White.’

  ‘Do you believe him?’ Sean asked.

  Grace looked at him. ‘I have no doubt that Bobby White is capable of it. What I don’t understand is why he would dare provoke me when I could ruin him with one phone call.’

  ‘But?’

  ‘That guy,’ Grace shook her head. ‘Something was off with him.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘Like, he was really fidgety. But then he was so cocky about how much Bobby trusts him. Said his name is Liam. Bobby’s right-hand man is Liam McGuinness, isn’t he? So why wasn’t he in on it? Would you attempt a job like that without your most trusted employee?’

  Sean shook his head. ‘Not a chance.’

  ‘And why is he ratting Bobby out now? He must have an agenda of his own, and I want to know what it is.’

  ‘Want me to do some digging?’ Sean asked.

  ‘Yes. Find out everything you can about Liam McGuinness. If possible, get me a picture. I want to make sure that was him I just spoke to.’

  ‘Will do. And then what?’

  ‘I’ve arranged a meeting with Bobby and Liam tomorrow, under the pretence that I think Bobby has some information.’

  ‘What time? I’ll come with you.’

  Grace shook her head. ‘Bobby might get suspicious if I take backup.’

  ‘You can’t go in there on your own. What if it’s a set-up?’

  ‘It could well be, but I’m meeting them at Nudge’s place and he won’t let anyone but those two in through the electric gates. Nudge has that metal detector in his portakabin now, so they can’t come tooled up, and he’ll wait with me until we’re sure there’s no danger.’

  ‘And then what?’

  ‘Then, I will leave the pair of them alone in a locked room with your delightful nephews. Sound like a plan?’ she asked.

  ‘Best plan I’ve heard all day. I’ll get onto the lads now. Let’s see what we can dig up on this Liam.’

  ‘Great,’ she said as he stood up. ‘Let me know as soon as you find out anything.’

  ‘Will do,’ he said before kissing her cheek. ‘Speak to you later.’

  Chapter 77

  Liam McGuinness crossed the road and jogged over to his car. He was climbing into the driver’s seat when the passenger door opened and a familiar face slid into the seat next to him.

  ‘Reuben? What the fuck do you want?’

  ‘Me? I want to know what the fuck you were doing with Grace Sumner.’

  Liam shook his head. He could do without this shit. ‘Just fuck off home and wait for Bobby to phone you.’

  ‘Do you think I’m fucking soft? You and Bobby are up to something and I want to know what it is. He fucked up big time letting those two psychopaths live and I’ll be fucked if I’m going to take the fall for it.’

  ‘Look, Reuben, Bobby knows what he’s doing. So, do me a favour and get the fuck out of my car.’

  Reuben smiled at him. ‘Does Bobby know what you’re doing though?’

  Liam frowned. ‘What are you on about?’

  ‘I’m not as thick as I look, mate. I’ve been keeping tabs on you for weeks. Needed some insurance in case things went tits up, didn’t I? What do you think Bobby would do if he knew you were screwing his wife?’

  Liam’s stomach sank. Reuben could fuck up everything for him.

  ‘So tell me what’s going on, or I’ll tell Bobby all about you and his missus.’

  Liam considered Reuben. He’d underestimated him. He should have realised people like Reuben had nine lives. He was a wily little fucker really. Perhaps this could be an advantage? Liam didn’t know who to trust any more, but if his plan was going to work, he had to act fast.

  ‘Look, Reuben. Bobby is going to try and pin the whole kidnap on you and Martin. He’s meeting with Grace Sumner tomorrow to give her the information,’ he said, and watched the colour drain from Reuben’s face. This was Liam’s chance to start building his own firm, with Reuben as his first, loyal recruit. ‘But, if we play our cards right, we can make sure that doesn’t happen.’

  Reuben licked his lips. ‘Okay. Go on.’

  ***

  Grace took Belle from Sean’s arms. He’d called round just as Grace was putting her to bed and Belle had been so excited to see him that she’d refused to go, and had crashed out an hour later sitting on his knee.

  ‘I’ll just get her to bed, and then you can tell me what you know,’ she said quietly.

  She returned to her sitting room a few minutes later to find Sean had made them both a cup of tea.

  ‘Thanks,’ she said as she took one from him and sat down on the sofa. ‘So, what do we know about Mr McGuinness?’ she asked.

  ‘For a start, he’s the gu
y who came to see you today,’ he said as he pulled from his pocket a photograph of a smiling Liam behind the bar in Gin Blossom.

  ‘Thought so.’

  ‘Our mate Liam also has a few reasons for wanting his boss dead.’

  ‘Oh? Such as?’ Grace sipped her tea.

  ‘Firstly, Liam stole a massive shipment of drugs and guns from Bobby a few months ago. Nudge moved them on for him and Bobby has never found out to this day. But, as you know, secrets like that have a habit of popping up when we least expect it. There’s also the fact that Michael and Jake were supposed to die in that warehouse, and they didn’t. That would make anyone involved twitchy.’

  ‘Seems enough of a motive for me.’

  ‘I also spoke to Bobby’s wife, Leanne. When I mentioned Liam, she got all flustered and started babbling. She’s a good-looking woman. Far too good for Bobby. I’d bet one of my restaurants that she and Liam are carrying on behind Bobby’s back.’

  ‘What better reason to want to get rid of your boss than the fact you’re boning his wife?’

  ‘Exactly. So, you’re still going ahead with the meeting tomorrow?’

  ‘Yes. I think Liam believes he’s making some sort of alliance with me and I’m going to owe him one. I don’t think for one second he gives me enough credit to be able to see through his bullshit.’

  ‘It amazes me how many people underestimate you, Grace.’

  ‘Do you think it’s because I’m a woman?’ she asked him.

  ‘Probably.’

  ‘Well, it gives me an edge, I suppose.’

  ‘How so?’

  ‘Because they never see me coming, Sean.’

  ‘I miss working with you, Grace,’ he sighed.

  She looked at him. ‘I miss working with you too. Remember the first restaurant we opened? Remember when you thought you were ordering toilet rolls in singles instead of packs of sixteen and we ended up with a stockroom full of bog roll for the first six months?’

  Sean laughed. ‘I’d forgotten about that. We got our acts together pretty quickly after that though, didn’t we?’

  ‘Well, you did. I already had mine together.’

  ‘So modest.’

  Grace took another sip of tea and sighed. ‘I wish things could have been different, but after Nathan, and Ben, I just had to get away. I couldn’t bear being around this life any longer.’