‘Oh, shut up, Scarlet. Your time will come. Isn’t Dominic coming for Sunday lunch this weekend?’ Katie watched as the smile slid from Scarlet’s face. That was the end of that topic.
All Scarlet had to do now was convince Dominic. Maybe he wouldn’t want to come. He had stopped working for her father since he had taken a beating. His father, Tony’s driver, had advised him it would be for the best. As a trained mechanic he was able to get a job quite quickly, although he missed the extra money working as a doorman-cum-occasional driver for Tony.
She would have to explain to him that the cat was out of the bag. Their secret was out. They had been seeing each other. Smiling to herself, she was very pleased. All she had to do now was referee between her father and Dominic at the dining table. Mind you, that wasn’t a comforting thought.
***
Life soon got back to normal and, over the next few days, the top subject of gossip with Julie was how things were going to be on Sunday.
‘Come on, Fran. I just happened to drive over to Battersea and passed the garage I heard he was working at. Well fit, I must say. Very handsome. Lots of dark hair. Have you seen him, Elle?’ Julie lifted her coffee cup to her lips in a smug fashion, leaving a red lipstick stain on the white cup.
‘I can’t say that I have, Julie. But I feel I don’t need to now. Your description of him is more than enough.’
‘Why did you drive all the way over to Battersea? What is there for you? You’re just being nosey, Julie. Your time to interrogate him will come soon enough.’ Francesca couldn’t help but laugh. Julie loved gossip and this was the best yet – not so much meeting the lovely Dominic, but watching Tony squirm while trying to be civil.
‘I was passing!’ Giving them both a wink and a smile, she let loose that naughty laugh of hers. ‘Oh, I’m going now. Should I buy some boxing gloves?’
Elle had tried getting Francesca on her own over the last few days but, with one thing and another, it had been impossible. Waving Julie off at the front door, Elle thought now was the time to find out. She was itching to know the outcome.
‘How did Ralph take Diana being a police officer?’ she said. Julie had never mentioned what had gone on behind closed doors. All everyone knew was that Ralph had accepted it. He wasn’t happy. He was afraid for her safety. Let’s be honest, it wasn’t the easiest job in the world. Julie had put her final stamp on it: ‘Diana is a police officer. That is her choice, not yours, and don’t go poking your nose in unless you’re asked to.’ That had apparently been the end of it. Diana happily could now go to work without having to make excuses up to her parents as to her whereabouts.
‘Well, let’s just say, Elle, nobody goes against Julie, not even Ralph. She was more upset that Diana felt she couldn’t confide in her. The job itself? Well, Ralph thinks he could pull some strings and get her a stripe or two and a comfy admin job where she would be safe from London crime. And Julie has told him to let her find her own way, reminding him that he did when he was young and so did she. That seems to be the end of that. Although Julie has told Ralph that it is to be kept under wraps for now. She agrees with Diana when she says she has to earn the respect and trust of her colleagues before they find out who she is. Right, come on, let’s get this little one to school and walk the dog. Heavens, it feels like my life has done a full circle.’
‘Will Tony be home later, Fran? Do you want something preparing?’
‘No, he’s staying at the club tonight and coming home tomorrow. He’s got some catching up to do since we have been away. At least everything seems more settled in Italy now and Tony seems happier. So, me and this very handsome young man, Adam, are going to have a chill night and watch a movie and eat pizza. What do you say, Adam?’
‘Yes. Can I pick the film?’ Adam’s happy smiley face warmed Fran’s heart. His dark curly hair and piercing blue eyes made him look very handsome. He’s going to be like his father and break a lot of hearts one day, Francesca thought to herself.
‘You can pick whatever you like, Adam. It’s Friday night. It’s jim-jams, pizza and any movie you want. What about you, Elle? Do you want to come back later?’
‘No, thank you. I’m going to sort Albert’s dinner out and I’m going to bingo with Minnie. You two have a lovely evening.’
***
‘Will you come, Dominic? Will you come to Sunday lunch? This is our chance, if you want it to be. Papa is ready and there is safety in numbers. Katie has already invited Christopher because she felt that might help. You wouldn’t feel so outnumbered.’ Getting out of bed, Scarlet slipped on her robe and went to the window. ‘The staff will be here soon. I had better get ready and get down there. Think on it, Dominic. It’s your choice.’ Feeling quite disgruntled that Dominic had made excuse after excuse not to go to lunch with the family, she felt she was wasting her time. If he wanted them to be together, then he would make the effort, wouldn’t he?
Turning around and seeing Dominic lying in bed, she surveyed his body. The dark hairs on his chest. The tattoos on his shoulders. He was all male and for now he was all hers. ‘Are you coming back to bed, Scarlet? It’s 5.30 a.m., the staff won’t be arriving yet. And yes, if you really want me to go to Sunday lunch and get your father’s soldiers to beat me up again, I will. But first you have to make it worth my while.’ His grin was wide and he waited.
Dropping her robe and letting it fall to the floor, Scarlet flicked back her long blonde hair and let out a squeal of laughter, then jumped on to the bed.
CHAPTER 13
INTRIGUE
‘It’s good to be home, Jake. Don’t get me wrong, it’s been an eventful holiday, but it’s good to be back in the swing of things.’ Standing at the end of the bar at the club, the multicoloured lights flashing on the dance floor and people dancing and enjoying themselves made Tony smile. This was where he belonged. This was his empire.
‘I agree, Tony. Whatever else we own, this was our first venture. This place is worth all of the others to me. We’ve grown up here.’ Jake picked up his drink and looked across the bar. He felt awkward. There, in the middle of the bar, was his estranged wife, Sharon. She was laughing and talking and playing the hostess, handing over buckets of champagne.
‘Haven’t you two sat down and worked things out yet?’
‘I think there is another guy on the scene and she has been having some very strange mood swings. She is always disappearing to her mother’s.’
‘You need to find out, Jake. If there is another guy, well, it wouldn’t be the first time, would it? You need to know. You can’t carry on like this.’
‘Bloody hell, Tony. That was below the belt. The last time Sharon had another guy was when she got pregnant with Jack. Why bring that up?’ Jake was hurt that Tony had mentioned it. It had happened over twenty years ago. Sharon had found herself a new man and she had divorced Jake. When they remarried she was already pregnant with Jack. Jack was never to find out that Jake wasn’t his real father.
‘Because, Jake, I remember how hurt you were the last time and you left it too late to confront her. Maybe there isn’t a guy in tow. She’s past the menopause so maybe it’s just one of those things. Either way, Jake, you need to sort it out. You look bloody miserable, mate.’
‘I am, Tony. But if there is a guy on the scene, well, maybe like the last one he will leave as quick as he came.’ Jake raised his glass and took another sip, all the while looking in the direction of Sharon.
‘Evening, Mr Lambrianu, Jake. How are you both? I hear you have just got back from Italy. Lovely place, I hear, although I haven’t been there myself.’
Tony and Jake exchanged glances. The greedy chief inspector who had taken more than his fair share of backhanders in the past was on the ponce again. Now what did he want? It was always good to have the chief of police in your back pocket, but this one always seemed to want that little bit more. Although to be fair he had come in handy and his tip-offs had been worth the money at times.
‘Chief Inspector. Nice
to see you.’ As usual, Tony laid on the charm. He waved at one of the barmaids to bring some drinks over. ‘You’re a whisky man if I remember, Inspector.’ Again, Tony smiled. They didn’t particularly like each other, but they had known each other for years and it seemed this man of importance with his receding hairline and the same overcoat he had worn for the last twenty years now wanted something.
Jake looked at Tony and felt like laughing. The inspector was such a scruffy bugger, Jake called him ‘Columbo’ after the famous TV detective. Tongue in his cheek, Jake made his excuses and left Tony to find out whatever was on the inspector’s mind.
‘Alone at last, eh, Tony. No Ralph tonight?’ This uneasy chit chat was starting to bore Tony. They had done the preliminaries.
‘Is there something I can do for you, Inspector? I didn’t really have you down as a Friday night clubber. So, tell me, why are you here?’
‘That’s what I like about you, Tony. Straight to the point. Well, it’s maybe more a case of what I can do for you. You’re a very generous man, Tony. Very generous indeed.’
‘Look, Inspector, if you want more money you had better take that up with Ralph Gold. He sorts that side of things out.’ Tony was about to walk away from this low life in disgust when the inspector stopped him.
‘This doesn’t involve Ralph Gold. It involves you. But if you’re busy and want to get on with things, go ahead. You may as well while you can.’ His droning monotone voice irritated Tony, but he had sparked some interest. What did this bastard know and at what price was he willing to sell it?
‘I hear there is going to be a big drugs raid on a famous West End club soon.’
Smiling, Tony looked him square in the face. ‘Well, that really does have nothing to do with me and it’s not worth mentioning, let alone paying for.’
The inspector was hunched over the bar in the shaded area where Tony always stood to survey his surroundings; he took another sip out of his glass. ‘Nothing to do with you, you say? Well, it’s your name above the door, isn’t it?’
Shocked, Tony looked at him. What the hell did he mean, his name above the door? He had never been involved in drugs, they all knew this. So what was all this about?
‘Why don’t we go to my office, Inspector?’ Tony started to walk forward but the inspector stopped him.
‘No. Tony. I don’t want my superiors thinking I have quiet cosy chats in your office, now, do I?’
Tony realised this was serious. The inspector was usually only too grateful to go to his office and wait while he opened the safe to give him his money. He probably knew the combination off by heart. Only now he didn’t want to be seen going in there.
The loud music drowned out a lot of conversation and so Tony leaned forward on the bar. side by side with the inspector. ‘What does this place have to do with a drugs raid?’ Tony’s voice was hardly above a whisper.
‘Look around you. Lots of goings on in here. I see Jake’s wife has made some new friends.’
The man’s greasy smile annoyed Tony. He was saying a lot about nothing. Following the inspector’s gaze, his eyes stopped at Sharon. She was standing at the bar laughing, talking to a young man and his friends. A frown crossed his brow. He didn’t know them. They weren’t his regular crowd and he didn’t recall seeing them when the pole dancers were around. The way they were dressed didn’t shout money but they must have been able to pay the entrance fee and Sharon was handing over yet another silver champagne bucket.
‘Seems her new friends like to hang around all the best places. I’ll be in touch, Tony.’ The inspector gulped back the last remnants of his drink; he was about to leave.
‘What’s Sharon got to do with it? Why are you involving her?’ Tony was trying to remain calm and not throttle him like he wanted to. He wanted answers and this cat and mouse game was getting on his nerves.
‘Now, Tony, calm down. I am an officer of the law and a very influential one. Don’t dish out those angry stares at me. Something is going down next week. Cinderella time. I presume it will be a club night. I will be in touch.’ Turning, the inspector walked away, leaving Tony with a lot to think about.
‘Oh, God, what did Columbo want?’ Jake could see those blue eyes of Tony’s had darkened somewhat. It was his biggest giveaway. They say your eyes are the windows of your soul. Well, Tony’s were just that. You could tell his mood just by looking into those eyes.
‘Who are those guys over there that Sharon is talking to? I don’t recall seeing them before. How long have they been coming in here?’ Arching his eyebrows, Tony waited for answers to his quick-fire questions. He signalled to the bar staff to fill his glass again.
‘Whoa! What question do you want me to answer first?’ Jake was taken aback but his grin was wide.
‘Well, firstly, who are those guys?’ Jake followed Tony’s stare. The bar was busy. Sharon was behind the bar taking care of things but, Jake realised, Tony was right. There was a new bunch of men that he hadn’t seen in there before and Sharon was laughing and sharing a glass of champagne with them.
‘I don’t know who they are. Why?’ Looking at the happy scene again made Jake feel sick. Sharon had always played a great hostess, but she actually looked like she was enjoying herself. It was the first time he had seen her laugh in ages.
‘Maybe you should ask her. She looks pretty friendly with that one at the front, leaning on the bar towards her. If I didn’t know better, Jake, I would say she is flirting.’
‘What’s wrong, Tony? What has that copper said that has wound you up so much and why are you picking on Sharon? She does a good job. She laughs and talks with the punters. It’s never been a problem before.’ Jake was upset and concerned. He looked over again at Sharon in her black knee-length lace dress, her blonde ponytail hanging down her back, swishing around as she joked with these strangers. She looked good tonight. She always made the effort, but tonight she looked like she was dressed to impress. That was what upset him. She hadn’t dressed to impress him. She probably hadn’t even noticed he was there.
‘Have you heard of any of the clubs around here dealing drugs? That copper seems to think a nightclub around here might be doing something like that.’ Tony took another sip of his drink and glanced over again at Sharon. She looked tipsy but she wasn’t drunk. Something just wasn’t right and he couldn’t put his finger on it, which annoyed him.
‘Well, what’s that have to do with us? Fuck, he’s a shit-stirrer. Have you rung Fran yet? I presume you’re staying here tonight.’
Looking at his watch, Tony realised the time. ‘Damn! I was going to ring earlier.’ He always said ‘goodnight’ to Adam. ‘I’m going to the office to ring her. I’ll see you in a minute.’ Walking around the bar, Tony saw Sharon hand over another bucket of champagne. He couldn’t bite his tongue anymore. As he passed where Sharon stood with her new friends, he pushed his way to the front. ‘You’re going at it tonight, boys. Special occasion, is it?’ Noticing Sharon’s embarrassment, he couldn’t stop himself and leaned in further. ‘Your husband is over there, Sharon. Why not go and share a joke and a drink with him?’ Mission accomplished. His comment had wiped the smile off her face and quietened down the laughter from the men. ‘Enjoy your evening, guys.’ With that, he walked towards his office. He felt a little bit easier now he’d had his say. Why was she flirting in front of her husband? What kind of a woman was she? She had changed over the years and turned into a bitter old nag. But something about the guy at the front, the main one she was talking to, made him curious. He was sure he had seen him before, but couldn’t think where.
Brushing his hair back from his face, he sat down in his chair and rang Francesca. The phone was picked up almost immediately.
‘Daddy, is that you?’
Adam’s tired voice calmed him and made him smile to himself. He heard his son yawn.
‘And just what are you doing up at this time of night young man?’ He heard a giggle on the other end of the telephone. It warmed his heart and reminded him
what a very lucky man he was.
‘Waiting for you. I knew you’d ring. We’ve had pizza with Iron Man.’ Adam chatted away, not leaving room for answers. ‘Buona note, Papa.’
‘Buona note, Adam, ti amo.’ Tony could hear Adam pass the telephone over to Francesca.
‘Sorry it’s so late, Francesca. Are you okay?’
‘We’re fine, Tony. Adam wanted to wait up. He’s been dozing on the sofa and as soon as he heard the telephone he jumped up. That’s why I say ring the landline if you’re going to ring him and then he knows it’s you. Well, Mr L, you have said goodnight and I love you to Adam. What about me?’
‘Well, firstly, I still think Adam should have his own mobile now. It would make things easier and I could text him. He’s ten years old, Francesca. The other kids at that posh school have one.’
‘I know, Tony. It’s just that you hear things about young kids having mobiles and being able to get on the Internet, which is full of weirdos. But if you think so, then we could do something about it tomorrow, okay?’
Francesca’s warm laugh made Tony feel better and put him at his ease. ‘You, my very sexy lady, will have to wait until tomorrow.’ After their usual flirty chat, which Tony enjoyed even more knowing that Adam was sitting beside Francesca, he hung up. He could be suggestive and teasing and sometimes downright naughty. Hearing her replies made him laugh out loud. It was as though there were two conversations going on. She would say ‘Okay, I’ll get that for dinner tomorrow,’ after he had just told her he was going to pour champagne down her body and lick it off. He was still laughing to himself when the office door opened and Jake came in.
‘Okay, enough dirty talk. I take it all is well. By the look on your face you have embarrassed the life out of her again.’ He looked at the box on the desk. ‘I take it that is the mobile you have bought Adam and not told her about yet?’ Jake couldn’t help laughing, Tony and Francesca were like two teenagers, and then suddenly a sick feeling washed over him. Why couldn’t he be like that with Sharon?
Dirty Dealings Page 13
