by Diane Ezzard
“I haven’t seen anything of the pair of them. I’ve been too busy.”
“What’s that with? Shifting gear for Lovejoy?” He laughed.
“Och, you know me too well, Jack. I’ll do whatever I can to make a few quid.”
“So, do you still go to Dom’s café?”
“Occasionally, I nip in for a breakfast. Why?”
“Do you ever see Dom there?”
“He’s rarely there, Jack. Why? What’s this about?”
“I’ve got information about his brother that Dom may be interested to hear,” I said, keeping my eyes peeled to check no one was close by.
“Oh?”
I told Snakehips about what Dirk had been doing with their so-called joint ventures. He whistled when I told him the amount.
“We’re in the wrong business, Jack.”
“That’s exactly what I said when I heard.”
“And that information is definitely kosher?”
“Oh yes and you never know, Dom may reward you for passing on that sort of information.” Snakehips rubbed his hands together and winked at me as Lovejoy returned with the drinks. I drank mine in one big gulp. I’d done what I’d come here to do. Pushing the chair away from the table, I got up to go.
“I’ll do what I can. Leave it with me, Jack,” Snakehips said.
“I’ll see you around.” I nodded to both guys.
“Let me know if you’ve any more work for me, Jack,” Snakehips called as I walked away.
“Will do.” I put my thumb up and left the pub.
Chapter 44
Jack
That night, Sophie and I sat down piecing together everything that had happened.
“I still feel Dom Duggan is behind Carmen’s murder. I reckon he probably set Billy up.”
“Do you really think so?” Sophie looked at me quizzically.
“Billy would have been too drunk to get rid of the evidence. After all, he’d been drinking all day. It takes a devious mind to do something like that. Someone cold and calculating did that and that’s not Billy.”
“No, and are you saying Dom is?”
“Most definitely and I bet you a penny to a pound the bald guy who warned our Ryan off was the one we saw at the garage, Dom’s second in command.”
“Wait a minute, that’s who I saw.”
“That’s who you saw where?”
“The bald guy who followed me the other day. That’s where I’ve seen him before, at the garage. I think we need to pass this information onto the police now, Jack and let them deal with it.”
“You’re right, I’ll speak to Mike. It’s a shame I’m no nearer into finding Louie.”
“No, and we can’t stay here forever. It’s annoying they didn’t find any evidence to arrest anyone for petrol bombing your place.”
“It galls me to think of Dom Duggan getting away with that.” I had to stop thoughts like I was having from festering. They weren’t doing me any good.
Early the next morning, my phone rang. I answered it straight away.
“Have you heard the news?” Mike’s voice crackled the other end of the line.
“Hi, Mike. There’s some news I’ve got.” I rabbited on before he had a chance to speak and told him what Sophie and I had discussed. This was too big for us to deal with and outside my remit. I suspected now that the Russian billionaire was involved with the drug business, so I let Mike know my views.
“Thanks for the information, Jack. I’d stay well out of it if I was you.”
“Don’t worry, I intend to.” The line crackled and cut out. I phoned Mike back. The connection was still poor.
“Hang on, let me move. I’ll see if I can get a better reception.” I walked towards the front door. “Go on, Mike. What’s your news then?”
“There’s been a shooting in broad daylight outside the boxing gym.”
“And, I feel as though you’re about to tell me more.”
“The person targeted was none other than Dirk Duggan.” I blew between my teeth.
“What? Is he dead?”
“He was taken to hospital in a critical condition but died within the hour.”
“Blimey. Is it a gang war?”
“There were two gunmen dressed as police firearms officers. They both carried MAC-10 submachine guns. They could have done a lot more damage, but they knew who they were coming for. There was a small crowd there for a boxing match. They gunned Dirk down. Apparently, they arrived on a motorbike. The one on the back used his weapon and shot Dirk at point blank range. He didn’t stand a chance. Witnesses did what they could to help but the blood pumping out of his chest was too severe. The paramedics tried to save him, but were powerless, really. His injuries were too serious.”
“I take it the gunmen got away?”
“Yeah, so far they’ve not been caught.”
“So, are there any early indications who’s behind it?”
“Well, we believe an unknown source tipped Dom off about his brother syphoning off their drug money.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, you don’t know anything about that, do you, Jack?”
“No. Surely you don’t think Dom would kill his own brother?”
“If he left him short of a couple of million, he might.”
“Well, I hope you catch the scum who did this.” I was glad Mike couldn’t see the smirk on my face.
“I hope it’s an internal matter with the Duggans. These guys are in the big league now. We don’t want a drugs war on our turf.”
“So, do you reckon your lads will do what they can to take Dom down?”
“You can bet on it.”
Chapter 45
Jack
My phone rang again straightaway. I answered it expecting it to be Mike forgetting to mention something. No one spoke. I shrugged my shoulders and put the phone away. It rang again.
“Yes?”
“It’s me, Jack.” The words were slurred. I could just make out the accent.
“Where are you, Marcus?”
“It’s too late to save me.”
“What do you mean?”
“Louie’s here.” My ears pricked up.
“Where are you, Marcus?” My speech was louder, firmer.
“Err, Radcliffe. I can’t…” The line went dead.
“Marcus, Marcus,” I cried, shouting at the dead phone. The number hadn’t shown up on my screen, so I couldn’t phone back. I waited but the phone didn’t ring again. What was I to do? Marcus sounded in a bad way. Time was of the essence. There were two properties in Radcliffe that the gang used. Which one should I try? Eeny meeny miney mo. I plumped for the property up Ainsworth Road. I could be walking into trouble, going after Marcus but I had to do something. I told Sophie my plans and she said she’d look after the kids.
“You be careful, Jack.”
“I will.” I drove up to the house. It was foolish to go in without a weapon, but I didn’t have time to waste. I hoped there wasn’t too much company waiting for me. There were no cars about. I hoped my hunch was right, but I wasn’t taking any chances. After weighing up the property, I sprinted to the back door.
Peering through the window, the door through to the lounge was open. I was in the right place. I could see Marcus comatose on the sofa. From that angle, it wasn’t possible to see if anyone else was there. I tried the handle of the door. It opened. I walked through, taking tentative steps. If this was a set-up, I wanted to be prepared. There was no one in the kitchen and I couldn’t hear any noises coming from the lounge.
I made my way to the adjoining door. Slowly, I walked in to investigate. Marcus was either stoned or drunk. His eyes were shut. His head flopped on his shoulders. My gaze went from him to the chair next to him. There was Louie. He looked straight at me and smiled. Something was wrong. This was far too easy. The whole scene didn’t feel right.
“Louie, are you okay?” He nodded. “Do you know what Marcus has taken?” I was about to check on Marcus. I watche
d Louie’s eyes change. His expression turned to one of horror. He wasn’t looking at me but beyond me. I turned to follow his gaze.
“Alright, Jack? Fancy you walking into the lion’s den.” There was a gaggle of laughter.
Dom stood there with two of his foot soldiers.
“You won’t get away with this, Duggan.” My chest thudded.
“Oh, but I think I will. I can’t be doing with do-gooders, can you lads?” The other goons laughed again. I watched as they moved to block the exits.
“The police know I’m here,” I blagged.
“Well, we’d better be quick then. Grab him, lads.”
A scuffle broke out. They wouldn’t take me out that easily. I watched in slow motion as a fist came towards my face. An explosion of red. I heard the cracked bone immediately. Trying to scramble to my feet, the bald guy was too quick for me. He stamped on my fingers. Another crack. Pain darted through my body as the blows came tumbling down. I heard more laughter as I became momentarily disorientated. Someone enjoyed the sound of broken bones.
I screamed out as the pain continued to soar through my body. Rolling up in a ball, I’d have been happy for the world to end at that moment. If not that, then losing consciousness would have been preferable. These guys wanted me to suffer.
“Come on, get him out of here,” Dom said. They bundled me from the house into a waiting car. I didn’t speak. We drove along in silence. It looked like we were going to Dom’s farmhouse. I was up against three of them. I wasn’t going to try anything stupid. They had weapons. I didn’t know what they had planned for me, but I had a plan for them.
“Get the guns, lads. It’s time for a little target practice,” Dom said to two of the others. The meanest and largest of the bunch had my arms locked behind my back. They manhandled me out the back of the property.
“Wait a minute,” I cried. “If this is the end for me then at least let me have a final drink before I go.” Dom frowned.
“I thought you were on the wagon?”
“That’s right. I’m a recovering alcoholic and don’t touch the stuff. Taking another drink is as likely to kill me as any gun. I always said, if I’m going to meet my Maker, I’d like to get drunk one last time before I go.”
“I like your style.” Dom laughed. “You’re brazen. I’ll say that about you.”
“Go on. What do you say? For old time’s sake. Let’s have a drink together.” Dom’s eyes narrowed, and his hands went on his hips. He chuckled, and the noise burst into a crescendo of raucous laughter.
“Macca, nip and get the Courvoisier out of the dining room. You know where it is. Let’s have a celebration drink.” Dom laughed heartily.
“Let’s sit in the kitchen, shall we?” I suggested.
Macca brought the bottle and four crystal glasses.
“Dom, do us a favour and get rid of your goons. Just you and me, mate. Come on, we go back a long way.”
“I don’t trust you, North.” He stood pondering what to do then turned to his companion.
“Here, Macca, get me my shotgun. It’s in the gun room.” Dom passed a key to Macca and he lit a cigarette. “You’re as bold as brass. You never were a full shilling.” He looked over at me, watching me until Macca returned with a sawn-off shotgun. He pushed me through into the kitchen.
“Lads, you wait outside. Jack and I are going to have a quiet drink.” He placed two glasses on the table and poured the brandy into them. He held the glass to my nose. I wanted to vomit. The smell of the alcohol so close made me nauseous. I picked up the glass and sniffed it.
“Tell me something, Dom, how do you sleep at night knowing you killed your own brother?”
“Ho, don’t give me that. You know what he did.”
“But your mam would turn in her grave knowing you had Dirk killed.”
“Nobody double-crosses Dom Duggan and gets away with it.”
“But your own brother. Surely you could have spoken to him about it.”
“He’d crossed me one too many times, blood ties or not.”
“So, you admit it, then?” I put the glass down without taking a sip. He smiled.
“He was greedy, only interested in my money. There was no brotherly bond there. It was a neat job, don’t you think? Took him down while he was enjoying himself. His favourite hobby was boxing, so I was considerate until the last. I let him think he was about to enjoy the match, then BOOM.” The noise of him pretending to pull the trigger made me jump. “Come on, drink up.” I picked the glass up again and watched him down his brandy and pour another. “You’re slacking, North.”
“What about Carmen? Was that you as well?”
“Carmen couldn’t keep her mouth shut. She knew too much because that slag of a daughter of hers, Jade had done too much gabbing. I lost a lot of money because of that bitch tipping the police off about drugs being exchanged. There have been too many loose lips around these parts. She and Toby got what they deserved as far as I’m concerned. Both of them came unstuck. They were a drain on society. The world’s a better place without them in it. Those tossers from the police think it was Billy,” he laughed out loud. He looked at me. “Come on, why are you not drinking?”
I put the glass to my lips and laughed.
“Remember that song you used to sing to me when you followed me around school with your mates?” I began to sing. “You’re gonna die, Jack North.” He joined in.
I heard a noise in the distance.
Chapter 46
Sophie
I couldn’t settle. I paced up and down the hotel bedroom. Megan watched me as I scratched my head. A thought suddenly came to me. What if Jack’s been set up again? He’d rushed into this blindly.
“Are you okay, Sophie?”
“No, I’m worried about your dad. Listen, guys, is there somewhere I could drop you for a couple of hours while I check what’s going on?”
“I’m sure Raquel’s mum wouldn’t mind if we went to hers,” Megan said, jumping up and down. It was a wonder we hadn’t all gone stir crazy, cooped up in this place. She phoned Raquel, and I had a word with her mum. Within twenty minutes, I’d dropped them off at Raquel’s house in Whitefield. Ryan moaned. He’d have preferred to go to Perry’s, but I didn’t have time for messing about. I put my foot on the accelerator and made my way over to the property in Radcliffe where Jack was heading.
A feeling of trepidation wouldn’t leave me. My stomach told me all was not well. The closer I got to the house in Radcliffe, the more my heartbeat increased. I knew where the address was and as I turned onto the road, I recognised the Range Rover that passed me. I gulped in air and gasped. Realisation shot across my face. My hands shook as I considered what to do. Do I go to the address Jack gave me or follow that car? Heads or tails?
A three-point turn later, and I was on my way with my life in my hands as I overtook a lorry on the busy main road. I could see the four-by-four up ahead. Jack had given me Mike’s number, and I quickly phoned him to tell him what I was doing.
“Don’t get involved, Sophie. Leave it to the police.”
“I appreciate your concern, Mike but I’ve got a hunch that Jack’s in trouble.”
“Leave it, Sophie. These are dangerous criminals you are getting involved with.”
“Sorry, Mike.” I ended the call. I was in no mood to be lectured by a policeman even if he was right. Hopefully, they wouldn’t be too far behind me. If my hunch was right, I didn’t want to lose Dom Duggan’s vehicle. I could see the car a few vehicles in front as it approached the roundabout. The lights turned to red. Just my luck. Part of me wanted to jump them and face the consequences but the road was too busy. I wasn’t sure which way they’d gone. Instinct told me to get on the motorway.
I put my foot down and headed up the M66 through Ramsbottom. I noticed the car way up in front indicating to come off. Good, I hadn’t lost it. My guess was they were heading towards Dom’s farm. My eyes widened as the vehicle turned off the road in Helmshore. My breathing became ragged
. My hands physically shook as I kept a tight hold of the steering wheel. My fingers curled so tightly, they would need to be prised off. With great hesitation, I followed up the gravel road. I nearly cracked my head on the windscreen as the car bounced up and down. My leg twitched, but I kept it firmly on the accelerator pedal. I couldn’t go right up to the farm. I didn’t want to be spotted, so I parked up near an outbuilding and got out.
Right now, I felt afraid of everything. If the scarecrow in the field opposite said boo, I would run a mile. I couldn’t hear my rapid breathing but felt the oxygen flooding in and out of my lungs. I had to get closer. A poorly constructed white gate with chicken wire flexing against the wind stood at one end of the yard. At the bottom was a stable with a corrugated metal roof. Then I heard the sound of a car engine approaching. What was I to do? I had to think.
Mud lay in uneven patches as I trampled across the concrete yard. Scurrying into the farm building, I looked for somewhere to hide. It was the smell that hit me first. A puff of last year’s summer straw pressed into my nose, mixed with the disgusting smell of manure. If that wasn’t enough, I could also detect the odour from stank, dried out dung and droppings.
The place was dimly lit. I spotted a ladder leading up to a hayloft. Two buckets and an old horse blanket with an earthy smell lay on the ground. A shaft of light streamed through the russet-painted heavy wooden door. Then came the haunting sound of footsteps. I hyperventilated, trying not to make a sound. Each second seemed to last forever. Time passed so slowly. I sat on the cold stone ground behind a mound of hay. It was no good, the footsteps were getting nearer. One by one the sound of boots hitting concrete killed the silence.
I looked around, my mind working overtime while I decided what my next move was. I squeezed my body between two bales of hay and stayed perfectly still. A feather sprang up from the mound of hay and I prayed I wouldn’t sneeze. The noise of leather on concrete grew louder. It was a squelching sound. I hoped they couldn’t hear my breathing. It was loud and rapid now.
