Head of the Firm

by Caz Finlay

  Chapter Sixty-Two

  Bradley, Craig, Billy and Ged Johnson waited in the deserted car park for Jimmy Kelly and his nephews to turn up.

  ‘They’re fuckin’ late,’ Craig griped as he looked at his watch.

  ‘They’ll be ’ere soon,’ Bradley said with a sigh. ‘Trust me.’

  A few minutes later, Jimmy’s bright blue BMW X5 rolled into the car park.

  ‘Does he know the meaning of the word discreet?’ Ged said with a roll of his eyes.

  Jimmy Kelly hadn’t taken kindly to the Johnsons beating up his nephews, destroying their latest money-laundering front, and extorting them into buying their gear, but he’d swallowed it because he’d had to. What choice did he have against the growing might of the Johnson empire?

  ‘You got the gear?’ Jimmy asked as he sauntered over, accompanied by just one of his nephews, Alan.

  ‘Of course. You got the money?’

  Jimmy nodded and Alan threw a holdall full of money onto the ground at Bradley’s feet.

  ‘I take it it’s all there?’ Bradley asked.

  ‘Of course,’ Alan said with a growl.

  ‘Good. Get the gear out of the car, Ged.’

  Ged took another large holdall out of the boot of Craig’s old Sierra before passing it to Alan.

  ‘You driving it back to your gaff in that thing?’ Bradley said with a raised eyebrow.

  Jimmy smiled at him. ‘Not really any of your fucking business once I’ve paid you for it, is it?’

  ‘S’pose not,’ Bradley said with a shrug. ‘But if the plod pull you, don’t mention our names.’

  ‘Do you think I’m fucking soft, lad?’ Jimmy snapped. ‘I was in this business when you were still shitting in your nappies.’

  ‘All right, Jim. Touchy today, aren’t we? You on your period or something?’

  As Bradley finished speaking, a grey Fiesta drove into the car park and came to a stop near Jimmy and Alan. A few seconds later, Jimmy’s second nephew, Jay, stepped out of the vehicle. Picking up the holdall full of cocaine, he placed it in the boot of the Fiesta before joining his uncle and cousin.

  Jimmy stared at Bradley. ‘We done then?’

  Bradley nodded. ‘Until the next time.’

  ‘Next time? Do you honestly think there’ll be a next time? I’m sure our former suppliers won’t be very forgiving once they’ve found out what you’ve been up to,’ Jimmy said.

  Bradley laughed loudly. ‘You not heard about Paul Carter’s unfortunate accident then? I told you they’d be kept busy, didn’t I?

  Jimmy stared at him open-mouthed, while his two nephews fidgeted nervously beside him. ‘You’re telling me that you took out Paul Carter?’

  Bradley shrugged. ‘I never said that. But would I tell you if I had, Jimmy?’

  ‘You’ve just signed your own death warrant, mate. Connor Carter and Jake Conlon are gonna skin you alive.’

  Bradley shook his head. ‘Whatever you say, Jim. You just fucking behave yourselves, eh? And let me know when you need some more gear.’

  ‘Fucking dickheads,’ Jimmy mumbled, then he and his nephews got back into their cars and drove away. Bradley watched them and felt a sickening feeling building in the pit of his stomach. What the hell had he just done?

  As soon as the cars were out of sight, Billy turned to his older brother and shoved him hard in the chest, causing Bradley to stagger backwards. ‘What the fuck are you playing at, even mentioning Paul Carter’s name, Brad?’ Billy shouted. ‘Are you completely fucking soft, or what?’

  Bradley regained his footing and pushed him back. ‘No one is gonna think we had anything to do with it,’ he snarled. ‘Jimmy’s an old has-been, and no one will pay a blind bit of notice to him.’

  Ged snorted at this remark and Bradley glared at him. ‘Don’t you fucking start,’ he warned.

  Ged took a step towards him and Craig moved to stand in the middle of the three of them.

  ‘Shall we all just calm down and get the fuck out of here before someone sees us scrapping and calls the plod?’ Craig interrupted.

  There were mumbles of reluctant agreement and Bradley was relieved when his brothers starting making their way to the car. As he was about to open the driver’s door, Craig stepped up behind him.

  ‘I hope you know what you’re doing, Bro,’ he said quietly in his ear.

  Bradley studied Craig’s face as he walked past and climbed into the back seat, but it was impassive, and he couldn’t quite tell whether Craig had just delivered a friendly warning or a threat.

  Chapter Sixty-Three

  Craig Johnson sat next to his brother Billy while he played on his smartphone, and watched as his two older brothers stood at the bar of their local, The Grapes. The two of them had always had a difficult relationship, as though they always had a score to settle with each other. They behaved themselves when they had to, and always made sure their beef never interfered with business, but they could never put their differences aside for very long. Ged provoking Bradley was becoming increasingly frequent, and annoying, and Craig had decided to have a quiet word with Ged as soon as he got the chance. There was no doubt that Bradley had crossed a line last night, even mentioning Paul’s name. The last thing they needed was anyone thinking they were taking credit for Paul’s murder. But it was done now. Bradley knew what he was doing. He’d been out getting the true feel of all that had been going on these past few years, while they’d all been stuck inside. Craig trusted his older brother’s judgement, even if he didn’t always agree with his decisions. Bradley was the boss. That was how it always had been and always would be. It wasn’t his fault that he was born first and got to be the head of the family, and it was about time Ged fell in line like the rest of them had had to.

  Craig smiled as his brothers walked over to his table carrying four pints and four whisky chasers.

  ‘Feel like celebrating, did ya’s?’ Craig asked as they sat down.

  ‘Well, we have good reason to, don’t we?’ Bradley answered with a grin. ‘Jake Conlon and the Carters are too busy mourning the loss of their beloved Paul to give a shit what we’re up to. They’re in fucking pieces, mate. I doubt they’ll be doing anything for a while. Not to mention, the plod will be all over them waiting for them to make a move. They’ll be on their best behaviour.’

  Ged rolled his eyes, downed his whisky and slammed his glass on the table.

  ‘What the fuck was that about?’ Bradley asked.

  Ged glared at him. ‘What?’

  ‘The eye roll? I’m getting fucking sick of you questioning every single thing I say.’

  ‘Well, I’m getting sick of you poncing around pretending you’re John fucking Gotti,’ Ged snapped.

  ‘Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to?’ Bradley fumed, slamming his fist onto the table.

  ‘Fucking pack it in lads, will ya?’ Craig said with a sigh. ‘You’re like the fucking Hecklers lately. Give it a rest!’

  Bradley was about to respond when Billy interrupted. ‘Can we forget about your petty squabbling for minute, and remind ourselves just exactly who we’re dealing with here, Brad?’

  Bradley turned his attention to Billy while Ged sat back and sipped his pint.

  ‘Of course I know who we’re dealing with, Bill. Don’t you fucking start an’ all.’

  ‘But I don’t think you do,’ Billy said with a shake of his head. ‘You think that Jake Conlon and Connor Carter are just going to sit back and let Paul’s murder go unpunished? They don’t exactly have reputations as reasonable men, do they?’

  ‘I told you—’

  ‘Never mind what you told me,’ Billy interrupted him. ‘I’m telling you that there isn’t a chance in hell that those two are going to sit back and wait for the plod to solve this. They will go to great lengths to find out who was behind the hit on Paul, and you’re fucking going around blabbing about being involved. Are you fucking soft, or what?’

  ‘If we don’t take the credit, someone else will,’ Cra
ig said while Bradley sat glaring at Billy, his face becoming redder by the second. Craig knew that his older brother could take a lot of Ged’s shit before he blew his top, and he sensed that boiling point was imminent, now that Billy was weighing in too.

  ‘Well, fucking let them,’ Billy snapped. ‘I’d rather remain attached to all of my limbs and appendages if you don’t mind. Even if they don’t come looking. What about Grace Carter? That woman has more contacts than MI5. And don’t even get me started on Michael and Sean. Do you know there’s a story about them two that goes around the nicks – about what they used to do to people who crossed them?’

  ‘That’s an urban legend,’ Craig interrupted.

  ‘No, it’s fucking not. Mark my words, it’s absolutely fucking true.’

  ‘Well, our Brad would never have heard that particular story, Bill,’ Ged said with a grin. ‘Coz he’s never been in prison, has he?’

  At this slight against him, Bradley launched himself across the table at Ged, sending the glasses toppling and spilling the remaining drinks over the table. Ged ducked and landed a punch on Bradley’s jaw before Craig pulled him away. ‘What the fuck are you doing, Ged?’ he growled.

  ‘Me?’ Ged shouted. ‘He fucking attacked me.’

  Billy helped Bradley up off the floor. He dusted himself down before trying to launch himself at Ged again, but Billy held him back. ‘Will you two fucking pack it in?’ Billy said. ‘I think we have enough to worry about without you two at each other’s fucking throats every five minutes.’

  ‘I’ve had enough of your shit, Ged,’ Bradley growled.

  ‘Oh, I’m only fucking messing, you big quilt,’ Ged said with a laugh. ‘It really pushes your buttons when I mention you not being in the nick though, doesn’t it?’ He raised his eyebrow at Bradley. ‘Anyone fancy another pint then?’ he added before Bradley had a chance to answer.

  ‘Not me. I’m off,’ Billy said as he stood up.

  ‘Tell Scott I want to see him at the pub after our next job,’ Bradley insisted. ‘It doesn’t look good that he’s never here. He should be celebrating with us.’

  ‘Oh yeah, because this has been a fucking barrel of laughs, hasn’t it? I’ll see you tomorrow,’ Billy snapped before walking out of the pub.

  ‘Oh, fuck him. I’ll have another pint and a chaser,’ Craig said.

  ‘Same,’ Bradley growled.

  ‘Sound,’ Ged said, rubbing his hands together and walking over to the bar.

  ‘You shouldn’t let him get to you so much, Bro,’ Craig said to Bradley once Ged was out of earshot. ‘You know he lives to wind you up.’

  ‘He’s a cheeky fucking cunt, Craig,’ Bradley snapped.

  Craig shook his head. One of these days the pair of them were going to kill each other.

  Chapter Sixty-Four

  Grace closed the bedroom door behind her. Pulling her mobile from the pocket of her jeans, she dialled John Brennan’s number.

  He answered on the fourth ring. ‘Hiya, Boss.’

  ‘Hi, John. Are you busy today?’

  ‘Only with the usual. I always have time for you though. What do you need?’

  ‘Can you meet me? I need your help with something.’

  ‘Of course. Where and when?’

  ‘Sophia’s Kitchen? About four?’

  ‘That’s fine. I’ll see you there.’

  Grace hung up the phone as Michael walked into the room holding Oscar. ‘Who was that?’ he asked.

  ‘John Brennan. I’ve got a few things I need him to look into for me.’

  Grace saw the flicker of a scowl cross his face but he didn’t say anything. She recalled the argument they’d had in the car a few days before Paul had died and wondered if Michael suspected her and John of anything. Not that he had cause to. John was a good friend. Nothing more.

  ‘I’m going to nip out for an hour this afternoon. Will you be okay with the kids, or do you want me to ask your dad to call in?’

  ‘He’s calling round anyway in a bit,’ he replied. ‘I think he was hoping to see you too?’

  ‘I won’t be long. I’ll see him when I get back,’ she assured him.

  Grace was sitting at her desk in Sophia’s Kitchen when John Brennan tapped on the open door.

  She looked up and smiled at him. ‘Come in, John.’

  He walked over to her and they hugged. ‘How are you doing?’ he asked her when he released from his embrace.

  ‘I honestly don’t know. One minute I’m sad, the next I’m angry. Mostly, I’m just worried though,’ she replied as she sat down.

  John down opposite her and waited for her to continue.

  ‘I’m worried about Michael and how he’s coping. Belle has been asking where Paul is and I’m trying my best to explain – but how do you explain death to a three-year-old? But mostly I’m worried about Jake and Connor.’

  John nodded.

  ‘Have you heard what they’ve been up to?’

  ‘It’s hard not to,’ he replied. ‘Last night’s antics have certainly caused a stir.’

  ‘They’ve roped in some of our bouncers too. They’ve been running around shooting anything that moves, did you know that? You know some of them lunatics only need half an excuse to have a go.’

  ‘Murf has seen his arse, but he’s handling it. He’ll bring the lads back in line.’

  ‘But not Jake and Connor! They seem to think they’re invincible, John, and it’s terrifying me. They’re either going to get arrested, or bloody killed themselves. You’d have thought Paul’s murder might have made them lie low for a bit – make them see they’re not as untouchable as they thought. But it seems to have had the opposite effect.’

  ‘You know that’s not how this game works, Grace. Lying low would be seen as a sign of weakness. Besides, they’re angry. And they’re still just kids. This is all they know how to do.’

  ‘I know,’ she replied with a sigh. ‘I think I forget sometimes how young and naïve they still are. I was bloody stupid to think I could take a back seat and let them run things. I should have known, John. I took my eye off the ball. And if I hadn’t, maybe I could have stopped it?’ she said, the words catching in her throat.

  ‘You can’t blame yourself for this, Grace. You’ve always done everything you could to protect those boys. Nobody saw this coming.’

  Grace shook her head and wiped a tear from her cheek. ‘But I should have seen it coming.’

  John shook his head. ‘You have to stop thinking like that, or you’ll drive yourself crazy.’

  Grace took a few seconds to compose herself. Although she knew it was well-intentioned, John’s sympathy was only making her feel worse. ‘Anyway, that’s partly why I’ve asked you here. I want you to keep an eye on Jake and Connor for me. Clean up their messes if you have to. Pay whoever needs paying to keep their mouths shut. Speak to our contacts in the police and encourage them to look the other way as much as possible.’

  ‘Okay.’

  ‘And I know this goes without saying, but keep your ear to the ground, John. Any information you get, no matter how seemingly insignificant, about who ordered the hit on Paul, or if you suspect Jake and Connor are in immediate danger, then you come straight to me.’

  ‘Of course, Grace.’

  ‘I need this kept between you and me.’

  ‘It will. Believe me, I have no desire for the two of them to find out I’m keeping an eye on them for you.’

  Grace nodded in appreciation. She’d known she’d be able to count on him. ‘I know what I’m asking you is not easy.’

  ‘It’s not a problem. Anything else I can help you with?’

  ‘I think that will keep you busy enough, don’t you?’ she replied.

  ‘I reckon so. If there’s nothing else, it seems I’ve got a lot to be getting on with,’ he said as he stood up. ‘I’ll keep you posted.’

  ‘Great. Thanks, John.’

  Grace watched him walk out of her office and wondered whether she was doing enough to protect Ja
ke and Connor from the effects of the violent rampage they were currently on. She was used to them doing things their own way and it had always been different to hers – much less subtle. But currently they were letting their emotions rule their heads, and in her experience, that was when mistakes were made. She sat back in her chair with a sigh. She was doing all she could for now. Her efforts were needed elsewhere, and the best thing she could do for everyone was find Paul’s killer as soon as possible.

  Chapter Sixty-Five

  Grace was still in her office at Sophia’s Kitchen looking for some paperwork when Jimmy Kelly knocked on the open door.

  ‘Grace? Could I have a word?’

  Grace put the papers on the desk and brushed her hair back from her face with her hand. ‘Jimmy? I haven’t see you for years.’

  ‘I know,’ Jimmy said with a faint smile. ‘Not since you helped me and our Alan out. It’s been a while.’

  ‘I was only popping in to sort something out. I’m heading home shortly. So, I can only spare you a few minutes. But come in.’

  ‘I appreciate you’ve got a lot going on,’ Jimmy said apologetically. ‘And I’m truly sorry about what happened to Paul. Please pass on my condolences to Michael and the rest of the family, won’t you?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘But that’s sort of what I wanted to talk to you about, to be honest.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘Me and the lads – you know our Alan’s lads, Jay and young Alan, don’t you? – well, as you know, we’ve done business with your Jake and the twins for years. But a couple of days ago Bradley Johnson and his idiot brothers turned up at our Alan’s bird’s beauty salon with a load of machetes and baseball bats and smashed the place up. Beat the lads up too, and threatened poor Sandy. They wouldn’t leave until the lads agreed to start working for them instead.’

  ‘Oh?’ Grace said. ‘Why didn’t you mention this to Jake, or the twins?’

  ‘Well, I’d heard they had a falling out, to be honest, Grace and I didn’t know who to speak to. But I’d decided to speak to the twins about it, but then the next day, Paul was…’