by Liz Mistry
Alice turned to go and then turned back. Something was niggling at her. She looked first at the bundle on the bed before casting another glance round the room. Then, it clicked.
‘Who sleeps on the other side of the bed, Jessica?’
Jessica’s shoulders stilled, then she sat upright glaring at Alice through swollen eyes. ‘What are you on about? Nobody sleeps there.’
‘Then why are you all bundled up to one side, like you’re leaving this side free for someone else?’
Jessica looked at her, her face sullen. ‘Fuck right off, okay? Just fuck off!’ and she flung herself back under the duvet.
‘You got a boyfriend Jess?’
Two fingers emerged from beneath the duvet and made a V sign at Alice. Very touchy, thought Alice, pursing her lips. Did Jessica have a mystery boyfriend? Someone capable of killing Trixie, maybe?
Ignoring Jess’ continued sobs, Alice walked to the bedside drawers at the side nearest to the door. ‘Why do you need two alarm clocks, Jess?’
Silence, so Alice opened the drawer. ‘Nice line in sex toys. Oh and some dog tags on a cheap chain. Very classy.’ Alice picked it up and looked at the inscription on the back, With all my love, J xxx.
She dropped the chain back in the drawer, rolled it shut and said, ‘Sweet dreams’ before leaving the room, closing the door behind her.
The pair of them exited Jessica’s flat. As they began to head back up Oak Lane towards The Fort, Gus said, ‘What was that all about, Alice?’
Alice grinned at him, ‘I’m thinking that maybe Jessica has a boyfriend or…’ she cocked her head to one side, ‘maybe a girlfriend…’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well… the double bed, Jess curled up to one side, two alarm clocks, sex toys and a cheap necklace inscribed from someone called ‘J’ in the opposite bedside table drawer.’
Gus frowned. Although what Alice said was interesting, he felt there was little substance to it and probably less relevance. ‘Hardly conclusive is it?’
Alice shrugged. ‘Perhaps not but I’m sure she is, or has recently been in, a relationship.’
Gus laughed, ‘What are you, Manningham’s answer to Cilla Black?’
Laughing, Alice said, ‘Just struck me as strange that Jessica was bundled up to one side of the bed if she slept alone, that’s all. I’ve got a double bed and I make full use of it, sprawling right over the middle.’
Gus nudged her. ‘Yeah, cos you’re so huge you need a king-size, never mind double bed.’
Alice thumped him and continued. ‘Why have two clocks in the bedroom, if only one person sleeps there?’
‘Hell, I don’t know, do I? Maybe she’s got a thing about clocks.’
‘Maybe… but what if this person had it in for Trixie for some reason and Jess is covering up for them? Maybe Jess’ unknown lover killed Trixie.’
‘Hey, hold on a minute Al. You can’t go tearing off making assumptions based on a necklace and a double bed.’ Gus didn’t buy the idea of Jess’, as yet unidentified, lover killing Trixie. Who knew how long that necklace had been in the drawer and he still slept on ‘his’ side of the bed even though Gabriella left months ago. Alice needed to rein in her imagination a bit.
Alice pouted and shoved her hands in her pocket like a naughty schoolgirl. Her sulky expression made Gus want to laugh as she strode a couple of steps ahead of him before stopping abruptly and spinning on her heel to face him. ‘Okay, Gus. I get what you’re saying but when I think back to the interview Sampson and I did at The Prossie Palace, there was something off. Armani and the girls knew something we didn’t about Jessica. I’m going to check it out later. Bet I’m right… bet it’s a girl.’
Gus laughed. ‘Alice Cooper, sexuality police.’
Alice thumped him again. ‘Just cause my gaydar’s better than yours.’
Gus grinned. ‘Yeah, wondered how long it would be before you brought up Gabriella.’
Alice bit her lip, ‘Shit, Gus, that’s not what I meant.’
Gus shook his head, ‘Don’t be daft, Al. I know my gaydar’s well off.’
Alice glanced over the road and nudged Gus. ‘Yeah, you can say that again, look over there.’
Gus swing his head round in time to see a car with his sister and ex-wife in it, swing out and up the road towards Duckworth Lane.
Gus felt suddenly exhausted. It had been a long and emotional night and he knew he was in for a tricky afternoon, too. ‘Come on, Al. There’s nothing else we can do now. I’m going home for a shower and a quick kip before the big lunch.’
Alice wiggled her eyebrows. ‘God! Can’t wait.’ She laughed. ‘Wonder what overdone atrocity your mum’ll serve up today. Mind you, I think you do right to bring the gang… less for us to eat and, besides, Compo’ll make short work of whatever’s on offer.’ She tilted her head to one side. ‘Safety in numbers and, with the two witches coming, you’ll need all the support you can get.’
As Alice walked towards the stairs leading into The Fort’s main reception, Gus called her back. ‘What did you think of Shahid Khan, Al?’
‘He seemed really upset about Imti,’ she shrugged, ‘A bit defeated really. Poor sod.’
‘Mmm,’ said Gus, ‘That’s what I thought but, now I’m wondering. This is Shahid Khan we’re talking about. He’s not a bloody pushover. Wouldn’t you expect him to be all out to string up the bastard who stabbed Imti? What’s he doing approaching Jess who’s had nowt to do with either him or Imti for years. It all seems a bit off to me, you know?’
‘You might have a point I suppose, but I thought he was quite convincing. He’s still reeling after Trixie’s death, too.’
Gus nodded. He still wasn’t convinced. Shahid Khan was a nasty piece of work and he was sure he wouldn’t just lie still and let someone piss on him. Gus would be keeping an eye on Khan…. And Bazza Green, for that matter… for the foreseeable future.
Chapter 73
11:30 Duckworth Lane
The building was set back from the road and had no signs to show its purpose. It looked similar to many of the larger sand stone buildings dotted around Bradford that had been converted into Mosques, fast food outlets or dress shops. Perhaps some of its patrons treated it with the same religious awe that the devout afforded their religious buildings.
However, Bazza Green’s gym was, unlike its more ‘modern’ counterparts, a place for serious weight lifting, boxing and martial arts. Brightly coloured lycra was notably absent, as was an offer of yoga, pilates or zumba classes. This was most definitely a man’s gym – the only two female regulars were serious weight lifters and had the sculpted bodies of those seriously committed to their art. Their only concession to their gender were the sports bras they wore as they worked out.
At the hospital last night, when he registered where he knew Serafina from, and heard about her friend and brother, Shahid became certain that Anastazy was responsible for attacking Imti too. When news of the dual arson attacks on his and Bazza’s properties had come in, he’d made further deductions. Then, information about an influx of Eastern European girls undercutting his stable of girls, and about cheaper coke and heroin circulating in the clubs and streets reached him and he understood what was happening. A few calls outside the district reassured him that neither Johnny The Gerbil from Oldham nor Colin The Cockroach from Sheffield were making a bid against him. On the contrary, Shahid’s news had filled them with concern and Shahid was in the position to pull in a few favours should he need to. And that was why he was here, at Bazza’s gym.
He’d wanted to talk to Jessica about it first, get information about Bazza’s girls, but McGuire and the skinny goth had shown up and he’d not been able too. Jess was too upset anyway, so he’d pretended that all he’d wanted was to tell her about Imti. No point alerting McGuire to his real intentions.
As Shahid and Jai walked into the testosterone-filled lobby where the walls seemed to ooze with the sweat of years of activity, the man behind the reception desk grinn
ed in a way that left Shahid in no doubt that he was unwelcome. Then, he straightened and, before Shahid’s eyes, the man’s muscles seemed to swell, making the matching lions rampant adorning his upper arms, ripple with a ferocity that Shahid knew was intentional.
He smiled. ‘Nice tatts, but I’ve not come for a show. Bazza around?’
Muscleman glared at him and then repeated the look in Jai’s direction, before lifting a phone receiver up in a paw so big Shahid wondered that he didn’t break it. He growled into the phone and then nodded towards a line of plastic chairs by the door.
Ignoring him, Shahid stayed where he was, with a slight smile on his face.
Hearing a door to the side open, Shahid turned and saw Bazza walk through accompanied by two over-muscled thugs. With an effort, Shahid managed to maintain a neutral expression. The very sight of Bazza Green made him want to throw a punch at the man – but that wasn’t why he was there today.
He nodded, but made no move to offer a hand to Bazza. Bazza, in turn, looked Shahid up and down, before saying, ‘You want to sign up? Looks like you could do with bulking up a bit.’
Ignoring the sheer stupidity of Bazza Green, who weighed all of seven stone, commenting on his physique, Shahid said, ‘We need to talk.’
Bazza’s face lost its sneer. He gave a single nod and, without speaking, walked back through the door. His henchmen stood aside for Jai and Shahid to follow.
The room they entered was clearly Bazza’s office and Shahid looked round with interest. If he’d been going to set fire to one of Bazza Green’s properties this one would have been high up on the list. It was the centre of Green’s enterprise. It made Shahid realise that the reason they’d gone for his penthouse flat was purely to frighten Bazza: they were not trying to damage the infrastructure of his business. That figured. Bazza, unlike Shahid, had no emotional ties with anyone, not even his niece Jessica. Bazza himself was the only person he loved.
Like the rest of the gym, Bazza’s office was functional. It lacked in the hygiene department. The sour sweat smell replaced by the equally pervasive stink of smoke. Judging by the overflowing ash tray on Bazza’s desk he’d been chain-smoking. Shahid barely refrained from shuddering at the sight. He hated smokers with a vengeance and the smell made him feel nauseous… although, today his olfactory system was probably over-sensitised by the hangover that still throbbed at his temples
Shahid made a point of walking the circumference of the room before speaking. At last he turned to Bazza. ‘You’ve got the place looking nice, Bazz.’ Without waiting to be invited, he hooked his foot round an uncomfortable-looking chair arm, and spun it round before straddling it and leaning his arms over the back. Jai folded his arms Mafia style and stood by the door, staring straight ahead.
Bazza laughed out loud, revealing a mouthful of caries and yellowed teeth. Had the man ever heard of toothpaste, never mind floss? As if in answer, Bazza dropped into a chair behind the desk and, picking up a paperclip, he straightened it with nicotine stained fingers before using it to pick his teeth. Shahid cringed at the sound of metal rasping against tooth enamel. What a truly disgusting creature he was. With difficulty, he forced all thoughts of Trixie and what she was forced to do with Bazza to the back of his mind. He’d deal with that in due course but, right now, he had more pressing issues to resolve.
‘We’ve got a problem.’
Bazza pulled the paperclip from his mouth, studied the lump of buttery gunk that was stuck on it then, with gusto, sucked it off, making Shahid’s stomach churn. He threw the clip across the room, presumably aiming for the bin but missing by a foot, and nodded. ‘We certainly do.’
‘So, are we going to sort it or are we going to wait for the oink oinks to do it?’
Bazza laughed. ‘Oh, I think we’ll have to take matters into our own hands, don’t you?’
The two men discussed the information they had until they eventually had a plan they were both happy with. Bazza wiped his hand down the front of his, less than clean, jumper before offering it to Shahid. Shahid took a deep breath and, wishing he’d thought to wear gloves, he took Bazza’s hand and they shook.
Chapter 74
13:30 Shay Lane
With an eagerness that raised Gus’ spirits, Compo bounced up and down on the balls of his feet, champing at the bit, ready to be off. As Alice walked into the incident room, her hair still damp, presumably from her shower, Gus said ‘Okay, let’s do this.’
Sadia had managed to cover her bruise quite well and Gus thought she looked gorgeous, if slightly nervous. He’d managed to shower, change and grab an hour’s kip before driving them back to The Fort to collect the rest of the team. Sampson and Compo were driving in one car, while Gus took Sadia and Alice in his. Brighton had texted to say he had another commitment, which suited Gus fine. He was beginning to wonder if the mysterious photographer had been Brighton and was glad that he wasn’t bringing the obnoxious specimen to his parents’ house.
Despite the clenching in his stomach, Gus felt ready for this. After all, he had his friends beside him and Sadia, and, as he kept telling himself, he’d done nothing wrong. Gabriella and Katie were the ones who should be anxious, although, knowing Katie, she’d brazen it out. She’d always been all front, even as a child.
When they arrived at his parents’ old farmhouse, the dogs, Bingo and his parents’ two, erupted in rapturous barking. Compo, looking very much like he should also possess a wagging tail, gambolled among them, getting them more and more giddy and submitting himself to licks and hugs, before Gus finally emitted a piercing whistle to calm the dogs and Compo down.
Fergus and Corrine McGuire waited at the front door, his father with one arm draped over his dainty wife’s shoulder, huge welcoming grins on their faces. Gus, sensing Sadia’s nervousness, took her hand in his and, ignoring Sampson and Compo’s less than subtle winks and nudges, he led her over to meet his parents. Fergus stepped forward and engulfed her in a bear hug before bestowing the same greeting on the rest of Gus’ team. Corrine raised her cheek for a kiss to each of them in turn before clapping her hands together, ‘I’m so pleased to have you all over for Sunday lunch.’ And she waved them through to the dining room.
Relieved that Gabriella and Katie hadn’t yet arrived, Gus helped his dad sort out drinks whilst, Compo, like a bloodhound, raised his nose and sniffed the air. ‘Something smells great, Mrs Mac,’ he said.
Gus and Alice exchanged a look and Alice, under her breath said, ‘Is there something wrong with that boy’s olfactory system?’
Gus grinned, even he could discern the wafts of singed meat that drifted through from the kitchen. Doc McGuire chuckled and in a conspiratorial tone said, ‘All the more for the dogs, methinks.’ Then as an afterthought added, ‘…and Compo of course.’
As the doorbell rang, Dr McGuire, eyebrows raised, looked at Gus. ‘Must be your sister, though God knows why she’s ringing the damn bell. She’s got a bloody key, same as you.’
Gus slid into his chair between Sadia and Alice and raised his whisky glass to his lips. Under his breath, he muttered, ‘Hell, but I need this.’
Alice snorted. ‘You don’t need Dutch courage, Gus, you’ve got us.’ Underneath the table, he felt Sadia take his hand in hers and squeeze. Thank fuck for this lot he thought, as the door opened and his sister, tall with blonde streaks striating her dark hair, entered. Her eyes, like Gus’, were carbon copies of their mother’s. Feeling like every ounce of oxygen had been sucked from the room, he inclined his head slightly. Keeping his expression neutral, he was determined to stand his ground. ‘Katie.’
She reciprocated with a curt nod. Her eyes drifted round the table to the other guests, narrowing when they rested on Sadia. Gus smiled when he saw Sadia’s chin lift as she met his sister’s gaze head on. He could have hugged her there and then. Katie looked away and then stepped to the side so Gabriella could enter. Gus again raised his glass in the air, feeling much more confident now, and said, ‘Gabriella.’
Unlike
his sister, Gabriella looked nervous. Her eyes darted round the room never settling on any one thing. Then, when Gus’s dad came in and, in his usual bluff manner said her name, she visibly flinched. Despite the residual anger that simmered just beneath the surface, Gus felt sorry for her. He flicked a smile in Gabriella’s direction and then when Katie immediately grabbed her hand and glared at him, he grinned. Katie was jealous of him. He felt like laughing aloud. Did she really think he was some sort of competition? Gabriella had made her decision and he’d moved on. He wasn’t interested in Gabriella in that way. It didn’t mean he wasn’t hurt. Course he was. No matter how you looked at it he’d been betrayed by both his wife and his sister; and the betrayal was still raw.
He turned to his dad and pointed to a large picture that hung, covered by a drape on the chimney breast. ‘What’s with that?’
Dr McGuire shrugged and shook his head vigorously from side to side, sending his jowls swinging in a slow pendulum style motion. ‘It’s your mum.’ He pointed to the hidden painting. ‘That’s the product of another of your mother’s hobbies and, just so you all know, it’s there against my wishes.’ He prodded his puffed up chest to accentuate his indignation with the situation.
Gus and Katie, sensing a bone of contention between their parents, glanced at each other, grinning in a shared childhood habit. ‘Something wrong with the painting, Dad?’ asked Katie, more relaxed now.
Dr McGuire grunted, ‘You’ll see. All I’m saying is, be prepared.’
The doorbell rang again and Doc McGuire, leaving the room said, ‘Ah, that’ll be our last guest. Your mother’s latest bloody hobby buddy.’
Half an hour later, everyone, including his mum’s new friend, Tommy Gilchrist, was ensconced around the sizeable dining table. The atmosphere had thawed and plates were filled with slightly singed lamb, too soggy sprouts and lumpy mash and gravy when Corrine McGuire stood up and clinked her fork on the side of her wine glass.
‘It’s usually Fergus who delivers the toasts for family meals but today I’ve decided it’s my turn. So, here goes.’ She glanced around the room, her brown face creased into a wide all-encompassing smile. ‘As a family, I think it’s fair to say that we’ve had quite a challenging year. However, now things have improved and we’re in a better place. It’s my delight to welcome, Sadia, Gus’ partner, to the family.’ As Gus and Sadia shared an embarrassed glance, Corrine tilted her glass in their direction and continued, ‘and to acknowledge Katie and Gabriella as a couple.’
