Mikey just glowered at him.
“I might use unorthodox methods to get results but I always ensure only the guilty go to prison. So attack me if you will Mr Maguire. Doubtless you’d win but that would mean you definitely wouldn’t get out of this place. So please, go ahead. I’m perfectly willing to go to intensive care if it means you get what you deserve. The alternative is you sit down and learn something to your advantage.”
Only the thought of Jules and his kids made Mikey retake his seat rather than twist off Dwyer’s head and kick it about the room.
“Get the fuck on with it then,” said Mikey. “While you still can.”
“Very well. McGinnis swore he had a conversation with Jez during which he ordered him to kill Amber. Pushing her off the cliff was easy, a petite woman like that. She didn’t even know he was there until she was plummeting to her death. If McGinnis hadn’t been nicked no one would be any the wiser now.”
“Why would Jez even bother? She was no threat.”
“You sure about that? My guess is she told your enemies, namely the Claytons and Brodys, about your wedding - date, location, the lot. I looked into her call records. A few weeks before the wedding she made several phone calls to different wedding venues around the city, only stopping when she found yours. The barn has been rebuilt since the explosion but the staff have changed, so sadly I don’t know what was said. My guess is she pretended to be Venom to confirm it was indeed the venue.”
“Her name is Jules,” retorted Mikey.
“Oh dear, do you have a problem with your wife’s alter-ego?”
“No, she’s as sexy as hell but it isolates only one part of her personality. You’ve never seen her reading the boys to sleep, nursing them when they’re sick, putting her own life at risk to save mine, as well as knowing everything there is to know about every subject. You think you know her but you have no bloody idea how truly awesome she is.”
Dwyer just rolled his eyes. “As I was saying, Amber did her research to find out where you were holding the wedding reception and she gave that information to your enemies. Your boys were ill, so they didn’t go to the wedding. Amber made them sick somehow to keep them out of danger. She knew what was going to happen.”
“All conjecture.”
“Of course Amber can’t confirm all this but I know I’m right. She went to Spain because she was forced to leave the country. But that wasn’t enough for Jez. He wanted the threat gone once and for all. But who could blame him. Look at your family’s track record - Jared Slattery almost killed Jules, put her in a coma and stole her child. Despite the lies your family told me I know that’s what happened. Then there’s Estelle Law. She ended up buried in some Scouse woods because she too sided with your enemies.” Dwyer cocked his head to one side. “You’re still doubtful, aren’t you?”
“Jez wouldn’t do something like that.”
“He’d just killed his own mother. Why would Amber pose him any problems?”
“Jez didn’t kill Estelle either.”
“Perhaps not but he was there when it happened. What do you think that would do to a person?”
“Oh I get it,” smiled Mikey. “You’re here to drive a wedge between me and Jez to get us to turn on each other.”
“You’re right, I am. I’m always looking for the advantage.”
“Just like myself.” Mikey rested his elbows on the table. “It’s a very thin line that divides us. It’s a shame you don’t work for me. You’d be bloody good.”
Dwyer’s gaze hardened. “We are not alike.”
“I hate to say it but we are. The difference is you think you’re on the side of right but when it comes down to it you’d always make the hard choices I never could.”
Dwyer slammed his fists down on the table. It was only Mikey’s smirk that prevented him from bellowing right back at him. He cleared his throat and forced his body to relax. “The point is, Jez had your ex-wife killed.”
“That’s the problem with people who tell so many lies. No one believes a word they say anymore. You assumed sticking me and Jez in here would make us turn on each other. When it didn’t work you came here with all your crap, attempting to divide us. Well you can fuck right off with your bullshit Dwyer. Are we done here?”
“No, we’re not.”
“You never know when to quit, do you?”
“Although Ray McGinnis got rid of the actual handset he used to talk to Jez he did give me the number of the phone.” He produced a piece of paper from his coat pocket, unfolded it and placed it on the table before Mikey. “The first call he received one week before Amber died. We can pinpoint when that was thanks to the owner of the villa she was renting. That call came from Manchester. The phone was a burner so unfortunately we can’t get an exact location.”
“So? It could have been from anyone. McGinnis knows plenty of people in this city.”
“He then called this number back the day Amber died, from the very cliff it’s thought she fell from.”
“Doesn’t mean it was anything to do with Jez.”
“Think about it Mikey. Why would McGinnis call someone in Manchester after shoving her off a cliff?”
“Maybe he realised too late who Amber was and panicked?”
“Then why call anyone? No one had any idea he’d done it, he was free and clear. If he hadn’t confessed after his arrest we’d be none the wiser now. He’d got away with it. Why ruin that by telling someone in Manchester who could run to you? There was only one reason he called that number - to let the man who ordered her murder know the job had been done.” He smiled inwardly when Mikey began to look a little uncertain. “I also got access to McGinnis’s bank accounts,” he continued. “Twenty grand was paid in the day he received the first phone call and another twenty grand the day the second call was placed. Unfortunately the money passed through so many different accounts and countries it was impossible to follow, which wasn’t a surprise. If you don’t believe me, here’s the proof.”
A second sheet of paper was placed before Mikey from McGinnis’s bank. He checked the dates on the bank statement, which did indeed tally with the calls. Was it possible Jez did have Amber killed? He considered how he’d changed over the last few months. Perhaps that change had come about not because of the attack on them at the wedding but because he’d had his ex-sister-in-law and mother to his godsons murdered. Things that had puzzled him suddenly started slotting into place. It explained everything.
“He wouldn’t do this,” he murmured with less conviction.
“Of course he would and you are in prison for it. What will your boys think if they find out you’re locked up for killing their mother?”
“I’m in here because of you, you wanker.”
“If Jez hadn’t given that order you’d still be on the outside, with Jules and your sons.” Dwyer leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands behind his head, watching as his words took effect. Darkness gathered in Mikey’s eyes as rage settled over him like a cloak.
“So now you know the truth about what happened to Amber,” said Mikey, flexing and unflexing his hands into fists. “Are you going to get me out of here?”
“We’re done here,” called Dwyer.
“You bastard,” snarled Mikey.
“Take your anger out on your business partner. He’s the one who deserves it.”
The door popped open. “Come on Mikey, time to go back to your wing,” said the prison officer.
“Toddle off then,” smiled Dwyer. “I’m sure you’ve got a lot to think about.”
Dwyer was a little startled when Mikey shot to his feet. The bastard looked even bigger than usual, probably because each sizeable muscle had been pumped up with fury. The man looked so ferocious the prison officer took a few steps back. He didn’t envy Jez.
“Venom,” gasped the man when he opened the front door of his home.
“Alright Howie,” she said, striding inside without waiting to be invited. “How’s tricks?”
Howie
didn’t reply as he was too overcome with dread when Ryan Law entered his home too.
“Hello, Howie?” said Jules, waving her hand before his face, snapping him out of it.
“Oh, sorry. I drifted off for a minute there.”
“I don’t need you sleeping on your feet Howie, I need answers. Have you found where Ray McGinnis is cowering like the shady piece of shit he is?”
“No,” he sighed, hating giving Venom bad news. “Wherever it is, it’s not in the usual police safe houses. The guy’s dropped off the face of the planet.”
“Not what I want to hear Howie.”
“I know, I’m sorry. But I did hear something interesting. DCI Dwyer has handled McGinnis’s protection personally with help from his Chief Superintendent. Holloway his name is.”
Ryan and Jules glanced at each other, both thinking the same thing - the last member of the Coalition.
“So you’ve no idea where he’s stashed McGinnis?”
“Well, one of my contacts did report seeing McGinnis in Wilmslow. I’m waiting for confirmation. Sorry, that’s the best I can give you,” he said, taking a couple of steps back when her eyes narrowed.
“So Dwyer’s not using the usual channels to stash McGinnis then?” said Ryan.
“No,” replied Howie, hardly daring to look him in the eye. “He probably doesn’t trust any of his officers not to leak the information.”
“Then we need to find a connection to Dwyer’s personal life,” said Ryan, looking to Jules. “He’ll be hiding him somewhere that has a connection to himself.”
“You could be right there bruv, we’ll look deeper into it. Keep us informed Howie,” said Jules, already heading for the door.
Ryan gave him a nod of thanks before leaving too. Howie let out a relieved gasp and sagged against the wall. He didn’t get paid enough money for this shit.
CHAPTER 31
The tension of K wing was lifted a little by a new arrival, who was ushered onto the landing during association for everyone to see. The rest of the prisoners regarded the sobbing man curiously as he was led to a cell directly across from Mikey’s,
“You can’t put me on here,” wept the man.
“There’s no choice,” replied the screw. “Everywhere else is full.”
“You have to put me in solitary.”
“This isn’t America. It’s segregation here and that’s full too. Now here’s your cell. Enjoy.”
“Please, put me in segregation,” he called helplessly after them.
“Why, are you scared?” one of them sneered at him over their shoulder as they walked away.
“It’s not for my protection,” he called back. He gestured to the rest of the prisoners with a sweep of the arm. “It’s for theirs.”
The landing was filled with the sound of laughter.
“You have to listen to me,” the newcomer wailed over the din. “I can’t control it.”
The prison officers ignored him and left the landing, locking the gate behind them.
“Oh my God,” said Chris. “Do you know who that is?”
“No idea,” replied Jez.
“I saw him on the news. It’s The Make-Up Killer, that serial killer from Liverpool.”
“That bawling mess is a serial killer?”
“He’s saying he can’t control it. He must mean the compulsion to kill.”
Brendan chuckled. “You’re getting a bit carried away. He might mean his bladder.”
“No, he doesn’t,” said Chris, keeping his gaze on the sobbing newcomer. “And he only kills men, strangles them to death then mutilates their bodies in hideous ways. But only the good looking ones. So I guess I’m safe,” he grinned. “Wish I could say the same about you two.”
“I always knew you fancied me you skinny git,” said Brendan. His smile fell as something caught his eye further down the walkway. “Jesus, he looks pissed off.”
Jez turned to see Mikey striding towards them. Such was the shadow surrounding him that everyone stepped out of his way to allow him to pass.
“Has he grown since he’s been away?” said Chris. “He looks even bigger than usual.”
Jez didn’t say it but he knew it was because Mikey was fucking furious and by the way his fevered eyes were fixed on himself he guessed he was the cause of his anger. His stomach plummeted. There was only one possible cause of that.
Brendan and Chris both moved aside for Mikey.
“We need to talk. Now,” he told Jez. With that he turned on his heel and disappeared inside his cell.
Jez followed, all the raucous sounds around him phasing out into silence, except for the pounding of his heart. Mikey knew. How the hell did he play this?
Chris and Brendan watched Jez enter Mikey’s cell, the door closing behind them.
“What do you think that’s about?” said Chris.
“No idea and I don’t want to know. Jesus, that new dude’s still crying. It’s weird because he looks like a big, hard bastard.”
“It said on the news he’s ex-army.”
“More like ex-hairdresser.”
The man closed the door of his cell, which didn’t do much to block out the sound of his sobbing.
“He’d better pull himself together before he gets himself killed,” said Brendan.
They looked at each other when the sobbing went abruptly silent, replaced by a deep growl.
“Oh that doesn’t sound good,” said Chris. “The last thing this wing needs is a psycho serial killer on the loose.” He shook his head when two prisoners approached the newcomer’s cell, practically salivating at the prospect of fresh prey. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Chris called to them. “Have you any idea who that is?”
“A whining little pussy who needs something big and hard shoving in his mouth,” retorted one of them.
“Leave them to it,” Brendan told Chris. “If you’re right they’re in for a shock.”
Jez walked into Mikey’s cell to find him standing with his back to the door, spine ramrod straight. “Mikey, what’s wrong?” he said.
Jez thought his friend hadn’t heard when he didn’t react. He opened his mouth to repeat the question but Mikey spun on his heel, mouth set into a snarl.
“You paid McGinnis to kill Amber, didn’t you?”
“What? No, course not. What’s brought this on?” He smiled and shook his head. “I see. Your visit was with Dwyer, wasn’t it? For Christ’s sake Mikey, you know what he’s like. He’s trying to turn us against each other.”
“That’s what I thought at first, until he showed me proof. McGinnis was paid forty grand to kill Amber, which is the standard price we pay out. The money also went through a number of offshore accounts, so it couldn’t be traced back to its source. How many people in this city have the resources to do that? It’s how we move money we don’t want to be traced. McGinnis also made two calls - one a week before Amber’s death and one on the day. Those calls were to Manchester.”
“It doesn’t mean it was me. They could have been to anyone.”
“Who else would have cared enough to kill her?”
“Those calls might not have been anything to do with Amber…”
Mikey grabbed him by the front of his jumper and slammed him back against the wall. “Admit it. You gave that fucking order.” Mikey was doing his best not to shout, not wanting the entire landing to know their business but the restraint made his voice sound chilling.
“I didn’t,” retorted Jez, looking down at the floor.
“Look me in the fucking eye and say that.”
Jez forced himself to look right into Mikey’s eyes but found himself unable to lie to him. It seemed he wasn’t a completely lost cause after all.
“You did it,” said Mikey, the anger retreating in favour of shock. Despite what he’d suspected, it was still appalling to have it confirmed by Jez himself. “Why?”
“Because I was sick of our mercy biting us on the arse. We didn’t kill Jan Jordan when we should have and she alm
ost killed Ryan and Rachel. We left the Slatterys alone and they kidnapped Cara and almost killed Jules. The same goes for Estelle. Time and time again we let her off until she nearly destroyed us all and mark my words, Katia will do the same. She won’t give a shit that we let her live. I’m so fucking sick of it.”
“You know what, I get that completely. But Amber was no threat anymore.”
“Oh wake up Mikey. We didn’t think she was a threat before and her actions nearly killed us all. She grassed about your wedding to Katia. That bitch wanted revenge and she didn’t get it. She would have found another way to hurt us.”
“When we became partners we promised that we would run everything past each other first. Or are you going the way of Alex, is that what’s happening?”
“I didn’t mention it because I knew you wouldn’t have the stomach for it.”
“Damn right I wouldn’t. She’s the mother of my children for fuck’s sake.”
“I didn’t intend for anyone to find out. If it hadn’t been for McGinnis running his mouth off everyone would think Amber was still in Spain.”
“Is that actually your defence?”
“It was the right call to make.”
“Look where we are because of your right call,” he exclaimed, throwing his arms wide. “If you’d left her alone we’d still be on the outside.”
“I stand by my decision. And you didn’t go off on one at Jules when she had your brother topped in this very prison without your permission.”
“That’s completely different.”
“No, it’s exactly the same.”
“We didn’t end up in prison for Jake’s death because Jules didn’t hire a complete dick to do the job.”
“The same could have gone wrong if the man she’d hired had grassed on us to save their own skin.”
“Jake might have been my brother but he used to be a part of this life, before he got put in prison.”
“And he was a man. That’s the difference, isn’t it?”
“Yes, you’re right it is, as well as the fact that he wasn’t the mother of my kids. What the hell do you expect me to tell my boys?”
“Don’t tell them anything.”
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