by Martina Cole
He had known that Reggie Dornan was a queer. He had encountered enough in the clink and he could smell them from a mile off. He also knew that Reggie Dornan had to be very careful that no one in their world ever guessed about that part of his make-up. It wasn’t as enlightened in the criminal world as things were on the BBC. Gay men were looked on with suspicion and it was still seen as a weakness. To the old guard it was looked upon as an aberration, something to be frightened of. Personally, he couldn’t give a flying fuck. But he knew his world and, for men like Reggie Dornan, it was a dangerous path. He admired him actually because he knew how hard it was to live a lie. He knew that better than anyone.
Chapter Eighty-Nine
Sharon Scott opened her door at 7 a.m. to Ray Donovan. She was shocked once more at the sheer size of him. He walked through to the kitchen and she saw the awe on her sons’ faces as he introduced himself. She poured him a coffee and watched delightedly as he conversed with her boys and they chatted back, perfectly at ease with this man who was going to be her minder. He was a natural with kids; he talked to them as equals and listened to what they had to say. It was good for her sons to have a man around, and she was pleased that she had already put on her make-up and dressed herself carefully. She liked this man and she had a feeling that he liked her.
For the first time since her husband’s death, it felt as though things were looking up. She had needed someone to take her mind off things and this man, this Ray Donovan, was exactly the one to do it for her.
She cooked him eggs and bacon and, as she placed the plate in front of him, he smiled at her and she knew that whatever happened she would be hard pressed to be without him already.
Chapter Ninety
Jamie Brewer was what was known as a fucker. He loved the epithet, and he lived up to it at every available opportunity. He was miffed, seriously miffed, that the cab ranks that were the property of Sharon Scott were not his to take. Oh, he appreciated that her old man had been a Face and that she had Jack Johnson and that arrogant cunt of a man, Reggie Dornan, on her side. But, as far as he was concerned, he needed those ranks to add to his growing empire.
Jamie was not that tall but he was broad and he had laughing, brown eyes and blond hair, the combination of which made women give him a second look. Jamie loved women; he had even considered fucking Sharon to get what he wanted. It appealed to him to fuck the widow of Lenny Scott, but one meeting with her had assured him she would not be swayed to his way of thinking. If he was honest, that had annoyed him too – women were usually inclined to fall at his feet. He was determined to get what he wanted, no matter what it took. If that meant frightening her, then that was what he would do. Jamie was a natural-born bully. He liked to intimidate and he enjoyed other people’s discomfort. He relished their fear. He felt that anyone who had what he wanted should remember that he would move heaven and fucking earth to take it from them. It was what he had always done and he saw no reason to change his ways now. Jack Johnson was a fucking dinosaur and that cunt Reggie Dornan needed a fucking slap. Who did they think they were?
He would put himself out now to prove his point. Sharon Scott was a fucking female who wanted to live in a man’s world. That meant she would have to be treated like a man. See how she liked that. As the old saying went, how could you trust anything that bled once a month and didn’t die?
He was smiling as he made his plans. He would put the fuck on them all. This would be his Waterloo; he would make his point and he would do it with aplomb. He was a man who knew what he wanted and he was willing to take it, no matter what the consequences.
Chapter Ninety-One
Sharon walked into the office of the taxi rank in Ilford with Ray close behind her. She saw the stares of the drivers, and her controller especially. Margaret Avis was a woman of indeterminate age and she liked the men. Her eyes were nearly out on stalks as she looked Ray Donovan over from head to foot. Sharon had to suppress a smile.
In the office Sharon put on the coffee pot and, turning to Ray, she said seriously, ‘Am I or my boys in any real danger?’
Ray looked at her and said quietly, ‘Maybe. Jack thinks this Brewer wants to make his mark, and the best way to do that, in his mind, is to take what was your old man’s. It’s a ploy, fucking outrageous really. But he can bask in your old man’s shadow if he takes on his businesses. It is a child’s fucking game. So, don’t worry – I will take that cunt out as soon as he rears his ugly head.’ He smiled then, as he said quickly, ‘I am assuming he is ugly! I don’t know for sure.’
Sharon smiled with him. Ray was a really nice guy and she was falling for him in a big way. His accent was music to her ears, he had a softness to his voice that she liked. She felt that he liked her too – at least that is what she hoped. She had not looked at another man since Lenny. When she had found out his true nature it had broken her heart. She had loved and trusted him and he had betrayed her in the worst way. Another woman she could have coped with, even forgiven. But a man? That was something that she had never even contemplated. Why would she? Lenny Scott had been a man, a real man. He had fooled everyone. Each time his mother extolled his virtues Sharon had felt sick because she knew the truth about the father of her two children – her handsome sons, so like him in looks and even in temperament – the man she had adored with all her soul.
She wondered briefly if Ray was hiding his true nature. She wasn’t exactly a good judge, was she? She had had only one man in her life: Lenny Scott. She poured the coffees and forced the thoughts from her mind. That was then and this was now. She had to remember that Lenny was gone for ever. He was dead but she wasn’t. This man had brought her back to life and she wanted him all the more for it.
Chapter Ninety-Two
Jack Johnson was pleased that he’d got Sharon Scott a minder because, when all was said and done, that was exactly what this Ray Donovan was. And he knew she needed one. It was good that he wasn’t a local man – that would just cause more complications. Jamie Brewer was an arrogant little fuck, but he also had a few people on his side and that was why Jack and Reggie wanted to sort this with the least aggravation possible.
The Brewers were a big family that had managed to marry into other families. That meant that Jamie had good connections. But, as Jack pointed out to Reggie, that didn’t mean he was liked. One thing they knew for sure about Jamie Brewer was that he was a reckless fucker. He had far too high an opinion of himself. He always, however, made a point of going after what he wanted with a vengeance. That was what they were so worried about.
‘You think he is a new enough Face to give that cunt Brewer second thoughts?’
Reggie nodded. ‘It will buy time, at least, Jack. She is safe with Ray until we can discover what Brewer intends to do. He has made a point of saying publicly that he wants the ranks. I am quite happy to take him out myself, as you know. But it’s what goes with him we need to think about.’
Jack nodded sagely. ‘I hate this kind of shite. Jamie Brewer is a little cunt with big connections. From what I can gather, though, his own family are not that enamoured of him. They see him as a loose cannon. I’m meeting with his mother’s brother later on. I will try and sort something; I am not without my fucking own creds. I don’t want to start a fucking war over taking out that useless cunt but by the same token I will not let Sharon be taken advantage of. She’s under my protection so the fact he is stronging it is an insult to me, not to mention the insult to Lenny Scott. After all, she is his wife – or widow.’
Reggie knew how much Jack missed Lenny. He wished he could say how much he missed him too. They had had such fantastic sex, but they had also had fantastic conversations. They had been soulmates. If the world had been different they could have been the people they were meant to be instead of living a lie. For Sharon, Reggie was the reason she felt that her life had been wasted – her husband had wanted him over her. If only she could understand the truth of it all.
‘I think bringing Ray in is a good move, Jack. He is
a big fucker and he is loyal. He likes her, as well. But then, what’s not to like?’ Reggie still acted the womaniser. What choice did he have?
Jack smiled. He was old school. He thought women needed a man in their lives; he believed they were not made to be alone for any length of time. Sharon had been without one long enough.
‘She needs a man to put those kids of hers on the right track, if nothing else. Pair of fuckers they are.’
‘There’s something else too, Jack. Big Lenny is after her. I don’t know what has come over him . . .’
Jack Johnson was seriously perturbed now. ‘You are having a fucking laugh, surely?’
Reggie could hear the incredulity in his voice. ‘I know what you’re thinking but I saw it for myself. Let’s say that me and Ray turned up just in time.’
Jack Johnson shook his head in disgust. ‘What a complete cunt! Are you telling me he wants his dead son’s wife?’
Reggie nodded. ‘Sharon was so pleased to see me and Ray turn up last night. It was fucking embarrassing. I mean, in fairness to her, she has to tread warily. It’s her kids’ grandparents. Can you imagine Lesley Scott if she even fucking suspected?’
Jack shook his head as he said angrily, ‘It would be fucking ambulances arriving! More fights than Mike Tyson! And, believe me, Lesley fucking Scott might act the Apostle of Christ but she can have a fucking row. In her day . . .’ He shook his head in consternation. ‘She is one nasty fuck if pushed. And you know what? I think she always resented poor Sharon for taking away her son.’
Reggie nodded; he knew that poor Sharon had resented him more for taking away her husband.
‘Well, whatever, Jack. Ray Donovan will look out for her.’
Jack nodded. He was pleased because he had done what Lenny would have wanted. And Reggie knew exactly what he was thinking.
Chapter Ninety-Three
The cab drivers were nervous. This new bloke was a big fucker and there was obviously something going down. They all knew about Jamie Brewer and they were waiting to see how it played out. They liked Sharon; she was a good boss and she was fair. She even made sure that the airport runs were on a rota. But, at the end of the day, none of them wanted to be a fucking hero. They were cab drivers not fucking villains.
Cabbing in London was a dangerous occupation when you worked a patch like this. They were on Ilford High Road so they had pubs and clubs and all sorts of shit to contend with. The last thing they needed was upset in the rank itself. They had Tiffany’s, they had Room At The Top – they had so many fucking places they were called to. It was a lucrative business. It was also a very dangerous one when fuckers like Jamie Brewer jumped on board. So, they sat and they waited to see how the land would lie when it was all over.
Chapter Ninety-Four
Ray had been given a flat in Mortlake Road and he decided it would do for the time being; he was only sleeping there, after all. He was still living out of a suitcase and he had welcomed the chance for a change of scenery. It had got a bit too hot for him up North. He liked Jack Johnson and Reggie Dornan. He had guessed about Reggie and wondered why others didn’t sense it too. Maybe it was a southern thing. He shrugged and pushed the thought from his mind.
It was Sharon that he was interested in. She was a looker and she was a nice girl to boot. She was also the mother of two little terrors who he felt needed a firmer hand than she could give them. As for the father-in-law, that was a disgrace of epic proportions. His own son’s widow? It was almost incest. What kind of personality would even consider something so heinous? Sharon Scott had looked terrified and he recognised as well as Reggie did that they had turned up at just the right moment. He wasn’t a fool – some men would shag a fence if the opportunity presented itself. But to hit on your daughter-in-law – the mother of your grandsons – was disgusting. He would have to keep his wits about him where that man was concerned. He had proved that he was capable of anything. Ray was also shrewd enough to realise that in the sober light of day Big Lenny would be mortified, all the more so because he would remember that his humiliation had been witnessed. That did not augur well for future friendliness. No one liked to think that they had been caught out and that was exactly what had happened to Big Lenny Scott. Well, he was a man of stature, but to someone of Ray’s temperament that meant nothing. He would wait and watch to see how things panned out there. But it was not a good beginning for either of them.
He turned his mind to this Brewer idiot. He had gathered as much information on him as possible and, after careful consideration, Ray had decided he wasn’t too bothered about him. If push came to the proverbial shove he would just take him out. The man was a fucking menace – pure and simple. He understood that Jack was in a precarious position as the boy was more connected than the fucking crown princes of Europe. But that meant nothing if he wasn’t liked. It seemed Jamie Brewer was seen as a pain in the arse by the majority of his relatives, though that did not alter the fact that he was related to some heavy people. You might not like your kin, but at the same time they were still your blood.
Ray’s stint in prison had stood him in good stead where his reputation was concerned. He had done nine years behind the door and he had acquitted himself well, used his time wisely and made some good connections for himself. He had a solid reputation and he was respected for his stoic personality and his natural friendliness. Oh, he was all sweetness and light until someone put him out, then it was either fight or fucking die. He had always been that way, since he was a kid.
His mother had spent her life in police stations, headmasters’ offices or visiting him in prison. She was a good woman, who, like Sharon, had been left alone to bring up a son who would go his own road. He was sorry to the heart for the trouble he had brought to her door, but he knew she loved him and he loved her. Life was what you made it, for good or for bad.
As he tossed and turned in the strange new bed, he wondered how he was going to fare in the next few weeks. Jamie Brewer would be aware by now that he was on the scene and why, so he had to be doubly careful in case he was blindsided. There was a good chance he might be taken out of the equation before it got too hot and heavy. But he was prepared for all eventualities: that was something he had learned in the nick. Never completely trust anyone was the main rule that he lived by and it had got him this far. He saw no reason to change now.
Chapter Ninety-Five
Jamie Brewer had a volatile temperament and he was known for his rashness and his tendency to lash out and think about his actions later. This had made him quite a few enemies. He had fallen out with every friend he had at some point so he was always running with different crowds. He was acquisitive and avaricious and he would literally stop at nothing to get what he wanted.
This was being relayed to Jack Johnson by Jamie’s uncle, Pete, who was a decent and trustworthy individual. Jack listened with particular care to what he was being told, aware that Jamie had scarred the man’s daughter for life during a family argument. A kettle of boiling water had been thrown and Pete’s fifteen-year-old daughter had unfortunately been in the line of fire. It had missed her face but caught her on the chest and shoulders; it had been an accident of sorts, but one that had been caused by his nephew’s temper. The incident had been smoothed over but, like any hurt to a child, it could never really be forgotten. Jack sensed that Pete Brewer would love nothing more than to see young Jamie get his comeuppance, and get it as violently as possible.
‘You talked to your brother about the situation, Pete?’
The man nodded. ‘He thinks you are right to be concerned but Jamie is still his son. Personally, I couldn’t give two fucks what happened to the lairy little fucker. Someone’s going to put him down eventually. That is inevitable.’
Jack nodded but he didn’t say a word. What he sensed, though, was that Jamie Brewer, cunt or not, had a few of his family by his side. He sighed heavily. This could turn nasty all right. But he was honour-bound to look out for Lenny Scott’s family. He would have to do wh
atever was necessary.
James Brewer Senior was the main man when it came to raves, bare-knuckle fights – or any outdoor entertainments, come to that. He was a serious lump and he had his creds. Jack liked and respected him, but that was put aside for the moment. If this went off then there would be bloody murders all over the Smoke. But sometimes that kind of conflict was par for the course. Wars were costly, time-consuming and – occasionally – necessary. He would have to think this through carefully. He must wait for the other side to strike the first blow which, from what he had heard about young Jamie, he had a feeling would not be long in arriving. He had no choice now but to wait for the inevitable. It was at times like this that he missed Lenny.
Chapter Ninety-Six
Jamie Brewer was in his sister Jackie’s kitchen in Essex and she was listening avidly as he raved about her husband’s treacherous conduct. An angry Jamie was a sight to behold and Jackie was always frightened of his tempers. She knew how vicious he could be, having been on the receiving end most of her life. Now it seemed her husband had committed the cardinal sin of putting the phone down on her brother after telling him to go and fuck himself. Her husband was not a wimp – Davie Bannerman could look after himself and that was something that Jamie often forgot. Like most people, Davie thought Jamie was a twat but, unlike most people, he didn’t mind expressing this view – even to Jamie himself.
‘Where is he, sis? I am going to fucking muller him.’
Jackie shook her head as she said carefully, ‘I don’t know, Jamie. I swear I don’t know.’
