A Servant of the Company

by Alan Cooke

  ‘Don’t you like them Orientals love? I’ve got a West Indian coming on at nine if you want to see her, nice looking girl, big tits.’ She looked at him waiting for a response. None came. ‘Come on, there must be something you want, a big strong lad like you, good looking too.’ She had been warned by Bill that he might be a bit shy, but this was ridiculous. She had three beautiful Asians wearing only G strings and he hadn’t even bothered to look at them.

  He was grinning, a particularly blank grin. It might have been pinned on with the possibility of dropping off at any minute. His hand moved to her shoulder and slowly moved down her back until reached her waist, and there it stayed as did the grin.

  ‘Don’t want any of them, they are not like you. You are beautiful, all curves and lovely.’ He was swaying as he spoke, his hand moving slowly on her back. ‘I want you, nobody else.’ His head moved from side to side like a clock pendulum.

  ‘Jesus Christ Ben, I run this place. Who’s going to collect the punters’ money and see that the girls are all right?’ It was a kinder Lily who spoke now, she was flattered, and she also had his brother’s money in her bra.

  She must play this one carefully, Ben’s reputation as an inflictor of punishment was well known in the area, and she didn’t want any more scars on her body.

  ‘Tell you what Ben, how’s about you and me together after we close at midnight. We’ll have the place to ourselves. What about it?’ She stepped back from him so his hands fell by his sides. Looking at him now, he was totally helpless and dependent on her. As long as his brother’s hands continued to stuff money into her bra, Lily would take good care of Master Ben.

  He was sorry she had moved, his hand on her was comforting, it relaxed him as nothing had ever done. ‘Can’t I just stay with you here, I’ll sit quietly when you have people come in, I won’t get in the way.’ He was stammering a little, words were difficult to get out when she looked at him. She was just so beautiful. He could barely remember his mother, but was certain she was just like Lily.

  ‘What about when we close?’ Lily was becoming confused, she had never had a conversation like this before. He seemed quite harmless despite his reputation, but she had to be guarded in what she said just in case. He was still playing the lost child, maybe that’s his true self, she thought. Why didn’t he get excited over the girls, most men were half out of their trousers when they came on the scene? It was all very odd. What did he want to do before midnight? She couldn’t bear the thought of him standing mooning over her. If he wanted sex, she would give it to him, and by God, he would remember it. She would use all her skills, after all it had been paid for.

  Ben’s hand was back in place, her skin was warm and so soft he thought. He had never felt like this. Even the porno films that Bill watched hadn’t done it. He was feeling the first pains of true love and now he had found it, he was hers forever. ‘Just let me stay, I won’t get in the way, I can help you. I can make tea, or if you like, coffee. Anything you want.’ Desperation was setting in now, dreading being rejected by this wonderful woman. His life would never be the same again, he could feel it. There was something to get up for in the morning because he would see her each day. That was his only desire.

  Now she was getting exasperated, but didn’t want to show it. This clown could put off some of the punters. They might think he was part of the protection of the establishment, one who might administer gratuitous violence on them for any slight misdemeanour. She kept thinking of the consequences of him hovering around. There again, he might be a deterrent to some of the young drunks who turned up about eleven p.m. shouting and carrying on until the girls got hold of them. ‘O.K. Mister, you’re on, you just sit there where I can keep an eye on you. Don’t go wandering where the girls are working or I’ll have to throw you out.’ She laughed as she looked at his huge frame. He was over six feet tall and heavily built with it. She could match him on build, but at five feet two inches, she was minute next to him. The idea of throwing him out amused her. She was beginning to see the light where Master Ben was concerned. He had fallen for her for whatever reason. She didn’t want to know the answer, just let big brother Bill keep popping the money into her bra and she would keep little brother amused.

  Just before midnight Ben stood up gazing adoringly at Lily. ‘I’m sorry I have to go now, we are travelling up North on a job tomorrow so we’re going to bed early.’ His feet were shuffling like a schoolboy badly in need of the toilet. He could not remember a time that he had enjoyed so much. ‘Thank you for letting me stay, it’s been perfect.’ His feet still shuffled as he grinned inanely.

  ‘You’ve been a great help love, now you just go off home and get a good night’s sleep.’ She stretched up and kissed him. It was only a brief brush of her lips against his but it brought instant reaction from Ben. His face was crimson, he was grinning like Cheshire cat as he turned and fled from the Massage Parlour.

  He ran to his front door, aching to tell Bill what a wonderful time he’d had but when Bill appeared, the words would not come out in a way anyone could understand. Bill was aware of all Ben’s moods, faults, likes and dislikes, he had to treat him not like a brother, but like a very kindly teacher with a backward pupil. It had not been easy, but he would give his life for his younger brother if he had to. The bond between them was as strong as could be. He had always been able to understand him when he had been over excited, but now, the excitement was in overdrive. He had been with all of the girls at the parlour and knew the sexy tricks they would have played on Ben. ‘Was it good old son?’ he asked, already knowing the answer, but not knowing the reason. ‘I’m so pleased I finally got you in there, will you be going back?’

  ‘It was wonderful, wonderful and I’m going back lots of times, Lily said I could.’ His arms were wrapped around himself as he moved his weight from one foot to the other. ‘And do you know, she didn’t charge me a thing.’

  He was giggling loudly and continued giggling as he trotted upstairs to bed. He was a very happy man tonight.

  Bill was relieved that his brother had finally conquered his fear and had got so much from the visit. He must thank Lily when he gave her the next payment. He would never know what went on that evening, Lily wouldn’t tell him for fear of losing extra income, and Ben was just too happy to even think it might be a little odd.

  Now they had to prepare for a new job from the Boss, work didn’t come as frequently as it had with his last boss, but the pay was excellent. Get a call, get a plan, do it, make another call and then get the money in the post. Easy. Briefing down to the last detail. No guns ever, only workman’s tools to be used to inflict the required punishment. Those used were to be wrapped in plastic and disposed of at predetermined dump sites miles from the target area. Wearing surgical gloves would ensure that there were no finger prints if the tools were ever traced, which was unlikely.

  This was going to be so very different from the Sheffield job. Like any other job, some were interesting and enjoyable, others were boring. The Sheffield job had been enjoyable, one of the better ones. It had been unusual too. Bill remembered every detail, from the time he had the van serviced, refuelled and all set for the journey the following morning. He’d had his instructions from the Boss, it was a piece of cake, no bother at all. Just a few hours work and he’d had five grand in the bank. Ben had enjoyed dealing with the scallywag, he was in his element when Bill gave him this sort of opportunity. There were two types of operation, talking and not talking and this time it was the former. The scruffy shaven headed youth had arrived at their van parked in a cul de sac, like a lamb to the slaughter. The Boss was great at sorting people out and the planning was superb, Bill couldn’t fault it. When he thought of the incident he had to laugh to himself. As soon as he had opened the back door of the van, the youth had just poked his head towards the black interior when Ben’s arms had appeared from within and pulled him inside. He went like a cork being fired from a bottle. As he started to shout and scream, Ben had silenced him quick
ly with a couple of well placed punches.

  ‘We don’t do listening, we only do talking, so shut up or I’ll cut your bloody tongue out. Think yourself lucky we are only doing talking, ‘cause if we were only doing listening you would be in real trouble. Once you’d finished talking, we would gag you, and then we’d probably break all the bones in your toes first. Very painful isn’t it Bill, yes very very painful. And that would just be for starters. Yes you are very lucky that we are doing talking tonight and not listening. Isn’t that right Bill?’ His words had come out slowly, each one carefully considered before it left his lips. He turned to his brother, feeling very proud of his little speech. This was a job like joinery and he was good at it.

  The young man had not been lucky. The reason the brothers let him hear and recognise their voices was simple. There would be no living witnesses to what they were about to do.

  Ben sat on the young man’s chest as Bill closed the van doors from the outside. ‘Rubber gloves Ben.’ It was a reminder to make sure there were no finger prints on the roll of wide heavy gauge tape which Ben would be using on the youth. He wouldn’t protest, Ben would see to that. He checked the street leading to the cul de sac, it was deserted. No witnesses to mess up this operation. Perfect, he thought, and slowly eased himself into the driving seat and set off to the place detailed in his instructions. The speedometer never going beyond 30 m.p.h. The route avoided the numerous CCTV cameras.

  They had taken fifteen minutes to get to the lay-by, just as the plan had said. The wooden strips he had fitted to the side of the van advertised a Plumbing Company, the only contact was a false web address. Just enough to give the impression they were legitimate workmen and confuse anyone who might give the van a second glance. Before he returned home on the motorway, he would find a quiet spot to remove them.

  ‘Boots Ben.’ They had parked and fortunately there was no traffic about to see the two men changing into boots two sizes too big for them.

  If anyone discovered footprints, they would give false clues about the wearers. Checking the road, Bill hauled the luckless individual from the back of the van.

  ‘Come on my beauty,’ he said as the struggling figure slid across the thick polythene covered van floor.

  Six paces before the lay-by was an opening in the hedge through which Bill and Ben carried their victim. ‘Now young man, if you struggle you are going to get hurt, do you understand?’ He did understand, but he couldn’t respond, the tape covering his mouth was secure. Prudence overcame fear, and he remained still.

  The large cast iron grill covering the huge drain which had in the past deposited water into the adjacent stream was fan shaped, and this was to be the victim’s resting place. ‘I know what we’ll do Bill.’ If Bill could have seen his brother’s eyes, they were shining as he put forward his idea. This was the time when he excelled. ‘Turn the bugger upside down, with his head almost touching the ground and tape him to the railings.’ It had taken him some time to get all the words out, but Bill was very patient. This was his brother’s time.

  ‘Great idea bro’ you take his legs and I’ll support the rest, if you do his legs first onto the thick bar, the rest will be easy.’ Between them they had swung the body into position leaving the victim bound with tape and tied to the grill.

  Ben checked the bindings, and when he was satisfied with them he spoke to his prisoner. ‘Are you comfy?’ No response. ‘Of course you can’t tell me can you. Nod your head then.’ In the darkness, there was no way anyone could see if the head was moving or not. But Ben continued. ‘There you are, all comfy while we are slaving away doing all the work.’

  Bill stood back checking that the tape held his prisoner securely then turning to his brother said, ‘I think we’ll have coffee before we go Ben.’

  His hands were on his hips admiring the job they had almost finished. Another ten minutes and they would be on their way.

  Ben looked at his brother as he moved towards the parked van. ‘Let me get it this time Bill, it’s my turn.’ He suddenly felt anxious and wanted to get the job finished. If Bill drove fast, he might be in time to see Lily. ‘Do you think we’ll be back in time to go to the Parlour?’ he asked eagerly.

  ‘Sorry Ben, not tonight, it could take us four hours to get back, and you know our instructions, never break the speed limit, even by 1 mile an hour.’

  Ben was disappointed and it was this lad’s fault. He would let him know how he had spoiled his evening. He would make him pay, yes he would pay.

  Opening the flask of sweetened coffee he poured it into paper cups, passing one to his brother. Ben stared at the figure on the grill. ‘Do you want a coffee?’ He paused, looking at the youth hanging upside down. ‘I said do you want a coffee?’ There was no response. ‘Of course, you can’t talk can you? Well I’ll tell you what it’s like standing here drinking it. It’s bloody marvellous, that’s what, bloody marvellous.’ He grinned malevolently at the prone figure. ‘And do you know what? There’s rats in that tunnel, and they are hungry. And they are going to come and eat you all up. What do you think of that?’ Ben rubbed his hands together in anticipation of some great entertainment, taking care not to spill his coffee. ‘Can you hear the little buggers squeaking? Can you? They are ready for a good meal, and you’re it.’ He burst out laughing, hardly able to control himself. ‘They like blood, and I’m going to make sure there’s lots of it. They’ll have a proper party.’ He grabbed the victim’s genitals, and said, ‘And you’re giving it, I wonder if they will say thank you for a lovely meal?’

  Bill put his arm across his brother’s shoulders to support himself as he laughed uncontrollably. ‘You are a card sometimes Ben. I just love your humour. I can just see all the rats lined up after their dinner getting a carry out as well. Where do you reckon they’ll start?’

  Ben suddenly looked serious, ‘It depends where I start cutting.’ He stood looking at his prisoner as a surgeon would survey his patient before inserting the scalpel.

  The young man had been frightened by his experience and thought he was going to get a beating and let go. The fear had now turned to sheer terror, there was no way out, he was about to die. He could not bear to think of the method, he hated rats and he would have to feel them on his face, all over everywhere. His body shook in time with his silent sobs. If only he hadn’t cheated the Organisation. The warning he had been given had been ignored and he had to accept punishment, but this was just too awful.

  The tapes cut into his arms and legs as he tried to free himself but they were unforgiving. As Ben finished off his coffee, the struggling had stopped and the inert figure hung there limply. ‘I think you’ve frightened the little bastard and he’s fainted Ben, I’ll just check his pulse.’ He moved over to the boy’s body checking first his wrist and then his neck. ‘You wouldn’t believe it, the little sod’s died of fright. No guts the young generation these days. We’ll hang on for a few minutes in case he changes his mind.’ Bill checked for a pulse, but he had been correct in his first diagnosis. He was well and truly dead.

  ‘I was just going to get my tools from the van to open him up a bit.’ Ben sounded like a spoiled child denied extra time to play, the game not yet completed. He also wanted to inflict pain, and had been cheated.

  His brother humoured him, telling him what a good job he’d done tying the youth to the railing. ‘It was real professional bro.’ He could feel Ben beginning to relax. Seeing him in one of his moods was always a worry, and he did not want any slip ups on the job. By the time they headed back towards the van, they were laughing together at how well everything had gone. Bill however was still finely tuned to any noise or movement which might disclose their activities. They had not heard any traffic pass during their time by the stream, and there were no pedestrians about. ‘All clear I would say,’ said Bill. He opened the van door and passed Ben his shoes and a carrier bag. ‘Sit on the seat so you don’t get any mud on your socks while you change, we’ll dump the carrier bags in the Smoke somewhere. The O
rganisation must be run by MI5 or someone like that, they think of everything.’ The plastic sheet he would dispose of at a quiet spot nearer the motorway. At the same time he would remove the signs from the sides of the van and become anonymous, just another one of the thousands of white van men on the Queen’s highway.

  That job had been some time ago, but it was one he would always remember because of the way it had affected Ben. He hadn’t wanted the boy to die as quickly as he did, he had wanted revenge for not being able to go to the Parlour. The boy was to blame and he had wanted revenge badly. Dying had denied him that pleasure. Bill had been amused at the time, but didn’t show it as he didn’t want to upset his brother whose moods could be unpredictable. This time there should not be a problem, he had spoken to Lily and asked her to keep the Parlour open until he and Ben got back. She had agreed, not wanting to either lose money or incite the brothers to seek retribution. They had another job up North, and there was to be a rendezvous with another member of the Organisation. This was a change to their usual operations, and Bill had been well briefed.

  He would collect two parcels from his contact at 5 p.m. in a lay-by on a ‘B’ road off the M6. His instructions were to wait until approached. After an uneventful journey, Bill and Ben had reached the rendezvous point. The lay-by was deserted, little traffic passed by and the only sound came from the rain beating on the van roof. Fifteen minutes later, a small blue van with one occupant pulled up behind them.

  A man got out, pulled his anorak hood over his head and walked towards Bill’s side of the van looking around as he did so, checking that his movements were unseen.