Taking the Town

by Ford Murphy

Finn just stared back him. “I’ll tell you what. As soon as I deal with whoever you chicken shits are sending to do your dirty work, I’m going to come and take care of you. Fucking pussies. Hiding behind skirts. Hah, yeah, you’re really fucking tough.” With that Finn walked out of the canteen and headed to his office.

  Laura arrived breathless two minutes later.

  He looked up at her. “What happens now?”

  “What happens now is that you get in your car and drive and don’t stop until you get to Cork. That might not even be far enough. You hear me? Go now, while you still can.”

  “And if I don’t go? What happens then?”

  “Then a gang of five of the meanest sons of bitches you’ll ever encounter will come out here on motorbikes and with their baseball bats will beat you until there’s nothing left of you to bury. And no one will stop them either. Not the police. No one. So go now…please, Finn. Just go.”

  Finn shook his head. “You know I’m not going to do that. I worked hard all week to create this situation, I’m not going to walk away now.”

  “Well then, you’ll more than likely die a horrible death this afternoon or wish to fuck you had by the time they’re finished with you.” Her voice was surprisingly calm.

  “Don’t count on it. You’re not getting the office to yourself just yet.”

  Outside the door of the office, the corridor was lined with people, all talking in hushed tones. Work had definitely stopped for the day.

  “Thank God it’s Friday afternoon,” Finn said with a wry smile.

  Just then the roar of motorbike engines could be heard and silence descended. He grinned. “Better not wait for them to come in and damage the furniture, so off to the lion’s den we go.”

  With that he walked out of the office, past the lines of people who just looked at him blankly and out the door into the bright, afternoon sunshine. Just as Laura had said there would be, standing about thirty feet in front of his building were five big, mean looking guys, swinging baseball bats.

  “Thought you were a big shot, huh?” one of them asked. “Thought you didn’t have to comply with the rules, didn’t you? Well, asshole, this is where all your thinking got you and now you’re going to find out what happens to fuckers like you.”

  Finn walked forward until he was about eight feet from them. Two of them rushed at him swinging their bats. Finn waited until the last split second before contact, then pivoted and used their motion against them. In the blink of an eye, he caught hold of the two baseball bats, twisted strongly and wrenched them from their holders’ grips. He then swung both bats at their heads, connected and watched them fall.

  Before anyone could react, he swung the bats again and connected with two hands which resulted in the bats they held being dropped to the ground. He turned around quickly and smashed the bats into the heads of the first two guys on the ground, who were trying to pick themselves up. They went down with a thud and then he was back in an instant facing the other three, only one of whom had a bat.

  Now he let fly as he put his years of mixed martial arts and hand-to-hand combat training to good use. He whirled, he twisted, he spun but mostly he just hit, again and again and again. Soon, all five were lying on the ground groaning in agony. Finn turned away, strode into the building, glancing at the line of shocked colleagues who’d been glued to the window. Julia wasn’t among them, so he made his way to her office. He found her sitting there, in complete silence, staring blankly at her desk.

  “Come with me quickly,” he said.

  She got up in stunned amazement and he led her into an empty conference room and over to the window. She gasped when she saw the five thugs lying on the ground in a bloody mess.

  “Were any of these involved in your assault? Tell me, if they were.”

  She nodded and pointed out two. “What are you going to do?”

  “Watch,” he said and left the conference room.

  Finn jogged down the hall out through the double doors. Picking up an abandoned baseball bat, he approached one of the men Julia had identified. He was curled up, clutching his abdomen and had blood oozing from what looked like a badly broken nose.

  “Like to rape innocent girls, do you, motherfucker?” Finn snarled. “Well, you’ve raped your last.” With that Finn kicked him repeatedly in the groin with all his might. The man squealed like a pig until he passed out.

  Then Finn went to the second man Julia had identified and systematically beat him with the bat. He could hear bones crunching but he kept going until that one too had passed out.

  When he finished, he was sweating profusely and the baseball bat was almost molded to his hands, such was the strength of the grip he had on it. He flung the bat away and looked at his five badly beaten assailants.

  “Not so tough now, are you?” Finn laughed contemptuously. “You messed with the wrong guy. Tell the others I’m coming for them.”

  He went back into the building. No one said or did anything. In fact, everyone looked pale and immediately put their heads down if Finn looked at them.

  Can’t blame them, I suppose. It must be very distressing. He looked around for the canteen thugs but, not surprisingly, he could not see them. No worries. Plenty of time for them. For now, he needed to get out of here. He walked back out the building, headed to his car and drove away. As his adrenaline waned, he started to feel his own injuries. In fact, he was hurting quite badly. Although the five thugs had clearly come off worse, they had not gone down without a fight and Finn had taken his fair share of licks. He’d be fine, but now he needed help.

  He was now a marked man, since the leaders of the gang would put a price on his head. He couldn’t risk facing more of them until he had recovered a little. So bypassing the rented house where he had stayed all week, he headed out of town towards Clonafoy. About three miles down the road, he turned down a small lane that led to a picturesque farmhouse. He had taken the precaution of renting this place also when he first got to Lissadown.

  Once inside, he sank into the couch. “I knew this was a good call,” he said aloud. He closed his eyes, intending just to rest a few minutes, then get a bath started.

  When Finn woke up it was still light outside but he could tell that dusk was coming. He ached all over and every slightest movement made it worse.

  “Fuck. I’m late. First date and I can’t even be there on time. Asshole.”

  He went into the bathroom, looked in the mirror to survey the damage. There was only minimal bruising on his face but his torso was completely black and blue.

  He smiled wryly. “Oh well, at least my pretty boy looks haven’t been damaged.”

  He didn’t have time for a bath, so he splashed some water on his face, smoothed down his close cropped hair and painfully made his way to the car. He drove steadily towards Lissadown aware that he was taking a big risk. There would likely be a posse out looking for him. He also figured there was a distinct possibility that Julia’s house might be watched.

  “You never know though with these assholes. They might not have put that particular two and two together.”

  Still, he’d have to be vigilant and, in a way, he was almost glad that it was beginning to get dark. He parked his car a couple of blocks away from her house and made his way slowly there, keeping a close watch each step of the way. He waited a good five minutes at the end of her street before approaching her house and when he did he knocked on the door quietly. When she opened it, he entered quickly, shutting the door behind him.

  ~ * ~

  Julia had been totally distraught. Like everyone else, she had watched the destruction that Finn had wrought upon the five gang members with amazement. The level of violence he was capable of was stunning and more than a little frightening. She had been particularly touched when he zeroed in on the ones who had attacked her and she had even smiled when she saw what Finn did to them. It didn’t take away the pain of what they had done to her away but, for the very first time, she felt like that she, at least, had got
ten some justice.

  Immediately after the fight though, she began to worry about Finn’s safety. She knew this was not going to be let go unanswered. At that moment also, she had decided that she would go out with him that night. It was the very least she could do for him. It’s not often someone takes your side in that way.

  Julia had gone directly home after work and tried to figure out what she would wear. She had almost forgotten what it was like to dress up and feel good about herself and for the very first time in a long time she took a bath. She had completely avoided taking baths since her attack. She preferred quick showers so as to avoid as much as possible seeing her scarred and burned body. Progress. It doesn’t mean I’m pretty but being less ashamed is definitely progress.”

  She dressed carefully, nothing too revealing, of course, but enough to make Finn want to take a second…and maybe a third look. After she’d applied her make-up—again another first for a very long time—she sat back in the chair feeling the butterflies awaken in her stomach.

  “I need a drink. Just one to calm me down.”

  He should arrive in twenty minutes.

  An hour later, she was still sitting alone, waiting, as she became more and more worried. She drove to his house. His car wasn’t there and the house seemed empty.

  She drove to the local hospital and not finding him there, finally called the police, all to no avail. Dejected and upset, she drove home and sat in the dark, crying.

  She was sad for herself that yet another opportunity at happiness seemed to have disappeared but mostly she was worried about Finn. She had good reason to fear the worst and she was becoming more and more convinced that Finn had met the same fate as her brother, Brian.

  Then there was a knock at her door.

  ~ * ~

  Finn had waited a good five minutes at the end of her street before approaching her house and when he did he knocked on the door quietly. When she opened it, he entered quickly, shutting the door behind him. He’d guessed that Julia would be very pissed, though in his defense, she technically had not confirmed that she’d go out with him. He was also counting on the afternoon’s excitement as mitigating circumstances. All in all, this might work out.

  He was wrong. Very wrong.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” Julia screamed at him.

  If he had any illusions about how angry Julia could get, they were quickly dispelled.

  “Well?” Her tone was menacing. “What are you doing here? Does hero boy think he can just waltz over here now late at night and expect to get laid? So, did you think I’d be so grateful to you that I’d put out immediately? Well, you know what? Go fuck yourself. For that matter, go fuck anyone you want because let me be very clear here, you’re not fucking me. Not tonight, not tomorrow. Not ever. Now get the fuck out of my house.”

  “Hey, look, that’s not fair.” Finn tried to reason with her. “I’m sorry I was late. I fell asleep on the couch and I only woke up a short while ago. I came straight here. I’m not looking for sex. I don’t even know where that came from. I know it’s too late to go for a walk but I wanted to come and explain. I’m sorry, okay?”

  “So you were asleep for the last few hours?” Her voice dripped with sarcasm. “All alone on your couch were you?” Well answer me this, asshole; how come your car wasn’t in the driveway and there was no sign of anyone in the house?” She stared at him and laughed bitterly. “Oh yeah. I’m the idiot who went over to see if you were okay. I’m the one who hung around outside your house for over two hours getting more and more worried about you by the minute. I didn’t know if I should go to the hospital, the morgue, the cops. So I just sat there, crying my eyes out wondering if you were alive or dead.”

  Finn was speechless. He’d never imagined that she’d be worried about him.

  Her eyes filled with tears and her lower lip quivered. “Don’t say anything. Just go. Now. Get the fuck out of my house.”

  She went looking for him. He never imagined she’d do that. But if he’d given it a moment’s thought, he’d have realized it was exactly what she’d do. He stared dumbly at her for a moment, wondering if he should tell her about the second house but decided against it. The less she knew the safer she’d be.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “Really sorry. You’re the last person I’d want to hurt.”

  “Yeah? Well too late,” she retorted bitterly.

  Finn looked at her for another moment then opened the door and walked outside. He checked in both directions but the coast seemed completely clear. What a total fuck up.

  He was sincerely touched that she had come to check on him and he could tell her distress was genuine. He was also, ironically enough, impressed by the how angry she could get. He chuckled. “Not one to mess with, no sireeebob!”

  He reached the car and made it back to the farmhouse without encountering anyone. In fact, the streets of Lissadown were basically deserted.

  “Wow, a very quiet Friday night here in the hometown. Wonder why?”

  Back at the farmhouse, he made himself a sandwich and opened a beer. He had stocked the fridge with provisions a week ago so he was all set for a while. There’d be no work out tomorrow or for several tomorrows. He knew there was nothing broken but there was still going to be a lot of pain as his body recovered. He smiled to himself. “Now, what have you got to complain about boyoh? You should see the other guys.”

  He was tempted to turn on the TV to see what the news reports were but decided against it. “Time enough for that. Time enough.”

  He got himself another beer from the fridge and sat there thinking about the likely fallout and his next moves. His mind drifted to Julia. He knew while he had a lot of making up to do there, it was her concern and worry about him that had made her react the way she did. He raised his bottle. “Here’s to you, Hellcat. One more beer then off to bed.”

  He was asleep almost before his head hit the pillow.

  Chapter Nine

  Saturday, June 28, 1986

  Week One: Day Six

  Finn was awakened by a persistent knocking on the front door. At first, he couldn’t place where the noise was coming from then realized it was from the door. Julia. A slow smile spread across his face at that thought. Then he caught himself when he remembered there was no way she could possibly know he was here. “Who the hell could it be so?” he asked the empty room as he pulled on his pants and a tee-shirt.

  He went downstairs and opened the door. Standing there was a large, distinguished looking man in a police uniform.

  “Are you Finn Lane?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “I’m Chief Superintendent Mike McGill. May I come in?”

  Finn looked at him warily. “How did you know I was here?”

  McGill smiled. “Well now, Dr. Lane, I didn’t make Chief Superintendent because of my pretty face. Can we talk inside, please?”

  Finn stepped aside. “Be my guest.”

  Finn showed him into the living room. “Can I get you anything? To be honest you woke me up and I could murder a cup of tea.”

  The superintendent made a show of looking at his watch, shook his head and tut-tutted. “Rough night?” The hint of a smile played on his lips and his dark eyes twinkled.

  “No, the night was fine. The day was a bit of a slog though.”

  “Well, in that case, a cup of tea would be grand. Milk, no sugar.”

  “Got it,” said Finn as he headed for the kitchen. He couldn’t help but wonder what the fuck was going on. If the Chief Superintendent were only here because of the fight, he wouldn’t be sitting down to tea. What does this bozo want?

  He made the tea, walked back into the living room, handed a cup to his guest and sat down. “To what do I owe the honor of a house call by the Chief Superintendent himself?”

  “Oh, you know, just routine. I always make a house call when somebody comes to Lissadown and basically blows the whole town up within a week. It’s kind of a tradition for me.” Then his eyes narro
wed and his expression became serious. “Young man, you and I need to speak. We’re going to have a heart to heart and you’re going to start at the very beginning and take me through this whole story, every single step of the way. If I don’t think you’re being honest or totally forthcoming, then your ass is mine and I’ll make you pay in a way those idiots you beat up never could. Are we clear about that?”

  Finn looked at him steadily for a moment or two. “You know, Chief Superintendent Mike McGill, the thing I’m not clear about is why you’re here harassing me when I was clearly the aggrieved party instead of being back in Lissadown rounding up the thugs who have made the town a no-go for the past few years? That’s the thing I’m not clear about. Or is it that the cops are too afraid of these guys to stand up to them so instead do their dirty work for them? Maybe you’re here to finish off the job they failed to do. Is that it, Chief Superintendent?”

  McGill’s face reddened and Finn could see that he was visibly struggling to keep his composure. Fuck him. Who does he think he is prancing in here and laying the strong arm on me. I know I’m right.

  After a thirty second staring match between the two of them, McGill sat back and took a sip of tea. “Okay. Let’s back up and start again shall we? I’m not here for a confrontation with you. In fact, I’m here because I’m personally very impressed with what you did yesterday and in my personal opinion those bastards only got what was coming to them. I didn’t mean to come off in such an aggressive manner. I also think, as difficult as it was to hear you say it, that you’re not entirely wrong. We haven’t done a great job of protecting our citizens from that mob and I’m not proud of it. So, can we push the reset button and start again in a more civilized manner?”

  Finn nodded. “Sure. Let’s do that.”

  Over three hours later, Finn walked the Chief Superintendent to the front door, looked him directly in the eye and firmly shook his hand.

  “I’ll be in touch,” McGill said. “You take care now.”

  Finn shut the door and walked back into the living room. “Hmm…interesting. The plot thickens.”