“She's on Ward Ten, a right mess. She's going to need some false teeth fitted.”
Despite herself Rachel feels a deep sense of satisfaction.
“I can't believe that you, a nurse, are capable of causing another human being such damage.”
“She slept with my husband while I was here, losing our baby.”
“I'm dreadfully sorry about that Rachel, really I am, but that doesn't give you the right to harm another person. You dedicated your life to helping others. It is not seemly for you to be fighting in nightclubs.”
“I know it was wrong but I was at the end of my tether. One person can only take so much.”
“And your husband did this to you?”
“It was an accident.”
Miss Richards looks doubtful. “Well we reap what we sow.”
“You think I deserved this?”
“I'd say it was karma.”
“What did you say?” says Rachel quietly, her expression darkening.
Miss Richards takes a step back, recalling the state of Amanda Moore. “I’ve come here to tell you that I think it best you don't return to work. Your presence on the ward will not be welcome.”
“You're sacking me?” she demands, outraged.
“No. I'm suggesting you resign. If you don't then life here could get very awkward for you.”
“You can't do this. I love my job and I'm good at it.”
“Yes you are but we cannot have common brawlers tending to our patients. It wouldn’t be right.”
Rachel's eyes fill with tears and her bruised fists clench in anger. Miss Richards decides to make a hasty retreat.
“I will expect your letter of resignation. Don't bother to bring it in, you can post it. I'll have your things sent on.”
She disappears behind the curtain and Rachel sinks back into the bed, helpless as her life falls apart around her.
Terry and Alex drag a battered and bleeding Danny into Frank’s house. He’s already prepared Danny's old room upstairs for what he has planned. The three of them haul him up the stairs and when he sees his old room cleared of everything except the bed, two buckets and the bars on the windows he divines their intentions and starts to fight.
“No Dad no. I promise I'll quit the drugs. Please don't do this.”
“Get him inside,” says Frank.
Terry and Alex, feeling dreadful, shove Danny into the room and slam the door shut. Frank locks it and pockets the key. Danny frantically begins pounding on the other side.
“Please Dad let me out. I promise I'll be a good boy.”
For a moment his voice sounds so child-like that Frank's eyes fill with tears as he remembers the boy he used to be, not this drug addled disaster. But he remains firm.
“If you could see what you've done to that girl you'd understand why I'm doing this. She's your wife for Christ's sake.”
“Please Dad let me out. I don't like being locked in.”
“You've brought this on yourself son,” Frank says grimly.
Alex realises the strain this is putting on his father, sees the hurt and weariness in his eyes. He claps him on the shoulder.
“Come on Dad, I think we could all do with a drink.”
Frank smiles at his eldest son and nods. As they head back downstairs Danny starts battering the door violently. Frank is glad he had it reinforced.
Rachel lies on the couch in her parent's front room watching The Jeremy Kyle Show in the hope that it will put her own problems into perspective but it hasn't worked. In fact all the yelling and arguing is making her feel worse. The doorbell rings and Rick answers it. He’s become very protective, almost sentinel-like, vetting everyone who comes to the door in case it’s Danny. He returns a minute later.
“It's Mikey. Do you want to see him?”
Rachel's eyes light up. “Yes, I will.”
It’s the first time Rick has seen his daughter smile all day so Mikey is more than welcome.
“Come in lad,” he says.
“Thanks.”
Mikey is shocked to see the state Rachel’s in. He didn’t think Danny capable of treating her so badly but he betrays no outward reaction. Rachel is relieved. She’s fed up of people gasping and swearing when they see her. He simply sits beside her and hugs her. She clings to him tightly, almost desperately and cries on his shoulder. Rick closes the door and leaves them to it. If it gets it all out of her system then it can only be a good thing.
Mikey holds her until the sobbing subsides and she sits up, wiping her eyes. He hands her a tissue.
“Sorry about that,” she says shakily.
“It's okay. Feeling better?”
“Actually I do,” she smiles. “I needed that.”
Mikey looks at her injured face and his stomach clenches with anger. “The bastard.”
“It was an accident, he didn’t hit me,” she says, the words sounding lame. She’d heard the same excuse countless times from battered women. “It's the drugs. He didn't know what he was doing.”
“Don't make excuses for him Rach.”
“I'm not but he's such a long way from the man I married, I hardly recognise him anymore.” A single tear trickles down her cheek and she stares into the distance at something he cannot see. When she speaks again her voice is hoarse. “I've lost him Mikey. I don't know what happened to my gorgeous husband. Where did he go?”
She gazes at him with her large soft eyes and his heart goes out to her. He wraps his arm around her and she rests her head on his shoulder. Rachel is glad he’s here. Apart from Beth he’s her best friend.
They sink into a comfortable silence, waiting for Jeremy Kyle to announce the DNA results when the peace is shattered by a loud hammering at the front door and they both sit up, listening as Rick answers.
“Is Rachel Maguire here?” booms DCI Benton's voice.
“Yeah, why?” demands Rick.
“I have a warrant for her arrest.”
“Why can't you leave her alone? Hasn't she been through enough already?”
The two men start to argue.
“It's alright Dad. Let him in,” calls Rachel. She wipes her eyes and forces herself to appear relaxed. She doesn’t want to show them how vulnerable she is.
There’s the heavy thud of boots on the tiled hallway floor then DCI Benton bursts into the room, grinning from ear to ear. He is followed by two uniformed officers, one male, one female.
“Hello Rachel. You're nicked.”
Mikey gets to his feet and stands before her protectively. “What for?”
“GBH on Amanda Moore.”
“She deserved everything she got,” says Mikey.
Rachel calmly gets to her feet and smiles as the young PC struggles to put on the cuffs over her thick bandage.
“For Christ's sake man put one cuff on her good wrist and the other on yours. It's not pissing rocket science,” huffs Benton, making Rachel smile. “Something funny?” he barks at her.
“You really are desperate, aren't you?”
“Take her away,” he tells his officers.
“You can't do this,” yells Mikey.
Benton glares at him, “You're under arrest too.”
“What have I done?“
“Nothing. I just don't fucking like you but don't worry, I'm sure I'll think of something before we get to the station.”
The PC’s are surprised by this comment. They all think Benton’s a bit of a wanker and overly-zealous but he is one of the good guys. They silently agree with Rachel that he must indeed be desperate.
“Don't worry,” calls Rick as they lead Rachel and Mikey out. “I'll call a solicitor.”
As they’re led to the waiting panda car Gillian returns home from her shopping trip. Her face falls when she sees her daughter being taken away in handcuffs.
“Rachel,” she calls.
“It's alright Mum, just a misunderstanding. I'll be back soon.”
Gillian watches bemused as she and Mikey are bundled into a police car and driven
away. She sees Mrs Jenkins, the nosy neighbour across the road, peering out from behind her lace curtain.
“Why don't you piss off you old bat?” Gillian yells.
The lace curtain quickly drops back into place. Rick is shocked. Gillian never swears.
At the station Mikey is put in a holding cell while Rachel is taken to an interview room to be interrogated by Benton and a female DS.
“Where were you last night Rachel at ten thirty?”
“At home.”
“Any witnesses?”
“No. I was alone.”
“What did you watch on telly?”
“Who said I was watching telly? I was reading a book. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. You probably won’t know it, there aren't any pictures in it.”
The DS looks down to stifle a laugh. She thinks Benton is a prize prick, as does most of the station.
He ignores the comment. “Amanda Moore was attacked in the Egypt Bar last night. She was knocked about so badly she needed hospital treatment.”
Rachel smiles coldly.
“Does that make you happy?”
“Of course it does. She slept with my husband.”
“So you had good reason to attack her?”
“Yes but I didn't do it. However I would like to shake the hand of the person who did.”
The DS is sympathetic towards Rachel. If it had been her she would have done the same but she keeps these thoughts to herself.
Rachel for her part is amazed by how well she is keeping her cool. When she was a teenager she often found herself in this situation and the survival skills she learnt then are flooding back. Also, the calmer she remains the more wound up Benton gets.
“You look like you've been in a fight.”
“Oh this,” she says nonchalantly, indicating her bruised face. “I walked into a door.”
“Funny that because I heard it was Danny.”
“Now how do you know that?”
“You‘re not the only one with friends in high places. What happened? First you lose his baby then you beat up his bit of fluff. Had enough of you did he?”
The DS looks appalled. She can't believe the depths he’s sinking to in order to get a rise out of Rachel.
Rachel's eyes flicker angrily. “Like I said, I walked into a door.”
“You sound just like all those other poor cows who get knocked about. Making excuses for their men, protecting them. Why don't you press charges?”
“No.”
He jumps to his feet and bangs his fist down on the table but Rachel doesn’t flinch. She looks up at him icily.
“You couldn't stand the thought of Danny with another woman could you? You snapped, went round to the Egypt Bar and beat the crap out of Amanda Moore.”
“Do you have any witnesses DCI Benton?” she says smugly, knowing that no one would dare testify against the Maguires.
His glower tells her he doesn't, which is why he’s trying to force a confession from her.
“Then I suggest you either charge me or let me go because I'm getting bored. You can push this if you want but it's my word against hers.”
They glare at each other across the table and Rachel watches a big thick vein pop out on his forehead in fascination. The DS's eyes flicker nervously from one to the other.
“Alright, I'll charge you,” he spits.
The door opens and Chief Superintendent Farrar's head pops round the door.
“DCI Benton, a word.”
“For the benefit of the tape, DCI Benton is leaving the room,” says the DS. As the door closes Rachel leans back in her seat, her arms folded. The DS smiles at her. She likes anyone who squares up to Benton. “Can I get you a cup of tea?”
“Yes thank you. That would be nice,” replies Rachel pleasantly.
“What the hell do you think you're playing at?” demands Farrar. “Cut her loose right now.”
Benton's face falls. “But Sir, Amanda Moore has made a statement. She wants to press charges.”
“Don't be stupid, she's damaged goods. You know as well as I do that a half decent barrister will rip her to pieces. You've no witnesses, no CCTV, nothing.”
“She did it,” he says, stamping his foot.
“Probably but you can't prove it.”
Benton hangs his head, knowing he’s right.
“Why do you have such a hard on for this girl? If you want the Maguires that badly go after the big guns like Frank or Terry. She's got nothing to do with the illegal side of the business. Leave the woman alone.”
“I know she had something to do with Jarvis's death.”
“Are you mad man? Jarvis died of a heart attack, the autopsy confirmed it.”
“But…”
He holds up his hand. “I don't want to hear it. Now let her go and get a grip and if you ever bring Mikey Maguire in on another bullshit charge then he'll have everything he needs to sue the arse off us. You're lucky he's not pressing charges. If you're serious about the superintendent’s position then I suggest you start conducting yourself in a more professional manner.”
Benton curls his fists in anger, his expression murderous. He storms back into the interview room to find Rachel and his DS chatting amiably, which only serves to blacken his temper even more. He slams the door shut with such force the walls shake. Rachel watches him calmly, knowing there can only be one reason for his foul mood. She waits patiently for him to calm down enough to form the words.
“You're free to go,” he finally mutters.
“I'm sorry? I didn't catch that.”
“Piss off Rachel, I'm not repeating myself.”
She gets to her feet. “Thank you very much.”
She nods at the DS, who nods back. Just before she reaches the door Benton shoots to his feet and blocks her exit, face contorted with fury. “I'm watching you Rachel. One wrong move and I'll have you.”
She looks him up and down with distaste. “I can safely say that will never happen.”
The DS stifles another giggle as Rachel calmly strolls out, head held high, leaving Benton to turn puce with rage.
CHAPTER 23
Martina sits in her living room with her head in her hands listening to her youngest son tearing his bedroom apart. She clamps her hands over her ears as he calls out to her again.
“Mum? Mum?”
She fights back tears, knowing this is just what he needs. Tough love.
“Please Mum,” he wails.
A memory returns to Martina. When Danny was nine he'd hit another kid and Martina had sent him to his room as punishment. He'd cried for her in the same way he’s doing now and all her maternal instincts are compelling her to go up the stairs and comfort him.
“Mum, I know you can hear me you slag. Get your fucking fat arse up here and let me the fuck out.”
Martina goes rigid with shock. He has never spoken to her like that before but she knows he’s going cold turkey and is half out of his mind. She closes the living room door and puts some music on. She is glad the house is secluded. If they had any neighbours they'd be wondering what the hell was going on.
It’s mid afternoon and The Wherry Tavern is a morgue. Joe the Manager stands at the end of the bar reading a newspaper and a scarred hard case is sat at a table drinking a pint, contemplating his thoughts. Mikey and Rachel arrive at the same time. They have been called here for a meeting with Frank.
“Alright Rach?” Mikey grins. “Had any more hassle from Benton?”
“No. He's all mouth and no trousers.”
He laughs. “You wound him up pretty good. I thought he was going to have a coronary.”
Rachel smiles thinly. Mikey does not realise the significance of his words, Danny still being the only one who knows what she did to Jarvis.
“Any idea what this meeting's about?” she says, swiftly changing the subject.
“Not a clue. I was hoping you would.”
As they walk through the pub the scarred man sat at the bar nods respectfully at Mikey, who nods
back. Rachel is impressed. The scarred man is one of the biggest names in the area and for him to acknowledge Mikey is an indication of how his standing has increased.
Mikey knocks on the office door.
“Come in,” orders Frank's gruff voice.
They walk into the office to find it in disarray. Papers are scattered across the desk, dirty mugs and glasses litter every surface and the bin is overflowing. But it is Frank's appearance that shocks Rachel the most. His normally immaculate clothes are rumpled and stained, his hair uncombed and he’s unshaven. He suddenly looks old. Recent events have really taken their toll on him. He smiles grimly when they enter.
“Good to see you both. Sit down.”
They take the seats at the opposite side of the desk and watch as Frank takes out a cigarette and lights it.
“I didn't know you smoked,” frowns Rachel disapprovingly.
“Used to. Martina refused to marry me unless I quit.” He suddenly looks fearful. "You won’t tell her, will you?"
They both shake their heads and he relaxes, exhaling shakily, gazing at the wisps of smoke swirling into the air. Rachel and Mikey glance at each other uncertainly then Frank stubs out the cigarette and regards them solemnly, his large hands folded together.
“I've asked you both here because I need to ask you a favour. Danny is no longer capable of running the businesses plus his recent antics have shown me that he doesn’t deserve them. I want you two to take over running them. Just the clubs. Alex is taking over the pub and the car lot.”
Rachel and Mikey gape at him incredulously.
“The family is tied up with a lot of crap at the moment and we simply don't have time for the clubs. They take a lot of managing.”
“But I don't know anything about running a nightclub,” interjects Rachel.
“Mikey does. Since Danny started on the downward spiral he's taken on more and more responsibility. He's been running all five clubs practically single-handed and doing a bloody good job. Takings have gone up and the aggro's gone down.” He gives Mikey a smile. “He'll teach you all you need to know and I understand you could use a job right now. The businesses need a legitimate face. I want you two to be it. You'll work together, like partners.”
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