The Front

by Mandasue Heller

  Ged asked Sam to take him back to his own flat before they went to Mal’s. He desperately needed to eat. Sam was very quiet on the drive, and Ged asked how it had gone with Wendy. Sam said she’d been strange when he got home. She looked like she’d been crying, and she hadn’t given him any grief, even when he said he’d be going out again. He’d expected ructions, but she’d accepted it without a word, and now he was suspicious.

  ‘What do you think she’s up to?’ he said. ‘You don’t think she’s planning to take off with the kids while I’m out, do you?’

  ‘She wouldn’t be that cruel,’ Ged said. ‘Anyway, she loves that house. She’s not going to walk out because you’ve had a row, is she?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Sam said. ‘I don’t know what she’s capable of at the moment.’

  ‘She won’t,’ Ged said with quiet certainty. He peered across at Sam’s worried face. ‘It’s really getting to you, isn’t it? Not just Wendy – all this Pasha stuff.’

  ‘It’s everything,’ Sam admitted. ‘Mal and Lee acting like they’ve done nothing wrong. Suzie being weird. And now Wendy. I can’t take it. It’s all getting out of control. And it was bad enough that it happened, but it’s really spooked me, them telling Elaine. God! If they could tell a big mouth like that, they’re capable of anything!’

  Ged nodded. ‘It’s put the wind up me, too. The only good thing is we didn’t actually do it. And that’s about the only thing we’ll have going for us if this blows up, so just keep reminding yourself. As for Elaine – the way she’s necking the coke, with any luck she’ll do herself in before too long. Maybe someone should suggest she tries mainlining?’ Sam shot a worried look at him. ‘Just wishful thinking!’ Ged assured him.

  ‘And as for Suzie,’ he went on. ‘I reckon those three have upset her. Have you noticed the way she looks at them?’

  ‘That’s Mal,’ Sam said. ‘She’s terrified of him.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Ged agreed, frowning. ‘But I’m sure it’s not just him. She really hates Elaine. I’ve seen the way she looks at her. And look at all that business with the laxatives. Why would she give it to Lee and Elaine if she wasn’t upset with them as well?’

  Sam smiled and shook his head. ‘Funny, though, wasn’t it? She’s got a right little vicious streak in her!’

  ‘Good for her!’ Ged said. ‘It’s about time Mal got some of his own medicine! Anyhow, don’t worry about Suzie. She can obviously take care of herself if it comes to the crunch. The thing you need to sort out is this business with Wendy. It’s not good for you, her or the kids.’

  ‘That’s what’s bothering me,’ Sam muttered.

  ‘Well, the way I see it,’ Ged said, ‘Wendy’s doing her best to give her kids a decent future. Think about it, Sam. She’s stuck by you through everything. Even now, with all this shit with Mal and Lee. And yeah, she nags, but she’s only trying to help you. Hassling the council for that house, doing her damnedest to keep people like Lee away. And what do you go and do? You invite him in, and let him think it’s only Wendy who’s got a problem with him. Anyway, do you think she’d have gone to all this trouble to keep you if she didn’t love you? Don’t make the same mistake I made.’

  Sam turned to look at him. ‘Do you regret leaving Caroline?’

  Ged shrugged. ‘I’ve spent the last year telling myself that it was the right move. But, if I’m honest, I’ve missed her. Oh, I know I’ve slagged her off, but I suppose I was just shifting the blame away from myself. These past few days have shown me what I’ve thrown away. I look at her and see the girl she was – especially now she’s so vulnerable. But she looks awful, Sam. I’m worried about her.’

  ‘Enough to go back?’

  Ged bit his lip and stared out of the window. ‘I’ve been thinking about it, but I don’t even know if she wants me back. It’s not exactly a good time to ask, is it?’

  ‘It could be exactly the right time,’ Sam said quietly.

  ‘I envy you,’ Ged said. ‘Seeing you with your kids and your wife, at home – having dinner, watching telly. Normal family stuff. I really wish you could see it through my eyes. You don’t know how good you’ve got it. Don’t lose it. I mean, what’s the alternative? Hanging around with tossers like Mal and Lee?

  ‘Anyway, enough of the lecture. Let’s get something to eat, then we can pick up the tossers and go sort out the bastard who’s got my Linda!’

  ‘Do me a favour,’ Sam said as he turned onto the road that would take them past Greenheys. ‘Put your seat belt on. They can fine me now for not making you.’

  Ged pulled the belt on and glanced at the station. ‘Maybe we should go and grass them up, eh? Get them collared before it all goes pear-shaped?’

  ‘You don’t think they’d go down without taking us with them, do you?’ Sam snorted. ‘No, Ged. The further we stay away from the police the better.’

  As Sam and Ged passed by just feet away, Paul Dalton was tapping away at a computer in a secluded office, painstakingly trying to access the recorded owners of BMWs in the Manchester area. It was a painfully slow process, given that he could only type with one finger and he had very limited time because his shift was due to finish in ten minutes. He jumped when the door opened, but was relieved to see that it was just Eddie.

  ‘What you up to?’ Eddie asked, coming in and closing the door behind him.

  ‘Looking for a needle in a haystack,’ Paul said, rubbing a hand across his eyes.

  ‘You want to get Diane to do it,’ Eddie suggested. ‘She’s a little whiz on that thing. What you looking for, anyway?’ He leaned over Paul’s shoulder and peered at the screen. ‘Looking to buy a motor? BMW, eh? Bit upmarket for you. Got someone special to impress? Your little nurse friend – Jane, for example?’

  Paul elbowed him in the ribs. ‘Jane’s a mate, that’s all. Anyway, I don’t think you should be joking about my nurse friend, do you?’

  Eddie raised his hands and took a step back. ‘Whoa! Let’s not go there. I won’t mention Jane again if you forget all about that other . . . thing! Deal?’

  ‘Deal,’ Paul laughed. ‘Anyhow, I’m not trying to get rid of you, but I want to get on with this. I’ve only got ten minutes and I’m nowhere near finding what I want.’

  ‘Here, let me have a go,’ Eddie said, nudging Paul aside. ‘You’ll be here for ever with your one-finger shit. Now me – I’ve got skill, I have! You’re doing it wrong, anyway, just asking for the make. You want the CC and colour too. Let’s see now . . .’

  Paul shook his head in amazement as Eddie’s fingers flew around the keyboard. In seconds he’d accessed a list of all registered owners of silver 325s and 318s in the Greater Manchester area. Hundreds of them!

  ‘I’ll never find it in that lot,’ he moaned. ‘I’m finishing in a minute.’

  ‘The magic doesn’t end there!’ Eddie winked. Pressing ‘print’, he sat back as the machine spewed out its information.

  ‘There you go,’ he said, taking the folded sheets and handing them to Paul. ‘Now you can study them at your leisure, can’t you? Word of advice, though. Don’t let the sarge catch you taking it out or you’ll get a right rollicking. Coming to The George tonight?’

  ‘No, I want to go through this,’ Paul said, rolling the sheets up and sticking them inside his jacket. ‘Looks like it’ll take all night.’

  ‘I’ll bring some cans over and help if you want?’ Eddie offered.

  Paul considered it. DCI Jackson had told him to stay shtum, but would it really hurt? Anyway, he was sure he could trust Eddie.

  ‘Okay, yeah,’ he said at last. ‘Thanks, mate. Only thing is, it’s got to stay strictly between us for now, otherwise DCI Jackson will have my balls!’

  ‘Say no more,’ Eddie nodded. ‘Must be something hot if your new buddy’s in on it! So, you gonna tell me about it?’

  ‘Later,’ Paul said, looking at his watch. ‘Right, I’m off. See you this evening – and don’t forget those cans!’

  Paul passed Jackson’s office
just as the man himself was leaving.

  ‘Good evening, sir,’ he said. ‘Have we got anything new yet?’

  Jackson glanced over his shoulder as he bent to lock the door. ‘Oh, hello, lad. Not much, but I’m working on it.’ Straightening up, he began to walk down the corridor, still talking quietly.

  ‘The blonde our Mrs Lilley ID’d. Seems we’ve had the pleasure of her company a few times already. Shoplifting, a couple of drunk-and-disorderlies, and a GBH she managed to wangle her way out of. Not too nice. I’m going to pay her a visit tomorrow and have a little word. See if she comes up with anything interesting, and find out who her red-headed friend is while I’m at it. Which reminds me, pencil me in for a ride tomorrow. And I want to call in at the Singhs’ other shop.’ He stopped and glanced at his watch. ‘You off duty now?’

  ‘Yes, sir,’ Paul said. ‘I’m just going home, to check out a list of BMW owners . . .’ He let the words trail from his lips, then blushed.

  Jackson shook his head with a wry grin. ‘Trouble with you kids, you can’t keep your gobs shut. Never mind. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear you. See you in the morning – and don’t be late: we’ve got a lot of travelling to do.’

  23

  Max wasn’t pleased when he opened his door to The Man, Jake and a girl he’d never seen before. All the grief The Man had given him about never bringing pussy to his flat, and here he was, doing exactly that to him!

  ‘Wha’pp’n?’ he asked, eyeing Suzie suspiciously.

  ‘Need a favour,’ The Man said. ‘Let’s get her out of sight, and I’ll explain.’ Without waiting for consent, he shoved Suzie before him into the hall.

  ‘Why’s her hands tied up?’ Max hissed, looking out quickly to check if they’d been seen before closing the door.

  ‘We need to get some answers out of her about these,’ The Man said, taking the notes the Singh brothers had given him from his pocket. ‘She was caught with them at Pasha’s.’

  ‘Raas!’ Max exclaimed, taking the notes and looking at the marks. ‘Where’d she get them?’

  ‘That’s what I want to find out,’ The Man said. ‘You got somewhere nice and quiet we can take her?’

  ‘Down the cellar,’ Max said. ‘Just let me get my keys.’

  In the cellar, they sat Suzie on a chair and tied her ankles to the legs. This done, they went upstairs to have a drink and a smoke, leaving her to sweat. They figured the more frightened she was, the quicker she’d tell them what she knew – and, with luck, they wouldn’t have to get too rough. It was hard to tell how much damage you were doing to women when you slapped them. The last thing they wanted to do was make it so she couldn’t tell them!

  They left her for an hour before going back down.

  Suzie’s eyes had become accustomed to the dark and she winced painfully when the light suddenly came on. The unshaded bulb blazed viciously, making the men appear too stark – too real. She peered up at them nervously as they advanced on her. They were all big men, and their size intimidated her. She was used to Mal leaning over her, threatening and bullying, but he seemed like a petulant child by comparison.

  The Man was enormous, his clean-shaven head glistening with the sweat of irritation and his eyes so dark they almost seemed alien. But the thing Suzie noticed above everything else were his hands. Huge square hands covered in heavy gold rings. Hands that could do a lot of damage with very little effort.

  The second man – Jake, The Man had called him – was a bit smaller and lighter than the others, but there was something about him that turned Suzie’s stomach to water. He was incredibly handsome, his face only slightly marred by an angry-looking scratch across his cheek. His nose and lips were finely shaped, and his eyes were a very strange but beautiful shade of green. But beyond the perfect features lay a cruelty – a violence that Suzie could almost taste. He seemed to hate her, and even though she knew they all hated her for being part of the Pasha thing and for having that money, none of the others were giving off such strong vibes of malevolence.

  The third man, the one whose house this was, was as tall as The Man, but not as broad or muscular. And of the three, he seemed the most ill at ease with having her there. She wondered how far he was prepared to allow them to go with her – here in his house, his cellar. Surely he wouldn’t let them kill her? Surely he wouldn’t be stupid enough to put himself on the line just as a favour for his friends?

  ‘Right then, Red,’ The Man said when they were all standing around her. ‘Tell me where you got my money.’

  Suzie looked up at him wide-eyed. ‘The post office,’ she whispered.

  He leaned forward with his hands on his knees, his face just inches from hers. ‘Don’t fuck with me,’ he said, his voice low and menacing. ‘I ain’t letting you go until you tell me the truth, so you’d better start talking. That money is mine, and there’s no way you could have got your bleached-out hands on it unless you had something t’do with Pasha getting killed. Do you understand what I’m saying? I know you had something to do with it, and if you don’t start talkin’, I’m gonna get real mad! Now I’ll ask you once more. Where . . . did . . . you . . . get it?’

  Suzie understood, all right. It wouldn’t help her to carry on lying about the post office. So she opted for saying nothing – which only fuelled the flame.

  The slap knocked her head into the wall with a sickening thud. She was stunned for a moment, then nauseous and dizzy. Her eyes rolled as she tried to focus, and her ears seemed to explode in a rushing, hissing cacophony of noise – so loud that she almost couldn’t hear what the men were saying as they discussed what to do with her.

  Then, suddenly, the room became a vacuum devoid of all sound as she saw Max open his strongbox and take out a gun. He handed it to The Man, who then pointed it at her face. Opening her mouth to scream, she felt the cold steel ramming between her lips. Gagging wildly, she stared at him.

  ‘That’s better,’ he said, pulling the gun out and brushing it slowly along her lip. ‘Now, where were we? Oh, yeah . . . Where did you get my money? And if you don’t tell me I’ll start tekkin’ little bits off you. Let’s see, now . . . Where should I start?’

  ‘Hands and feet,’ Jake suggested. ‘Very painful, but no danger of her dying!’

  ‘Good idea.’ The Man grinned. ‘Hands it is, then!’

  Jake took a dangerous-looking flick knife from his pocket and sliced through the twine binding Suzie’s hands. He drew the flat of the blade slowly across her cheek before flicking it shut, then grabbed her wrist and slammed it flat against the wall, holding her firmly so The Man had a clear shot at the hand.

  ‘Last chance,’ The Man hissed.

  Suzie’s eyes swam. She felt the numbness rush up her cheeks as darkness swept across her vision. There was a rushing in her head and she was dimly aware of the warm trickle running down her legs as her bladder gave way to the fear. Then, mercifully . . . Nothing.

  ‘She’s fainted.’ Jake grinned. ‘And look. She’s pissed herself!’

  ‘Good,’ The Man said, pulling a chair from the corner of the cellar and sitting down to wait for her to wake up. ‘She’s good and scared, so this shouldn’t take long. And if she still doesn’t give it up when she comes round, I’ll take her little finger off. That does it every time!’

  ‘And the rest!’ Max said, pointing at the gun. ‘You’ll take half her arm and part of the wall out if you shoot her with that!’

  The Man turned the gun over in his hand, admiring its sleek lines. ‘That good, eh?’ he said. ‘It’s a nice piece, man. What do you want for it?’

  Max shook his head. ‘Sorry, man. It ain’t on the market. Hey.’ He nodded towards the girl. ‘She’s coming round.’

  Suzie opened her eyes, hoping against hope that it was just a horrible nightmare. But it was all too real. The Man was sitting in front of her now, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and the gun still in his hand – still pointing at her. She was aware of the cold wetness between her legs and blushed with s
hame. This was more humiliating than anything she’d ever experienced, and she almost wished The Man had shot her. At least it would all be over now.

  ‘What’s your name?’ The Man asked her quietly.

  ‘Su-Suzie,’ she stuttered.

  ‘How old are you Suzie?’

  ‘Seventeen. N-nearly eighteen.’

  ‘And where you live?’

  ‘In the Crescents.’

  ‘Wid your folks?’

  ‘N-no. My b-boyfriend, Mal.’

  Max’s ears instantly pricked up. ‘Just a minute. You say Mal? An’ you live in the Crescents?’

  Suzie nodded.

  ‘ ’S up?’ The Man asked. ‘You know this dude?’

  ‘Nah,’ Max shook his head. ‘It’s just the name rings a bell.’ He turned back to the girl. ‘You know Stevo?’

  Suzie frowned, trying to remember. ‘I don’t know. I think I’ve heard the name somewhere.’

  ‘Scottish bloke,’ Max went on. ‘Black hair. Dealer.’

  Suzie thought hard. ‘Oh, yeah,’ she said after a moment. ‘He knows Mal. Does he sell coke?’

  Max slapped a hand on his thigh and turned to The Man. ‘That’s it, star! It wasn’t Millie, it was Mal! I told you Stevo said a name an’ I couldn’t remember it proper, yeah? I thought it sounded like Millie or Melly or sump’n. Remember? Well, it was Mal! He’s the dude who took your money round to Stevo!’

  ‘Well, well!’ The Man said. ‘Looks like we found our bwoy! What number you live at, Suzie?’

  Suzie started to cry. ‘Oh please . . .’ she sobbed. ‘What are you going to do?’

  ‘First thing I’m gonna do is find out what you know about all this,’ The Man said. ‘You help me now, an’ I promise I won’t hurt you. But you start playin’ fuckeries with me, I’ll punish you. Understand, Suzie?’ Suzie nodded. ‘Good girl,’ he said, smiling. ‘Now let’s start with the money. Your man give you this?’