Face in the Frame

by Heather Atkinson

  “If you don’t then I’ll take my displeasure out on your precious Cass. She’s at her lover’s penthouse as we speak. He has very pretty eyes, I might just add them to my collection.”

  “Go ahead. He’s a prick.”

  There was a pause before she added, “I’ll take Cass’s too.”

  Brodie sighed and hung his head. “What do you want?”

  “Tam is going to take you to speak to Malc. Hopefully between you, you can talk some sense into him.”

  “And if we fail?”

  “That would be very bad. For Cass.”

  “Jesus Toni, this is out of order, even for you. It smacks of desperation.”

  “Go with Tam unless you want your little crush to go around with two holes in her face.”

  “That’s just bad taste. I’ll go with Tam but I want you to know that if you ever hurt Cass I’ll be straight round to yours with a pair of pliers and a blowtorch.”

  “Just another Saturday night to me sweetheart,” purred Toni. With that she hung up, leaving him to seethe. He hated not having the last word.

  “You ready?” said Tam.

  “Aye, I’ll get my coat,” he sighed.

  Tam drove in silence while Brodie, never good with silence, shifted about in his seat. “So, where are we going?” he said for the fourth time.

  “Already told you,” said Tam, beady little eyes fixed on the windscreen, peering out into the damp night like a mole.

  “You were a bit vague. All I know is that we’re going to talk to him.”

  “Aye.”

  “So why do you need me? Surely this is family business?”

  “Malc might listen to you because the wank’s no’ listening to me.”

  “I’ve already tried. Didn’t Toni tell you?”

  Tam just nodded.

  Brodie tried not to huff with frustration. “He won’t listen to me because he’s a thick bastard.”

  Tam scowled. “He’s like my son, I raised him from being a wean.”

  “You just called him a wank.”

  “I can, he’s blood. You can’t, unless you want my fist up your arse.”

  “Urgh,” said Brodie, realising this was a very literal threat. “If you want my help you really should start being nicer to me.”

  Tam’s little egg head turned to look at him, eyes widening, jaw sliding to one side, giving him a crooked look. It was also a sign that Brodie had really pissed him off.

  “You’re a fucking gobshite Brodie.”

  “So I’ve been told but I’m getting sick of all the bloody threats. A please wouldn’t go amiss.”

  “Alright. Please stop talking before I stick a knife up your nose.”

  Brodie realised Tam had been looking at him and not at the road for a good ten seconds. Amazingly he was managing to keep the car going in a straight line but it still made him nervous. “Do you want to look forward before we end up wrapped around a tree?”

  Casually Tam turned his attention back to the road, enabling Brodie to breathe again. They didn’t speak for the rest of the journey. Although it was a mammoth effort for Brodie to control his mouth he forced himself to because he was too afraid of Tam ramming them into the back of a car. The man had absolutely no fear, which confirmed that he was a complete psychopath.

  Brodie was glad he and Tam entered Malc’s pub by the back entrance. He didn’t want anyone seeing him in public with a McVay. The door was opened by a man Brodie recognised as one of Malc’s goons who was obviously smart enough not to go up against Toni and Tam.

  “Where is he?” Tam asked the goon.

  “Out front talking with his cronies,” the goon replied.

  “Good. Get him.”

  “I’ll do my best but…”

  “Get him,” snarled Tam, lower jaw sliding to the side again.

  Recognising this as the danger signal it was, the goon rushed off to obey.

  “What if he won’t come through?” said Brodie.

  Tam’s head snapped his way. “Shut mouth or knife up nose.”

  Brodie rolled his eyes and leaned against the wall.

  Fortunately Tam didn’t have to resort to bloodshed as the goon was successful in bringing Malc to them. It was clear he was drunk, walking with the forced stiffness of someone pretending they were sober, a stupid lopsided grin on his face.

  “Alright there Tam? And you’ve brought Brodie. Are you on a date?” said Malc before bursting into laughter.

  “Jeezo Malc, give it a break,” said Brodie. “You sound like a donkey.”

  “My girlfriends say I’m hung like one too,” he grinned.

  “Wipe that daft fucking look off your face,” roared Tam, face turning purple. “We’re here to talk some fucking sense into you, you thick bastard before Toni lops your big wallowping heid off.”

  He chuckled again. “She won’t, she’s just a woman.”

  Tam’s jaw did the sliding thing again, causing Malc’s grin to drop.

  “I saw her cut someone’s bollocks off once with a rusty knife,” said Tam.

  “Bollocks? Was it a bloke?” said Malc.

  Tam’s piggy eyes blinked at him, disbelieving of what he’d just heard. “Course it was a fucking bloke you silly bastard, but he wasn’t when she was finished with him. Do you want that to happen to you?”

  The grin returned. “She hasn’t got a knife big enough for me.”

  “You think?” exclaimed Tam, drawing a knife from inside his jacket. “This big enough for you?”

  Malc’s massive Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. “Just take it easy Tam.”

  “Stop winding me up then. I raised you from a wee wean, I’m your da and you will listen to me.”

  “I’m done listening Tam. All my life Toni’s treated me like a thick bastard, using me as a heavy, not letting me in on the real business. Now it’s my time and if she doesn’t like it then tough. She should have given me a chance when she had the chance…but now her chance is gone and…she’s not getting a chance again.” He ended this tirade with a loud belch and a confused look, repeating what he’d just said back to himself with a frown.

  Tam looked to Brodie. “Well say something. I didn’t bring you along to stand there looking fucking ugly.”

  “You McVay’s really have the gift of the gab, don’t you?” said Brodie wryly. He looked to Malc. “Seriously Malc, just stop this now.”

  “No’ you again. You’ve already told me that.”

  “Well I’m telling you again because it didn’t sink in the first time. If you carry on like this you’re going to end up dead and so are a lot of other people.”

  “You siding with them now Brodie? Has Toni finally got you in her pocket?”

  “I don’t work for her,” he retorted. “I’m here to save lives, mainly yours. Again. I should have just let you bloody drown, it would have saved me a lot of trouble. Right now I could be tucked up at home with a nice glass of red.”

  “Red wine?” snorted Malc. “You fucking lassie.”

  Brodie turned to Tam. “You see how he is? He’s impossible. Let’s go, we’re wasting our time.”

  “One more step and this will end up your neb,” Tam called, thrusting the knife into the air as Brodie turned towards the door.

  Brodie released a heavy sigh and stopped, completely pissed off.

  “We mean it Malc,” continued Tam. “You don’t stop this crap now then it’s war and you’ll lose.”

  Malc’s grin was wicked. “Then it’s war.”

  “Fine. Your cock is going to be on the floor.”

  “It already is,” he replied before bursting into laughter.

  “Give it up Tam, it’s pointless,” said Brodie. “Woah,” he exclaimed when Tam drew a huge machete from inside his jacket.

  Malc abruptly went silent, staring at the tip of the brutal blade in astonishment.

  “I should just end it while we’re here,” said Tam.

  “Just take it easy,” said Brodie. “There’s no need for this.”r />
  “Need to stop war. Now,” said Tam, eyes widening, jaw jutting to one side, revealing a set of small white teeth.

  Malc backed away, holding up his hands. “Alright Tam, we’ll talk about it.”

  “You won’t listen,” said Tam, advancing on him. “Just make jokes.”

  “I won’t, I’ll listen. We can have a sit down…”

  Brodie chuckled to himself as Tam continued to advance on Malc who was twice his size while the big man continued to back up with a panicked look. There was nothing like a psychopath with a blade to get someone to change their mind.

  “You going to stop this shite?” said Tam.

  “I…” Malc looked to Brodie. “Aren’t you going to do something?”

  Brodie grinned and folded his arms across his chest. “I can laugh.”

  “You’re no fucking help,” barked Malc before turning his attention back to the advancing lunatic. “Tam, listen, I’ll sit down with you and Toni, talk it through. Maybe we can divide things, so we all get a share?”

  Tam pointed the tip of the blade at him. “You get nothing except this right up yer arse.”

  “Tam,” cried Malc when he lunged at him. “You seriously going to chop me up here with loads of people in the pub?”

  “Aye and I’ll enjoy it. Little bastard needs teaching a lesson.”

  “Brodie, help,” yelled Malc.

  “Got any popcorn and opera glasses?” called back Brodie.

  “Fat fucking lot of use you are,” Malc shrieked. “Okay Tam, I’ll knock it on the head.”

  Tam hesitated. “You mean it?”

  “Yes. Look, I just wanted to strike out on my own, see if I could do it and I could. Can’t you convince Toni to give me a chance?”

  Tam lowered the blade, head tilted to one side with a crooked frown. “Really?”

  “Yes really. Set up the meet. I’ll return to the fold, just please stop,” he ended weakly, now stone cold sober.

  Tam glared at him before sliding the machete back in his jacket. “I’ll talk to her.”

  “Thank you,” breathed Malc. “Can I go back to the pub now? I need a big fucking drink.”

  “Aye, go on then. You’d better not be fucking with me.”

  “I wouldn’t dare,” said Malc, holding up his hands, eyes continuously flicking to Tam’s jacket where the machete was concealed.

  Tam glared at him, eyes widening, jaw sliding again before it snapped back into position. He gave Malc a nod before turning on his heel, walking right past Brodie and out the door.

  “Sensible move,” Brodie told Malc before leaving too.

  Outside Brodie had to make a desperate leap into the car as it seemed Tam was going to drive off without him.

  “Forgotten about me?” said Brodie as he pulled on his seatbelt.

  “Can’t. You talk too much,” muttered Tam, hunched over the steering wheel.

  “That was hilarious back there. I’m amazed Malc still had dry pants.”

  “He knew I was serious.”

  “You really would have hacked him up?”

  “Aye. Business first.”

  A chill shot down Brodie’s spine. It was easy to forget sometimes just how big a lunatic Tam was. He looked like someone’s tubby little grandad.

  After driving for ten minutes Brodie realised he wasn’t being driven home. “You must have taken a wrong turn Tam. This isn’t the way to my place.”

  “Not going there,” he replied, eyes wide and unblinking, staring straight ahead.

  “Where are we going?” said Brodie, voice tight, struggling to contain his annoyance, very mindful of the machete Tam carried.

  “Toni.”

  “Oh great,” he sighed.

  Brodie’s unease only grew when Tam drove them to an abandoned warehouse. Bad things happened to people in abandoned warehouses, he should know, he’d seen enough corpses left by people lured there in the middle of the night, just like was happening to him.

  “What are we doing here?” he asked Tam when the car rolled to a halt.

  “You talk to Toni,” was all he said before climbing out of the car.

  Brodie remained where he was, peering into the darkness, but he could see nothing.

  A bang on the window made him jump and he saw Tam glaring at him through the glass. “Come on.”

  Brodie was glad he’d hidden the knife inside his jacket before leaving the flat earlier. He made a point of not being in the company of a McVay without back-up or a weapon.

  Reluctantly Brodie got out of the car and followed a waddling Tam inside the warehouse. It was a relief to walk into light, a small portable lamp sitting on an upturned crate. Toni was there in all her finery, encased in the fur coat and lots of diamonds, Caesar by her side, who drew his gun when Brodie entered.

  “Now Caesar, this is just a friendly chat,” she said.

  Caesar glowered at Brodie before holstering the gun.

  “I hope you mean that,” said Brodie.

  “Of course.”

  He glanced around the manky derelict building. “I didn’t think this was your style Toni.”

  “I’m thinking of buying it. I want to expand.”

  “Into what?”

  She threw back her head. “You do remember what curiosity did to the cat, don’t you?”

  “You mean it’s none of my business. So, what do you want from me now?”

  Toni’s smile was wicked. “Don’t worry Mr Brodie, it’s nearly over.”

  “Not permanently I hope?”

  “Of course not. You’re far too entertaining, although I know Caesar disagrees. What I want is to hear your take on Malc tonight.”

  “Well, Tam scared the living shit out of him and he ended up begging him not to hurt him and he promised to return to the fold.”

  “Excellent. Do you think he’ll stick to his word?”

  “If he’s any sense he will but, in my experience, Malc doesn’t. I wouldn’t be surprised if, when he’s got over his fright, he’s back to his old melon-heided defiance.”

  “Interesting.” Toni looked to Tam, who also nodded. “Right, we’ve taken up enough of your time Mr Brodie. You can go.”

  “We’re miles from my flat. Anyone going to give me a lift?”

  “Sorry, we’re going in the other direction. We’ve tickets for the ballet tonight, don’t we Tam?”

  “Aye,” he nodded.

  “Tam, at the ballet?” said Brodie, trying not to smirk.

  “Aye. How no?” frowned Tam, jaw sliding to the side.

  “Nothing.” When they all walked away he called, “so you’re just going to leave me here?”

  Toni stopped and turned. “You’re a big man Mr Brodie, in many ways I’m told. I’m sure you can get yourself home.”

  “Oh thanks,” he exclaimed as they left, Caesar’s bark of laughter pissing him off even more.

  CHAPTER 14

  Brodie walked into the office the next morning feeling tired and a bit shivery. After the McVays had abandoned him twelve miles from his flat he’d been forced to walk until he’d reached civilisation and managed to flag down a passing taxi. He’d been unable to call one as Tam hadn’t allowed him to take his mobile phone with him.

  All he wanted to do was flop into his office chair with a huge mug of hot coffee, but he realised his dream of peace was going to be shattered when the first thing he saw was Christian and Ross huddled together in a corner, whispering furtively.

  “What’s up with you pair of fannies?” he said. “Don’t tell me you’ve broken something else?”

  “No Boss,” replied Christian. “It’s Cass, she’s on the warpath.”

  “Who’s pissed her off?” he said, suspicious eyes flicking between the two of them.

  “Dunno but she keeps throwing things and yelling at people who ring up.”

  “Where is she?”

  “In your office.”

  Brodie craned his neck to peer through the gaps in the blinds to see Cass having a fall out with h
is printer, repeatedly slamming it with her fist.

  “Leave it to me Ladies,” he said before heading to his office door.

  “Stupid bastarding thing,” he heard her bellow, followed by a thud and the cracking of plastic.

  Brodie hesitated, glancing back over his shoulder at Christian and Ross, who gave him encouraging nods.

  Taking a deep breath he opened the door to find Cass still beating up his printer, yelling oaths.

  “Woah, what’s it done to you?” he exclaimed.

  Her head snapped up, jaw set. “It pissed me off, the stupid, useless lump of shite.”

  “Hey, that’s enough,” he said when she resumed thumping it, having to raise his voice to be heard over the sound of smashing plastic.

  Fortunately she stopped hitting the printer, which Brodie thought was probably beyond saving.

  “Sit down and tell me what’s got your back up hen,” he said.

  Cass sighed, threw herself into his chair and folded her arms across her chest. “It’s nothing.”

  “If it was nothing my printer would still be alive. You’re not leaving this room until you tell me.”

  She sighed again and rolled her eyes. “Fine. It’s Lucas.”

  “What’s the prick done? I’ll throttle him with his own hair.”

  “That won’t be necessary. He dumped me.”

  Brodie just gaped at her, attempting to fathom why any man would dump this goddess. If he had her he’d hold on tight with both hands. Literally. “What happened?”

  “He found out what I really do for a living.”

  “How?”

  “Oliver, his agent, did some snooping.”

  “Sneaky wee bastard. So he grassed you up?”

  “And he took great pleasure in it. He’s always hated me.”

  “Why?”

  “Because he can’t stand anyone getting close to Lucas, I think he’s in love with him. Anyway, Lucas confronted me about it, we argued, he dumped me. End of.”

  Any delight Brodie may have felt about this turn of events was eradicated by the misery her pained expression was causing him. “He’s a bawbag and he doesn’t deserve you.”

  “I can’t really blame him. I did lie to him.”

  “For a good reason. Does he know why you were at that exhibition in the first place?”

  “God no. There’s no way I’m telling him that.” She smiled humourlessly. “I was stupid to think a relationship that had started with such a huge lie could go anywhere.” Her big doe eyes filled with sadness. “But I did hope it would.”