by June Tate
George Coleman wasn’t wasting any time. He knew that he had to formulate a plan and quickly. He didn’t like the way things were shaping up and no way was he going to let Pat Daniels dispose of his own son.
Although he’d given up his life of crime after Vittorio’s death, he’d kept in touch with a number of villains. He was still respected for being the hard man that he was. The fact that he’d gone straight hadn’t for one moment been a loss of respect in any way, which stood him in good stead and he was able to call in a few favours, knowing that he wouldn’t be refused.
Jack Mills was found and followed wherever he went, his movements reported back to Coleman. George had stepped up the watch on young Daniels so that he was well protected and now they’d have to wait until Mills made his move.
Johnny was well aware of George’s arrangements because the other man had shared them with him. But knowing what his father planned was understandably making Johnny very nervous. It was like sitting beneath the sword of Damocles, waiting for it to drop. But he hadn’t spent time with Pat in earlier days not to have learned how things worked. There were many ways of hitting a target with firepower. At home, at work, from a distance with a rifle; but he dismissed the latter. Mills was holding a gun small enough to be hidden, according to what Sandy had seen. Or in a crowded place. This option had its weaknesses. The hit man would have to take a chance of getting away in the panic that followed or, being seen, using the firearm again. Johnny dismissed that, too. Mills didn’t take chances.
Each day Johnny changed his routine. He left home at different times, took various routes to his office. He never told anyone when he was going to check their work and made sure that if he made a call on a prospective client, the day and time was never made public. He couldn’t do any more. The rest was up to George’s small army of watchdogs.
This all seemed to be successful as the week passed by without incident, until Johnny was having a quiet drink in the Club Valletta with George and Victoria walked in, the cab driver behind her carrying her case.
The two men looked at her with horror.
‘What the bloody hell are you doing here?’ Johnny demanded.
‘Well, thanks for the warm greeting!’ She looked at both of them. ‘Sorry, but being in Malta was driving me crazy, so I came home.’
‘You shouldn’t have done that, Victoria,’ George said quietly. ‘For once you should have listened to others. Those who knew best.’
When he spoke quietly like that, Victoria knew he was really angry. Even Johnny looked displeased and, shaking his head in despair, said, ‘How could you have been so foolish?’
It was only then she realized she’d made a big mistake. ‘Sorry, darling, I just needed to be with you.’ She gazed up at him, willing him to understand.
‘It’s not that I didn’t miss you, Victoria, I did, like hell, but now you’ve made things more complicated.’ He looked at George. ‘What do we do now?’
Letting out a deep sigh George said, ‘I’ll have to think about it.’
Victoria wasn’t a fool, she realized that things were now more serious. ‘Right, don’t beat about the bush. Tell me what’s happening? And no lies!’
George gave her all the details, then said, ‘So you see, Victoria, you’ve complicated things considerably. Mills could get to Johnny through you, if we’re not careful.’
‘Yes, I see. I’m sorry. What do you want me to do?’
Coleman spoke. ‘Well, you certainly can’t stay at your flat. You’d better stay with your mother for a few days. Don’t leave the hotel unless one of my men comes with you.’
‘Can I go and pack some fresh clothes? It’s cooler here. I’ve only clothes for a warmer climate.’
George glowered at her. ‘Very well. Johnny’s man can go with you, then take you to your mother’s before he comes back here for Johnny. Now you listen to me and listen good. You do not deviate from anything I tell you. Understand?’
‘I promise, I have already made a mess of things. Sorry.’ She kissed her lover and followed the man out of the building.
Across the road, her exit was observed by a stranger. A man who’d been brought in from London by Jack Mills. Mills had spent years dodging the law and was very soon aware that he was being followed, but he had made a few other contingency plans which, up to now, had not been discovered. When he was told of Victoria’s return, his eyes lit up.
‘Well, that is interesting,’ he said, with a slow, sly smile. ‘Keep tabs on her all the time and let me know her movements.’ He lit a cigarette. He was a patient man and knew, if he waited, someone would slip up somewhere and he’d be able to strike. Impatience, he had learned, had ruined many a careful plan and he was not going to make any mistakes.
George Coleman had called Lily at the hotel just before Victoria arrived. He had to give her the full picture of what was going on, so she would realize the importance of keeping her daughter safe. She, naturally, was horrified. It was like the old days with Vittorio; days she’d thought she’d left behind when he had died, and now her concerns about Victoria’s association with Johnny Daniels had materialized. Mixing with the underworld would always bring problems. It was a way of life. One she hadn’t wanted for her daughter, knowing the dangers first hand, and she was furious with Victoria for being so headstrong. A point she made very clear when Victoria arrived at the hotel and was shown into her private accommodation.
‘How could you have been so stupid?’ She glared angrily at her daughter. ‘You knew that it was unwise to return to Southampton. Bruce gave you a safe place to stay, which, under the circumstances, was amazing! Yet you throw all that back in his face to come back to Southampton. I didn’t realize how self-centred you were.’
Victoria looked at her mother in astonishment. This wasn’t the greeting she’d expected and she didn’t know what to say. She tried to explain.
‘I had to come back, Mum. I couldn’t bear being so far away not knowing if Johnny was safe or not.’
‘And now you’ve only added to his problem! Don’t you think he’s got enough on his plate without you turning up? Well, my girl, you must now stop behaving like a spoiled brat and do as you’re told. Do you understand?’
Victoria felt about five years old. ‘Yes I do understand. I’m truly sorry.’ She looked crestfallen, but her mother was not impressed.
‘You are in the bedroom next door and you can use my sitting room, but you’ll have your meals sent up here and not venture into the dining room. You need to keep out of sight. Here you’re safe. I’ll inform my staff to be wary of the people who come into the hotel, to eye everyone with suspicion.’
‘I’m sorry to give you such a problem,’ said Victoria. ‘I won’t be any trouble, I promise.’
‘It was only then that Lily relented and took Victoria into her arms and hugged her. ‘I didn’t want you to be involved in the same world as your father. I wanted to keep you away from all that.’
It was then that Victoria told her mother about finding her grandfather’s grave and the woman who had taught Vittorio at school.
Lily smiled as she remembered. ‘Despite his way of life, your father was extremely well read and he did have a love of art. He told me about his teacher who had inspired him. How wonderful that you were able to meet her.’
‘What would he have done in the situation we are now in?’ asked Victoria.
Knowing that Vittorio would have been ruthless in dealing with Pat’s men, who would have probably ended up floating in Southampton’s docks, she didn’t want Victoria to know this.
‘We’ll never know,’ she said. ‘Look, I have to go and work. You get unpacked. There’s the newspaper and some books you can read. I’ll get the chef to prepare a tray for you. I’ll see you later.’
Victoria walked over to the window. The room faced Watt’s Park and she watched the locals walking through and driving round, knowing that she had been banned from doing the same. Whereas in Malta she had been free, now she was a prisoner w
ithin these walls, through her own foolishness. But in her heart she knew that she’d never have been able to stay away. She needed to be here, to be on top of what was happening. At least she hoped that Johnny would be able to come and see her. She needed to be able to reach out and touch him, to know that he was safe, not to have to wait, miles away, wondering. It would have driven her crazy. She turned away. It was time to unpack.
Her presence at the window had been noted by the stranger, leaning against a tree opposite the hotel, keeping watch. No doubt she wouldn’t leave the building today, he thought, so he stubbed out his cigarette and walked away.
A little later, the stranger sat with Jack Mills, trying to figure out a way to fulfil their task.
‘Young Johnny is being very smart,’ said Mills. ‘He knows the score. After all, he was brought up to know how to cover his tracks, to keep safe and George Coleman has him well covered. However . . . now that his girlfriend is back, he is vulnerable.’
‘In what way do you mean?’
‘He’ll want to see her and she obviously wants to be with him or why would she return? Our Miss Teglia is a bit of a firecracker; she has a mind of her own. She won’t enjoy being shut in away from her business. Before long she’ll be back at the club, mark my words, then we’ll have more of a chance.’
‘You seem very certain about this.’
‘I’d put money on it! Just you wait and see.’
Twenty-Four
Victoria was pacing the floor of her bedroom. It had been three days since she’d moved into her mother’s hotel and she was restless. She picked up the telephone and called George Coleman at the club.
‘Look, Uncle George, this is ridiculous! I’m like a spare part here doing absolutely nothing, when I could be at the club working.’ She heard him sigh.
‘So what are you suggesting?’ he asked.
‘That I be allowed to come back to work. After all, I’ll be safe inside the building and you can make sure there is someone with me when I come back here at night.’ There was a long silence on the other end of the line. ‘Are you still there?’
‘Yes, Victoria, I’m thinking.’ George knew her for the headstrong woman she was and he knew that if she remained at the hotel she was liable to take things into her own hands, whereas if she were at the club working, he could maintain some control over her.
‘Very well. I’ll send someone to collect you, but Victoria . . . you must give me your word you won’t ever leave the building without one of the bodyguards. It’s the only way I can be sure of your safety.’
‘Oh, thank you! I promise, really I do.’
‘Fine, be ready in half an hour. Wait in your room until the receptionist tells you someone is there to collect you.’ He rang off.
Victoria was jubilant. At least now she would feel useful instead of being a drag on everyone and when the call came from the reception she raced down the stairs rather than wait for the lift.
‘Let’s go,’ she told the man who was waiting for her and made for the front door.
He caught hold of her arm. ‘Please, wait until I tell you to move.’ He walked to the hotel entrance strolled outside, looked around thoroughly, and then beckoned her over as a car pulled up in front of the building with the engine running. He bundled her into the vehicle, getting in beside her.
‘Drive!’ he told the man at the wheel.
It was then that Victoria suddenly felt the seriousness of it all. This was no game. She was in the middle of something dangerous and menacing. Neither of the men spoke during the journey, but she noticed the driver kept looking in the mirror to see if they were being followed and she wondered if the man sitting beside her was armed. It was like being part of a James Cagney gangster film and she felt goose pimples form on her skin.
When they arrived at the club, she was taken inside at speed. Her escort didn’t leave her until she’d been taken to the office where George Coleman was waiting for her.
‘Come in, Victoria,’ he said. ‘Sit down and listen to me.’
Once she was settled he spoke. ‘I’m not sure just how serious you are taking all this, but let me assure you that all the plans I’ve made are for a reason. I’m trying to keep Johnny alive.’
Her eyes widened. ‘What do you mean exactly?’
‘His father has a contract out on him.’
A wave of nausea swept over her. ‘His father wants him dead?’
‘Yes. Once Johnny fell in love with you he told his father he was going straight. He told him that he no longer wanted to be part of his way of life and, as you know, he gave the police the information about the stolen books after he found out about the burglary of your flat and the flooding of the cellar. He did this to stop any further moves against you because he wasn’t sure just how far Pat would go.’
‘Did he think his father would harm me in some way?’ Her blood ran cold as she spoke.
‘He couldn’t be sure, that’s why he shopped him. Have you any idea just how dangerous a move this was for him to make?’
‘I’m beginning to,’ she admitted. ‘How is it all going to end?’
‘I’ve no idea at the moment.’ He sat back and looked at her. ‘I’ve made a few phone calls to friends and Pat’s organization is thinning out every day, but he still has a few faithful members of his gang working for him – it’s those buggers we have to watch.’
‘Can’t we go to the police?’
‘No. We have no proof of what may happen, certainly not enough to approach them. We have to handle this on our own, in our own way.’
‘Gangland fashion, is that it?’
‘If you like to put it that way, yes.’
She looked stricken. ‘But you’ve been straight for all these years; I don’t want you to end your life behind bars.’
He chuckled softly. ‘Don’t you worry about me, love. I’ll be fine, it’s Johnny we have to worry about.’
‘But how long will he be under this threat? It must be driving him insane with worry.’
‘Pat has to make a move fairly quickly or he’ll lose his authority. We just have to wait. That’s why it’s imperative that you do as you’re told. One false move from you and they’ll have a hold over Johnny and there will be nothing more we can do to protect him.’
‘I’m so sorry I came back. I now know it was a bad mistake. I’ll be very careful, I promise. But I need to work or I’ll go mad.’
George rose to his feet. ‘That’s fine. You’ll be safe here. Apart from the doorman I have a couple of men on duty here to keep an eye on things, so you carry on. Act as normal or the punters will wonder what’s wrong.’ He then brought her up to date with the bookings for the rooms and the restaurant. ‘There are a few new members. I’ve checked them all out, they’re legit.’ He showed her the membership forms.
Victoria, once she’d been through it all, took a deep breath and went out of the office to look after her customers. Very soon she was back into the swing of things, feeling at last that she was being useful. When anyone commented on her absence, she told them she’d taken a break in Malta for a few days, staying with friends.
During the early evening, Victoria noticed one man she didn’t know, sitting quietly drinking beer and reading his paper.
‘Who’s that?’ she asked.
‘That’s Alec Summers, a new member who’s staying with us,’ George informed her. ‘He joined about a week ago. He’s been seconded to the National Provincial Bank to act as manager whilst the proper one is in hospital. I rang the bank to check.’
‘You really have been thorough haven’t you?’
‘It’s the only way to keep ahead of the game, love.’
Victoria watched the studious-looking man. He was neatly dressed in a good suit befitting his position, cleaning his glasses very meticulously before returning to his paper.
I bet he’s a stickler for detail, she thought, and walked away.
Johnny Daniels was on edge. Despite the fact he was never alone and unprotecte
d and had changed his routine daily, he still felt vulnerable. Even knowing his father for the hard man he was, he still couldn’t believe he’d taken a contract out on him. He did think he’d be severely beaten as a punishment if Pat’s men had been able to get to him, but that was all and he was prepared for that. But when he’d got the phone call from a member of another gang, who had no time for his father, who’d heard on the grapevine what was going on, he knew for a fact that the man with the job was Jack Mills.
His shoulders ached with tension and he was short tempered. His men had no idea why, of course, although some wondered among themselves why he’d taken on a bodyguard and one or two had voiced their curiosity. He explained it away by saying he always carried a lot of money on him and that seemed to satisfy most. Today, George Coleman had rung him to tell him that Victoria was back working in the club, which only added to his concerns. He decided to go along and see her this evening to make sure she was all right, but if he could, he would persuade her to return to Malta – and safety.
Victoria was delighted to see her lover when he walked into the bar. She rushed over to him and kissed his cheek, but she couldn’t fail to notice the circles under his eyes, the drawn look on his face.
‘Have you eaten?’ she asked.
He shook his head. ‘I’ve been too busy and somehow I don’t have much of an appetite these days.’
Victoria took a menu off the bar and handed it to him. ‘Right, read this and choose!’ As he went to refuse she glared at him. ‘You must keep up your strength, darling. You look dreadful and I’m not going to sit back and watch you fade away.’
He sighed and made his choice before ordering a large scotch and soda.
‘You look tired, Johnny,’ she said, catching hold of his arm.
‘I’m not sleeping too well these days.’
‘You need someone to cuddle into.’ She smiled. ‘Someone to hold you in their arms and keep you safe.’
‘Oh, I’ve plenty of people keeping me safe, Victoria, and frankly it’s getting on my nerves. I just want to get on with my life!’
