Divided Loyalties

by Heather Atkinson

  “I’ll come back and see him tomorrow,” Rachel told Battler. “Is there anything I can bring?”

  “Thanks but I’ll sort that out. You get some rest.”

  She planted a kiss on Bruiser’s forehead before following Mikey and Alex out of the room.

  Martina greeted her at her front door with a gentle hug, her face tear-streaked. She settled Rachel on the couch, put a blanket over her knees and handed her a brandy. Rachel sank into Mikey‘s arms, as usual his presence comforting.

  “I can’t believe Benton killed my son,” rasped Martina. “I thought if anyone would get him it would be a criminal, not a police officer and a superintendent at that.”

  “We all did,” mumbled Alex, slumping into an armchair.

  “You said Steve was in on it?” said Rachel.

  “Ryan caught him trying to sneak into your garden,” explained Alex. “The plan was for them both to take you out. Benton used the rifle Johnny Jackson was going to shoot that dog with. No one would ever think to check any of the weapons in police evidence. He got Steve to follow you and Danny around to learn your routine. It seems that’s all Steve did. Benton was the one to pull the trigger, he used to be a police sniper before he moved into CID. He murdered Douggie too so he could set you up and cripple our finances. We think Steve was his fall guy if anything came back on him. If it hadn’t been for Bruiser recording his confession on his mobile there would have been no evidence against him.”

  “Apart from my statement,” said Rachel.

  “And whose word do you think the coppers would have taken, yours or his?” said Alex.

  “You’re forgetting, he didn’t intend for me to be able to tell anyone.”

  “True. If it had all gone to plan there would have been nothing linking him to any of it. He and Steve would have killed you and Bruiser and set it up to make it look like Bruiser was the assassin and you were the brains behind it Rach,”

  She stared into her glass as pain engulfed her, furious that Benton thought he could pin her own husband’s murder on her. She looked up at Alex. “He stood there giving me sympathy and studying the crime scene, Danny’s body lying next to him and he didn’t feel a single fucking thing, he was so calm. He shot Danny then he came along like the hero of the hour promising to catch who did it. I wish I’d fucking killed him,” she glowered darkly.

  “I don’t because you’d be the one locked up in a cell right now,” said Martina. “What I don’t understand is why he hates you so much?”

  “Because of Superintendent Jarvis.”

  They all regarded her with surprise. “What’s he got to do with it?” said Alex.

  “You remember when he had that massive heart attack and he was hospitalised?”

  “Yeah, you were his named nurse.” Realisation dawned in Alex’s eyes. “Oh Christ, what did you do?”

  “It’s more a matter of what I didn’t do. When I went into his room at the start of my shift he turned vicious, telling me what he was going to do to you all when he was back on his feet. He got himself so wound up that he had another heart attack. So I turned off the alarm and let him die. I only called for help when I was sure he couldn’t be resuscitated. Somehow Benton knew, instinct or whatever and he always swore he’d get me for it somehow because he couldn’t prove anything. And he did.”

  The room was stunned into silence, broken by Alex. “Who knew about this?”

  “Just Danny. I told him the day it happened and he told me never to mention it again. Not even Frank knew. I killed Danny, didn’t I? If I’d helped Jarvis then Benton would never have had it in for me and he wouldn’t have shot him.”

  “Oh that’s bollocks Rach,” said Mikey firmly. “Jarvis died of natural causes. Even if you had helped him who’s to say he would have lived anyway? If you’d done everything you could to save him he still might have died and Benton still would have blamed you for it because he’s off his head.”

  “Mikey’s right,” said Alex. “You didn’t do anything we wouldn’t have done ourselves. Jarvis wanted to bring our family down for years, long before you came on the scene Rach. Don’t blame yourself for Danny’s death because we don’t.”

  “Course we don’t,” said Martina, hugging her tight. “There’s only one person to blame and that’s Benton, who was just as insane as Jarvis. You’re grieving now but when your head’s clear you’ll see that none of this is your fault.”

  “Thank you,” she rasped, wiping her eyes with a tissue. But she knew she would live with that guilt for the rest of her life.

  CHAPTER 16

  The next day the police visited Rachel at Martina’s house and asked her the same questions all over again. She wearily ploughed through the interviews, wishing they’d just go away and eventually they did. They seemed to find it hard to believe she was actually a victim and tried to get her to incriminate herself but when her story didn’t change a jot they started to believe her. Once they’d left, Martina tried to coax her outside for some fresh air but she refused, just wanting to be alone. Sensing this Martina left her to it and Rachel sighed with relief. Tormented by thoughts of Danny, she cried herself to sleep and was woken by the door opening. Expecting it to be Martina she was surprised to see Ryan walk through the front door.

  “Hi,” she said, pushing herself upright.

  “I thought I’d stop by and see how you’re feeling,“ he said, placing a bunch of lilies on the coffee table.

  “I’m okay. I never got to say thank you properly for coming after me. It was very brave.”

  “I’m just glad you’re alright.”

  “I was so happy when I opened my eyes and you were there. Somehow then I knew everything would be okay.”

  “I’m glad I helped,” he replied, touched. “So, what’s next for you, now that it’s over?”

  “But it’s not over, is it? Benton and Steve are going to be put on trial, this is going to drag on for years. I don’t know if I’ve got the strength for it.”

  “Course you do. Rachel, you’re the strongest person I know.”

  “I’m not as strong as you.”

  “Yes you are, you can do anything and you can do this.”

  She sighed and shook her head, a tear rolling down her face. “I’m so tired Ryan.”

  “Don’t talk like that Rachel, you’ve got to keep going, if only for your daughter.”

  “She’d be better off staying with my mum and dad, I’m not fit to be a parent after everything I’ve done. What kind of life can I offer her?”

  “You’re a good mother and Leah needs you.”

  “But we’re going to be dragged through the press all over again. This is never going to end. Benton’s locked up but he’s still torturing me.”

  “It’s alright,” he soothed, holding her to him when she started to cry, trying not to think about her body pressed against his. “This will get better, I promise you.”

  Benton sat in his cell staring at the four walls, wondering how the hell he’d ended up here. Everything had been planned down to the last detail but it had all blown up in his face. The Maguires had the luck of the devil. He knew he was going down for a long stretch, the authorities didn’t take too kindly to superintendents shooting people.

  Three men entered his cell, closing the door behind them, all violent offenders he’d helped put away. One of them brandished a rope. Benton regarded them resignedly, he’d been expecting this. Considering how bleak his future was, they were probably doing him a favour.

  “This is for Danny and Rachel Maguire,” said the one with the rope.

  Jeremy Hammond hurried across the dimly lit car park to his BMW. He’d worked late many times and had never felt this nervous before, as though someone was watching him. Just as he reached his car a shadowy figure stepped out in front of him and his insides turned to ice.

  “What are you doing here?” he gasped.

  Ryan smiled slyly. “There’s nothing to worry about Jeremy as long as you listen to what I have to say.”
/>   “And what’s that?”

  “I know all about your little Coalition.”

  “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Please, I’m not in the mood for games. I’m talking about the Coalition you set up with a certain crown court judge and a recently disgraced superintendent.”

  “How do you know about that?”

  “I’ve known for a long time you prat. Unless you want the entire country to find out what you’ve been up to you will do me a favour.”

  “What favour?”

  “Every newspaper in your chain will be sympathetic towards Rachel Maguire when covering this story. You will make her out to be an innocent victim, a hardworking businesswoman and mother whose been victimised by a psychotic police officer with an obsession.”

  “And if I don’t?”

  “Your rivals will receive evidence of your part in The Coalition, the same Coalition that tried to murder Martina Maguire and set Rachel up for murder. Not only will you be ruined but you will be put in prison with your good friend Superintendent Benton. Have I made myself clear?”

  “Yes. Is that it? That’s your price?”

  Ryan took a step forward so he was nose to nose with Jeremy, his grey eyes flinty.

  “Yes and if you or the rest of your Coalition bother any of us again, I will bring you all down.”

  With that Ryan disappeared into the night leaving Jeremy to stare after him, shaking.

  Rachel was still at Martina’s house when Alex turned up.

  “I’ve got some news that might cheer you up,” he began.

  “Oh good, I could do with some of that.”

  “Benton’s dead. He hung himself in his cell.”

  Rachel looked incredulous. “Hung himself? Benton?”

  Alex nodded.

  Rachel knew this is a euphemism. Benton was a fighter, he would never have taken his own life but the knowledge that he was gone forever was a huge weight off. There’d be no trial and he could never hurt them again.

  “Thank you,” she smiled.

  “It’s not down to me Rach. I had everything set up but someone got to him before my men could.”

  “Then who?”

  Alex had his suspicions but he was keeping them to himself. “I don’t know.”

  Ryan was astonished to see Rachel walking up to his front door and he hurried to greet her.

  “Hello, this is a pleasant surprise. Come on in.”

  “Thanks.”

  This was the first time she’d been inside Ryan’s home and she was impressed. It was large, elegant and contemporary with every mod con and gadget available.

  “Would you like something to drink?”

  “No thanks.”

  “So, what can I do for you?”

  He sat down on his cream leather couch wearing faded blue jeans and a black t-shirt, looking far too good so early in the morning. But she couldn’t appreciate it. Since Danny’s death she’d lost all interest in men.

  “I’ve come to say goodbye.”

  “You’re leaving?” he frowned.

  “I’m going to stay with Mum and Dad in Devon for a while, I need to get away to get my head straight.”

  He relaxed a little. “So it’s just a holiday?”

  “Yes but I don’t know for how long. So much has happened and I’m all over the place.”

  “Will you come back?”

  “I have to, there’s the house and the clubs. But if I do return it might only be temporary.”

  A pain pierced his chest and he tried not to grimace. “How long will you be gone?”

  “I don’t know that either. It could be a month or it could be a year.”

  “You’ll be missed.”

  She sat beside him on the couch and hugged him tightly. “I wanted to say thank you for, how shall I say it? Eliminating Benton.”

  “How did you know it was me?”

  “Alex said it wasn’t him and there’s only one other man I know with such a long reach. Steve had a breakdown when he was arrested. That, along with his physical condition means he’s not fit to face trial so he’s been admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Now there’s no court case to worry about, which is a huge relief. I can put it all behind me and get on with my life and that means so much.”

  She kissed him on the cheek and he fought the impulse to kiss her on the mouth. She was nowhere near ready for that yet.

  “Do you think one day you’ll be ready for another man?” he said.

  “I hope so but I can’t say when that will be. I’m so messed up, I can’t see anything clearly anymore.”

  “Take your time. I’ll still be here.”

  She smiled. “Goodbye Ryan.”

  “Goodbye Rachel.”

  He watched her go, praying that goodbye wasn‘t final.

  Rachel found Devon very therapeutic. The story of Benton’s crimes was so big it had even reached the pretty town of Dawlish in South Devon. Fortunately Jeremy’s newspapers portrayed her as the innocent businesswoman who was the object of a madman’s obsession, an obsession which made her a widow at such a young age. All the other newspapers took up the clamour and she came out of it with public sympathy firmly on her side. The people of Dawlish had been extremely welcoming and Rachel was enjoying spending time with Leah and her parents and the most difficult decision she had to make was where to go for lunch.

  The days turned into weeks and spring turned into summer. Months passed by and when the weather became colder and the leaves started to fall from the trees Rachel found she was still reluctant to return to Manchester. She rented a holiday cottage for herself and Leah a few doors down from her parents. Although she loved them to bits she found all of them living together a bit claustrophobic and she liked her own space.

  Rachel kept in regular contact with the Maguires and at first they kept asking when she was coming home but eventually they stopped, probably assuming she wasn’t, which was a relief because she didn’t know the answer to that herself. She was sorely tempted to stay in Devon and start over again, away from the Maguires and the violence but she would miss them all terribly. She’d miss working in the clubs, the bustle of the city and, even though it pained her to admit it when she hadn’t been widowed a year, she’d miss Ryan. They’d spoken to each other regularly over the phone and she enjoyed their chats. There had always been something special between them and it was still there, much to her shame.

  She missed Danny every second of every day. Each morning she woke up alone and was seized by a bout of weeping and most days it was an effort just to get out of bed but Ryan’s calls gave her the impetus to keep going, they were something to look forward to. If she returned to Manchester she was certain something would eventually blossom between them but she didn’t know if she’d ever be ready for that.

  As Danny had left her a considerable sum of money she was considering branching out in business. There was a spa on the outskirts of Dawlish that she visited each week and she loved its gentle welcome and soothing atmosphere. She started to envision opening her own hi-tech place with state of the art equipment and therapies, just like Danny wanted. The more she thought about it the more excited she got about the idea. After mulling it over for a couple of weeks and doing some research her decision was made. She was going back to Manchester.

  “Please don’t go,” begged her mum. “You’ve been so happy here and it’s lovely seeing you and Leah every day.”

  “I know, its been wonderful but Manchester is my home.”

  “If you return you’ll be dragged back into that world. You’re how you were before you met Danny, my lovely girl, but if you go back you’ll become that other woman again.”

  “What other woman?”

  “The cold hard one, the one I don’t recognise and who, to be honest, scares me.”

  Rachel had no idea she affected her mum like that and was appalled. “I’m not going back to that life, I swear. I’m out of it for good. I want to open a spa, a legitimate business
. It’s what Danny wanted for us both. The spa was his idea…” She trailed off at the memory of their last conversation and was choked with tears. “Unfortunately it was too late for him but not for me. I’m not going to risk my life again and especially not Leah’s.”

  Gill started to cry and Rachel hugged her tightly.

  “You and Dad have been brilliant, you put me back together but it’s time I got on with my life.”

  “Rick will you please talk to our daughter?”

  “What do you want me to say? She’s a grown woman, she can do what she likes.” He took Rachel’s hands in his own. “You’ve been to hell and back and come out the other side a stronger woman and for that I’m so proud of you. Just please tell me you’ve learnt your lesson from all this.”

  “I have Dad, I swear. I’m going to open the spa and make a huge success of it and I’ll keep myself and Leah away from my old life.”

  He kissed her forehead. “I believe you Sweetheart.”

  Gill sighed and rolled her eyes at her husband. “You’re too bloody soft.”

  “No I’m not. It’s taking me a lot to let you and Leah go,” he smiled. “But if it doesn’t work out we’ll always be here for you.”

  “That’s good to know.”

  “Is there anything I can say to change your mind?” said Gill.

  “No but we’ll spend Christmas here if that’s okay and go back to Manchester after the New Year?”

  Gill visibly brightened. “Oh that would be lovely.”

  Ryan walked into Martina’s Bar and as usual he thought how drab and lacklustre it was without Rachel, despite how good a job Dolores had done managing it in her absence. She’d been gone for over a year and by all appearances she was never coming back. Even though he missed her every day and his feelings for her hadn’t changed he’d decided it was time to get on with his life. So he’d got a new girlfriend. Her name was Chelsea and she was blond and dumb but very sweet and good in bed. Best of all she didn’t interfere in his lifestyle and let him do pretty much what he wanted. They’d been dating for a couple of months and although he didn’t love her, he never could, he was considering making her long term. He wasn’t getting any younger and he was tired of being alone.