Brutal Retribution

by Clive Barry

  ‘Ya hello.’

  ‘Mornin’ bro, yeh gonna come and get me? Should be landin’ ashore within the next half hour or so.’

  ‘On me way best mate.’

  Mike was up and dressed within a few short minutes, leaving the other two snoring fast asleep while he went by himself to fetch his brother.

  He drove the Mondeo through the not so busy streets of town on a Saturday morning, the time now creeping up to nearly eight o’clock and the drive taking him all of twenty minutes.

  Mike parked the car outside the double gates, which were already open and when he looked inside, the tractor was already gone. Someone else was out and about this morning, he would just have to wait, then his phone rang again.

  ‘Ya, hello.’

  ‘Alright mate, where are yeh?’

  ‘Up at the compound, someone’s got the tractor out.’

  ‘Yeh, it’s old Albert, he picked up our trailer and he’s bringin’ me in now, just stay and hang tight, I’ll be there in a mo’.’

  Mike ran over the Esplanade and could see the tractor pulling the trailer with the Bonny Doris on the back. They were just coming up onto the slipway, so Mike walked out and stopped the traffic allowing them to drive straight cross the Esplanade into the compound with old Albert swinging it all around and reversing into their parking space like the true professional that he was. Mike disconnected the trailer and Albert the daytime watchman drove off with a friendly wave and a tenner in his pocket.

  Paul didn’t wait for the ladder, he jumped over the gunwale landing on his feet in front of Mike as though it was the most natural thing in the world to do.

  ‘Away kid, let’s go get some breckies somewhere, I could fuckin’ murder a big bacon stottie and a pot of tea.’

  ‘Are yeh okay our Paul?’

  ‘Aye son, why?’

  ‘Just with yeh bein’ out there by yeh self and doin’ what yeh did, that’s all. Yeh sure yeh okay?’

  Paul put his arm around his kid brothers shoulder as they walked to the car.

  ‘Mikey, it was just a job that needed doin’ mate. The worlds a far better place now and there’s nobody gonna come lookin’ for either us or them. As far as we know Demaci and Hamiti musta escaped and got outta the fuckin’ country, back to where ever they fuckin’ came from and if anyone asks that’s all we need to say. We don’t know fuck all else.’

  Mike nodded his agreement, Paul was probably right, he usually was. They headed back to the house where there should be a couple of packs of smoked shoulder bacon left. So long as the Timber hadn’t found them yet.

  Jockie and the Timber were up when they got back and after the preliminary chit chat, Paul went up to the bathroom for a shower and a change of clothes, coming down to the beautiful aroma of bacon sandwiches that Mike had fried up for everyone.

  They all sat around the kitchen worktop with the two bootneck’s asking what was next on the agenda.

  ‘That’s it lads, it’s all over, we can all get on with the rest of our fuckin’ lives hopefully. I guess you two will be wanting to get on yeh way back home again?’

  It was Jockie who replied.

  ‘Aye lads, if you’re no wantin’ us to stay for owt, I may as well head back this mornin’. My missus will have a list of fuckin’ jobs set out for us when I get back. Might even treat her to a night out in a posh hotel wi’ the pennies yeh gave us. They’ll definitely come in handy lads, tah very much.’

  ‘Yes gents, I’ll probably do the same and head home. It’s been an absolute pleasure seeing you all again and if at any time you require a large black man for anything menial, then don’t hesitate in calling me.’

  With that, the two of them collected their belongings gave hugs all round and Timber drove Jockie around to pick up his car, still parked outside Sally’s house.

  ‘This place feels fuckin’ empty Mike.’

  ‘Aye, I know, nice innit?’

  ‘We need to get tidied up and go see our Sal, make sure everything’s all right at her end. Have yeh got her share of the loot?’

  ‘Aye, it’s in an envelope, why?’

  ‘Bring it with us, we’ll go ‘round to her place for a cuppa.’

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE

  Mike drove them both to Sally’s house, with Paul dozing off in the passenger seat. The drive only took fifteen minutes.

  ‘Anybody in,’ shouted Paul opening the unlocked door.

  ‘Away in lads, I just put the kettle on.’

  ‘Why yeh musta known we were on our way pet.’

  ‘I did. I got back through the night. Dave woke up and was all groggy from the anaesthetic but the nurses said he was gonna sleep for about the next twelve hours straight, so I grabbed a taxi and came home for a couple of hours kip. I just had a shower and spoke to his mam to let her know what was happenin’ then I saw big Timber and Jockie pull up so I went out to say tarah and thanks for all their help. They told us they were all finished and headin’ home, so is that it? Is it all over and done with now then?’

  ‘Aye, that should be the fuckin’ end of it.’

  ‘Do I ask how or where or anything?’

  ‘No!’

  ‘Oh! Okay then, so what’s next?’

  ‘Well, unfortunately we gotta sort Mam and Dads stuff out next. But that’ll wait ‘til after the weekend. Hey Sal, what you doin getting’ fuckin’ taxi’s man, yeh must be well flush like?’

  ‘No, actually I’m rock bottom skint our Paul. That was the last of me dosh, I might need a borra’ if that’s okay?’

  ‘What? Go on Mike, give her it.’

  ‘Here yeh go Sal love, summit to tide yeh over.’

  Mike handed the big envelope he’d been carrying. Sally looked inside and her face lit up.

  ‘What’s all this? How much is there? Where’d yeh get it? Is it all ours?’

  The lads laughed and explained it was a fifth of the proceeds from the escapades over the previous week. Together with what Charlie had left upstairs. They further explained that Dave might not be too keen on being a part of it, as most of it was gotten by illegal means.

  ‘So, fuckin’ hide it under yeh pillow me little petal,’ said Paul, ‘and say nowt.’

  Sally ran straight upstairs and stashed her nest egg where nobody could find it, then came down and finished making the tea.

  ‘So, when yeh goin’ back to the hospital? We’ll go with yeh and see young Dave if yeh like.’

  ‘Soon as I’m ready. He’ll be well pleased to see you two though, all me lads together eh?’

  ‘Aye he’s one of the lads now is our Dave. Away then, get yeh self ready hinny.’

  Bye the time the lads had finished drinking their tea, Sally was dressed looking as good as she ever did. No bruises or cuts, no broken bones or threats of any kind of violence all she had to do now was get her kids and her new fella home.

  This life thing might not turn out to be so bad after all she thought.

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO

  Mike drove them all to the hospital and they walked straight into the recovery ward where the duty nurse told them that Dave had now been taken down to a normal ward.

  She gave them all directions as to how to get there, but they still managed to get lost at least twice. Eventually there was Dave sat up in bed looking quite perky. When he saw Sally the smile on his face just widened as far as it could go.

  ‘Now then lover how yeh feelin?’

  ‘A lot better for seein’ you sweetheart.’

  Sally leaned over and gave him a big kiss on the lips, then sat on the bed next to him, so he could put his arm around her.

  ‘Yeh lookin’ a lot better than yeh did when yeh came out of surgery mind. I brought the lads to see yeh as well, they’d been askin’ after yeh.’

  ‘Hi Paul, hi Mike, thanks for comin’ guys, how’d it all work out then?’

  ‘Not so good mate,’ said Paul, ‘they managed to recover the drugs, but I haven’t heard owt about what’s happened with Demaci and Bashkim. I thin
k they may have fuckin’ legged it. You’ll have to check with yeh boss, he’ll have a better idea than us, I’m sure.’

  ‘Well we can ask him now, he’s just walked through the door with me mam and our Kate, look.’

  Paul and Mike looked at each other and it wouldn’t have been too surprising to know they were probably thinking the same thing.’

  ‘Dave,’ said inspector Turner, ‘looking much better, how are you feeling lad?’

  ‘A lot better thank you sir. Should be up and about in a couple of days and all bein’ well. Back at work pretty soon after.’

  ‘Excellent news and when you return would you be so kind as to report to my office. Your transfer has already been stamped and approved, so you will be on my team upon your return. But take your time, I want you to be totally fit and well first.’

  ‘Thank you sir, excuse me Inspector but what happened to Demaci and Hamiti? The lads here don’t seem to know too much.’

  ‘Ah, yes, Demaci and Hamiti. Well young man all I can say at this present time, because of course it is an ongoing investigation, but we think they may have possibly absconded back to Albania somehow. A search of both their apartments found nothing, so at this moment in time, we must just wait and see if they might pop up so to speak. Now, I’m sorry but I must break up this party and leave you surrounded by beautiful women. I’m glad to see you doing so well Dave. Take care everybody. Oh! Paul, might I have a word in private please.’

  ‘Two minutes Inspector, I’ll see yeh outside. Okay Sal are you alright to get home by yourself?’

  ‘Ya, ya, you go off and I’ll see yeh both later.’

  Okay sweetheart. Dave mate, we’ll pop in and see yeh tomorrow, do yeh need owt bringin’ in?’

  ‘No thanks lads I’m fine, got everything I need right here.’

  ‘Kate have yeh got a mo?’

  ‘Ya of course, what is it Paul?’

  Paul took Kate by the elbow and steered her to the wards waiting area, looking around to see that they weren’t being overheard.

  ‘I was just wonderin’ Kate if yeh weren’t too busy tonight maybe yeh might fancy goin’ out for a meal with us? give us chance to reminisce and maybe catch up like.’

  ‘I’d like that very much Paul as long as we don’t go Italian.’

  ‘No, I’m not into pasta, pizza and such, maybe Chinese or Indian then?’

  ‘Aye, that would be lovely, what time?’

  ‘Say about eight. I’ll pick yeh up at your place.’

  They both swapped addresses and phone numbers. Paul then kissed Kate on the cheek and waved Mike over.

  CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE

  Paul and Mike followed Inspector Turner out of the ward and into the carpark. Outside there was another plain clothes officer waiting. All scrubbed up and fresh faced, wearing a smart suit and tie. A new guy Paul reckoned, he could tell them a mile away, he came over to join them standing alongside DCI Turner.

  ‘Paul, there may come a time, when I might have need of your specialist services and I may call upon you and your friends to assist with a project that the police are maybe unable to complete. Let’s just say within the fastidious realms of the law. A time when we might require an individual with certain talents, like yourself. Someone who doesn’t mind bending the rules a bit. Can I rely on you and maybe your friends, do you think? I have put my recommendations to my more senior hierarchy who are quite in favour of bringing a more brutal form of retribution to those who we feel are unable to be touched by successful lawful means.’

  ‘But why me inspector? Me and our kid here are just a couple of local fishermen. We just go about quietly mindin’ our own business.’

  ‘Exactly, oh sorry, you have met DS John Lawson, haven’t you?

  ‘No sir, nice to meet yeh there John.’

  ‘We’ve actually met several times before Paul. I’m nearly always undercover though. Most people just call me Jacko, I hang out in the back room of the Ship and Anchor.’

  ‘Oh fuck! exclaimed Paul,

  ‘Holy shit!’ was Mikes considered reply.

  ‘So, let me get this straight,’ said Paul, ’you’ve known about us every step of the way Inspector and yeh just played us so yeh could get what yeh wanted, by-passin’ the law a bit so to speak?’

  ‘Our hands were tied Paul. We already knew about the drugs on the container, but we also knew we would have a very difficult time proving anything against Demaci. After the Sergeant and I came to your house, we realised we had an extremely valuable friend and you’d already proven to us that you were a more than capable ally by what you’d accomplished in one night out on the streets.

  Needless to say, this conversation has never taken place. However, if we need you, we will call you. Have a very good day gentlemen.’

  The End

  www.clive-barry.com

  Front cover image © Rafael Ben-Ari