by A D Evans
‘Do you think so boss, you do remind me of something to do with a horse right enough? Unfortunately I think your more like Trigger from Only Fools and Horses’
‘Willie fuck off, and just phone me’
‘Okay boss neigh- gh- gh bother’
He laughed at his friends daft joke as he headed back for Marion’s.
He noticed that anyone who passed greeted him with a cheery ‘Good Morning’
He found himself reciprocating their greetings, and he was whistling quietly as he walked.
‘This is a different world from mine, but I could come to like it and be a part off it. I am glad about the decisions I've come to. Roll on freedom’
He was sitting reading the daily newspaper when his mobile phone rang.
‘Hello Paul here’ He went into the annoyed man routine ‘Does it have to be immediately? Okay sends a car to Lenzie train station and I will meet it there in say half an hour. Goodbye’
‘Sorry Marion business calls’
‘Must you leave right now?’
‘I must leave in a short while darling, sorry.’
He left Marion’s within the time scale and Willie was waiting for him as planned.
‘Okay big man drop yourself off wherever you like. I’ve to be somewhere soon’
‘Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?’
‘No thanks, this is a thing I have to do on my own’.
He relaxed in his seat and started to read his newspaper.
Willie got off at the unit in Maryhill.
‘See you later big man, okay’ With that he drove to Balmore and his meeting with Alistair Orr.
FIFTY
When he drove away, Willie unlocked the unit and went inside.
He sat down at his boss’s desk and opened a can of lager, pondering recent events. ‘There's something going on but what?’ He knew Paul inside out and was aware of the excitement within his friend. He had never seen him act so strangely in the past. What was going down? Usually he was the listening post for any of his ideas or thoughts. Why not this time?’
He crossed over to the drinks cabinet and poured himself a huge glass of whisky. He sniffed at the liquid and after a large swallow, let out a loud belch.
‘Fuck it all; Willie boy is going to have himself a wee private party. Cheers’
He continued his party for a couple of hours until there was a buzz from the outer intercom. He looked in the monitor and it was Paul
He went down and opened the door to him.
He said, ‘Are you on your own’
‘Aye boss,’ he laughed and said, ‘who would drink with anybody like me’
‘Willie we need to talk, okay?’
‘Aye boss I’m all yours’
It took him an hour to explain to his old friend what his plans were. He told him all about Marion, and where she stayed. He told him about his recent engagement. He told him that after his forthcoming marriage he could have no contact with his past life. When he finished talking there was a silence in the office.
Willie sat with his glass in his hand turning it round and round.
Not once during all the time he was talking had he made any comment or reacted in any way. He sat there now with his face expressionless saying nothing just slowly turning the glass.
‘Well what do you think pal?’
He poured another whisky.
‘I think your sacking me boss, but in a nice way’
‘Naw yah fuckin ‘bam, you'll be coming with me as my chauffeur’
‘You’re fuckin' chauffeur. I’m your mate. Anyway that wouldn’t work. They could trace you through me and you know that as well as I do. So it's good-bye Willie, nice to have known' you, now get back to your gutter’
‘Willie you know how much you mean to me, I wouldn’t just drop you’
‘Paul you do what you have too, but when you finish with this game so do I’
‘Please don't take it like that. You know you will always be a part of my life no matter what. You know that don't you?’
‘Aye, I suppose I do’
‘Well can we get on with our final plan to dissolve this company? Are you with me?
‘Aye, off course I am’
‘Good man. Let's get our thinking caps on then’
FIFTYONE
His meeting with Alistair Orr had gone well. They had agreed methods of disposing off the assets belonging to the company. He had introduced him to Jack and the transfer of funds would be in place very soon.
Alistair asked Paul, Who could succeed him in the criminal parts of his business. He told him that the only person he could think of to take over would be Steff. He went on to explain that Willie was a good worker for the organisation but would not be the man to head it. Willie had also said that if Paul left, then so would he.
In his estimation, the only one with the ruthlessness essential to run such a company was indeed Steff.
Alistair Orr agreed that once he retired he would continue to look after the companies crime interests when Steff took over.
They parted company and while Paul headed off in search of Willie, Alistair Orr was making his way to a house on Merrilee road in the south side of Glasgow.
His Mercedes barely made it through the gateposts; he drove to the top of the driveway and was met by an old friend from his days at Glasgow University.
‘Hello Alistair’ said Walter Bain. ‘How did your meeting go?’
‘Brilliantly thanks, I have all the information Mr. Connolly will need’
‘Great news, Alistair. Come in and have some breakfast, treachery always makes one so hungry’.
‘He doesn't suspect a thing. He trusts me implicitly, the poor low class fool’
‘Yes, he should trust you; after all you are a professional man and above reproach. It has been beneficial for him to have your expertise’
‘This morning’s work has been very beneficial to our bank accounts. God bless Mr. Lynch’
As he looked up at the building, he said to Walter Bain.
‘Look how well you have done since you started mixing with the lower classes’
The two men laughed together as they strode towards the magnificent looking Victorian villa.
Paul's fate had been taken from his own hands and put in the hands of his assassins.
Jack Baird was true to his word and contacted Paul within the stipulated forty-eight hours.
‘Good-morning Paul how are you today?’
‘I'm good Jack; have you some news for me?’
‘I have indeed. My partners and I are willing to take everything you offered on condition the books are in the shape you promised’
‘They are that Jack. We will have to arrange a meeting with my accountant sooner rather than later’
‘Great. Just let me know when and where’
‘Okay Jack speak to you soon. Good-bye’
Things are moving along nicely he thought. The next thing is to contact Frankie.
FIFTYTWO
The phone rang three times and was answered by a female voice.
‘Hello, Can I speak to Frankie Please?’
‘Who is it?’
‘Tell him it's Paul’
‘Hello Paul, its Flo here’
‘Hi Flo, how's it going?’
‘When was the last time we saw you Paul, it must be a couple of years ago?’
‘Aye it must be. I tell you what. Is Frankie in’
‘Aye he's in the bath’
‘Not before time Flo. He always smells bad ha ha. Tell him I’ll pick you, him and wee Johnny up and I’ll take yee's out for lunch somewhere nice. Okay pal?’
‘That would be great Paul. Thanks son see you soon’
He headed for the Barracks as it was called locally. The proper name for the estate was the Wyndford.
Carbridge Drive had not changed much since his last visit. As he parked his car he was aware that he was being watched by three youths who were standing in one of the close m
ouths. Paul walked towards them purposely.
One of the youths said something to the others from the corner of his mouth.
As he drew closer the whispering youth suddenly stepped aside and said
‘Sorry Paul we didn’t realise it was you.’
‘It's cool wee man, no sweat; keep an eye on my wheels for me okay?’
‘Aye sure Paul, we'll make sure nobody touches them’
He climbed the stairs to Flo's Flat. Where he was greeted like the prodigal son. After much talking and laughing, he took them for a nice meal to a restaurant in Bearsden.
‘So this is how the other half live Paul’
‘It is indeed Flo. Would you like another wee half?’
‘Oh aye son, I never refuse a whisky’
When their meal and drinking were over he phoned a taxi for Flo and Johnny.
‘Thanks very much son for your generosity. It's been a rare treat’
‘No problem, now here that's your taxi fare. The rest is to take the two of you out tonight’
‘We can’t take all that from you son; there must be about a hundred quid there’
‘Take it and enjoy yourself. I’ll see you again soon’
With the taxi, gone him and Frankie headed for the bar to begin their discussion.
‘Have you managed to raise the dough then?’ he enquired.
‘Aye sure, no sweat mate. It will be ready for delivery by the first of January’
‘That's brilliant news Pal’
He summoned a barman and ordered some drinks. then carried them to a secluded corner table and sat down.
‘Well here's to being rich Pauly boy’
‘Aye I can’t wait to get it over with’
‘Good things come to those who wait mate. Did you learn fuck all at school?’
‘Aye but I wish I had learned to stay away from people like you’
‘Now, now it’s not nice to say that about your oldest pal’
‘Aye, old being the operative word.’
‘Paul my boy, you are going to be the richest scum bastard in the whole of Glasgow's history’
‘I wonder what my father and mother would think off me if they had lived.’
‘Probably been mortified mate, because of their up-bringing’
‘Aye you’re probably right Frankie’
‘Just think in a wee while you'll be able to buy anything you want. Anything in the whole world’
‘What like peace and quiet from you’
‘Aye mate even that.’
‘What are your plans Frankie?’
‘Francis Sutherland esquire is going to buy some property. Maybe even an estate of some sort. Then I'm going to live like a lord. I will also get the auld yins a wee house of their own. Bishopbriggs or somewhere like that would be good for them. Somewhere nice Lenzie or Bishopbriggs’
‘That would be nice, to see them staying somewhere decent’
‘Aye it would, no more junkies to dirty the close’
‘Right’ said Paul suddenly ‘I’ll have to move. Things to do, people to see’
‘Okay mate, I’m going to stay here for a while because I think that barmaid fancies me’
‘See you later then pal, ta-ta for now,’ laughed Paul as he left the bar and headed for the car park.
FIFTYTHREE
Within days, his assets were being turned into hard cash. He sold the land he owned to the Council for a massive profit. Jack and his partners snapped up the pubs and such like. Everything was going to plan.
He visited Ann-Marie and Davie, and when he had his sister on her own made her aware of his plans.
‘That's great news Paul you know I've always worried about you in the drugs market’
‘I know sis, but after a wee while there will be no more worries’
Before he left his sisters he went into the flat that he owned next door.
He opened a hatch in the kitchen, which was disguised as a central heating control panel. He placed a bundle of money tied up in elastic bands inside a steel box that was welded to the side of the unit. Locking it with a special key, he left the flat. Giving the key to his sister and telling her that if anything happened to him she was to use the key.
He left his sister’s home and travelled to a car park down town; took a taxi to Lenzie station, and then walked to Marion’s house.
As he entered the gateway to Marion’s he noticed a car pulling up about ten yards in front of him. A young good-looking girl emerged from it and walked round to the driver’s door. She leaned forward to kiss the driver, and then entered a driveway just down from Marion’s.
‘Young love’ he smiled to himself, what can beat it.
The lights from the house made him glow and feel warm. He knew he would receive a warm welcome at his fiancé’s fireside.
FIFTYFOUR
Charles Ritchie was leaving a meeting at Pitt Street, when he was told there was an urgent phone call for him.
‘Hello, Ritchie speaking’
‘Hello Sir, its Monica Dalgliesh. There's some good news in regarding Lynch. I managed to follow him to a house in Lenzie’
‘Who owns the property?’
‘It belongs to a female named Marion Cunningham. She has no previous of any kind, and by all accounts is a well-respected businessperson.
‘What's the connection to Lynch?’
‘We're not exactly sure at this stage, but they were seen kissing and cuddling at the doorway as he entered the house.’
‘Good work Monica. Right call the team together for a meeting tomorrow morning at nine sharp.’
‘Yes Sir, I’ll do that now’
‘Monica, best keep the house under surveillance meantime’
‘Yes sir, Of course, I have already requested the man power to do that.’
‘Good-night Monica and Thank you’
At eight forty five the next morning the squad office was a hive of activity. Chairs were being hurriedly laid out in a semi-circle round the raised platform at the rear of the large room. The room was almost bare apart from the chairs and one small desk that was lying on its side in the right hand corner of the room.
The florescent lights glowed brightly against the dark veneer of a winter’s morning.
Ritchie made his appearance in his usual dramatic style. He swept into the room greeting nobody, glanced neither left nor right, heading straight for the podium.
‘Right let's get this started. Monica, confirm for us your findings from last night.’
Monica stood up and faced the congregation before her.
‘I managed to get a fix on our mans girl friend. Her name is Marion Cunningham. As we have suspected for some time he is holed up in the Lenzie district. Earlier this morning I did some more checking into this person. She appears to be squeaky clean without even a parking ticket against her. Through a contact of mine I have discovered that she is friendly with people who work for the procurator fiscal.
I must admit that at first this made me a bit suspicious, until I found out that they have been friends since their school days. The people with whom I have spoken have assured me that there is no way she would be involved with Lynch if she were aware of his business dealings. On the surface she does appear to be an innocent abroad’.
Monica sat down, and the room immediately turned as if synchronised to Ritchie at the podium.
‘Okay people this is what we are going to do. The first thing is to get a bug into this female’s home. This can be achieved quite easily as we know she is a subscriber to Cable television. Once the bug is in place, we can listen in, and see what part Miss Cunningham plays in Lynch’s life. If we find that she is in fact clean then we can perhaps persuade her to help us bring him down. Who knows? It's worth a try’.
‘Next we will to put a tail on her at all times. There are two advantages to this, we can see what she gets up to but with any luck it will tie in with her boyfriends movements. Right people, we have had this stroke of luck let us use it to its full
advantage. Heads down and get this organised as soon as we can. Thanks people. Good hunting.
FIFTYFIVE
Marion was sitting in front of her television watching a documentary when her screen went blank.
‘Oh, blast’ She shouted at the dead set, and headed to the kitchen to make some tea.
‘Jane’ she shouted as she entered the kitchen area. ‘Is your television working okay?’
‘No Miss it has just gone dead’ replied her maid.
The telephone began to ring and Jane answered it.
‘Hello Cunningham residence’
‘Sorry to trouble you madam. This is the Indent Cable Company; could you tell me if your service is operating properly?’
‘No it's not; the screens have all gone dead’
‘Sorry about that madam, I'm afraid there was a power surge and it has blacked out several homes in your district. The good news is that there is an engineer on his way at this very moment to rectify the problem. Once again I will apologise for your loss of service but it will be back on very shortly’
‘That's fine, thank you for calling’
‘The cable company will be here soon Miss Marion’
‘Thanks Jane, do you want a cup of tea?’
‘Yes Miss that would be lovely’
Twenty minutes later the engineer was working with all the televisions in the various rooms scattered about the house.
‘Don't forget my set in the bathroom please’ reminded Marion’
‘Don't worry Miss; all your sets will be fixed.’
D.C. Daniel Bonner smiled to himself as he made a pretence of re-tuning her television sets.
FIFTYSIX
Paul returned to Marion’s later that night.
‘Hello darling’ she greeted him.
‘How are things in the import export business?’
‘Not so bad, how is the snipping trade?’
‘Trade is good thanks, extremely good actually. Everyone wants their hair done for the New Year’
‘Good old new year .Where would we be without it?’
‘What do you fancy doing tonight?’
‘Anything you want to sweetheart. My business is finished for today, and I just feel like relaxing with you.’
