by A D Evans
His life was slipping quickly and quietly away.
SIXTYEIGHT
.He felt hands under his shoulders and someone pulling him through the water.
The cold of the river had numbed his brain. He was lying half way up a sandbar, and the person was gently coaxing him up the last few torturous feet to safety.
He lay at last on dry land gasping for air and trying to think. He managed to blurt out a strangled thank you to the stranger. It was only then he realised that his rescuer was a female.
‘What's your name?’ he asked her.
‘Mary’ was the gentle reply.
‘Thanks a million Mary, I would surely have drowned without your help’
‘No thanks needed Paul’ she replied.
‘I'll see that you get rewarded for this Mary’
‘I have to go now Paul, just take it easy and you will be alright’.
She disappeared as mysteriously as she had arrived.
‘She called me Paul. How did she know my name?’ he muttered to himself.
Once he had dragged himself up to the top of the riverbank, he realised he was near Dalmarnock Bridge. Only a stones throw from Anne- Marie's house.
He managed to struggle to the main road and keeping to the shadows avoided contact with anyone. His head was spinning with pain. He remembered striking it as he fell from the embankment. It could have been a concrete post or something similar below the surface of the water. If it had not been for his bulletproof vest, he would be dead now. He knew that Steff had hit him with at least two shots, and he suspected Peel had hit him with at least one.
The bastards think I'm dead what a surprise they are going to get.
SIXTYNINE
He reached Anne- Marie’s, but found he could not climb the stairs. He pressed the intercom button and was glad to hear Davie’s voice answer him.
‘Davie it's Paul. I'm downstairs and can’t move. Help me’
His brother-in-law was down beside him in seconds.
‘Don't ask any questions just yet Davie. Help me to my own flat then I’ll tell you all about it’
His sister appeared and between them, they got him upstairs and into his own secret flat.
He passed out on the floor, so Davie and Anne-Marie stripped him, and put him to bed.
The pair took turns to sit with him all night.
Early next morning, he groggily opened his eyes. It was a bright, but cold looking day. The sun could be seen, shining low in the sky. He lay back on the pillow, and began trying to piece everything that had happened into some semblance of order. ‘God how my head aches, I need some pain killers’ Thought Paul. He looked down at his chest. He could see massive bruising all over his body.
‘I’m a lucky man to walk away from this’
His head was in turmoil. Thoughts were coming and going with the speed of an express train. He realised that he was too ill to do anything other than rest.
He heard the front door open, and in came Davie, followed by an anxious looking Anne-Marie.
‘Hi Paul. How are you today?’
‘Been better, sis’
‘I’m sorry but Davie and I have to go out for a few hours. It’s something we can’t get out off’
‘Hey, no problem folks. Go do what you have to do’
‘When we come back you can tell us what happened. But only if you feel up to it’
‘Ok sis. Has there been anything on the news about Willie and the boys?’
‘Aye, but we will talk later. Keep away from the windows, because the police are looking for you. They were here last night’
‘Thank god they don’t know about this flat’
‘Aye, that’s true. Right big brother get some sleep, and we will be back soon. Okay?’
‘Okay sis. Okay Davie. Thanks for helping me mate. I won’t forget it’
‘Just get well Paul. We don’t need thanks. Were family’
‘Aye Davie, we are that’
His family left and the place seemed very quiet and lonely.
He was dozing when a sound woke him up with a start, and his heart was pounding. Was that the front door closing?
No, it had all went quiet again. Maybe it was a neighbour’s door. Yea, that’s most likely what it was.
He relaxed again, and was looking out the window when he became aware of someone looking at him.
He was afraid to look round. His heart rate shot away up again. Could Steff have found this place? Could he have known about it all along? He slowly turned around. Standing at the door, but in the hallway were his late Grandmother and his grandfather Louie.
He froze in terror, but the couple were smiling at him.
‘What is happening to me?’ He tried to mutter a long forgotten prayer.
‘Don’t be afraid son’ said his Grandfather
‘We are not here to harm you in any way’ Said his Grandmother
‘We want to make you aware of a few things Paul. Life will never be the same for you again, my beloved Grandson.
You have changed Paul. You will not be aware of it now perhaps, but you can move on from here. You can help heal your fellow human beings. Great things await you our dear grandson, so use your new found talent wisely. We both love you Paul. You will not see us again until it is time for your passing. There will always be someone from the spirit world with you. Do not be afraid. God is love. Good-bye son, Take care’
He sat in the bed stunned. The figures of his Grandparents slowly turned to mist, and disappeared altogether.
‘My God, What was that about? Am I going crazy? Maybe the injuries are causing this. I wish my sister would hurry home’
He tried to get up. Dizziness overcame him, and he had to sit back down.
‘I’m as weak as a kitten. Maybe that’s what’s causing the hallucinations?’
He fell into a deep sleep, and was wakened by the noise of the front door closing. He was afraid to look round.
‘Look Davie, he is still asleep’
He heard his sister’s voice and was very relieved. He feigned being asleep for a few more minutes, and then stretched his arms to let them know he was awake.
‘Hi Paul, how are you feeling?’
‘Not too bad, sis’
‘Would you like to try and get up? But only if you feel like it. Davie said he would help you. If you don’t mind that?’
‘Yea, sis I would love to get up’
‘Ok Davie, do you want to help him get to his feet?’
‘Right mate, let’s give it a try’
He managed to help him through to a seat in the lounge. It was hard going, and he almost fell a few times.
Anne-Marie had gone to make coffee. Paul switched on the T.V. He was in time to see the headlines on ‘Scotland Today’
It showed where his gang had died in full graphic details. The next item was about Paul himself. The reporter was talking to Steff out-side Paul’s head quarters.
‘Do you think Paul Lynch has been murdered, Mr Hamilton?’
‘I really don’t know. All I can tell you is that Mr Lynch is missing. He may know something about the deaths of his workers, or he may not. He may have left the country for all I know, but the Police are desperate to speak to him. Something very strange and ominous happened to Mr Lynch and a group of his employees. Perhaps we will never know the truth’
‘Are you keeping Mr Lynch’s business dealings going for him, in his absence?’
‘Yes, yes indeed, what are friends for?’
He screamed at the T.V. ‘You lying murdering bastard’
‘Paul, watch your voice level. We don’t want the neighbours nosing about. Do we?’
Over the next few hours, he told his sister, and Davie all that had transpired in the last few weeks.
‘So what do you intend doing now?’ Davie asked his brother-in-law.
‘I don’t know Davie. I will have to disappear. What have the police asked you sis?’
‘Only if I had seen, or heard from you’
>
‘I have to expect Steff Hamilton will know where you stay too’
‘He does know Paul. When Davie and I were out today someone had been in our flat’
‘What? How do you know that sis?’
‘Davie, suspected that this might happen. He left a wee trap in one of the bedrooms. Nobody could have gone in there without moving this thing. When we came back he checked it, and it had been moved. We can only assume that it was Hamilton who done this’
‘The good thing is that, nobody else knows about this flat. I have to get out of here too sis. I have another passport with me in the safe, so I will disappear for a few months. I will go abroad and have plastic surgery done. When I return Hamilton will get his just deserts’
‘Ok Paul, whatever you decide we will assist in any way we can’
‘Thanks Davie, I appreciate that. Can I ask you a question about spirits Davie?’
‘Aye, sure Paul, Fire away’
He told his sister and brother-in-law what had happened when they were out.
‘Do you think I imagined it?’
‘No I don’t think it was imagination Paul. From what you tell me, and from my own experiences in spiritualism, I would say that your Grandparents did visit you. The reasons for the visit will be revealed at a later date’
‘Thanks mate, I thought I was going mad?’
‘No Paul, Just wait and see what happens next. Ok?’
‘I have experienced strange things before, but nothing like what happened today’
‘Just go with the flow. I will give you some books if you want to read a bit about spiritualism?’
‘That would be great mate, thank you’
‘Ok boys, How about something from the chippie for dinner?’
‘That would do for me sis. What about you Davie?’
‘Aye, count me in as well’
After dinner that evening, the three family members relaxed in the lounge.
‘This takes me back to when we were kids, sis. Talking and planning’
‘Aye Paul, but the circumstances were a bit different’
He was looking through some old family photographs that his sister had brought in. Suddenly he froze, and said to his sister.
‘Who is that woman?’
‘That’s our aunt Mary; she drowned in the Clyde many years ago. We never knew her’
‘Anne-Marie, you won’t believe this, fuck I don’t even believe it myself but this is the woman I told you about. The person who helped me to the sandbank in the river’
‘Is that possible Davie?’ asked Anne-Marie.
‘Aye, it is hen. I don’t know what or how to explain it, but something amazing has happened to your brother. It’s a miracle. A miracle on the Clyde. My God the papers would pay a fortune for that story Paul’
‘Aye, but they will never hear it Davie’
‘That’s true Paul; they will never hear the amazing story about the river Clyde’
‘Davie, Anne-Marie, please can we not mention this again for a while. When I get myself sorted out, we can talk about it again. Ok?’
‘Aye sure Paul’ said both of them together.
SEVENTY
‘I’m going to wait a few days, then head south. Davie I have a huge favour to ask you’
‘Go for it mate. What can I do to help you?’
‘Could you hire a car, and take me south to the North Sea ports?’
‘Aye, no problem Paul, I will do that for you, how are you planning leaving this flat? It could be a bit dodgy if they are watching the place’
‘I know, but I have to take the chance’
‘Let’s all get a good night’s sleep, and make our plans tomorrow. What do you think Paul?’
‘Good idea sis. A new day and fresh thinking heads on’
Within five minutes, Anne-Marie and Davie had left for their own flat.
He felt very lonely immediately after they had gone, and sat on in the darkness of the lounge for and hour or more. He eventually felt tired and went to bed. Sleep was hard to come by as his head plotted and planned his next move. Five o’clock in the morning and he was up making coffee. He sat drinking his coffee in the lounge chair. The next thing he realised was his sister wakening him for breakfast.
‘Good-morning Paul, How are the injuries?’
‘A lot better sis, thanks’
‘Davie and I have to go to work. Will you be alright here on your own?’
‘Yeah, no problem here sis, I need the rest’
‘Davie is taking a few days off work, so he will organise a hire car for you to go south. Ok?’
‘Yes, that’s great’
Ok then Paul, I have to go’
‘Aye sis, see you later. Sis before you go. Take this money and go to the local Indian grocery shop. The guy more than likely sells mobile phones. Buy 2, ok? We will need them later, it’s better to prepare everything in advance’
Once she had taken the money, and listened to what Paul explained to her, she left for work. He formulated his final plan for his departure.
He planned to leave the flat at about eight o’clock the next morning when the men would be coming to empty the wheelie bins. Normally there would be about five or six men. They would all be going round the back of the building to pick up the bins. They would then take them to the front for collection. He intended taking a bin and walking out with them.
He told Davie and his sister his plan. Arrangements were made for a hire car to be picked up in central Glasgow at seven o’clock the next morning.
The next morning dawned cold, with snow showers. Paul paced the room nervously, wondering if the bin men would come on time. Would they come at all in this weather?
Twenty minutes past eight, and the bin lorry pulled into the street. It was still dark. The squad of men moved mechanically about doing their job. Nobody seemed to notice an extra person join the group. He wore the same large yellow waterproof jacket and a balaclava on his head. Ten cold minutes later, he was sitting in a nice warm car on the other side of Dalmarnock Bridge.
‘Ok Paul, shall we head south for the winter?’ Davie joked
‘Aye, and don’t spare the horses’ he laughed.
This was the last time Paul; Joseph Lynch would ever see Glasgow.
When he returned it would be with a new face and a new identity.
‘Good-bye Paul’ Joked Paul Lynch as he boarded the ferry bound for Europe, and a new beginning.
SEVENTYONE
Maryhill Police station was quiet for the first time in weeks. Since the incident with local gangsters being murdered in Manchester, things had been chaotic. The media frenzy that followed had to be seen to be believed. The photographers were like a pack of hounds, and if anyone who was remotely involved with the investigation moved from the station, the media followed them like a pack of wolves.
Charles Ritchie sat at the pressroom podium; to make what he hoped would be his last statement about the murders.
The press conference was due to start in about twenty minutes, and they would allow the media in to the station in about another ten minutes. He would be glad to see the back of this investigation. The outcome had never been in doubt. An English gang had murdered a Scottish gang in a dispute about drugs. As far as he was concerned they could kill each other all day every day if they so wanted. In his humble opinion, the only good criminal was a dead one.
The main figure for press attention had been Paul Lynch. He was the headman of the gang. He had not been found dead in England. It was known he was in a pub in Maryhill the day after the killings. What had become of him was food and drink to the media hounds.
The speculation was rife that he had been murdered later that day in Glasgow. His body was said to have been disposed of in the river Clyde. There was also another rumour, that he had fled Glasgow in a panic when his gang were murdered. Charles Ritchie doubted this very much. Paul Lynch was not the type to run. He would have been more inclined to take terrible revenge for the murder of his
men. His friend Willie had been like family to him, and he would never have walked away from revenge for him. However, there had been no sign of gangster for going on five weeks. He seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth. All sea, road and airports had been alerted at the time of the incident, but nothing had been reported concerning him or his whereabouts.
He believed him to be dead. He had been told discretely that Paul Lynch was most definitely not coming back to annoy him.
He had been served his final divorce papers just a few weeks before the investigation. All the hours spent doing the routine police work had helped him to cope with the end of his marriage. Meeting Marion Cunningham had also helped. He had a laugh to himself when he thought that he was going out with Paul Lynch’s old flame. That would get right up Paul’s nose. No, in Charles Ritchie’s opinion he must be dead, because he would never have allowed what was going on now. To him he was just another criminal looser. In fairness to the gangster, he had showed a good deal of cunning and brains in his rise to criminal infamy.
The press started pouring into the large room. They took their seats and jostled for photographic dominance.
He stood to his full height, and read out a statement from a batch of paper. Removing his reading glasses, he asked if there were any questions.
He was still answering questions fifteen minutes later when the meeting was closed.
SEVENTYTWO
‘Did you see the press conference from Maryhill nick Steff?’
‘Aye Willie, I seen it’
‘What do you think about it all mate?’
‘I think we hit him with a few bullets, but I am not 100% sure that we killed him. There is a slight chance that he could be lying low. What makes me a bit suspicious is that his sister does not appear to be too upset. I spoke to a girl who works closely with her. She said that Anne-Marie had been saying how much she missed seeing Paul, but had never said anything about him being dead.
I find that a bit strange. Now it could be that she is burying her head in the sand, and does not want to believe her immortal, superhuman brother to be dead. That would make sense, but i’m not convinced we have seen the last of Mr. lynch’
