Jimmy's Game (Ruthless)

by Karen Clow

  CHAPTER 32

  It was the day of Hudson’s funeral. Over breakfast Maria said, “Do I have to go Jimmy? I’ve never been to a cremation, Catholics are always buried. Having said that I’ve never been to a funeral either, but I’ve seen hundreds conducted over the years when I was at St Augustus.” “I’d like you to come with me as a sign of respect babe.” “Ok, but I only met Hudson once or twice.” “I know babe, but you’ll be expected to be there.” Wanting to please him she agreed to go.

  Mickey had arranged to meet them so they could drive to the funeral parlour together; from there they would follow the hearse. The cremation was to be held at two o’clock. It was a little after half nine that morning when Jimmy’s phone rang, it was Lenny. “Alright Jimmy, I’ve just been listening to the bug I planted at the Jamaicans apartment. Some of their conversation is from last night, but it’s what was said in the last ten minutes that I think you’ll want to hear.” “Ok Len, I’ll pick Mickey up and we’ll meet at your office in about half an hour.”

  Less than an hour later the two friends were sitting in Lenny’s office. Mickey joked and said, “Fuck me Lenny, how do you ever find anything, this place resembles somewhere that’s been burgled! How the fuck do you ever get any clients; surely the state of the place would put most people off?” Lenny grinned and replied, “People aren’t interested in my office, they want to hire the best PI London has to offer and that’s me!” “Now that I’ll agree with.” There were piles of old newspapers, empty coffee cups and take away dishes everywhere. It could certainly be said if anyone needed a cleaner it was Lenny, although any cleaner who took his office on would certainly have their work cut out. Jimmy joked and said, “He’s got a point Len, the person you need to get this place ship shape is Gladys.” Lenny frowned and replied, “I’d never get any work done, she never stops fucking talking!” “She’d soon fucking sort you out, I guarantee within a week she’d have you house trained!” “Not a fucking chance, anyway I know exactly where everything is.” They all laughed. Neither of them could deny the fact that he was in a class of his own when it came to finding anything out. Placing the tape in a machine on his desk, Lenny said, “This is the recording I wanted you to hear, it’s from the Jamaicans apartment.”

  They listened as the Jamaicans talked about hitting the funeral party at the restaurant, from the sound of it they intended to wait in the alley at the back of Satins restaurant until everyone was inside. Lenny stopped the recording and said, “The rest of the tape is much the same with the Jamaicans laughing and saying things like, ‘they won’t know what hit them.’” Mickey said, “Instead of risking any of our lives why don’t we let Samuels earn his money for a change. If we place our own people in the alley it could leave us vulnerable at the clubs and judging by their arrogance on the tape someone is bound to be seriously injured or killed, not to mention the fact that a shootout in broad daylight would take some explaining, we’d have a hard time convincing the police that we knew nothing about it. An incident like that could open up a fucking big can of worms!” Jimmy piped in and said, “Those fucking Jamaicans are getting out of hand, especially as it doesn’t sound like they’re worrying about it being in broad daylight. What do they think they’re fucking invincible or something?” “I think I’ll go and see Samuels, I’ll tell him someone put the tape through the letter box at my office this morning. That way it becomes Samuels’s problem.” They agreed it was a good idea.

  Lenny wiped the outer casing of the tape with a handkerchief to remove his finger prints and then he handed Mickey the tape and said, “Your prints should be on it Mickey.” “Cheers Lenny, I’ll deliver it right now.” Taking an envelope from his inside pocket Mickey handed it to Lenny. “Keep it lads I’m still working the case, I want to find out more about these fucking Jamaicans, I’ll bill you when I’ve finished.” “Take it Len, it’s a bonus.” “Ok thanks lads, it’s appreciated.”

  Jimmy dropped Mickey off to get his car, as he got out Jimmy said, “Watch Samuels he’s like a fucking bad penny that keeps turning up.” Mickey laughed and replied, “Yeah I know and Samuels is about to find out that I’m a bad penny too! I’ll be back in time for the funeral.”

  Forty minutes later Mickey was walking towards the desk sergeant at the police station; he was familiar with him having seen him a few times. Smiling at Mickey he asked how he could help him. Mickey replied, “I need to see detective Samuels, it’s urgent.” The officer phoned through to Samuels’s office and explained that Michael Mann was there to see him. “Send him through,” said Samuels.

  After knocking and entering Samuels office, Mickey just smiled smugly as Samuels said, “This is a surprise, have you remembered anything about the shooting?” Mickey shook his head and replied, “No, I’m here on another matter.” Not wishing to spend a minute longer with the detective than necessary, Mickey handed him the tape and fed him the bullshit line that he had just received it at his office. Samuels instantly said, “What’s on it?” “I suggest you listen to it detective.” Samuels stood up and walked over to a filing cabinet where he took an old tatty tape recorder machine from the top of it. While the tape played he kept looking at Mickey, when it finished he sarcastically said, “And you’ve got no idea who sent you this?” Mickey shook his head. Samuels continued, “And I suppose you’re still going to tell me that you’re not having any trouble with any Jamaicans?” “No that’s right.” “So why then if that’s the case, would anyone send you this tape, because it’s obvious that the voices on the tape are Jamaican?” Shrugging his shoulders Mickey replied, “Beats me, your guess is as good as mine.” “If you want my opinion I’d say the tape is nothing more than a wind up.” “I wouldn’t think anyone would go to so much trouble just for a wind up, in my opinion detective, the information on the tape seems genuine. They appear to have all the details of Hudson’s funeral; surely such details would not be important unless they intended to do something? Can you imagine how it would look if you didn’t take it seriously and something did happen?” “So assuming you’re right, why would someone send you the tape?” Mickey knew that he was fishing; so he replied, “I wondered that myself and came to the only logical conclusion, it’s probably something to do with Hudson. Maybe someone who intended to attend the funeral knows something about his death and they’re concerned for their own safety? However, that’s purely a guess on my part.” “Perhaps you’re right, so I’m going to take the tape seriously. I’ll send some officers to check things out; perhaps a police presence will be all that’s needed to deter them, should any Jamaicans turn up. It will also give me a chance to speak to some of the people at the funeral.” “Fair enough, we’d appreciate that.” Mickey knew that he wouldn’t get any information from anyone, but if it meant the Jamaicans would back off, they would tolerate Samuels being there. After giving him the details of the funeral, he shook hands with him. Just as Mickey opened the door Samuels called to him and said, “How’s Monica, has she remembered anything about the shooting?” “No I doubt she will now, but regarding her recovery she’s doing well thanks.” With that he left.

  Back at Jimmy’s he went over what Samuels had said then added, “I think perhaps it would be safer to leave Maria at home Jimmy, just in case there’s any trouble.” “You’re right, but what if the Jamaicans are watching the restaurant they’ll soon realise she’s not there, which could also be dangerous. I doubt they’d have the balls to come here, but I don’t fancy chancing it.” “Good point, we could take her to my parent’s house or to Gladys’s?” Interrupting them Maria said, “I’m not going anywhere and I’m perfectly capable of making my own decisions thank you. If you really don’t want me to attend Hudson’s funeral I’ll go and visit Monica at the hospital. Afterwards I could go to the church and see Father Thomas.” Looking angry; Jimmy replied, “It’s only one fucking afternoon Maria and for what it’s worth I’m not happy about you going anywhere on your own! For all we know the Jamaicans could be watching the apartment.” “I apprecia
te that, but I’m not a child Jimmy.” “Ok then, just for talking sake how would you cope if when you left the church for instance, two big fucking Jamaicans pulled up in a car and dragged you inside? What exactly would you do about it? Or if they turned up here and burst into the apartment!”

  Thinking about it for a moment, she knew in reality she would be no match for one Jamaican, let alone two. They were right and she knew that they had her best interests at heart, so reluctantly she said, “Ok I’ll go to Gladys’s, providing I can phone her first and check its ok.” “Yeah that’s ok, just tell her you don’t fancy going to the funeral.” Putting his arm around her Jimmy said, “Sorry babe, but we can’t take the chance of you being hurt.” “I understand.” Then she hesitated before adding, “I’m not sure if it would be a good idea to bring children into this type of environment; I would never allow my children to be put at risk.” Mickey could see by the look on his friends’ face, what she had said had hit him like a thunder bolt. Mickey tried to reassure her by saying, “Things like this are a one off babe.” “Really Mickey, I remember not long ago you had to send Charlie off to the states to protect her from Nick and the Russians.” With Mickey momentarily stuck for words. Jimmy interrupted and said, “The issue with Charlie was just a precaution that was all.” He could tell she was not convinced, but then was not the time to debate it. Changing the subject he said, “Go and phone Gladys, the times flying by, we’ll be leaving soon.”

  After she left the room to call Gladys, Mickey said, “Might be a good idea to let the others know about the police?” “Yeah ok, you call a couple of our lads and ask them to put the word round; I’ll go and get Maria before Gladys has her talking for hours.”

  “Are you going to Gladys’s babe? Only we need to get going,” said Jimmy just as Maria ended the call. “Yes she said she’d be only too happy to see me.” “Great shall we make a move then?” “Ok, I’m ready; just let me grab my jacket.”

  After dropping Maria off at Gladys’s they drove to the funeral parlour, during the drive Jimmy said, “What Maria said earlier about kids bothered me. I know how much she wants kids; I’m worried she might change her mind about marrying me.” Mickey reassuringly replied, “We all know how dangerous our way of life can be. In some ways I believed Charlie was safer because she lived with her mother, but everybody’s children are at risk one way or another; especially with the way our laws treats paedophiles and other high risk individuals. In my opinion dirty bastards are given a free hand to abuse our kids and in most cases get away with it, because some fucking high up judge tells us it’s the law. Believe me; if anyone ever touched my girl I’d fucking kill them myself! I certainly wouldn’t leave it to the justice system, no way, they’d find little pieces of them all over London, well apart from his cock, I’d probably have that stuffed and mounted on my lounge wall!” Despite Jimmy laughing he knew his friend had meant every word. “So do you reckon we’ll be ok then Mickey?” “Course I fucking do, she’s crazy about you.” “Yeah and I’m crazy about her.” “Actually Jim you’re just fucking crazy full stop!” They both laughed.

  From the funeral parlour Tony and Shane travelled in the first funeral car following the hearse. Strange thing about funerals, even those with grudges would turn out; it was a sign of respect. Funerals were one of the few places where it could be said even enemies would tolerate one another. You could spot the bosses at a glance; they always had at least two big burly hard men with them.

  When the hearse drove into the crematorium they could see Samuels standing with two plain clothed detectives, anyone in the crime game could spot them a mile off. Samuels nodded to them later as they followed the coffin into the chapel.

  A reverend said a few words about Hudson, including that he must have been well liked because so many people had attended his funeral, which was a testament to the man he’d been. Jimmy looked at his friend and grinned because they knew that probably thirty percent of the so called mourners couldn’t stand Hudson; they were simply there out of respect for them.

  After the service the mourners stood around outside, some of the women read the cards on the flower wreaths. John Duggan walked over to the Mickey and Jimmy and said, “What’s Samuels doing here? Fucking shame it was Hudson in the incinerator and not him.” Mickey explained about the threat from the Jamaicans, before adding, “I thought Tony would have told you?” “I’ve been out all morning, had me phone switched off, so I probably missed the call.”

  Samuels walked over to them and looking at Jimmy said, “Where’s the lovely Maria then? I would have expected her to be here today.” Jimmy replied, “Yeah she was coming but she’s not feeling well.” “Oh dear, perhaps it’s because of the threat from the Jamaicans?” They all knew he was implying that he believed both men knew exactly who the Jamaicans were and that they did have it in for them. Jimmy just shook his head and replied, “Like we said before, we’ve never had a problem with any Jamaicans, even the ones who got a bit out of hand with our dancers were really no bother. In fact we don’t think they would even remember the incident if we asked them, because they were drunk at the time.” Mickey piped up and said, “Perhaps this thing today is nothing more than a hoax?” Samuels smirked and said, “On the contrary Mickey, my officers’ almost nabbed four Jamaicans less than an hour ago. A suspicious BMW was seen parked in the alley behind your restaurant. The car was black, could be the same one you saw the night Monica was shot?” “Could be,” said Mickey, “but then again London is full of black BMWs, had one myself a few years ago.” Samuels was well aware that Mickey knew more than he was saying, which was obvious to them, when he replied “Oh I’m in no doubt it was the same car, my officers ran a check on the plates, they were false.” “Really, so was anyone arrested?” “Unfortunately not, when the officers tried to speak to the Jamaicans they drove off.” “That was lucky for the Jamaicans then?” “My officers did radio a patrol car in the area, which quickly pursued the BMW, but because of the lunch time traffic, along with hundreds of pedestrians it was too dangerous for them to get involved in a high speed chase; so unfortunately they lost them, despite every effort on the officer’s part.” “Shame,” said Jimmy sarcastically, “It would have been nice to find out exactly who these Jamaicans are, especially as you seem to think they have it in for us.” After several minutes Mickey said, “You’ll have to excuse us Detective, we need to get back to the restaurant for the wake, we’ll see you there.”

  Back at the wake they mingled with the guests and asked if anyone had heard anything about the Jamaicans. Most of them said they hadn’t, only what was going on with them and the incident at their club. The one person there who may know something was Tina, she was probably as near to being Hudson’s regular girl as was possible and looking at her that would come as no surprise, half Malaysian, strikingly beautiful, from a good back ground and well educated, not the normal type of girl that Hudson would date. Tina was definitely up market.

  She had always liked Jimmy, so when he spoke to her she readily chatted and said she’d help him if she could. Grinning at her he said, “So why wouldn’t you talk to Tony when he was asking around?” Smiling she replied, “I’ll tell you why, when Tony spoke to me I could feel him undressing me with his eyes. I’ve never really warmed to him, but I feel very comfortable with you Jimmy; we go back a long way.” Long before she became Hudson’s girl she knew Jimmy, when she’d hit a tough patch some years earlier, he had given her a job at Dixie’s serving behind the bar. Truth was she had a bit of a soft spot for him; especially as it was him who got her and Hudson together.

  Touching her hand reassuringly Jimmy said, “So babe is there anything you can tell me?” “I know some Jamaicans were giving Hudson a hard time, although he never actually spoke to me about them.” “So what makes you say that then?” “I saw them when they turned up at his place and on one occasion I overheard their conversation.” “Go on babe.” “They were throwing their weight about, trying to intimidate Hud.” “Intimidate him, ov
er what babe?” “About your places, you know, the clubs and restaurants, how many you owned and how good was business, that type of thing. They asked him to join them, I remember hearing them say something like; ‘us brothers have got to stick together,’ but Hud wouldn’t have any of it.” “Can you remember anything else babe?” “Yeah I’m not sure if it’s important though, but they mentioned Maurice’s name several times. I didn’t hear what was said only his name.” “You sure babe?” “Yes positive, it was the last time I saw Hud, he was going to take me out for dinner that night, he’d arranged to pick me up at eight, but at seven thirty he called me and said he’d be late and could I rebook the table for nine. When I asked him why he’d be late, he said the Jamaicans had asked him to go somewhere with them. When I told him to be careful he said they were backing down, even considering returning to the Caribbean and that with any luck, that evening would see the back of them. He promised me he wouldn’t be late because they only wanted him to take them to another club, not one of yours, once he had dropped them off, he would see me. That was the last time I spoke to him.” “Why didn’t he say anything to us about the situation?” Looking tearful she replied, “I asked him that very question, but he said he would handle it and then tell you; maybe he thought it would get him a promotion?” Jimmy could see she was getting a bit upset, so he called the waiter over and ordered her another drink. They continued chatting about Hudson. “I knew about all the other women,” said Tina, “it did bother me, but he always came back to me. He rarely wined and dined any of the others; they were just dancers from the club, he’d simply take the other women home and sleep with them, it was different with me; he was loving and caring, by far the best lover I’ve ever had. Always buying me jewellery and flowers, in fact if it wasn’t for the other women he would have been the perfect man and for what it’s worth Jimmy, I really loved him.” “I honestly believe he really loved you too babe and that one day he’d have married you.” Squeezing his hand tearfully she replied, “Thanks Jimmy, Hud had a lot of time for you and Mickey.” “He was a good bloke babe. If you ever need anything, just give me a bell.” “Thanks I’ll remember that. Is it true about you getting married?” “Yeah it is babe, who’d of thought it hey.” “Shame, because now Hud’s gone I’m available; so if you change your mind about tying the knot, give me a call.” “I’ll remember that if Maria ever kicks me out.” “Maria’s a lucky girl.” “No I’m the lucky one babe.” “Take care Jimmy, I hope the future is good for you and Maria.” Then she leaned over and kissed his cheek.