Retribution

by Heather Atkinson

  He threw himself into the chair opposite her and gave her that easy grin of his that set her heart pounding, the light twinkling off the silver stud in his left cheek. “It’s good to see you babe,” he said, attempting to take her hand.

  Keeping what Jules had said firmly in mind, she pulled her hand away.

  “Oh dear, am I still in the bad books?” he said, eyes full of mischief.

  “Yes you bloody well are. What were you thinking?”

  “I got the job done, didn’t I?”

  She looked around to make sure no one was listening but the two waitresses were too engrossed in their conversation and the old lady was on the other side of the room and probably deaf. “You killed someone,” she whispered.

  “He deserved it,” he said casually.

  “Is that all you’ve got to say?”

  He shrugged. “What do you want me to say?”

  “That you’re sorry and that you won’t do it again.”

  “Alright, maybe I got a little carried away but for fuck’s sake, he was a rapist.”

  “Alleged rapist and you still shouldn’t have done it.”

  “I don’t know what you’re getting all uppity about when your last name’s Law. Your family have done much worse but you don’t go on at them about it.”

  “My family do not do stuff like this. Alright, maybe a bit like this,” she added when he looked doubtful. “But they can control themselves. You can’t and that’s the difference.”

  “Hey, I’m holding my hands up, guilty as charged.”

  “Don’t grin like that. Do you not get how serious this is?” She leaned into him to whisper. “The police came to my house. Ashley accused my mum and dad of something they hadn’t done.”

  “And they didn’t do it, so they’ll be fine.”

  “Have you any idea how many people would love to see them banged up? And it wouldn’t matter to them whether they’d done it or not. It’s not like innocent people aren’t sent to prison, is it?”

  “Your mum and dad can handle anything the police send their way, so don’t you worry about that and no one knows it was me.”

  “I think we should stop what we’ve been doing for a while and just lie low, let all this blow over.”

  “Maybe I don’t want to? I’m enjoying myself.”

  “Enjoying?” she spluttered into her coffee. “You’re crazy.”

  “Only just realised?” he said with a grin that was almost a gurn.

  “I overheard Mum and Dad talking last night. They figured everything out about us just from the bit of information Ashley gave them. All they need now is your name and it won’t take them long to find that out.”

  His countenance darkened. “Why, are you going to give it to them?”

  “Hell no. If I do they’d never let me out again. Grounded for life but we can’t see each other for a while. I don’t want them putting two and two together. You think you’re in the big leagues but you really have no idea.”

  “Then give me an idea,” he said, looking friendly again, leaning across the table and beaming at her. “I want to meet them.”

  “Err, what did I just say?”

  “They don’t need to know I know you. I’ll pretend to be a passing stranger.”

  “You can’t fool them. No one can fool them.”

  “You’ve managed it pretty well so far.”

  “No I haven’t. They know something’s wrong but thanks to Ethan they think it’s boy trouble, which is actually pretty accurate. They’ve just no idea how much trouble the boy actually is.”

  “I’m not a boy, I’m a man,” he said taking her hand. “If only you’d let me prove it.”

  Once again Jules came to the forefront of her mind, giving her courage and confidence even though she was miles away. “You’d love that, wouldn’t you? Popping the cherry of Rachel and Ryan Law’s daughter?”

  “Oh yes,” he breathed, leaning in for a kiss.

  She sat back in her seat. “Not gonna happen.”

  “Tease.”

  “I’m not teasing you Reid, I’m telling you how it is. Now you need to get out of here and lie low, preferably far away from Devon until everything settles down. And you need to stay away from me too, I’ll only cause you big trouble.”

  “You’re worth it.”

  “Do you want to get caught?”

  “That’s not going to happen and I’m going nowhere sweetheart.”

  “Then we’ve no more to say to each other,” she scowled, folding her arms across her chest, indicating the conversation was over in a way she’d seen her dad do many times.

  She was pleased it worked when he got to his feet. “I say when it’s over,” he hissed. “Don’t forget that.”

  Leah breathed a sigh of relief when he left, throwing a glower at her over his shoulder. She’d stayed strong, like Jules had said. Round one to her.

  “You don’t know where they are?” exclaimed Jackson.

  “Alright, calm down,” Jez told him. “We’re looking.”

  “Well look harder.”

  “What does that even mean?” frowned Jez. They were in Jules’s room at the home, discussing the danger the still-missing Charlie, Rob and Sam posed to her.

  “Hey, take it easy, both of you,” said Mikey. “You keep shouting like that you’ll get us thrown out. Charlie and Sam can only hide for so long. Rob’s already done a runner to India, we’ve had confirmation of that from our contacts at the airport. He’s been the sensible one and he knows we’re coming for him, which only leaves two.”

  “Who have already tried to kill Jules once,” said Jackson.

  “And they won’t get a shot at it again, we’ll make sure.”

  “You think Paula’s enough to keep away two armed assassins?” said Jackson, gesturing to the door of Jules’s room where Paula still stood on guard duty.

  “Yes but just to be on the safe side we’re going to leave Shane here too.”

  “He’s just a kid.”

  “He’s young, granted, but he’s more than capable.”

  “I’m not happy. I want Mark or Grant guarding Jules.”

  Jules took her husband’s hand and touched his face, which was like a knife in Mikey’s heart. She took a deep breath before speaking, aware of how her speech upset Jackson. “Shane can do it.”

  He gazed at her before nodding. “Alright, if Jules is happy with the arrangement then who am I to complain? But if anything happens to her it’s on your heads.”

  “We’re well aware of that,” said Mikey.

  “No,” said Jules. “My fault. I upset those men.”

  “On their orders,” said Jackson, pointing at Mikey and Jez.

  She shook her head. “Before them. When I Venom.”

  “Oh, right,” he said, feeling less righteous.

  “We’ve got it covered,” said Jez. “Don’t worry.”

  “No Cara here,” Jules told Jackson. “Not yet.”

  “There’s no way I’m bringing her here if it’s going to turn into a shooting gallery.”

  CHAPTER 17

  Ryan tried not to frown when he opened his front door to Ashley Boyle, a detective inspector in the Devon and Cornwall police and the one who had accused them of committing murder on Christmas Day.

  “Can I come in?” said Ashley.

  “That depends on whether you bring good news or bad,” replied Ryan.

  “Well, it’s not great.”

  “Are you here to tell us off or arrest us for something?”

  “No. Why, what have you done?”

  “Nothing but you don’t usually let that stop you.”

  “Please, can I come in? I promise I come in peace.”

  “Fine, just as long as you mean that.”

  Ashley followed Ryan into the lounge where Rachel sat pouring over some paperwork.

  “Hi Ashley,” she said, getting to her feet. “Did you have a nice Christmas?”

  “Not really. I spent most of it investigating a murder. My
wife was not impressed, I can tell you.”

  “And as we’ve told you,” said Ryan. “That attack was nothing to do with us.”

  “I know, I’ve already established that but I have come to you for help.”

  “This is a turn up for the books,” said Ryan. “The straight-laced do everything by the book detective inspector comes to us for help? What is going on?”

  “If you’d let him talk Ryan he might be able to tell us,” said Rachel. She looked to Ashley. “Please sit.”

  “Thank you,” he replied, taking the armchair while Ryan and Rachel sat next to each other on the couch.

  “Are the children at school?” he said.

  “Yes,” said Rachel. “No one else is in the house.”

  “Good. Well, we believe the persons responsible for the murder and attack on the victim’s friends is someone known to us but someone not fully on our radar yet with probably a few petty crimes behind them. We also believe they’re emulating yourselves.”

  “What do you mean?” said Ryan.

  “Please don’t play innocent with me, I’m not in the mood. I know you’re vigilantes, you know you’re vigilantes. I’m not so naïve as to think you’d ever admit it to me but I just want you to know that I’m aware.” When neither of them said a word he went on. “Are you aware of anyone who would want to emulate you?”

  “No idea,” said Ryan. “Is that it?”

  “No,” retorted Ashley, refusing to allow himself to be bullied into leaving. “My theory is that someone knows what you’re up to and they’re copying you. Why I have no idea, perhaps in an effort to get your attention and admiration or to set you up. But I can see you’ve already thought of that,” he said, noticing the look that passed between them.

  “Ryan has come up with some theories as to who could be responsible,” said Rachel, ignoring her husband’s thunderous look. “We really don’t know who they are, I promise you but he does have some interesting insights.”

  “Would you be so kind as to share?” Ashley asked Ryan, voice icy.

  At a pointed look from Rachel, Ryan sighed and repeated what he’d discussed with her.

  “Very good,” said Ashley once he’d finished. “Actually I’m impressed.”

  “Good,” said Ryan. “Then get out there and find them.”

  “I must admit, I hadn’t factored in a female,” said Ashley. “The violence was hands on, bloody and brutal, very masculine but what you say does make sense.”

  “Is there anyone in the area who would fit that profile?” said Rachel.

  “I can’t think of anyone off the top of my head but I can ask around. My feeling is it’s not someone too local, maybe from a bit further away like Torquay or even Exeter.”

  “Good,” said Ryan. “Well if that’s all…”

  They went silent at the sound of the front door slamming shut and a few seconds later Leah walked in, eyes widening to see Ashley sitting there. She recovered herself quickly enough but Ryan and Rachel both spotted her anxiety.

  “What’s going on?” she said.

  “Nothing to worry about,” said Rachel. “Ashley just wanted our opinion on something.”

  “On what?”

  “Probably best you don’t know,” said Ashley.

  “So no one’s in trouble then?”

  “Why should anyone be in trouble?” said Ryan.

  “I was worried someone had found another body under our house.”

  She said it light-heartedly but Rachel’s heart still broke that her daughter could even think something so horrific a possibility. Ryan however thought there could be more to their daughter’s nerves than she was letting on.

  “Not at all,” said Ashley, getting to his feet. “Everything’s fine, nothing to worry about.”

  “What are you doing home so early?” said Rachel.

  “Oh, revision period,” she said, slumping onto the free couch and dumping her backpack on the floor.

  “Well I hope you’re going to utilise this time wisely?” said Ryan. “You do have your exams later this year.”

  “Yes Dad,” she said dryly.

  “Good. Then you’d better go up to your room and begin.”

  “I’ve only just got home,” she exclaimed. “And I’m hungry.”

  “In that case get yourself something to eat and then commence your studies.”

  She rolled her eyes and got to her feet. “It’s like living in Nazi Germany.”

  “You’ll be thanking me when you’re in a job you love earning plenty of money,” he called after her as she walked out of the room.

  “You’ve given me a lot to think about,” said Ashley.

  “You’ll keep us updated?” said Ryan.

  “I can’t give you any details of an on-going investigation.”

  “Sounds like you don’t have any details so far. Surely I have a right to know if my deductions are correct?”

  “I’ll see what I can do,” was all he was willing to say. “How’s your sister?”

  “She’s woken from the coma,” said Ryan, unable to repress a smile.

  “That’s wonderful news,” he beamed. “Will she be up to coming down here any time soon? She was an enormous help when you were abducted and her reputation as a bounty hunter is second to none. If anyone can track someone down she can.”

  Ryan’s gaze was stern. “She’s just woken from a coma and is learning to walk and talk again so no, she won’t be able to help.”

  “Oh. Sorry, I didn’t realise.”

  “That’s alright,” said Rachel, getting to her feet, knowing Ryan’s patience was wearing thin, as it often did when police officers were involved. “I’ll see you out.”

  Rachel and Ashley exited the room, failing to spot Leah hurrying into the kitchen after listening to the rest of the conversation with her ear pressed to the door.

  “Maybe we should just leave it to the police?” said Rachel when she returned to Ryan.

  “Forgive me for not having as much faith in that wet lettuce as yourself. No, I’d feel much better about investigating this ourselves.”

  “Fine, if you want.”

  Leah had crept back to listen and when she realised her parents were still going to get themselves involved in this mess she decide she had to intervene. She opened the door, putting on her best worried expression, which wasn’t difficult given how she was feeling. “So what did Ashley want?”

  “Nothing for you to worry about,” said Rachel with a reassuring smile.

  “Are you sure? Nothing bad is going to happen, is it?”

  “Course not love. He was just after a bit of information and no, we’ve not done anything wrong.”

  “Good because I couldn’t stand it if something else happened. We’ve already been through so much and the boys are old enough now to know when something is going on.”

  Leah felt horribly guilty when her mum glanced at her dad with a told-you-so look. But her dad was standing firm. “Like your mum said,” he began. “It’s nothing for you to worry about. Not everything the police have to say is negative.”

  “So…he was here about something good?”

  “Well, not exactly but it’s nothing for you to concern yourself with, promise.”

  If you only knew, thought Leah.

  “So what subject have you to study today?” said Ryan.

  He always took an interest in her work and Leah was incredibly grateful her dad knew so much about so many subjects, he’d helped her understand when her teachers couldn’t but today she knew he was only asking to distract her. “Chemistry,” she sighed, knowing she couldn’t push things any further without making them suspicious.

  “Need any help?” he said.

  “No thanks. I’ve got it,” she said before slouching out of the room.

  “You still so keen on going ahead with this?” Rachel asked Ryan. “You see how upset she got when she thought something else was happening and if you push this it just might.”

  “What choice is th
ere, sit around and wait for another attack to happen?”

  “It’s not our business.”

  “And what if whoever is doing this is trying to frame us? What if next time they’re successful? We have no choice.”

  “Alright, maybe you’re right but we do it subtlety. I don’t want Leah finding out.”

  Every Saturday, Rachel and Ryan took the kids to her parent’s house for lunch. Leah found being surrounded by her closest family incredibly cathartic. Even her brothers’ antics didn’t get on her nerves as much as they usually did, she was just so grateful to have them all around her. Reid hadn’t contacted her since she’d met him in the café a couple of days ago and that made her nervous. He’d never been silent for so long and she worried what unpleasant surprise he had in store. It was becoming more and more evident that her handsome, sophisticated boyfriend was actually a psycho with a fixation on her parents and their pasts. It also hurt to realise that had been what had attracted him to her, not her own personal charms. She and her friends thought they were so clever and grown-up and all this had brought it home that she was still a stupid kid who knew nothing of the world, despite all the crap she’d already gone through, which made her feel even more stupid and silly.

  After lunch it was decided that they’d go for a walk in the park. The snow had gone but it was still very cold. Gill, after consuming three glasses of wine, was a little tipsy and giggly and Rick insisted she join them in the hope that it would sober her up.

  “This is lovely,” grinned a rosy-cheeked Gill, her arm linked through her husband’s as they strolled by the duck pond. “I’m so glad I came now.”

  “Yes very good,” said Rick. “Breathe in the fresh air dear.”

  “I am not drunk,” said Gill.

  “Not quite,” he said, eyes twinkling.

  “Aww look at the boys,” she said as they sat on a bench to watch the children play on the swings.

  “Yeah, they’re enjoying themselves. Leah’s too old now for the swings,” he smiled, pointing to Leah sat on a bench, tapping at the screen of her mobile phone. He frowned when he saw a figure lurking in the trees. “Who’s that?” Rick shot to his feet, terrified it was some assassin from Manchester come for his family. “Ryan,” he yelled, running into the play park, leaving behind a bemused Gill.