by Linda Calvey
Belle, white-faced with fury, hissed, ‘What will you do, eh, Ruby? Cut me up and feed me to the pigs just like you did with Freddie Harris? Just like you did with your own brother? No one gets in your way, do they, Ruby? You’re a murderer, you’re a cold killer with no remorse, none at all!’
Ruby was shocked by the spite in Belle’s tone. She looked at the woman again, seeing her as if for the first time. She’d always wondered how someone as nice as Belle had managed to work in a prison alongside men who’d committed terrible crimes. It had been a Category C prison for the least dangerous men but even so, none of them were angels, yet she’d taught a bunch of hardened crooks how to paint with watercolours! She’d had to be made of stronger stuff than she appeared, but Ruby had never seen this before.
In a strange way, Ruby had a new respect for this woman who, until now, she’d dismissed as ‘straight’ and ‘nice’. Well, the niceness had gone, for now.
‘All right, Belle. So, the gloves are off. I did what I had to do, and if I had to do it again I would.’ Ruby stared back defiantly. Her voice was low but loud enough for Belle to hear every word.
‘Is that a threat?’ Belle countered, but now she looked on the verge of tears. The woman’s anger was melting away, and it made Ruby pause. She saw Belle’s guilt and how hard it was for her to be lying to Cathy, who she clearly adored. She saw how the veneer of strength had rubbed away, leaving a woman who cared for her daughter deeply. Cathy might be more like her old self these days but she was still affected, still quieter, more reserved than she’d ever been. Ruby couldn’t risk destroying the small steps forward she’d taken.
Yet, Ruby suddenly felt sorry for Belle, seeing the impossible position she was in. ‘I’m so sorry, Belle, but it must be this way, for Cathy. I can’t control what you do. I can’t stop you from tellin’ her but I’m askin’ you not to. Cathy has started to live again. Oh, it’s only small things, like an occasional trip to the shops, or eating dinner with us as a family, but she is starting to cope with what happened. I can see she’ll never be that same, innocent girl ever again though, and if she knew I’d killed George . . .’ Ruby looked away, ‘she’d never forgive any of us. So, I’m askin’ you not to destroy my child’s life any more than it has been already.’
And with that, Ruby walked away. She left Belle, she walked through the crowd, depositing her glass on a passing waiter’s silver tray, and walked straight up to Archie.
‘I want to go,’ she said, and something in her tone told him she meant it.
‘Come on,’ he said without hesitation, and with his hand on her back, he steered her through the crowds.
Outside he hailed a cab.
‘It’s time to go back to Spain,’ Ruby said as she leaned her head against her husband’s shoulder.
He was wise enough not to question her just then. Instead, he nodded.
‘Then we go.’
Ruby knew she had to trust Belle to do the right thing for Cathy, or trust that Belle was scared enough of her not to betray her. It was a risk but then again, wasn’t everything?
CHAPTER 45
‘Come on, darlin’, let’s go and ’ave a nice day together. We’ll get our hair done and go for lunch at that restaurant you like.’
Back in Spain, Ruby was trying to cajole her daughter into going out with her for a girls’ day. There was a fiesta in the local town to celebrate the end of summer and the start of autumn, and it was always a joy to see the spectacle, mingle with the crowds, watch the processions, then head off for some pampering.
Cathy was reluctant at first, but after Archie handed her a wad of notes, she brightened. ‘Well, there is a dress I’ve seen. It’s gorgeous, Mum, and I’d like to try it on . . .’
Ruby was determined to spend as much time with Cathy as possible after Belle’s revelation. If her daughter was going to ask anyone for help, or seek comfort or reassurance, Ruby wanted to be the one who gave it to her. Belle’s words had shaken her up.
‘Let’s go in the sports car with the top down. We’ll be really flash today. Anyway, most of the staff will be off at the festival so there’s no point hangin’ around ’ere. We’ll ’ave a lovely day together.’ Ruby smiled at her daughter. The sun had left her with a smattering of freckles and a light tan that set off the colour of her eyes, exactly the same shade as Ruby’s.
Cathy was wearing a yellow sundress and flip-flops. She wore an ankle bracelet as her only jewellery, and looked relaxed and happy. The sight made Ruby’s heart swell.
‘You’ll be goin’ back to school in a few days so let’s make the most of our time together,’ she added, turning the car ignition and gliding off, the car emitting a deep throaty growl as they went.
It felt good to be out of the villa.
‘You OK, darlin’?’ Ruby asked as they drove down the road that wound along the hillside. Around them were pine trees firmly rooted in the rich red soil, their branches still in the heat.
‘Yeah, I’m OK, Mum,’ Cathy smiled, and the words were like warm honey to Ruby. It was the first real smile she’d seen on her daughter’s face since the attack and Ruby cherished it. Ruby started to relax too. She’s healing. She’s going to be OK, not the same, but OK, she thought.
They drove to the town, spent the day buying clothes, new shoes and make-up before ending the day at the salon.
It was almost six o’clock in the evening by the time they returned. Ruby’s tyres crunched on the gravel as they turned into the villa entrance.
‘Where are the guards?’
Ruby looked round as Cathy spoke.
‘Oh, I think your dad gave them the afternoon off but I thought he’d left a couple ’ere, just in case.’
Ruby frowned as she spotted a vehicle parked haphazardly outside the villa entrance. It was not the kind of car usually associated with their contacts. It was battered-looking and downmarket with scuffed tyres and dirty windows.
‘Who’s this? Do you know the car?’ Ruby asked, thinking perhaps it was one of Cathy’s friends borrowing one for the evening, but Cathy shrugged.
‘No idea. Probably somethin’ to do with Dad.’
Ruby wasn’t reassured by her daughter’s nonchalance. ‘Why don’t you stay ’ere and catch the last few rays of sunshine, darlin’ . . .’ she started to say, but Cathy had already swung out of the car and was heading for the entrance.
‘I’m tired, Mum. I’m goin’ inside.’
‘Wait!’ Ruby said as she got out of the car, and without shutting the door she hurried to the villa entrance. Suddenly, she felt a sense of foreboding. She started to reach inside her bag for her keys and then realised the door was already open.
Cathy, seemingly oblivious to her mum’s instincts, stepped inside.
The cool air greeted them. Cathy walked ahead. Ruby heard her heels tap on the white tiled floor, the sound – clack, clack, clack – echoing through the quiet corridor.
Where was everyone? Surely Archie hadn’t given them all the evening off? How trusting, how foolish of her husband . . . so very unlike him . . .
Ruby walked towards the large airy lounge. Then she heard Cathy scream.
There was the sound of a tussle, and a man’s voice she didn’t recognise. A bolt of panic went through her. She pushed open the lounge door. The first thing she saw was her daughter acting strangely, sitting bolt upright in one of the plush sofas, her eyes wide, her mouth open.
‘Cathy?’
Then, she saw Archie tied to a chair, his face bleeding, his mouth a single menacing line in his face. He looked up at her but there was no time to ask questions.
‘Where’s the money?’ shouted a man wearing a black balaclava. He marched up to Ruby and pointed his gun directly in her face.
CHAPTER 46
Time stood still.
Ruby turned to face the intruder, staring down the barrel of his gun.
‘Tell us and you live,’ the gunman said menacingly. His accent was Middle Eastern, his eyes coal black beh
ind the mask.
A jolt of pure fear and adrenaline surged through Ruby’s body.
‘Give them nuthin’. Open the safe and we’re all dead!’ yelled Archie from the other side of the room.
Her eyes flicked over to where he was straining against the ties that bound him to a chair. Another balaclava-clad robber held a gun to his head.
The seconds ticked past. Ruby tried to swallow but her throat was dry.
How had the robbers got past the security guards she knew had been there earlier in the day? Surely Archie would never have let them go to the festival, not after what happened with the Albanians? Someone else must’ve betrayed them – of that she was now sure – but there was no time to speculate. Her life, and that of her daughter and husband, were on the line. One mistake and they were all dead.
As if to make his point, the second gunman slammed his fist into Archie’s face. Her husband’s nose exploded; blood sprayed across the white marble floor.
‘Dad!’ Cathy shrieked.
Ruby wanted to scream, to run to her beloved husband, but she was rooted to the spot with fear.
Stay calm, stay calm Ruby, she thought to herself. She mustn’t show her panic. If there was anything she’d learnt from the life she’d led up until now, it was that.
‘Give. Us. The. Money.’ The man stepped closer. The gun was almost touching her face. Her ears strained for any other noise, the sound of other possible assailants, but the villa was silent. She guessed these two were working alone. They’d probably bribed the guards to let them in, a simple trick but effective.
Ruby realised they were all alone. No staff would rescue them. She had to face this herself. The thought, strangely, gave her strength. She was best when her back was against the wall. Throughout her life she’d taken chances, taken risks most others wouldn’t. This was the ultimate test. She had to pass it.
She made a decision.
‘All right,’ she said. Somehow she kept her voice steady, though her heart pounded and she could feel sweat trickling down her back. ‘I’ll give you the money.’
‘NO! Ruby they’ll KILL us, d’ya hear me?’ Archie dissolved into coughing. He spat blood onto the floor.
Hold still, Ruby, keep it together, she repeated in her mind like a mantra. She couldn’t look at her husband in his blood-soaked clothes, tied up and brutalised, or she would break. An angry fly banged against the glass window and the sun shone on the azure sea far below the cliff. She gazed at the view, steeling herself.
‘I’ll do what you tell me but you don’t touch him – or my daughter,’ Ruby commanded, drawing herself up tall and holding her assailant’s gaze.
The gunman turned to his associate and nodded. The other robber raised his arm as if to strike again.
‘You. Don’t. Touch. Him,’ Ruby said. Her voice was low but there was no denying her authority.
The robbers exchanged a glance and the first one gestured for the other to hold back. It was a small victory but it gave Ruby hope she could get through this – if she held her nerve.
By now, she’d realised that these men could just shoot them all and escape with the paintings. There were several masterpieces on the walls, and it would’ve been a worthwhile haul. It was their focus on money that made Ruby think these gunmen were nobodies, just two chancers who got lucky. If they were professional crooks they’d know the value of the pieces, which far exceeded the contents of the safes in the villa. The fact they didn’t seem to be interested in the pictures gave Ruby hope, but the fact they must have had the funds to bribe the guards left her worried there might be someone behind these crooks.
Their hesitation had also given her time to appraise them. Both wore scruffy clothes and scuffed trainers. They seemed agitated now, rattled. Perhaps they’d expected a woman to scream or faint.
As calmly as she could, she said, ‘Gentlemen, I’ll get you the money but put yer guns down. You’re makin’ me nervous and I might forget the combination.’ Even as she said the words, she prayed that Archie would stay quiet. She wanted them focused on her.
She smiled, knowing the effect this would have on them. She sensed confusion amid the urgency. Their gazes were darting between each other, and like an animal hunting its prey, she sensed they were unsure now. This was her moment to take the lead. She’d faced down bigger villains than these two gun-wielding amateurs. She felt a surge of adrenaline again.
Both men pointed their guns at the floor.
‘Thank you.’ Every second that passed gave her the advantage. She turned her back to the men, praying they wouldn’t seize their chance and grab her from behind. Nothing happened and so she walked, slowly, across the floor, her heels clicking on the cold, hard surface as she went.
She walked to the back of the room where a large abstract painting hung on the wall. The gunmen were now between her and her family. Sound was amplified. She heard Cathy moaning, the two men breathing heavily inside their balaclavas and Archie quietly straining against his bindings. Ruby willed herself to keep going, to keep calm.
The painting rolled back to reveal a large safe, one of several in the villa, but she guessed they didn’t know about the others. It didn’t matter anyway. A plan had formed inside Ruby’s mind. She had mere seconds left, seconds which would decide all of their fates. She knew that if she got this wrong, they were dead meat. One bad move, and it was all over. The fact heightened her senses, sharpened her mind.
She glanced back at the men and saw them exchange a look of glee. In that one gesture she saw something animal-like, something uncontrollable, and in her gut, she felt they’d do exactly what Archie said, they’d kill them all as soon as that cash was out of the safe. She had seconds to think. She mustn’t let that happen.
She raised her hand to the dial.
CLICK. CLICK. CLICK.
‘I always knew this was a dangerous business, and you two gentlemen ’ave proved me right,’ Ruby said as the safe opened and she reached inside.
‘NO! Don’t give those bastards nuthin’!’ Archie shouted.
Pulling out the gun she knew was hidden in there, she turned and pulled the trigger, shooting the first man in the face.
The sound of another gunshot ricocheted around the villa. She looked over to the second gunman. Her husband was slumped down in the chair, blood pooling under his body. She turned her gun on the robber and shot him once, twice, three times. She kept shooting, walking towards him, until the bullets ran out. She tossed the gun away and ran over to her husband.
Cathy was screaming.
She threw herself to her knees, Archie’s thick red blood soaking into her dress.
‘Archie! Archie! My love, are ya there?’ She held his head to her. It was heavy, his body lifeless, and she realised he was dead.
‘Call the ambulance, Cathy! Do it now!’ Ruby yelled, cradling her husband, his head now flopped onto her chest, smearing blood across her. Her beloved husband, the man of her life, lay dead in her arms, slain by the men who lay in their own pools of blood on the floor.
CHAPTER 47
The police arrived in a flurry of sirens and flashing lights. Ruby barely noticed them. She held on to Archie’s body for as long as she could, smothering him in kisses, before they took him away, peeling her off him gently.
Zipped inside a body bag was the only man she’d ever loved heart and soul, who was now gone from her for ever.
As she watched them take Archie away, she held Cathy close, the pair drawing strength from each other as their grief painted tears across their faces. Time passed, the officers must have asked questions, but it was all a blur to Ruby.
Their home was now an active crime scene. They were ushered into the kitchen where paramedics checked them both over. She had the presence of mind to discreetly ensure some of the police officers she was familiar with stayed around the villa. She didn’t know who to trust, but took a chance that the crooked cops they employed wouldn’t want to lose their main source of income. She could barely function, but she
knew she had to protect Cathy.
What might have been hours later, their home was released to them – sometimes it was good to have a police chief in your pocket. After Cathy had taken to her bed, Ruby picked up the telephone.
‘Lloyd, I ’ave somethin’ to tell ya. I don’t know how to say this . . .’ Ruby’s voice broke. Her heart felt wrenched into two pieces, for ever broken.
‘What is it, Ruby?’ Lloyd said. Both he and Alfie were in England finalising a shipment from Vladimir to their London contacts. They’d been due to fly back to Spain later that day. They didn’t yet know they’d be flying home to attend Archie’s funeral.
‘It’s Archie . . . He’s dead . . .’
Ruby’s words hung in the air. There was silence at the other end.
‘Archie’s dead?’ he said slowly, as if trying to understand. ‘My son is dead . . . How did it ’appen, Ruby?’ He sounded weary suddenly, like an old man.
In the background, Ruby could hear Alfie shouting. She hadn’t realised he was there beside Lloyd, hearing every word. ‘No! No, not Archie, not Archie . . .’ over and over again. His grief mirrored her own, as overwhelming as a tidal wave.
She barely felt the tears running down her face now.
‘Two men forced their way in when Cathy and I were out shoppin’. It’s OK, Cathy’s OK. I shot them both, but they took my Archie’s life before I could stop them. I failed him, Lloyd, I failed my Archie and he’s dead because of me.’
‘No, Ruby, you were the best wife he could’ve hoped for. You weren’t to blame. Where are you now? Tell me exactly what happened.’
‘We’re fine, we’re safe. It was a robbery. They were after money in one of the safes . . . but . . .’
‘It’s OK, Ruby. You’re OK.’
‘I don’t know how it ’appened, but they must’ve paid off the guards. They had money. We came home from a day out and they’d broken in . . . What are the chances it was a straight robbery, Lloyd?’
