by D. S. Butler
She had sworn until she was blue in the face that she was completely innocent of any involvement in the car bomb that killed Martin. She had felt guilty that Tony had believed her so easily, but she couldn’t tell him the truth. He wouldn’t have understood. Despite everything Martin had done, Tony had loved his brother.
In fact, things were definitely looking up between her and Tony. He was eager for her to take a position in the family business, but Babs didn’t want to rush into anything. Derek was home, and she wanted to give him a chance to get established and learn the ropes without sticking her nose in.
Right now, Babs’s top priority was to enjoy her life as a free woman, and she intended to do that to the best of her ability.
She walked back to Poplar feeling very glamorous in her brand-new fur coat. Just as she was about to turn into Bread Street, she spotted Frieda. She waved at the older woman and quickly crossed the road to join her.
“Hello, love,” Frieda said cheerfully.
Recently, Babs had persuaded Frieda to give up her cleaning job. She didn’t need to work so hard now that the rent on her house had miraculously been reduced. What Frieda didn’t know was Babs had paid off her landlord. There were only a few people in the world who Babs loved. Most people saw her as a hard-nosed cow, and she could certainly be a handful, but once a person had shown her kindness, she didn’t forget it. Babs was loyal to her friends.
She excitedly updated Frieda on the latest on Gertie’s case and told her proudly Derek was showing an aptitude for taking over Martin’s enterprises.
She was in such a good mood she even smiled at two women walking past them on the street. Unfortunately, they didn’t smile back and instead sneered and looked down their noses at Babs.
Babs’s good mood didn’t last long. “Would you look at those stuck up mares, Frieda? Someone ought to take the broomsticks out of their backsides, then they might cheer up a little bit.”
Frieda burst out laughing as the women scurried off. “It’s good to know you haven’t changed a bit, Babs.”
Babs grinned at her friend, but she knew Frieda was wrong. The past few years had taken their toll. Babs had changed a great deal and would never be the same again.
* * *
A week later, Jimmy Diamond held a meeting at Dave Carter’s warehouse on Blocksy Road. He was feeling nervous, although he would never admit that to the assembled men in front of him. Tim’s large bulk standing beside him as backup was reassuring, but he knew the men had questions, most of which he wouldn’t be able to answer.
“Listen up, lads,” Jimmy said, speaking loudly so those in attendance would be able to hear him.
He filled them in as best he could on the events that had happened recently and explained that he would be in charge until Dave returned.
“No offence, Jimmy,” Charlie Williams said. “But why has he left you in charge? You’re only a youngster.”
“That’s why I’m going to need your help. You and Brian especially,” Jimmy said, nodding at Brian Moore, who was sitting in the front row and looking as dubious as Charlie Williams at this unexpected development.
Charlie leant back in his seat. “Fair enough. If it’s what Dave wants, it’s fine by me.”
Jimmy nodded slowly, and then Brian spoke up. “Are you going to tell us what happened to Gary Carter?”
Jimmy had been hoping nobody would ask that question. “He’s gone. He won’t be giving anyone any trouble in the future.”
There was silence around the warehouse as the men realised what Jimmy meant.
“What about Dave’s sons? Are they okay with you taking charge of his businesses like this?” A man at the back of the room called out.
Jimmy was about to answer, but he didn’t need to.
Trevor walked through the group of men gathered around Jimmy as he headed towards the front of the warehouse with a limp. “Georgie is with my father. But I just want to say that Jimmy has my full support,” he said gruffly.
Jimmy nodded at him. He knew this couldn’t be easy for Trevor. As much as he felt sorry for Dave’s eldest son, he wasn’t sure he would ever be able to trust him. For now, though, he would need to let bygones be bygones.
“Where is Dave anyway?” Charlie asked. “I haven’t seen him since he left the hospital and went to that convalescence place.”
“He’s taking a holiday, visiting a friend in Spain.”
Charlie raised an eyebrow. “Is he coming back?”
“He’s Dave Carter,” Jimmy said with a grin. “He always comes back.”
A Note from Dani
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Also by Dani Oakley
East End Trouble
East End Diamond
Dani Oakley also writes under the name D.S. Butler. You can find the books here:
Deadly Obsession
Deadly Motive
Deadly Revenge
Deadly Justice
Deadly Ritual
Deadly Payback
Deadly Game
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