Duality (20 page)

“Yes, you and Battler did good today,” she said, picking up a blanket and wrapping it around the dog, who was still shivering. “Poor boy. We’ll have you back home tomorrow, to Cedric.”

At the mention of his owner’s name the dog’s head snapped up.

“I’m sure he’s smiling,” said Rachel, petting him.

At that moment Teddy stalked into the room rather regally. When he saw Rory he released a loud hiss, leapt three foot into the air then turned and attempted to run, claws slipping on the tiled floor. Ryan released a bellow of laughter as Teddy finally gained purchase and dashed out of the room, fur standing on end and tail fluffed up.

“Oh Rory,” grinned Ryan. “You might be smelly but you’re a good boy.”

Once Rory’s hunger was sated he lay on the rug Rachel had put down for him and fell asleep.

“I think he’ll be fine there until morning,” said Rachel, yawning. “There’s only four hours left until then anyway.”

The two of them headed upstairs to bed, passing Teddy cowering beneath the telephone table in the hallway, outrage in his eyes.

Rachel found her eyes closing as she slid beneath the sheets but she forced them to stay open to watch Ryan undress. She liked to admire him and revel in the fact that he was all hers. When he removed his jumper her eyes widened but not for the usual reason.

“What the hell is that on your back?”

Ryan glanced in the mirror and was dismayed to see a large bruise there. “It was a baseball bat.”

“Jesus Ryan.”

“I’m fine, fortunately I was wearing thick clothes that absorbed most of the impact.”

“Bloody hell, this is exactly what Jules was talking about and that bruise is on your back, which meant you were hit from behind.”

“They were a bunch of no-necks. Honestly,” he said, perching beside her on the edge of the bed and taking her hands. “Battler and I had everything under perfect control the entire time.”

“Obviously not or you wouldn’t have that bruise.”

“I’m home and I’m fine.” He kissed her. “Stop worrying.”

“I can’t because I know now for sure that you are addicted to the excitement. Normal life would be too dull for you.”

“No it wouldn’t,” he frowned. “You and the children are all I need.” This talk was making him uncomfortable and he prayed it wasn’t the start of a rift in their solid marriage.

“That’s not true and don’t deny it,” she said when he opened his mouth to reply. “I know it’s not because I feel the same.”

This threw him. “You do?”

She nodded. “When those men - correction, little boys - walked into the restaurant I knew exactly what they were there for, even though I didn’t recognise them. I could feel it coming off them and I felt…alive. I really wanted the fight because, to be honest, I enjoy it. I don’t mean I like hurting people, I like the adrenaline rush and fighting for those who can’t fight for themselves.”

Ryan was so relieved he laughed. He also loved how black her eyes had gone after getting that off her chest.

“What’s so funny?” she said.

“I thought this was something that was going to come between us but now I realise we’re even more alike than we originally thought. We’re not like other people, we need more and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

“There is if we get nicked. At least jumping out of planes with a bit of canvas strapped to your back doesn’t get you arrested.”

“But it’s not half as exciting.”

Her mischievous smile made his heart thud. “True,” she said.

“Do you feel better?”

“Actually, yes.”

“Fabulous,” he said, kissing her. He hoped for more but realised that wasn’t going to happen when she yawned and rubbed her eyes. But, to be fair, it was three in the morning.

Instead they curled up together, Ryan wrapping himself around her, holding her close, both able to fall asleep contentedly now they were back together.

Mikey and Jez watched Toni walk around the fire engine, frowning.

“I don’t understand, how is this supposed to help us?” she said. “I mean, I’m all for firemen, especially naked ones with big choppers but I don’t see how this can help us crush the shite out of Malc and Tam.”

“No one questions someone in uniform,” said Jez. “Everyone automatically does what they say without question. That could be very useful.”

Toni’s eyes gleamed with cunning. “You have had a good idea, haven’t you.”

“Everything still works,” interjected Mikey. “Even the water. Could make a very convincing display.”

Toni glanced at Caesar, who nodded. “I think it’s a good idea,” he said.

“So do I,” she said thoughtfully. “Alright, I’ll hear you out.”

When Mikey had finished explaining the plan they’d worked out she threw back her head and laughed.

“I fucking love it,” she said, delighted. “That pair of silly, treacherous bastards are living on borrowed time. Soon I will have their eyes,” she said, drawing two glasses cases from her coat pocket.

Mikey’s eyes flicked down to them. “Are they made of gold?”

“Oh yes. I wanted something special for those wallopers. Now we just need to find a way to lure out Malc, he’s been keeping a low profile. I think it’s time we paid Mr MacBride another visit.”

“Oh great,” sighed Mikey.

CHAPTER 19

Rory’s tail wagged like crazy as Ryan pulled up outside the ground floor flat Cedric lived in, realising he was finally home. Rachel had bathed him and groomed his coat that morning so hopefully Cedric wouldn’t realise just how badly he’d been treated.

When Ryan knocked a quivering voice called back, “who is it?” Obviously the poor man was terrified Mammo was going to return.

“My name’s Ryan Law. Harold asked me to get Rory back for you and I have him with me.”

There was the frantic sound of the door being unlocked and anger surged through Ryan at the sight of Cedric’s bruised face. It was a special type of coward who could beat up a blind man.

“Rory?” he said to the air.

In response the dog barked and Cedric’s face lit up. “Rory.”

He knelt down, reaching out and the dog placed his face in his hands.

“Rory,” he rasped, sightless eyes filling with tears. “Are you okay?”

“He’s fine,” assured Ryan, placing the leash in his hand gratefully.

“So he didn’t hurt him?”

“No,” replied Ryan, deciding he didn’t need to know the truth.

“Will Mammo come back for him?”

“I can safely say he’ll never bother you again.”

“But my debt…”

“Is written off. Please don’t worry about it any longer.”

“I was so stupid to borrow off him but I got desperate. My benefits have been cut because they say I can work but I can’t…I didn’t know what else to do. Then when Rory was taken from me…”

Ryan shifted from foot to foot, growing increasingly uncomfortable as the man started to cry. “It’s alright, Rory’s back now and Mammo won’t bother you ever again.”

The man nodded and smiled, wiping away his tears. “I don’t know how to thank you. Harold said you could help but I didn’t think anyone could stand up to Mammo.”

“He’s just a bully and like all bullies he caved in when someone confronted him. Don’t think about him for another moment, please.”

Cedric held out his hand. “Thank you. It seems a poor word for what you’ve done for me but thank you. This has made me realise that I can cope with anything thrown at me, as long as I have Rory.”

“You’re very welcome,” said Ryan, shaking his hand. “Right, I’ll leave you to it.”

Ryan walked away from that house feeling very pleased with himself. If he’d needed any proof that he and Rachel were doing the right thing he’d just got it. He was perfectly sure that without their intervention that man would have ended up taking his own life and his dog would have died cold and starving, tied to a stake. Ryan smiled as he imagined Cedric’s reaction when he discovered the envelope stuffed full of money tucked into Rory’s collar. A man like that had his pride and would have refused it had Ryan offered it him. It felt wonderful doing some good. He hoped it went some way to making up for all the bad he’d done.

When Jules’s mobile phone rang she was surprised to see it was Mikey’s number.

“Hello,” she smiled, pleased.

“Hello,” he replied. “I was just wondering how you’re doing?”

“I’m good thanks. Actually, Devon’s quite fun.”

“What, the men?”

The jealousy in his tone made her smile. “Actually I haven’t been with any men thank you,” she replied. Well, it was the truth but he didn’t need to know about Sabine. “I’m enjoying time with my family, that’s what I meant and me and Rach beat up a bunch of tossers who came for her in her restaurant.”

“What?” he yelled down the line.

“Relax, it’s okay. They didn’t lay a finger on us, bunch of big girls in frilly knickers they were.”

“Why did they attack you?”

She explained about Rachel’s original run-in with the gang on that lonely country road. “I thought you would have heard about it, it made all the papers.”

“Probably because I’m incognito at the moment.”

“Oh Christ, what have you done? Can I not leave you alone for five minutes?”

“I’ve not done anything. I’m in Glasgow with Jez.”

“Glasgow? McVay territory? Are you crazy?”

“We’re helping Toni out. Uncle Tam’s trying to take over the family and we’re backing her up.”

“Can’t she manage on her own?”

“Half the family are for Tam, half for her. She doesn’t want anyone to find out we’re here yet so we’re camped out in the suite of a hotel she owns.”

“Please tell me you took back-up?” she demanded, screwing her eyes shut and shaking her head.

“We’ve got Mark and Shane.”

“Shane?” she exclaimed. “Are you fucking serious? He’s just a kid.”

“Declan and Grant have stayed behind in Manchester to keep an eye on things.”

“You should have left Shane and taken Grant.”

“Declan’s not a strong leader, he needs Grant’s back-up.”

“I don’t like this Mikey. Want me to come up there?”

“No I do not. You stay in Devon and take it easy and you shouldn’t be fighting in your condition.”

“It was no problem, they didn’t get near me. It was actually quite funny.”

“I don’t believe this. You’re supposed to be relaxing and living a healthy lifestyle.”

“Stop fussing, I’m fine. I’m more worried about you.”

“I’m fine too.”

“Toni’s a sly cow, she might use you to do her dirty work then try and bump you off.”

“She won’t, she needs us. This is proving that and our deal rakes in a ton of money, she wouldn’t give up that.”

“Makes sense but still, watch your back. I don’t trust her an inch.”

“Me neither but we’ve got it under control, don’t worry about it.”

“At least you’ve got Mark with you.”

“Me and Jez aren’t exactly helpless you know.”

“And you’re not invincible either.”

“I wish I hadn’t bloody mentioned it now.”

“So do I, I’ll only worry.”

“You will?”

“Course. This might surprise you but I do have normal human feelings,” she snapped.

“Alright, calm down.”

“Why do people always say that? It just pisses me off even more.”

“So…have you made a decision about Jackson’s offer?”

“Are you prying Mikey Maguire?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I want you to be happy.”

“Any other reason?”

“Such as?”

“You tell me.”

“Are Ryan and Rachel there?”

“No, Ryan’s out being a boy scout and Rachel’s taking the kids to school. We’re all alone.”

“So are you going to tell me or keep me in suspense?”

“Actually I haven’t decided yet so you’re going to have to wait a bit longer.”

There was a heavy sigh on the other end. “What’s taking so long? You not sure you love him now?”

“No, I know I do. I just need to be sure that I’m doing the right thing. For everyone. Why are you sighing again?”

“Because the strain is killing me.”

“Why is it a strain on you? Mikey?” she added when there was no response.

“Because I want to know,” he eventually said.

“Why?”

“Because I do.”

“There must be a reason?”

“Alright, there is and you know what it is.”

“What?”

“You know.”

“Do I?”

“Jesus, do I have to spell it out?”

“It would seem so.”

“Okay. Well I…I care about you.”

“I know. Because we’re cousins.”

“Well yes, there is that but…”

“But what?” she grinned. She loved winding him up.

“I…”

Jules held her breath, thinking he was actually going to say it.

“It’s important because of the business we’re in.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, course it is. I’ll give you my answer when I get back, okay?”

“Fine. Take care down there and stop fighting.”

“Don’t you start lecturing me too. I’ve had all that from Ryan.”

“So he’s finally playing the big brother?”

“Big style and enjoying it.”

“And are you enjoying being the little sister?”

She couldn’t repress her smile. “Yeah, I am.”

“Good. How much longer are you going to be down there?”

“Dunno. How much longer are you going to be in Glasgow?”

“Depends on how long Her Majesty keeps us here.”

“In that case, there’s no point me returning to Manchester until you’re there. See you sexy.”

With that she hung up, smiling. Let him stew on that for a while.

Mikey ended the phone call to Jules and lay back on the bed in his room in the hotel suite, mulling over their conversation, which had left him with more questions and no answers. Christ he was in torment, he had to know what was going through her head but she was giving him no clue. Jules did enjoy her mind games.

“What?” he barked when someone knocked on his door.

“What’s crawled up your scrotum and died?” Jez barked back. “Stop being a moody bastard and get your arse out here. We’re going out.”

“Thank fuck for that,” sighed Mikey, sitting up and pulling on his shoes. He was sick of being stuck inside. He tugged on his jacket then pulled open the door. “Where are we going?”

“You won’t like it,” said Jez, grinning.

Mikey swore again.

The four of them took the lift down to the underground car park to find Toni and Caesar waiting for them.

“Morning boys,” she smiled. “Sleep well?”

“Yeah,” said Jez.

She eyed Mikey with a frown. “You don’t look like a man who got a good night’s sleep. What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t give me that. You’re a man who has a problem. What is it?”

“I don’t sleep well in strange beds.”

“If you think that’s strange then mine would terrify you,” she said with a wink. “Let’s go and annoy Mr MacBride.”

Mikey cheered a little. That sounded like fun.

Jules was dozing on the couch, for once feeling tired while Rachel went through the post in an armchair by the window and Ryan caught up with some paperwork in the study. The children were out at school and nursery and for once peace reigned.

Rachel opened one of the letters and frowned. “Oh shit.” She was distracted by a buzz at the gate, indicating someone wanted to be let in. “Who the bloody hell is that?” she said, casting aside the letter, annoyed by the interruption. Moments of tranquillity were few and far between. She wandered over to the front door to peer at the monitor linked to the camera on the exterior of the house.

Ryan popped his head out of the study. “Who is it?”

“It’s just Ashley,” she said, hitting the button beside the monitor that would open the gate.

Normally Detective Inspector Boyle looked so affable but today he appeared to be absolutely furious as he stormed up to the house.

“This doesn’t look good,” Rachel told Ryan before pulling open the front door. “Ashley, nice to see you.”

“Mrs Law. Can I come in?” he said sternly.

“Mrs Law?” she frowned.

“I come on very serious business and I’d like to keep it entirely professional. Can I come in?”

“Of course,” she said, holding the door open wider.

Ashley stomped inside, acknowledging Ryan with a nod of the head. “Mr Law.”

“Detective Inspector Boyle,” he said equally coldly.

Rachel felt nervous, wondering if this was about Emily. Surely she wouldn’t be so stupid as to go to the police?

“Where’s your sister?” Ashley asked, addressing Ryan. “This involves her too.”

“This way,” said Ryan, leading him into the lounge where Jules was still out for the count on the couch, snoring.

Gently Ryan shook her shoulder. “Jules.”

She didn’t stir.

He shook her slightly harder. “Jules.”

“Eh?” she said, eyes flying open. “Who shut the window on the elephant?”

“What are you talking about?” said Ryan.

Jules sat up and slowly looked around the room. “Thank God it was a dream.”

“I don’t even want to know about that,” said Ryan. “There’s someone here who wishes to talk to us all.”

Jules frowned up at Ashley. “Who are you?”

“Detective Inspector Boyle and I need to talk to you about what happened at The Lighthouse.”

“We’ve already gone through that with your officers,” said Rachel.

“A very serious allegation has been made,” continued Ashley, stern-faced. “Two of the four men allege that you Mrs Law and your sister-in-law here tortured them for information.”

“Tortured?” she exclaimed. “Really Ashley, do you think that sounds like something we’d do?”