KILTED DESIRE 3 - New Blood (9 page)

   “Aye we had fun when he visited, and we did do a job last summer. He got paid fer it so that’s probably why he had a wee bit more cash. I knew he did nae like his regular job though. I just had nae idea it was anything near the stage where he’d do something like this. It really still does nae make sense tae me. I’d really like tae know who these guys are though! If they do turn up again, ca
n yer try and find oot a name? Or even get a phone number fae them! And definitely call me. Also if they give yer any trouble at all then dinnae hesitate tae call the police. Actually, if yer think it’s them at the door then have the phone in yer hand with the number ready tae dial when yer answer it.”

   “Okay Scott, I‘ll see what I can do. I’m just a wee bit scared, especially having kids in the house.”

   “Aye I understand that. Do yer have anyone who can stay here with yer fer a few days,” Scott said as he stood up.

   “
My boyfriend comes over some evenings, but he does nae stay overnight. I’ve only been seeing him fer a couple of months.”

   “Och well it’s guid that someone will be here with yer. Just oot of interest, did Chris ever meet him?”

   “Aye, he did a couple of times. He said he did nae have a problem with it. Plus I know he’d been oot on dates.”

   “Okay, it’s nae any of my business. I just wondered. Look I’ll be in the country fer a
few more days so if they come back, call me. It does nae matter what time it is, my phone will always be on.”

   “Thanks Scott, I have tae leave now anyway tae go collect the kids fae school,”
Sharon said as she started to walk towards the front door.

After saying goodbye, Scott and Tiffany returned to the car.

   “You’re going to have to translate a lot of that again Scott, I managed to pick up a few things about some men coming to the house looking for Chris. I’m fine when you talk to me but when you get into conversations with other Scottish people I struggle to understand,” she said to him as he started the car.

   “I’m sorry, I dinnae do it on purpose. I’ll explain as we drive,” Scott said smiling at her. The information Sharon had given him about the men was not much but it was a start. Maybe, just maybe, it could lead him to some information that would help
him understand what happened to Chris, Scott thought. He filled her in on the details as he drove back towards the hotel. The city streets were starting to fill up with traffic, so it took a little longer to get back to their room.

   The next day Scott took Tiffany over to Edinburgh, they spent the whole day there doing touristy things. She enjoyed looking around the gift shops and loved visiting the castle. It was another cold day and on the way back to Glasgow, it started to snow, heavily. The chaos on the roads caused the return journey to take several hours, and they didn’t arrive back at the hotel until nearly 10:00 p.m.  After having a quick drink of champagne and cleaning up a little, Scott climbed into bed. Tiffany was still in the bathroom, he was eager for her to join him. Then, his cell phone began to ring. He reached over to the bedside table and grabbed it, quickly pressing the answer button.

   “Hello.”

   “Scott, this is Sharon. They were just here again, the same guys.”

   “What happened? Are yer okay?”

   “Aye, although they were a wee bit more aggressive this time. I had the phone ready in my hand like yer said and told them I was going tae call the police.”

   “Guid, so did yer find anything oot?”

   “Aye, the one guy said his name was Kenny. He left his phone number and said he runs the slot machine arcade on Abercromby Street. I’m nae sure where that is!”

   “Nor me, but I’ll find it. Did Chris ever play those machines?”

   “I dinnae think so Scott, but I cannae be sure.”

   “Okay Sharon. What else happened? Did they threaten yer?”

   “Nae, they just seemed more aggressive and they were trying tae look in tae the house more than last time. I dinnae know what they think they’re going tae see! I’d call the police again but I suspect they’d just say the same as last time. Until they actually do something illegal, there’s nae anything they can do.”

   “Aye yer probably reet, I’ll head over there in the morning and see what I can find oot. I’ll give yer a call sometime tomorrow and let yer know what happened.”

   “Thanks Scott.”

Sharon gave Scott the phone number that ‘Kenny’
had left with her, then said goodnight. Just as Scott was finishing the call, Tiffany returned from the bathroom.

   “I may have tae put yer trip tae the highlands on hold fer a while Tiff. Sharon just had another visit fae the guys who are looking fer Chris. We’ve got some information this time so I want tae go and check it oot tomorrow,” he said as she climbed
into bed with him.

   “That’s fine Scott, where do we have to go?” she asked as she turned off the bedside light and snuggled up to him.

   “It sounds like it’s a slot machine arcade. And what do yer mean ‘we’? I think it’s best if yer stay here at the hotel, just in case.”

   “I want to come with you Scott, please.”

   “Och Tiff, I dinnae know what type of people we’re dealing with here, but I suspect they’re nae friendly guys. Let me sleep on it, yer can maybe come fer a drive but I dinnae think it would be a guid idea fer yer tae come in with me.”

   “Thanks babe,” she said as she nuzzled her head into his chest.

   Scott was awake very early the next morning. He was on the laptop doing
some research. There was only one slot machine arcade on Abercromby Street that he could see. It was called ‘King Gaming’, but that was all Scott could find out about it. He tried to get information on the phone number too, but was unable to trace that to anyone in particular. He knew there were people he could contact if needed to find out more, but he only called in those kinds of favors when it was absolutely necessary. He decided that he’d check out the place first, to see who ‘Kenny’ was, and find out what he wanted to get hold of Chris for. Tiffany didn’t wake up until after 8:00 a.m. but Scott wasn’t in a rush. There was no point in going out early and sitting in the morning rush hour traffic. It was best to wait for a couple of hours.

   Later that morning they set out on the short drive across Glasgow. It didn’t take long to locate the street and Scott drove by the arcade to check it out. It looked to be a pretty small place with bright red and yellow signage above the large blacked out window and entry door. He was unable to park close by so had to find a parking lot in an adjacent street. He was reluctant to take Tiffany with him, despite her constant requests, but he hadn’t been able to park as close as he’d like. Plus he was unsure about the area that they were in.  He wasn’t particularly familiar with this part of the city and didn’t want to leave her alone in the car. So begrudgingly, he agreed that she could accompany him.

   It was another bitterly cold Scottish winter day as they made their way across the slippery sidewalks. The previous day’s snowfall was still causing havoc in the city. Soon they were at the gaming establishment, Scott pushed open the door and went inside, closely followed by Tiffany. There were lots of rows of machines packed into the small room. Lots of sounds filled the room, buzzers, bells and spinning reels. It was a dimly lit smoky room. There were a few people in there playing the machines but it didn’t seem to be especially busy. Nobody in there seemed to take any notice as Scott made his way towards the cashier’s booth near the back of the room. He was holding Tiffany’s hand, keeping her close to him.

  
“What can I do fer yer love?” asked the middle aged female cashier, who was behind a glass partition.

   “I need tae talk tae Kenny, is he here?” Scott asked.

   “Is he expecting yer?”

   “Nae but it’s important, it’s
aboot Chris Walker.”

   “Hang on a minute,” she said as she picked up the cordless phone and pressed a
button. As she began to talk she turned around and moved away from Scott, before returning a few seconds later.

   “He’ll be oot tae see yer in a couple of minutes.”

   “Thanks,” Scott replied.

  
After only a few seconds a door at the back of the room opened and a man appeared. He looked to be in his 30’s, had a receding hairline and was unshaven. He was wearing jeans and a hooded sweatshirt. The man wasn’t as tall as Scott but he was definitely heavier. He came straight over to them.

   “Are yer Chris Walker?” he asked.

   “Nae, Chris died a few weeks ago. But I’m here tae find oot why yer so interested in him. I’m nae looking fer any trouble, I just want tae try and help get this sorted oot. Can we talk?”

  
Kenny looked at Scott and paused for a few seconds.

   “Aye come through to the office.”

He walked back to the door, Scott and Tiffany following him through and into a small office. He sat down behind his desk, and pointed to the chairs in his office suggesting the couple could take a seat if they wished.

   “So what’s all this aboot?” Scott asked, he remained standing, as did Tiffany.

   “He owes us money,” Kenny said aggressively.

   “How can he owe yer money, this is a slots arcade, there’s nae credit on the machines. Yer put yer cash in, if yer win yer win, if yer lose yer lose. He
cannae owe yer money unless there’s something yer nae telling me!”

   “He owes my boss money, and he asked me to collect it. That’s all yer need tae know.”

   “Chris died a few weeks ago. It was on the news, in the papers, on the internet. Yer must have seen something,” Scott added.

   “Aye a lot of people who owe money suddenly die! Even if he is dead, we still need tae collect,” he said sarcastically.

   “I think yer going tae be oot of luck on this one, his wife does nae have anything. They were nae even together. He’d been separated fer over a year. How much is he supposed tae owe anyway?”

   “We always collect, and it’s aboot 20 grand now, with the interest,” Kenny replied as he stood up and moved around the desk towards Scott.

   “Who’s yer boss? I’ll talk tae him and see if we can get this straightened oot,” Scott asked.

   “It’s none of yer business. Y
er know all yer need tae,” he shouted.

   “Okay I’ll find oot another way, but I will talk tae yer boss,” Scott responded confidently.

   “Who do yer think yer are coming in tae my workplace and talking tae me like this and who’s the lass?”

   “I’m his girlfriend,” Tiffany stated.

   “Yer cute, and I like yer voice,” he said as he moved slightly to Scott’s side to get a better look at Tiffany. She didn’t respond. Scott didn’t say a word, he could tell this man was a bully and was used to getting his own way. Scott just watched him carefully as he eyed up Tiffany. Scott had a feeling he was going to use Tiffany as a way to provoke him. He could tell the man was looking for an excuse to get into a confrontation. Scott was calm and patient, it was very rare that he started any trouble, but most of the time, he finished it. Kenny had a creepy look on his face and made his move, he reached out his hand towards Tiffany’s butt. That was all Scott needed. His hand had barely made contact with her when Scott grabbed his wrist, and within a split second it was twisted up behind his back. Scott stood behind him, applying just enough pressure to cause severe pain to the arm, but not enough to break it.

   “I would nae put my hand there if I were yer,” Scott said calmly.

Tiffany raised her hand up to cover her mouth. It was all she could do not to laugh.

Kenny was groaning in pain, he wasn’t quite as cocky and aggressive anymore.

   “Apologize tae the lady,” Scott said, again remaining extremely calm.

   “I’m sorry, it was just a joke,” Kenny groveled.

   “Okay, now tell me who yer boss is and get him on the phone.”

   “I cannae do that.”

Scott applied a little more force to the hold.

   “Okay
, okay, it’s Ally Fitzgerald, he runs ACF Leisure. His number’s in my phone, it’s in my pocket.”

   “Call him now, “Scott demanded.

   “I cannae, yer have my arm.”

   “Och come on, use yer other hand, surely yer can make a call with one hand.”

Kenny started to fumble for his phone. Scott could see he was trying to co-operate so he released the grip a little. Kenny dialed the number. He was still bent over a little, in an uncomfortable position.

   “Put it on speaker phone,” Scott told him.

He pressed a button then Scott took the phone and put it on the corner of the desk. It rang out a few times before a woman answered.

   “Hello
Pam, it’s Kenny. Can yer get Mr. Fitzgerald fer me, it’s urgent.”

It went quiet for a minute before she spoke aga
in to confirm she was putting the call through.

   “Kenny, what do yer want?”
an agitated voice spoke.