The Jump (21 page)

Chapter Fourteen

Dolly looked into the room Georgio used as his office and tutted loudly. ‘Did you find what you were looking for last night?’

Donna was walking down the stairs. ‘I’ll clear it all up when I get back later,’ she promised.

Dolly flapped a hand. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll clear it up for you after breakfast.’

‘I’d really rather you left it alone, Dolly. I want to put the stuff back myself so I can make some rhyme and reason out of it, all right? Thanks anyway for offering.’

Dolly nodded, bewildered. ‘Whatever you like, love. My, you look beautiful. You’ll knock your man’sreyes out. New, is it?’

Donna smiled. ‘I bought it a while ago and never wore it. I thought I’d give it an airing today. How did you know I was going to see Georgio again?’

Dolly walked through to the kitchen. ‘Oh, Maeve mentioned it when she rang. Why? Is it a big secret or something?’

Donna found herself getting annoyed. ‘No, it’s just I wondered how you knew, that’s all. It seems to me lately that everyone knows everything about me before I do.’

Dolly faced her and said gently, ‘You need a rest, karlin’, to get away for a bit. You’re getting paranoid about everything.’

‘And where do you suggest I go, Dolly?’ Donna sighed. ‘Or haven’t you and,Maeve sorted that out yet?’ Even as she spoke, Donna was aware how unfair she was being. She put her arms around Dolly’s waist and said, ‘Oh, I’m sorry. But I’ve got a lot on my mind lately. I hate all this constant questioning, you see. You never wanted to know so much before.’

Dolly hugged her back, thinking: You never had Lewis hanging over you before - but she kept her own counsel.

‘I worry about you, ducks.’

‘I know you do, but I’m a grown woman and I can look after myself. Now I must go - I’ll see you later. If Davey rings or Paddy, tell them they can get me on my mobile.’

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them ‘Okey doke. Give your man all my love, won’t you?’ Donna smiled. ‘Of course I will.’

Five minutes later she pulled out of her drive, unaware of the black Sierra that followed her.

Donna noted the looks she gathered as she walked into the visiting room at Parkhurst. Taking a seat at a small table, she observed the families around her. Children played with their fathers while their mothers looked on. Women visiting sons stared around them in bewilderment, as if wondering what they were doing there. Prisoners watched their wives with interest, drinking in the sights and sounds of their families. A man nearby bounced a young child on his knee as he chatted to his family; he could have been anywhere, the casual way he was acting. As if being in this prison environment was natural. Which she supposed it was, to a majority of the men.

A shin young man, effeminate-looking, walked over to her.

‘Hello, my name’s Albert but they call me Sadie. You’re Donna Brunos, aren’t you?’

She nodded. ‘How do you do.’

‘I know your husband Georgio. He shares a cell with a friend of mine, Timmy. I expect he’s mentioned him?’

Donna nodded, unable to decide how to treat the young man before her.

‘I just wanted to say I love your suit, dear. The blue colour brings out your eyes. You should always wear suede. You can carry it off, love, you’re so thin, see, and that short skirt shows off your legs perfectly. What is it? Italian?’

Donna nodded wordlessly.

‘I thought so. Lovely hand with suede and leather, the Eyeties. Well, I’d better get back to me visitor. Nice meeting you anyway.’

‘Nice meeting you as well.’ She smiled at him as he sat back down with his visitor, an elderly man in a business suit.

She was grateful to see Georgio being led in, and stood up and waved.

Georgio’s face was a study in pleasure as he saw who his visitor was. Rushing over to Donna, he kissed her hard on the lips for two minutes until a screw called out: ‘All right, Brunos, that’s enough. You ain’t got conjugal visits yet, mate.’

Donna felt her face go scarlet at his words.

‘It’s so good to see you, darling. I’ve missed you so much.’ As they sat down he grasped her hand tightly. ‘You’re the only woman I know who still blushes. Nowadays the girls are too knowing by half. It’s one of your most endearing qualities. You look fantastic, Donna.

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Donna was pleased to see the jealous look on his face. lirafnef”e it myself.’

Georgio grinned. ‘So does every old lag in here, by the looks of it! You’re beautiful, Donna. I know I never told you that often enough but I always thought it, Donna, I swear.’

She felt her lips trembling as she looked into his face. He was so handsome, this husband of hers.

“I’m sorry about the other day,’ he went on. ‘You were right in all you said. But I never wanted you to worry, you’ve got to believe that. I always only wanted you to have the best. I was foolish, I know, getting involved with everything. But I never dreamt it would all go sour, not for a moment.’

Donna smiled sadly. ‘I know about Talkto, Georgio, I know about everything.’

He stared into her face. ‘I never actually had anything to do with Talkto

Donna cut him off. ‘I know that, Stephen explained it all to me. If, and it’s a big if, I am going to help you, Georgio, you must be honest with me.’

He felt his heart lift at her words.

‘I always knew inside that you were not exactly kosher, as you would put it. Over the years I guessed a lot, even if I never actually put my thoughts into words. You’re my husband, and I love you. I’ve always loved you, Georgio. Even after all this.’ She held out her arms in supplication. ‘I still love you.’

Georgio’s eyes were filled with tears. ‘I’ve always loved you, baby, you know that.’

Donna nodded. ‘This Lewis, how much danger are you in from him?’

Georgio shrugged. ‘A lot. As I told you, he wasted Wilson. He owns everyone in here - the screws, the cons, everyone. He sank a lot of money abroad with me, and now he thinks I’ve tucked him up. I tell you, Donna, no one could get me out of here legally. He’s already told me that I have no chance of appeal. He thinks it’s all a big joke. I’ve told him some old cock and bull story about locating his money and paying it back, which is keeping him sweet for the moment, but I’ll never be able to raise the kind of sum he wants. Even if we sold the house and all we own.’ ‘Has he really got that much sway?’

Georgio laughed bitterly. ‘Look, Donna, most people have no idea about what’s going on in this country. Lewis can get a motion tabled in the Commons if he wants to. It seems everyone is for sale one Way

149or or another and he knows exactly how much they cost. He has been running his different businesses for years. They only got him on fraud charges. They can’t prove nothing else as he’s got powerful friends. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he upped and walked out of here one day with a pardon. If you can buy one, then Lewis can afford it.

‘Everyone is afraid of him here,’ he went on, ‘everyone. And it’s nothing to be ashamed of either, because hardened criminals are scared of him. You don’t know what it’s like in here, love. It’s the pits, believe me. Lewis even has his food specially cooked for him. He has more privileges than the bloody governor!

‘Yesterday they gang-raped a young lad who was in on a child-sex case. He’d raped a five-year-old girl. Lewis saw to it that he was hurt. The men respect him for that. These are the kind of people you’re dealing with. The lad’s cell will be burnt out later on tonight when he comes back from the hospital wing. These men are the scum of the earth and Lewis is in charge of them. He has henchmen who’d torture you just for a laugh, for something to do. Lewis himself is a violent personality who enjoys inflicting pain. It’s like living in a nightmare, Don Don. I have to escape from it. That is the only way I’ll ever get out of here, short of being carried out in a box.’

Donna licked her dry lips, her face a mask of disbelief. ‘But how will we get you out?’

Georgio grinned. ‘I have an old mate, Alan Cox, who owes me a favour. We go back a long time. Alan was once like Lewis, although he didn’t do things for fun. If Alan hurt someone, it was for a reason, and they were all in the game. Like an occupational hazard, if you like. If you go to see him, he’ll help us, I know he will. But you must keep it to yourself. Don’t even tell Stephen - don’t tell anyone what you’re doing. That’s the best way. The fewer people who know the better. Lewis has a long arm and big ears, darlin’, and he’s dangerous. I don’t want you to get hurt.’

‘What does this Alan do now?’

‘He runs a nightclub up West,’ Georgio told her, ‘and a couple of restaurants. He was put away for murder, did his time, kept his head down and got out. He didn’t want to go back to the hag of the life so he retired.’

Donna’s eyes widened. ‘Who did he murder?’

‘That’s the funny thing. Alan kicked to death a smalltime hustler called Tang. He was from Chinatown. It was penny halfpenny stuff a bit of drugs, he ran a few girls, nothing too elaborate. No one knows why he did it. Alan never said and I’ve never asked.’

‘How come you know all these people, Georgio?’

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He shrugged. ‘I thought we’d already established that I have been a naughty boy. In my game, building and motors, you meet all sorts, love. I never judged them, just took their money - money that kept us in the manner we had become accustomed to.’

‘It also got you in a lot of trouble.’ This was said with some bitterness.

‘I was smalltime, Donna,’ he objected. ‘I was on the fringes. How was I to know it would all blow up in me boat? It never had before.’

She sighed heavily. ‘No, I suppose it didn’t. So where do I find this Alan?’

‘You’ll find him any night of the week at his restaurant in Greek Street. Don’t worry about talking to him, you can tell him anything, absolutely anything. Explain about Lewis, he’ll need to know all about that. His restaurant is called Amigo’s. Make sure you mention you’re Georgio’s wife, OK? Let him know you’re my wife before you do any talking.’

‘All right then. I’ll go tonight.’

Georgio grabbed her hand. ‘You’re a good girl, Donna. I knew I could trust you.’

‘Do you really think he can get you out of here?’

‘If anyone can, Alan can.’

‘Say he does, what then?’

Georgio kissed her fingers. ‘One thing at a time, baby. Let’s concentrate on getting me out first, then we’ll start making plans. Now, how about a cup of coffee?’

Donna handed him her purse and watched as he bounded over to the snack bar.

She had a feeling that she was mad, that the whole thing was mad.

She lit herself a cigarette and wasn’t surprised to see that her hands were shaking.

Donna parked in Frith Street and walked slowly to Greek Street. It was early evening to the people in Soho on a Friday night, just gone ten o’clock. Donna took in her surroundings with interest. As she had driven around looking for a parking space she had been amazed at the women in the strip joint kiosks. Some walked out on to the pavement scantily clad, shouting their wares and the delights to be found inside the small cinemas and clubs.

One young girl was pear-shaped with enormous legs and tiny breasts encased in a tight Lurex shorts suit, her black tights sporting large ladders and holes in them. Another in Old Compton Street was arguing with a passer by who had shouted something obscene at her,

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them her loud voice, with its disgusting language, shocking Donna to the core. As she had crawled along behind a black cab full of businessmen in suits, she had been amazed to see that the girl was only about sixteen, her face plastered in make-up and her eyes unnaturally bright. Donna’s last sight of the girl was of her giving a particularly rude sign to the man’s back and laughing uproariously as she did so. The black cab discharged its customers outside a delicatessen and Donna was pleased to be able to drive on, frightened for a moment that the girl might turn her attention to her.

As she approached Amigo’s, she could smell a delicious aroma of fresh baked bread. The smell led her into the doorway of the small restaurant, lifting her spirits with its homely associations.

A young man dressed in a dinner suit walked towards her, smiling pleasantly. ‘Can I help you, madam?’ His voice had a real Italian accent and Donna found herself smiling back at him.

‘I am here to see Mr Alan Cox. I am Mrs Georgio Brunos.’

The man looked at her long and hard before answering. ‘Mr Cox does not see people without an appointment.’

Donna swallowed heavily. ‘If you would be so kind as to tell Mr Cox I am here, I am sure he will see me. Tell him it’s Georgio Brunos’s wife, make sure you emphasise that fact.’

Without waiting for an answer she settled herself on a stool at the bar and ordered a drink. ‘Could I have a white wine and soda, please?’

The young man behind the bar looked at the maitre d’ before he served her. Donna watched in the mirrors behind the bar as the man nodded his acquiescence. She glanced around the empty restaurant in distress. She felt as if she had gatecrashed an audience with the Pope.

‘While you have your drink, I’ll see if Mr Cox is available.’ The words were spoken with an air of indifference.

Donna nodded and took the proffered glass. She gulped at her drink to hide her embarrassment. Not for the first time that day, she wondered if she was indeed mad even to consider doing what Georgio had asked her.

Ricardo walked up the steep staircase that took him to Alan Cox’s office. The restaurant was quiet. Once it livened up Alan would come down for an hour and preside over it, chatting to the customers and making sure everyone was enjoying themselves.

The clientele of Amigo’s was very select, from publishing and advertising to television executives who preferred the muted luxury of Amigo’s to the shabbiness of the Groucho. It also catered to a select community of villains, men who wore handmade suits

and discussed business there with their bankers and accountants, hoping to impress. They gave the place an air of danger. Unlike Langan’s, where anyone could book a table, or Del’Ugo, your face had to fit at Amigo’s. It did a roaring if subdued trade. More than one star had been unobtrusively shown the door; Alan Cox had ejected more than a few himself. Amigo’s was a place where you could bring your wife, your mother, your mistress or your business associates. The main restaurant was for smoking, the more select part was situated down in the basement. To get into the basement you had to have clout, and plenty of it.