Divided Loyalties Read online

  “Put it out, put it out, I’ll tell you,” he screamed hysterically, straining against his bonds.

  Frankie put out the fire with an extinguisher one inch before it reached Nathan.

  “I was going to kill Stefan with it,” he wailed.

  “Your brother?” frowned Ryan.

  “Yes. I’ve been sleeping with his wife for two years, the baby she’s expecting is mine. I wanted him out of the way so I can marry her.”

  “Why doesn’t she just ask for a divorce?”

  “He’d never let her go. I was going to make it look like a hit, like business, so I wouldn’t be suspected.”

  “Why didn’t you just tell us?” said Alex.

  “Because I know he’s good friends with him,” he said, nodding in Ryan’s direction.

  “Where’s the weapon?” demanded Alex.

  “In the attic,” he wailed.

  Alex nodded at Mikey, who left the room with Frankie and Ryan. They returned clutching the gun.

  “He’s telling the truth,” said Ryan. “This weapon has never been fired.”

  “Shit,” seethed Alex.

  “We’re wasting time here, let’s go,” said Rachel.

  Before they left Ryan knelt down before Nathan, his eyes like flint. “If one hair on your brother’s head is hurt I will come back and finish the job we started today. If you want to be with his wife then I suggest she gets a divorce you dirty scheming bastard.”

  “O…okay,” he stammered.

  With that Ryan straightened up and delivered a blow that knocked Nathan right out.

  “Shall we move onto suspect number two?” he smiled.

  Ricky French was holding court in his nightclub, surrounded by hangers-on and money-hungry women when the Maguires and their retinue entered. He swallowed nervously when he saw this formidable group approach, everyone turning to look their way but he felt safe surrounded by so many people. However the set looks on their faces urged the hangers-on to beat a hasty retreat and suddenly Ricky found himself alone. The Maguires, Frankie and Ryan piled into the booth with him, surrounding him and penning him in.

  “Rachel, may I extend my condolences,” Ricky said gently as she took the seat beside him.

  “I saw you at the funeral. Thank you.”

  He nodded and turned his attention to Alex. “It’s a pleasure to have you in my club,” he said, hiding his nerves behind a front of bravado. “May I say how sorry I am about your brother.”

  “Thanks,” he replied pleasantly, although his eyes glittered with danger. “I take it you know why we’re here?”

  Ricky decided honesty was the best policy here. “Because I recently bought a sniper rifle just like the one Danny was killed with and I swear to you, I didn’t do it.”

  “Where’s the rifle Ricky?”

  “I don’t have it, I acquired it for a friend of mine.”

  Alex leaned forwards, radiating menace and rage. “Who?”

  The last thing Ricky wanted was a punch up in his club, which this situation would rapidly descend into if the Maguires didn’t get what they came for. From the looks on their faces they didn’t give a shit that they were surrounded by witnesses. It wasn’t worth the hassle.

  “Johnny Jackson but I can tell you now it wasn’t him. His house was raided the day before Danny was shot and the police seized the weapon. It couldn’t have been him.”

  “We will be checking your story,” said Rachel, “and if you’re lying this will be your fate.”

  She leaned forward to whisper in his ear in a cold monotone and all the blood drained from Ricky’s face and his hands shook. Nine year old Ricky had almost died when he was attacked by his dad’s pitbull and the memory was still so vivid it was as though it had happened yesterday. So Rachel threatening to have him torn to pieces by dogs put the fear of God into him.

  “I’m telling you the truth, I promise,” he rasped.

  “Then you’ve nothing to worry about,” she smiled sweetly but the smile didn’t reach her eyes, which for Ricky was the most chilling thing about the situation. He found her more terrifying than the men accompanying her.

  Despite the fact it was after midnight, Alex woke all his police contacts and demanded they verify Ricky’s story immediately. While they waited for that verification they decided to tackle the last man on Gary’s list. But this one had to be handled more tactfully.

  Mark Cameron was ex-special forces and a hitman with a fearsome reputation. Intimidation would not work on him like it had on the others. They had to tread much more carefully.

  This time Rachel and Alex took a back seat and let Mikey do the talking. Mark was a huge boxing fan and followed Mikey’s career closely.

  “You probably know why we’re here,” opened Mikey.

  Mark nodded. “I was going to come and see you tomorrow, I didn’t want to intrude today of all days,” he said quietly, his gentle voice at odds with his six foot four frame, craggy but handsome face and cold blue eyes. “I wouldn’t accept a contract on any of your family, you’ve put work a lot of work my way and I don’t piss in my own back yard.”

  “You bought an AS50 from Gary Hardcastle?”

  “I did and I haven’t had chance to use it yet. You can take it if you like, my gesture of goodwill to you.”

  “Thanks Mark, that’s much appreciated,” said Mikey in his genial way. “Did anyone approach you with a contract on Danny?”

  “No and they wouldn’t dare, I’d tell them to stick it up their arses then I’d tell you.”

  Mikey glanced at Rachel and Alex in turn, who both nodded. They believed him.

  “I’ve seen the footage of the shooting,” continued Mark as gently as he could, “from a purely professional point of view you understand, I thought I might be able to see something that could help you find who did this.”

  “And did you?” said Mikey.

  “All I can say is that was a hell of a shot, whoever did it was professional. This was no monkey with a gun. You’re looking for a crack shot and an experienced sniper.” He looked to Rachel. “You need to be careful. Do you have Kevlar?”

  She nodded in response.

  “Good because that second bullet was for you. They’ll be pissed off they missed and they will try again.”

  Rachel nodded again, looking perfectly serene, although she felt like throwing up.

  “Is there anyone you know with the skill to pull this off?” said Mikey.

  “Fedir Lutsky, Ukrainian mercenary recently moved to the city. He’s incredibly skilled and not fussy about what contracts he takes on. He could easily have managed that shot.”

  “Do you know where we can find him?”

  “He has a penthouse by the docks but you won’t get in there unless he lets you in, which I doubt he will, it’s heavily fortified. But he does like to hang out at the pub on Montrose Street.”

  “What are his weaknesses?” said Rachel.

  Mark appeared thoughtful. “Not many, he’s a human tank. But I did hear that he had a boating accident when he was a kid and nearly drowned. Water’s the only thing he’s scared of.”

  “Then why live by the docks?” frowned Mikey.

  “Because he likes to test himself, keep himself on the edge and he’s a complete lunatic.”

  “Thanks Mark, that’s great,” said Alex.

  “Be warned, if you’re going after this guy then go tooled up, he’s always armed. Guns, knives, machetes, you name it he carries it and he has absolutely no respect for women Mrs Maguire. If you try talking to him he will more than likely ignore you.”

  “Thanks for the warning.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll get you that gun.”

  Mark handed over the weapon and they left peaceably, without one cross word exchanged and Rachel was relieved. He was not a man she wanted as an enemy.

  Back at Rachel’s house Battler examined the weapon. “This hasn’t been fired recently either. Looks like Mark was telling the truth.”

  None of them
were surprised, they’d not doubted him in the slightest.

  “Well there’s nothing else we can do tonight,” yawned Alex. “Let’s get some sleep and tackle Lutsky tomorrow.”

  “There is someone else we can pay a visit,” said Rachel.

  “Who?” replied Alex.

  “I should have thought of him sooner but I was thinking of someone with a criminal background. Richard Spencer. He threatened me and Danny at The Wherry Tavern just after his son was beaten up.”

  “He’s got the cash to pay a hitman,” said Ryan.

  “We’ll talk to him after Lutsky.” Alex turned to Rachel. “I don’t think you should be alone until the sniper’s caught.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “I’m not taking the risk, we’re not losing anyone else. Battler, Bruiser, you can stay here. In fact you don’t let her go anywhere alone and Rachel you wear your Kevlar at all times.”

  “Are you sure you don’t mind staying here?” she asked the brothers.

  “Not in the slightest Rachel. Right now you’re our priority,” replied Battler.

  “Thank you,” she said, touched, swallowing down her tears. She was tired and the fact she’d buried her husband today was just hitting her. She wanted to be alone to vent some of the grief threatening to bubble over. “In that case I’ll go to bed. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight,” they replied in unison.

  Ryan watched her go. He’d seen the anguish in her eyes and had the urge to wrap her in his arms but as usual he had to stand helplessly by, so close to the woman of his dreams but it would seem so far from her.

  Alex poured them all a drink and they settled in the armchairs around the fire.

  “I’ve been very impressed today,” began Frankie and they all looked at him expectantly. So far he hadn’t said how Danny’s death would affect their business arrangement and they were all worried he’d use it as an excuse to back out. “You’ve banded together and kept everything going. Times like this are hazardous and in-fighting can break out but that hasn’t happened. On top of that I’ve just made a huge pile of money from those guns we seized from that prick Hardcastle. There’ll be no come-backs there, my contacts have smoothed it all over. Our business arrangement will remain, if that’s acceptable?”

  “Yes Frankie, very much,” said Alex.

  “There’s just one thing I want to know. Who’s in charge now?” He fixed Alex steadily with his gaze, daring him to say it.

  “I am,” he replied, “although I hope Rachel will want to keep her position as advisor as she did for Danny.”

  “So do I, she’s an impressive woman and an asset. I always thought women had no place in our world but she’s made me seriously rethink that opinion.” His eyes flicked to Ryan. “And your families will continue to work together?”

  “Yes, we’re stronger standing together and never has our truce been more vital.”

  “Good. Business calls me back to Glasgow but if you don’t mind I’d like to be there when you visit Lutsky tomorrow.”

  “Of course,” replied Alex. “You’re always welcome Frankie.”

  Rachel spent the night clinging to Danny’s pillow, sobbing her heart out. She cried so hard her body shook. He was everywhere in their bedroom, all around her. His dirty clothes were still balled up in the laundry bin where he’d tossed them the morning he’d died, his comb, complete with a strand of dark hair, sat on the bedside table, the watch she’d had engraved for their last anniversary beside it. She’d never felt such raw unbearable pain in her entire life. It had been easier when they’d been trying to track down his killer, she’d had something to concentrate on, a reason to keep up the strong front but now she was alone she couldn’t ignore the agony anymore. She missed him so much she thought she might actually die of it and if it wasn’t for Leah she might have been tempted to give in to the impulse, to just lie down and let go so she could be with Danny again.

  Unable to take it anymore she sat up, switched on the lamp and stared at the bottle of sleeping pills her doctor had prescribed. Part of her wanted to take a couple just to escape the pain for a while, another part of her screamed to take the whole damn lot and never wake up again.

  With a huge force of will she shoved them into a drawer and slammed it shut. She’d face the pain head on, she’d no choice, not if she wanted to be any kind of mother to their daughter. She just had to cling onto the hope that one day it would get easier.

  Rachel was surprised to have Superintendent Benton on her doorstep at nine o’clock the next morning. She wasn’t even dressed, wrapped up in her pyjamas and thick towelling dressing gown, hair pulled back into a ponytail. Benton thought how telling her appearance was of the pain she was suffering, he’d never seen her anything but immaculate before.

  “Rachel I need to talk to you,” he called to her, trying to peer over the bulk of Battler and Bruiser, who refused to let him in.

  “Hasn’t she got enough on without you coming here and stirring it up?” growled Battler.

  “If you hadn’t realised I’m investigating her husband’s murder,” he snapped, furious at being blocked out like this.

  “It’s alright,” she called in a weak, tired voice. “You can let him in.”

  Reluctantly they stood aside to allow him to pass, scowling as he went by.

  “Would you like anything to drink?” offered Rachel.

  “No thank you. I just need a few words, if that’s alright?”

  She nodded and gestured for him to sit.

  “How are you feeling Rachel?” he began.

  “I’m okay.”

  It was a lie. Her eyes were ringed with black, her mouth set in a hard line of pain and she was cradling her left arm.

  “I’ve just stopped by to update you on the investigation.”

  “Oh yes?”

  “We’ve identified the weapon as an AS50 sniper rifle, commonly used by the British Army. Very accurate.”

  She nodded, trying to look interested but it was clear she was already aware of this. He wished he could find the leak in his department and put a fucking big plug in it.

  “We’re speaking to all the known arms dealers in the area. Funnily enough Gary Hardcastle was turned over before we got there, had his whole stock nicked, although he wouldn‘t say by who. Don’t you think that strange?”

  “I don’t know who you’re talking about,” she replied flatly.

  “Of course not,” he said, not convinced. “So far we’ve had no luck tracing the weapon but I promise you we will. We’re also trawling through hundreds of hours of CCTV footage from the surrounding shops and offices but that will take some time, there‘s so much of it. On top of that we know we’re looking for someone with specialist training.”

  She sighed inwardly. He was telling her nothing new.

  “There’s something else I wanted to discuss with you,” he continued.

  “Oh yes?”

  “I know that right now you’re probably after blood but I want to ask you not to interfere with our investigation. Let’s do this the right way.”

  “What do you mean Superintendent?”

  “I mean I don’t want you and the rest of your family tearing the city apart looking for Danny’s killer. If you piss off the wrong people then they might retaliate and the last thing I want is more bloodshed.”

  “I’m sorry, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Yes you do,” he said gently. He glanced around for Battler and Bruiser, who were stood frowning in the doorway. “Why don’t you let me assign a couple of my men to watch over you?”

  “I’ve got Battler and Bruiser, they’re all I need.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes Superintendent. I appreciate your concern and how seriously you’re taking this investigation after all that’s passed between us but I’ve got all the protection I need.”

  He just nodded, realising she wouldn’t be convinced. “Alright. You know how to get hold of me if you need me?”
>
  “I do. Thank you.”

  He got to his feet. “I’ll see myself out.”

  Battler and Bruiser glared at him as he walked past them to the door and he returned their stares with his own steady gaze. Rachel watched him go, chewing her lip thoughtfully.

  CHAPTER 14

  Fedir Lutsky was a short squat man composed of solid muscle with a thick neck and an ugly flat face. A man of few words, he preferred to stand at the bar with a bottle of beer while his companions talked, listening out for useful pieces of information amid the drivel.

  He wasn’t surprised when Alex and Rachel Maguire approached him. Strange, he thought they’d come mob-handed. Maybe this was a sign of respect?

  “Mr Lutsky?” opened Alex.

  He nodded.

  “We’d like a word with you.”

  “I don’t talk business with women,” he retorted in a thick accent, gesturing at Rachel, whose eyes flashed.

  “But you’ll talk to me?” pressed Alex.

  He nodded sternly and moved away from his curious companions to a quiet corner of the room.

  “You’ve come to ask me if I killed your brother?” opened Fedir.

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t discuss my business. I work alone and answer to no one.”

  “If you didn’t do it just say and we’ll be on our way.”

  Fedir found himself in a tricky position. He’d intimated to a potential client that he was responsible to impress them and if he denied it then it would be all over the city by tomorrow and his reputation would be in tatters.

  “I’ve already given you my answer. Now why don’t you leave?” he said, opening his jacket to reveal a machete. “Neither of us wants things to get messy.” He noticed Rachel staring at him and was incensed. “What are you looking at little girl?”

  “Someone who will soon be begging me for mercy,” she replied.

  The coldness in her tone and eyes shocked him, he’d never seen a woman look so hard before.

  “Go away before you get hurt,” he replied, turning his back on them and picking up his beer.

  Rachel’s hand went inside her jacket pocket for the taser but Alex stayed her. “Not here, not now.”