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“Thanks,” blushed Chris.

  “When you’re released look us up,” Jez told him. “We can put a lot of work your way.”

  “That’s great, I will. Have you seen the news today?”

  “Not yet,” said Mikey.

  “There’s something you need to see,” he grinned, eyes glittering. “Come on, make way,” he said, nudging people aside with his equally pointed elbows.

  He led them into his own single cell, the men parting ways to allow them to walk through, a nod to the seniority they held. Chris’s cell smelled like stale feet. While Jez went inside Mikey remained in the doorway. It would be very easy for them to get penned in.

  Chris switched on his television and turned it to the news. Jimmy’s murder was still the hot topic of the day.

  “He had his face sliced off,” said Jez. He looked to Mikey. “Remind you of anyone?”

  “That used to be Alex’s favourite trick.”

  The other prisoners regarded them with unease as the newsreader’s voice blasted out of Chris’s cell for all to hear, mentioning the Maguire name in connection with the murder. Mikey glared back at them with a look that said if you don’t toe the line you’ll be next.

  “That’s just fucking brutal, in an awesome way,” grinned Chris. “No one will dare fuck with you now.”

  “That’s the idea,” said Jez.

  While Chris continued to listen to the news report with the rapt expression of a chronic ghoul, Mikey nodded Jez out of the cell to talk. “You don’t think Jules did that, do you?”

  “I’m damn sure she ordered it,” replied Jez. “Whether or not she actually wielded the knife I’m not so sure.”

  “I hope she didn’t. Shit like that affects people.”

  “This is Venom we’re talking about.”

  “She’s not Venom anymore. She’s gentler now.”

  “She’s still all spikes and blades and she can handle it. Look on the bright side, at least she didn’t shove a knife up Jimmy’s arsehole. That was another of Alex’s favourite tricks.”

  “It’s a smart move,” said Mikey. “It’ll remind everyone of the days of Frank, Danny and Alex. It’ll add to the fear factor.”

  “Judging by the looks on that lot’s faces,” said Jez, indicating the other prisoners. “It already has. It’ll give us some protection while we’re in here and our families some protection on the outside.”

  Ryan sat in the relative’s room at the hospital. He’d had the same anxious wait so many times he’d lost count but before it had always been members of the inner circle who had ended up fighting for their lives. Now it was an innocent, a wife and mother who never hurt anyone in her life. He couldn’t bear the cowardice of it. Jules, needing to keep herself busy had stepped outside to call Riley and ask if he could send some members of the security firm he managed in Manchester on Bruiser’s behalf to watch over the boys at Jackson’s house as well as Cathy and Jez’s kids, who had gone to their maternal grandmother’s, tearful and traumatised. Ryan felt so bad for those children, their father was in prison and their mother might die. So far Cathy was hanging on in there but she was still in surgery and they’d had no word back about her condition.

  Jules returned and slumped into the chair opposite him, looking miserable.

  “Sorted?” he asked her.

  “Yeah. Riley’s getting his best people on it. I wish I’d brought him in in the first place. If I had then this wouldn’t have happened.”

  “You don’t know that. The man you stationed at Cathy’s is a good man.”

  “Not good enough, obviously.”

  “How is he?”

  “He’ll be okay but he got hamstringed. His days working for us as a heavy are over.” She kicked a chair. “Dammit, I should have seen this coming.”

  “No one could have predicted this. This isn’t wartime.”

  “I should have sent Cathy and all the children away. That’s what Mikey and Jez would have done and they would have been safe.”

  “No they wouldn’t. They were arrested, we’re not fighting another family. We were expecting the businesses to be hit, not Cathy and the children.”

  “You wouldn’t have made such an error.”

  “I would have done exactly what you did Jules and sent someone like your man to watch over them. Please don’t put this on yourself, it won’t help. You’re the only one holding everything together. Without you the alliance with Glasgow could fall through and Liverpool may revolt.”

  “So no pressure then. Yeah, thanks bruv.”

  “Did you call the prison yet to let Jez know?”

  “No. I want to find out how she’s doing in surgery first and it’s not news I want to break over the phone.” They both looked hopefully to the door when it opened but it was Beth and Riley. The two women hugged, as did Ryan and Riley, who still looked like twins rather than half brothers.

  “Any word yet?” said Beth.

  “Not yet,” replied Jules.

  “God I can’t believe this. Who did it? Do the police have them?”

  “In a way they do. Cathy killed them.”

  “Oh my God,” she gasped, hands flying to her mouth.

  “They attacked Cathy but they lost. She was a tigress protecting her kids.”

  Tears filled her eyes. “She’d do anything for them.”

  “Sit down,” said Riley gently steering his wife to a chair.

  Ryan studied his brother. His skin was sallow and he had dark rings around his eyes. He’d never seen him look anything but healthy and strong before. “Are you okay? You don’t look so good.”

  “Yeah, just a bit run down,” he replied, running a hand down his face.

  The door was opened again by an olive-skinned woman in green scrubs. “Are you Cathy Law’s family?”

  “Yes,” said Jules. “I’m her sister-in-law and he’s her brother-in-law,” she added, gesturing from herself to Ryan.

  The nurse looked questioningly at Beth and Riley.

  “They’re her…cousins,” said Jules. They weren’t but she was desperate to know how Cathy was and she didn’t want to hear rules about not disclosing confidential patient information in front of non-family. Riley’s striking resemblance to Ryan sold the lie.

  “I’m Mrs Chen, Cathy’s surgeon. I’m happy to report that she’s out of surgery. She had three puncture wounds to the abdomen. One ruptured her spleen but we’ve repaired the damage. So far everything’s looking good, she’s stable but she did lose a significant amount of blood.”

  Jules experienced a chill. She’d lost a significant amount of blood after being stabbed in the stomach by Tanya Slattery and had ended up in a coma. “Has she woken up yet?” she said, putting voice to what they were all thinking.

  “Yes but she’s still very drowsy from the anaesthetic.”

  “Can we see her?” said Beth.

  “Certainly. She’s on the high dependency unit.”

  “Thank you,” said Jules before dashing out of the room followed by the others, almost colliding with Dwyer.

  “Woah, where’s the fire?” he said.

  “Oh don’t start,” said Jules. “Cathy’s just come out of surgery and we’re going to see her.”

  “They can but I need a word with you Mrs Maguire.”

  Jules rolled her eyes. “You lot go,” she told the others. “I’ll meet you up there.”

  “Ryan Law,” said Dwyer before he could escape. “And what are you doing all the way up here?”

  “What do you think?” he retorted. “My brother and brother-in-law have been put in prison for something they didn’t do and now my sister-in-law’s been attacked.”

  “It’s admirable that you’re here supporting them,” said Dwyer, knowing in his eyes.

  “Go on,” Jules told them. “Cathy needs you.”

  They walked away, casting mistrustful glances back over their shoulders.

  “So,” said Dwyer. “You ready to tell me what happened?”

  “I don’t suppose there’s
another officer I can speak to?”

  “No, sorry,” he said sardonically.

  “Come on then,” she sighed, heading back into the relative’s room.

  “How is Mrs Law doing?” he asked as they stepped inside, closing the door behind them.

  “Like you give a shit. You’re probably hoping she croaks it just because her last name’s Law.”

  “Actually I have nothing against the woman, although she has just killed someone.”

  “In self defence.”

  “That remains to be seen.”

  “Listen you,” she spat. “Cathy’s critically ill and the last thing she needs is your spiteful shit.”

  Dwyer held up his hands. “Right now I’m just here for your version of events. Mrs Law’s doctor has already informed me she’s too ill to be interviewed. The sooner you tell me what I want to know the sooner I’ll be out of your hair.”

  Jules doubted it but told him what he wanted to know anyway, just to get rid of the little cockroach.

  She described what had happened at Cathy’s house while Dwyer listened, not interrupting, scribbling in his notebook. When she’d finished he stared at the notes he’d made, tapping his pen off the page, which grated on Jules’s nerves.

  “There’s one thing I don’t understand,” he eventually said.

  “What’s that?” she said in a bored tone.

  “You turned up at the Law’s home just in time to save the day.”

  “I wouldn’t say that. Cathy was already bleeding on the floor and her attacker was dead.”

  “Yes but you still turned up in time to save her life. What made you go round there in the first place?”

  “We wanted to see how she was doing with Jez being in prison, thanks to you,” she glowered.

  “So you’re round at their house a lot?”

  “Yes. We’re a close family.”

  “One of the neighbours saw you pull up at the kerb. He said you were in an awful hurry. You practically abandoned your car on the road and ran into the house without knocking.”

  “They’re exaggerating.”

  “He doesn’t seem the type of witness to be prone to exaggeration.”

  “Shows what you know.”

  “Had something happened that encouraged you to check on the wellbeing of Mrs Law and the children?”

  “No. I’ve already told you what happened. It’s not my fault if you won’t believe it.”

  “Perhaps I’ll ask your brother, see if his story tallies with yours.”

  “Of course it will.”

  “Yes. No doubt you’ve already conspired to get your stories straight. All the same I do need to speak to him.” He flipped his notebook shut and slid it into his coat pocket. “It’s perfectly clear what happened. You were in some way attacked, or perhaps your children were, an attempt you no doubt foiled seeing how neither yourself nor Mikey’s kids are hospitalised. So you raced over to Cathy’s to check on them, only you were too late.”

  “So you got psychic powers with your promotion, did you?” she said, rolling her eyes.

  “No I’m just a very good detective. We’ve ID’d the body in the garden. He’s one Alfred Peters. His cousin John South is in Manchester Prison with your husband and brother.”

  “Funny that.”

  “Very. I will be interviewing John today.”

  “How delightful for you. Your job’s just a non-stop party. Can I go and see Cathy now?”

  “Just one more thing.”

  Jules huffed. “You are really trying my patience.”

  “I’m guessing that now Mikey and Jez are finally locked up you’re running things. But don’t get used to your new position because I intend to sling you in prison too in the very near future.”

  “You got a murder you can fit me up for then?”

  “That won’t be necessary. You’ll land yourself right in it Venom. Your alter ego is already unleashing fresh mayhem on the city. I know that body missing its face is down to you.”

  Jules leaned into him, a wicked grin cracking her face.

  “There she is,” he said.

  “Oh yes Dwyer. Sure you want to challenge her?”

  “I look forward to it. It just goes to show the caring wife and mother veneer is very thin. Just below the surface still beats the heart of a killer.”

  She leaned even closer to whisper in his ear. “Maybe it would be wise for you to bear that in mind?” As she spoke she slid her hand into his jacket pocket and took out the dictaphone recording their conversation. Without a word she smashed it against the wall, bits of black plastic exploding around the room. “You’re becoming predictable Dwyer,” she said, getting to her feet. “All the better for us.”

  She left the room, letting the door swing shut behind her.

  He watched her go, becoming increasingly furious when once again his brain refused to come up with a witty yet chilling retort. He looked down at the remains of his Dictaphone and sighed.

  CHAPTER 21

  Jules dashed onto the high dependency unit, desperate to see her friend, furious that Dwyer had kept her from her. She looked so angry a passing nurse shrank back from her. Jules took a moment to recollect herself and flashed the woman an apologetic smile, who spun on her heel and headed back the way she’d come, anxiously glancing at Jules over her shoulder.

  “Well that’s just great,” she muttered to herself as she walked.

  She found Cathy’s room, the inimitable Paula Lawrence guarding her door. Paula had helped them out before, she’d guarded her after she was put in the coma and during her recovery. An ex-police officer, Dwyer had once been her superior officer and the loathsome man and his penchant for fitting people up had been the main reason for her quitting the force. Paula was strong, sassy and dependable and Jules was glad she was watching over Cathy.

  “Alright Jules,” said Paula with a friendly nod.

  “Nice to see you again Paula. How’s tricks?”

  “Not bad. You should know, Dwyer’s already been up here, sniffing around before you all came up. Fortunately the surgeon told him to piss off.”

  “Good. I bet he wasn’t impressed when he saw you on her door.”

  Paula’s grin was wicked. “No he wasn’t. I love sticking it to that bastard.”

  Jules gave her a wink as she walked into Cathy’s room, wondering if Paula’s inside knowledge about Dwyer could come in useful.

  All thoughts of Dwyer and everything else ebbed away as she gazed at her friend in her sickbed. Cathy was just coming round, eyes flickering open before sliding shut, the others leaning over her expectantly. Jules stepped up to her bedside and took her hand.

  “Hey beautiful,” she said.

  Cathy forced her eyes open and squinted at them all. “The kids…where…”

  “They’re fine,” said Jules. “They’re at your parents. Riley’s people are watching over them. No one is getting near them, we promise.”

  She released a small sigh of relief and rested easier on her bed. “Tell Jez it’s okay…I’d do it again…protecting them…”

  “We’ll tell him, don’t worry,” said Ryan. “Me and Jules are going to see him in a couple of hours, we’ll explain everything.”

  “Everybody’s safe,” soothed Jules, stroking Cathy’s hair. “Rest and get well. We’ll take care of everything.”

  “Tell him I love him,” she murmured before her eyes slid shut again.

  “Beth?” cried Jules, turning to her as she’d once been a nurse.

  “It’s okay,” she replied, taking her hand. “It’s just the effects of the anaesthetic.”

  “Thank God for that.”

  “You must have lots to do,” said Beth. “We’ll sit with her.”

  Ryan and Jules looked at each other and nodded.

  Jules took one last look at her unconscious friend. “The whole fucking city’s going to pay for this,” she said before storming out.

  “Watch her Ryan,” said Beth as he moved to follow her. “Venom�
�s coming back.”

  “And don’t I know it,” he said before hastening after his sister. The mood she was in he didn’t want to let her out of his sight.

  Dwyer left the hospital feeling angry and frustrated. Jules Maguire was standing in his way of bringing down that entire family but so far he’d found nothing he could nick her for. However there was one line of inquiry left open to him.

  Alice Parker was in one of the best care homes money could buy, all paid for by Jules. But that was where the advantages of being Alice ended. She’d suffered horrific burns after being trapped in a house fire, which was said to have been started by Jules when she was just sixteen, it was rumoured because the Parkers had subjected her to horrific abuse and roasting her adopted mother alive had been the only way to make it stop. However the fire brigade had turned up in time to save Alice’s life, if her existence could be called living. Her body was just one giant lump of scar tissue. She’d been a very attractive woman once, he’d seen the photos of her but her glorious golden hair was gone, leaving her with a bald creased scalp, her limbs were twisted with burns scars, meaning her carers had to do everything for her. Her legs had been so badly damaged she couldn’t walk and had to be pushed everywhere in a wheelchair.

  It was well known that Jules had killed, injured and maimed countless people but he felt Alice Parker might be the only one willing to give evidence against her. She was a weak link and - like all weak links - he would exploit her.

  The sight of Alice made him rethink the lunch he had planned and inwardly he made a mental note to tell DS Miller to order him a cheese butty rather than a bacon one. He’d seen lots of horrible things in his time but Alice Parker made him queasy. Every inch of visible skin was scarred and red, just a few wisps of golden strands clinging to the bald, cadaverous skull. The white of one eye was permanently red, the vision all but destroyed. Her hands were more like claws and lay in her lap, wasted and useless. If it had been him he would have preferred to have died in the fire. That would have been preferable to this. She sat in her wheelchair, gazing out at the gardens of the care home and the world that she was no longer a part of, forgotten and unwanted.

  “That’s her favourite spot,” the carer murmured in his ear, startling him from his thoughts. The stench of onions on the man’s breath did nothing to help Dwyer’s nausea. “She doesn’t go out often, not even into the garden. She hates the looks she gets. If you haven’t seen her before it can be pretty shocking.”