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“Let’s get out of this shithole,” she said. “Everyone’s waiting for you at The Wherry Tavern. We’ve laid on a bit of a do.”

  The moment they walked through the pub door a cheer went up. The entire family as well as every face of renown in the Mancunian underworld had gathered together to welcome them home. Shane, Bruiser, Dane and Mark were also present, the latter on crutches.

  “Bruv,” said Jez, hugging Ryan.

  “It’s good to have you back.”

  “I’ve been a total tosser. I’m sorry.”

  Ryan patted his shoulder. “Just don’t do it again.”

  “I won’t. I’ve learned my lesson.”

  “Mikey…”

  “He knows and he’s good.”

  “That is a relief.”

  Jez watched Mikey scoop up his boys and felt horrible for separating him from them. Cathy had sunk onto a chair, a hand pressed to her stomach, making him feel even worse. That was his fault too.

  The party soon got into full swing and the drink flowed. When the noise level reached its peak, Mikey took Jules’s hand and led her through to the back.

  “Where are we going?” she said.

  “Where do you think?” he replied, leading her into the office, closing the door and locking it. “This room is soundproof.”

  She grinned as he pushed her up against the wall, whipping off her black hoodie.

  “I’ve thought of nothing but this the entire time I’ve been inside,” he said, her bra quickly following suit. Her jeans were removed next and he pushed her back onto the desk. “Oh God Jules,” he groaned as she slid her hand inside his underwear, fingers scrabbling at her zip and yanking down her jeans.

  “Yes,” she cried when he entered her. “It’s been way too long.”

  “If anyone tries to take me from you again I’ll fucking kill them,” he panted, moving furiously.

  “Good. Oh God, yes Mikey,” she yelled, not having to worry about the noise they were making as she came.

  “You are so amazing,” he groaned as he came too. He rested on top of her to catch his breath, sweating. “Christ that’s better.”

  “Glad I could help,” she grinned, smacking his backside.

  “Do you think they’d notice if we buggered off home? I want to see you in the gladiator outfit.”

  “I think they’d notice if one of the men of the moment disappeared.”

  His expression turned serious and he ran his fingertips down her face. “Jez gave that order.”

  “I know.”

  “How?”

  “Ryan got the truth out of him and he told me.”

  “I wasn’t going to tell you because I knew it would hurt you but I can’t keep a secret from you. I won’t let anything hurt our marriage.”

  “And what do you think about it?”

  “I was fucking furious at first. It was because of him I was taken from you and our kids but I’ve got over it. I had to. I won’t let Amber tear our family to pieces.”

  She pressed her forehead to his. “Thank you.”

  “Me and Jez are still business partners and best friends but I’ve told him if he goes behind my back like that again it will be war.”

  “And I’ll support you.”

  The relief made him shake. “Thanks babe. I didn’t know what you’d do if you had to take sides.”

  “You’re my husband and that will never change. I will always support you, above everyone else.”

  He kissed her desperately, joy filling his heart.

  “Now we’d better get back out there,” she said. “The boys might be wondering where we’ve gone.”

  “Alright. We can pick up where we left off once they’re in bed.”

  “You bet we are. I’ve got a new outfit.”

  “What?” he said with a smile that stole the breath from her lungs.

  “A harem girl.”

  “Nice.”

  “You’ll be the one wearing it though. Only kidding,” she added when his smile fell.

  “Thank God for that.”

  They snuck out of the office and returned to the party. They’d only just picked up their drinks when the door opened and a voice yelled, “Oy Ryan. Where the hell is Estelle?”

  The room went silent, everyone turning to look at the buxom blond lady stomping her way inside.

  “Aunty Linda,” said Ryan, stepping forward to greet her. “How lovely to see you.”

  “You wouldn’t lie to me, would you boy?” she frowned.

  “Of course not,” he smoothly replied, kissing her cheek. He had to stoop as the top of her head barely reached his chest. “I thought you were in the Midlands?”

  “I was but then I heard about what happened to Estelle and came straight here. Where’s her body?”

  “The police are releasing it tomorrow.”

  “Not it, her. Where’s Jez?”

  Jules grinned at the sight of him attempting to hide behind a notorious bank robber.

  “Get out of the way,” she ordered the mammoth bank robber, who obediently side-stepped.

  “Come and give your Aunty Linda a hug,” she said, holding out her arms to Jez.

  “I thought Estelle didn’t have any siblings?” Jules told Mikey as they watched Jez being manhandled.

  “I’m in the dark as much as you babe.”

  “Now,” said Linda once she’d eventually released Jez. “Where’s this daughter of Estelle’s?” Her eyes scanned the room, coming to a halt on Jules. “You’ve got to be Jules. The eyes are a dead giveaway.”

  “I am. Who the bloody hell are you?”

  “Your mum’s cousin love, from the Webb branch of the family. Come and give us a hug.”

  “I don’t hug,” she frowned.

  “We’ll see about that,” said Linda, steamrolling her way towards her.

  “Oh God,” sighed Jules when Linda pulled her into her arms. She frowned at Mikey when he laughed.

  Linda took her face in her hands. “You look just like your granddad, my uncle. I heard you’re as smart as Ryan.”

  “Smarter,” she replied, making her laugh.

  “Right you three, we need to talk. You got somewhere we can have a private chat?”

  “This way,” said Jez, leading her through to the office.

  “I didn’t know we had a hurricane in the family,” Jules told Ryan as they walked through the pub to the office, the chatter starting up again now the show was over.

  “She’s not usually so in your face but she can be when she’s emotional,” he replied. “Family means a lot to her and she was close to Estelle when they were children. Linda moved to the Midlands almost twenty years ago to be close to her daughter when she moved down there. She’s kept in touch by phone but she’s only been back to Manchester a handful of times. She doesn’t like the business we’re in.”

  “Can’t blame her for that.”

  Jez walked into the office and did a double-take at the desk. “What happened to the paperwork? It’s all crumpled.” When he realised there was an arse print on one paper he turned it over, hiding it, suspicious gaze flicking to Jules, who feigned innocence.

  “Right,” said Linda when they were all assembled. “I want the truth. What happened to Estelle?”

  “She got in with a gang in Liverpool, the Claytons,” said Jules. “They killed her and an insane copper tampered with the evidence to set up Jez.”

  “Tampered how?”

  “Planted his DNA on her clothes. The copper in question has been the subject of an internal investigation by his own colleagues. He did one when he found out he was going to be nicked for evidence tampering in several cases.”

  She looked to Jez and Ryan. “Is this true?”

  They both nodded.

  “Poor Estelle,” she sighed. “She always did hang about with the wrong people. When we were kids I tried to encourage her to spend time with my friends, they were much more decent than hers but she wouldn’t have it. Then she got hooked on drugs and that was it, the slippery slo
pe. So sad. So, what are we going to do about her funeral?”

  “We hadn’t really thought about it,” replied Ryan.

  “Not thought about it? She’s your mum.”

  “We’ve been a bit preoccupied with getting Mikey and Jez out of prison,” retorted Jules.

  “Yes, I suppose. Well, they’re out now so we can start planning. I want her buried next to her dad.”

  “You sure about that?” said Jez. “She couldn’t stand him.”

  “It’s a family plot. Her mum and my parents are buried there too.”

  “Okay, that’s fine but can we discuss it later? This is a welcome home party after all.”

  “Yeah, alright love.”

  “Are you staying for a drink?” said Jules.

  “You want me to sweetheart?”

  “Yes. I didn’t know I had an Aunty Linda.”

  Linda linked her arm through hers, making her smile. “Alright, let’s have a drink together. I don’t drink often but I am partial to a brandy and coke.”

  “The drinks are on me,” said Jules as they headed back through to the bar. “I’ll have a whisky.”

  “Your granddad loved a good whisky. I remember him sitting in his armchair in his study, a single malt in one hand, a book in the other. Usually Shakespeare, he loved the bard. Or Tennyson.”

  “I love Tennyson and Shakespeare,” grinned Jules. “And single malt.”

  “I know it’s hard to believe after seeing how Estelle lived but your grandfather was very well-to-do and incredibly intelligent, which is where you and Ryan get it from. Estelle was very clever too but she chose not to use it. His eyes were grey too, like yours.”

  “Did he like motorbikes?”

  “Actually yes. In his younger days he was a bit of a rebel. His wife - your grandmother - hated them though, they scared her. So he gave up his beloved bikes when they got engaged.”

  “Bikes plural? How many did he have?”

  “Three.”

  “Awesome,” she said, making Linda smile. “Could he speak Latin?”

  “Fluently.”

  Jules was delighted. She’d always wondered how she could be related to Estelle. Now she understood she and Ryan had inherited everything from their grandfather. She’d never known him but Linda was helping make him a real presence to her. Ryan and Jez hadn’t been able to tell her much about him as Estelle had hated her parents because they’d disapproved of her lifestyle. Out of spite she’d separated them from their grandchildren.

  Mikey smiled as he watched his wife talking and laughing with Linda, the pair of them getting along like a house on fire. It would be good for her to meet another flesh and blood relative, she’d lost so many people. Fortunately Linda seemed to be a million miles from Estelle.

  Jez held out a glass to him.

  “What’s this?” he said, accepting it.

  “My best scotch. Forty five year old Dalmore single malt. Ten grand a bottle. Only five hundred bottles in the world.”

  “And you opened it?”

  He nodded. “For you.”

  “Daft bastard,” he said before taking a drink. “Bloody hell, that’s beautiful.”

  “I’m so fucking sorry,” he breathed.

  Mikey patted his arm. “It’s done with now and we’re good. Let’s draw a line under it and move on. After what Declan did, I understand why you did it mate. He proved himself a traitor and I was too weak to remove him. Jules could have been killed because of me.”

  “I’m glad you understand but that wasn’t your fault.”

  “Yes it was. He’d shown his true colours and I should have got rid of him. Anyway, he’s gone, as is McGinnis and Dwyer’s done a runner.” He raised his glass in a toast. “We’re free and clear.”

  “We always think that and then something else happens.”

  “Yeah and we always win.”

  “Doesn’t it worry you that we’re all getting older? How long can we keep up this pace?”

  Mikey’s eyes flickered, Jez’s words echoing his own thoughts. “Stop putting us on a downer. This is a celebration. Forget the future, for now anyway and live in the moment.”

  Jez forced a smile. “Yeah. To a long and happy partnership,” he said, clinking his glass against Mikey’s.

  “Too bloody right. Now get the rest of that whisky. You’re not getting away with giving me one glass,” said Mikey, making him grin.

  Ryan watched Mikey and Jez chatting and laughing together with relief. It seemed war had been averted.

  CHAPTER 53

  Ryan unlocked his front door and stepped into the hallway.

  “Hello?” he called, dumping his bag on the floor.

  He smiled at the clatter of high heels as Rachel tore her way towards him.

  “Thank God you’re home,” she said, flinging herself at him.

  “That was too long apart,” he said, kissing her hair. “I didn’t expect to be away for so long.”

  “You’re home safely, that’s all that matters. You could have stayed for Estelle’s funeral, I wouldn’t have minded.”

  “I appreciate that but no thank you. Jez and Jules are reluctantly going for appearances sake and to appease Aunty Linda. She and Jules have become the best of friends. She’s having an extended holiday in Manchester so they can get to know each other.”

  “That’s nice.”

  “The police have released Amber’s body to her parents and the funeral’s in a few days. Mikey won’t be going as Joyce told him he’s not welcome, not that he wants to go anyway. He’s still allowing them access to their grandchildren even though Joyce was going to lie in court to get him sent down.”

  “I understand why. He doesn’t want his boys to lose any more relatives. And it will keep Joyce and Ken in line. If they go behind his back again they’ll lose access.”

  “True and after Dwyer’s fall from grace they’re not so certain he’s guilty of killing their daughter anymore,” he said, removing his jacket and hanging it up as he spoke, missing Rachel wince at Dwyer’s name. “So how have things been here?”

  “Fine. Isabella’s told the truth about what Freddie did to her and Ethan’s the hero of the hour.” She had also been satisfied to discover that Mrs Johnson, the headmistress, had put in for early retirement.

  “That is good news. How did you manage that?”

  “I beat the ever living shit out of Liam Garrick, Freddie’s dad, who was a total psychopath. I destroyed his career and his marriage too, so the creep’s done. He’s left the area, unable to bear the shame and headed down to family in St Ives. After what I did to him he needs someone to take care of him. With him gone Freddie finally admitted the truth.”

  “My wife, the Amazon,” he said proudly, taking her face in his hands.

  “What’s wrong?” she said when his eyes flickered.

  “You’ve changed. You look…different.”

  “I had my hair done while you were away. It’s a bit darker than usual.”

  “I don’t mean physically, I mean inside. What happened? Please tell me,” he said when tears formed in her eyes.

  “I killed Dwyer,” she rasped.

  Ryan stared at her in shock. “What?”

  She explained how she’d carried out the murder, Ryan astonished by the precision of her plan.

  “No one even suspects he’s dead,” he said. “Everyone assumes he ran off because corruption charges were being levelled at him. Why did you put that on yourself?”

  “Mikey and Jez would never have given the order to kill him but he had to go. He came here to tell me that if I turned myself in he’d release them.”

  “Turn yourself in for what?”

  “Medical negligence when I allowed Superintendent Jarvis to die and for inciting Benton’s murder.”

  “He was here, in our home?”

  She nodded.

  “The little rat. How did you do it?”

  “I shot him in the head.”

  Ryan sighed and pinched the bridge of his n
ose.

  “I had to do it, he wouldn’t have stopped. He said he’d put you and Jules in prison too. He said he’d separate us forever and I’d never get to be with you again. He was too dangerous to leave alive.”

  “He was going to be done for corruption, he would no longer have been a threat.”

  “Having his warrant card taken off him would only have made him even more dangerous.”

  “And what price did you have to pay to protect us?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “I don’t think you are. Dammit, I should have been here, I should have stopped you.”

  “But you weren’t. It’s done and he won’t hurt us again. Best of all, no one suspects a thing.”

  “How did you dispose of him?”

  “The Man In Black took him.”

  “So he’ll never be found, unlike Amber and Estelle.” He took her face between his hands. “I wish I could take this burden from you.”

  “I’ve often felt Alex’s spectre around me. Now there’s Dwyer’s too.”

  “They’re not here, it’s just your guilt. They’re gone and the world is a better place for it.”

  “I wish I couldn’t remember it but it keeps replaying in my head.”

  “The memory will fade. One day Dwyer’s face will blur altogether. It will get easier.”

  “I’m so glad you’re back,” she said, gripping onto him tighter.

  Ryan picked her up, carried her into the lounge and sat down with her on the couch, pulling her onto his lap, cradling her as she released all her pain and guilt.

  Rachel felt better just for Ryan’s warmth and comfort. With him by her side she could cope with anything. Dwyer had failed. He’d only made them stronger.

  Teddy dashed into the room and clambered onto Ryan, rubbing his head against his face and purring.

  “I missed you too boy,” smiled Ryan, stroking him with his free hand.

  “He attacked Dwyer’s leg,” said Rachel.

  “Did he? Good boy,” he told Teddy. “That deserves a special treat. I’ll get you some nice fish.”

  Rachel smiled as she watched Ryan cooing over Teddy. “Don’t tell anyone else about Dwyer,” she said. “It’ll be safer for the others to think he’s run away.”

  “Of course,” he said, kissing her hair.

  Ryan felt Rachel unwinding in his arms. He decided not to tell her just yet about Archie blurting out to half the Greater Manchester police force about Alex trying to rape her or about his plan to come down here to kill her, which would break her heart. Jules, through her contacts, had managed to quash all mention of the attempted rape and as yet it hadn’t been leaked to the press. Archie had also told the police he’d made it up, so hopefully that would be an end to it but it was far too controversial to keep silent permanently. One day it could be leaked to the press then splashed across every national newspaper for the world and his wife to read about. But right now Rachel needed to heal. He would break that news when she was ready to hear it. He also intended to tell her about Jez ordering Amber’s death. Keeping something so important from her could damage their marriage and that he would never allow. All the bad news could wait, for now.