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THEY DID NOT HAVE LONG to wait. Ten minutes later, Jive returned home and quickly ascertained the house and all its residents were intact and had suffered no injury during their enforced absence. Looking positively chipper and certainly in no way resembling men who had recently engaged in a most reprehensible act, they checked the systems then announced their intention of imbibing a large lunch.
Dorothy welcomed them back calmly and suggested that they, Josh and Deco eat in the kitchen, since the dining room had been left clean and sparkling after the more formal sit-down affair.
Once again Glenda set about plating up four meals, while Dorothy organised cutlery and glasses for the four hungry men. She scolded gently as she placed napkins and condiments in front of them.
‘I guess you’ll barely be finished this lot when Jack and Marco will arrive home expecting to be fed. I may as well have bought a hotel.’
‘You did,’ Josh replied sardonically. ‘I seem to recall it was one of spoils promised to Viv as payment for her role in murdering you.’
Dorothy paused with her hand mid-air. ‘I forgot about that,’ she looked startled. ‘She was always obsessed with A Handful of Heaven, although she never expressed much interest in The Unicorn. She didn’t even come to the grand opening.’
‘Very likely because she had a date with Declan on Valentine’s night, that’s why,’ Josh replied in a dark voice.
‘My goodness,’ Dorothy sounded breathless. ‘Imagine Declan O’Keefe being your Valentine. Talk about the stuff of nightmares.’
She continued with her preparations and even hummed a tune under her breath as she poured water. She almost dropped the jug and Glenda let out a shriek when they heard a tortured wailing coming from outside the kitchen. Horace rushed in looking embarrassed and said, ‘My apologies, Dorothy. Trotsky knows Diane is here, although he hasn’t actually seen her. It’s starting to agitate him.’
Dorothy addressed her son. ‘See if you can find your sister before the poor beast bursts a blood vessel.’ She smiled warmly at Horace and said, ‘You may as well bring him into the kitchen for a few minutes, and we’ll see if we can find him a bone.’
Trotsky was invited indoors and instantly calmed down when Glenda presented him with one of the lamb bones she had been saving to make stock. He barked once to thank her for her generosity, then lay down on the marble floor with the prize between his front legs and watched the humans going about their business. Ralph and Bunny arrived to check that all was well, and gladly accepted the offer of a cup of tea and a scone, as there had been no pudding after lunch.
Josh returned at a run to say he had run Diane and Emily to ground on the first floor where they were playing with Moo-Moo. Both girls were on the way. He thanked Glenda for the food then, feeling he had done his duty by them all for the time being, picked up his cutlery and tucked into the food with gusto.
When Charlie and Simone arrived soon after, they were accompanied by their daughter who was soon established in her highchair at the end of the island. She waved a fist at Deco and gurgled at him winningly. The young man regarded the child with something akin to sadness. ‘I don’t suppose I’ll ever be a dad,’ he said half to himself.
Dorothy overheard and shot him a sympathetic look. ‘You’re only twenty-one,’ she said gently, ‘who’s to say what might happen over the next few years. Never say never and all that, sweetheart.’
He looked grateful for her understanding, but before he could reply, Diane and Emily entered the room with Rosa in tow, and he bent his head over his food as a way of avoiding Emily’s searching glance. Seeing Diane in the flesh instead of merely identifying her scent proved almost too much for Trotsky. He began to gambol around the kitchen like a greyhound pup, and had to be rebuked and restrained by his master. Even when he was brought under some degree of control and looked contrite, he spoiled the moment by attempting to put his front paws on Diane’s shoulders with the intention of licking her face.
‘Crazy dog,’ her voice was full of affection as she stroked his shaggy head. ‘Calm down before you find yourself out in the cold. Go and lie down over there and get to work on that bone, you silly mutt.’
Trotsky woofed happily, head-butted her abdomen and sauntered off to collect his bone as if he had not just disgraced himself. Bunny watched the interlude with avid interest, yet forbore to comment as he had half a scone shoved in his mouth. James also watched and his mouth twisted into a wry grin when he saw the way his brother’s eyes devoured the girl’s face.
Slow and steady wins the race, bro. Don’t go scaring the chick off when she’s getting used to you being back in her life.
While pretending to be absorbed in a cup of coffee, Rosa took careful note of the body language between Diane and Nelson, and was satisfied the girl had her feelings well and truly under control.
I’m pretty sure he’s left it too late. Maybe if he had shown up a year ago she would have fallen into his arms, but it’s been more than two years and she’s moved on. I can’t say I’m disappointed. I know the guy has family connections, but I think she can do better. She’d be wasted on a fella like that.
Emily hated the idea of sitting at the island while Deco was there, yet did not want to appear ungracious. She compromised by choosing the stool closest to Moo-Moo’s highchair and feeding the baby her late lunch of pureed roast chicken and vegetables. Charlie thanked the girl for the help and made herself comfortable next to Simone with a mug of tea and a scone, not forgetting to thank the housekeeper for all her efforts.
Dorothy chose the seat nearest Emily and, with a knowing look at her daughter, patted the nearby stool. Diane skipped over and grabbed it, grateful it was the one situated just about the farthest away from Horace. He had chosen to sit between Ralph and Bunny, and was also drinking a cup of tea and doing his level best not to stare at Diane. I’m sorry, Twiglet. Please love me again and I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.
Charlie was eyeing Jive in keen anticipation and eventually could contain herself no longer. ‘There was a super-interesting item on the lunchtime news,’ she remarked, her voice chockfull of mischief. ‘Shall we see if there are any further development to the story? In case you haven’t heard, Carlos Baxa was abducted from hospital by a masked gang. It was all very exciting.’
Jive barely acknowledged her words. ‘If you ladies wish to watch TV, we have no objection,’ Clive answered in a voice positively reeking of apathy.
Eager to hear more of Carlos, Diane wriggled off her stool so she could fetch the remotes and turn on the big screen. All the domestic channels were showing soaps and chat shows so she flicked over to Sky News on the off chance the story was being discussed there. A very pert blonde in a low-cut top was sitting behind a massive desk with a grin plastered to her Barbie face.
‘This is Janie Jackson for Sky News,’ she said in her best grown up voice. ‘We have breaking news from Ireland.’
‘That’s weird,’ Josh remarked, as he shoved the last roast potato into his mouth. ‘Carlos is a pretty small story for Sky News to pick up on so quickly. It must be a slow day for them.’
‘To explain and discuss this story further,’ Janie was now saying, ‘we’ve invited well-known Irish crime reporter, Niall McDermott, to join us. Welcome to the show, Niall.’
The camera panned left and they saw a man in his forties with thinning hair and a beer belly, regarding Janie with something akin to hauteur.
‘The guy doesn’t think much of Janie,’ Rosa muttered. ‘Fecking men. Always so up themselves.’
All eyes turned in her direction, although there was no time to quiz her further on the subject of men because Niall began to speak in a South Dublin accent. ‘Thank you for inviting me, Janie,’ he smiled disingenuously. ‘As you may know, I’ve been following the story of Dorothy Lyle’s persecution for some time, hence I have some special insights to offer on this latest development.’
‘That’s where I know him from. He tried to interview me a couple of times and when I refused he went ahead and wrote some shite about me anyway,’ with an expression of displeasure, Josh dropped his cutlery onto his empty plate and pushed it away.
Seeing Dorothy was all set to jump off her stool and clear the dirty dishes, Glenda bustled up and removed them herself. Noting Jive were looking thirsty, she promised them a pot of tea then hustled off again to procure the necessary refreshments.
Up on the screen, Janie was pouting at Niall in what she clearly felt was an enticing manner. ‘Why don’t you start from the beginning,’ she suggested in a sultry voice, ‘and provide our viewers with some background.’
The reporter puffed out his chest and his look clearly said she had asked the right man. ‘Last month,’ he spoke in a self-important tone, ‘three members of the so-called Radley gang were arrested in what has been dubbed the Kinsella Sting. Bel and Gerald Kinsella were lifelong friends of Dorothy Lyle, yet they have been charged with soliciting her murder. The really fascinating aspect of the case, Janie, is they did not work alone. They are alleged to have hired a man called Boo Radley to do their dirty work for them. In his turn, Boo contracted the job to other members of his gang. Underlings if you will. By doing this, he was able to remain at arm’s length from the whole sordid business and keep his hands clean.’
‘That seems very straightforward so far,’ Janie’s brow furrowed as if she was struggling to fully comprehend the nuances of the story. ‘Was this Boo person not charged with any crimes?’
‘He certainly was not,’ Niall smiled patronisingly. ‘Three of his alleged gang were essentially apprehended red-handed, although Boo himself was nowhere near the crime scene. So far, not one person has come forward to offer evidence against him. It looks as if he will never be brought to justice for the alleged acts of violence he masterminded against Dorothy Lyle.’
‘I see,’ Janie’s face fell. ‘Poor Dorothy. That must be awful for her.’
‘Indeed,’ Niall nodded and frowned in a serious way, as if Dorothy’s predicament was keeping him awake at night. ‘This day last week, there was another development in the case when Boo’s youngest son, Trenton, was questioned by the Irish police with regard to yet another attempt on Miss Lyle. As you know, Janie, it was her former husband who attempted to murder her on that occasion. Trenton Radley was to be his patsy in the evil scheme. The young man was released by the police after a couple of hours questioning. I have it on good authority he was completely exonerated from any wrongdoing.’
‘How is that significant, Niall?’ Janie asked politely. ‘Apart from the fact that if his dad hadn’t been after Dorothy in the first place, nobody would have tried to implicate him in any plots against her.’
Niall smiled satanically. ‘The reason it’s significant, Janie, is because Trenton Radley disappeared two minutes after being released from custody, and has not been seen in the flesh since. For the past week, he has officially been a missing person.’
‘You said he hasn’t been seen in the flesh,’ Janie’s spine was very erect as if she was determined to give the story the gravitas it deserved. ‘He has, however, been seen digitally.’
‘That’s correct, Janie,’ Niall suddenly grinned as if he was enjoying himself hugely. ‘At approximately eight o’clock this morning, in what I can only describe as an extraordinary development, Trenton Radley began to broadcast via his own website.’
‘We have some footage of the website in question to share with the viewers,’ Janie promptly informed the camera.
Janie and Niall disappeared and were replaced by an image of Trenton standing in front of a plain white wall. He looked rested and well-fed, and not at all like a young man who had been forcibly abducted. His hair was slightly damp as if it had recently been washed, and he was dressed in a good quality branded tracksuit with a hooded top.
He was not smiling, although he appeared relaxed and a little cocky, as if he was in control of the situation. Clasped between both of his hands was a piece of white cardboard. It was about two feet-square and covered in typewritten sentences. Trenton was holding the board at an angle that made reading it easy for the viewers. It said:
My name is Trenton Radley and I am the youngest son of Boo Radley from Finglas. I was recently interrogated over my part in the incident at Castleknock when Dorothy Lyle was almost murdered. On that occasion, I was not responsible for any harm which may have befallen her. That does not mean to say I was not involved in other attacks on her person. I fired two shots at her outside the Savoy Cinema in June, and I helped plant an IED under her car last month. I am a lowlife and I deserve to be punished.
‘What the fuck?’ Horace was so taken aback, he forgot there were ladies present.
Rosa moaned and buried her face in her hands. She began to rock back and forth on her stool and a sound very like a wail emanated from her. Dorothy hit the live pause button and stared worriedly at her assistant. ‘Do you need to go for a lie down, Rose?’ she asked.
‘I thought Carlos was it but I was wrong,’ the American woman sounded pitiful. ‘This is Operation Ferret. Oh my God.’
‘Would you like me to fetch you a brandy?’ Deco enquired politely, dying to see more of the broadcast, yet knowing Dorothy would not give the order to continue while Rosa was so upset.
‘Yes, please,’ Rosa replied from the sanctuary of her hands.
‘Perhaps the decanter and a few glasses might be a good idea,’ Dorothy told Deco. He instantly jumped off his stool and ran to the drawing room to fetch the decanter, while Diane collected six glasses from the cupboard. When Deco returned, he poured the first drink for Rosa and pushed it towards her encouragingly. The American woman reluctantly lowered her hands and took a gulp from the crystal. They saw how pale she was and how the hand that gripped the glass trembled.
‘Let’s watch a bit more,’ Josh said, while simultaneously pouring a small brandy for his mother and Glenda. Almost as an afterthought, he also fixed one for Horace and Diane, feeling his sister might be in need of something sustaining after the excitement of the day.
Diane shot him a grateful glance, but only took a tiny sip of the spirit. She in no way resembled the woebegone girl who had refused to leave her room for five days, and eyed the big screen in anticipation. When Dorothy was satisfied Rosa had some colour back in her cheeks, she pressed the play button and Janie and Niall appeared again.
‘This is extraordinary behaviour from Trenton Radley,’ Janie was saying. ‘Yet judging by his demeanour, there is no reason to assume he is under duress. What’s your take on the situation, Niall? Do you believe he is being forced to hold up the board?’
‘I do not,’ the journo smiled grimly. ‘I believe the boy is holding it up of his own volition. Shall we watch the next sequence?’
Again the reporters disappeared and Trenton was seen again, this time holding a new sign. This one read:
Three members of my da’s gang are on remand in Cloverhill Prison for plotting to kill Dorothy Lyle. The reason my da got involved in the scheme in the first place is because Bel and Gerald Kinsella put a price on her head. Gerald Kinsella promised him one hundred thousand euro as soon as probate was done and D-Ly’s money was his.
At the time, my da thought it would be a handy job because she was only one woman who didn’t even have a husband to take care of her. Business wasn’t going well for us at the time, and Da thought it would be an easy way of earning some cash.
Trenton lowered the sign and held it out to an unseen person, who took it from him and replaced it with a third. The young man barely glanced at it before he held it up facing the camera. This one read:
My da regrets he ever took the job of killing D-Ly because it turned out to be far more trouble than it was worth. He told me if he could turn the clock back he wouldn’t have accepted the contract even if they offered him a million euro. The situation has brought far too much heat down on us all, and it’s starting to piss off Frankie Prince big time. After the Kinsella Sting, Frankie threatened to withhold all further supplies of cocaine because of our gang being such high risk.
Once again, Trenton passed the cardboard sign to an unseen person and accepted its replacement. He repeated his previous actions and held the sign up for all to see. A flicker of a grin crossed his face as he brandished the board.
‘What does he think he’s holding up?’ Glenda suddenly enquired. Dorothy paused the TV and looked around, waiting for a response.
‘My guess is the chap thinks he’s recording some sort of a ransom demand for Boo Radley,’ Horace was the one who answered. ‘That’s why he’s so well-dressed and clean. Whoever has him told the young fool they wanted to prove to his father he was fit and well and not being abused in any way, and the boy believed them. Trenton Radley is not what you might call the sharpest tack in the box. I doubt he can even read. It merely goes to show how lack of even a basic education can result in serious repercussions.’
