‘I knew you were going soft,’ Lenny Crosby said, cracking his knuckles as he paced the polished oak floor. ‘She’s like a drug to you, isn’t she? Why else would you turn your back on your own family for a stinking copper.’
‘Fuck off, will you; I don’t need this right now,’ Nathan replied, knowing it would take more than a few expletives for Lenny to pack it in. Tweedy Steve stood, a giant of a man, closely monitoring the arguing brothers. But Nathan had no intention of getting him involved. He would allow Lenny to rant until he ran out of steam. No doubt their mum had sent Lenny over after Leona had gone around there crying that she had been dumped. Nathan rolled his eyes as Lenny continued with his tirade, delivering his words with spittle-laced venom.
‘You want to end up penniless, is that it? Because that’s what’s gonna happen. I can’t run the family business on my own. The clue is in the name… family business.’ Lenny elongated the word, driving his message home.
‘Jesus, Lenny, you talk as if it’s the only way of making money. You got to move with the times. Look at the escort service. Half those girls are hooked on coke. You’re only a few steps away from being like Frenchie. It’s disgusting, that’s what it is.’ Nathan took a step towards Lenny. Judging by his dilated pupils, he was amped up himself. There was no reasoning with him when he was like this.
‘So what about that nice bit you took on the other day?’ Lenny said, a smile curling on his face.
Nathan folded his arms across his chest. ‘It’s because of her that I’m putting an end to it. We’re taking advantage. It’s not right.’
‘Just listen to yourself, will you?’ Lenny tapped his finger to his forehead. ‘Have you lost the plot? Since when did you start taking the moral high ground?’
‘Being in hospital gave me time to think. And it’s not about Ruby, before you ask. I’ve had enough of being on the wrong side of the law. We’ve made our money; we don’t need that shit anymore.’
‘You haven’t got a clue, have you? Ruby, the saint, who hates what we do. Well, your precious Ruby’s a bent copper, and she’s been plotting against you all along.’
‘What? No. You’re lying,’ Nathan said, his face thunderous.
‘She’s as bent as they come. Where do you think we got that intel on the raid? She gave it to me. Here. Check my phone if you don’t believe me.’
Lenny slid the mobile from his pocket, his fingers bringing up his latest text. The raid. It was because they had called it off that Nathan had got stabbed. It was a message from his suppliers who thought he was reneging on payment. In his line of business crossed wires could cost you your life.
Nathan looked at the text as Lenny shoved it under his nose.
‘Found her yet? Fed up chasing my tail.’
He frowned as he checked the number. It was true. Ruby had texted Lenny from her phone. ‘What’s this all about?’ Nathan said, thrusting the phone back into this brother’s hand.
‘She came to me a few days ago; said she had some intel that would be of use. Ask Mum if you don’t believe me. She had the cheek to come to our house.’ Lenny paused to light a cigarette, savouring his brother’s reaction. ‘I wasn’t gonna look a gift horse in the mouth now, was I? But she gave it to me on the proviso that I deliver something in return.’
‘What could she possibly want from you?’
‘Something very precious indeed. And I delivered her, just as promised.’ He took a drag of his cigarette and exhaled a plume of smoke from the corner of his mouth. ‘Don’t tell me you didn’t notice the resemblance? Lucy? Your daughter? Remember her?’
He was talking about their little girl: a subject guaranteed to wind Nathan up. Nathan strode over, clenching Lenny’s jacket as he lifted him from his feet. ‘Don’t push me, brother. I’ve told you before. You’re not to mention her name.’
The cigarette dangling from between his lips, Lenny broke his brother’s grip. ‘Don’t shoot the messenger, bruv; I’m the only one telling the truth.’ He straightened out his jacket before taking a step back. ‘I found Lucy and gave her Ruby’s number, but she wasn’t in any hurry to speak to her mum. Probably just as well given she’s gunning for her. Ruby’s got it in her head that Lucy’s the door-knocker killer.’
Nathan paled. ‘This is bullshit. I don’t believe you.’
Lenny shrugged. ‘So I thought I’d keep Ruby busy until I figured out what to do. I gave her a couple of leads, hoping she would come to her senses, but she’s intent on sending her down. Your own flesh and blood. She didn’t even have the decency to let you know.’
Nathan stared in disbelief as he tried to comprehend the words. It couldn’t be true… not Ruby. She was the one good thing in his life. The only person that could pull him out of this murky world. Now she was up to her armpits in it, just like the rest of them. Questions rose in his mind amidst the confusion. Why hadn’t she told him of her suspicions? But the answer was clear. Because she knew he would stop her. ‘Where is Lucy?’
‘You’ve already met her. She’s been right under our noses all along. Just a street urchin, although she looks like she’s been around the block a few times.’
‘You’re not saying… ’
‘Yeah, it’s that bird you took on at the club. Cathy, her name is. I found her sleeping rough under a bridge, told her that her mum was looking for her. She was embarrassed, wanted to straighten herself out, so I sent her to the club to ask for work. I thought it would be better for you to break the news that you’re her dad and all.’
‘Jesus,’ Nathan said, running both his hands through his hair. And there she was, offering to take off her clothes for him. His stomach churned at the thought.
‘Shame,’ Lenny said, taking a final drag on his cigarette before stubbing it on Nathan’s oak flooring with the heel of his shoe. ‘I was going to invite her round, but she’s already gone out on a job.’
‘What job? I told her to stay behind the bar.’
‘Are you sure?’ Lenny sneered. ‘Because as far as I know she’s gone to work on her back. She must have inherited that side of things from her mother.’ He glanced at the expensive watch decorating his wrist. ‘Speaking of filth, you’d better get around there before the old bill turn up. Ruby’s been keeping tabs.’
‘Where is she?’ Nathan said, between gritted teeth.
‘Fat Barry’s place.’
Tweedy was already standing by the door, car keys in hand.
His muscles tensed, Nathan shouldered his brother aside. Hot fury had descended, leaving little room for rational thought. He had to get away. He could not be held responsible when anger like this took hold. His body shook with the need to expel it, but he had barely stepped forward when Lenny spoke in a low, gloating tone.
‘Turns out Fat Barry’s more than happy to break her in.’
Fist connected with bone as Nathan swivelled around, punching his brother hard in the mouth. He followed it up with a winding blow to the stomach, taking Lenny to his knees. He had raised his bloodied fist, ready to pummel Lenny’s head, when a pair of strong arms wrestled him from the floor.
‘Boss, c’mon, we’ve no time to waste.’
It was Tweedy. And he was right.
Gasping and choking, Lenny spit blood. ‘My toof. You’ve broken mah fucking toof,’ he lisped, clawing back the breath his brother had expelled.
But Nathan was already halfway out the door. If what Lenny said was true, he had to get to his daughter. He had let her down once. It would not happen a second time.