Bad Blood Rising Read online

“How did Victor take it, being kicked out of the club?” Karl asked Joe.

  “He was a bit sulky at first, but he seems alright now.”

  “Tough. I can’t afford another incident like the other night.”

  “He doesn’t have a good word to say about young Lindsay, but I suppose that’s understandable.”

  “Lindsay’s a good little dancer, and she’s popular with the punters. She’s adamant that she won’t work at the club if Victor’s there.”

  “You can’t blame her, I suppose,” Joe shrugged, “but don’t worry about Victor, he’ll be with me most of the night in Cedar Road. He won’t be able to get into mischief.”

  “Let’s hope not,” Karl sighed. “Talking of Lindsay, she didn’t turn up for her shift last night. You’d better get round there today and see what the silly bitch is playing at.”

  “Is she still at the same address?”

  “How the fuck do I know? Just find her and don’t take excuses. If she wants to keep her job she turns up on time for her shifts.”

  “Okay, I’ve got stuff to do this morning but I’ll call round to Lindsay’s this afternoon.” He turned to leave.

  “By the way, Joe, there’ll be a fat bonus for you at the end of the month. You’ve earned it, mate.”

  Joe smiled his appreciation.

  Joe was feeling happy as he drove to Lindsay’s flat. Everything in his life was going well. Angie was still living with him and seemed to be enjoying her work at the club. Working with Victor in Cedar Road had meant he was able to spend time with Erica, leaving Victor on his own for a couple of hours.

  Joe parked his car outside Lindsay’s flat and pressed the buzzer on the street door. There was no response. He tried again, still nothing. He pressed for the other flats and eventually one of Lindsay’s neighbours spoke into the intercom.

  “Yeah?” said a gruff male voice. “What do you want?”

  “I’m looking for Lindsay. Is she in?”

  “How the hell do I know? She was in at eight last night making a bloody racket, shouting and screaming at some bloke, but I haven’t seen her today.”

  “Thanks, mate, can you let me in?”

  The door opened and Joe went into the foyer and up the dingy staircase to Lindsay’s flat. He knocked on her door but there was no reply.

  “Fuck this,” he muttered pushing his shoulder hard against the door. It flung open immediately. The room was much the same as he had remembered it on his previous visit with Shirley. Looking over towards the bed, he could see Lindsay beneath the duvet.

  “Get up, Lindsay,” he snapped. “Do you know what time it is?”

  There was no response. Pulling back the covers, he gasped at the sight before him. Lindsay’s once beautiful face was swollen and bruised with congealed blood around her nose and mouth. Her eyes were lifeless and protruding and her neck was heavily bruised. Even before he touched her icy cold hand Joe knew that Lindsay was dead.

  He reeled back. “I don’t fucking believe this.”

  Joe stood motionless for a moment staring at Lindsay’s battered and lifeless body. His first instinct was to ring the police but he quickly dispelled this. He didn’t want to get mixed up in whatever had happened here. Instead he put the duvet back over her and quickly left the room.

  Driving straight to the club, Joe went up to Karl’s office. Karl listened calmly as Joe described what he had found. Eventually Karl walked over to the cabinet and poured two large whiskies, handing one to Joe.

  “Victor,” he said at last.

  “Victor was with me last night, boss. He couldn’t have killed her. We were both working on Cedar Road from six. We didn’t finish until two this morning.”

  “He could have killed her earlier. You weren’t with him in the afternoon.”

  Joe shook his head and relayed the brief conversation he had had with Lindsay’s neighbour.

  “This doesn’t make any fucking sense. Who’d want to kill a kid like Lindsay?”

  Joe shrugged. “Why don’t you have a word with your policeman friend? Make him start earning his freebies?”

  “I’ll speak to him if it gets sticky. The best thing we can do is act dumb.”

  “You’re probably right,” Joe agreed, draining his glass. “Anyway, I’ve got stuff to do before I pick Victor up.”

  “Are you sure he was with you all night, Joe? He couldn’t have sneaked off for an hour?”

  “I’m absolutely certain. Victor did not leave Cedar Road last night. You have my word.”

  Left alone, Karl paced the office impatiently. The first week of the club opening and one of his dancers had been murdered. What was it Erica had said when he had demanded she hand over her inheritance? ‘No good will come of it’. Perhaps she had been right. Perhaps the money was cursed and would bring nothing but bad luck.

  “Don’t be so fucking stupid, man,” he muttered as he poured himself another drink and took out a cigar from the drawer. “There’s no such thing as bad luck. Luck is what you make it.”

  Finishing his drink, he made his way downstairs into the club. The girls were just arriving for the early shift as he walked purposefully over to a booth.

  “Hurry up and get changed,” he commanded one of the girls, “and put some music on, something loud and sexy. I fancy a private dance.”

  THIRTY-SIX

  It had been almost two weeks since Joe had found Lindsay’s body. The only reference to her death had been a short paragraph in the Evening Post the previous week stating that the body of a known prostitute had been found by neighbours and that the police were treating the girl’s death as suspicious.

  It was just before midnight. Saturday was the busiest night of the week and both the club and the lounge bar were at full capacity. Simon was in the foyer talking to Jan when Erik suddenly burst through the door.

  “It’s all kicking off in the car park, Si,” he cried breathlessly. “There’s at least a dozen punters fighting.”

  Without hesitation, Simon bounded up the stairs to the lounge.

  “Victor, get downstairs quick, there’s trouble in the car park. I’ll fetch Joe.”

  Grinning, Victor ran down the stairs, two at a time, only too glad to prove his worth since his reinstatement in the club. A few seconds later he was joined in the foyer by Simon and Joe. All three ran out to the car park to see Jan and Erik confronted by a large group of men. Most of the men seemed to be very drunk and were shouting profanities at one another.

  Joe grabbed hold of one man who was kicking furiously at another who was huddled on the ground.

  “That’s enough,” he yelled angrily, as he grabbed his arm and roughly pushed him away. The man spun round and tried to head-butt Joe. Victor was standing close by and grabbed the man by the neck encircling it with his muscular arm. Whimpering, the man quickly gave up the struggle before Victor released his grip. Gradually the fighting was brought under control, and one by one the men began dispersing, watched by a vigilant Joe and Victor.

  “Si, you get back to the foyer. We don’t want any of this lot trying to get into the club,” Joe said, taking charge of the situation. “Jan and Erik, patrol around the building. Make sure they don’t come back. I’ll stay out here for a while with Victor.”

  “Okay, Joe, but be careful,” Simon warned, as he made his way back to the club.

  Simon had entered the foyer before he realised something was wrong. Kerry, the young girl working behind the counter, was crying and holding a tissue to her bloody nose. Angie pushed her roughly to one side.

  “Get out of the way,” she hissed as she ran round to the front of the counter. She was carrying a dark blue holdall. It was then that Simon became aware of a tall black man standing by the door.

  “Come on, Ray,” Angie cried. “Let’s go before they all get back.”

  “What the hell are you doing, Angie?” Simon cried. “What’s going on?”

  “She’s taken the money,” Kerry sobbed. “They’re robbing the club, Si. You’ve got t
o stop them.”

  Before Simon could respond, he felt a sharp pain in his back and realised he had been stabbed as he fell to the ground. Ray leant over him, still holding the knife.

  “Don’t,” Angie cried hysterically. “For fuck’s sake, leave him alone and let’s get out of here.” She opened the door and Ray followed her out into the night.

  Within minutes, Joe and Victor were back inside the building.

  “It was Angie,” sobbed Kerry. “Angie and her boyfriend, Ray. They’ve robbed the club and stabbed Simon. Joe, I think they’ve killed him.”

  THIRTY-SEVEN

  Joe drove Simon to the hospital in his car, reasoning it would be quicker than waiting for an ambulance. He’d been in A&E about half an hour when the doctor who had been treating Simon came over to him.

  “Your friend’s been very lucky,” he said. “Another inch to the right and…”

  “Can I take him home?”

  “I think it would be best if he stays here tonight for observation. He’s had six stitches under local anaesthetic, besides the police will need to speak to him.”

  “Police? What for?”

  “Any assault, especially a stabbing, has to be reported to the police. It’s the law.”

  “Can I see him?”

  “Of course, but just for a few minutes. He’s very weak.”

  Joe rang Karl once he was outside the hospital.

  “I managed to speak to Simon before the police got there,” he said. “Simon knows what to say.”

  “Well, that’s something, I suppose.” Karl sighed heavily. “I want you to find them, Joe, and when you do, you bring them to me. Okay?”

  “Sure, boss, but it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. They could be anywhere by now.”

  “Don’t make excuses,” Karl growled. “You introduced that girl into the club. That makes her your responsibility. Over eight thousand that bitch took me for. When I get my hands on her, I’ll…”

  “But Karl, I…”

  “And then there was Lindsay,” Karl continued. “It was you who brought her into the club and look what happened there. It’s like you’re trying to get me closed down with all the stupid tarts you’re fetching to work at the Emerald.”

  “That’s not fair,” Joe protested. “Lindsay was…” but Karl had already slammed down the telephone.

  Karl rang David Glendenning. “I want you to make sure the cops don’t come snooping around asking questions,” he said after he had explained what had happened to Simon. “Make sure it’s recorded as an incident occurring in the street and is nothing to do with the Emerald.”

  “Leave it with me,” David said. “I’ll take care of it.”

  “Make sure you do,” Karl snapped, putting down the receiver.

  There was a sharp rap on the door and not waiting for an invite, Victor came into the office.

  “Mr Karl,” he said slightly breathlessly, “one of the men fighting outside, he… he…”

  “For fuck’s sake, calm down, man, you’ll give yourself a heart attack.”

  “His name is Lucas, he is a friend of mine. He said he didn’t know I worked here or he wouldn’t have…”

  “Wouldn’t have what?”

  “Lucas said he was paid money to cause fight, Mr Karl. Him and two others. The black man paid them to make big fight in car park.”

  “The clever bastard,” Karl hissed. “Causing a diversion so he could rob me, but nobody makes a fool out of Karl Maddox. Nobody.” He slammed his fist down hard on the desk.

  “Thanks, Victor, you’d better go home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Goodnight, Mr Karl.”

  Left alone, Karl sat quietly behind his desk deep in thought. Tomorrow, he decided, he would get David to find out everything there was to know about Angie and Ray. In the meantime, he would invest in security cameras.

  Joe spent the rest of the evening trawling the streets looking for Angie and Ray. Kerry said they had driven away in a dark saloon but her description of the car had been vague.

  It was almost seven o’clock the following morning before he arrived back at his flat. As he approached, he knew something was wrong. The door to his flat was slightly ajar and all the lights were on. Inside he was horrified to see that his home had been ransacked. Drawers were wide open with the contents strewn about the floor, glassware had been broken, furniture overturned and pictures vandalised. Rushing through into his bedroom, he saw his mattress had been ripped open and the contents of his wardrobe flung around the room. He rushed over to the concealed floor safe beneath his bed and was relieved to find it had not been touched.

  “Oh Angie,” he whispered. “What have you done? You stupid, stupid girl.”

  THIRTY-EIGHT

  David arrived at Karl’s office just after lunch. Karl hadn’t slept well and felt tired and irritable.

  “Drink?” he asked, walking towards the cabinet.

  “No thanks, I’ve got a meeting this afternoon. I can’t go stinking of booze.”

  Karl shrugged in response and poured himself a whisky.

  “So,” Karl began, ignoring any pleasantries, “what’s happening about last night?”

  “Don’t worry, I’ve sorted it. The night crew have been told Simon was attacked in the street by a gang of drunken thugs. The Emerald wasn’t mentioned.”

  “What about Angie and that bloke she was with, Ray?”

  “I’ve made enquiries about them. There’s nothing of any significance against Angie. A couple of shoplifting charges last year and drunk and disorderly, but Ray Walters is quite a different matter.”

  “What’s that bastard been up to?”

  “He’s been inside a couple of times for dealing drugs, and more recently for GBH. He stabbed a bloke in a fight a few years back, nearly killed him by all accounts. A very unpleasant character is Mr Walters.”

  “Where can I find him?”

  “I can check his old haunts in Manchester, I suppose,” David said hesitantly, “but you do realise that if he gets arrested it could come out that your man was stabbed inside the club. That will lead to questions as to why it wasn’t reported.”

  “I don’t want the bastard arrested, I just want to know where he is. You find him. I’ll take it from there. Understand?”

  “Karl, you can’t…”

  “Just do it,” Karl cried angrily. “One phone call, that’s all I want from you. Okay?”

  David nodded. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Good enough,” Karl said. He walked over to his safe and took out a bulky envelope. “There’s a grand in there, David. Make sure you earn it.”

  David took the envelope and placed it in his inside pocket.

  “Thanks, Karl,” he said. “Actually, I was wondering about that girl working last Saturday, the one wearing the red dress.”

  “Oh you mean Honey? She dances downstairs and then comes up to the lounge to entertain.”

  “I don’t suppose she could visit me tomorrow night at the flat?”

  “I’m sure that can be arranged,” Karl grinned. “I have to say, David, you’re a sneaky bastard having your own little hideaway. You sure the missus doesn’t know about it?”

  “Positive,” David smirked. “It’s just a very small flat in a very big block, but it serves its purpose, if you know what I mean.” He winked mischievously at Karl.

  “What time should I send the delightful Honey?”

  “About eight, if that’s possible.”

  “Alright, eight it is, but make sure she’s back here for ten. Honey’s a popular girl.”

  “Don’t worry, she’ll be back,” David said, walking towards the door.

  “And David, don’t forget about the phone call,” Karl said. “I’ll be waiting.”

  THIRTY-NINE

  Karl was busy supervising the installation of security cameras at the club the following afternoon. He had settled on two cameras in the foyer and four overlooking the car park.

  “No Joe
today, Mr Karl?” asked Victor.

  “Joe’s having a few days off,” Karl said sulkily. “It’s just going to be me and you tonight in Cedar Road.”

  “What time do you want to go down?”

  “About six,” Karl answered.

  Karl had tried ringing Joe earlier but had got no reply. It wasn’t like him not to answer his phone and Karl was getting worried. Perhaps he had gone a little too far the previous evening in blaming Joe for what happened with Angie. After all, you can’t be responsible for what your sibling gets up to. He knew that only too well with what had happened to Jason.

  “Victor, I want you to drive me over to Joe’s flat before we go to Cedar Road.”

  “Alright, Mr Karl, I’ll bring the car round to the front.”

  It was just after six when they arrived at Joe’s flat.

  “You wait in the car,” Karl said. “I won’t be long.”

  Karl gave one sharp rap on the door and not waiting for a reply, walked into the flat.

  He was startled at the sight before him. “Bloody hell, Joe, what’s been going on? Who’s done this?”

  Joe shrugged and shook his head. “I think it must have been Ray. I found it like this when I got back from looking for Angie.”

  “You can’t stay here, mate,” Karl said sympathetically, surveying the broken furniture and crockery strewn around the room. “I’ll get you into a hotel for a few nights while we get this fixed.”

  “Thanks, but I have to find her. Anything could be happening to her whilst she’s with that vicious bastard.”

  Karl leaned against the wall, his hands thrust deep into his coat pockets. “Joe, this isn’t easy for me to say, but I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you yesterday. I was out of order.”

  Joe stared at Karl. He’d never heard him apologise for anything in all the time he’d known him.

  “Thank you.” He held out his hand.

  Karl moved towards him and instead of shaking Joe’s hand, he put both arms around him in a hug.