Patsy, Eugene and Porrick were following Aiden and Jade to the club. They were aware that they had been the cause of serious annoyance where Aiden was concerned, but they were sure that they had done the right thing. They felt bad about Agnes. She was a good girl, and she had never been any trouble to them. She had never even had a boyfriend, really. Plenty of boys had shown an interest in her, and their mum had done everything in her power to get Aggs to go out with them. Reeva thought her daughter was unnatural because she didn’t think that drinking, clubbing and looking for a man was the highlight of life.
Eugene lit a joint and, taking a deep toke, he held it in his lungs for a good while before letting out the smoke. Then, passing it to Patsy, who was driving, he said seriously, ‘Fuck Aiden. Who does he think he is? And Jade for that matter. They dump that boy there for days on end. They know that Mum can’t be trusted for any length of time.’
Patsy laughed and passed the joint to Porrick in the back seat. ‘Remember when she went after your teacher, Porrick! Coked out of her head when the school rung up saying you had been suspended for fighting.’
They were laughing now, as they remembered one of Reeva’s more spectacular moments.
‘Fucking hell, when Mum burst into the classroom I nearly fainted. Poor old Mr Thomas, he shit himself. Then when she started rowing him out . . .! I know she was a pain but, in fairness, she always had our backs.’
‘Thing is, though, she’s a complete nutbag. Look at tonight − she has been a fucking diamond for months, and then she just decided to go on one of her fucking mad half-hours. She was on the coke again. And when I find out who supplied her they won’t fucking be stupid enough to do that again, I know that much. Poor Agnes is really treated badly by us. No, we did the right thing tonight. Our little sister needed to make her point.’
Porrick was nodding in agreement, and, laughing once more, he said nastily, ‘Our Aiden needs a fucking reality check. I mean, I know he is good to us, I would never deny that. But be honest, guys, I don’t know if I trust him. He never seems to me like he is on the same planet as everyone else. I think he sees himself as above everyone, including us.’
Patsy pulled the car to a halt; it was like an emergency stop on a driving test.
Then, turning around in his seat, he grabbed his little brother by the throat and, pulling him viciously towards him, he said threateningly, ‘You fucking stop there, mate. Aiden is our brother, and he is also the reason we earn a fucking good wage, and why we can live a charmed fucking life. Don’t you ever criticise him to me again. Do you hear me, Porrick?’
Eugene pulled them apart and, seeing the fear on Porrick’s face and the disappointment on Patsy’s, he wondered how long it would be before real trouble would begin.
As much as he loved his brothers, Aiden included, in his heart of hearts he agreed with Porrick one hundred per cent. He didn’t trust Aiden either. The difference was, he had the sense to keep his opinions to himself.
‘Come on, you two. It’s been a fucking poxy night. Let’s get to the club and have a few drinks, for fuck’s sake.’
Patsy started up the car again, and they carried on to the club, but no one was talking. They didn’t know what to say.
Chapter Seventy-Four
Colin Clark had not been impressed to have the meeting cancelled at such short notice.
Being the type of man he was, he looked for an insult and convinced himself that there was some kind of skulduggery afoot. Not that he had expected anything less, of course. Aiden O’Hara was a cunt of the first water as far as he was concerned. It was only the fact that Eric Palmer was the main broker of the deal that had really piqued his interest. Eric Palmer was a man you would be a fool to refuse if he saw fit to offer you an earn. He had his creds, and he had them in spades. As big a fucker as he could be, Colin Clark knew that if Eric Palmer wanted to offer him a deal, he would bite his fucking hand off, and kiss his boots if that was what was needed. Who was he kidding? He would happily kiss the fucker’s arse.
This deal was what he had dreamed of, what he had been waiting for. He needed an in when it came to the big money, and if he could achieve that, then he would feel that he had done his fucking job. This was a golden opportunity − and even his brother didn’t need to drum it into his thick head. This was a different level of villainy, and that he had something Eric Palmer wanted pleased him no end.
The only fly in the ointment was Aiden O’Hara. He didn’t like him on principle. Aiden O’Hara was his nemesis in many ways. He was a hard fucker, that was a given, but then so was Colin and a lot of others. That Aiden had been fortunate enough to come to the attention of Eric Palmer was just how the world worked. Colin Clark knew better than anybody that the majority of people who achieved in the world of criminals were often only there because they were in the right place at the right fucking time. He accepted that, even though it galled him if he thought about it too much.
Colin had earned himself a good reputation and, because of that, he had always believed that it was only a matter of time before he would be noticed and brought into the inner circles that he craved so desperately. But, as his brother, Timmy, had reiterated over and over, he had to find a way to work with men like Aiden because, if he didn’t, Eric Palmer would abandon them without a second fucking thought. Aiden O’Hara had Eric Palmer’s ear, and to the outside world, he had proved himself worthy. Although, if all the gossip was to be believed, Aiden had fucked up more than once because of his massive fucking ego. Knowing that could only work in Colin’s favour − if he used his loaf. His brother might be the brains of the outfit, but Colin had the cunning required to get on in their chosen profession. He could sniff out an earn, as well as a snide − that was his contribution to the partnership. Timmy always respected his reaction to any deals offered because, although Timmy might have a brain like a calculator, it was Colin who had the nous to suss everything out. That was what had got them as far as they had.
Aiden O’Hara was Eric’s blue-eyed boy, and he held him, and that old woman of his, Jade, in high regard. He trusted them with everything he had, and that was a very impressive shout-out to anyone who had to deal with them. It was something that Colin Clark could not dispute and had the utmost respect for. In short, whatever people might say about Aiden O’Hara, Colin understood that he was not a man to underestimate in any way.
Now, as he stood at the top bar in the new club that Aiden had recently opened, Colin could not help but wonder what the next step would have to be, how they were all going to merge as a single unit where the deals were concerned. Tonight could be either the making or the breaking of him and his brother; this was what people would refer to as a watershed moment. If it all went fucking pear-shaped there would more than likely be ambulances arriving.
Colin gestured to the barmaid for another drink. Timmy was chatting up a right fucking horror with dyed black hair and an unconvincing breast job − she was just his cup of tea. Timmy always went for the obvious, the girls who would flash their clouts for a few drinks and the promise of a bit of coke. He argued that it suited him because they knew what the score was − especially him!
Colin could see his point, but personally he avoided those fucking slags like the plague. They tended to gravitate to wherever you were and act like they were family or something. They believed because you fucked them once, it gave them some kind of reason to come into your real life. As if you would be seen in daylight with them! What did these girls expect? They weren’t exactly fucking virgins who were all big eyes and turn the lights off. They fucked like porn stars − nothing was off the menu. Like that would encourage some kind of love job! He would cross the road to avoid them. Why didn’t they suss that for themselves? He wasn’t looking for the love of his life, but he wasn’t willing to trump some old sort who had been with everyone within a ten-mile radius like his brother. No, Colin liked to romance a nicer class of woman. He was quite happy to take them out a few times, spend a few quid on them. They had to be
a cut above the usual, and they had to be decent girls. No bad language, no dirty jokes, and definitely no interest in drugs − that was a complete no-no as far as he was concerned. He had his standards, unlike his brother − though, in fairness, Timmy loved them and left them without a backward glance, and the girls were quite happy for him to do just that. Colin, though, liked to work for it − he liked to earn his reward. It was all the sweeter when he finally slipped them a portion, knowing that they weren’t giving out to anyone with a nice car and a few bob.
As he ordered yet another drink, he saw his brother step away from his latest horror and, turning towards him, he realised that Aiden O’Hara had just walked into the bar with his brothers. One thing about his brother, Timmy, was nothing, absolutely fuck-all, ever got past him. Colin stood stock still and watched as Timmy stepped out to shake hands with Aiden O’Hara. He looked him over greedily, interested in this man who he would have to work with on a daily basis.
‘Great to see you, Aiden. We understand you had a situation tonight. This is my brother, Colin, as you know.’
Colin held out his hand and, as he gripped Aiden’s outstretched hand, he was amazed to see that Aiden was just a bit taller than him, although they were similar in every other way. Both were muscular, well dressed and they were both far too interested in the other. They stood there hands clasped for a good thirty seconds, and then, laughing, they hugged like long-lost relatives.
Timmy Clark watched them with apprehension; he felt instinctively that these two men should never be allowed to form any kind of alliance. They were volatile, flakes in many respects, and neither of them would ever see a deal through to the end. That was what Timmy Clark and Jade were for. But, apart from all that, these were men who were dangerous enough alone, the last thing they needed was a kindred fucking spirit. But the damage was done. Despite everything they had decided about the other, once they had met properly they were on a fucking love job. Talk about two peas in a pod! They genuinely really liked each other.
Aiden grinned roguishly, but said seriously, ‘Oi, where the fuck did you purchase that fucking suit?’
Colin laughed out loud; he couldn’t believe his luck. ‘Bespoke, Aiden, of course. And cheap as fucking chips, and look at this . . .!’ He opened his jacket and showed Aiden his name hand-embroidered on the inside pocket.
Aiden was well impressed, and it showed. ‘Do you know what, I want you to introduce me to your fucking tailor, mister.’
Patsy and Timmy were amazed to witness these two men who until now had never really formed any kind of relationship outside their families, treating each other like visiting royalty. They were only too aware of their brothers’ lethal similarities. What should have been a good thing was potentially a catastrophe of Olympian standards. These fuckers were both complete lunatics; loners who were only able to be persuaded to do the right thing by the people they trusted. No one had predicted them striking up a friendship immediately; both were renowned because they didn’t exactly encourage friendships. Now, though, they were like a pair of long-lost brothers, drinking whisky together and asking each other questions − not in the usual confrontational way they grilled people, but with genuine interest in each other’s answers.
‘Fuck off, Colin! Casino? Fabulous film. Joe Pesci as Nicky. Brilliant portrayal of the character. I was gutted when they fucking took him out.’
Colin Clark laughed with delight. ‘I said exactly the same thing. He was fucking brilliant. When they killed his brother in front of him, I don’t mind admitting, I had tears − actual fucking tears − in my eyes. He was my favourite character too.’
Timmy Clark and Patsy O’Hara looked at each other in amazement. Nothing was actually said, but they understood the enormity of what had just occurred. As Eugene and Porrick chatted up the birds and drank, Patsy felt the urge to smash the pair of them because they really didn’t get what was going on. When Aiden called them over and introduced them, they were as happy as fucking larks because they liked Colin Clark as well. Who wouldn’t? He was a handsome, jovial man, full of smiles, full of jokes, willing to laugh at himself. But Colin was a blond Aiden − he was a fucking psychopath in a handmade suit who had just met his black-haired counterpart.
Patsy would have laid out good money that these two men would not have ever liked one another. They would have worked together only under observation, and because Eric Palmer desired it. But now they were drinking heavily together, and acting like they had known each other all their lives. Which, in a funny way, they probably had.
Timmy Clark handed Patsy a large vodka and tonic and, shrugging, he said, ‘Eric already explained that it will be me and you doing the donkey work, but I pretty much worked that one out for myself. I’m sure you know the score as well as I do. So let’s take a leaf out of their book and decide how we are going to work this so it’s in everyone’s interest.’
Patsy took a large swallow of his drink before saying genuinely, ‘I hear you, but tonight I think just a few drinks are in order. Let’s see how these two develop over the next few days before we plan any kind of strategy.’
Timmy nodded; there was a logic there that he could not overlook. Chances were they would be fighting the fuck out of each other at a whim, or over a sudden slight if the fancy took either of them. Neither was known for their willingness to make friends. In fact, they were both known for the complete opposite.
Both were antisocial fuckers, who nobody approached unless they had to. But as the night went on the two men seemed to get on like the proverbial house on fire.
Chapter Seventy-Five
Jade listened to Eric Palmer with her usual quiet demeanour. She could listen intently and, unlike most of the women Eric had known, she didn’t interrupt at every available opportunity. Jade had the mind of a man − not that he would ever say that, of course, but it was one of the things he admired about her.
Like everyone else, Eric was interested in how the meeting between Aiden and Colin had gone. Unlike everyone else he thought it was a good thing that they were so friendly with each other. Eric Palmer recognised that there would be friction − that was par for the course in the world they inhabited − but, by the same token, you didn’t have to like the people you did your business with. If that was a requirement, no one would ever earn a fucking shilling. If you genuinely liked the person you were dealing with then that was a bonus, but realistically no one gave a flying fuck. It was about finding the right person to do your business with and, regardless of personal opinion, you just kept them on an even keel. It wasn’t fucking rocket science; most of the people you were forced to deal with in the criminal world any normal person would cross the road to avoid. You weren’t going to fucking marry the cunt − it was just business.
It annoyed Eric that he had to explain this to an old hand like Jade. She knew better than anyone the need to deal with people you couldn’t fucking stand, but you made sure your personal feelings were kept private.
‘Look, Jade, the bottom line is it’s a good thing if they get on. Fucking hell, you were more worried that they would hate one another. Now they are like fucking bosom buddies you are still not happy. Is it because you think they will be out on the hunt, darling? Colin has a reputation, I know.’
Jade sighed heavily; she was offended that Eric could think she was that shallow. ‘Are you finished, Eric?’
He nodded, unsure of where this was going. As far as he was concerned this was a winning situation for him. He couldn’t get what the problem was.
‘Listen to me, OK? Aiden wouldn’t know a friend if they fell out of a tree and landed on his fucking head. He has acquaintances, and he has me and you, who he loves and respects. You because you are what he wanted to be all his life, and me because I am the woman he saw as his mentor. I am the only person who can tell him what he doesn’t want to hear. He knows that I would never put him wrong, that I will always have his back. He loves our boy because he sees him as a part of him. Aiden Junior is his flesh and blood, and
that has an importance for him because of Reeva. She might not have done much in the way of parenting but she made sure that her kids understood the importance of family. Now, I know you think we are worrying about nothing, but I am telling you now, Eric, that Colin Clark and Aiden is not a healthy relationship. They are both fucking two paving slabs short of a patio. They are too mentally unreliable to become a team. They already egg each other on, dare each other to do things that are not just fucking stupid but make no fucking sense. I don’t know where it will end.’
Eric sat quietly as she spoke and the fact that he was questioning her told her everything she needed to know. Well, he didn’t give a fuck; he was retiring, and he was just bankrolling everyone.
‘Last night they caused murders in a private gambling hole in Barking. They turned up drunk as fuck, and pulled a gun on old Tommy Brewer because he asked them to keep the noise down. It’s a big money game as you know, because it’s our game. We own that fucking club. Aiden took advantage of that and I am not going to let that slide, Eric. He needs to be put in his place, sooner rather than later. He knows that he has not fulfilled his early promise, and I blame you for that. Too much too soon, and he fucked up. Now he is putting everything he can lay his hands on up his nose, and drinking like a fucking fish, and that is not good for any of us.’
Eric Palmer listened. She was right − she always was. ‘I know what you are saying, Jade, and I agree, but that’s Aiden. He has fucked up, yes, but, by the same token, he has flashes of brilliance. And he has a reputation as my main man. When it comes down to it there isn’t a man on the pavement willing to take him on. That is just plain fact. I know that you are his fucking dream − he adores you – and he knows deep down in his boots that you are the real brains of the outfit. Oh, God! He had such fucking promise, and he still has the mental capacity to find a way out of any eventuality. My advice is to put him on the right track. You are the only person he listens to.’