The Wronged: No parent should ever have to bury their child.... Kimberley Chambers

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ rid. Never forget if it wasn’t for my business brain you would currently be earning a oner a week fixing poxy cars. I set this place up with Roy’s help, not yours. So what I say fucking goes, understand?’

      The sound of the buzzer stopped it turning into a full-scale argument. Vinny stood up, strolled towards the entrance and gave his brother one last warning as he did so: ‘If you refuse to sell, best you have the readies to buy me out, Michael. I’m sure Ahmed would jump at the chance of becoming my new business partner if you’re too dense to think ahead.’

      Fully expecting to see his mum, his son or Ahmed, Vinny’s smug expression was soon wiped off his face when he saw six Old Bill on the doorstep. ‘What do you mob want?’

      DI Smithers stared Vinny in the eyes. ‘Vinny Butler, you are being arrested on suspicion of murdering Bobby Kenneth Jackson. You are not obliged to say anything unless you wish to do so, but whatever you do say will be taken down in writing and may be given in evidence …’

      ‘Bruv, ring my brief,’ Vinny yelled. ‘I have just buried my daughter, you unfeeling bunch of cunts,’ he spat, smashing his fist against the wall.

      Hearing the commotion, Michael ran to his brother’s side. ‘What the hell’s going on? Vin ain’t done nothing wrong. We’ve been at Molly’s funeral, and only just got back from the wake.’

      While Vinny struggled and cursed as he was handcuffed then slung in the back of the meat wagon, DS Townsend took Michael to one side. ‘Unfortunately for your brother, Bobby Jackson passed away earlier this evening.’

      Michael sank to his haunches in shock. This change of circumstance was bound to mean that his brother would have to await his trial in prison.

      ‘I am sorry for your family that this happened today of all days. I can only imagine how tough Molly’s funeral must have been for you all,’ Townsend said. Vinny aside, the DS felt no hatred towards the Butler clan. During the investigation into Molly’s death he’d got to know the family a bit better, and Michael in particular struck him as a decent bloke.

      When Townsend walked away, Michael went back inside the club. He rang Vinny’s brief, left a message on his answerphone, then poured himself another large Scotch. No way did he want to see his brother behind bars, but at least now Vinny was in no position to force the sale of the business. He was going to be the one calling the shots for a change.

      Growing up as Vinny and Roy’s younger brother had not been easy for Michael Butler, but with Vinny liable to be banged up for the foreseeable and poor Roy brown bread, this truly was his time to prove all the doubters wrong, Vinny included. And prove them wrong he most certainly would.

       CHAPTER THREE

      Little Vinny sat up and put his head in his hands. He had an awful hangover and an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. His best pal Ben Bloggs should have been at his side today, but he’d not been coping as well as he had since Molly’s death, spending all his time holed up in his bedroom. Every time Little Vinny had tried to persuade Ben to go out somewhere he’d made excuses, saying he didn’t feel well, and he’d rather stay in that squalid pit he called home. But when Little Vinny called at the Bloggs’ place this morning so they could go to the funeral together, Ben’s junkie mother told him he’d gone out last night and hadn’t come back. Now Vinny was worried. He’d thought he could handle Ben, slip him a few quid, keep him in glue and cider, make sure he understood that if he went to the police and told them he’d looked on while Little Vinny strangled his baby sister to death, they would both be in big trouble. After all, Ben was the one who’d taken her from the club, even if he only did it because Little Vinny told him they were going to make her disappear for a few hours to teach his dad a lesson. Surely Ben wouldn’t have the guts to grass him up … would he?

      ‘Vin, we need to talk,’ Michael said, barging into the bedroom.

      ‘Whatsa matter?’ Little Vinny asked, alarmed. He could tell by his uncle’s face that something was terribly wrong, and his first thought was that Ben must have blabbed. If he had, then Little Vinny would have no option but to turn the tables and tell the Old Bill that Ben was the one who’d abducted and killed Molly. If need be, he’d tell them his pal had always shown an unhealthy interest in his little sister.

      Little Vinny cleverly managed to hide the surge of relief he felt when his uncle explained the situation. ‘When will me dad be allowed home?’

      ‘I’m not sure. Your dad only got bail in the first place because Jackson was still alive. Now he’s dead, it might change things.’

      Face etched with fury, Little Vinny leapt up and kicked the door. The whole point of getting rid of Jo and Molly had been so he could have his dad all to himself again, and now he’d been taken away. ‘If my dad gets banged up, who am I gonna live with? Can I live with you? I promise I’ll be good.’

      Having just got things back on track with Nancy, Michael knew there was no way he could let Little Vinny move in with them. His wife had made it perfectly clear that she was no fan of the wayward teenager; she even blamed him for what had happened to Molly. ‘I’m not sure there’s room at mine for you with the boys, Vin. But, let’s not jump the gun, eh? Your dad has a good brief and might even get bail yet for all we know. Now I want you to do me a favour. Get yourself washed and dressed so we can go and tell your nan and Auntie Viv the news. Then, later, I want you to help me get the club ready to reopen. If your dad don’t get bail, I am really gonna need you to be my right-hand man. Do you think you can step up to the mark?’

      ‘Will I get paid more money?’

      ‘Yeah, but only if you work really hard.’

      Little Vinny managed a grin. ‘You got yourself a deal, Uncle Michael.’

      Having had an awful night’s sleep, Vivian got up before the larks and took a stroll down to the newsagent. It wasn’t even daylight yet, but Viv knew the papers would be left outside the Patels’ shop.

      About to pass Fat Beryl’s house, Vivian froze as she heard the words, ‘Please don’t. I really don’t want to. I’m not that type of girl. You’re hurting me. Stop it.’

      ‘You’ve let me buy you drinks all night and you’ve been shoving them big titties of yours in my face. I know you want it,’ a male voice hissed, trying to force his rock-hard todger down the back of her throat. The more they knocked him back, the more it turned him on.

      Whitechapel had changed over the years. Many residents were afraid to walk the streets at certain times, but not Vivian. Nobody messed with her family, which was why she marched fearlessly down the alleyway.

      ‘Get off her, you dirty bastard,’ she bellowed, smashing her handbag over the back of the man’s head.

      The man leapt up. Had it been light, he would have recognized Vivian, but unfortunately for him it was dark. ‘Jealous are ya? Want some an’ all?’ he taunted, waving his hard-on in his hand.

      Trying to whack his cock with her handbag, Vivian screamed, ‘I’ll have you shot, you dirty cunt.’ Realizing the woman was scary and old, the man expertly tucked his penis inside his trousers and bolted.

      ‘Heard of the Butlers, have ya? You disgusting nonce. I’m Vinny and Michael’s aunt. Watch your back. Your days are numbered,’ Vivian shouted, but to no avail. The man was already out of earshot.

      The СКАЧАТЬ