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A family of evil Chapter 33
Johnnie savoured the smoky whisky taste. That first sip was always the fiery best, the rest tended to just turn into a drink. It had been five years, but that flavour was as familiar as yesterday. He took his glass and made his way to a table in the corner of the bar. Sitting at the bar smacked of desperation or despair. He wanted to look like he was waiting, simply waiting. Most people who drank in this bar were waiting. Waiting for time to pass, for the right person to walk into the bar, waiting for a job to turn up or for a Lotto win. Like every other darkened bar in the world as familiar as a favourite armchair, it was full of dreamers and disillusioned drunks. The right person who walked in the bar could be offering to pay well but the cash wouldn’t be showing up on their tax return any time soon. Johnnie took another small sip, the burn overwhelming him with memories of another bar, another life, and a woman. The next sip sat hot in his stomach igniting a molten core of anger. T
A family of evil Chapter 34
‘I’ll ignore the fact you ignored my invitation. Go on.’‘Okay,’ He could hear the smile in her voice. ‘Apparently, the word is that all the kids who worked for Uncle Tommie are having a competition, they’ve branched out into credit cards. The kids slip into cafes and shops, it’s amazing how many of them can grab a credit card without the person noticing. Seeing as they have the network of kids, they’re going to use them in the downtime between deliveries. Believe it nor not, the cards are being collected by a guy called Buttercup.’‘Yea, I’d believe that. Jack Metricup. He’s a small-time drug dealer who covers South Auckland. That’s a bit of a step up for him.’ So, Jack was working for Shadow Man or at least, owed his business growth to him. Wonder what he’s going to have to give in return.‘Sam, Alex isn’t involved, is he?’‘No, not Alex but he said the kids are really excited about it. Apparently, they’re offering some amazing prizes for the kid who can get the most cards in a week
A family of evil Chapter 35
Geoff gave them a few more details and held up a file. ‘Here’s a summary of what I’ve told you today, if anyone has any further questions, my email is at the end. Good luck with your case, though.’ Mike had a few words with him at the door then closed the door behind him. He walked over to the white board and slipped Mike Deveroux’s pic out from under a magnet and put it on the side along with other people of interest. ‘I can assume that if Mike Deveroux is making that much money from his gambling syndicate, he’s not going to be wasting his time with gun deliveries and teenagers. So, we turn our attention to the other members of the charity, Ron Corbett and Sonia. Nothing new turns up in Sonia’s background, she looks like everything she appears to be, but Ron Corbett has resigned from the charity. There’s nothing suspicious about that except for the timing. So, we go through his background and finances with a fine-toothed comb.’Mike allocated duties all round and then went to wind up
A family of evil Chapter 36
It was Shadow Man and he was putting in an order, a large one. Franklin frowned with concentration and tilted his head to one side, listening carefully. When the tape had finished, he said, ‘Was it just me or did I detect a slight accent that time? ’Mike rewound the taped conversation and hit play again.‘There, hear it? He’s putting a slightly different accent on one word.’Mike rewound and played it again. ‘You could be right, but it’s slight. Listen to the rest of it.’ They played the conversation to the end. Mike had kept him on the line for quite a bit longer, emphasising that it was too big an order to expect without a deposit. Shadow Man agreed reluctantly to put 25% into the bank account Mike gave him. Told him that he would get further instructions when the money hit the account.‘And the franchise? I’m very interested. So interested that I wouldn’t fancy the chances of any competition staying in business long, if you get my meaning.’Mike had hesitated, surprised at the op
A family of evil Chapter 37
‘And what other interests might they be, Sir?’‘Sorry?’‘You said that you had many other business interests, I was just wondering what ones you are going to put your energies into now.’‘Well, I have a sizeable real estate portfolio and a large share portfolio, I think that they will keep me busy.’ His manner was becoming dismissive. Nothing for you to know here.‘But you’ve been selling them off, haven’t you? Does your new venture require funding?’There was silence, Franklin waited.‘You’ve been doing your homework, Detective Sergeant. Am I a suspect?’‘It’s a murder enquiry, Sir, we do tend to be thorough.’‘I didn’t realise that you would be looking into my affairs. I had nothing to do with that boy’s unfortunate departing.’‘You didn’t answer my question. Does your new venture require funding?’ Franklin ’s pen hovered over his notebook.Ron Corbett suddenly sat back in his chair, smiling. ‘Well, you did take me by surprise but of course, you are doing your job. And very well, I
A family of evil Chapter 38
‘Okay. Then why the hell haven’t you called me sooner in that case?’ He knew she would hear the smile in his voice.‘Because I’ve been busy, too. I’ve started divorce proceedings and that’s one of the reasons why I’m calling. I thought it was time for me to try some new dishes and it’s about time we caught up and brought each other up to date. But if you’re too busy, I could just invite Johnnie and leave you to keep on working.’‘That’ll be enough of that. You can’t ask that philistine to give you feedback on cooking. He’ll probably compare it to the pie he had at lunch.’Michael overheard the comment, lifting his head and frowning at Franklin .‘Tonight at 7, but you can come earlier if you can get away.’‘I’ll be there, honey. What are you cooking this time?’‘That’s a surprise. Be here and you’ll find out. Bye.’ Franklin could hear them before he got to the back door. He knocked, then tried the door just as he heard, ‘Come in!’ from Sam. Walking through the kitchen, he could hea
A family of evil Chapter 39
‘He’s really working that table. He’s trying hard to impress.’Martin glanced in at the table again, watching the ceremony of honouring the older men, the showing of respect for these elder businessmen. ‘I think he’s just showing respect. He’s Arbruzzio’s new partner so he’s got to work to be accepted into their business world. And this is the way to do it. Those guys coming and going at the end of the table, they are making an appearance and showing the same respect.’‘How long do you think this lunch is going to go for? They’ve been here two and a half hours so far.’Michael checked out the table. ‘They’re not at coffee yet, so it may go for a while longer. Relax Martin, how often do you get a great meal like this paid for? Franklin would give his right arm to be seated where you are now, but Arbruzzio knows him. Watch out, here comes another one.’ Michael picked up his phone, lifting his sunglasses to get a better look at the screen. He lifted the phone and aimed it at Martin, ‘
A family of evil Chapter 40
‘Calm down, Babe. He’s requested a reconciliation meeting with you through your lawyer, who is obligated to pass it on to you. You don’t have to do that if you don’t want to.’‘Really? I don’t have to?’ Sam dropped into a chair, relief clear on her face. ‘But that reads as if it is one of the steps to the divorce.’‘Yea, well I believe that they like to try to get the couple to reconciliation if at all possible. Tell your lawyer that you are frightened for your life, that meeting him would be traumatic for you and leave it with him.’ Johnnie crouched down beside her. ‘As long as he doesn’t get either your mobile or your address, you’re safe. And besides, you’ve been doing my self-defence course, you’re better placed to protect yourself if the need arises.’Sam shivered. ‘It was horrible. I didn’t think I would have to see him again. But I’ll sound so much like a coward if I don’t attend that meeting. I should go, tell them that there is no way I would feel safe being in the same room
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- A family of evil
Chapter 47
Outside, Franklin lifted his head and listened. Everything must have been going to plan in the warehouse, it was always a good sign when there had been no shots. But another sound caught his attention. Franklin knew what the sound was, an approaching motorbike. If the whole gang arrived, they would be totally outnumbered. However, they wouldn’t know that there were police there until they got into the warehouse. There was still no sign outside that there was anything out of the ordinary. It crossed Franklin ’s mind, that if he shut the gate, he would not only stop anyone from leaving, but he would also keep any backup out of the warehouse yard as well. But what the hell, they might as well catch all the rats in their trap. He clicked the radio and let Mark know there was at least one more bike coming their way. As he pulled back into the shadows, Franklin saw a bike move slowly through the gate and pull up in front of the warehouse and then just sit there with his bike idling. Fran
- A family of evil
Chapter 46
He nodded, humbled by her reaction.She took his hand and led him inside. But she didn’t stop in the kitchen or the lounge. She kept walking straight down the hall into the bedroom. Franklin ’s heart thumped in his chest. She turned to face him, and he started to apologise for not being there for her when she put her finger across his mouth. ‘Shut up.’ She pulled him closer and stood on tiptoe to reach his lips. He lowered his head and allowed the feelings to swamp him. And suddenly, he took control. He turned and backed her against the wardrobe door and kissed her the way he’d dreamed of. And she responded exactly how she had in his dreams, but the feeling that surged through his blood was more intense than in the dream. It was pure bubbling champagne in his veins.Later whenever he thought of that moment, he never could figure out how they made it to the bed, but he sure remembered every touch, the taste of her and every movement they made together. It was simply perfect.Lying ther
- A family of evil
Chapter 45
Mark heard the air hiss from Franklin as he called a warning to Tommie to drop the bat. The boy’s sobbing subsided as he realised help was at hand and he scrabbled away from Tommie’s vicinity. Sobbing turned to a soft hiccupping, and they all looked at Tommie, waiting. No one moved. One person prayed for Tommie to try something, there were now four guns aimed at him. Tommie slowly lowered the bat.‘Toss it away from you, towards the back wall.’ Mark’s voice was soft and dangerous, and Franklin wondered if he too would like to take Tommie down.The bat was tossed and before they could say anything else, he dropped to his knees, putting his hands behind his head. He knew the drill.Two of them moved forward, still cautious while two remained with their guns trained on him. He was handcuffed before Franklin made a move towards Bubba. Tears were streaming down his face, leaving tracks in dirt. ‘I think he’s broken me bloody knee.’ His bottom lip wobbled, and Franklin put one arm aroun
- A family of evil
Chapter 44
Johnnie leaned over and put it on pause. ‘Yea,’ corrected Johnnie, ‘except for if you’re recording this and you want to get as much detail in as possible.’ He started it again.‘Okay, keep your hair on. Don’t let your shiny new Gold Wing bike go to your head.’ There were chuckles in the background.Franklin had snapped to attention. ‘Play that again.’ They listened to it again and Franklin sat back in his chair. ‘My god, if we can tie him into that bike, we’ve got him.’‘Really? The guy who’s at the back of all this?’Franklin nodded. ‘Where did you say you got this again?’Johnnie lifted one eyebrow. ‘Apparently, I found it on my doorstep tomorrow morning.’Franklin nodded. ‘Cautious aren’t they.’‘Wouldn’t you be? Well, I don’t know about you, but I think I’ll head home to get some beauty sleep.’ Johnnie finished the last of his drink. ‘Don’t say it, I need more than a sleep to fix that.’Franklin walked him to the door. ‘Thanks man, this could be the best link we have so far.
- A family of evil
Chapter 43
‘Yes, I met her in the coffee shop.’‘Her maiden name was Arbruzzio.’Franklin stared at him. ’She’s his aunt? Arbruzzio’s?” He breathed out. ‘She told me Arbruzzio had helped her. I got the impression that she owed him.’‘You got sucked in, man. She must be good.’Franklin shook his head. ‘Unbelievable, I totally believed her. So is she a part of everything too?’ Franklin felt his world shift. He had hoped that she might look out for the boys but there was a strong possibility that she was in it with Tommie and Arbruzzio up to her neck. ‘Damn it, women aren’t supposed to take advantage of young boys. Call me old fashioned, but it’s just not right.’ He took a minute to take it in, then continued. ‘So, what about the finances? Anything shonky?’‘Other than it seems that the place has an unusually high turnover for a coffee shop that size, nothing really.’‘You think they’re laundering money?’‘Looks like it but the tax office did an audit on them and they were able to explain the tu
- A family of evil
Chapter 42
‘You deserve that. You did great, Babe. I’m proud of you.’ And he raised his bottle, clinked it against her wine glass and took a swig.She took a tentative sip. ‘Bit early for this, isn’t it?’‘Nah, let’s live dangerously.’ Johnnie looked down, swallowed then looked at her again. ‘I’m sorry Babe. I knew it was bad, but I had no idea…’‘Johnnie, it’s past. Finished. Don’t get upset about it. I’m sorry you had to hear that but I felt he was getting sympathy and that was the only way I could think of that would change the mediator’s point of view.’Johnnie grinned. ‘Did you see the look on his lawyer’s face?’ He took another swig. ‘Just as well Franklin wasn’t there, he would’ve wanted to kill him. I mean I did too, but I’m glad Franklin wasn’t here.’‘Don’t forget, Franklin investigated the stalking at that time and he interviewed David. He was the one who warned me not to meet him for a while and then only in public. He knows what David had become.’‘Are you going to ring him and t
- A family of evil
Chapter 41
She nodded and walked back towards the kitchen. Some of the boys at the other tables watched her walk past out of the corner of their eyes, but no one made any smart remarks. Not to Maria. None of them were that stupid.Bubba headed home when he had finished his coffee, he didn’t want to hang around while he was carrying his payment on him. He’d got paid and he’d helped Alex and the guys who were trying to find who’d killed Clinton . As he got to the top of the hill at the end of his street, he looked back at the city sparkling below. It looked like a sideshow at a fair, all lit up to tempt you to come and play. But he knew only too well, the kind of playtime this could be. His bruises were healed for the moment, but his scars ran deeper. He looked from the sparkling yellow lights to the clear sky above. Stars were twinkling, some shining brighter than others. Bubba searched the sky until he found one bright enough for what he was looking for. That one. He watched it for a moment, shi
- A family of evil
Chapter 40
‘Calm down, Babe. He’s requested a reconciliation meeting with you through your lawyer, who is obligated to pass it on to you. You don’t have to do that if you don’t want to.’‘Really? I don’t have to?’ Sam dropped into a chair, relief clear on her face. ‘But that reads as if it is one of the steps to the divorce.’‘Yea, well I believe that they like to try to get the couple to reconciliation if at all possible. Tell your lawyer that you are frightened for your life, that meeting him would be traumatic for you and leave it with him.’ Johnnie crouched down beside her. ‘As long as he doesn’t get either your mobile or your address, you’re safe. And besides, you’ve been doing my self-defence course, you’re better placed to protect yourself if the need arises.’Sam shivered. ‘It was horrible. I didn’t think I would have to see him again. But I’ll sound so much like a coward if I don’t attend that meeting. I should go, tell them that there is no way I would feel safe being in the same room
- A family of evil
Chapter 39
‘He’s really working that table. He’s trying hard to impress.’Martin glanced in at the table again, watching the ceremony of honouring the older men, the showing of respect for these elder businessmen. ‘I think he’s just showing respect. He’s Arbruzzio’s new partner so he’s got to work to be accepted into their business world. And this is the way to do it. Those guys coming and going at the end of the table, they are making an appearance and showing the same respect.’‘How long do you think this lunch is going to go for? They’ve been here two and a half hours so far.’Michael checked out the table. ‘They’re not at coffee yet, so it may go for a while longer. Relax Martin, how often do you get a great meal like this paid for? Franklin would give his right arm to be seated where you are now, but Arbruzzio knows him. Watch out, here comes another one.’ Michael picked up his phone, lifting his sunglasses to get a better look at the screen. He lifted the phone and aimed it at Martin, ‘
