Hunted (32 page)

As Eddie was bundled into a police car, Tracey turned to Ryan and hugged him tight.

“Thank you,” she whispered in his ear. “Both of you,” she added, hugging Rachel too. “The police think they’ve found Luke. Thanks for bringing us all a bit of peace.” The other relatives likewise offered their gratitude, the scene carefully recorded by Gayle and her team, the so-called criminals being thanked by grieving relatives. It would go a long way to repairing the Laws’ public image.

After Eddie had been driven away and the crowd had got bored of staring at Ryan and Rachel they began to wander off to continue with their lives and discuss this exciting episode.

“Ms Westerly, you were wonderful,” said Ryan when she approached them.

“As ever. Remember our deal, I get an exclusive interview, after the creeps are sentenced of course. Not even I would want to prejudice that trio being sent down. The world’s going to be a little safer from now on.”

“I won’t forget.”

“Finally I get to interview Ryan and Rachel Law, it’s been a dream of mine for a long time.”

“It’s the only one we’ll ever give so make the most of it.”

“I intend to,” she replied with a seductive wink. She slipped her card into his hand. “Call me any time,” she purred before walking away, giving him her best wiggle. Ryan paid no attention and handed Rachel her card, who kissed him, aware they were still being photographed and not caring. “Well done. You did it.”

He grasped her hand and smiled down at her. “Everything’s going to be okay.”

She knew exactly what he was referring to. Now all the perpetrators had been caught he could face what he’d been put through. “I know.”

“But one thing will be different. I am now vegetarian. I don’t know if it’s only going to be temporary but right now it’s what I need to be.”

She took his hand and led him away. “Come on then, let’s buy some nut cutlets and soya.”

Ryan grimaced, wondering if his new diet was such a great idea.

CHAPTER 34

Jules surveyed her domain approvingly. Work was well underway, transforming the old hairdressers into her new tattoo parlour. It felt good to have something of her very own, something that didn’t involve the Laws or Maguires. Yes it was right next door to Mikey’s gym but that was only to her benefit, she could keep a close eye on what went on there. It also offered her a level of protection should any of her old enemies come calling. Even they would be reluctant to start anything right next door to a business owned by Mikey Maguire. It was a strategic marketing move too, she hoped to get a lot of her customers from the gym.

“Sorry mate, you can’t come in,” said one of the workmen when the door opened.

Dane glared at the man, who slowly backed away.

“It’s alright, let him in,” called Jules.

Dane invaded the shop, his big presence seeming to take it over as he walked through, looking around critically.

“What’s it going to be?” he said.

“Tattoo parlour. What do you think?”

He shrugged. “We’ll see.”

“I’m overwhelmed with praise,” she said flatly. “Why are you here?”

“Is there somewhere we can talk?”

“Trying to get me alone again?”

“Yes but not for the reason you think. I’ve got something you really need to hear.”

Intrigued, Jules led him away from all the hammering and noise into a tiny kitchen at the back.

“Brew?” she said.

“I thought you would have had something stronger.”

“This is a new me,” she said chirpily, switching on the kettle. “Beside’s, there’s half a dozen hairy-arsed builders out there and I don’t want them getting into the booze when they’re supposed to be working. This is an alcohol-free environment.”

“Fine. Coffee will do. Oh, instant,” he said disdainfully.

“When did you become such a snob?”

“Excuse me for having standards.”

“Instant, like it or lump it.”

“I suppose I’ll have to like it,” he sighed, as though hard done by.

Amused, she arranged the mugs. For once his attitude wasn’t annoying her. Leighton’s death had definitely changed her. “So to what do I owe the honour of your patronising my humble establishment?”

“I’ve heard something you really want to know.”

“And what’s that?”

“Apparently the Starklaws have been on a little jaunt to Essex.”

Dane had her attention immediately. Essex was the home of the Slatterys. “How do you know?”

“Ollie Starklaw couldn’t keep his mouth shut about it. He was gobbing off in the pub last night. Obviously he didn’t tell me anything directly, I heard it through the grapevine.”

“Silly little sod never could keep his mouth shut. Did he say who he was meeting with?”

“Just that it was someone big, someone capable of taking down the Maguires.”

“It’s the Slatterys, got to be.”

“They must be desperate if they’re negotiating with that bunch of tossers.”

“They need sorting out before they do us any damage.” She looked up at Dane. “Why come to me with this, why not go straight to Mikey?”

“I think he might still be a bit pissed off with me because I didn’t tell him about our relationship, such as it is.”

“You mean was.”

“Yeah, was,” he mumbled.

“I need to take this to Mikey.”

“Wait,” he said, grabbing her arm when she moved for the door.

The glare she gave him did nothing to encourage him to release her. “What’s the deal with you and Jackson Driscoll?”

“What the hell is that to do with you?”

“Word is he took you out of the Dog and Biscuit when you went off on one. Are you seeing each other?”

“That is none of your business.” She didn’t like this talk. Jax knew something very dangerous about Mikey and the fewer people who knew about that night the better.

His grip on her arm tightened. “What set you off that night?”

“Nothing.”

“You never lose control like that. Something really bad happened. What was it?”

“Back off,” she hissed, wrenching her arm free.

“I want to know what’s going on.”

“It’s fuck all to do with you.”

His dark eyes flashed brutally. “Unfortunately both our lives are tied up together in knots and if yours starts to unravel there’s a good chance mine will too. You’ve already damaged me in Mikey Maguire’s eyes. You’re not going to destroy me too.”

Her lips drew back over her teeth in a chilling smile. “Then stay out of my fucking way.”

“I try but you keep turning up like a bad penny. What happened?”

She thrust her face into his and whispered, “you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Try me,” he growled.

“It’s over and done with, alright?”

He decided to ignore the warning in her eyes because he just had to know. “What is it with you and Jackson?”

“Mind your own business.”

“Are you shagging him?”

“Sometimes,” she said with a sly Cheshire cat grin. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous?”

He heaved in a deep breath, threw back his shoulders and lifted his head. “No, I’m not. We’re destructive together Jules, we always have been.” He reached out to touch her face. “And you’ve moved on. You’re a different woman now, I can see that.”

Her grin fell. “With Jax I’m different, gentler. I like it.” She thought back to the night she’d confessed everything to him and smiled.

Dane saw the emotion in her eyes and nodded. He’d always known he couldn’t be with her, not without it ending really badly. “I’m glad about that.” He cupped her face in his hands and moved to kiss her lips, then changed his mind at the last moment and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead instead. “Goodbye Jules.”

“Bye Dane,” she said as he walked past her to the door. It wouldn’t be the last time she saw him, not by a long way, but it would be the last time they were ever intimate. She thought it a shame they could never work past their violent emotions for each other but she knew if they had there wouldn’t have been anything left.

“Finally I get to bring you some good news,” said Ashley. He followed Rachel out into the back garden where she and Ryan had been soaking up some sun, trying to relax. Rachel was wearing a pair of shorts and a skimpy vest but the sight of her nakedness did nothing for him, not after he’d seen the real her. “Eddie’s confessed.”

“To everything?” said Rachel hopefully.

“Everything. When we confronted him with Kerrell and Crossly’s statements he crumbled. He murdered three of the men and he hired Simon Marsh with the express purpose of killing him. If he hadn’t moved away when he did he’d be buried in concrete now.”

“Did they say whether they made the other men eat their predecessors?” said Ryan.

“They did the same to all the men. They stalked their families, photographed them then told them what they’d do to them if they didn’t comply. Naturally they all complied. It wasn’t just you.”

Oddly this made Ryan feel a little better. “And what did they make poor George Romer eat?”

“Nothing. They hadn’t thought of it then. It was only when they were deciding how to dispose of his body that Brian came up with the idea. He was into eating anything he hunted so he said the idea came naturally to him.”

“So they ate the meat themselves?” said Rachel, feeling sick. Ryan had done that revolting thing for her and the kids, to protect them and her heart burst with love for him every time she thought about it.

“Yes. Brian would cook it for them at his flat, a nice cosy little dinner party for three,” said Ashley with distaste. “We found DNA of every victim all over his kitchen. Poor George Romer was the first to be eaten. They cut out the most succulent parts - Kerrell’s words, not mine - then disposed of the rest of the body.”

“That’s what you meant when you said Daniel Tebbs’s body had been mutilated?” said Rachel.

“Unfortunately, yes it was. At the time we just thought those parts had been taken as trophies. We didn’t think they’d been consumed. I’ve known these three men for years, I still can’t get over it.”

“Do the victim’s families know?”

“I’ve got officers breaking it to them as we speak. Just when they think it’s all over they have this to deal with.”

They all went silent, the sound of the breeze gently blowing through the garden quite eerie. Their eyes involuntarily moved towards the new annex, which was still in the process of being built, standing on the spot where Daniel Tebbs had been put in his makeshift grave. The Kerrell Group were in the middle of building a new bowling green. Ryan wondered if Orion and Actaeon had been successful in killing him he would have ended up with all the old age pensioners in the area playing bowls on top of him for eternity.

“You’re okay about living here?” said Ashley.

“This is our home and no one’s driving us out of it,” said Rachel. “We love it here.”

“I admire that. How’s Leah taking it all?”

“Fine. Apparently all the kids at her school think we’re cool, for some baffling reason,” she said. “They all keep asking her if they can come for tea, so she’s happy.”

“That’s very fortunate.”

“It’s a huge relief, we were so worried about how this would affect her. She doesn’t know all the details and we’re doing our best to protect her from them but the day will come when she finds out.”

“She’s tough, like her parents. By the way, Brian’s still insisting there were two more men present that night in the forest and both of them had Mancunian accents.”

“He’s making it up,” said Rachel.

“He’s been pretty forthcoming so far.”

“Don’t let him distract you from your purpose,” said Ryan. “It’s just a ploy.”

Ashley was doubtful but he was willing to let it go, he had more than enough on his plate. “I’ve checked into your sister’s background and she is a very well-respected private sector bounty hunter with an excellent reputation.”

Rachel chastised herself, she’d completely forgotten to tell Ryan about that. “Yes, we know, don’t we Ryan?”

“Oh, yes, we do,” he said smoothly.

“Now her credentials are confirmed we may need her to give evidence.”

“Only if they plead not guilty?” said Rachel, thinking that wouldn’t go down well with Jules.

“Yes. We’ve got her statement so that’ll do, for now.”

“They’ll plead guilty,” said Ryan confidently.

“I think you’re right. Brian Crossly has already said that’s what he’s going to do, he seems terrified of something and it’s not me,” he said, looking curiously at Ryan. “Gerard Kerrell was brutally attacked in prison. Conveniently no one saw anything.”

“I’d say that was karma,” said Ryan.

“I’d say it was someone who knows people on the inside. Any idea who that could be Ryan?”

“None whatsoever.”

“Whoever arranged that attack ought to get a medal. Off the record that bastard deserves to suffer every day of his miserable little life. Speaking of which, there’s talk of giving you a commendation.”

“I don’t want it,” Ryan replied. “I just want to get on with my life.”

“Don’t write it off so quickly, it might go a long way to repairing your reputations in the area after the lurid articles about you both in the tabloids.”

“I don’t want it,” he repeated.

“Your decision.” Ashley hesitated before adding, “I’ve no illusions about who you two are, I’m well aware of your pasts. Please tell me all the businesses you own now are completely legitimate?”

“Course they are,” retorted Rachel, insulted. “I swear to you that’s all behind us, it’s why we moved here in the first place, to get away from all that.”

“If you’ve any doubt you’re welcome to go through every one of our businesses with a fine toothcomb,” said Ryan. “You’ll find nothing out of order.”

“I’m sure and I wouldn’t want to put that kind of stress on you, especially not now. I just wanted you to know where we stand. We’re friends but we wouldn’t be if you got up to anything illegal on my patch.”

“That won’t happen, I promise you,” said Rachel trying not think of the illegal things they’d already done down here, especially Lexie’s husband and his cohorts lying dead at the bottom of the sea somewhere. “We’re heading up to Aberdeenshire at the weekend for a few days, we need a break and we’re going, no matter what you say. We have to get away for a bit.”

“I won’t stand in your way, it’ll do you all good. Just let me know where you’re going in case I need to contact you. Hopefully I shouldn’t.” They both stared at him and he got the feeling they were willing him to leave. “Well, I’ve said my piece, so I’ll be off. I’ll see myself out,” he said, vanishing back inside the house.

Ryan watched him go wondering what Ashley would say if he ever found out he’d been The Dartmoor Butchers’ next intended victim, that they’d planned on cutting Ryan up and feeding Ashley his diced parts. Ryan never wanted him to find out, his dreams were going to be bad enough as it was.