Savage Blood, page 21
‘Err, Uncle Eddie,’ said Carly. ‘A load of people are piling out of the flats opposite.’
They all rushed to the window, shocked to see twenty people storming across the road, Isaiah at their head.
‘Lock the doors,’ Eddie yelled.
Harry rushed to lock the back door while Jennifer hurried to secure the front.
Half the group outside headed down the side of the house to the back and started banging on both doors.
‘It’s like being in the middle of a zombie movie,’ exclaimed Harry, returning to the living room with Jennifer.
‘What do we do now?’ said Jane.
‘I’ll tell you what we do,’ replied Eddie.
He grabbed Amos by the front of his shirt, yanked him out of his chair and threw him at the bay window. Amos hit the glass hard and slid down it with a groan.
Eddie opened one of the windows so he could yell out.
‘Come any nearer and this walloper will suffer for it,’ he told them, holding a stunned Amos by his shirt and shaking him about.
Instantly the people outside stopped, ten pairs of beady eyes glaring back at Eddie.
‘And tell that lot at the back to stop it too,’ he added.
One of the men ran down the side of the house and a few seconds later the banging at the back door also ceased.
‘You were stupid to remain behind with us,’ Eddie told Amos.
‘Change demands a sacrifice,’ he murmured.
‘And you’re that sacrifice, are you, ya fanny?’ Eddie growled. ‘What makes you think Cole will be any better than Toni?’
‘He’s young, he can be shaped.’
‘He’s no’ a puppet you can control, you prick,’ Carly told Amos. ‘He’d be a lot worse than Toni. It would be like sending Glasgow back to the days of the mad Roman emperors.’
‘Harry, take this fud,’ said Eddie, practically slinging Amos at his son.
Amos fell onto his hands and knees and Harry dragged him up by the back of his shirt.
‘Don’t you fucking dare,’ Harry yelled when two men ran at the door. To emphasise his words, he banged Amos’s forehead off the window, causing his knees to buckle.
‘They’ve backed off, for now,’ said Jane. ‘But that won’t last long. They’ll soon start trying to break in again.’
‘Shall I call Peanut?’ said Jennifer.
‘Naw,’ replied Eddie. ‘I want him watching over Rose.’
‘The Blood Brothers?’
‘Logan’s having his meeting with Craig Lawson. We need whatever information he has.’
‘Then there’s only one thing for it,’ said Jane, taking out her phone. ‘I’ll have to call The Bitches.’
‘But it’s ten o’clock in the morning,’ said Jennifer. ‘Most of them will be at work.’
‘What about Elijah or David?’ offered Harry, who still had hold of Amos.
‘Aye, good idea, son,’ replied Eddie.
‘Wait,’ said Jennifer. ‘Maybe we can use this as an opportunity to get to Cole.’
‘How?’ replied Jane.
‘Amos must be in contact with him somehow.’
Eddie stared down at Amos severely. ‘How have you been contacting Cole? Speak,’ he barked. ‘Before I ram your heid clean through your own window.’
‘I have a phone number for him,’ Amos replied.
‘Call him and tell him you’ve got our family trapped here.’
‘Well, it wouldnae be a lie,’ commented Harry.
‘And he’ll turn up mobhanded meaning we won’t stand a chance,’ said Jennifer.
‘Cole’s playing us,’ said Carly. ‘He planted Gideon in Jack’s flat last night in case his plan went wrong. He wanted to know where we’d go to next. He’s probably already on his way here. It’s the only explanation for why that lot were waiting in those flats for us to turn up,’ she added, gesturing to the crowd outside.
‘Holy shit, you’re right,’ said Jennifer.
‘Aye, she is,’ replied a troubled Eddie. ‘Jeezo, the wee dick’s craftier than I thought.’
‘Cole’s here somewhere, right now,’ pressed Carly. ‘If we play it right, we could turn his own trap against him.’
Her uncle smiled proudly. ‘What the walloper doesnae realise is that you’re just as crafty as he is, hen.’
‘I have an idea,’ Carly said before running upstairs.
She flung open the door of a bedroom that looked out over the front street, this room as freakishly neat as the rest of the house. To her surprise, she encountered a middle-aged woman kneeling before a cabinet with a large wooden cross on it, her hands clasped together. She wore a white blouse and a floor-length black skirt that had pooled around her. Her dark hair had been pulled back into a tight bun.
‘Oh, sorry,’ said Carly.
The woman didn’t react, her eyes remaining closed, lips murmuring a prayer.
Carly shrugged, rushed over to the window and flung it open, drawing the attention of everyone below.
‘Cole,’ she called out. ‘I’m right here. Why don’t you come and get me?’
There was no response as the gathered crowd continued to gaze up at her.
‘Just as I thought,’ she said. ‘You’re a coward, Cole. You keep sending other people to do your dirty work because you’re afraid of me.’ Carly looked down at the assembled people. ‘Is this who you want to support, a man who’s too afraid to face a woman on his own?’
Just by scanning the people below, Carly could tell many of them were members of the Bell family. From this height, she also had a good view of her uncle’s car and she saw that all the tyres had been slashed.
‘Great,’ she sighed. How would they get away now? ‘Cole’s so weak he daren’t face me,’ she continued, addressing the mob. ‘How can such a coward ever hope to stand up against Toni McVay?’
The people began muttering amongst themselves as they considered her words.
‘Here I am,’ called a voice.
A hooded figure was making their way across the street, having exited the flats opposite. The person wandered down the garden path as the gathered group stood aside, forming a channel through their ranks for him to walk through. Cole threw back his hood, revealing his scarred face, and glared up at her with eyes that were still so full of rage and hate.
‘So, you’ve decided to come out of hiding?’ Carly said disdainfully.
‘I wasnae hiding,’ Cole replied. ‘I was overseeing the operation.’
‘What a load of bollocks. You’re a coward, Cole, and everyone here has seen it.’
Rebellion was starting to filter through the ranks of the Bell family but they were all cowed by the power of Cole’s furious gaze, as well as that horribly scarred face. The mutinous murmurings died down.
‘Think you’re brave enough to come in for a parley?’ pressed Carly.
Cole looked back up at her and shrugged. ‘Sure. I’m happy to prove I’m no’ a coward.’
‘Are you carrying a gun?’
‘That’s for you to find out.’
‘You’re no’ coming in with it.’
‘It’s only fair. There’s five of you against me.’
‘You’re no’ bringing a gun in here.’
‘Then we’ve reached an impasse. I think everyone here can see how unfair your terms are.’
In response, the Bells all nodded. Carly didn’t like this family at all and not just because they’d got her own family trapped and cornered. They gave the impression of being a weird, backwards clan who committed incest and burnt people in wicker men.
There was a scream behind her and Carly turned to see the woman was on her feet, the face that had once been composed in peaceful prayer now wild, eyes bulging, lips drawn back over her teeth in a scream. In her right hand she held the heavy wooden cross, which she raised above her head ready to bring down on Carly.
25
‘Kill the unbeliever,’ shrieked the woman.
‘Jesus,’ cried Carly.
‘Do not take our Saviour’s name in vain,’ she screamed.
Carly ducked as the woman swiped at her with the weapon, making her miss. As she drew back her arm for a second attempt, Carly grabbed her wrist and yanked her forward before punching her in the face. The woman collapsed to the floor with a groan and Carly tore the weapon from her hand.
‘Stay down,’ Carly told her.
Carly heard the thunder of footsteps on the stairs and Harry and Jane burst in.
‘What the hell’s going on?’ demanded Harry.
‘Do not utter that evil word in my house,’ yelled the woman, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.
‘What, on?’ he retorted sarcastically.
‘She attacked me with a cross,’ explained Carly.
‘God, this lot are freaks,’ said Jane.
‘Irreverent unbelievers! You will all burn for eternity.’
‘What a load of shite,’ said Harry.
Carly’s eyes widened. ‘What’s Cole doing?’
The three of them rushed to the window and Carly went cold when she saw Cole had vanished.
‘Oh, Christ,’ sighed Jane.
‘Stop saying that,’ cried the woman.
Harry grabbed her by the bun and yanked back her head. ‘If you don’t shut your hole, I’ll ram that cross down your fucking throat.’
The woman glared back at him but wisely remained silent.
‘We’d better get downstairs,’ said Carly. ‘Let’s take her with us, we can use her as a hostage,’ she added, gesturing to the woman.
Harry hauled their captive to her feet and escorted her out, with Jane and Carly following. They hastened downstairs and into the living room where Eddie still waited with Jennifer and Amos.
‘First of all,’ said Carly, ‘your car’s knackered, Uncle Eddie.’
‘Aye, I thought so,’ he replied.
‘Did you see where Cole went?’
‘He went down the side of the house,’ replied Jennifer. ‘I’ve looked out back but I cannae see him. All the people who were there have gone too.’
‘Have you called anyone?’ Carly asked her uncle.
‘Aye, David,’ he replied. ‘The cavalry’s on the way, we just need to hold on.’
‘It’s a siege,’ announced Harry.
‘It worries me how excited you sound about that,’ Eddie frowned at his son.
‘You’ve got to admit, it’s a wee bit exciting.’
‘No, it’s bloody not. For the second time we’ve walked right into one of Cole’s traps. He’s making us look like dicks.’
‘Your foul mouths will only incite divine retribution,’ announced the woman.
‘Well, well, well, Eliza Bell. Amos’s wife,’ Eddie added for the benefit of his family. ‘And what’s your role in all this?’
‘To destroy anyone who will prevent our Saviour from returning in all his glory,’ she announced fervently.
‘Don’t look at me,’ muttered Amos when Eddie glanced his way. ‘I’ve had to put up with that shite for twenty-four years.’
‘Listen, Amos,’ said Eddie, deciding to try to reason with the man. ‘We’ve known each other a long time. We’ve helped each other out over the years. Have you already forgotten how my boys protected your Bart in Bar-L when he was given three years for assault?’
Amos sighed heavily. ‘No.’
‘So why would you turn on me and mine in favour of that wee upstart, Cole Alexander?’
‘It’s taking me a lot to admit this, you know how proud I am, but I’m into Toni for a lot of money.’
Eddie shook his head. ‘It’s all making sense now. You want rid of her so you don’t have to pay her back. Why didnae you come to me for a loan?’
‘Because I owe her a hundred and seventy grand.’
‘Jesus Christ.’
‘The disbelievers will be…’ began Eliza.
‘Shut your fucking heid, woman,’ roared Amos. ‘I’m sick of listening to your pish.’
Eliza went silent but her eyes glittered with anger.
‘So much for that logical brain of yours, ya eejit,’ Eddie told Amos. ‘Fancy borrowing so much money off Toni McVay of all people.’
‘I’m sorry, Eddie, but I’ve nae choice,’ he replied. ‘I cannae pay Toni back and she’ll take my eyes for it.’
‘I’m really sorry to hear that, pal, but no way is my family gonnae suffer for your mistake.’ Eddie sighed and looked to the window. ‘Jesus Christ,’ he exclaimed when confronted with Cole’s scarred face.
Amos narrowed his eyes at his wife when she opened her mouth. ‘Don’t even think about it,’ he told her.
Eliza closed her mouth and sniffed haughtily.
‘I thought we were gonnae parley,’ Cole called through the glass.
‘Don’t, Uncle Eddie,’ said Carly. ‘He’s got a gun.’
‘That’s right, I do,’ said Cole, producing the weapon from inside his jacket.
Eddie grabbed Amos and hauled him in front of him. ‘You come in here and I’ll snap the bastard’s neck.’
‘Like I care.’
‘You might no’ but I’m guessing his family will.’
Cole hesitated and glanced back over his shoulder at Isaiah and Amos’s relatives, who were all scowling at Cole. He turned back to face the window.
‘I’ll leave the gun if I can talk to Carly alone.’
‘No fucking way,’ replied Eddie.
‘Then we’re coming in.’
‘And poor old Amos will get his neck broken.’
‘You won’t do that, he’s an old pal of yours.’
‘A pal who set us up. Like I told Amos, if it’s a choice between him and us, I’ll choose us every time. The reinforcements are also on the way, so you’d better do one, unless you want to be dragged in front of Toni McVay.’
‘It’s pathetic how you try to use her to scare people. She’s lost her grip on this city. Her name no longer inspires the fear it once did. I’ve got a proposal for your family. Despite what Carly did to me…’
‘What I did to you?’ she exclaimed.
‘…I know how good you are at what you do. Join me.’
‘Never,’ retorted Carly.
‘Then you’re dead meat. But it seems that won’t be today.’ He looked to the Bells. ‘Let them go. Now’s no’ the time.’ Cole turned back to the window. ‘It’s safe for you to come out.’
‘No’ until you lot have buggered off,’ replied Eddie.
The crowd outside turned when there was an enormous bang.
‘What’s that?’ demanded Jane as the Savages rushed to the window.
‘Wait a minute,’ said Harry. ‘Jennifer’s gone.’
‘What?’ cried Jane, whirling round. ‘Where is she?’
‘I get the feeling she’s the source of that noise,’ replied Carly.
‘Go upstairs, see what it was, hen,’ Eddie told her.
Carly nodded and raced upstairs. She pushed open one of the windows and leaned out to see the Bells racing down the street towards a van that had crashed into a parked car.
Carly ran back down to relate what she’d learnt just as Jane’s phone rang.
‘It’s Jennifer,’ she said, the handset pressed to her ear. ‘She said to go out the back way.’
Cole was still standing at the window, staring in at them balefully, but he made no move to enter when they all rushed into the hallway to pull their shoes back on. They raced to the rear of the house, Eddie pulling Amos along with him. Eliza didn’t even attempt to interfere.
They exited by the back door and hurried through the garden which was occupied by a gnome army. The back gate was pushed open by Jennifer.
‘This way,’ she told them.
Instead of heading down the street, Jennifer ran at a neighbour’s fence and scrambled over it, dropping down into the back garden.
‘Oh, shite,’ sighed Eddie, staring at it despairingly. He was not the most athletic of men.
Carly looked up the street. ‘It’s Cole.’
‘Look at him marching along like the fucking Terminator,’ said Harry.
‘Go, go,’ Eddie urged them, noting the gun Cole held.
‘You first,’ said Jane, pushing Carly towards the fence.
Carly scrambled over it, followed by Jane and then Harry.
‘Where’s Uncle Eddie?’ cried Carly while Jane and Jennifer embraced.
‘He cannae get over the fence,’ exclaimed Harry. ‘Da’,’ he cried.
There was a bang and the fence panel collapsed forward, Eddie falling and landing on top of it.
Seeing Cole raising his gun, Harry kicked Amos in the back, knocking him towards him, blocking Cole’s shot.
‘Get up, Da’,’ yelled Harry, grabbing his dad’s arm and hauling him to his feet.
‘Run, don’t wait for me,’ Eddie told them.
The five of them rushed down the side of the house and into the front garden, dodging around the owner of the house who was just entering by the gate.
‘Hey,’ the man called lamely, making no effort to pursue them.
‘Call… David,’ panted Eddie as they ran.
Harry took out his phone to make the call, talking as he ran. ‘Where are you? Moredun Street. Where the hell’s that?’ There was the honk of a horn and they turned to see David’s car speeding towards them. ‘Oh, we’re on it.’
Carly looked back over her shoulder to see Cole was rapidly gaining on them while her exhausted uncle lagged behind. She needn’t have worried because David had spotted Cole and drove up on the pavement at him. Cole threw himself sideways into a hedge.
David brought the car to a screeching halt.
‘Get in,’ he yelled through the open driver’s window.
Carly, Jennifer and Jane got into the back while Eddie jumped into the passenger seat.
‘There’s no room for me,’ exclaimed Harry.
‘Lie on top of us,’ cried Carly when she saw Cole picking himself up.
‘That’s the best offer I’ve had all week,’ he said, flinging himself across the three women’s laps.
