Free Faces by Martina Cole Page B

nodded, his eyes flashing in annoyance. ‘Me mum told me, and you know her, Dan, she should work for MI5, nosy old bag she is. He’s been seen about Hoxton, at his bird’s drum. I think he will surface now because you’ve sorted out the aggravation. Let’s face it, there ain’t no way anyone will let the Murrays get away with their usual fucking bluster now, is there?’
    Danny wasn’t so sure about that. His old man had made a few enemies over the years and a debt was a debt when all was said and done. They might not relish the Murrays’ approach to collecting what they saw as owed monies, not when it involved a woman and children, but if they wanted to take it out on his old man then that would be a different ball game. In fact, if this was true, he would deliver him to the Murrays in person. At the end of the day, it would diffuse the situation and make his old man finally accept the consequences of his actions.
    ‘I’d better warn me mum, and then we’ll see what occurs. For all we know this is all a load of old fanny.’
    They left the yard together, Louie watching them with relief. It would be sorted out one way or another now.
     
    Danny and Michael walked into the flat slowly, both tense and both trying their hardest to be nonchalant. They were expecting Big Dan Cadogan, as he liked to be called, to be sitting in a chair, comfortable and at ease with himself and his surroundings, as always. Instead, they came face-to-face with the smaller, and the meaner of the Murray boys and Danny said loudly, ‘Is this a social visit, or do we need a weapon?’
    Wilfred Murray shrugged, seeing the extreme youth of the boys as if for the first time. Saw their bulky, muscular young bodies and knew that one day Danny, at least, would be someone of note, someone who would command respect. Unlike him and his brother, Danny Boy Cadogan had a presence even now and a few years down the line it would become more pronounced; he was going to leave a mark on everyone he came into contact with. The irony of that thought didn’t escape Wilfred, he felt the tightness of the scalded skin on his face and the memory of the pain inflicted on him was still recent enough to make him feel queasy.
    Wilfred wasn’t sure why he had been so determined to come here, it was a small flat overfilled with people and, like his own childhood, was overshadowed by a bully who would rather put his money over a bar than into his home. He had noticed the difference in the place since his last visit. It felt different, it was spotless, it even smelled different. In fact it reminded him of his own home when his father had been banged up and his brother and himself had finally felt able to relax.
    He smiled. ‘I came for your old man, I hear he’s been seen out and about.’
    Danny took his mother’s elbow and steered her none too gently from the kitchen. Wilfred and Michael could hear her protesting as her son roughly pushed her into the front room.
    ‘Stay there, Mum. Just for once do what I ask you, eh?’ The shutting of the door was loud in the quiet of the apartment.
    Once he was back inside the kitchen Danny grinned. ‘If I find out where the old cunt is hiding, will you go after him and leave us alone?’
    Wilfred nodded sagely. This was going even better than he hoped.
    ‘Mike will tell you where he is, but first I want you to promise me something, Wilfred.’
    Wilfred laughed. ‘What? Ask me anything, you’re a fucking little star.’
    Danny grinned. ‘When you see him, promise me you’ll hammer the fuck out of him, cripple him.’
    Wilfred laughed again, louder this time. ‘That is a promise, mate.’
    Danny stopped laughing. ‘I ain’t joking, I want you to hurt him, batter the fuck out of him, because if you don’t, I will.’
    Wilfred and Michael looked at each other then, both unsure of how to react to such blatant hatred.
    ‘And you tell him it was me who grassed him, won’t you? Make sure he knows it was me who served him