Face in the Frame (15 page)

“You can find out anything if you pay enough money. She’s playing you Lucas, she’s investigating you.”

“That’s not true,” she retorted, hating the pain in Lucas’s eyes.

“What’s not true, all of it?” he said hopefully.

“The part about me investigating you isn’t true,” she replied, seeing the best relationship she’d ever had slipping away.

“You don’t work in strategy and job changing?”

“No,” she said, shame-faced, feeling terrible.

“I told you there was something wrong about her, didn’t I?” exclaimed a triumphant Oliver. “Be sensible Lucas and send her packing.”

“Oliver, I would be grateful if you could leave us alone,” said Lucas quietly, his eyes never leaving Cass.

“You’re throwing me out?” he said, aghast.

“Not throwing, no. I wish to speak to Cass in private.”

“What’s to talk about? She’s a liar. Get rid of her, you can’t trust her.”

“Oliver, please,” barked Lucas.

“Fine, I’m going,” he pouted. “But don’t let her talk you round.”

Lucas stared at Cass until he’d gone, his cat’s eyes growing brighter and harder by the second.

“Would you care to explain?” was all he said once the door had closed behind Oliver.

“I’m not investigating you. I was at your exhibition because I genuinely love your work. My boss did a favour for someone and in gratitude she gave him a ticket. Art’s not his thing and he knows I’m a fan of yours, so he gave it to me.”

“And the woman you were with, does she work with you?”

“No. She’s the one my boss did the favour for. Please don’t tell anyone I told you that or I might lose my job.”

“Why did you tell me you work for a consultancy agency?”

“Because I didn’t know you then. The nature of my work is covert. I can’t tell anyone the truth unless I get close to them and I know I can trust them to keep it secret.”

“You don’t trust me?” he practically yelled. It was the first time she’d seen him angry and she couldn’t help but think how beautiful his eyes looked - like burning emeralds.

“Of course I do but I also need my boss’s permission to tell you and he hasn’t given it yet.”

“Your boss can’t dictate what you do in your personal time,” he said coldly.

“You have to understand that my work can be dangerous. This rule protects us all.”

Now he was concerned. “How dangerous?”

“We deal with bad people on a daily basis so it can get a bit hairy.”

“I hope you work in admin, behind a desk?”

It was Cass’s turn to be annoyed. “No, I’m an investigator. I’m out there in the thick of it.”

“Have you ever been hurt?”

“A couple of scrapes, nothing serious. I can take care of myself.”

“How exactly?” he said brusquely, sounding like a stern parent.

“I’m a black belt in karate and kickboxing.”

“Impressive,” he replied, sounding less angry. “Very impressive in fact.”

“I’m also a free runner.”

“Free runner?”

“It’s a form of running and jumping over obstacles.”

“Oh yes, I think I’ve seen that on the television.”

“It makes it very difficult for anyone to catch me,” she said with a tight smile.

“I don’t like the thought of you putting yourself at risk.”

Cass thought it a good sign that he was still concerned for her safety. “I’ve done it for years. It’s fine, honestly.”

“I wish I’d found out from you instead of Ollie. You’re the first woman I’ve ever genuinely cared about and you’ve already told me a lie, a big one. How can I trust you again?”

“When I told you what I did for a living I didn’t know you. I’d no idea we were going to end up seeing each other, so I didn’t think it would matter.”

“I accept that but you’ve had ample time to tell me since. You know I don’t like to be immodest but I’m a famous man. How do I know you’ve not got some ulterior motive? Am I one of your assignments?”

“No,” she exclaimed. “This is purely personal.”

“There are other artists who are jealous of my success. I wouldn’t put it past them to stoop to something like this to discover my secrets.”

“I’m not working for anyone. I’m with you because I want to be.”

“I always wondered what a woman like you was doing with me and now I know. It was all a pretence, wasn’t it?”

“No. I genuinely like you Lucas, in fact I’ve never met a man who makes me happier but your low self esteem won’t allow you to believe it. Please don’t let this ruin what we have.”

He stared at her, his cat’s eyes getting brighter and stormier until he released a loud sigh and turned his back on her. “You should leave.”

Cass was appalled when tears filled her eyes but there was nothing she could do to stop them. “Don’t do this Lucas, it’s too good.”

“It was. You’ve spoilt it.”

“This is what Oliver wants. He can’t bear to share you with anyone else.”

“If you think I’m going to continue seeing a woman I can’t trust just to avoid pleasing Oliver then you’re wrong.”

“We’re good together and you know it. If we could just talk about it a bit more…”

“I said get out Cass. We’re finished,” he said, voice dripping ice.

“Fine, if that’s how you feel,” she hissed back, swallowing down her tears, refusing to show him how much he’d hurt her. “I’m going and I won’t be back.”

“Good,” he retorted as she snatched up her jacket and stalked to the door, head held high.

She hesitated at the door, hoping he’d call her back. When he didn’t she felt even more pathetic and stormed out, slamming the door shut as hard as she could.

“Idiot,” she whispered to herself.

The urge to cry was replaced by the desperate desire to kick the living crap out of someone when she saw Oliver standing by the lift, practically hopping with glee.

“Finally Lucas has thrown out the rubbish,” he smirked.

Enraged by this man who had taken from her one of the best things to ever come into her life, she grabbed his left arm and twisted it up his back.

“You malicious little prick,” she spat in his ear.

“Get off, you can’t treat me like this. You have no idea of the power I have…ow,” he groaned when she twisted harder.

“You’re a nasty little leech living vicariously off a man with ten times your talent.”

“You haven’t a clue what you’re talking about…ow that really hurts,” he grimaced as her grip tightened.

“You’ve been sticking your nose into my life so you must know what I’m capable of,” she said, revelling in his pain.

“I know that you and your boss are thugs,” he rasped. “Lucas deserves better than you.”

“Like you?” she said sarcastically. “I’m sorry to have to break this to you but Lucas is entirely straight. How many of his relationships have you sabotaged? You called him to say there was a problem at the exhibition when we were on a date, just to get in the way, you sad little moron. I bet you’re the reason why he has absolutely no belief in himself.”

“That’s not down to me, his parents are nightmares. Ow, you’re really hurting me now, I can’t feel my fingers,” he wailed.

The door to Lucas’s flat opened to reveal the man himself, frowning at the scene before him.

“Lucas help me,” cried Oliver. “She’s run mad.”

“Let him go Cass,” said Lucas quietly, his voice and eyes still cold.

“I’ll get you back for this,” she hissed in Oliver’s ear before releasing him.

Oliver stumbled towards Lucas, cradling his left arm. “She hurt me, she really did. Do you see now what she is?”

“Yes, I do,” he replied in a flat, disappointed tone as Oliver rushed inside.

Lucas kept his eyes on her as the door swung shut, blocking out the sight of him, leaving Cass alone in the corridor feeling wretched.

CHAPTER 13

Brodie was just settling down for the evening in front of the telly with a glass of red wine when there was a knock at the door.

“Oh for Christ’s sake,” he sighed. After the day he’d had he needed peace and quiet.

Rather than answer the door he peered at the monitor he kept on the coffee table, linked to the hidden camera outside the front door. On the screen he saw a short, round man with a funny egg-shaped head. “I don’t believe it,” he muttered. His quiet night in was out the window.

He took his time answering the door then stood there staring down at the tubby little man blinking up at him.

“Uncle Tam. To what do I owe this pleasure?” said Brodie sarcastically.

“She wants to talk to you,” he said gruffly, thrusting a phone out to him.

“Toni’s having people hand-deliver her phone calls now, is she?” said Brodie, accepting the phone off him.

“Hello Mr Brodie,” Toni McVay purred in his ear.

“What’s this about Toni? I was settling down for the evening.”

“What are you, an old man? It’s only nine o’clock.”

“I’ve had a very hard day and I think it’s about to get worse.”

“It certainly is, if you don’t do exactly what I say.”

“Now listen. You can’t send your uncle round here and start making demands. This is my time to relax and I will not have anything spoil it, so you can keep what you’re going to say until I’m in the mood to hear it.”

“If you don’t then I’ll take my displeasure out on your precious Cass. She’s at her lover’s penthouse as we speak. He has very pretty eyes, I might just add them to my collection.”

“Go ahead. He’s a prick.”

There was a pause before she added, “I’ll take Cass’s too.”

Brodie sighed and hung his head. “What do you want?”

“Tam is going to take you to speak to Malc. Hopefully between you, you can talk some sense into him.”

“And if we fail?”

“That would be very bad. For Cass.”

“Jesus Toni, this is out of order, even for you. It smacks of desperation.”

“Go with Tam unless you want your little crush to go around with two holes in her face.”

“That’s just bad taste. I’ll go with Tam but I want you to know that if you ever hurt Cass I’ll be straight round to yours with a pair of pliers and a blowtorch.”

“Just another Saturday night to me sweetheart,” purred Toni. With that she hung up, leaving him to seethe. He hated not having the last word.

“You ready?” said Tam.

“Aye, I’ll get my coat,” he sighed.

Tam drove in silence while Brodie, never good with silence, shifted about in his seat. “So, where are we going?” he said for the fourth time.

“Already told you,” said Tam, beady little eyes fixed on the windscreen, peering out into the damp night like a mole.

“You were a bit vague. All I know is that we’re going to talk to him.”

“Aye.”

“So why do you need me? Surely this is family business?”

“Malc might listen to you because the wank’s no’ listening to me.”

“I’ve already tried. Didn’t Toni tell you?”

Tam just nodded.

Brodie tried not to huff with frustration. “He won’t listen to me because he’s a thick bastard.”

Tam scowled. “He’s like my son, I raised him from being a wean.”

“You just called him a wank.”

“I can, he’s blood. You can’t, unless you want my fist up your arse.”

“Urgh,” said Brodie, realising this was a very literal threat. “If you want my help you really should start being nicer to me.”

Tam’s little egg head turned to look at him, eyes widening, jaw sliding to one side, giving him a crooked look. It was also a sign that Brodie had really pissed him off.

“You’re a fucking gobshite Brodie.”

“So I’ve been told but I’m getting sick of all the bloody threats. A please wouldn’t go amiss.”

“Alright. Please stop talking before I stick a knife up your nose.”

Brodie realised Tam had been looking at him and not at the road for a good ten seconds. Amazingly he was managing to keep the car going in a straight line but it still made him nervous. “Do you want to look forward before we end up wrapped around a tree?”

Casually Tam turned his attention back to the road, enabling Brodie to breathe again. They didn’t speak for the rest of the journey. Although it was a mammoth effort for Brodie to control his mouth he forced himself to because he was too afraid of Tam ramming them into the back of a car. The man had absolutely no fear, which confirmed that he was a complete psychopath.

Brodie was glad he and Tam entered Malc’s pub by the back entrance. He didn’t want anyone seeing him in public with a McVay. The door was opened by a man Brodie recognised as one of Malc’s goons who was obviously smart enough not to go up against Toni and Tam.

“Where is he?” Tam asked the goon.

“Out front talking with his cronies,” the goon replied.

“Good. Get him.”

“I’ll do my best but…”

“Get him,” snarled Tam, lower jaw sliding to the side again.

Recognising this as the danger signal it was, the goon rushed off to obey.

“What if he won’t come through?” said Brodie.

Tam’s head snapped his way. “Shut mouth or knife up nose.”

Brodie rolled his eyes and leaned against the wall.

Fortunately Tam didn’t have to resort to bloodshed as the goon was successful in bringing Malc to them. It was clear he was drunk, walking with the forced stiffness of someone pretending they were sober, a stupid lopsided grin on his face.

“Alright there Tam? And you’ve brought Brodie. Are you on a date?” said Malc before bursting into laughter.

“Jeezo Malc, give it a break,” said Brodie. “You sound like a donkey.”

“My girlfriends say I’m hung like one too,” he grinned.

“Wipe that daft fucking look off your face,” roared Tam, face turning purple. “We’re here to talk some fucking sense into you, you thick bastard before Toni lops your big wallowping heid off.”

He chuckled again. “She won’t, she’s just a woman.”

Tam’s jaw did the sliding thing again, causing Malc’s grin to drop.

“I saw her cut someone’s bollocks off once with a rusty knife,” said Tam.

“Bollocks? Was it a bloke?” said Malc.

Tam’s piggy eyes blinked at him, disbelieving of what he’d just heard. “Course it was a fucking bloke you silly bastard, but he wasn’t when she was finished with him. Do you want that to happen to you?”

The grin returned. “She hasn’t got a knife big enough for me.”

“You think?” exclaimed Tam, drawing a knife from inside his jacket. “This big enough for you?”

Malc’s massive Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. “Just take it easy Tam.”

“Stop winding me up then. I raised you from a wee wean, I’m your da and you will listen to me.”

“I’m done listening Tam. All my life Toni’s treated me like a thick bastard, using me as a heavy, not letting me in on the real business. Now it’s my time and if she doesn’t like it then tough. She should have given me a chance when she had the chance…but now her chance is gone and…she’s not getting a chance again.” He ended this tirade with a loud belch and a confused look, repeating what he’d just said back to himself with a frown.

Tam looked to Brodie. “Well say something. I didn’t bring you along to stand there looking fucking ugly.”

“You McVay’s really have the gift of the gab, don’t you?” said Brodie wryly. He looked to Malc. “Seriously Malc, just stop this now.”

“No’ you again. You’ve already told me that.”

“Well I’m telling you again because it didn’t sink in the first time. If you carry on like this you’re going to end up dead and so are a lot of other people.”

“You siding with them now Brodie? Has Toni finally got you in her pocket?”

“I don’t work for her,” he retorted. “I’m here to save lives, mainly yours. Again. I should have just let you bloody drown, it would have saved me a lot of trouble. Right now I could be tucked up at home with a nice glass of red.”

“Red wine?” snorted Malc. “You fucking lassie.”

Brodie turned to Tam. “You see how he is? He’s impossible. Let’s go, we’re wasting our time.”

“One more step and this will end up your neb,” Tam called, thrusting the knife into the air as Brodie turned towards the door.

Brodie released a heavy sigh and stopped, completely pissed off.

“We mean it Malc,” continued Tam. “You don’t stop this crap now then it’s war and you’ll lose.”

Malc’s grin was wicked. “Then it’s war.”

“Fine. Your cock is going to be on the floor.”

“It already is,” he replied before bursting into laughter.

“Give it up Tam, it’s pointless,” said Brodie. “Woah,” he exclaimed when Tam drew a huge machete from inside his jacket.

Malc abruptly went silent, staring at the tip of the brutal blade in astonishment.

“I should just end it while we’re here,” said Tam.

“Just take it easy,” said Brodie. “There’s no need for this.”

“Need to stop war. Now,” said Tam, eyes widening, jaw jutting to one side, revealing a set of small white teeth.

Malc backed away, holding up his hands. “Alright Tam, we’ll talk about it.”

“You won’t listen,” said Tam, advancing on him. “Just make jokes.”

“I won’t, I’ll listen. We can have a sit down…”

Brodie chuckled to himself as Tam continued to advance on Malc who was twice his size while the big man continued to back up with a panicked look. There was nothing like a psychopath with a blade to get someone to change their mind.

“You going to stop this shite?” said Tam.

“I…” Malc looked to Brodie. “Aren’t you going to do something?”

Brodie grinned and folded his arms across his chest. “I can laugh.”

“You’re no fucking help,” barked Malc before turning his attention back to the advancing lunatic. “Tam, listen, I’ll sit down with you and Toni, talk it through. Maybe we can divide things, so we all get a share?”

Tam pointed the tip of the blade at him. “You get nothing except this right up yer arse.”

“Tam,” cried Malc when he lunged at him. “You seriously going to chop me up here with loads of people in the pub?”

“Aye and I’ll enjoy it. Little bastard needs teaching a lesson.”

“Brodie, help,” yelled Malc.

“Got any popcorn and opera glasses?” called back Brodie.

“Fat fucking lot of use you are,” Malc shrieked. “Okay Tam, I’ll knock it on the head.”

Tam hesitated. “You mean it?”

“Yes. Look, I just wanted to strike out on my own, see if I could do it and I could. Can’t you convince Toni to give me a chance?”

Tam lowered the blade, head tilted to one side with a crooked frown. “Really?”

“Yes really. Set up the meet. I’ll return to the fold, just please stop,” he ended weakly, now stone cold sober.

Tam glared at him before sliding the machete back in his jacket. “I’ll talk to her.”

“Thank you,” breathed Malc. “Can I go back to the pub now? I need a big fucking drink.”

“Aye, go on then. You’d better not be fucking with me.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” said Malc, holding up his hands, eyes continuously flicking to Tam’s jacket where the machete was concealed.

Tam glared at him, eyes widening, jaw sliding again before it snapped back into position. He gave Malc a nod before turning on his heel, walking right past Brodie and out the door.

“Sensible move,” Brodie told Malc before leaving too.

Outside Brodie had to make a desperate leap into the car as it seemed Tam was going to drive off without him.

“Forgotten about me?” said Brodie as he pulled on his seatbelt.

“Can’t. You talk too much,” muttered Tam, hunched over the steering wheel.

“That was hilarious back there. I’m amazed Malc still had dry pants.”

“He knew I was serious.”

“You really would have hacked him up?”

“Aye. Business first.”

A chill shot down Brodie’s spine. It was easy to forget sometimes just how big a lunatic Tam was. He looked like someone’s tubby little grandad.

After driving for ten minutes Brodie realised he wasn’t being driven home. “You must have taken a wrong turn Tam. This isn’t the way to my place.”

“Not going there,” he replied, eyes wide and unblinking, staring straight ahead.

“Where are we going?” said Brodie, voice tight, struggling to contain his annoyance, very mindful of the machete Tam carried.

“Toni.”

“Oh great,” he sighed.

Brodie’s unease only grew when Tam drove them to an abandoned warehouse. Bad things happened to people in abandoned warehouses, he should know, he’d seen enough corpses left by people lured there in the middle of the night, just like was happening to him.