It's been a while since I've written the wonderful Dolly Rawlins. Some scenarios have been changed for the purpose of my story, reviews always welcome.
She's Out
Life After Harry
Dolly/Mike
Chapter 1
DCI Craig had arranged to meet Mrs Rawlins in a quiet bar in Oxford Street, hoping that the calming atmosphere would help to change her mind on the cost of her front door they had ruined during their raid on the Manor House for suspected drugs. Ever since her release from prison 4 months earlier for the murder of her Husband Harry Rawlins, a top London Gangster 9 years previous. The Police had made every possible attempt to put this woman back inside, with the knowledge that she still had in her possession the diamonds from a diamond raid that had taken place shortly before Dolly's imprisonment. The diamonds had turned out to be fakes, unknown to the Detectives but DCI Craig just wanted shot of this woman. He kept checking his watch and realised that she was 10 minutes late already which was pissing him off.
Back at the Manor House, Dolly was just putting on her jacket when Gloria and Ester came through the front door.
"Alright Doll." Gloria bellowed.
"I've told you before Gloria, don't ever call me that."
Gloria was like the others who lived at the Manor House, all women were ex cons. Gloria Radford, Connie Stephens, Ester Freeman and Julie Lawson, all at one time or another had been in prison alongside Dolly. All after a share of the money from the diamond raid. They had all decided to stick around after finding out they diamonds were fakes as Dolly assured them she had a plan up her sleeve. She had been thinking long and hard for months about planning the perfect robbery and when she approched the Women about her plans, they were a little apprehensive but eventually decided to come on board
Dolly had decided she was going to pull of the biggest train robbery in history. The Mail Train, estimated to be carrying around 30-40 million, all used notes, all untraceable. They all thought she was out of her mind to even be considering it but they agreed to help providing they all got an equal cut of the money. Ester watched Dolly closely as she fixed her hair in the mirror.
"Where are you off too Dolly."
"I told you already Ester, Craig wants to make a deal about the cost of that bloody door."
"You were pushing your luck asking for ten grand Dolly." Gloria said.
"Always wortha try Gloria."
"Should you really be going alone."
"Worried Ester, afraid you'll miss something. If you're that concerned then come along. I would have thought after what's happened already that you'd trust me. I've never betrayed anyone in my life Ester and you'd do well to remember that. I won't fleece you, unlike you lot."
"We never Dolly." Gloria said.
"Yes you did…or at the very least were about too. If those diamonds hadn't been fakes, you'd have had the lot."
Both women remained silent, knowing there was no arguing with her because ultimately that had been their plan for her ever since her release. Get the diamonds from her, fence them then leave her.
"Haven't you two got something to be getting on with. Gloria, you tried out those explosives yet."
"No."
"Then get too it."
"Are you sure about using that cop Mike. That guy wanted you back in prison for his Sister's death."
"I already told you all, he's putting that behind him."
"What have you got on him Dolly."
"Look, he wants out of the Police as much as we want that money. It's a win, win situation."
"You don't think this is a set up."
"For god sake Ester, no I don't but even if it had been, can you blame him. Shirley died during that diamond raid, shot to death. I can hardly blame him for holding me responsible."
"It was her decision."
"I think he sees that now or perhaps he doesn't, who knows. Either way, he's with us."
"He seems to be around here a lot lately." Gloria said.
"He's a part of this so he has to be. What's your problem Gloria."
"It's not a problem as such Dolly but he is still a cop, end of the day. You can't blame us for being a little concerned."
"Both of you get on with your work. Gloria get the explosives set up and Ester get that bloody stolen car traded and fast. I don't want it around here any longer than it has to be."
"Angela was the one who ran over Donaldson, not us."
"It was your car we were in, she may have driven but we're responsible for taking her with us to collect those bloody fakes from Donaldson. Get it traded and fast. I expect it done by the time I get back, take Julie with you."
Dolly left as Gloria and Ester watched her get into the car.
"She better be bloody sure she can trust him." Gloria said as she walked off.
Dolly arrived at the bar half an hour later to find DCI Ron Craig waiting for her at a table in the corner. She walked over to him, offering a small smile.
"So sorry I'm a little late DCI Craig."
"A little late, try 40 minutes. I do have a job to get to Mrs Rawlins."
"Then lets get down to it shall we."
"Okay, well this front door. 10 grand, no way. It's not happening Mrs Rawlins."
"That door was specially made in Italy Detective, it had to be hand-made and shipped over."
"I don't care if it had to be brought here in a horse-drawn carriage, there's no way we're paying out 10 grand for it."
"How much…how much a you willing to pay."
"My Boss is only going up to 5."
"5, not a chance."
"It's 5 or nothing Mrs Rawlins, take it or leave it."
Dolly sat for a few minutes pondering his offer. She realised she may have pushed it with £10,000 but there was no harm in trying.
"Alright, 5 Grand it is then. I want that cheque by the end of the week mind."
"End of the week. I'll leave you to it then, I have work I need to be getting on with."
"Nice to see you again…Ron."
DCI Craig gave her a deadly look before walking out of the bar. She sat thinking about the money that she had coming to her, £5,000 was a good start.
To Be Continued…
