Sorry I haven't posted for ages, I've been working on something else.
Chapter 18
Dan, it had seemed, had walked miles up and down the Edgware road. He had taken the tube, but now had wished he'd taken a cab to his destination. He quickly recognised the trademarks of the 'Irish Pub'. Each one had the same style frontage with signage written in Gold, in the same font with the obligatory Irish Harp logo. His hopes would be raised as he approached one of these Gaelic drinking holes only to be dashed when he realised they weren't the 'Shamrock'. Dan was perplexed 'How many Irish pubs could one road have?'.
Eventually he arrived at the Shamrock. The pub was dark and dingy, but Dan could still make out several manly shapes propped up at the bar, all eyes trained on him. He was nervous; the drinkers had stopped what they were doing to stare in silence at him. The only sound was coming from the old TV on the shelf, showing a sports game which Dan neither recognised nor understood. The only clue Dan had was the commentator shouting excitedly in a thick Irish accent. If he could be bothered to ask, the drinkers would tell him it was a hurling match from Dublin's Croke Park.
He glanced around the room searching for his man.
"Can we help you? You're looking a little lost there." Spoke one of the bar props, a thick set man in his fifties.
"I'm looking for a guy called Pad-rag . " replied Dan, his pronunciation caused the drinkers to erupt into spontaneous laughter.
"Padraig, we say Pouregg." grinned the thick set man.
"Eejit." muttered one of the other drinkers.
The bar prop raised his hand to silence the laughter "You must be Riley. Welcome to England Yank."
"Thanks...Paddy."
The bar prop slid off his stool and shook Dan's hand "Not Paddy." He smiled warmly "Padraig." He slapped a welcoming paw on Dan's shoulder and said to the barman "Get our Yanky friend here a whisky. He's come a long way to help us out."
"And this!" Maddy threw her arms out wide, beaming "Is Buckingham Palace." She was stood outside the gates.
Leroy gave her a cheeky sarcastic smile "Y'know Madds, I kinda guessed that. Big pad, iron gates, flags on the top...kinda gives it away."
Maddy flopped her arms back to her sides "No need to get sarky...you wanted a tour of London." She huffed.
"Yeah, I meant on one of those open top bus things sos I could get to learn my around...I'm thru with getting lost all the time. Ol Genie boy thinks I'm doing it on purpose."
"It's not your fault you get lost."
"You try telling him that. He's superhuman, keeps on telling me that when he came down from Manchester he got the city sussed in weeks."
"Surely Alex understands?" Maddy moved closer to him.
"Alex told me to get myself a Sat Nav."
"Sat Nav?" She wrinkled her brow puzzled.
"I dunno either, sometimes I think she's from a different planet."
" Well then, I should show you more sites."
Leroy cocked his head and raked his eyes up and down her body "There is just one English site I'd like see honey." He added a suggestive smile.
"Oh yes Lieutenant." Maddy purred "Are you suggesting you want to take down my particulars?"
Leroy inched closer "Oh yeah Mam, every last particular."
Maddy moved closer still "I'm not sure I like the tone of your voice Lieutenant." She said prissily, playing the game "I may have to put you on detention to make sure you do your homework."
Leroy raised his fingers to her jacket and thumbed the soft material "I like the sound of homework." He smirked "You go right ahead and put me in detention, and then you can teach me a lesson while I take down your particulars."
"I don't think you understand, Lieutenant, I'm very strict with naughty boys who don't do their homework correctly."
Leroy chuckled "I can imagine." He stooped a little to reach Maddy's height. He paused briefly to make eye contact then their lips touched. Maddy melted into him kissing him back. Since the day she had clapped eyes on him in CID she was lost. It had almost been like she had been waiting all her life for him. Leroy had instantly fallen for this funny English girl. She was far from his normal type, but she had a spark which had ignited something deep down within him. And there they were, two new lovers enveloped in a passionate kiss in front of the gates of Buckingham Palace. Leroy mumbled through kisses "Shall we ask the Queen if she's got a spare room?"
Maddy sniggered "Not a good idea, with what you have in mind and being American, you'd be sent straight to the tower." She resumed the kiss wrapping her arms tightly around him.
"Okay, my palace it is then."
"Are ye sure you need this lot Bolly?" asked Gene frowning at the ever growing pile of clothes in their basket. Alex had dragged Gene out maternity clothes shopping. Not Gene's favourite pastime, but he had accepted Alex needed to buy some essentials.
"You heard the doctor." she called over her shoulder, thirteen weeks. "Soon I won't be able to fit into any of my normal clothes." She stopped at another rail of clothes in the department store. As she proceeded to flick through the various designs Gene took the opportunity to have a rest. He plonked himself down on one of the chairs intended for expectant mothers. For the tenth time since they left the hospital, Gene pulled out the picture of the scan and studied it. His eyes flitted from the picture to Alex's belly and back again. He was having a hard time putting the two together. Although he had photographic evidence in his hand, he still couldn't get over the fact he was going to be a dad. Things had happened so quickly for the couple, he hardly had time to get used to the fact he was a husband let alone a dad to be. Not that he was complaining, every now and again he caught himself wondering what it would be like when the little nipper came along. Wondering what sort of dad he would be...strict or a walkover. Having had a strict, violent father himself he reasoned he would be in the walkover category, scared to be too firm and shouty. He'd let Alex be bad cop and he'd be good cop. Once again, his gaze landed on Alex's belly...could he see a tiny bump? Somehow he had expected her to be huge. Gene had rapidly come to the conclusion he knew bugger all about pregnancy and even less about babies. Therefore, he was quite content to let Alex lead the way and he would just hand over the cash when prompted and do what he was told at the appropriate times.
It had occurred to Gene as he watched other couples in the maternity department, that the men, trailing behind their partners, were doing much the same as him 'Yes dear, no dear, whatever you say dear...how much? £100? No problem darling...kerching!'
Gene's mind drifted, he was thinking about his circle of friends and colleagues. The thought crossed his mind that he was the only one to be a dad. Ray, not a hope in hell, Chris, maybe one day if he ever got Shaz down the aisle, Dempsey, questionable although there could have been a few accidents, he surmised, which he knew nothing about , then there was Leroy. Gene realised he knew nothing of Leroy's home life. He was single, Gene knew that much, but that was it. The Manch Lion was on his own with this particular mission, no-one could give him male advice on the subject.
"That's it...I've had enough for one day." declared Alex carrying another armful of clothes.
"You sure?" Gene nodded in the direction of a rack. "You've left that one untouched...it's still full."
"Ha ha. Time to go home, I'm starving and in desperate need of a cup of tea."
"I need a beer. That's if you haven't cleared me out of cash." Gene go to his feet, relieved he could now go home and put his feet up.
"Let's get a takeaway on the way home, can't be arsed to cook."
"What's new? Takeaway it is then."
Dan wasn't quite sure what to make of Padraig, his Irish companion. So far the afternoon and evening had consisted of drinking whisky and storytelling. The drinking whisky bit he could handle, it was the story telling which was making him uneasy. Padraig had regaled him with tales from the mother land and recent ones in London which seemed to involve heavy drinking, blowing things up and bizarre criminal activities. Without compunction, the Irishman reeled off an endless list of horrific episodes where his firm had got one over another gang or the British police. Violence seemed to come naturally to Padraig and his chums; furthermore he took great delight in telling Dan about other gangs adventures. Dan was gobsmacked by Padraig's gleeful enthusiasm as he told the latest story about the undercover officers who got buried under several barrels of toxic waste. "You should've seen it Danny boy," Padraig drawled "These pigs were running around like chickens with their heads cut off. I was going to set light to the heap of shit and blow them all away to kingdom come." He had been watching the mêlée from a distance that night when Dempsey and Makepeace were trapped. He had crept onto the car lot unseen and was waiting for his opportunity.
"What stopped you?" Dan asked slowly.
"They got them out in time, that bastard Hunt and his team...for once they got their arses into gear and got the job done quickly. Missed my cue."
Dan's ears suddenly pricked up...Hunt! He remembered. "Hunt? Gene Hunt?" he asked to make sure he was talking about the same man.
Padraig looked at him questioningly "You know the bastard? Him and his shag Alex Drake?"
"They were in New York, had a run in with Coltrane. We think one of ours left with them and came to London."
Padraig thought for a few moments "Come to think it, there was a Yanky pig there that night...he the guy?"
"More than likely." agreed Dan "Can't be that many NYPD officers running around London. Say, what department does Hunt work in?"
"Fenchurch East CID...I'll write it down for ya...so you don't get lost, but first we have a deal to do." The Irishman nodded towards the holdall Dan had carried in with him.
Dan snatched up the bag and placed it on the table. He ripped open the zip to show Padraig the wads of used notes "Two thou now, two thou after."
Padraig nodded slowly accepting the deal. "Okay, but I'm not sure Daly is going to like this."
"Your man Daly owes the Giardinos a hell of lot of money; it should be him paying for the sting." Dan was trying to make his and Coltrane's position clear.
"I have to pay the men upfront; you can tell Coltrane he'll get it back." Padraig reached under the table and lifted up a suitcase. He flipped open the lid and span the case round to face Dan "Here's your shooter; it has excellent telescopic sights...very accurate."
Dan inspected the weapon approvingly "It'll do the job nicely."
The tension was killing Pipa. She had sat at the kitchen table most of the night waiting for Robert to come home. She wanted to have it out with him and had drunk the best part of a bottle of red wine to psyche herself up for a huge argument. Matthew had gone to bed hours ago and was snoozing oblivious to his mother's nervous agitation. She checked the kitchen clock again, where the hell was he? He had said he was meeting up with clients for a light supper then he would be home. Now the clock read 11.30. She drained the last of the bottle into her glass and stared at the door.
As if on cue she heard shuffling and the key turning in the lock, she braced herself. She heard Robert throw down his briefcase and stumble into the banister. He muttered something incoherently. Oh god, he was drunk. Pipa sat very still waiting for him to stagger into the kitchen.
"Pipa?" he slurred into the sitting room "Where are you woman? I want a kish."
Pipa took a deep breath and called out flatly "I'm in here."
A grinning, dishevelled Robert appeared in the kitchen doorway "Come and give me a kish."
"You're drunk!" she replied tartly glaring at him. Her nerves had dissipated a little and now anger was starting to bubble.
"So what?" Robert flung an arm in the air "I can get drunk if I want to...you look better when I'm pissed...teeeheeee." he found his own comment amusing "Beer goggles...or in my case scotchhh goggles..ha..ha..ha"
"You think that's funny, do you?" Pipa kept her voice level; she wasn't going to let him win this one.
Robert was swaying in the middle of the kitchen "Ahhhh...come on, lighten up you old tart. It's bloody funny."
Pipa keeping her emotions in check remained expressionless and neutral.
Robert sniggered "You wanna know something really funny...it's hilarious. My wife, my beautiful, darling Harry is shagging ...wait for it...a yank from the gutter!" he erupted into uncontrollable, drunk laughter "He's an oaf with no manners from the sewers of Brooklyn! Hysterical! Lady Winfield bedding a Yanky sewer rat."
Pipa's glare hardened "His name is James Dempsey."
"I know that...you stupid cow." He sneered nastily.
Pipa bristled, he was going all out on the insult front tonight.
Robert suddenly stopped laughing "Hey, how do you know? ...Thomas told you, that sneaky little shit told you didn't he? He's desperate to bring me down."
"He didn't have to Robert. I have eyes and ears. I know what you're trying to do." Pipa felt herself becoming bolder.
"And what's that my little tramp?" he hissed leaning on the kitchen table.
"You told me Harry wouldn't sign the divorce papers, when it was YOU who refused to sign them."
Robert threw his head back with laughter "Oh my god! I can't believe it's taken you this long to work it out. Did you really think Harriet would stop me marrying you if I wanted to? Huh? Christ you are bloody stupid." He leant closer to her menacingly "What would I possibly gain by marrying you? A thick, stupid, slapper who drops her knickers at the earliest opportunity. A woman.." he jabbed a finger in her face "who stole her best friend's husband...Pfff! you don't even come from a wealthy family. You have nothing I want or need. You're not even good in bed anymore."
He was so close to her now she could smell the alcohol on his breath. She kept her cool and said "What has happened to you? The man I fell in love with was kind, funny, charming and the life and soul of the party. Now look at you, bitter twisted and hell bent on making everyone else's life a misery. You use people, chew them up and spit them out. Harry didn't kill Monica, you did and now you want to ruin Harry as well. And for what, eh Robert?"
He lowered his voice to growl "Because I can...yes me." he tapped a finger on his chest "I control everything including you!"
Pipa shook her head "No you don't, not anymore. I don't need you Robert and I was fool to think I ever did." Pipa stood up to leave, she had had enough.
Robert stood upright and challenged "Where are you going?"
Pipa squared up to him "To get Matthew, it's time we left." She hurried towards the door, but Robert was too quick.
He blocked her exit, barring the door with his arms "Oh no you don't sweetheart, he's MY son."
"Get out of my way!" she snapped.
"You're not taking my son!" he was defiant, but it was wild look in his alcohol glazed eyes which was scaring Pipa. She had never seen him look at her in that way before.
"Robert," she tried to reason with him, but her voice was shaky "He has to come with me; we will talk tomorrow when you are sober."
"Over my dead body."
"Please." She tried again "Let us go."
Robert shook his head, his body trembling with rage "I won't let you, he belongs to me." his eyes drilled into her as he spoke "All it would take would be a few phone calls to the right people..." he stared her straight in the eyes "and I can have you sectioned."
Pipa's heart pounded in her chest, he was threatening her with the mental health act "You wouldn't do that."
"Try me. Your little bout of depression is on your medical records. I could say you're unfit to be a mother and you wouldn't see him again."
Tears had welled up in Pipa's eyes, he was winning again, this time in the cruellest way possible. She desperately simpered "That was because I had post natal depression, they wouldn't do that!"
"I would see to it. They'd lock you up in a mental home." He gave her a sickly grin.
Pipa's mind went into overdrive, she had to do something, she had to get to Matthew. "Matthew" she called out in the hope he would wake up. "Matthew!" she cried as she tried to dodge around Robert, but he blocked her exit again. "MATTHEW!" She screamed in panic barging Robert out of the way. She tried to run for the stairs, but Robert grabbed hold of her arm and hurled her against the hallway wall. She hit the wall with a thud, slightly winding her. "MATTHEW!" she screamed again and made another attempt to free herself from Robert.
The hard, viscious smack came from nowhere, she didn't see it coming. She breathlessly leant on the wall stunned, staring wide eyed at Robert . She touched her lip where she had felt the blow. Slowly and gingerly she looked at her fingers...blood. Robert had split her lip. Robert was bearing down on her like a crazed animal. Fire burned in his blue eyes, his face puce with rage, hands balled into fists. He scooped her up and roughly shoved her out of the front door, locking it behind her. Dazed and confused she slumped to the ground sobbing.
Robert raced upstairs.
"Daddy?" Matthew had been woken by his mother's screaming.
"Go back to bed!" Robert barked at his son. Then he was in their bedroom, pulling out draws and frantically shoving clothes into an overnight bag.
"Daddy?" Matthew wailed.
"I said go back to bed!"
Matthew whimpered and slunk away from the bedroom.
Robert zipped up the bag and opened the upstairs window. Without looking down he hurled the bag down to the street below. "Don't come back!" he yelled.
Pipa sat dejected on the wet tarmac in the pouring rain. She was shaking and shell shocked. Robert had done many things to her, but never had he raised a hand to her. She winced as she felt her rapidly swelling lip. Quietly and shakily she got to her feet. She picked up the overnight bag and sloped off into the torrential night.
Drama muse gone into overdrive again. bit odd this chapter, it's more about everyone else than main characters...sorry about that, just the way it came out...they'll be back next chapter.