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  ‘Yeah, I met with her earlier, told her we had a deal. She ran through the general routes and the supplier details. He had a good operation running, I’ll give him that,’ Freddie conceded with a grudging expression of approval. ‘If nothing else he wasn’t a bad businessman.’ He reached into his pocket and pulled out his cigarettes, offering one to Paul. Paul took one and they both lit up.

  ‘When does she want to start? How many men does she need on the run?’ Paul took a drag. ‘And are you sure you’re happy to risk trying this out? For all we know, she could have the plod waiting to collar us the second we have our hands on the product. Or Aleksei waiting in the wings. I’m still not sure I buy the whole death story.’

  ‘Which is why we won’t be anywhere near the product. And why we’ll keep a second team scouting the pick-up and drop-off points before and after, and scouting ahead on the route for any unexpected guests,’ Freddie answered. Paul nodded his approval. ‘Also, I do buy the Aleksei story,’ he added. Paul raised an eyebrow in question. ‘It makes no sense to open up the inner workings of the gun-running to us, just as some ploy to tempt us into a trap. It’s too risky and there are far easier ways. No, she’s telling the truth, I’m sure of it. Aleksei would have made his play by now if he was still in the game. And his men would be united, not scared and hiding in safe houses with no clue what’s going on. Aleksei is gone. I asked her where the building was and sent someone to check it out. It was half built, not scheduled to be brought down. Someone blew it up with a shit tonne of dynamite, Aleksei was apparently inside when the detonator went off. No body, no record. At the moment anyway.’

  ‘You think Aleksei was rigging it himself?’ Paul asked, surprised.

  ‘Must have been. Idiot must have triggered it before he was clear. That’s all I can think of.’ He took another drag on his cigarette and returned to Paul’s earlier questions. ‘Now, the run itself needs four men in total. I want to get six on the second team watching their backs. She wants to start this week, depending on if she can get everything back up and running how it was. Obviously, there’s been a disruption to the usual routine and she’ll need to talk the suppliers round to the new arrangement. But she reckons that won’t be an issue.’

  ‘Who are they?’

  ‘Ukrainians. They keep a solid supply chain for protection, so apparently won’t intend on meeting us themselves so long as Sophia vouches for us.’

  Paul nodded and bit his lip. ‘And you’re sure this is the right time for us to be getting into moving weapons? We’ve always steered clear before, and with good reason.’

  It wasn’t that they hadn’t had the chance to run guns before now, they’d had plenty of opportunities. Other firms within London ran guns. The Jamaicans in the South had a thriving enterprise, the Jews in the West could always be counted on for stock and Ray Renshaw’s firm had been known to procure the odd weapon when asked. But it was something that the Tylers had always left well alone. The risks were significantly higher than a lot of the businesses they ran, the stock was bulky and therefore harder to hide and the clientele could not always be trusted. They had watched suppliers get burned in the past, when the trail had led back to them off the back of a bank job gone wrong, or when a client had had their guns discovered out of sheer bad luck.

  ‘If we were looking at setting this up from scratch, then no,’ Freddie answered. ‘It wouldn’t be worth it. But this is already a well-oiled arrangement and it’s more of a middle-man job, rather than a shop front. The clients have already been vetted and they buy regularly in bulk. Whatever their reasons are, I’m not about to ask, but these aren’t wideboys after a handgun to wave around so they can look like Billy Big Balls. They’re serious.’ Taking one last drag, Freddie stubbed his cigarette out in the ashtray between them. ‘It would be stupid to pass up. We stand to make a lot of money.’

  ‘OK then,’ Paul said with a nod. He stubbed his own cigarette out. ‘So long as you’re sure, let’s see where this goes. Now…’ Easing himself up from the chair he had been so comfortably seated in for so long, Paul straightened his suit and glanced at himself in the mirror. ‘While they’re busy cutting the ribbon and smiling for the camera, let’s go get the drinks sorted. Our lot will be arriving any minute and it ain’t going to be much of a party if there’s no booze flowing.’

  ‘Good idea,’ Freddie replied, standing up and following him out. As they reached the bar he couldn’t help but smile. The first night of any new venture was exciting and as this was his first with Anna involved it seemed even more of a special occasion than usual. The firm and all their friends would be here soon to celebrate with them and it was one step higher up the ladder of life. Right now, Freddie felt on top of the world. Life was perfect. And for tonight at least, nothing could possibly go wrong. Could it?

  Twenty-Four

  Tanya chatted animatedly to Amy about the acts they had planned for the few weeks ahead, her cheeks flushed pink by the several glasses of champagne she had enjoyed so far. A server from the bar passed her and she held her glass out to be filled up again. The bar staff had been told to make sure that everyone in their VIP section was not to be left with an empty glass all night. This was a celebration.

  ‘So then the firebreathers and the trapeze artists from tonight’s show will make a second appearance in about a month, but not as main circus acts like tonight, they will be performing with this amazing singer we found down on the South Bank. Honestly, she is sensational. I’ve never heard such a set of pipes before in my life. I was walking past and just had to stop and book her in for this place right there and then. I’ll tell you what night she’s on, you should definitely come over for that. Maybe we can make it a girls’ night, get us lot together here for dinner and cocktails?’

  ‘You’re on,’ Amy replied enthusiastically. ‘Just let me know the date.’

  Tanya cast her gaze around the room and grinned, happy that everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. The tables in the restaurant area were almost completely full, the empty ones reserved for people who were due to arrive shortly. The atmosphere was buzzing, people dazzled by the fantastic entertainment and the beautifully cooked food. They’d hired only the best chefs, who had been trained up in Michelin-star restaurants, and the servers were all silver service. With dark décor complemented by small chandeliers hanging subtly around the room, the entire room gave off a sophisticated air.

  Shaking her head slightly, Tanya mentally pinched herself once more. If someone had told her a few years ago that she would be standing as joint proprietor in a place as classy and respectable as this, she’d have laughed in their face and asked for their dealer’s number. She marvelled at how far she had come in life. From the penniless, clueless runaway she had been at the tender age of seventeen, convinced into working as a stripper in one of London’s seedier clubs, to a successful club owner and now to this. They’d really taken a step up with this one. Of course, it was still mainly to launder money through, but that was neither here nor there as far as she was concerned.

  Josephine walked over and touched her on the elbow, to gain her attention. Tanya turned and greeted her, noting that for once Josephine looked relaxed and was even smiling.

  ‘Hello, Josephine, how are you doing? You look nice this evening.’

  Josephine looked down at the garish purple number she was wearing and her face lit up. ‘Do you like it?’ She pulled at the feathers that adorned the pleats of the skirt and matched the ones woven into her intricate updo, and twirled around. ‘I bought it especially for tonight.’

  ‘I love it,’ Tanya lied. Josephine’s style was as unique as she was herself and although Tanya rarely actually liked her outfits, she greatly admired Josephine’s strong sense of self, and so made sure to support and nurture it wherever she could. ‘It’s nice to see you looking happy, Josephine,’ she said more sincerely. ‘It’s been too long since I’ve seen you properly smile.’

  Josephine’s smile faded to a slightly sadder one, but it still ling
ered on her face. ‘These last couple of months I’ve been reliving that night over and over,’ she said quietly, checking that no one else was listening. ‘And I’ve been punishing myself for all my mistakes, every single day, on top of grieving for a man I loved. But…’ she sighed, ‘I realised I can’t keep punishing myself forever. I have Anna for that,’ she added with a grimace, glancing over to where Anna was chatting away to a small group of friends. ‘So I initially decided I would just allow myself to grieve in peace. Only, when I did that, I started to feel angry. Angry because when it came down to it, he didn’t really love me the way I thought he did. I was no safer with him than any other enemy, once I had to stand against him. I meant nothing. And yet here I am, grieving for what I thought I shared with the guy, even though it clearly wasn’t real.’

  ‘It was real on your part,’ Tanya reminded her. ‘Don’t let that slip under the rug, just because he wasn’t who he made out he was.’ She touched Josephine’s arm. ‘Sometimes when we grieve it isn’t actually grief for the other person, it’s grief for what we gave away – for what we gave them of ourselves and they destroyed. And that’s OK.’

  Josephine swallowed the lump of emotion that had risen in her throat at Tanya’s words. ‘Thank you,’ she said quietly. She wiped just below one eye, stopping the stray tear that was forming from falling, then sniffed and plastered the smile back onto her face. ‘But I’m fine. Honestly, I am. Right now, at least. I know there will be times I won’t be. But I refuse to be down all the time. It doesn’t suit me. So I’m holding on to the good times, like tonight, from now on.’ She looked around at the large group she was part of and felt a touch of warmth in her heart. ‘This is a good day,’ she confirmed with a nod.

  ‘Well, I’m pleased to hear it,’ Tanya replied.

  ‘By the way, Sammy has not stopped staring over at you all night.’ Josephine changed the subject. ‘Is there something I should know about you two?’ she asked with a curious expression.

  ‘What are you on about, you daft bat?’ Tanya responded with a forced laugh. ‘It’s Sammy.’ She laughed again and shook her head as if the idea was ludicrous.

  ‘If you say so,’ Josephine replied, pursing her bright purple lips with a smirk. She didn’t miss much when it came to people-watching, so as subtle as the man was trying to be, he still wouldn’t get much past her notice.

  Tanya rolled her eyes with a chuckle of apparent amusement and pulled her phone out of her purse. Careful to shield the screen from Josephine, she tapped out a quick message to Sammy.

  J’s noticed you staring at me, you pervert. Keep your eyes to yourself. Until later. Then you can give me more than just the eye. Wink wink. Tx

  Tanya slipped her phone back into her purse and moved strategically, so that to look at her Josephine would have her back to Sammy, who was currently pulling out his own phone to read her text.

  ‘Anyway,’ Tanya continued the conversation brightly. ‘Have you tried the food yet?’ She was referring to the canapés that were floating around their area. They’d decided not to bother with a sit-down meal themselves. ‘The chefs we hired are blinding.’

  Glancing over at Sammy she saw a grin creep over his face as he shook his head. Masking the movement as a weight shift as he continued talking to Seamus, he tensed his upper arms and chest, giving her a display of what she could expect later that night. Looking down, Tanya had to bite her lip to stop herself from laughing.

  ‘Yeah, they um… Oh my God…’ Josephine trailed to a stop and Tanya looked up. Josephine’s face had turned a deathly shade of white that even the heavily applied layer of make-up couldn’t hide, and her eyes were as wide as saucers.

  ‘What?’ Tanya asked, looking over to where her friend was staring to try to see what was causing her such distress. ‘What is it?’ But Josephine didn’t answer, just stood rooted to the spot.

  Frowning, Tanya searched the area near the door again more closely. The maître d’ was welcoming two sets of new guests and as he ushered the group of four in front towards their table, she got a clear look at the two people behind for the first time. The man was heavy-set, dressed in black and his miserable scowl looked out of place in the happy atmosphere of the room. The woman he was with stood a confident step in front of him, dressed impeccably in a new line Gucci dress Tanya had been coveting herself, her raven hair shiny under the light, her seemingly natural tan glowing and her chiselled face made up like the cover of Vogue. The woman was a stunner, that was for sure. So much so that Tanya couldn’t help but stare too, for a moment. As she turned back to Josephine though, the look on her face suddenly made everything click into place.

  Who else could turn the vivacious Josephine into a pale mute just by walking into a place? It could only be one person. It could only be Aleksei’s wife, Sophia.

  Twenty-Five

  Freddie’s hand paused halfway to his mouth as he was about to take a sip of his whisky. After a second he lowered it, the sip forgotten. Bill joked away beside him, but he tuned out, leaving Paul to laugh heartily in his stead.

  ‘Excuse me for a minute, will ya?’ he said, walking off without waiting to see if either of them had heard him.

  Leaving the VIP area he strode through the busy bar of the restaurant to the front, where Sophia was waiting to be seated.

  ‘Mrs Ivanov, this is a surprise,’ he said, greeting her with a friendly but controlled smile. ‘I hadn’t realised you’d booked a table.’

  ‘Yes, well…’ her smoky gaze bored into Freddie’s, ‘I wanted to see what had been done with my late husband’s club.’ She looked around and nodded in polite approval. ‘It looks nice. Much nicer than it was as a strip club.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Freddie replied.

  There was an awkward silence and Freddie realised with annoyance that he was going to have to invite her to join them. He couldn’t be seen to rudely snub her as a new business partner, as much as he wanted to right now. Tonight was supposed to be about pleasure, but now it seemed it would have to be turned around back to business. And mouths would have to be guarded.

  ‘We’re, er, having a few drinks over here,’ he said, gesturing back to the VIP area from where Anna was now curiously looking over. ‘A celebration for the opening. You must join us, come and meet my brother and some of the men who will be working on the runs.’

  ‘Oh, I couldn’t possibly interrupt your party,’ Sophia said half-heartedly with a smile.

  ‘I insist.’ Freddie parroted the response that was expected.

  ‘Well, if you’re sure.’ Sophia walked forward confidently towards the area where the rest of the firm were still in full celebration, leaving Freddie to follow behind, bemused.

  Anna stepped forward with a slight frown of confusion underneath her polite smile as she met them at the rope.

  ‘Anna this is Sophia Ivanov, the new business partner we’ve been in talks with.’ Freddie dived smoothly into the introduction as though her appearance was expected.

  Anna took the hint and after only a millisecond’s pause, smiled broadly and held her hand out to shake Sophia’s. ‘Great to meet you in person,’ she enthused.

  Glancing at Freddie she guided Sophia into the VIP area and over to where Bill and Sammy stood watching. Bill, she could tell, already knew exactly who Sophia was. This was to be expected. He had done a lot of research on her during the firm’s search for Aleksei. ‘Come and meet some of the men. Sophia, this is Bill and this is Sammy, they’ll be working on the runs initially.’

  She paused as they greeted her politely and subtly appraised Sophia. She was a very attractive woman indeed and for a moment she wondered how much of this Freddie noticed when he looked at her. She ran her hands over her hips in a self-conscious gesture, before straightening up and pushing the thought back out of her head. What was she, some insecure schoolgirl? she chided herself. What she and Freddie shared was deep and strong and beyond the kind of set-up that a pretty face could ever undermine.

  ‘What can I get you to dri
nk, Sophia? Champagne?’ Anna asked.

  ‘That would be lovely, thank you,’ Sophia replied politely, her Russian accent richly curling around her words.

  ‘I’ll be back in just a moment.’ Giving Freddie a subtle instruction to meet her at the bar, she sidestepped the server she could have gone to on the way and went to order another bottle.

  Freddie joined her and leaned his back against the bar, casually watching the newcomer as she stood talking to his men. Her own man stood just behind her, silent as always.

  ‘When did you invite Sophia?’ Anna asked quietly.

  ‘I didn’t. She just turned up,’ he replied grimly.

  ‘Ah, I see.’ Anna ordered another bottle of champagne and a glass and then turned to wait, facing the same way as Freddie. ‘What do you think she’s doing here?’

  The question was placed casually, but Anna felt anything but that. Her insides had turned to ice as Freddie had introduced the woman and her eyes had searched for any small clues that she was here to taunt them. She knew that Aleksei was dead and that his body was in the rubble underneath the building. How did Sophia know that? How much else was she aware of? What was her plan here? All of these questions had been swirling around in her brain for days, like a poisonous fog that wouldn’t dissipate, and now that the woman was here they seemed to be hammering at the sides of her brain, demanding answers.

  ‘She said she was curious to see what we’d done with it,’ Freddie answered. He glanced at her face and saw the hardened jaw and the twisted mouth of doubt. ‘But you don’t think so,’ he continued. ‘You think there’s more to it?’ He looked back over to Sophia, who was now talking to Amy, who Bill had tactfully introduced to keep her company.

  ‘No, no,’ Anna quickly lied, smiling reassuringly. ‘Not at all. It’s clearly curiosity, like you say. That’s natural, given the circumstances. Plus,’ she continued, seeing that Freddie still wasn’t quite convinced, ‘it’s a good distraction, coming out to a new restaurant. Better than sitting at home alone now that her husband is gone, I would imagine.’