The bad boy the lambrian.., p.21
The Bad Boy (The Lambrianus), page 21
‘It was for me actually Adam, and it’s not that funny. Although what my boss and my mum will say scares me a little.’
‘What, that you’re a kept man? Christ, Bruce, there’s men out there just begging for that place. But why was it for you?’
‘Julie understands that for all of my hard work I can’t go advertising money I couldn’t possibly have earned, and yet it’s there sitting in my account. So now everyone now knows I am part of the Gold empire, so no one will take any notice if I walk around with a Rolex watch or a new car. What I have in my bank account may raise eyebrows but it wouldn’t rouse suspicions. Everyone knows Julie pays her boys generously. Personally, I think it’s quite clever. The best way to hide is in the public eye.’ Once Adam had stopped laughing, he could see the common sense in it. It was a foolproof plan of Julie’s.
No one would take notice of Bruce’s good fortune now. He might be the talk of the town and people may whisper about him, but they would make up their own minds about what he was doing for his bank balance. ‘Actually Bruce, that’s quite clever. How do you feel about it?’
‘Well, it feels a bit weird being in the newspapers and I know people are gossiping about me, but then they always have. Everyone thinks I’m a bit weird so what’s the difference? This time I’m a weirdo with a bank balance.’
‘You’re not weird, Bruce. You’re just different and you’re my best mate. Seriously though, as long as you’re okay with it and you’re not being railroaded, that’s all that matters.’
‘Julie understands me, Adam. She doesn’t laugh at my odd ways; in fact, she ignores them. She’s going out of her way to make sure I get my share. She has made offshore accounts for us all. It’s all going to go tits up soon anyway, especially now that Jamie has got his boss’s digital signature and is signing all kinds of cheques. When they do an audit, he is seriously for the high jump.’
‘Digital signature? When did that happen?’ asked Adam. He didn’t know anything about this.
Bruce went on and filled Adam in on Jamie’s corruption. ‘The minute I told Julie, she got me emptying those accounts. That is where the offshore accounts come in. Time is not on our side Adam. He’s even booked a cruise for him and his girlfriend who is all over him like a rash at the moment. Apparently, she never stopped loving him!’
Frowning and confused, Adam couldn’t believe what he was hearing. ‘How do you know he’s going on a cruise?’
‘He’s told Kim, who is a friend of his girlfriend’s by the way, and she in turn told me. He’s not covering his tracks and his money is burning a hole in his pocket. He’s renting a flat in Chelsea, or in the process of doing so.’
‘I’m sorry Bruce,’ Adam apologised. The fun and laughter had now left him and he felt guilty. ‘I’ve left you to deal with a lot on your own these past few days, haven’t I?’
‘There’s nothing you could do, apart from be kept up to speed. It’s all in hand. Julie has contacted Jamie and he is signing off imaginary clients who don’t exist, embezzling money. She has kept her word and paid him but the clever cow has paid him in cash. There’s no bank transfer from her with her name on it. I would love to have seen his face when she handed over 25,000 in cash! I bet he wet himself. The interest and the commission he’s handing over to these imaginary clients is outrageous, apart from what he’s stealing for himself. I would say another week and we will have emptied the accounts and then questions are going to be asked and we will be well out of it. Worse for him though, with his pending trip it will look like he has absconded,’ Bruce chuckled.
Adam let out a slow whistle. ‘Christ, you have been busy. I should have been with you.’ Adam thought about the last couple of carefree days he’d had and he was being brought back to earth with a thump. He had neglected business, all for the sake of a bit of fun and frolic. The last couple of days had been good fun, and the nights even better.
‘Adam, don’t beat yourself up about this. You’re entitled to a life. It’s all in hand. What could you have done?’
‘I see your point, Bruce; it’s just been a little hectic lately. We should meet up later for a drink – you could come to the club. I know you don’t like it, but let’s catch up.’
‘No. Not now Adam. We need to keep our distance for now. On another note, our registration to start our own coin brokerage has come through. And so has my deed poll for change of name. I haven’t mentioned it to Mum, but my money is in the name of Bruce Sinclair.’
‘Do we even need to start a coin brokerage now? Sounds like that Jamie has done all of the work for us. It’s not exactly how we planned it in the beginning.’
‘If others can do it, why not us? It’s a legitimate business opportunity and the bookie always wins. Either way, we get paid; all we need is customers and Julie can provide those. Christ, she is like Father Christmas. She can provide everything.’ Bruce laughed.
‘It sounds like you have a soft spot for Cougar Julie.’ Adam giggled.
‘She makes a lot of sense, and she has been good to me. And shopping with her is an experience in itself. As soon as she walked in, staff pulled out chairs for her and waited on her hand and foot. She was like a famous movie star.’
Adam laughed. ‘Are you going to keep your job at the university?’
‘If they will let me. There’s bound to be gossip and I presume I’ll be held over the coals for my private life. But that’s just it, isn’t it. It’s my private life. I haven’t killed anyone. I’ll have to cross that bridge when I come to it. We’ll speak soon Adam. I have to go to work and face the firing squad in the canteen when they have read the papers.’
‘Take care, Bruce and any trouble, get back to me.’ Adam ended the call and sat down. He was glad the office was empty for once. He needed time to think. He was supposed to be seeing Jennifer as planned today, but he wasn’t sure if he should go.
His time alone was short-lived. Scarlet arrived soon after and stood in the doorway with her arms folded. She could see something was troubling Adam. ‘Well, well, well, I was going to put you on the missing persons’ list. Three days you’ve been out and about while I’ve been slogging my guts out here.’
‘Do I moan when you go on holiday?’ Adam snapped. He hadn’t meant to but it had just come out wrong.
‘Hey, I was just messing. What’s up?’ Walking past him towards her chair, she ran her hand absently through his hair. ‘Tell big sis what’s on your mind, or who?’
‘Nothing. Sorry Scat. Sometimes I feel I just need to get away from it all, clear my head, that’s all.’
Scarlet could see there was more to it than met the eye, but she was determined not to pry. ‘You’re right, being couped up in nightclubs, strippers and casinos doesn’t exactly do much for the complexion, does it? Why don’t you go out today and get some fresh air? There isn’t a lot going on today.’
‘I might, but first I need to sort out those money lenders. I’d like to be there to meet them.’
‘You got the bit between your teeth Adam? Off you go then, and then go for a swim or something. You looked like a new man after your swim the other day,’ she laughed.
A smile crept onto Adam’s troubled face when he remembered that day. And Scarlet knew she had said the right thing.
Just as Adam was leaving, Knuckles walked in. ‘Oh God, what do you want?’ Curiously, Scarlet watched Knuckles as he bent down on his knees.
‘Have you dropped something?’ she asked, irritated by his scrambling around on the floor.
Whilst on both knees, Knuckles turned to her and handed her a ring box. ‘For you.’
Shocked, Scarlet realised this was Knuckles’ proposal. It had taken a few days for him to think about it, and to be honest, she’d thought he’d forgotten about it. Gobsmacked, she took the ring box from him and looked inside. It was a huge sapphire surrounded by diamonds – a ring she would have picked herself.
‘Like your eyes,’ he said, then reached into his pocket and took a receipt out.
‘What’s this? You’re giving me a ring and now you’re giving me the bloody bill for it?’ she snapped.
‘Proof I paid for it.’
Blushing slightly, Scarlet looked at the ring and the receipt. Considering Knuckles pleaded poverty, she was surprised at how many thousands he had spent on the ring. She felt a warm glow inside her. Knuckles never paid for anything he could steal, and yet this was his grand gesture. He looked prouder of the receipt than he did the ring. He had bought this ring out of his own money and shown her the receipt to prove it. This was his ultimate commitment.
Scarlet frowned. ‘So, is it a special sapphire ring, or just a ring with a sapphire in it?’ she asked, but she could see the confusion cross Knuckles’ brows. ‘What I mean Knuckles, is what is it for?’ she prompted. ‘Say the fucking words!’
Again, Knuckles paused. He wasn’t sure what she wanted him to say.
‘Okay, number one: are you asking me to marry you? Number two: is it my birthday and you’ve bought me a present? Number three: are you just showing me what you’ve bought for someone else?’ She rolled her eyes to the ceiling. ‘Give me bloody strength.’
‘Number one,’ he answered, looking quite pleased with himself.
‘Well ask me then! And it’s on one knee, not both. You’re not scrubbing the bloody floor.’
Changing his stance, Knuckles moved and knelt on one knee as instructed. ‘Do you still want to get married?’ Knuckles looked down at the floor and Scarlet thought she saw him blush a little. Emotion and Knuckles were not compatible. He seemed to wait for her laughter that it had all been a joke and the rebuff to go with it.
Sighing with exasperation, Scarlet waited for a moment, then said, ‘Repeat after me you baboon! Scarlet Lambrianu, will you marry me? Shit,’ she scoffed, ‘my father would turn in his grave if he could see me now!’
‘Scarlet Lambrianu, will you marry me?’ Knuckles looked up and met her eyes.
‘My goodness Knuckles, I’m shocked.’ Wide eyed and full of mock surprise, she added, ‘I never expected your sudden proposal of marriage. I wasn’t aware you were crazy in love with me.’ Mocking him slightly and feigning surprise, Scarlet looked at him and realised her acting didn’t impress him. ‘Yeah, course I will, if only to get you off your knees for Christ’s sake. Give me that ring and it had better fit!’
‘Took one out of your jewellery box for size,’ he mumbled.
‘Well, I hope you put it back. Going through my jewellery box indeed! That’s worse than my knicker draw.’ Clearing her throat, it was back to business mode for Scarlet. ‘Right, now that’s settled. I don’t want a big wedding, I’ve done that. Just close family and friends. Do you have anyone you want to invite?’ Scarlet watched him shrug. ‘Well, I’ll sort it out. All you need to know is what time to get there and to have your suit fitted. Now, go and do some work Knuckles. I think Adam might want your help.’
Watching the huge bulk of a man get off his knees almost made Scarlet laugh. She had expected a bit more enthusiasm, but she had known him long enough to know that was never going to happen. Sitting back in her chair, she put the huge sapphire ring on her finger and admired it. She squirmed at the thought of telling Julie about this and her sarcastic comments were already running through her mind. Biting her bottom lip, she toyed with the idea of telling her now and getting it over with, but instead Scarlet decided to ring Katie. At least there she knew she would get kind words.
Adam sat in the back of the car; he knew he was okay for time meeting Jennifer because she was working today.
As he was about to drive off, Knuckles walked up and knocked on the car door. Winding the window down, Adam waited. ‘I’ll drive.’
Raising his eyebrows, Adam laughed. ‘Has Scarlet sent you to keep an eye on me Knuckles?’
Ignoring him, Knuckles walked around the car to the driver’s seat. He was slightly confused when he saw Matt was driving. Knuckles glanced towards Adam. ‘Get out,’ he ordered.
‘No, Knuckles, Matt is coming with me. I’m going to see those collectors on the estate and he can point them out to me. He can sit in the front with you if you insist on driving.’
Accepting his explanation, Knuckles opened the driver’s door and waited for Matt to get out.
Driving onto the estate, Adam was pleasantly surprised. It was the usual council tower blocks and looked grey from the outside, but other than that, it was clean and tidy. Not what he had expected at all.
Turning towards the back seat, Matt pointed his finger towards the entrance. ‘There’s one. He’s the big bruiser I saw the other day. The one with the leather jacket beside him must be another one. Christ, he’s built like a brick shithouse isn’t he?’
‘If you say so Matt. Are there any others?’ Adam’s calm voice filled the car, showing no emotion or excitement at finding the collectors so easily. Knuckles looked into the rear-view mirror at him questioningly.
‘Drive into that tunnel that joins these tower blocks, Knuckles. We can park the car there. There are too many windows open for what I have in mind.’
‘What do you have in mind, boss? We going to have a punch up and show them who’s boss around here?’ Matt’s eyes glistened with excitement, but Adam ignored his question. Then Knuckles turned his head towards Adam. ‘Two more there.’ He nodded.
‘Do you reckon there’s two or more for each tower block Knuckles?’ Adam asked. Seeing Knuckles nod his head in confirmation, they drove off to the concrete tunnel that connected the tower blocks. Adam looked around. It was more of a concrete passageway, possibly a shortcut for the residents to save them having to walk around each tower block to get to the main road.
‘Where are all the cars, Knuckles? There must be someone on this estate with a car.’ From the back seat, Adam leaned forward in the shady tunnel and looked around.
‘There.’ Knuckles pointed. Adam craned his neck forward and at the end of the tunnel he could see a residents’ car park, full to the brim.
‘I doubt the collectors come in separate cars, unless they are going to different places afterwards. I think they all come together and if there’s six or more, it has to be a van.’ Weighing up the situation to himself, Adam was speaking out loud. ‘One will start collecting at the top of the block and the other from the bottom. They will do each floor and then they will meet in the middle and leave together with their cash for safety. That’s what we do, isn’t it?’ Adam’s question was fired at Knuckles, who nodded.
‘Matt, go and see if the lift is working,’ Adam instructed. If nothing else he wanted him out of the car.
‘Sure thing, boss.’ Matt excitedly opened the door, then turned to Adam. ‘Do you want me to go up and beat one of them up boss?’
‘You should have done that when you had the chance, which is why I’m now here.’ Adam’s sarcasm stopped Matt in his tracks. Shutting the door, he walked off towards the flats. ‘Come with me Knuckles. I want to see what vans are parked around here.’
Adam and Knuckles got out of the car and walked towards the car park. It was mainly cars, and the odd vans they spotted had logos on the side advertising plumbing or carpet fitting. From experience, Knuckles knew what he was looking for. ‘That one,’ he said, pointing. Adam surveyed the vehicle and smiled. It was a lone white transit van parked in a disabled area without any kind of logo.
‘Good. Right, when I get the keys off these goons, bring it around to the front Knuckles and then let Matt get into the driving seat.’ His blue eyes looked up towards Knuckles as Matt ran towards them.
‘Boss! Boss!’ Matt shouted, almost out of breath as he hurried towards them. ‘The lift is working, and those blokes are already knocking on doors and threatening people. Once the lift door opened on the third floor, I heard them shouting and barging into people’s flats. Thats when I pressed the button and came straight down again to tell you.’
In his excitement, Matt failed to notice Adam’s eyes cloud over with disgust. He glared at the man in front of him. ‘Did they see you, Matt?’
‘No, I stood at the back of the lift when the doors opened and came straight down again. They will probably think it was just kids messing around,’ he explained.
‘So you’re a mind reader now as well, Matt? I didn’t realise you had so many talents. If it was me, I would be suspicious of a lift door opening and no one getting out.’
Laughing at his joke, Matt shrugged. ‘No one would get out of that lift with all the commotion that’s going on up there. And kids press lift buttons all the time, that’s why they are always breaking down. Do you want me to make sure the other lifts are working, boss?’
‘Yeah, why not. Unless you already know with your mind reading skills.’ Adam’s velvety sarcastic voice was lost on Matt who was far too excited about what they were going to do now he had back-up.
‘Right, now he’s gone, we’ll go in.’ Casually Adam walked alongside Knuckles into the flats. Adam made his way to the fourth floor, leaving Knuckles to man the entrance. He could hear a banging as he looked out the lift doors as they opened. He could see one of the men he had seen earlier kicking someone’s front door and shouting.
The man looked at Adam, smartly dressed in his suit and tie, curiously. ‘Whatever it is you’re selling, I want my money first,’ he shouted and turned towards the door again and started hammering on it with his fist.
Standing beside the lift door casually, Adam watched and waited until the man turned to him again. ‘If you know what’s good for you, you’ll fuck off!’ he threatened.
Scanning the corridor, Adam noticed every door was shut. He could hear children crying and shouting from inside, but outside it was just as he liked it – no witnesses. Taking out his gun while the man stood with his back to him, Adam fired into the back of the man’s leg. Hearing him cry out and slump to the ground, Adam watched the blood pour out of his leg and run along the corridor. Panting and clearly in pain, sweat appeared on his brow as the man clung to his leg.
