Definitely Dead by Kate Bendelow (howl and other poems TXT) 📕

of time before his brief found a loophole sufficient enough to have the case against him dropped.

Either that, or they would find someone who could be persuaded to take the rap for him, just like they had for Donnelly. That was something else he wanted to discuss later. He couldn’t countenance being inside any longer than he had to be, and the thought that plans were afoot to get him out would give him the peace of mind he really needed right now. Donnelly was his ticket out of here. Without him pulling strings in the background, he knew he would be going nowhere fast. The thought that his release relied on the actions of one man was overwhelming. He needed to trust Donnelly now more than ever before.

Not getting out wasn’t an option. There was no way he could survive a prison sentence. As big as he was, the thought of long-term incarceration absolutely terrified him. It wasn’t the constant, underlying threat of the prison atmosphere or even the monotony. Truth be known, he was incredibly claustrophobic – a phobia he knew he had to keep hidden, as showing any sign of weakness would be the end for him inside. Every breath he had taken since being remanded had almost been a conscious one to maintain a level of calm. He needed out and soon. Very soon.

He took a few steadying breaths, ignoring the walls crowding in on him and decided to concentrate on the television instead. Anything to distract him. The next programme was about to start, but Nowak switched the television off in annoyance, hurling the remote control across the cell. Panic or no panic – he wasn’t watching Judge Rinder – that was just taking the piss.

25

The rest of Maya and Dominique’s evening passed pleasantly, with mother and daughter soon settled back into their usual harmony. Dominique had swept any further mention of Naylor under the table. After a delicious meal and several more glasses of wine, Maya had kissed Dominique goodbye and headed home. Dominique had insisted she call a taxi, but Maya had eaten so much she was keen to walk it off. She had thought about calling Tony on the way to discuss the Jim Baron job but decided against it. She would heed Dominique’s advice, and as much as she was curious about the sudden death, she would not allow herself to succumb to any more whimsy.

She was crossing the road near The Eagle, when she noticed a familiar figure collecting discarded glasses from the window ledges outside. She quickened her pace, head down, hoping to slip by unnoticed. Spence, however, had called her name, and with a sheepish look on his face, waved her over. Sighing, she manoeuvred her way around a Mercedes that was parked across the pavement and walked over to him.

‘Can I just apologise for the other night? Calling your date out like that. It wasn’t my place to interfere.’ He smiled apologetically. ‘I couldn’t help it. He made a couple of derogatory comments when he asked for change for the condom machine. He made my piss boil, but it’s no excuse. I should have stayed out of it.’

Maya sighed, she felt too relaxed after a lovely evening with Dominique to be annoyed with Spence. ‘Oh, don’t worry. You did me a favour. Turns out he was a bit of a prick.’ They both grinned.

‘Where are you off to?’

‘Home. I’ve just been for dinner with my mum.’

Spence nodded towards the pub. ‘Fancy a nightcap. On me? No strings, promise.’

Maya hesitated briefly. ‘Thanks, but no. I think I’ve eaten and drank too much. I’m going to head off home. Have an early night.’

‘Just one small wine?’ he implored, a huge grin on his face.

Maya was about to concede when she turned to see a group of rowdy couples heading towards the pub. ‘I was nearly tempted, but no. I could really just do with some peace and quiet.’

Spence continued to say something, but Maya didn’t hear him. Suddenly distracted by the Mercedes she had walked past. She had assumed it was empty, but there was a man craning over the driver’s seat with his phone angled towards them.

‘Is he filming us?’ she said, nodding toward the vehicle.

As Spence looked over, the man turned away and began to start the engine. ‘I doubt it. Why would he? I can only see the back of his head. Perhaps he has a kid in the back seat or something. I can’t tell from here.’

Maya shook her head. ‘Yeah, you’re right. I’m seeing things. Told you I was tired.’

‘So, what do you think?’

‘About what?’

‘I was just saying, if ever you’re at a loose end pop in one night and keep me company. I’ll guarantee you a seat at the bar and faultless waiter service.’

Maya smiled. ‘That sounds good. Throw in some bar snacks and I may well take you up on that.’

Nodding goodbye, Spence followed the group into the pub. Maya continued the short distance home; unaware the black Mercedes was following her.

26

Ryan Johnson was like the proverbial rabbit caught in the headlights. He didn’t know what to do. Should he run or stay put? The only thing he did know with complete certainty was that he was scared. Really fucking scared. Spencer James had started this. When he’d seen the Facebook post about him looking for bar work, he’d tipped him off about The Farmhouse. It was more of a way to get into Donnelly’s good books rather than a favour to Spence.

But it had all backfired. Rather than being in favour with Donnelly, he had found himself in even more hot water. Ryan had recently been visited by Lurch, a giant of a man who Donnelly and Nowak used when they wanted to persuade people to do something without getting their own hands dirty.

Lurch’s huge stature and dark-rimmed eyes bore an uncanny resemblance to the character from The Addams Family, earning him the nickname. He arrived at Ryan’s flat