No Going Back by Casey Kelleher (black male authors TXT) 📗

than acquaintances. Besides, even if he did cop the hump, it’s tough shit. Pete Baker knows only too well how this game works. We just want back what we’re owed. This is business. It ain’t personal. But last night, well, it got personal, didn’t it?’

‘What the fuck…?’ Jay-Jay murmured, no longer listening to Russ. Instead, he was staring at the TV screen. Taking in the sight of the giant mugshot of his face staring back at him from the TV. The camera cut to a news reporter standing in front of the two tower blocks of the Griffin Estate.

‘A young pregnant woman, local to the Griffin Estate, was attacked in the early hours of the morning while making her way towards Wandsworth Common…’

‘Oi! Earth to Jay-Jay!’ Russ raised his voice, not used to being ignored.

Though as he turned to see what had caught the man’s attention, Russ shook his head in resignation before glancing over at the barman and satisfied himself that he wasn’t paying the bulletin any attention, his back to the screen as he busied himself pouring Russ’s pint.

The two men focused their attention back on the news bulletin and listened in to what was being said, as the cameras changed to the footage of a female police officer speaking at a press conference.

‘The attacker is thought to be in his mid- to late-thirties. Roughly five foot eight, slim frame and was wearing a black tracksuit with a navy jacket over the top, the hood has a bright pink or neon orange lining. I would urge anyone who thinks that they might recognise the man in the E-fit to contact us as a matter of urgency. He is believed to be extremely dangerous. And we are advising members of the public not to approach him.’

Shifting awkwardly in his seat, Jay-Jay was aware that the clothes that had just been described were what he was still wearing now. That they were the only clothes he really had.

‘Is it true that you’ve linked this attack to the murder of Liza Fitzgerald, also pregnant, who was killed over at Richmond Park last week? Do you think you’re looking for a serial killer?’ A journalist’s voice cut in.

‘As yet, that’s not something that we can confirm. We are carrying out a full investigation and right now our priority is finding the person in the E-fit image.’

‘Shit! SHIT!’ Jay-Jay said, visibly paling at the news as he screwed his fists up, not knowing what to say or do.

‘See, here’s the thing,’ Russ said with a loud whistle, turning and facing Jay-Jay, a twinkle of malice in his eyes. The lack of reaction to this sudden revelation told Jay-Jay all he needed to know. It might be the first time Jay-Jay had seen that he was a wanted man, but Russ and Sam already knew. Which meant they knew that he’d royally fucked the job up. He could forget about getting paid.

‘I thought I could be a sick fuck when the mood took me, but this?’ Russ laughed then and held his hands up, seeing the horrified look on Jay-Jay’s face. ‘Hey, mate. We all need to get our rocks off somehow. There’s no judgement from me.’

‘That isn’t it. Fuck! You don’t understand…’ Jay-Jay said, unable to hide the panic in his voice now as he pulled his hood up around his face. He fell silent as the barman approached them and placed Russ’s beer down on the table in front of him. God knows how many people had seen that E-fit by now. Shelby Cooke had got a better look at him than he’d realised. He was royally fucked now.

‘She’s okay though? The copper said.’ Jay-Jay said when they were alone again. His skin had paled to almost translucent. He looked as if he was going to be sick too. ‘The baby is okay?’

‘No thanks to you,’ Russ said with a nonchalant shrug of the shoulders. ‘And see, here’s where we come to the end of the line, Jay-Jay. Because fuck me, mate, I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes when that old bastard Pete Baker catches up with you. This will be on you now, you know that, don’t you? His daughter is the apple of his eye. If he gets wind that this was your doing, he’ll bury you alive. So, I’m warning you to keep a low profile. Leave London, get as far away as you can from here. And if anyone, and I mean anyone, starts asking questions, you leave me and my brother out of it. Do you understand?’

Russ took a large gulp of beer, revelling in the fact that he was clearly putting the shits up the man opposite him.

‘Because this has fuck all to do with me and my brother. We didn’t tell you to go around carving pregnant women up. Even we ain’t that sick and depraved. So, if I get wind of the police getting any ideas about us from you, I’ll deliver you to Pete Baker personally.’

Russ glared at Jay-Jay.

‘Like I said. For us it was strictly business. But you, Jay-Jay, son, have just made this personal. We can’t be associated with any of this. Or with you. You’re on your own, mate, and there’s no going back from here.’

23

‘You’ve got a visitor, Winnie, my love.’ Nurse Hamilton smiled as she guided Winnie across the dayroom to see her awaiting guest. Walking patiently as Winnie took her time.

The woman’s face lit up at the sight of her visitor.

‘Jennifer, darling!’ Winnie exclaimed, mistaking her granddaughter for her late daughter and throwing her arms around her. ‘I knew you’d come and see your old mum.’

‘It’s me, Nan. Lucy,’ Lucy said firmly, trying her hardest not to react or take it personally that her nan didn’t recognise her.

The past couple of days had been some of the longest, hardest days that Lucy had endured in a long time. Having to do the press conference to help find Shelby Cooke’s attacker yesterday, as well as