McKay took a long breath. “When I needed that op there was already a suspicion that Graeme Garrison was taking a cut from the Saint Street Gang – Alfie Fletcher’s outfit. Internal affairs got in touch and asked how I felt if they replaced me on a long-term basis as they needed to have a look at one of the DCI’s – Garrison. I’d heard enough about him to see what their game was.
“Severton’s always had that gang connection, although most of it’s been buried in myth and legend, but stuff was happening with Lena and Lois and there was a link to Manchester. I’d figured that Felley Manor was used intermittently to hide people from Saint Street who were hot, either from the cops or rival gangs, but it was one of those things you didn’t mess with, because it afforded the town a bit of protection.” McKay picked up a disposable cup and slurped. He’d never been a quiet drinker.
“Until it got messed with.” Alex took the cup Loneghan passed him, clearly having forgotten to do so already.
“Until it got messed with. And the younger Kenny Gallagher, the not so bright cousin of the older one, really pissed off Tony Jones. The two gangs have been pretty civil for the last decade – it’s been more of a case of one-upmanship rather than war. Who had the biggest fleet of luxury cars, who had the biggest house and the deepest swimming pool – always useful for popping someone in while a brick’s tied to their ankle. That sort of thing. But Kenny broke the code. He messed with the girlfriend of Tony’s grandson and then ended up stabbing her cousin. More hands got dirty. But maybe Graeme Garrison’s were the dirtiest of all.”
A low growl came from Drew.
“I always knew you were part bear with noises like those.” Indy was half-way through a croissant.
“Garrison’s not just a dirty cop. There are lots of dirty cops taking backhanders to turn a blind eye,” Drew said, his words quiet, his tone almost hypnotic. “He’s a double dealer. Or that’s what we think.” He looked at Indy.
“He’s selling information. I’ve figured out that he’s receiving payments from a legit company based in the Virgin Islands that indirectly come from Saint Street. He’s on Fletcher’s books as we suspected, which is why he was keen to take up this position here.” She took another bite of the croissant.
McKay nodded. “He put his name forward when he knew I was out of it for a few months, saying that he was reaching burn out and needed a quiet backwater. So Manchester transferred him over to Derbyshire. I went back to Manchester, although my boss is Warren Mather.”
“Internal affairs. He was the one who tapped me up to look at Garrison and keep an eye on what was happening with Felley Manor. Who’s Garrison double crossing Fletcher with?” Alex sat back, feeling he was on the edge of a precipice and jumping off it meant that everything was going to change.
“Tony Jones. He’s selling Tony information. That’s what I’ve picked up. You heard about the take down on the underground text message system that Manchester gangster were using? Couldn’t have come at a better time.” Indy grinned.
“Were you involved in that?” Alex stared at her. It had been a big deal leading to thirty-three arrests four days ago.
“I don’t just hack illegally, you know.” She gave him her trademark glare, only for a little longer than usual.
McKay shook his head. “She gets her feistiness from her mother.”
Alex nearly fell off his seat.
“Just to clarify, I changed my name so no one would associate me with him.” Indy’s glare was directed at McKay.
This time Alex looked at Drew. “Which means you grew up knowing a copper.”
Drew shook his head. “I avoided Indy at school. Never met her dad.”
“Probably for the best, lad.” McKay just smiled. “Anyway. This leads me to something that’s fallen into place in the last twenty-four hours: Jones has been told where Kenny Gallagher is living with his girlfriend. And he’s after blood.”
“Tilly?”
McKay nodded. “Garrison knows the ins and outs of what goes on here. He did do before he took the post. And he’s found out where Kenny’s moved Matilda to. They were just outside of Leeds – nice trendy flat and she was studying at university. Now they’re in Waterfoot and it’s guarded like Fort Knox. She’s thirty-seven weeks pregnant.”
Alex felt his stomach turn over and his heart implode.
“Would Jones’ crew harm her?”
McKay shrugged. “Not sure what boundaries they have any more. Maybe not, but they’ll do worse to Kenny if they get hold of him.”
“Fuck.” It was the only word Alex could muster.
“That’s not all of it, son.”
Alex looked up, his gaze travelling from McKay to Heath Lonegan.
Lonegan wasn’t smiling. “They’re planning on raiding the house. We don’t know when, but we need to head up there. Get the woman out. Without tipping off Garrison.”
Eighteen
Abby was getting used to the sensation of being followed. She was on the main road, walking – albeit slowly on crutches – to town to meet Rayah from Alex’s, and she was pretty sure there was a man about a hundred metres behind her who was trying to look like he was walking slowly because of he was checking his phone.
