Chapter 67
Dwaine sat in the silence watching the sun come up.
So much had happened in the last day.
The contract killing on Bailey had been all over the news so he knew what Jarvey's plan had been.
But why had Gazza killed Jarvey?
Dwaine blamed himself. If he hadn't mentioned Jarvey's departure to Ty then it might not have happened. One thing he knew, he had to find out why.
As he passed his bedroom he looked in at the bag sitting unopened on the bed.
With a grunt he headed out.
Pacing down the street he thought about Charlene, wondering how she was feeling. Her best friend, husband and lover all dead, two of them murdered within minutes of each other.
Mags lived in a house converted into flats in Wellington Avenue, after a couple of minutes of Dwaine banging on the door a young man opened the door rubbing his eyes.
"Yeah?
"I'm looking for a young black kid, about sixteen, which flat does he live in.
The man looked nonchalant,
"Dunno mate.
Dwaine's brow furrowed,
"Don't fuck with me, I aint in the mood.
The man stood back,
"Flat three, but it didn't come from me.
Banging on the door it was opened by an angry looking woman.
"What you want knocking on my door at this time in the morning.
"I'm after your son, is he there?
She looked at him accusingly,
"What you want with my son?
"Just to chat¦.
"It's okay mum, a voice called from the bedroom, "it's a friend of Ty's brother.
Turning towards the sound his mum looked incredulous,
"What boy, and you think that makes it okay, what have you been up to?
Pulling on a t'shirt Mags appeared,
"Nothing, it's probably to do with Ty or something.
He nodded at Dwaine, who returned the gesture.
"I'm looking for your boxing mate actually.
Mags tried to look old before his years,
"What Gazza, what for?
"I gotta chat with him, that's all.
After a moment Mags shrugged,
"Twenty-two Palmerstone Street, what's it about.
Dwaine cracked a smile,
"Cheers, I'm sure he'll tell you later.
Before Mags could say anything he'd disappeared back down the stairs.
Outside twenty-two Palmerstone Street Dwaine looked up. Staring down was Gazza. He disappeared then a moment later the door opened.
Gazza looked around nervously,
"You didn't tell the police then?
Dwaine shook his head,
"No, no I didn't. One question yeah, why? That's all I want to know, why the fuck you kill him?
"He killed my dad.
Dwaine looked at the youth stunned, he'd just assumed the boy's dad was in prison or he'd just gone, deserted his family,
"What do you mean killed your dad, how? What he died of an overdose or something?
"No, Jarvey killed him, either him or someone he paid, either way it was him. Shot because he wouldn't sell for him.
Dwaine shook his head, trying to take it in,
"You've messed up your future, you know that don't you? You can't kill someone and expect everything to be normal, you'll always know that you did it.
Gazza nodded his head,
"I couldn't let him walk away though could I?
Turning Dwaine started walking away.
Gazza watched his retreating back as he descended the steps,
"What else could I do?
Dwaine ignored him.
"What the fuck else was I supposed to do bro?
Back at the flat Dwaine unzipped the bag and looked at the money, he'd grown up with Jarvey, only now he realised he never knew him at all. After a few minutes of staring he made his way back into the front room and sat at the window.
Down below on the street he saw Jean walking back from the shop with a carton of milk and a loaf of bread. As always, at the phone-box, addicts were starting to gather.
Life on the Riverside wouldn't, couldn't, stop for anything.
Drugs would probably be harder to get hold of for a few hours but that would be it, come this evening everything would be the same as usual, just different players. Yesterday's events consigned to chitchat.
Nothing would change.
Pete looked up as the café door opened,
"Dwaine, how are you? You're early today
Dwaine shrugged,
"I've been better Pete, been better.
Pete nodded his head.
"I heard on the news. I'm sorry.
Dwaine waved his arm,
"Actually Pete I've come to discuss business.
Pete looked interested,
"Business aye, what sort of business?
"I'm moving on, thought I'd give you first offer on the flat.
Pete stared at him for a minute,
"When are you leaving?
"Hopefully, if you buy, when I walk out of here.
Sadly Pete nodded his head,
"I did sort of see it coming my friend. Of course I'll buy, I'll even give you over it's worth, just as long as you're sure.
Dwaine slowly raised his shoulders,
"I'm sure Pete, it's now or never.
Pete nodded his head again,
"I am sad, but I understand.
"Cheers Pete.
"You want a breakfast before you go?
Dwaine thought about it for a moment,
"Nah I'll give it a miss, I aint really hungry.
The End
