Chapter 21
Dwaine sat in Turkish Delight after Jarvey left digesting the news.
Jarvey was going, had enough.
Probably living his childhood dream, living out in the West Indies. Bought his own land and built a house. Was that it?
No, the departure was too sudden for Dwaine's liking.
What about Charlene, would she be going?
He doubted it, she knew which side her bread was buttered, leave Bailey and his millions, not a chance, not even for love. She'd never know how long Jarvey would be about, wouldn't take the chance.
Picking up the paper he tried to read one of the stories but stopped. Thinking about Charlene, he wondered if she knew about Kelly and would she care if she did?
Immediately he felt guilty she'd always been okay. Charlene was probably one of the few people who'd be genuinely upset.
Throwing the paper down he got up,
"See you later Pete.
As he stood he smiled again at the waitress.
"You cheer up, Pete shouted back, with an exaggerated wave, "and I see you tomorrow yes.
Walking across the street Dwaine noted a lack of dealers and more addicts hanging around than usual. Glancing over he clocked the police officers sat in the entrance to his flats.
Approaching he frowned,
"I live in the top flat.
The larger of the two barred his way,
"What's your name?
Dwaine fixed him with a look of disdain,
"Dwaine Richards.
The officer stood aside to let him pass.
"Sorry sir, we're trying to keep out journalists, the smaller explained, "there were a few sniffing round earlier.
Grunting in acknowledgment Dwaine pushed open the door.
Up in the flat he sat at the window thinking of his friend's imminent departure.
And then there was one.
Kelly dead, Jarvey going?
Fast changes, like a flash wave had taken all attachments to his old life.
Switching on the television he returned to the window, looking down below.
Probation today, no doubt being so close to the goings on in the area she'd be aware of it all before he turned up, though she'd pretend not to.
His thoughts were interrupted as the newsreader delivered the latest on Kelly.
A rogue batch of strong heroin, two men in custody, police expect more arrests in a clampdown.
Strong, Dwaine mused, that ruled Jarvey out as the source.
The bulletin cut to Kelly's father, stood on the steps of the police station.
Hearing his voice Dwaine looked at the screen for the first time.
"At present my family is deeply upset by what has happened and would appreciate that we were given space by the media to allow us to grieve. the uniformed man informed the camera, "But rest assured I will be doing all I can to ensure that anyone connected to my daughter's death will be dealt with.
As he said the final words he stared directly into the camera, his eyes cold and emotionless.
Dwaine felt an involuntary shudder and got up, switching off the television.
Glancing at the clock he saw it was half eleven. From the café he usually headed for a workout.
A few minutes later he was walking along Riverside Street the usual suspects were hanging around, nodding in recognition, he by-passed them rather than spend his usual five minutes chatting.
Passing the shops he rounded the corner onto Union Road.
Sat on the steps of one of the once grand houses was Ruby's brother, Ty, with a couple of his mates. The youth looked over and called,
"Dwaine, what g'wan?
"Yeah safe.
Ty looked at the retreating figure,
"Wassup?
Dwaine looked over his shoulder,
"Nothing¦ nothing, we'll chat later yeah, your brother cool?
The younger lad looked pleased,
"Yeah, he's cool.
Crossing the road Dwaine entered Churchill Close, the main red light area, where Kelly would have been selling herself the night before. Though it was early afternoon the working girls were out in force. All pasty skin and greasy hair, looking like they hadn't even slept. At least in the darkness their desperation was partially hidden, but not in the daylight, what you saw was what you got, sold as seen. Shells of humanity looking for a punter to get that first hit.
Churchill Close had smaller houses than most of the area, it was where the servants had lived years before. Some of it had been knocked down and turned into industrial units, carpentry workshops and other small businesses. In a cut off between two of these was the gym. The locals were allowed to use the place for free during the day, by night it was a boxing gym, all spit and sawdust and turning out it's fair share of success stories in it's time.
Walking down the nicotine stained corridor portraying pictures of long gone heroes Dwaine pushed open the door to the work-out room and headed straight for the bench.
Harry, a huddled bloke in his early sixties who ran the place, was working with a teenager on one of the bags, besides them the place was deserted. Dwaine recognised the youth as one of Ty's little firm, he'd known his dad from the drug scene. He couldn't remember the dad's name off the top of his head and watching his son pummelling the bag Dwaine wondered what had become of him.
Starting at one hundred kilos he led back, gripping the bar.
"Dwaine, Harry shouted, "you know you aint meant to push that much weight without someone spottin' you.
"Sorry Har, it's one of those days, extreme weight's needed, you know the coo. I'm alright with a little metal on the bar.
"Nah, nah, wait a minute, I'll watch you, last thing I need is someone breakin' their neck¦ chuckling he added, "it aint you I'm worried about, it's the law-suits that would follow.
"Cheers mate, Dwaine raised a smile, "but hurry up yeah.
He watched as Harry headed across the gym to give some instructions to the boy on the bag before returning.
After a set of twelve Dwaine sat up. The boy was still punching furiously at the bag, drenched in sweat, his shoulders continued throwing jabs as if the work out had just begun.
Seeing Dwaine watching Harry commented,
"He's been going over an hour now, that boy's going places.
"If the street don't get him first.
"Nah, I know 'e don't keep the best company but 'e's dedicated to 'is boxing, knows it's 'is only way out of 'ere. I wouldn't let 'im in 'ere when 'e's meant to be at school otherwise.
"Maybe, but it's a long time from now till then innit, anything can happen. It seems to be getting worse out there as well.
The older man nodded in agreement,
"I know what you mean.
"It has though aint it Har, I know when I was younger we weren't angels¦
Harry choked back a laugh,
"That's an understatement.
"Okay, we were bad, but not like today, shootings are commonplace, over trivial shit.
The trainers face held a look of disgust,
"Well you know who's to blame for that.
Dwaine knew what he meant but didn't say anything, instead he muttered,
"Would've happened anyway.
"Maybe¦. anyway I'm confident about that one, Harry nodded at the youth, "'e'll make it, most nights 'e's in 'ere rather than roamin' the streets.
"Could be one of the lucky ones. Dwaine acknowledged as much to himself as anyone else, "Chuck another ten on each end.
