Barking Boy Read online

  “Bloody hell. Don’t say that Mum.” Tommy’s face paled at the very thought of two babies keeping them awake at night.

  “You never know, Tommy, what with your Sonny and Mitchel, and my brothers Carl and Jack, it’s more than possible.”

  Tommy rubbed his hand over his wife’s small bump. “As long as they’re healthy, that’s all that matters, eh?”

  “True Son. Here, take your daughter, while I take these rollers out of me hair. I can’t very well turn up at your grand opening looking like this, can I?”

  Tommy took Karen in his arms and kissed the top of his daughter’s head. “Are you really thinking it’s twins?” he asked his wife, his voice low.

  Stacey gave a little chuckle. “Gawd knows, Tommy, but the rate we’re going, if these are twins, then we’ll end up having enough kids to make a football team.”

  Tommy’s mouth fell open, and bursting out laughing Stacey held onto the chair for support. “I’m joking,” she laughed. “Two kids are more than enough for me.”

  Relieved, Tommy playfully slapped Stacey’s backside. “Good. You had me worried there.”

  With champagne held aloft in their hands, the newly fitted out betting shop was officially opened. They had posed for photographs outside the shop, and even the local newspaper, The Barking and Dagenham Post, had wanted Tommy’s story. The fact that he’d just turned twenty and he owned a shop, was big news apparently. They were calling him a young entrepreneur. They didn’t know exactly how he’d come to own the shop, and he had a feeling they’d have a field day if the true story ever got out.

  “I need to go and network.” Tommy kissed Stacey’s forehead before wandering off.

  “Network, hark at him.” Stacey looked across to Janet, before giving a giggle. The truth was, she was proud of her husband, and she watched as he mingled with the crowd of people who’d come to the opening. Her Tommy was a natural.

  Janet was also proud of her son. She glanced around at all of her boys. They were dressed in their finest clothes and were good looking lads, each of them a clone of one another. Even her Frank had a smile on his face, which was a first.

  As Tommy stopped and chatted to people and checked that their glasses were filled, his thoughts went to the notebook in the safe. Ever since he’d found the book, the contents had been on his mind. Davey had obviously believed it could work, otherwise he wouldn’t have planned everything out to the last intricate detail. He wondered briefly, if Mad Dog Harris had any inclinations as to what their boss had been planning. He’d bet every penny he owned, that the Scotsman knew. He’d have a quiet word with him he decided, and without giving the game away, he would test the waters, so to speak, and see what Mad Dog had to say for himself.

  Stood in a shop doorway hidden out of sight, Bethany Johnson had watched the unveiling of the betting shop. She’d puckered her lips in disgust, as she’d watched Tommy making a fuss of his wife. Bitch, she thought to herself. Tommy should have been her man, not that bloody Stacey’s.

  Bethany Carter—her name with Tommy’s surname—had a little ring to it. She repeated the name over and over in her mind. Even though she’d promised her dad she would steer clear of Tommy, she just couldn’t keep away from him. She often came to watch him as he went about his business.

  The moment she had read about the grand opening of Tommy’s betting shop, Bethany’s heart had leapt. It was the perfect opportunity to spy on him from afar. From her hiding place, Bethany took note of the comings and goings. She watched as the Carter brothers posed for photographs, and a plan formed within her mind.

  It wasn’t over as far as her and Tommy were concerned. In fact, he was going to wish he’d never set eyes on her.

  “Here, I heard you were quite the celebrity the other day,” Lillian smiled toward Tommy. “By all accounts, you had the papers interviewing you and everything.”

  “It wasn’t quite like that,” Tommy laughed, as he leaned casually against the reception desk in The Soho Club. “We had the local paper there doing a piece about the shop opening. That was about it.”

  “Oh, and there was me, thinking I should ask for your autograph.”

  “Give over, Lil.”

  “What? I’m being serious,” Lillian giggled.

  With a grin across his face, Tommy shook his head at Lillian’s obvious teasing. “Is Mad Dog here?” he asked, changing the subject.

  “He’s in the office, darling. Do you want one of the girls to go and fetch him for you?”

  “Nah, it’s okay. I’ll go through and see him.”

  Walking through the club toward the office, Tommy took in everything around him, as he weaved his way through the girls and punters on the main floor. Despite sprucing the place up with new carpets, a lick of paint, and brand spanking new black and chrome tables and chairs, the heady scent of stale sweat, mixed with cheap perfume, filled the air. He’d heard through Jimmy that Mad Dog was running a tight ship and that everything was in order. Apparently, the man had taken to working at the club like a duck to water.

  “Tommy,” Mad Dog stated, in a form of greeting. He was sat behind the desk and began to stand up as Tommy walked into the office.

  “Hello, mate.” Holding up his hand, Tommy indicated for Mad Dog to remain seated. He then pulled out a chair and sat down opposite him. “So, how’s everything been here?”

  “All good, Tommy. No problems at all. In fact, it’s better than good. Business is booming.”

  Tommy smiled, then cleared his throat. He didn’t want to beat around the bush. “I opened up the safe at the betting shop last week.” He watched Mad Dog’s reaction closely, on the lookout for any tell-tale signs that the older man already knew about the planned robbery.

  “Oh yeah, lad?”

  “Yeah. I’ve got to admit, I was a bit surprised by what I found.”

  Mad Dog remained silent.

  “I mean, I was really surprised.”

  Still, Mad Dog said nothing.

  Tommy began to laugh. “Come on mate, you know what I found.”

  Mad Dog shrugged his shoulders. “You tell me, lad. What did you find there?”

  “I think you already know, mate.” Tommy eyed the man suspiciously. If Mad Dog knew what was in the safe, then his expression was giving nothing away. “The notebook.”

  “Aye lad, so you found a notebook?” Mad Dog raised his eyebrows.

  “Come on, you know what’s in that book.”

  Tommy could see Mad Dog thinking it over. He sat back in his seat, not taking his eyes off of him.

  “Aye, I know what’s in the book, lad.”

  “And, is it doable? Davey must have thought so. The details in it are spot on as far as I can tell.”

  Mad Dog chewed on the inside of his cheek, before answering. “It’s doable. We did a dry run of it, and it was perfect.”

  Tommy’s heart leapt. He knew it. “How many people was Davey planning to take on the job?”

  “Maybe four, plus a getaway driver.”

  Tommy thought this over. “Could you get away with three doing it, plus a driver?”

  “Perhaps. Look Tommy, doing that job was always going to be a big risk, so think hard on that before you even contemplate seeing this through.”

  “I already have,” Tommy answered, “but what I need is a driver.” He looked at Mad Dog expectantly.

  “You don’t mean me?”

  “C’mon mate, you’re the only person other than me brothers that I trust. I need you.”

  Hesitant, Mad Dog looked Tommy in the eyes before reluctantly agreeing. “I’ll do it on one condition. You double check, then double check again, that those plans are spot on.”

  “I will do.” Tommy was deep in thought. He had too much to lose, to not double check them.

  Sneaking into Tommy’s and Stacey’s bedroom, Gary headed straight for the chest of drawers where his elder brother kept his bottles of aftershave. One by one, he picked up each bottle, and after unscrewing the caps, he gave the scents a
quick sniff. Gary then chose his favourite, and sprayed a generous measure over himself, before putting the bottle back exactly where he’d found it. He then raced out of the room and up the stairs to the bedroom he shared with Jimmy and his younger brothers.

  He opened up his wardrobe and sorted through his clothes, before his eyes settled on his shell suit. Quickly, he dismissed the idea, and pulled out his new jeans and a white shirt. He had to look his best. He had a date tonight. Proper, classy, she was, and he wanted to impress her, hence why he’d raided Tommy’s aftershave collection.

  Once he was dressed, Gary crept out of the house before anyone spotted him. He knew his brothers would only start teasing him if they found out he had a date.

  In fact, his elder brothers would do a little bit more than tease him if they were to find out exactly who his date was.

  Bethany Johnson had purposely bumped into Gary Carter a few days earlier. She’d allowed him to try and chat her up, and had even laughed at his cheesy chat up lines. The fact young Gary looked like Tommy, was the only thing that was going to get her through this date. In fact, Gary was nothing more than a means to an end, as far as she was concerned.

  She sipped on a glass of white wine, while waiting for the boy to arrive. She was in The Bull public house in Romford, far away from Tommy Carter’s prying eyes. She didn’t want him getting wind of the date. No doubt he would only try and put a stop to it.

  “Sorry I’m late,” Gary puffed. He was out of breath after running all the way to the pub from the bus stop.

  Bethany smiled. He was just a kid really. Still, every time she looked at him, she saw Tommy’s face.

  “It’s okay, you’re not late at all,” she lied. “In fact, I’ve only just got here myself.”

  Gary stood with his hands in his jeans pockets. This was the first date he’d ever been on, and he was unsure of what he should do now. “Would you like another drink?” he finally asked, nodding his head toward Bethany’s wine glass.

  “I’d love one.”

  Sheepishly, Gary glanced toward the bar. His cheeks blushed red. He wasn’t old enough to get served alcohol. “Can you go up and get them, please?”

  Bethany smiled. She got up from her seat and walked to the bar. As soon as she was out of Gary’s view, she rolled her eyes in irritation. She supposed she’d better buy him a lemonade too, seeing as he wasn’t even eighteen yet.

  Tommy sat in the office of the scrap yard. It was quiet here, and he was able to think in peace. He had Davey’s notebook set out in front of him, and he’d studied it front to back numerous times. He practically knew the contents by heart.

  He was waiting for Jimmy, Gary and Mad Dog Harris to arrive, so they could discuss exactly how they were going to plan the bank job out. Everything had to be just perfect. Any mistakes could very well see them all being sent down for a considerable amount of years.

  As the two men arrived, Tommy looked up from behind the desk. “Where’s our Gary?”

  “I thought he was here.”

  Tommy shook his head. He looked past the two men toward the scrap yard itself and the metal gates beyond. He’d specifically told Gary to meet them here. He was annoyed. If he gave an order, he expected it to be carried out.

  “He should be here soon. We’ll just have to bring him up to speed when he turns up.”

  “That’s not good enough,” Tommy growled. He’d need to have a serious word with young Gary. Behaviour like this is what could get them caught red-handed by the old bill. The job in hand needed their full attention. There could be no room for sloppy mistakes. “Okay, well we’ll have to start without him. First thing’s first, we need to check out this bank.”

  “Aye lad, and once you’ve checked it out, you’ll need to do your final check of the place about a month to six weeks before the job, Tommy. And you need to do it casually. Just drive by the bank, checking everything’s as it should be and that’s it. The last thing you want is to be recognised or caught on camera.”

  “Yeah, you’re right.” He began mentally working out everything they needed before counting off the items on his list out loud. “We need a car, guns, disguises and somewhere to store the cash afterwards.”

  “For the car, we need a Granada Cosworth. Those things can fly, Tommy lad. Trust me, nothing will be able to keep up with us.”

  Tommy nodded his head. “Okay, that’s the car sorted. Guns?”

  “I can put you in touch with Freddie Smith. Davey used him from time to time. He’ll sort you out.”

  “Okay, that leaves somewhere to hide the cash afterwards?” Referring to Davey’s notebook, Tommy flicked through the pages. “What does BP mean?” he asked, looking across to Mad Dog.

  Mad Dog shrugged his shoulders. “No idea. BP garage maybe.”

  Thinking it over, Tommy could think of only one BP garage that he knew of. It was situated on Ripple Road, directly opposite the cemetery.

  “Burial plot.”

  Both men turned toward Jimmy.

  “BP could stand for Burial Plot,” he stated. “Plus, the BP garage itself is opposite the cemetery.”

  Tommy turned to Mad Dog. “What do you think? Could that be what Davey was referring to?”

  “Possibly, but if it does stand for that, then where is the plot, and how would Davey have pulled that off? He’d have needed an actual coffin for burial, not to mention insiders to dig the grave. Sorry, but I can’t see it meaning that lads. It would mean too many people getting involved, and that wasn’t Davey’s style.”

  Tommy sighed, before banging his fist down on the desk, making both men jump. “The BP garage is right next door to a car dealership, right?”

  “And?” asked Jimmy, not sure where Tommy was going with this.

  “What if Davey was planning to buy cars with the cash, then sell them on, that way the money’s clean.”

  “You’ve got a point, Tommy.” Mad Dog nodded his head at the idea. In fact, it made perfect sense.

  “Right, so we need to look into buying and selling cars. Buy the Granada Cosworth and go and meet this Freddie Smith. Can I leave you in charge of arranging a meeting with him?” Tommy asked Mad Dog.

  “Aye lad. I’ll get on it.”

  Satisfied, Tommy sat back in his seat. There was still a lot of work to do, but at least they had made a start.

  Gary Carter was on cloud nine. He couldn’t believe his luck, when Bethany had agreed to a second date, and he’d had to pinch himself after he’d leaned in for a kiss, and didn’t get a slap around his face for his troubles.

  A wide grin was spread across his face, as he let himself into the house. Nothing and no one would be able to dampen his mood.

  The hand that grabbed him around the throat and threw him against the wall had him gasping for breath.

  “Where the fuck have you been?”

  “What?”

  “Don’t give me fucking what. Where the fuck were you? You were meant to be at the scrap yard,” Tommy growled.

  Shamefaced, Gary averted his eyes. He’d forgotten all about the meeting. “Sorry, I forgot.”

  “You fucking forgot? Is this little prick for real?” Tommy asked, glancing across to Jimmy. “Do I need to punch into your skull next time, to remind you?”

  “Leave me alone, Tommy. I said I was sorry.”

  Moving closer, Tommy brought his nose toward his younger brother. “Have you got my fucking aftershave on?”

  “No.”

  “Yes you have. Now where’ve you been?”

  “Nowhere.”

  Tommy eyed his brother suspiciously. He kept his hand loosely around Gary’s throat. “Where the fuck have you been? C’mon spill the beans.” There was a hint of humour in his voice now.

  “I reckon he’s got a little bird on the go.”

  Tommy burst out laughing. He could just imagine Gary wearing his shell suit out on a date, thinking he looked the bollocks. “I think we need to have the talk with him, Jimmy.”

  “Yep, I think we do, br
uv.”

  “What talk?” Gary’s eyes were wide.

  “The birds and the bees, Gary,” Tommy laughed. “Just so you know what to do if you end up taking her down some back alley.”

  “Give over, Tommy. I’m not a little kid.” Struggling free from his brother’s grasp, Gary moved across the room and pointed his finger toward him. “I knew you two would be like this, that’s why I never tell yous anything.”

  “We’re only having a laugh, Gary. Stop being so uptight. So, what’s she like, your little girlfriend?”

  “She’s not a girl, for your information. She’s a woman.”

  This caused both Tommy and Jimmy to laugh even harder. “What the fuck would a grown woman be doing going out with you? You’re still a kid.”

  “I’m not a kid. I’m seventeen in a couple of months.” Gary’s cheeks had turned red with anger. All thanks to his brothers, he was now in a foul mood. “Just leave me alone, the pair of you.”

  Tommy shrugged his shoulders, before turning to Jimmy and bursting out laughing. Young Gary had a lot to learn.

  Chapter Twelve

  Like most people in his line of work, Freddie Smith had heard of the Barking Boy, and the fact Davey Abbott had left everything to the lad, told Freddie everything he needed to know. He watched the boy through hooded eyes. As a favour to Mad Dog Harris, he’d agreed to the meeting, but he wouldn’t fully relax until he’d sussed Tommy Carter out for himself.

  Surrounded by two of his best men, Moray Garner and Danny McKay, Freddie listened intently to what Tommy was asking of him.

  Tommy took a sip from his pint of lager. “So, can you get a hold of what I need?” Despite his nerves at being in Freddie Smith’s presence, outwardly he remained calm and composed. On the car journey toward The Victoria Tavern, in Plaistow, Mad Dog had warned him not to give too much away. And under no circumstances was he to blurt out the reason why they wanted to buy the guns.

  Freddie looked toward his two men before speaking. They were big lads, and more than capable of standing their ground, should Tommy Carter start getting lairy, which by all accounts, he did often, if Dean Johnson’s version of events were to be believed.