“But look what he did to Eddie,” one of them protested.
“Eddie started it,” Patsy Toner said. “Now leave him alone. Right?”
“But—”
“Leave it!” Toner pointed a stubby finger at the nearest of them. They backed away, grumbling and cursing. Toner grabbed Campbell’s elbow. “Come on, for fuck’s sake.”
Campbell grinned as Toner dragged him out to the street, his senses buzzing.
“What the fuck are you at?” Toner asked, his watery eyes incredulous, his mouth gaping under his thick moustache.
“He was asking for it,” Campbell said.
Toner straightened his black tie. “Jesus Christ, Davy. Eddie Coyle’s an arsehole, everyone knows that, but you don’t beat the shit out of him in front of his mates. Not if you’re looking to make friends around here.” He wagged a finger at Campbell. “Just remember I’m taking a big risk for you.”
Campbell inclined his head towards the Jaguar at the curb. “That yours?”
“Aye,” Toner said, seeming to grow a full inch taller.
Campbell wiped blood from his knuckles with a handkerchief. “Well, quit yapping and take me to McGinty.”
McGinty’s jacket was slung across the back of a chair, his tie loosened, and his sleeves rolled up. He stood in the bereaved mother’s living room as if it were his own house, and he the master of it. The politician’s face hardened and slackened as he spoke on a mobile phone. He took a last drag on his cigarette, then threw it into the fireplace.
Campbell and Toner waited in the doorway, watching. Toner leaned close and whispered, “Looks like there’s trouble. I think the higher-ups didn’t like what he said at the funeral.”
McGinty snapped his phone closed before Campbell could reply, and scowled as he waved Toner over. They both glanced back at Campbell as they spoke, but theirs weren’t the only eyes on the prodigal Scot. The debris scattered around the room told of many people having been here a short while ago, but now only a few remained. They all eyed Campbell as if he might pocket any unguarded valuables. With a self-important flourish, Toner beckoned.
McGinty extended his hand as Campbell approached. “Good to see you, Davy.”
“You too, Mr. McGinty,” Campbell said, matching the other’s hard grip.
“Did you get bored pissing about with McSorley and that shower of shit he runs with?” McGinty’s grin was wide and his eyes were cold.
“They didn’t know what they were at,” Campbell said. “I shouldn’t have gone near them.”
McGinty’s grip tightened. “That’s right, Davy. You shouldn’t have. That annoyed a lot of people, especially the dear departed.”
Campbell prised his hand away. “See, that was the thing. When I heard about Michael, it got me thinking. I made a mistake. I’m really sorry, Mr. McGinty. If there’s anything I can do to make it up to you, I will.”
McGinty nodded. “I know what it’s like, Davy. You’re a man of action. You want to be in the thick of it. I used to be like that once upon a time, so I can sympathise. Things got too quiet for you here, so you went to see what the dissidents were up to. And I bet you were disappointed, eh?”
“Too fucking right,” Campbell said, returning McGinty’s easy smile. “They just sat around getting pissed and talking about what they were
to do.”
McGinty lifted his jacket and slipped it on. He placed his arm around Campbell’s shoulder and guided him towards the kitchen. “Let’s get a bit of air.”
A slender blonde woman stepped aside to let them through. Campbell recognised her as McKenna’s niece. She did not meet his or McGinty’s gaze, even though they both eyed her as they passed. The other women formed a production line, passing plates and glasses back and forth between sink and cupboards. They gave Campbell curious glances as McGinty led him to the back yard.
Two young men stood there, smoking. McGinty jerked his head at the door and the men dropped their cigarettes to grind them with their heels.
“Don’t litter Mrs. McKenna’s yard,” McGinty said. “Show some respect. Pick them up and take them with you.”
The two young men obeyed in silence, bending down to pick up the crushed butts. As they passed McGinty on their way to the door, he grabbed the younger man’s sleeve.
“When I’m finished talking with my friend, you and your mate can sweep the yard out. Right?”
“Okay,” the young man said, keeping his gaze on the ground.
“Good lad. Off you go.” McGinty turned back to Campbell and smiled. “So, Davy, you’re back in town. I don’t remember telling you to come back. I don’t remember telling you your work was done in Dundalk.” He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “And if I’m not mistaken, there’s still money going into that wee savings account I set up for you. So what the fuck are you doing here? It was your idea to get in with McSorley’s lot in the first place.”
“Like I said, Mr. McGinty, I was wasting my time there. They’re no threat to you.”
McGinty snorted. “Christ, you didn’t need to jump into bed with them to figure that out. Listen, if I send you to do a job, you do it. No questions.” His forefinger prodded Campbell’s chest. “I don’t care if you think it’s doing any good. That’s for me to decide.”
Campbell cast his eyes down, showing the politician the deference he expected.
