“The fucking Jacks done our windows in with a rock and a sheet around it calling us all kinds of names.”
“And where is that evidence now?”
“It was years ago, Aaron got rid of it at the time.”
“Then we don’t have a lot to go on with that, Nuala. Both parties will be questioned today, and we will bring it up, but without evidence then we can’t go much further. But-“ he interrupts her as she goes to protest again, “there may be something we can go on.”
Everyone leans forward, including Dermott.
“You have to understand that your father…” he smiles at the children, including Chris, who blinks at him confusedly, “… he’s a very popular man. A man in demand, some may say. Now, he could be detrimental on how this country is run if he goes all the way. He’s already making waves in the Foyle constituency. He’s a valuable pawn… And therefore, there’s a few who could want…”
He almost says ‘to take him out.’
“Er… Him to lay low… For the sake of their own party or organisation or what have you. It’s been over 24 hours, as I’m sure you’re aware… That isn’t good. I think we need to be realistic and keep an eye and ear on the ground as things might get a bit… Drastic,” he flinches. “Now everyone knows of this man’s wealth… We need to stay open to the very real possibility that you could be receiving a letter or a phone call asking for money.”
“You think he’s been kidnapped?” Danielle’s mouth drops open, “being held for ransom?”
“I’m not saying that… But, I’m saying there’s a chance that he could be, yes… If he has been, I’m sure you will hear something very soon, that is why it’s critical that you all trust Dermott.”
Dermott nods and smiles warmly at the family, who eye him suspiciously.
“He is here to help. He’s one of the best in the business. We need you to trust him… For your father’s sake.”
Chapter Forty-Four:
2019
_____
The incident room is full of chatter as Ferguson and McNally march in, and it takes a glare over their heads from the latter to finally silence them.
“Thank you,” he nods as he stands by the board, “now, judging by the gossiping I’ve just walked in on, I’m guessing word has spread, so I may confirm it. David Wayne was found this morning tied to a fence just off the Craigavon Bridge on the Waterside with his tongue cut out.”
Everyone winces, one even musters a gag.
“Yes, disgusting, although not a very uncommon punishment for ‘touts,’” he air quotes, “for those who don’t know, David Wayne used to run around in the same friendship group as none other than Danielle Parker.”
Murmurs begin again.
“In fact, Wayne is the best friend of Danielle’s ex-boyfriend, Chris Hewitt. According to Hewitt, Wayne was in the Crown pub in the late afternoon yesterday and heard some guys discussing how members of their organisation had shipped Parker into the boot of their car and sped off with him. He informed Hewitt to tell us, and the Parkers, in an attempt for it not to be brought back to him. As I’m sure you all can guess, this was unsuccessful. Wayne is now in A&E in Altnagelvin Hospital and is, thankfully, going to be okay. The same, though, can’t be said about his tongue, which was nowhere to be seen. Whether the Jacks moved him there after cutting his tongue out, or did it on site is unclear, but I’m sure we will hear back from the blood splatter analysist in due course. This is all great as Wayne, for a lack of a better term, isn’t speaking.”
A few titters from the back of the room.
“He refuses to write anything down on paper or make a statement, so it looks like this case will be pretty much closed soon enough. But we all know why he was targeted. We spoke to early morning jogger Paul McMullen, who is, understandably, in shock, but our guess is Wayne was up there for a good while before being spotted by McMullen.”
After lifting the tepid coffee to his lips, O’Connor raises a diffident hand.
“Yes, O’Connor?”
“Maybe this was a hoax to get rid of Wayne? I understand his uncle is the famous Harry Wayne?”
The room as a whole nod.
“So, here’s my theory. The entire Wayne family were basically welcomed into the Crown due to Harry’s death, right? But what if, after a while, they didn’t like that? I mean, Harry’s nephew was running around with girls from the catholic grammars, including Danielle, who also has Parker as a dad… Surely they wouldn’t be able to trust him? What if the story was false and they wanted to use it to see if he’d go running to his friend… Which he did?”
“Or, it could be a set up,” Fleming stands, pointing at O’Connor, “what if the people Wayne heard in the Crown were members of Ardóimid?”
A few chortles come from around him, even McNally manages a smile.
“There’s no way any members of Ardóimid would be allowed within spittin’ distance of the Crown,” O’Connor narrows his eyes at Fleming, “are you mad?”
“Right, as I was saying,” McNally calms the situation before there’s another domestic between the two, who seemingly work well together, opposites must attract. “Some good points there, but there’s no evidence. It’s all hearsay at the moment, but until… or if, would be a better word to use, David Wayne decides to speak… Then we’re in the doghouse. At this moment in time, I’m guessing that it was punishment for ratting them out, so we need to investigate further.”
Gesturing to Ferguson to continue, McNally falls into his seat, draining the last of his coffee and willing the oncoming headache to disband.
“So, as I’m sure we all know, we are currently looking into members of the Jacks who are still incarcerated. They would have little, or no, communication with Taylor since they’ve been arrested. And we
