Vendetta - Part 3

Yin week comes and goes in a complete blur. Oan the upside these Sieg Heil fucks expansion north ae the border hus hit a roadblock. Mainly due tae the fact the mutans they plucked oot ae the local gene pool huv been performin vanishin acts. Luckily, there’s nae brain surgeons amongst their rank and file. Which meant it didnae take a PI tae locate thum. Truthfully, their recruitment policy evidently faws under bein loud moothed and brainless, Uneducated forty-year auld virgins wae a boulder oan their shoulder. Hardly the types ae vermin anyboady wid light a candle fur yince they disappear intae the night. In any case, ma lads are true professionals. Even they smart erses fae CSI widnae git a sniff yince they abracadabra a corpse. Since the fuckin suicide kings’ responsible fur targettin ma folks are safely tucked up under several feet ae cement. Hittin this mickey moose version ae the Aryan brotherhood is producin positive results. Which brings me tae this bloack ae cooncil flats in West Pilton avenue. A cheeky doobie earlier hus goat me starin ootside the car widnae wae ma philosophical cap oan ma heid. These cooncil schemes are similar tae masel, misunderstood. The fuckin politicians throw families intae rat infested gaffs. Nae decoratin budget and white goods straight fae Del Boay’s garage. While universal credit lines their poackets wae enough cash tae barely keep their cat in litter fur a week. And the natives are expected tae boonce aroond as if their lives are yin big Mari Gras. Nae wonder the youngsters find thumselves yaisin their free bus passes tae kill the boredom. Otherwise, what’s the alternative, eh? puff some spice and drift intae a drug fuelled psychotic episode. When in reality such places are rammed wae decent hard workin folk. Along wae young yins who jist need tae remember how tae aspire.

Ma mind quickly coasts back tae the matter at hand. Ah jump oot the car, grippin a white cake boax, and ah slam the door hard. When ah eventually reach the entrance ah zap the buzzer fur flat 8 and yince the intercom is answered ah state ‘’It’s me’’.

The door unloacks, inside the stairway is dingy and poorly lit. The fuckin elevator is null and void. Ma legs take me oan a hike up four flights ae stairs tae the front door. Efter two loud knoacks oan the hing the door creaks open. Ryan is stood there advertisin his latest lenses fae Specsavers wearin a rather sharp navy shirt.

‘’Markies in the livin room wae the little prick. First doon oan yur right, Aldo’’ he says, steppin aside tae lit me in. When ah enter his cautious voice utters ‘’Hae a look aroond first though, Aldo. There’s suttin that ah hink might interest yae’’

His intrguin comment doesnae git a chance tae sink in since a breeze ae heat raps me acroass the puss. ‘’Awfae fuckin peculiar’’ ah convince masel. Since there’s a cauld nip in the air ootside. Fur Christ’s sake, ah’m no kiddin, Ah’m left wonderin whether ah’ve jist hopped inside yin ae those sunbeds Roxy enjoys. Whether ah’m turnin intae a sweaty mess or no ah relent by takin a viewin aroond this gaff. Ryan maintains his position standin guard near the front door. Allowin me tae take in this filthy hallwey. Actually, that’s a fuckin understatement wae the dark grey cairpet appearin as if it’s never been introduced tae a hoover before. Dirt covers the wahs and piles ae unwashed claithes are stacked a metre high at the side. The bonus point bein the reekin smell ae stale piss waftin oaff every inch ae this glorified squat. An odd sight quickly lures ma attention awey fae the carnage when ah examine some DIY wirin system. Cables run through holes in the wahs and they appear tae lead tae a room at the end ae the hallwey. Ah follae the trail further and further intae the hoose .Yince ah push the hing wide open ah’m left regrettin no comin equipped wae a pair ae sunglasses cos the light is absolutely blindin. When ma eyebaws adjust tae the brightness an endless stream ae Ganja plants cover the flair. Aw the windaes huv been blacked oot wae tape. Unexpectedly, ah find masel frantically blinkin six or seven times. As if ah’ve jist discovered a pot ae gold at the end ae the rainbow. Evidently, this is what Ryan wis hintin at earlier and as soon as ah heid back through ah blast him wae a sly smirk before ah slide inside the scene ae the croass-examination.

Unremarkably, when ah walk inside ah find this young lad who’s mibbie in his early twenties sittin in a chair in the middle ae the flair. Perr wee sod is badly bruised, bloodstained and is shittin himself wae Markie lurkin behind him.

‘’This is the week fucker here, Aldo’’ his thunderous tone announces, clippin the young yin oor the heid.

‘’Take it easy, Markie’’ ah discipline him ‘’Kin yae noo see yur terrifin the wee cub?’’

Right awey he pits his hands up, aw apologetically, backin oaff. Thoatfully, a widden chair hus been specially prepared fur ma arrival. Positioned right opposite the lad in question. Ah place the boax ah’m cairyin doon at the side ae the chair. Before ah whip ma jaicket oaff and cover it oor the seat. Yince ah’m plonked ah assess the damage inflicted oan the wee man and it’s clear they’ve gave him a rough time. His right eye is completely swollen shut and aw oor his mug is covered in bruises and cuts. He’s only half conscious and ah’m less than convinced he even kens that ah’m starin straight at him. 

Tryin ma best no tae laugh as ah scan the room. Anywhere, ah cast ma eyes aw ah kin see is a total tip. Beer boattles and overflowin ashtrays lay scattered everywhere. Dinner plates are left oot wae grub still welded tae thum. And a maire fittin haime fur the cheap tat he caws furniture wid be a landfill.

‘’Eh, whoever said Crime doesnae pey, eh?’’ ah chirp, half laughin. ‘’This shitehole jist goes tae show how fuckin right they are’’. Poppin the giggles prompts even the normally stoned faced Markie tae brek character. Who seems fair amused by ma patter. Regrettably, however, oor host doesnae see the funny side but shows signs ae life when he sings a tune.

‘’Please, Mr Ali. Ah hud nuttin tae dae wae yur parents’ attack. You huv tae believe me’’ his youthful voice presses.

Ah pull ma chair slightly closer tae him, ’Dinnae worry, son’’ ah comfort him, reachin oor tae gently tap him oan the leg. ‘’Ah ken that. And dinnae look sae worried. Ah’m gonnae ask yae a couple ae simple questions. Aw yae need tae dae is answer thum truthfully. Then ah’ll cut yae loose, okay? kin yae dae that fur me Patrick?’’

He raises his hand and wipes some blood fae the corner ae his mooth, ‘’Anyhing. Mr Ali. Ah’ll tell yae anyhing you want tae know?’’

‘’Gid man’’ ah tell him, winkin his wey. ‘’Bein fae Pilton ah’m guessin yuv heard aw the nasty stories aboot ma reputation. In reality ah’m actually a very forgivin person. Yur people target ma folks and ah dinnae take such hings personally. Ah hope yae dinnae mind me askin this? Ah’m jist curious, Dae yae really buy intae that rightwing pish that Williams spouts? Ken? immigrants are tae blame fur everhing fae climate change doon tae price ae butter?’’

His pulped puss stares straight at me, ‘’Tae be honest, Mr Ali. Ah’m startin tae huv serious doubts aboot his philosophy’

Ma eyebrows raise in disbelief at his revelation, ‘’Really?’’

He faintly beams, ’Yeah, ah’m getting the impression he’s pissed off the wrong person’’

A big cheesy smile slowly spreads acroass ma puss and ah find masel burstin intae laughter, slappin ma thigh. ‘You’re Witty, ah like that. Ah reckon me and you will become good pals, eh? And caw me Aldo, son. Listen, ah kin see yur a nice kid. Yuv jist fell in wae a bad element’’. Ah then peer oor his skinny shoulder tae ma pitbull ‘’Shit, we kin relate tae that ay Markie?’’

He lits loose a loud cackle while ah rummage aboot in ma coat poacket tae fetch ma clipper and ciggie packet. Yince they’re foond ah spark up, takin a few causal draws. Before ah hud oot thum oot taewards the young lad

‘’Smoke?’’ ah probe him, wae the ciggie hangin fae ma mooth.

‘’No, Thanks’ he resonds, the little might is visibly shakin like a leaf.

Ah pit the packet and lighter back in their rightful place. ‘’So’’ ah say, takin a few maire deep drags. ‘’What kin yae tell me aboot this Wiliam’s whereaboots?

A worried expression overcomes his smashed up innocent coupon and his eyes seem frenzied, ’Ah honestly don’t know where he is. He became very paranoid when his recruits aroond here stopped checkin in with him. That’s why he went back doon tae England, that’s all ah know. Ah swear tae god.’’ Before he fires a warnin at me, ’You should know, though. His guy Matty Smith who’s ex special forces is here. The guy is a complete psycho. He’ll come lookin for you’’

‘’Soonds serious’’ ah remark, tryin ma best tae come oaff concerned. ‘’You know what? Ah hink we should ask this fella what’s he’s goat planned fur me’’

His swollen puss appears stumped, unsure if he picked me up correctly, “What dae you mean?’’ he quivers.

Ah rise up tae stub oot ma ciggie oot in the gless ashtray rested oan the coffee table. When ah recover ma original spoat ah scoop up the boax positioned oan the flair and ah place it oan ma lap. Slowly, ah begin openin the hing and ah kin feel the boay’s eyes intensely fixed oan what ah’m aboot tae reveal. And yince the contents are finally gien awey. He covers his mooth wae his hand,’’ Ah hink ah’m goin tae be sick’’ the young yin yelps. Understandable, since it’s nane other than the decapitated heid ae their man, Matty. Barely recognizable due tae it bein severely smashed up.

‘’Ma man sunshine caught up wae this fucker’’ ah confess, glancin at the mutilated loaf. ‘’Apparently, he foond God jist before the machete came doon. Beggin and prayin tae the heavens fur his miserable fuckin life, so he wis’’,

Ah close it up and pit it awey. Seein that this Patrick is a little queasy. Prompltly plumpin it back where it came fae. Ah find masel huvin tae snap ma fingers tae git his attention. The youngster’s mind hus drifted intae deep space in utter shock and he’s sweatin profusely wae a skin complextion ae the fuckin Hulk. Eventually, he drifts back intae the present. And, impressively, he somehow manages the muster the strength tae lock eyes wae me. Whilst strikingly huddin ma gaze.

‘’Listen, son’ ah educate him. ‘’Assume that question ah asked earlier aboot William’s location is hypothetical. Assume ah awready ken you wur the yin who drove him back doon south. Ma guy Sunshine is an artist in loosenin tongues. Yur boay Matty wis the yin who fingered you tae us. Ah jist need tae ken where yae droapped Williams oaff, that’s aw?’’

‘’Shit!’’ he screams, wae rancid spit flyin everywhere. ‘’Okay…Okay… He goat me tae drive him tae London. Ah dropped him oaff at Sloane Square in Chelsea. He’s convinced someone is after him and wanted to lie low for a bit until everyhing cooled down. He has lots ae rich friends who support the cause. He felt no-one would try anyhing in a high-profile area. That’s all ah know, ah promise. So, will you let me go nowcthen, please?’’

‘’Yur a gid kid’’ ah make known, risin tae ma feet. When ah fling ma jaicket back oan ah walk oor tae him. Restin ma paw oan his shoulder. ‘’Yin final question before yae kin go, son. If you wur there when they made ma parents life a livin hell. What wid yae huv done?’’

A question that leaves him closed moothed, since we baith awready ken the answer . ‘’That’s what ah thoat’’ ah say . ‘’Markie? Dae this prick a favor and pit him oot his misery, eh?’’

The pup’s pleas fur mercy dinnae git a chance tae leave his gub. Cos Markie quickly whips a plastic bag oor his heid and gits tae work suffocatin him. As ah leave the room ah kin hear the young yin fightin and scratchin fur his life. Honestly, thoughm Brock Lesnar widnae git much change oot a tussle wae, Markie. Never mind some runt wae the muscle mass ae a fuckin AIDS victim