Fresh Start

Part Three – Old Ghosts

Barry tightened his grip on the revolver. “You were shot, Callum. Nobody survives that, unless you’re like Dirty Den.”

Callum’s laugh was cold, hollow. “What can I say? Liverpool’s full of miracles. Or maybe you’re just not as good at tying up loose ends as you thought.”

Barry stepped closer. “Don’t test me.”

“Go on then,” Callum sneered, spreading his arms. “Shoot me. I know you won’t. You pretend to be a hard man, but you’re just a coward.”
Barry pulled the trigger. The bullet tore past Callum’s arm and shattered the laptop screen. Sparks fizzed. Callum cursed and slammed a hidden switch on his chair.

Outside, opposite the building, two bodyguards were waiting in a white transit van. They’d been keeping an eye on what was going on, when they got the signal. They moved fast. Toby never saw them coming. The first punch dropped him to the ground; the follow-up kick to the ribs left him gasping for air. By the time he tried to rise, they’d already moved on, heading into the building.

Inside, Barry felt a rough hand clamp his wrist. The revolver was wrenched away. Two figures loomed over him, holding him in place.

Callum stood, blood trickling from his arm. “See? Still the same Barry Grant. All bluster, no brains. I don’t know why you bothered to come looking for me?”

Barry spat on the floor. “All I want is the money back for the families you screwed over.” Callum leaned close, his breath sour. “And I want a city that remembers who really runs it. We don’t always get what we want, do we?”

Outside – moments later…

A car screeched to a halt. Lindsey jumped out, eyes darting across the darkened street. She instantly spotted the Cinerco building, so she knew she was at the right place. Then she spotted a crumpled body lying face down on the pavement. She ran over, worried that it might be Barry. She rolled the body over.

“Toby!” she gasped, kneeling. “What happened?” He groaned, one eye swelling shut. “B-bodyguards,” he wheezed. “Inside…”

Lindsey’s stomach turned cold. She bolted for the building. Once inside, she could hear voices from a room upstairs to hurried up the steps towards them.
Without thinking, she burst into the office and saw Barry was pinned down by the guards, Callum grinning like the devil himself.

“What are you doing here?” Barry barked. “What am I doing here?!” Lindsey snapped. “It’s our wedding anniversary, Barry! Some surprise this is.”

Callum chuckled. “Ah. Lovely to see you again after all this time Lindsey. Shame you married a man who can’t keep his promises.”
Lindsey froze, stunned at the sight of him. “You… you’re supposed to be dead.”

Before Callum could gloat further, Barry slammed his head back into the guard’s face, broke free, and snatched the revolver. He tossed it to Lindsey.

“Just like old times,” she muttered, aiming steady. “Back against the wall…now!” The guards hesitated. Callum used the distraction to slip out the door.
Barry swore and bolted after him.

The second floor was derelict. Cobwebs, smashed windows, dust thick in the air. Shadows danced as Barry searched. A blur of movement and Callum lunged towards Barry. They grappled for a while with Barry headbutting him to the ground. He dragged Callum by the back of his next towards a broken window, forcing him to the ledge.

It was still dark outside, with only one streetlamp flickering away nearby. Barry had to a quick decision on what to do next, and to make it look like an accident. This wouldn’t have been the first time he’d been in this situation.

“End of the road,” Barry growled. Callum’s face twisted in panic. “Don’t! Please, no. You have no idea what you’re up against. There’s more you need to know.”

Barry leaned close. “You have 5 seconds. Tell me.” He punched Callum hard in the stomach. “Your brother Damon, I know who killed him.” Callum wheezed.
“Don’t bring him into this. This is just about you, me and Brookside Close.” Barry shouted, turning red.

“Fine. Have it your way, I’ll carry the secret to my grave.” Callum snarled back.

Barry had been wanting justice for his brother’s killers for years. This was an opportunity to find out some answers, but time was running out, he needed to finish this once and for all. Barry pushed Callum further towards the window which smashed. He wrapped his hands round Callum’s throat, as they both teetered on the edge. “Tell me now.” Barry demanded.

Callum choked and spluttered. “Tommy McArdle. He’s still out there and planning to pay you a visit.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. He’s history, and so are you.” With one last final shove, Callum’s scream cut through the night as he tumbled from the window, crashing to the pavement below. Barry dusted off his hands. “Game over.”

Before Barry could breathe a sigh of relief or reflect on what he’s been told, he heard voices. The two guards were shoving Lindsey up the stairs, but Barry was waiting. “Are you going to follow your friend, girls?” He smirked. A few swift punches, and one stumbled back, crashing into his mate, with both tumbling down the stairwell in a heap.

Lindsey threw her arms around him. “You nearly got yourself killed.” Barry smiled. “But I didn’t. And I think that’s us settled.”