Gangsters Wives by Lee Martin Page A

let me down.’
    Except when I’m in bed with a geezer thought Sadie, but once again she was silent.
    â€˜You fit then?’ asked Eddie. ‘The car’ll be here in a minute. Driver sent me a text when I was in the khazi. Go down and open the gates, there’s a doll.’
    Sadie did as he asked, went downstairs and operated the gizmo that opened the front gates, and a black Beemer with black mirrored windows crawled up the drive. The driver jumped out and stood waiting. She went to the door. ‘Won’t be a minute darlin’,’ she said. ‘Have a fag why don’cha?’
    He took out a packet of Bensons and lit up, looking relieved. He was a local boy who knew of Eddie Ross’s reputation and wanted to do nothing to upset him. ‘I’d offer you a cuppa,’ said Sadie. ‘But we don’t want to be late do we?’
    â€˜No problem Mrs Ross,’ said the driver. ‘Now do you want me to wait at the court? My guv’nor wasn’t clear.’
    â€˜You’re ours for the day sweetheart,’ said Sadie. ‘It’s up to you. We’ve got your mobile. We should be out by four. You do what you want. Just be there when we leave. I expect there’ll be press about and we don’t want to be standing outside the Bailey with our thumbs up our arses waiting for you.’
    â€˜No chance,’ said the driver. ‘I’ll be there. My name’s Tom by the way.’
    â€˜OK, Tom,’ said Sadie. ‘Just make sure you’re waiting. My old man’s on a short fuse today.’
    I bet he is, thought Tom who had read about the case in the papers. ‘Count on me,’ he said. ‘I’ve done this sort of thing before.’
    â€˜Did they have a result?’
    â€˜Always,’ said Tom. ‘Just like Mr Ross will.’
    â€˜I hope you’re fucking right,’ she said.
    Eddie appeared at the door. ‘All right driver?’ he said.
    â€˜Ready anytime you are sir.’
    â€˜Let’s go then.’
    Sadie went back inside and got her handbag, locked up tight, and joined Eddie in the back seat of the motor. Tom got behind the wheel and they drove off, the gates of the house closing behind them with the metallic clang of prison doors.

16

    All was quiet at the law courts, however, when they arrived. No journalists or cameras about as Tom dropped off Sadie and Eddie, promising to keep his phone on and charged, ready to return at a moment’s notice. ‘This could take days,’ said Eddie. ‘But you never know. Something might happen to their main witness,’ he said, menace implied behind his calm words.
    Tom felt a cold chill, but showed no emotion. ‘Good luck Mr Ross, Mrs Ross,’ he said as he ushered them out of the BMW. ‘I’ll see you later.’
    They went inside the imposing building, topped with the statue of blind justice that Eddie gave a sardonic look.
    He reported to the bailiff and was led off to the cells by court officers, whilst Sadie went looking for the rest of the crew.
    She found Kate sipping from a Starbucks coffee cup. ‘How you holding up?’ she asked.
    â€˜Eddie’s got the jitters,’ replied Sadie. ‘Who’s about?’
    â€˜Everyone. They’re outside having a fag. They’ll be back in a minute. What time is Eddie on?’
    â€˜Soon.’
    The others wandered in in dribs and drabs. The men were wearing pressed suits and clean shirts and ties, looking more like a convention of businessmen than a gang of villains, and the women were dolled up for a day at the races, with more Gina high heels and Fendi handbags than an episode of Sex And The City . ‘Christ,’ said Sadie when they were all gathered together. ‘What time’s the wedding?’
    Then Eddie’s case was called.
    Sitting up in the spectator’s gallery the court looked smaller than she imagined. Big though he was, Eddie was dwarfed