‘Not really,’ Tony said. ‘The guy was a scumbag of the highest order. Spent most of his time robbing old ladies and teenagers. The other one wasn’t much better either. They obviously picked on the wrong fella this time though, eh?’ He looked at Michael as he took a swig of his pint.

‘Well, karma’s a bitch,’ Grace said.

‘That’s a nasty cut you’ve got there, mate,’ Tony said to Michael.

‘It’s this stupid till,’ Grace interrupted. Pressing a button to open the cash drawer and prove her point as the tray shot out violently. ‘He was putting some glasses away and it smacked you right in the eye, didn’t it?’

Michael nodded. ‘It’s a bloody health hazard.’

‘Hmm. I’m going to watch the darts. Keep ’em coming, will you?’ Tony lifted his pint glass before going to sit at an empty table near the television.

Grace took Tony another pint of bitter and a packet of pork scratchings to his table.

‘Here you go, chief.’ She smiled.

‘Anything else for me?’ He raised his eyebrows.

‘Of course. The usual?’

‘Given the gravity of the situation, I think double my usual fee is appropriate. Don’t you?’

Greedy bastard, Grace thought, but didn’t say. She owed Michael Carter, even if he didn’t know it. She was the reason he’d gone to prison five years earlier.

She smiled sweetly. ‘Of course, Detective. I’ll have someone drop it off in the usual place tomorrow.’

‘Always a pleasure, Grace.’ He smiled as he raised his glass to her.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Present Day

‘See you tomorrow, boss.’ Marcus smiled as Grace opened the door for him.

‘Yep, to do it all over again,’ she laughed.

‘You wouldn’t have it any other way,’ he said as he gave her a sideways hug.

‘No I wouldn’t,’ she agreed.

After she bolted the doors behind him, Grace turned and surveyed the empty Rose and Crown – her empire. She loved this time of night. It was so quiet and peaceful. The glow of the streetlights filtered through the long windows, bathing the chairs and tables in a soft amber glow. She knew every shadow. Every corner. Every nook. She loved this place like it was a part of her family. It had always been there for her.

Walking across the room, Grace ran her hand along the freshly polished bar, enjoying the feel of the cool, smooth wood. She remembered the day Nathan had been sentenced. Although he’d been on remand for six months, she couldn’t dare to dream that he would actually be convicted and sent down. If she’d believed that, and it hadn’t happened, she would have never recovered.