Total pages in book: 227
Estimated words: 220940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1105(@200wpm)___ 884(@250wpm)___ 736(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 220940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1105(@200wpm)___ 884(@250wpm)___ 736(@300wpm)
“No, Danny, pl—”
“I can’t take this to the grave, Nolan. It’s too fucking big, and it’s not fair to Brad.”
“I want things to stay the way they are,” he grates, returning his eyes to the ceiling.
I smile at his naivety. “It ain’t gonna happen, kid.”
“What if he rejects me?”
“I won’t let him.”
He looks at me, and the hope I see in his eyes gets me in the gut. I’ve given him that hope and, honestly, I really don’t know how Brad’s gonna handle this. He’s not dealing with anything very well these days, and this might be a push too far. But I’ll fucking try.
“What about Bean?” Nolan asks. “He said he has loads of old shit on me. Things that’ll have me put away for a long time, Danny. And he’ll get you all killed.”
“I’ll deal with Bean.” Just as soon as he’s back from training camp. The delusional fuck. “You don’t have to worry. How’s your leg?” End of discussion.
“Doc said I’ve strained a few muscles.” He feels down his thigh. “Feels like I’ve fucking broken it. There’s a gash, nothing major. A few stiches fixed it.”
I nod mildly. “I’m sorry for . . . well, torturing you.”
He laughs under his breath. “No problem.”
“What happened in that alley, Nolan?”
He keeps his attention on his thigh, stalling a moment too long. “We saw the back door open. We checked it out, found Pearl smoking.”
“We?”
“Me and Brad.”
“And?”
He shifts, leaving another beat of silence I’m not sure I like. “And Brad lost his shit with Pearl.”
“Standard.”
He smiles. “The car was parked at the end of the alley. Came at us fast.”
I nod, thinking. It’s plausible. And Nolan would be a fucking fool to try me right now. I stand, pushing the chair back into the corner. “I’ve got some things to deal with.”
His eyes shoot to mine.
“Not that. Not yet. I need Brad on the ball while we figure a few things out. But I will be telling him, Nolan.”
He nods, defeated but accepting.
“You need anything?”
He shakes his head.
“Rest up.” I give his shoulder a reassuring squeeze and leave, answering a call from Higham as I close the door.
“Finally,” I breathe. “Meet today?”
“Yeah, no.”
I frown at my mobile. “What?”
“I’m out of town.”
“What?”
“My wife surprised me for my birthday, Danny. What the fuck could I do?”
“Say no.”
He laughs. “I’m lucky I’m still married.”
“What about the woman that was found dead?”
“They’re still identifying the body so don’t panic.”
I laugh. Easy for him to say. “I’m not happy.”
“Me neither. But here we are. I’ll call you when I’m back in town.” He hangs up.
“Fuck,” I curse. But it’s not like I haven’t got enough to keep me busy. I check my watch as I wander down the corridor. Nine. It’s going to be a long day.
27
DANNY
* * *
It’s been a long fucking week. A week of silence, no action, no calls, and no more shoot-outs. I’m not relieved. I still haven’t broached the subject of my wife and children leaving for St. Lucia, there’s nothing happening at the warehouses that were bought by the Russians and Mexicans, Bean is still at training camp, and Higham must be having a merry old time on holiday because the fucker isn’t answering my calls and hasn’t let me know when he’s back. The one thing that hasn’t happened that I am grateful for? Otto doesn’t appear to have popped the question to Mum. I hope he’s bottled it. Realized she’s too good for him. Unlikely because, fuck my life, he’s very good for her.
I wriggle the knot of my tie and leave our room, sending a prayer for answers today. I bump into Pearl halfway down the stairs. “All right?” I ask, stopping, telling her she should too.
“Yeah, just getting my bag. We’re going to the spa.”
Great. I’ll expect a call from Alan soon. “Take Tank.”
“Yes, Danny. We’re taking Tank.”
I look up and down the corridor, preparing to ask what I’ve been wanting to ask for a week now, but have stalled, perhaps because I’m a little worried about what I might hear. “Tell me what happened in the alley that night,” I order softly, watching as Pearl’s smile falters.
“What?” she breathes.
“You didn’t hear me?”
“Yes, I heard you.”
“Well?”
“I went out to smoke.”
“You shouldn’t be smoking.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m a—”
“And? What else happened?”
“Nolan came out. I left the door ajar.”
Nolan went out? Alone? What about Brad? “And?”
“And we were just chitchatting.”
“Chitchatting,” I muse. “And?”
“Then Brad came out and ranted, as per usual Brad.”
“Standard.”
“Yes. And then it’s a bit of a blur. Screeching tires, guns firing.”
I nod, slipping my hands into my pockets and carrying on. “I’m glad you’re okay.” I’m sure I’ve left a frowning face behind. “Enjoy your day,” I call back, heading for the kitchen, thinking.
There’s no breakfast laid out. I feel the coffee machine. Cold. I wander over to the laundry room. Empty too. And the washing machine is silent.