Chapter 19

 

For someone picked up in a coffee queue George was not difficult to work with. He did not say much but when he did speak it was straight to the point. This was a man who took no nonsense from who he was working for but was happy for someone to call all the shots. He did not argue. He did not question. The impression Andy got was the boss said how it was and he just did it. But the one thing he was sure of. There was no way George would not be getting paid. 

Inside the car it was quiet. It had been quiet for over an hour. Andy had run through the plan several times with different scenarios. Air drawing scenarios indicating possible positions of the detectives relative to the ladies. They came from the front or the side or behind. The ladies on their own or with the detectives. On their own and it would be a breeze. With the detectives and they would have to make their authority dominate. Either way, the result was the same. He held the gun and George did the snatching. George had said nothing. Just nodded. Then when Andy said, “All set?” George had just said, “all set.” Then they spoke no more.

George just stared through the front screen as he ate his way through the big bag of pies and doughnuts and drank bottles of water. If he was thinking of anything, nothing showed. He just stared. Andy did not eat or drink anything. He was concentrating. There was no way he was going to screw up this opportunity. Strangely he was not nervous. He was way out of his comfort zone but felt totally in control. He was feeling confident. George gave him that. The big chunk sitting next to him was enough to make anyone feel secure. He was feeling pleased. A good find was George. Luck was certainly with him.

He was watching the drive from the hotel alternating between that and his rear view mirror. His eyes continually flicking back and forth. It was coming up to 4.30. He thought that was maybe getting too late for the ladies to be going out. He also thought they might have gone out earlier. While he was collecting the car perhaps. There was no doubt in his mind that they would not simply stay in. No, they would be going out or already be out and it was likely the two detectives would be with them. They were too professional to not expect him to try for the package.

His eyes switched to the mirror and he said, “We’re on.” George threw the bag in the passenger footwell and brushed down his T-shirt with his hands. Then rubbed his hands on his jeans.

“The detectives are with them. The fighter’s on the inside. The ladies are out front walking together. Perfect. If there’s any trouble the fighter will be the one that’ll go for you. But they’re out of position. They’ll clash. And they’re carrying bags. Just perfect. If we’re quick they won’t be able to do a thing. You set?”

George just said, “Yup.” Then gripped the door handle. He was sitting relaxed, his arms loose but his legs were poised ready to shoot him onto the street. 

“OK…..here we go,” and he opened the car door and stepped onto the pavement taking out the gun. All done in one fluent slick movement. Then he was standing erect and tall and  speaking as George grabbed the dark haired lady who screamed. He wrapped her up in his big arms, lifting her off the ground and opening the passenger door all the time Amy struggling to break free. 

George had the dark haired girl in the car and Andy was holding the gun and talking and could see that the two detectives had been taken by surprise. They certainly had not been expecting George. He’d seen that on their faces when George got out of the car. They could do nothing and he felt totally in control.

It all went smoothly and quickly. Just a few minutes later they were in the car park with the girl struggling in the back and Andy feeling pleased that finally something was going to plan.

“You OK?” Mike had dropped his bag. He had his arm around Jane’s shoulders holding her close. She was shaking. Had one hand up to her mouth. The other was holding back her hair that was drifting across her face. Her head was moving slightly. She was watching the car disappearing around the bend at the top of the hill.

She was quiet for a moment then said, “Did that all just happen? Was that the pickpocket? And that other one. He was so big.”

Mike said, “Yeah they caught us on the hop alright. We were expecting something but not that big fella. He was a surprise. A game changer.”

Eddie picked up Mike’s bag and said, “Come on we’ve gotta get going. One hour to decide. We need to get into the hotel. Make a plan. You get thinking Mike.” He touched Mike on the shoulder. “Let’s go,” and walked off carrying both their bags and turning making sure Mike and Jane were following. 

Jane pulled free of Mike and said, “I’m OK now.” Then said, “Will she be alright?”

Mike just said, “We’ll get inside and talk it through. One thing’s for sure though. Within one hour we’ll be in that car park.”

He drove slowly up the hill staying within the speed limit and pulled into the car park. It was emptying. The day trippers and tourists heading off. He backed into the slot next to the furthest bin. Amy was continuing to wriggle giving George a tough time holding her still. Andy said to her, “Don’t struggle or you’ll hurt yourself and we don’t want you hurt. You’ve nothing to worry about. We won’t hurt you. Please just settle down. There’s water there if you want it. You’ve got to understand we’ve no violent intent. One hour and you’re free. Whether we get the package or not. Either way you’ll be free. Please believe me. Tell her George.”

George said in his deep voice, “I won’t see a lady hurt.” That was all he said but the way he said it with a look in his eyes convinced Amy and she sat still. George let her go and undid a water bottle and handed it to her.

Amy sat back with a thump into the seat back and pulled her hair from her face. Straightening it up. Then rearranged her dishevelled clothes and said, “If you’ve got no violent intent as you say, why bother with all this?”

“Because they don’t know that and those two detectives are professional and honest. They’ll suspect for sure. They’ll even suspect I’m just a thief. I was brought up by a thief to be a thief in a family with a long history of thieving. We have a code and one of the rules is we don’t hurt ladies. That goes way back. This gun was my great grandmothers in a time when our women needed to take care of themselves. That’s why we have the code. They’ll also think I’m likely to keep well away from anything involving trouble. But they’ll still have that doubt and no matter how small that’ll be enough. It’s all about risk and reward. They won’t risk harm to you for the sake of whatever cash it’ll cost them. And they would not have expected George. He’s got a lot of presence and that will give them just about enough doubt.”

“You hope.” said Amy.

“That’s right. I hope. Like I say though. Either way you’ll be safe. I guarantee it. Anyway you were a surprise. I was only expecting Jane Somerton. So what’s your name?”

“My name’s Amy and our families go back a long way. Our grandmothers were friends during the war. I saw you in the Hotel foyer earlier. You were walking in as we were going to the lounge. How did you find her; Jane?”

“Same as the detectives I would think. The taxi driver. They like a chat do taxi drivers. Then I came straight here. I was beaten to you this morning. If those two had not arrived when they did….well we might not be here now. And yes I was in the hotel and saw you in the foyer then altogether in the lounge. But that’s actually to my benefit. To try and persuade two of you ladies to part with that package would have been a big ask but the detectives getting to you first gave me a much better shot. This’ll work. I’m just sorry you’ve got involved.”

Amy was settling down. There was something about this man that made her believe what he said. He sounded so sincere. But then she thought she had met plenty of sincere sounding men….”What’s your name?” She said.

“Andy Cronin and pleased to meet you.”

“Yeah right,” said Amy.

“And your friend?”

“Oh his name is George and he won’t mind me telling you that because that’s not his real name. Eh George?” and he looked at George who just shrugged.

“Do you want a drink?” Mike said to Jane.

“Nothing alcoholic. What about you?”

“Nothing for us. Clear heads. I’ll order tea.”

They were in the lounge back in the same seats. “She’ll be alright?” Jane said again.

Mike said, “That depends on them and how we play this but I expect so. What d’you think, Eddie?”

“A tough situation and that’s about it. How’s it look to you?”

“He holds all the cards. That big fella was a real surprise. I wonder where he got him from. A proper workout man for sure. Could you take him?”

“Sure. No problem. Might take a bit to get him in the dust but he’d get there for sure.”

Jane said, “How can you be sure of that? He’s bigger than you and had a tough look. Those shoulders….”

Mike said, “If Eddie says he can. He can. He knows who he can beat as soon as he sees them. Put him in any situation he’ll spot the threats.”

“Bit like the time thing?” said Jane.

“That’s it. It’s called instinct and it comes with all the experience and training.”

“How does that help though?”

“It doesn’t. If Eddie had said he couldn’t, the decision’s simple.”

“What decision?”

“Whether to pay or rescue.”

“That’s a no brainer surely?”

“I think you’re right but we go through the process anyway. To be sure. Eddie can take the big guy but it might take time. Did you see that gun? It was old. Probably not been fired for years. If ever. Weakly made. One of those pre-war Saturday night specials….”

“What's that? A Saturday night special.”

“Small lightweight, normally .38mm and badly made. Made to fit a pocket or a purse. They’re as likely to blow up as they are to fire. Anyway….He’s got a gun. Will he use it? Probably not. If he does it might blow up and Amy might be by him. To do a rescue we’d need to be quick and surprise them but they’re expecting us and they know the time. Eddie can take the big fella but not quickly enough. Anything Eddie?”

“We won’t have the chance to do a recon of the swap site and the sun’ll be in our faces. It sets over the top of the hill. That’s what I guess anyway.”

“That’s right. So this is how I see it. This is a bluff. The pickpocket's a thief not a thug. He won’t harm Amy. But that big fella’s the complication. He’s tough but will he harm Amy? We just don’t know. So….we do the swap. Agreed?”

Eddie said, “Agreed. We de-risk this.”

Mike said, “You stay here Jane in case things go wrong.”

But she said with her hands clasped firmly on her lap and a look on her face, she said, “I want to come. I can look after myself. Besides this is a swap without violence, isn’t it?”

Andy looked at his watch. “5.25 anytime now,” he said. Then looked at George who looked at Amy. Andy continued, “please not a word Amy. That’s real important. Speak and there’s a complication. This has to be quick and simple. Remember it’s only a bit of paper.”

“And money,” she said.

“But not for you. It means nothing to you or Jane. You and Jane Somerton are just innocents that have been thrown into a situation. Don’t jeopardise this by speaking. Please.”

“Don’t worry, you’ve convinced me. I won’t say a thing.” said Amy.

Andy said, “Here they come,” as he watched Mike, Eddie and Jane come into the car park through the main entrance. Mike and Eddie ahead of Jane striding purposefully with a straight ahead focused look.

Andy wound down the driver’s window then opened the driver’s door and got out. He stood leaning on his leg against the front wing watching them approach. His hand was in his right jacket pocket holding the gun butt tightly. The sun was getting low off to the west off on Andy’s right hand side. It was shining into Mike’s face making him squint. Mike saw him and they all turned to walk towards the Ford Focus.

“That’s far enough. Hold up there on that white line….That’s it, the one marking that last bay. You don’t cross that unless I say.” said Andy.

“Where’s Amy?” said Mike.

“In the car.” He turned and said through the open window, “Bring her out.”

George opened the driver side passenger door and got out bringing Amy with him. They stood with the car between them and Mike. Just behind Andy. George had his hand on Amy’s shoulder. She threw her head back, freeing her long hair.

“You alright,” said Mike and Amy nodded.

“Show me the package,” said Andy. Looking hard at Mike and Eddie seeing them standing relaxed and satisfied they were not getting set to make a move.

Mike slowly pulled the packet from his inside jacket pocket and said, “You’ve been in there before, eh.” Then pulled out the packet and held it up and waved it slowly back and forth. “You might as well know who we are. My name's Mike Dobson and this is Eddie Hanson. You’ve met Eddie already and nearly broke his hand. You tell us your names? It’s nice to know who we’re dealing with.”

“No reason why not. I’m Andy Cronin and this is George Smith.” 

“You sound real but I’m not too sure about your mate. Eh George?” Mike said, looking George hard in the eyes. George just shrugged and smiled.

“OK, enough socialising. You Mike ten steps forward and put the package on the ground….that’s it. Nice and easy. Now move back and stay behind that line.” He pulled out the gun and held it at his side.

“Hope you’re not planning on firing that. You know what it is?”

“Sure. An old Saturday night special and they can blow up. Unpredictable and you don’t know where the bits will go, do you?” he said looking at Jane then turning and pointing at Amy. “Now you stay there and George brings up Amy. She picks up the packet and gives it to George. Then stays where she is until George is back with me. That’s it. The job will be done. OK George.”

And that’s how it happened. George took Amy to the package. Andy pointed the gun at Amy. Amy picked up the package. George took it back to Andy. Amy ran over into Mike’s arms. Then kissed him full on the lips. Andy did not lower the gun until they had turned and started walking back to the hotel. Then Andy and George got into the car and headed straight left on the out of town road taking a right after half a mile to head towards the centre of town then meandering through the streets to their B&B.