Takedown by Heather Atkinson (latest books to read txt) 📕

She patted his shoulder, swallowing down her hurt when he flinched at her touch.

“Sorry,” he said.

“It’s okay. It’s going to take some time for you to get over it but you will. Just be grateful this didn’t turn into a bloodbath. A lot of people wouldn’t have hesitated to kill the lot of them. This was all about protecting our family and it was quick. He didn’t feel a thing.”

They both nodded, looking a bit sick.

“Get yourselves home. We can finish up here.”

“Yeah, okay,” said Kevin.

She watched them slink by, avoiding her gaze and she hoped this didn’t change her relationship with them. She glanced at Tariq and his men, who were a lot less lairy. In fact, they looked positively green.

“You can go and sort out the damage at the laser tag arena,” she told them. “And you never speak of this again. If you do then it won’t end very well for you.”

“Of course not Faith,” swallowed Tariq. “Whatever you say,” he added before walking out as quickly as he could without breaking into a run, his friends following.

“They’ve gone,” said Caleb as he returned with Vance.

“And so has everyone else,” she sighed.

Neither of them appeared particularly disturbed by what she’d done. Caleb had watched her murder Lenny while Vance had killed in prison.

“I freaked out Jason and Kevin,” she said sadly. “They’ll never look at me the same way again.”

“They’ll bounce back, don’t worry,” said Caleb. “And they have to get used to murder if they want to be in this business. This won’t be the last time we have to do it.”

She nodded. “Sadly you’re right. Let’s clear up and get out of here. I want a warm bath and a big glass of wine.”

“At least it’s over,” said Vance, crouching beside Mickey and wrapping the plastic around him. “Well, almost.”

Faith nodded and took out her phone. They hadn’t told the others about this part of the plan. Only the three of them knew.

“Jules, it’s me,” she said. “You can tell Raven she’s up.”

CHAPTER 25

Five days later, Ben and his crew jumped off the fire engine outside a blazing factory. A cordon had already been set up by the police and they were appraised of the situation by a sergeant, who told them the factory was disused but it was known that homeless people often took shelter inside.

The four of them entered by a back door and cautiously made their way through the building, checking each room, having to use the fire axes to knock down a couple of doors, which had been locked shut.

When they reached the boiler room, they were alerted by a loud beeping.

“What the fuck is that noise?” yelled Amanda.

Ben peered at a flashing light through the swirling smoke and his eyes widened.

“Faith you bitch,” he muttered just before the explosion.

“Must we keep meeting in cemeteries?” said Faith as she took a seat beside Matthew on the bench.

“I chose a different one,” he replied. “I didn’t think you’d want to be around Marlow.”

“You thought right.”

“Plus cemeteries keep any carnal thoughts at bay on my part but if you wish to meet in a hot tub one day I won’t complain.”

“Now that is an interesting thought,” she smiled.

“Like you said, that’s a complication we don’t need.”

Faith thought it ironic that now she’d realised her true feelings for him he was the one playing it cool.

“Ben and his crew were killed this morning in an explosion when they went in to tackle a blaze in a disused factory,” he said.

“Really? Just the four of them?”

“Yes, thankfully. No one else was hurt.”

She nodded and slowly exhaled with relief.

“I have to hand it to you Faith, it was smart. It was put down to a gas leak.”

“Very tragic.”

“And very clever.”

“I can’t claim all the credit. Our mutual friend was the real brains behind it. It was the only way to get rid of them without arousing suspicion. They would have come for us again. None of us relished the idea of our homes being burnt down while we slept. It’s a shame about Rick and Eddie, I think they would have behaved but Ben and Amanda condemned them.”

“You’re right, that was what they would have done. They gave you no choice. It’s just a shame I have nothing proving Amanda killed Dillon. That case is still hanging around my neck. Even if I do find proof it might lead back to your family and Jules would not be impressed with that.”

“Couldn’t you pin it on Mickey Gunning, who has mysteriously disappeared?” she said, knowing in her eyes. “No one would be surprised after what Dillon did to him.”

“True but I don’t like pinning things on innocent people.”

“Mickey was far from innocent.”

“You know what I mean. It’s a slippery slope once you get started.”

“You were happy for everyone to think Marlow killed Lenny Paisley.”

“Because that protected you,” he said tenderly. “And the problem is that Mickey had an alibi for Dillon’s murder.”

“Damn, I forgot about that,” she sighed.

“I suppose the case will just have to go cold.”

“Or you could use the recording you took of Amanda discussing the murder with the other firefighters and just cut out the bits that mention our family. You could say it was sent to you anonymously.”

“I can’t because in her confession she said she killed Dillon because he was going to grass to you. There’s nothing for it, Dillon’s murder will have to remain unsolved. Sometimes that’s just the way it goes. He was a lone wolf, so he doesn’t have any family demanding answers.”

“I’m sorry Matthew,” she said, patting his hand. “I know it would have done your career a