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

“How do you cheat at bingo?” frowned Kevin. “I mean, someone shouts out a number and you mark it off.”

“They think she’s in league with Ernest, the bingo caller. They were accusing her of using her feminine wiles on him.”

Both men burst out laughing.

“She doesn’t have any feminine wiles,” said Kevin. “She’s like Putin in a corduroy skirt.”

“And Ernest is eighty seven,” replied Rose. “It’s remarkable he’s still able to do his job. I certainly don’t think he’s up to doing…that with Agatha,” she said prudishly. “But I did find out something very interesting.”

“Oh yeah?” said Jason with another yawn, gaze on the television.

“From Sally-Ann. Her son Patrick works for you.”

“Yeah, he does. What about him?”

“He told his mother that he’s been given a lot more responsibility lately and that he was chosen to guard the vault.”

This had them both sitting up and taking notice.

“You what?” said Kevin. “Is that the word he used, the vault?”

“Well, I couldn’t say he did but Sally-Ann certainly did. Why, has he been telling fibs?”

“No Mum. He’s been telling great big porkies covered in jangly bells.”

“You mean he hasn’t been guarding this vault, whatever it is?”

“No he bloody well hasn’t.”

“Oh dear. He’s been lying to his own mother. That’s so sad. But Sally-Ann did say he’s had a lot more money lately and he’s been rather lavish with it. She showed me the watch he bought her and it looked very expensive.”

Jason and Kevin looked at each other and leapt to their feet.

“We’ve got to go out,” said Jason. “We’ll see you later.”

“Do you want me to keep some tea warm for you boys?” she asked, following them into the hall, watching as they shoved their feet into their shoes and pulled on their jackets.

“No thanks Mum,” said Kevin. “We might be out late.”

“Was my information useful then?”

“Very,” he said, kissing her cheek. “You’re the best.”

“Thank you sweetheart,” she smiled. “See you later and be careful.”

“Bye,” they called in unison before rushing outside to their cars parked at the kerb.

“We’ll take mine,” said Jason.

“No, we’ll take mine,” said Kevin.

“I don’t want to go in yours.”

“We don’t have time for this,” said Kevin, unlocking his car and getting in.

“My car’s better than yours,” pouted Jason before getting into Kevin’s passenger seat.

“Oh, for God’s sake,” sighed Faith when there was a frantic knocking at her door. This time she and Vance had been interrupted before things could really hot up between them.

“At least we can let them in this time,” said Vance as they both got to their feet. “What reason should I give for being here?”

“Say you wanted to borrow a cup of sugar,” she replied when there was another bang at the door.

“That sounds a bit suspicious.”

“Well I don’t know, come up with something,” she said, adjusting her clothes as she stalked to the door. “Yes boys?” she said when she pulled it open to reveal Jason, Kevin and Caleb, who they’d picked up on the way.

“We need to talk,” said Caleb. “You haven’t got anyone tied up in there this time, have you?”

“No, it’s safe.”

“We knocked on Vance’s door but there was no answer.”

“That’s because he’s here,” she replied as they stepped inside. “I take it something’s happened?” she added as she led them back into the front room.

“What’s this about?” Vance asked his brothers when they walked in. The excuse he’d prepared for his reason for being there wasn’t required as they didn’t bother to ask. He and Faith had always been as thick as thieves, so they didn’t think it strange them spending so much time together.

“Patrick Prentiss,” said Kevin. “Mum went to bingo and spoke to his mum. Sally-Ann said he’s been bragging about being chosen to guard the vault and yes, he used the word vault.”

“Could we have found our traitor?” said Faith, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

“He was never told about the vault but he did handle the product,” said Vance. “He could have put a tracking device in it.”

“Sally-Ann told Mum he’s been really flush lately and splashing the cash about,” said Jason. “Someone could have paid him to do it.”

“Whoever robbed us killed Dillon,” said Faith. “Meaning Patrick could be in danger.”

“Yeah he is,” said Kevin. “From us. When I get hold of the bastard I’ll…”

“Just hold your horses Kev,” Faith told him. “We don’t know that Patrick’s done anything wrong yet.”

“Course we know. He used the word vault. That means he’s in on it.”

“No it doesn’t. He could have overheard someone else using it. Let’s not condemn him before we know the truth and you’re not to lay a finger on him until we’ve got our facts straight, all right Kev?”

“Yeah,” he muttered. “I get it.”

“Good. But we do need to talk to him. Does anyone know where we can find him?”

Caleb glanced at his watch. “He’ll be at Pulse now, he’s due to work the bar tonight.”

“Then let’s get over there and you two,” said Faith, pointing at Jason and Kevin. “Behave yourselves. Let’s give him a chance to explain himself first.”

“And if he is the traitor?” said Jason.

“Then you can do whatever’s necessary to get the information we need from him.”

“Awesome,” said Kevin with a macabre smile.

“I’ll go into the club alone through the front while you lot go through the back and wait in the office. I’ll bring Patrick with me.”

“I don’t think you should tackle him alone,” said Caleb.

Her gaze hardened. “If you’re about to suggest that I can’t handle Patrick Prentiss then you’re going to get a slap.”

“Course I don’t mean that. I mean that you never know who’s hanging about.”

“I’ll