Vanished by James Delargy (free novel 24 TXT) 📕

‘How did this happen?’ said Stevie.

‘One guess,’ said Mike.

‘We don’t know that,’ said Ian. ‘It could have been a short circuit. How much will it—?’

‘Of course we know. Who else knows about this set-up?’ said Mike, waving his hand around.

‘It will cost us,’ said Stevie, answering Ian’s question. ‘It melted through a few transistors and damaged the gearing so we need to replace those too.’

‘Which you can pay for,’ said Mike, looking at Ian.

‘How’s that?’ asked Ian, giving him a look that Mike didn’t often care for considering Ian’s oft-mentioned past, but he wasn’t going to lie down on this one.

‘You are not doing your job in protecting the equipment. Which is an extension of your role as protector.’

‘You want me to stay here and guard it at night?’

‘No, just put a bear-trap down. Let it chew through his leg,’ said Mike, ending it with a clack of gum that mimicked the sound of a leg being broken.

‘You got one handy?’

‘You’re the one with the contacts, supposedly.’

Ian waved this off. But Stevie jumped in. ‘To be fair, Ian, Mike’s right. You’re letting things get out of control. If we were tougher they would get out of town.’

‘Since when did you two fancy yourselves as the muscle?’

‘Since you stopped,’ said Mike. He could feel the power pulsing through him. He and Stevie were the enforcers now, an exhilarating role reversal. ‘There are only two reasons for having you around, Ian.’

‘Oh, and what’s that?’

‘Negotiation and enforcement. And now we’re experienced enough to do the negotiating. We have the merchandise, people will come to us.’

‘You know nothing about enforcement,’ said Ian, pacing closer.

Mike looked to his friend for backup, but Stevie’s support was confined to dissenting words only. He looked around for something to defend himself with but their rifle was by the entrance steps.

‘You need us,’ said Mike, the power in his voice gone.

‘Oh, I need you now?’ said Ian, towering over him. ‘The gold is here, the machines are here. I could have two illegals down here tomorrow. I’d get more work and less gip.’

‘Look, he’s only saying that we need to control that family,’ said Stevie, keeping his distance.

‘And if we throw them out what happens then?’

Mike couldn’t find the words. This time Stevie wasn’t helping him out.

‘Nothing? Let me tell you then. If they go, there’s a chance they yabber. And what control do we have then? Remember, keep your friends close and enemies closer.’

‘Unless you get rid of them entirely.’

Both Ian and Mike looked at Stevie. The unspoken had been uttered, leaving a bitter taste. It was disgusting. It was horrible. And now that it was out in the open, it was a possibility.

86

Lorcan

Given what had happened, Lorcan was glad to get out of Kallayee. He wasn’t enamoured about meeting Phil but he was keen to hear Nikos’s answer. A hard ‘Yes’ and they could move to Vic or New South Wales for a while. Maybe even abroad. Distance themselves from Nikos and the rest of the Perth shit and start over. Somewhere more populated.

A ‘No’ and the options were less clear. He could try Ian again but he would be lucky to get a hello from them. They would also guard the equipment to avoid a repeat performance. ‘No’ also meant staying in Kallayee… unless they were forced out. That was another option. Get Ian to kick them out. Then Naiyana would have to leave. Where to could be decided later.

The meeting was in Durston Park in Wisbech. Far enough from Kallayee to feel safe but close enough to get to in a couple of hours. He might even head to a pub after for a spell. Clear his head and his wallet with a couple of cold ones.

It was 12:10 and Phil was late. Not a huge problem. Lorcan had time. Plenty of time. Phil was coming a long way after all. On reflection, it might be nice to see him. A familiar face. They could reminisce about the Murray River fishing trip that ended with them all in the drink trying to retrieve the tinnies that were floating away on the current. Good times. Before Phil had left INK Tech for another Nikos-backed venture.

‘Lorcan Maguire.’

He recognized the voice. The bravado and the confidence. The imposing figure plumped himself onto the bench, the polo shirt unbuttoned to reveal a neatly shaved chest. His dark brows arched towards his nose. Meaning business. Meaning Nikos Iannis.

Phil had stabbed him in the back. The bastard. For money, probably. He had a mortgage and a mail order bride to take care of.

Lorcan glanced around, though he didn’t know who exactly he was looking for. Georgios Iannis was in the hospital. If needed he could make a run for it…

‘Let’s make this quick,’ said Nikos. ‘Do you have it?’

Lorcan had been thrown off course. He had scripted to the word the story he was going to tell Phil. Lying to Nikos would be more difficult.

‘Do you have it?’ said Lorcan. ‘The money?’

‘It’s a lot of money, Lorcan.’

‘It’s good information.’

‘Is that the line you’ve been pitching to other companies?’

Lorcan kept quiet. He tried to compute how to play this. The playbook was scrambled now.

‘Do you have the information?’

‘Do you have the money?’ repeated Lorcan.

Nikos grinned. ‘Not here. I’m not carrying around that much. But I suspect you don’t have the info with you either.’

Lorcan felt the chill crawl down his back. He felt exposed, as if Nikos was suddenly in the driving seat. That he knew something Lorcan didn’t. It was true that he didn’t bring the information with him. A precaution. Maybe subconsciously he knew Phil would betray him. He also knew Nikos’s and his brother’s rep. Playing hardball. So Nikos probably wasn’t enjoying being on the other end of the stick.

‘Two-hundred thousand,’ said Nikos, calmly.

‘Four-hundred.’

‘Two.’

‘Three-hundred.’

Nikos raised his eyebrows. It was a look of pure malevolence. It was clear that Lorcan was pushing his luck.

‘Okay, two-hundred,’ said Lorcan. Price agreed, the next part of