Finders Keepers by Edie Baylis (epub ebook reader txt) 📕

than certainly murdered Helen Shepherd. The same nutter who now had possession of his ex-girlfriend and who had arranged to swap her for a pile of stolen diamonds that, oh yes... he didn’t have... Or he could lie in the road and wait to be run over – preferably by something large and heavy, leaving no room for error.

Although the second option seemed by far the most preferable of the two, Joe also knew it wasn’t feasible because whether or not it pained him to admit it, he lacked the courage to top himself. Unfortunately, he also lacked the courage to meet the nutter, but at least there was slight hope that he could walk away unharmed, providing he kept himself calm and his head straight.

If he could only force himself to revert to the jovial, chilled-out and confident guy he’d been just a month ago, then he’d have a lot more faith in his ability when it got to the part where he was supposed to hand the diamonds over.

It was strange - before any of this he was a dab hand at blagging his way into or out of most situations, but now – now he needed that ability more than ever, it had deserted him. Along with the rest of his life.

Joe scowled as he made headway towards Dock Road. Sweat pooling in the small of his back, unsure whether it stemmed from the exertion of his brisk walk or pure unadulterated fear. Why was it when he really didn’t want to do something, time speeded up. If only there was an earthquake or a massive sink hole should conveniently appear just at the junction of Dock Road, then everything would be a lot easier.

Feeling his mobile buzzing from inside his pocket, Joe’s heart leapt. Seeing a text from Robert, Joe could barely open it fast enough. Was the whole thing off? Please let it be that...

On way now. Do exactly as we agreed.

With shaking fingers and a crushing sense of disappointment, Joe stuffed the phone back in his pocket and instead sparked up a cigarette. How he wished he’d had a joint or two before doing this. He stood more chance of being coherent if he was stoned. It disturbed him even more that he didn’t know what Robert was planning. All he knew was that the man was going to see Jonah Powell. If Robert got killed, which based on the facts seemed likely, then where did that leave him?

Joe shuddered. Neither did he know what he was supposed to say to the nutter who, in a few seconds time, was expecting him to round the corner with a shed load of jewels. Robert’s instructions of ‘do whatever you need to buy me time’, weren’t particularly helpful.

He tried his best to continue putting one foot in front of the other, the dark silhouettes of the warehouses on Dock Road looming into view like a line of Grim Reapers doing nothing to help his overall mental state.

Chucking his fag end into the gutter, Joe reached for another, feeling familiar waves of panic rumble over him. He didn’t even know which warehouse he was supposed to be going to.

The sudden and unexpected clanging of something smashing into tall railings, accompanied by a hideous growling noise made Joe jump out of his skin. His eyes darted to the side, immediately spotting a slathering German Shepherd rabidly trying to get to him. The iron bars impeded the animal, but did nothing to slow the further shredding of his nerves. He was so on edge he felt like he might shatter into a thousand pieces.

Upping his pace past the snarling dog, Joe’s mind dared to wander to Teagan. The nutter said after the diamonds had been inspected, Teagan would be released. He’d offered no guarantee, but Robert was adamant it would work. Whatever Robert had planned must be more in depth and thought out than he’d been made party to, but he could do nothing but trust the man’s word, despite the man being stranger than a van load of badgers.

Passing the high-gated entrance to the second warehouse, Joe didn’t expect the voice which came from nowhere. His head snapped to the side, seeing the dark, yet distinct silhouette of the nutter behind the iron railings. Frozen to the spot, he waited while a small passenger gateway creaked noisily into life.

‘Get in then!’ Keith hissed, still partly concealed by the gatehouse box.

Hesitating, Joe glanced around, knowing once he’d stepped into the fenced off area there was no turning back.

‘Hurry up!’ the voice growled and Joe jumped through the opening, the gate clanging shut loudly behind him.

Saying nothing further, but jerking his head slightly in Joe’s direction, Keith walked towards the warehouse, and Joe found himself obediently following. Remember the brief, he chanted silently. Buy some time. Drag it out.

Taking a deep breath, he made the concerted effort to convince his brain that this was an entirely different situation – one where he didn’t have so much to lose and one where he wasn’t scared shitless.

ROBERT HAD WATCHED the club for over an hour. Parking his car two roads away, he was now safely concealed in a back doorway of a building opposite the side door of the Feathers. He glanced at his watch. Just gone 10. His heart rate increased. Joe should now be with the henchmen. He’d better be anyway.

He’d spent time around the front checking the lie of the land and the rest of the time he’d used searching for other entrances around the side and the back. There were several comings and goings, but aside from the massive bouncer on the front door, the large showy entrance was now closed since the show had started. The side entrance was the only real option. And if offered a plausible way in too.

Three times now Robert had seen it open by a man bringing out empties to put in the trade bins. The door was left ajar