“Now you’re getting a taste of your own medicine. If you harm my father, I will kill you. I’ll phone you later with a location to do the exchange. I’m in charge now if you want to see your son again.”
Roger ended the call. That way he felt more in control, although he was shaking with fear.
He still had lots of work to do.
One hour later, Roger phoned Kevin.
“Ready to do an exchange? We’ll meet on the Milton Industrial Estate at units nine and ten. They are both currently unoccupied. Tonight at seven. You bring my dad, and I’ll bring Tyson and the cash. A straight exchange and no funny business.”
At seven o’clock, Roger drove into the industrial estate and parked up close to units nine and ten.
Kevin O’Connor was nowhere to be seen, but Roger had an idea he wasn’t far away.
He couldn’t see the black 4x4 vehicle parked on the hill that overlooked the estate and Kevin O’Connor watching him through binoculars. He had been there for the past two hours, after checking with his contact in the police but also double-checking by driving along all the nearby streets to make sure the police were not waiting for him.
He watched as Roger parked up. He could see someone in the front passenger seat of the car with what looked like Tyson’s trademark red Scuderia Ferrari cap. He saw Roger go to the boot and remove a large silver metal case, much deeper than a briefcase, the type used by photographers to keep cameras from getting damaged in transit. And large enough to hold £500,000 in cash.
Once Kevin was satisfied no one else was around, and there were no police hiding anywhere, he walked back to the vehicle. “Get off that fucking phone, Lennox. We’ve got work to do. Put the old geezer in the front seat.”
Lennox did as he was told and got into the back seat.
Kevin drove slowly into the industrial estate and along the first line of units and round the end units to bring his vehicle facing Roger’s Mercedes then backed away about five metres.
Roger stepped out of his car holding the silver case. “I’ve got your money. It’s all here. And I’ve got your son here” he said pointing to the figure sitting in the front passenger seat. “Let my father get out of the car, so I can see he’s alright.”
“Let Tyson go.”
“After what happened to my mother, not until I’ve seen my father is alright.”
Kevin beckoned to Lennox to bring Roger’s dad from the car. “There yer go. Right as rain. He’s been well cared for. Now throw over your car keys. And the cash.”
“Roger did as he was asked and slid the case along to where Kevin was standing by the driver’s door of his vehicle.
As he did, he noticed Lennox walk round to the back of the 4x4 and opened the boot.
The lid of the boot in the open position was above the roof of the vehicle, but through the back window, Roger noticed Lennox holding what looked like a baseball bat.
Kevin had opened the case and was occupied, picking up the bundles of cash. A big grin across his face. “Quick, Dad, run over here.”
Vernon moved quickly and ran over to his son.
“Nice try. But I’m afraid we can’t leave any witnesses. Tyson, get out of the car.”
The figure didn’t move.
“Tyson, get out of the fucking car.”
Lennox walked round from the back of the 4x4 to where his father was standing. He was carrying a baseball bat. “I’m going to fucking enjoy this. By the time I’ve finished battering the fuck out of you, they’ll only be able to identify you from yer fucking dental records.”
Roger grabbed his father’s hand and pulled him as he took a step back and opened the rear door of the Mercedes. He reached down to the floor just as Lennox rushed at him, the baseball bat high above his head and his eyes filled with rage.
Roger knew he had to make a move otherwise they would both be dead.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
THE DUMMY
Lennox was three feet away from Roger. Another couple of steps and the bat would come down.
Roger aimed the Taser and fired, hoping it wouldn’t let him down. Lennox stared at him as if he couldn’t believe what had just happened then slumped to the floor, writhing in agony.
Kevin moved forward in a rage, dropping the case with the money and raising his fists.
Roger knew he didn’t stand a chance in a fist fight, but he had to protect his father. He picked up the bat that lay near Lennox, and as Kevin came into range, Roger swung it at Kevin’s legs.
He heard a loud crack as the solid wood of the bat struck Kevin across the side of his leg at knee height. Kevin screamed out in pain.
Roger noticed Lennox, still looking a bit groggy but starting to get back to his feet by leaning on the bonnet of the Mercedes.
Lennox looked across to the passenger seat.
“Tyson, what the fuck are you doing sitting the…” He stopped mid-sentence as he realised it wasn’t his brother but a lifelike mannequin dummy wearing Tyson’s trademark red Scuderia Ferrari Cap.
“Quick, come on, Dad.”
Roger grabbed his father’s hand and pulled him to the door of unit ten.
Once they were inside, Roger locked the door.
Unit 10 on the Milton Industrial Estate was the place where Roger had originally started his business twenty-four years earlier. He still rented it, partly for sentimental reasons, although nowadays it was used to house another business he was involved in called Trentbridge Technology Training.
Roger led his father through the building to the door at the rear and then told him to get into the passenger side of the VW van he had parked their earlier, with Tyson securely tied up in the back.
Roger went over to the large roller shutter door and pressed a button to raise the door. Once it was clear of
