Tina had just finished a sandwich and had a takeaway coffee in her hand. She didn’t stand up or yell. Instead, she stared them both down. ‘I don’t know who you are,’ she said calmly, ‘but if you’re here to threaten me then you might want to know you’re being recorded on CCTV. Please leave before I call the police.’
The smaller man with the scar looked by far the more dangerous of the two. He sat down opposite her across the desk, while the big one took up a position behind him. ‘I’d turn the camera off if I were you,’ he said. ‘It won’t do you any good, and we’re not here to hurt you. We just want to know where Ray Mason is.’
‘You’re not the first person who’s asked me that today,’ she said. ‘I haven’t seen him in over a year. But in case he phones me from wherever he’s hiding, would you like to leave a message?’
The small one’s expression hardened. ‘Where is he?’
‘I told you, I don’t know.’ Tina’s grip tightened on the coffee cup. It was still two thirds full and hot, and would make a useful weapon. She also had a can of CS gel spray in the desk drawer if it came to it.
The small man read her expression. ‘I told you, we’re not here to hurt you. But we do want to find Mason, and if we find out you either know or knew where he is, and you haven’t told us, then …’ He paused. ‘There may be some unfortunate consequences.’
Tina felt her anger grow. ‘Are you threatening me?’
The small man wore the expression of a man holding all the cards. He reached inside his jacket, took out a small white envelope and tossed it onto the desk in front of her. ‘Your niece Ava’s very pretty,’ he said. ‘I thought you might like to see another photo of her.’
Tina felt a jolt of fear shoot through her. She slammed down the coffee cup so hard the lid came off, and tore open the envelope, terrified of what she might see.
It was a photo of Ava – sweet, blonde and eight years old – walking towards the camera in her school uniform, hand in hand with her mum, Jackie, Tina’s sister-in-law. Neither was aware of the camera’s presence. Instead they were looking at each other and smiling, total love in both their eyes.
‘That was taken a couple of days ago,’ continued the small man. ‘It’s a great shot. The cameraman really knows what he’s doing.’ He paused, and the scar on his lip curled upwards as he smiled. ‘The problem is he’s clumsy. You see, he’s often transporting acid in his car, and if he’s not careful he might spill some of that acid, and some innocent kid or mum, just walking along the street minding their own business, might have their faces burned beyond recognition. Just like that.’
Tina couldn’t speak. The thought of anything happening to her family – the one part of her life that was wholesome and undamaged – because of something she’d done filled her with abject terror.
‘So I’m going to ask you again,’ said the small man, clearly able to see that her shock was genuine. ‘Where’s Ray Mason?’
Tina knew that these people would carry out their threats. She had no doubt that they’d been sent by the Kalaman organization to find the man who, they thought, had killed their boss. It occurred to her to tell them that Alastair Sheridan had been behind Cem’s killing, but in the end she realized that this would be way too risky.
‘I don’t know,’ she said wearily, putting down the photo. ‘He hasn’t been in touch at all. But if he does I’ll tell you. Just don’t do anything to my family.’ She looked at him. ‘Please.’
‘As long as you’re not lying, they’re perfectly safe,’ he said.
‘I’m not,’ she told him firmly.
He nodded and got to his feet. ‘Good. That way everyone stays safe and healthy.’ He winked at her, and the scar curled upwards once again. ‘Have a nice day, Tina.’
For a long time after they’d gone Tina sat there, experiencing first shock, then anger at the way they’d threatened her family. Her eight-year-old niece, for God’s sake! There was anger at Ray, too, for coming back into her life and exposing her like this, although she was still confident that there was no way the Kalamans could link her to him.
But the bottom line was she had to protect her family. She couldn’t provide protection, but the police would be able to, and if she spoke to Mike Bolt, she felt sure he could put something in place. First, though, she needed to speak to her brother, Tom. She hated the idea of telling him his family might be in danger. As children they’d been close but they’d grown distant over the years, and Tina knew he disapproved of the life she led, and the effect that her dramas had had on their parents. Still, if someone was threatening his children, she had to tell him. Reluctantly, she sat back in the chair, took a deep breath, and called his number.
Tom was one of those people who had his phone on him the whole time, and he answered pretty much as soon as it started ringing.
‘Tina! Changed your mind and decided to join us?’
It sounded like he was outside. ‘Hey Tom, where are you?’
‘Estepona. At the villa we booked. We got here about an hour ago. Don’t you remember, I invited you months ago? Mum and Dad are here too. I thought you were ringing to say you were going to get a flight.’
Tina almost laughed out loud with relief. Her family were safe. ‘No, sorry, I’ve got quite a lot on at the moment, but if I get the chance I’ll book something short notice and
