‘What’s wrong?’
‘There’s bad news about Ronnie Hardman.’ Delaney glanced back in the direction of Joan Hardman. ‘Mr Hardman’s injuries from the tussle were minor but it seems he had a heart attack when he accosted the intruder. Then he had a second major one in the ambulance. Mr Hardman didn’t make it, boss. He died on arrival.’
3
Those little blonde-haired brats are my golden ticket to success. It’s a wonderful feeling having them under my control. They’ll give me the leverage I need. Once I’m through with that family, they’ll wish they’d never been born. I hum a little tune to myself and tap my fingers on the steering wheel.
The snatch almost went to plan, marred only by the intrusion of the bloody interfering grandparents. Who’d think two old people could be such a pain? I didn’t expect them to weigh in like they did. In fact, they were a bloody nuisance, throwing shit and shouting, and the old man got in a couple of punches. He had some serious power behind his fist except not much stamina. Fancy him trying his luck. Still, he keeled over without me hardly trying. Stupid bastard.
And all the racket they made. I was lucky those houses are so far apart, otherwise it might have woken some nosey parker.
Once I was standing inside their room and looming over them, the kids were easy to control. The younger one grabbed onto some stupid stuffed toy and I snatched it from her. After I took a couple of slashes at it their imaginations started working overtime. The bigger one only half-believed me when I told her I’d cut her sister the same way if they didn’t co-operate. To fully convince her, I put my knife to her arm. It was only a nick, nothing serious. Then they followed me down the stairs like lambs to the slaughter.
They’re quiet in the back, lying in the footwell like I told them. It means I can concentrate on the driving – not going too fast and making sure I stick to the route I’ve planned. The idea is to not draw any attention. That’s why I chose a dark-blue family car because it blends in.
Meticulous planning is something I’m good at. I know the location of the security cameras along the high street and I’m taking a route which bypasses most of them. If the cops catch me on the town surveillance, it either means they’re lucky or it means they’re better than I think they are. Anyway, with what I have planned, stupid information like that won’t help the police. I’m far too clever.
I arrive at the lock-up site. This place used to be private storage units before it got abandoned. The company went bankrupt and the metal containers were left to rust. The tarmac is pitted with potholes and grass has taken over which makes it an ideal place for me.
When you scope out a job it’s all about preparation. As I already told you, one of my tasks was to survey the area and that’s how I know there’s only one camera on the approach road and it’s outside a fish and chip shop. I took care of it yesterday.
I chose the unit a long time ago and I’ve prepared it inside. The metallic door opens with a squeal and, yeah, I should have taken care of that too, only it’s not important because there’s no one around to hear. Once we’re safely in, I open up the back.
The kids are shit scared. I think one of them has vomited. They’re grabbing onto each other and I drag the oldest one out by her hair.
‘You.’ I point to the smaller one who’s snivelling in the footwell. ‘Get out. Make a noise and I’ll kill you both.’
I can see from her face she believes me and her compliance makes me smirk. The older one is a different story. She’s got a sullen expression, sort of defiant. It’s the same look I spotted on her at the house and the reason I had to use the knife. Well, her poor attitude will be disappearing soon enough.
I’m feeling good. For the first time in ages I feel on top of the world. I’ve done it. I’ve got the family by the balls.
Emily took hold of Lisa’s hand and squeezed it. Lisa’s hand was cold.
‘I want Mummy,’ Lisa said.
‘Sshh. Don’t let him hear you. He doesn’t like us talking.’
‘I’m scared.’
‘I know you are, Lise, but we’ve got to be brave.’
The man said horrible things and he shouted. He wore a mask and underneath it, Emily knew he was nasty. At preschool, Emily had learned about strangers who take you. They were dangerous. If one of them got you, bad things could happen. And they were well and truly gotten.
‘Mummy is going to find us,’ Emily whispered.
Lisa whimpered. ‘I want to go home.’
‘Sssh. We just have to wait a little while and then we can go home. Mummy is going to find us.’
‘How can she find us if she doesn’t know where we are?’ Lisa buried her face in Emily’s shoulder and she was clutching on so tight it hurt.
‘It’s all right. Hold on to me, Lisa,’ Emily said.
Emily promised herself she wouldn’t cry. She would be strong and she would look after her little sister as best she could until help came.
4
Grant broke the news of Ronnie’s death to Joan Hardman himself, with as much compassion as he could. His words fell like a body blow and Joan staggered. When she righted herself, the colour had drained from her face and she seemed to have shrunk. DS Collins put her
