‘Where the fuck are they, Lee?’

  Lee shook his head and Ray punched him again.

  Lee tried to claw at Ray’s face again but Ray’s next punch was so hard that Lee’s head snapped back and he collapsed. Ray let go of the leg and took a step back as Lee fell to the floor. Lee’s head hit the ground hard and his eyes closed. Ray kicked him in the side, hard, but there was no reaction. Ray cursed. He knelt down by the unconscious man and patted him down. He found a wallet in his right trouser pocket and he pulled it out and flicked it open. There were several credit cards, a wad of fifty pound notes, and a UK driving licence. He tossed the wallet down and squinted at the address on the licence. North London. He straightened up and slipped the driving licence into his back pocket, then picked up the gun, ejected the magazine and checked the clip. It was empty. He tossed the gun onto the body. Dead or unconscious? Ray didn’t care. He started running down the tunnel, back the way he’d come.

  CHAPTER 56

  Mancini chipped the ball over to Gabe. Gabe trapped it and turned in one smooth movement, feinted left and went right. He took the ball twenty feet closer to the Chelsea goal, unchallenged. There were two Chelsea defenders in front of him, waiting to see which way he’d run. Gabe slowed. Off to his right, Moretti was trying to find space but failing. Off to the left, Reid was shouting for the ball. Reid had a clear run for the Chelsea goal and was the obvious choice. Babacar was standing still, a Chelsea defender to his right. Babacar had no clear shot for goal and would have to break to his left, which was his weaker side.

  The defenders rushed forward and Gabe sent the ball high towards Babacar. Gabe saw the look of confusion on Babacar’s face. The striker had obviously assumed that the ball would be going to Reid and he hesitated for a fraction of a second before jumping for the ball. He managed to get his head to it and nod it towards Moretti. Moretti ran for it but he was shoulder-charged and lost his balance. By the time he’d recovered, Chelsea had the ball and were heading for the United goal. There were catcalls and boos from the fans, mainly aimed at the defender who had hit Moretti.

  McNamara was shouting from the sideline but his voice was lost in the crowd. Gabe looked over at Babacar. Babacar was standing with his hands on his hips, shaking his head in disgust. Gabe shrugged an apology and jogged back to the centre line.

  CHAPTER 57

  ‘I can’t get it mum, I’m sorry,’ said Ollie. He was lying on his side on the floor so Laura couldn’t see him. ‘I just can’t reach it.’

  ‘Keep trying, honey,’ said Laura. ‘Take your time.’

  ‘But I can’t move my hands. They’ve gone numb.’

  ‘Try wiggling your fingers, honey. That’ll get the circulation going.’

  ‘I’m sorry, mum.’

  ‘Honey, you’ve got nothing to be sorry about. Just keep trying.’

  Ollie sniffed. ‘Okay.’

  She heard him move, then sigh, then move again. ‘Mum, I’ve got it!’ he whispered excitedly.

  ‘Good boy. Now stand up. Quietly. Okay?’

  ‘Okay, mum.’

  Laura heard several soft grunts and she felt him bang against the bed.

  ‘Quietly, Ollie!’ repeated Laura in a harsh whisper.

  ‘Okay, okay.’

  Laura heard him grunt, then she saw the back of his head appear above the side of the bed. He pushed with his feet and slowly stood up. Laura’s eyes widened when she saw the stainless steel nail clippers in his right hand. ‘Well done, Ollie!’ she said.

  ‘I’m so tired and my hands hurt,’ he said.

  ‘I know,’ she said. ‘But we’re almost there. Now sit down on the bed so that they don’t fall back on the floor.’

  Ollie did as he was told.

  ‘Now flick them back as far as you can,’ said Laura.

  Ollie tossed the clippers onto the bed. They landed a few inches away from Laura’s stomach.

  ‘Well done, Ollie!’ she whispered. She wanted nothing more than to hold her son and kiss him and make it all better, but that wasn’t going to happen for a while.

  ‘I’m so tired, mum,’ he said.

  ‘I know you are honey, but now you have to get back to the sofa.’

  ‘My feet hurt.’

  ‘Just take it nice and slowly,’ she said.

  ‘I want to stay here with you on the bed,’ he said.

  ‘The man might come back,’ she said.

  ‘I don’t care,’ said Ollie. He sniffed. ‘I just want to be with you, mum.’

  Tears pricked Laura’s eyes. ‘Okay,’ she said. ‘Lie down for a while.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Sure.’

  Ollie swung his legs up onto the bed and lowered his head to the pillow. Laura moved closer to him and she kissed him on the cheek. ‘I’m so proud of you,’ she said.

  ‘I’m really scared.’

  ‘It’s going to be all right,’ she said, though she wished she was as confident as she sounded. Even if she did manage to cut the duct tape, they were still trapped in a house with armed men, armed men who were threatening to kill them if Gabe didn’t do what they wanted.

  CHAPTER 58

  Ray hurried towards the exit. Two stewards were standing at the gate and they looked quizzically at Ray. ‘Are you okay, Sir?’ asked the elder of the two, a grey-haired man holding a transceiver.

  ‘I need to get out,’ said Ray.

  The steward looked at his watch. ‘It’s not even half time yet,’ he said.

  There was a roar from the stand behind them, followed by groans and catcalls. ‘I know, family problem,’ said Ray. ‘Can you let me out?’

  ‘Just go through the turnstile,’ said the steward.

  ‘Cheers,’ said Ray. He pushed through the turnstile and started running down the pavement.

  ‘Hey mate, can I have your ticket?’ shouted a young man wearing a Chelsea shirt. Ray ignored him and ran on. Behind him he heard the crowd roar, followed almost immediately by howls of despair.

  CHAPTER 59

  One of the Chelsea defenders kicked the ball upfield but he mistimed it and the ball cannoned off Maplethorpe’s leg and bounced over the sideline. Gabe jogged over to the sideline in preparation for the throw in. Babacar joined him. ‘What the fuck’s going on, Gabe?’ asked Babacar.

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I’ve not had a decent cross from you all game,’ said the striker. ‘Are you trying to make me look bad?’

  ‘They’re on you like shit on a shoe,’ said Gabe. ‘You need to make more space.’

  Babacar shook his head. ‘Just give me the ball when I’ve got a chance of getting it,’ he said. ‘I’ll do the rest.’

  Gabe nodded but didn’t reply. He looked over at the referee. The referee blew on his whistle and a Chelsea player ran with the ball, stopped and threw it hard and high. Gabe and Babacar gave chase. The ball landed at the feet of one of the Chelsea strikers who headed off towards the United goal.

  Michael Devereau rushed towards the player with the ball and forced him to veer left where Mancini executed a perfect sliding tackle that sent the ball spinning back towards Gabe. The crowd roared as Gabe trapped it, turned on the spot and ran towards the Chelsea goal. Babacar was to Gabe’s right, slightly ahead of him, shouting for the ball. Gabe tapped it to Babacar, a perfect pass that Babacar couldn’t complain about.

  Off to the right, Moretti was making a run but he was far too early so Babacar turned and tapped it back to Wood before running towards the Chelsea goal. The crowd began to roar, sensing that something was about to happen. Wood passed the ball back to Maplethorpe, Maplethorpe sent it across to Mancini and Mancini ran with it, passing two Chelsea players on the left wing before crossing it to Gabe.

  Gabe was unmarked and was able to take the ball into the Chelsea half before he faced any opposition. Babacar was on the edge of the penalty area. The goalkeeper was on his line, moving from side to side, shouting at his defenders.

  Babacar twisted around, feinted left and then ran towards the goal, his eyes on Gabe. Gabe heard heavy breathing behind him and he dribbled the ball to the left, turned to the right, and sent the ball high in the air towards Babacar. Babacar was lined up to head the ball into the right hand corner of the goal but Gabe had kicked the ball to the striker’s other side. Babacar changed direction and managed to get his head to the ball but he was off balance and the ball went over the crossbar. Babacar landed awkwardly, slipped and fell. The United fans groaned in unison. Babacar got to his feet and rubbed the dirt from his hands.

  The goalkeeper retrieved the ball and the referee blew his whistle for the goal kick and Babacar jogged out of the penalty box. Gabe looked up at the clock atop the scoreboard. It was almost half past three. United were still ahead which meant that somehow Gabe had to make sure that Chelsea scored at least twice.

  CHAPTER 60

  Ray ran full pelt through the city streets, knowing that time was running out. It had to be half time now. Forty-five minutes plus injury time to go. He slowed as he reached the garage. His BMW was parked where he’d left it, but there were two men leaning against it. Men he recognised. Mike Tyler and Barry Chisnall. Their black Range Rover was parked at the roadside. Ray cursed but forced a smile. ‘Hello guys,’ he said amiably. ‘What’s up?’

  ‘Don’t fuck around, Ray,’ said Mike. His hand moved inside his jacket.

  ‘That hand appears with a gun in it and you and I have a problem,’ warned Ray.

  ‘Don’t make this any more difficult than it has to be,’ said Barry. His hand was also inside his jacket.

  ‘How the fuck did you find me?’ asked Ray.

  ‘Are you serious?’ said Mike. ‘The amount of mayhem you’ve been causing, you think no one has noticed? You’ve gone rogue, Ray, and Den’s had enough.’

  ‘I’ve spoken to Den, I’ve explained.’

  Mike shook his head. ‘No you haven’t, mate. You haven’t explained anything.’

  Ray held out his hand. ‘Give me the keys, Mike.’

  Mike nodded at the Range Rover. ‘Get in the car, Ray. Don’t make this any more difficult than it has to be. All you have to do is talk to Den. Smooth things over.’

  Ray reached into his jacket for his phone. Barry pulled out his Glock and pointed it at Ray’s chest.

  ‘For fuck’s sake, Barry, can’t you see he’s going for his phone,’ said Mike.

  Ray took out his phone and sneered scornfully at Barry. ‘Fine, I’ll talk to him.’

  ‘Face to face, Ray,’ said Mike. ‘He wants a face to face.’

  ‘I don’t have time, Mike. Now give me the fucking keys.’

  ‘I’ve had enough of this shit,’ said Barry, waving his gun. ‘Get in the fucking car.’

  ‘Yeah, you’re going to fucking shoot me?’ said Ray.

  ‘I will if I…’ Ray moved so quickly that his hands were a blur. His left hand slapped Barry’s gun to the side. His right hand slapped into Barry’s wrist and twisted. Barry’s fingers opened involuntarily and Ray’s left hand grabbed the barrel. Ray stepped back, transferring the gun to his right hand. It had taken less than a second.

  ‘For fuck’s sake, Ray,’ said Mike. He raised his hands to show that he had no intention of reaching for his own gun.

  Ray kept far enough away from the two men so that neither of them could grab the weapon.

  Barry stared at the gun in amazement, trying to work out what had just happened.

  ‘Krav maga,’ said Mike. ‘The Israeli self defence program. Ray’s a bit of an expert.’

  Ray stepped forward and lashed out with the gun, catching Barry on the side of the head. Barry slumped to the floor without a sound. ‘When he wakes up, tell him not to stand so close when he pulls a gun on someone.’

  ‘Will do,’ said Mike. ‘Den’s going to be furious, you know that?’

  ‘He is already, right?’

  Mike shrugged and slowly lowered his arms.

  ‘Give me the keys, Mike.’

  Mike slowly reached into the pocket of his trousers.

  ‘On second thoughts, give me the keys for the Range.’ Ray tucked the gun into his belt and held out his hand.

  ‘You’re stealing my fucking car?’

  ‘It’s Den’s car. And I’m not stealing, I’m swapping. You’re right, I’ve been attracting attention in the Beamer. So you take it and I’ll take the Range.’

  Mike sighed and handed over the keys to the SUV. ‘Are you sure you know what you’re doing, Ray?’

  ‘No,’ said Ray. ‘I’m not. But I don’t have any choice. Now keep the fuck away for me, next time I won’t be so pleasant.’

  Mike raised his hands in surrender and kept them in the air as Ray jogged over to the Range Rover and climbed in. As Ray drove off with his tyres squealing, Mike squatted down next to Barry. Barry moaned and moved his head from side to side, then his eyelids flickered open. ‘Who was that masked man?’ groaned Barry.

  Mike grinned and patted him on the shoulder. ‘I’m glad you’ve still got your sense of humour because when Den finds out what just happened he’s going to tear you a new one.’

  ‘Did he take my gun?’

  ‘Yes, he took your gun.’

  ‘Fuck.’

  ‘Yeah. What were you thinking, pulling a gun on Ray Savage? That was only ever going to end one way.’

  Barry groaned. ‘I got caught up in the moment.’

  ‘I think you’ll need to come up with something better than that for Den,’ said Mike. ‘You might want to give it some thought.’

  CHAPTER 61

  Laura rubbed her forehead against Ollie’s shoulder. ‘Honey, you’re going to have to go back to the sofa.’

  ‘I want to stay here with you, mum.’

  ‘I know, but if that man comes back and finds you on the bed he’s going to be angry. You need to go back to the sofa.’

  ‘I’m tired, mum.’

  She kissed his shoulder. ‘I know, honey. But you can rest on the sofa.’

  ‘Okay,’ said Ollie. He sniffed, then slowly swung his legs off the bed. He stood up, sniffed again, and began shuffling back to the sofa.

  Laura rolled onto her right side and groped for the nail clippers. She rolled them into her right hand, closing her eyes and trying to picture them. One of the handles had to be swung around so that pressure could be applied to the blades. She bit down on her lower lip as she concentrated. Eventually she managed to do it and used her thumb to click the cutters closed. Her heart was racing and she took a couple of deep breaths to steady herself.

  She twisted the clippers around in her hand, trying to find the duct tape by feel. She clicked the blades closed but they didn’t bite down on anything. She twisted her hand more and clicked again. Still nothing. She took another deep breath and tried again. This time the clippers slipped from her sweating fingers and she cursed.

  ‘Are you okay, mum?’ asked Ollie.

  ‘I’m fine,’ she said. ‘I’m trying to use the clippers.’ She groped around with her bound hands and found the clippers. She took them in her right hand and swivelled them around. ‘Keep going honey. You need to get on the sofa.’

  ‘Okay, mum.’

  Laura pushed the clippers against the duct tape and pressed down with the thumb. There was no resistance and she realised she’d missed the tape. She tried again and this time she felt the clippers bite against the tape. It was going to work, she realised. It would take time, but it would work.

  CHAPTER 62

  Ray tapped in the address from Lee’s driving licence into the Range Rover’s SatNav as he drove, one eye on the road and one eye on the screen. He pressed the button for the route and smiled thinly when he saw that Lee’s house was just sixteen minutes away, providing he didn’t hit traffic. He stamped on the accelerator. He reached a set of lights just as they turned to amber and he pressed down on the accelerator. He went through on red and he saw the junction was covered by CCTV cameras. It wasn’t a problem. Den Donovan’s cars were as disposable as Ray’s.

  A black cab pulled out in front of him and Ray swerved around it, narrowly missing a double-decker bus. The bus driver sounded his horn but Ray had already gone. The Range Rover wasn’t the most responsive of vehicles but Ray kept his foot down as he powered through the traffic, overtaking where he could. There were two buses ahead of him and the road narrowed so he ignored the SatNav, turned into a side street and did a series of quick right and lefts. The SatNav kept recalibrating but Ray paid it no attention.

  Five minutes later he was back on the main road and he smiled as he saw the two buses in his rear-view mirror. He reached another set of lights but they were already on red and there were several cars ahead of him. He sat drumming his hands on the steering wheel for a few seconds, then swore out loud, pulled around the two cars and drove through the red light. A white van had to break to avoid hitting him and a motorcyclist swerved out of his way. The bike and the van driver sounded their horns angrily but Ray was totally focussed on the road ahead of him.

  CHAPTER 63

  The referee blew his whistle and awarded a free kick to Chelsea. The tackle by Fernandez had looked okay to Gabe, but he had been on the other side of the pitch. Fernandez was protesting vociferously but the referee waved him away. Fernandez wouldn’t accept the decision and he ran around to get in the ref’s face, shouting and waving his arms around. Gabe ran over to placate Fernandez. Bad decisions were a fact of life, there was no point in getting upset about them, especially if they resulted in a yellow card or a sending off.

  Tim Maplethorpe had joined in, shouting that the tackle had been legal, but the referee waved him away too.

  The player who had gone down was massaging the back of his leg and wincing, but it looked like play-acting to Gabe.

  ‘Are you fucking blind?’ Maplethorpe screamed at the referee. ‘He didn’t touch him. He played the ball and he got the ball.’

 

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