Mohammed reached over with his left hand to turn the radio on, then pressed the tuning buttons until he got a station that was broadcasting the match. An excited commentator was describing a Chelsea attack on the United goal, reeling off the names of the players as they touched the ball.

  ‘Come on, what’s the score?’ muttered Ray.

  The commentator described the United keeper falling on the ball, then kicking it upfield to Gabe.

  ‘Daddy!’ shouted Ollie from the back.

  ‘Hush, honey,’ said Laura, putting his arm around her son.

  Gabe ran with the ball, passed it to Luca Moretti who kicked it back to Gabe. Gabe sent the ball over to Fernandez but Fernandez lost the ball to a sliding tackle. Chelsea then spent a minute or so passing the ball between them. Eventually the commentator gave the score. Two-all.

  ‘They’re drawing,’ said Ray.

  ‘Does the score matter any more?” asked Laura.

  ‘It does to me,’ said Ray. ‘I don’t want those bastards getting their way, not after what they did to you and Ollie.’

  CHAPTER 97

  Chelsea had been awarded a throw in and this time the United midfielders were prepared for the long throw. Fernandez intercepted the ball and passed it immediately to Wood who ran down the centre of the pitch and into the Chelsea half. Gabe ran with him, a few yards behind, but he was closely marked and the Argentinian looked left and right, desperately looking for someone to pass to before he hit the Chelsea defence.

  Armati headed for the left wing and then broke right, shouting for the ball. Fernandez sent it to him and ran right. Babacar was also in the mix, having broken free from the player who had been marking him. Babacar reached the edge of the penalty box and turned with his arms outstretched. Armati had stopped and when he saw Babacar he lobbed the ball to him. Gabe’s heart was in his mouth as Babacar trapped the ball on his chest, let it bounce once and then turned and volleyed in one smooth movement. The ball hit the right goalpost and ricocheted back towards Babacar but, as he drew back his leg to kick it again, a Chelsea defender thrust his arm across Babacar’s neck and pushed him backwards. Babacar’s arms flailed as his legs buckled under him and the ball rolled towards the keeper who scooped it up and booted it up the field. It looked like a clear foul to Gabe but the referee didn’t acknowledge it and he kept his head down and ran after the ball. The crowd clearly wasn’t happy and nor was Babacar, who got to his feet, rubbed his chin and cursed. The defender who’d hit him had moved over to the far side of the penalty box and was studiously ignoring the United striker. ‘You okay, Omar?’ asked Gabe.

  ‘You saw what happened?’ said Babacar. ‘He practically punched me.’

  ‘Heat of the moment,’ said Gabe. ‘Shit happens.’

  ‘Yeah, well if he tries that again shit is going to be happening to him,’ he said. He spat onto the pitch, then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. ‘We should be winning this fucking game.’

  ‘There’s still time,’ said Gabe. He looked up at the scoreboard. Twenty minutes to four. Five minutes to go, plus added time.

  ‘Let’s do it,’ said Babacar, and he sprinted towards the United half where Chelsea seemed to have lost momentum and were back to passing the ball aimlessly to and fro, as if they were warming up and not in the final minutes of a match with the score 2-2.

  CHAPTER 98

  Mohammed brought the car to a halt on double-yellow lines close to the stadium. ‘You give me five stars, okay?’ he asked Ray, who was already reaching for the door handle.

  ‘Sure, mate.’

  Mohammed smiled broadly and nodded enthusiastically. ‘Good. I will give you five stars also.’

  Ray got out and helped Laura and Ollie out of the back. Ray picked up Ollie and headed towards the Players Entrance as Mohammed drove away. Laura followed him. ‘We’re too late,’ she panted.

  Ray looked at his watch. ‘No, there’s added time,’ said Ray. ‘For stoppages, injuries and substitutions. It’s not over yet.’ There were two stewards at the Players Entrance and they weren’t the ones that he had seen before. They were both men in their twenties, one black and one Asian. ‘We need to get in,’ Ray said to them, putting Ollie down. Ollie held out his hand and Laura took it and smiled down at him.

  ‘That match is pretty much over, mate,’ said the Asian steward. ‘They’re in to injury time.’

  Ray put up his hands. ‘I get that, but I have to get in there, now.’ He gestured at Laura. ‘This is Gabe Savage’s wife.’

  The Asian shrugged. ‘We get that a lot, mate. Sorry. Even if you had a ticket we couldn’t let you in now. The stadium’ll be emptying any minute.’

  ‘Is Gerry around? Gerry McGee?’

  The two stewards looked at each other, frowning in confusion.

  ‘Just get Gerry for me,’ said Ray. ‘Now.’

  CHAPTER 99

  The referee pointed for Chelsea to take the throw-in and the crowd booed its disapproval. Jason Wood and a Chelsea midfielder had jostled for the ball close to the sideline and it was pretty clear that the Chelsea player had been the last to touch the ball but the referee was adamant. Gabe was sure now that someone had gotten to the referee, one way or another.

  The throw in was good but Fernandez’s anticipation was better and he intercepted the ball, turned on the spot and started running for the Chelsea goal. A Chelsea midfielder ran towards Fernandez and the Argentinian chipped the ball to Babacar who immediately sent it across the field to Moretti who was completely unmarked. The crowd roared, sensing a goal, and Gabe’s heart raced. He ran down the middle of the pitch, shouting for the ball but Moretti’s attention was totally focussed on the Chelsea goal.

  He beat one defender, then another, then sent a blistering shot towards the goal that the keeper only just managed to get to. The keeper’s left hand pushed the ball to the side of the post and the crowd groaned. Gabe stopped running and stood with his hands on his hips as he stared up at the scoreboard. There were only minutes to go and all the attacks seemed to be coming from United. He gritted his teeth. He would do whatever it took to make sure that Chelsea scored again. No matter what it meant for his career and his reputation. All he cared about was Laura and Ollie and getting them back safely.

  CHAPTER 100

  Gerry McGee was confused to see Ray outside the stadium again, but he greeted Laura and Ollie enthusiastically. ‘The match is almost over, Mrs Savage,’ he said.

  ‘I know, Gerry, but can you let us in. We promised Gabe we’d be here.’

  ‘Of course,’ said McGee, ushering them through the turnstile.

  Ray looked at his watch. It was twenty minutes to four. The game would soon be over. ‘What’s the score, Gerry?’

  ‘Two-all,’ said the steward. ‘I dunno what’s wrong with United, they should have had this game in the bag.’

  Ray reached for Ollie’s hand and the boy took it. ‘Can you take us as close to the pitch as we can get?’ asked Laura. ‘I want Gabe to know we made it.’

  ‘Sure, but there isn’t much time,’ said the steward. He took them away from the turnstile and towards the main stand. Ray tensed as he saw two Chinese men walking towards them. They both wore overcoats over suits, but they had the look of hard men who would have no trouble getting down and dirty. ‘Gerry, I need you to wait here with Laura and Ollie,’ said Ray, but before the steward could reply one of the men slid his hand out of his coat pocket, just enough to show he was holding a gun.

  The second man had his hand inside his coat and he drew it back to show what he was carrying. His gun had a bulbous silencer screwed into the barrel. ‘You’re to come with us,’ he hissed. ‘Any trouble and we’re to shoot the boy first.’

  Ray nodded. ‘There won’t be any trouble.’ McGee had begun to tremble and Ray patted him on the shoulder. ‘Don’t worry, Gerry, these guys just want a word with me.’ He smiled at the steward’s obvious discomfort. ‘Just take deep breaths, everything will be okay.’

  Laura picked up Ollie and looked anxiously over at Ray. ‘Ray?’ she said.

  ‘It’s okay, darling. Don’t worry. I’ve got this.’

  ‘Like fuck you have,’ said the heavy with the silencer. He nodded towards the executive boxes. ‘This way,’ he said. ‘And if you try anything, I’ll shoot the boy.’

  ‘I heard you the first time,’ said Ray.

  CHAPTER 101

  Chelsea had the ball but again they seemed at a loss as to what they should do with it. They got it to the halfway line and then lost momentum, passing it back and forth as the seconds ticked by. Gabe looked up at the scoreboard clock. It was 4.42. Three minutes to go, plus injury time, maybe eight minutes in total. It was more than enough time for another goal to be scored, the problem was that all the attacking was being done by United.

  Wood and Fernandez launched a joint attack on the player with the ball, Wood with a sliding tackle and Fernandez with a brutal shoulder charge. The ball rolled away and Fernandez chased after it but Maplethorpe got to it first. He ran up the middle of the field and saw Gabe off to his left. Gabe nodded and Maplethorpe kicked it over to him, a near perfect pass that meant Gabe was running at almost full speed when the ball reached his feet. He dribbled it out to the sideline, then brought it in towards the Chelsea penalty box.

  Babacar was in position for a shot and was screaming at Gabe for the ball. Gabe heard the thud of boots to his right. He drew back his leg to shoot but braced himself for the tackle that he knew was coming. The defender slammed into Gabe’s side, sending him sprawling. The crowd jeered but Gabe knew the tackle was good. As he rolled over he saw the defender retrieve the ball and start running towards the United half. Gabe ignored the stabbing pain that shot through his left leg as he stood up. The defender reached the half-way line and seemed to run out of steam, looking around anxiously for someone to pass to. Gabe cursed under his breath. ‘For fuck’s sake,’ he muttered. ‘If you carry on like this I’m going to have to put the ball in the back of the net myself.’

  CHAPTER 102

  The heavy with the unsilenced gun walked ahead of Ray, his coat flapping behind him. McGee was on Ray’s left, ashen-faced, and Laura and Ollie were to his right. The heavy with the silencer was one step behind them and Ray had no doubt that if he did try anything Ollie would be the first target.

  ‘What do we do, Ray?’ whispered Laura.

  ‘Just do as they say for the moment,’ said Ray. The heavy behind him pushed the barrel of the gun into Ray’s back and hissed for him to keep quiet. Having the gun that close was a mistake, Ray knew. He knew from experience that he could turn and push the gun away faster than the man could pull the trigger. But the fact there were two men with two guns meant the odds were in their favour.

  Ray wasn’t surprised in the least when they arrived at CK Lee’s box. The heavy in front opened the door and nodded for them to go in. Ray went in first. There was a small Chinese man standing at the windows looking out over the pitch. He could have been anywhere between sixty and ninety with parchment-thin wrinkled skin and coarse dry hair that looked like dead grass. He was wearing a grey suit that looked as if it had come from Savile Row, and gleaming black shoes. He turned to look at Ray, his hands behind his back. ‘You’re the brother?’ he said, his voice a flat monotone.

  Ray winked. ‘Ray Savage, at your service,’ he said.

  ‘You think this is funny?’

  ‘I try to keep my spirits up.

  Laura and Ollie came in behind him. Ray waved at a sofa at the side of the room. ‘Why don’t you and Ollie grab a seat?’ he said to Laura.

  McGee came into the box, followed by the heavy with the silenced gun who shut the door behind him and stood with his back to it.

  Ray folded his arms. ‘So I’m guessing you’re Yung Jaw-Lung. What are you, a hundred and twenty?’

  Yung chuckled dryly. ‘It sometimes feels like that,’ he said.

  ‘And I’m guessing Lee called you, did he?’ Ray pulled a face. ‘I knew I should have finished him.’ He looked over at Laura. ‘See what happens when you leave loose ends, darling? They end up biting you in the arse.’

  Yung looked out through the full length windows towards the scoreboard. 2-2 with less than a minute to go. Plus injury time. Another five minutes, perhaps. ‘This is not going well,’ he said.

  ‘How much do you have riding on this game?’ asked Ray.

  Yung shrugged. ‘Twenty million dollars.’

  ‘Hong Kong dollars?’

  ‘US.’

  Ray nodded. ‘That’s a lot money.’

  ‘There are a lot of gamblers in Asia.’ He turned back to look at Ray with his watery eyes. ‘Your brother didn’t come through for us, so now his family will have to pay the price.’

  ‘Don’t give me that, you were never going to let them go,’ said Ray.

  ‘That’s not true,’ said Yung. ‘If your brother had lost the match like he was supposed to, we would have let his wife and son go. But now, after everything you’ve done…’ He shrugged.

  ‘Don’t blame me for this,’ said Ray.

  ‘Your brother made a mistake, asking you for help,’ said Yung. ‘Now you will pay the price. And so will he.’

  Ray stared at Yung, his eyes narrowing. ‘Then I’ll pay,’ he said. ‘Do what the fuck you want with me, but let Laura and Ollie go. They’re civilians.’

  ‘Sometimes civilians get hurt,’ said Yung.

  ‘If you want to take your anger out on someone, I’m here for you,’ said Ray, holding his hands to the side. ‘Hurting Gabe and his family doesn’t help you. It won’t bring back the money you lost. Or bring back the men who died.’

  ‘No, but their deaths will serve as a lesson to others. A warning.’ He waved at the heavy with the silenced gun and said something in Cantonese. The heavy grunted a reply and walked up to Ray, keeping the gun pointed at Ray’s face. It was a Glock. The gun was just two feet from Ray’s face. The heavy grinned and Ray grinned back. Two feet was close enough. More than enough. Ray’s smile widened. The heavy frowned, confused.

  ‘Laura?’ said Ray, still staring at the heavy.

  ‘Yes?’ Her voice was trembling.

  ‘Cover Ollie’s eyes.’

  CHAPTER 103

  Gabe dribbled the ball across the line into the penalty box. There were two defenders in front of him but he had a clear shot to the top right hand corner. He instinctively switched into shooting mode but the reality of his situation kicked in and he tapped the ball to his left. The keeper was shouting furiously and one of the midfielders ran into the box.

  Babacar was by the left post, screaming for the ball. Gabe turned around and took the ball out of the box, then ran parallel to the line. One of the defenders lunged at the ball but Gabe tapped it to the side and shielded it with his body. They bumped shoulders but Gabe stayed on track, keeping the ball at his feet. He pulled a 180, running back the other way as the defender floundered. He had an opening again, the right hand of the goal was completely clear, but he hesitated and almost immediately the keeper was in position and ready for the shot.

  The crowd was screaming now, desperate for a goal. Fernandez came running up on Gabe’s right and he passed the ball to him. The Argentinian took the ball two steps and then sent it spinning across the box to Babacar. Gabe’s mouth opened in surprise and horror as Babacar went for it with his head. The ball went high and hit the crossbar, then bounced to the right where Fernandez hit it with all his might, a blistering shot that turned the ball into a blur. The keeper reacted instinctively, throwing up his hands and deflecting the ball over the bar as the crowd went wild.

  Jason Wood went to retrieve the ball for the corner kick. Gabe looked over at the sideline. McNamara was standing between Tommy Brett and Martin Jessop. There was no sign of Guttoso, presumably the manager had gone back to the owner’s box. Gabe knew he couldn’t insist on taking the kick so he moved to stand on the edge of the penalty box.

  Babacar and Moretti were getting busy on the goal line and the keeper was screaming at the top of his voice. One of the defenders pulled Moretti’s shirt and the Italian jabbed him in the ribs, swearing profusely in his own language. Maplethorpe ran into the box, closely followed by Johnnie Reid.

  The crowd was at full volume, sensing blood. Gabe glanced up at the clock. There was one minute to go, then they would be in injury time. His heart was pounding but he felt light-headed, as if he was losing his grip on reality. It would be all over within minutes and the way things were going it looked as if there was no way that Chelsea could win. And if they didn’t… He gritted his teeth in frustration.

  Wood took a few steps back and composed himself. The keeper was still screaming at his defence. Fernandez stepped back and deliberately trod on the foot of the defender behind him. Wood began his short run, then kicked it high and towards Gabe. Gabe was relatively open, the nearest defender was six feet away, and he trapped the ball easily on his chest and dropped it to his feet. He took it across the line into the penalty box, then turned to the right. His best chance of getting the ball in play for Chelsea was to kick the ball at the keeper and let him clear it. With most of his teammates on the attack, there was a chance – a slim one – that a sudden Chelsea attack might catch United by surprise. Babacar and Moretti were both screaming for the ball but Gabe ignored them. He turned again, looking for a gap so that he could hit the ball to the keeper, but Maplethorpe was in his way. A defender shouldered Gabe but he turned and avoided most of the blow, the ball still at his feet. He realised he had a clear view of the keeper and he drew back his right leg to take the kick when the defender lashed out and caught Gabe just behind the knee. A bolt of pain paralysed his right leg and he went down, screaming in agony.

  CHAPTER 104

  ‘Are you ready?’ asked Ray as he stared into the eyes of the man holding the gun. Yung said something in Chinese and the man grunted but kept his eyes fixed on Ray’s face. His finger began to tighten on the trigger.

 

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