CHERUB: Class A - Robert Muchamore Page 0,48

but nothing we can’t handle. Then, just when you think nothing is ever going to excite you, something turns up like what you two did last night.’
‘It was a test, wasn’t it?’ Kerry asked.
‘That’s right,’ Keith smiled. ‘You won’t last long in business without loyal people. The best way to find what they’re made of is to give them some fake merchandise and put them in a situation like we put you two in last night. Some people get scared and turn hysterical. Those are the ones who’ll cause problems if they get busted. We have to kick them out. Some people are sorry for losing the merchandise, but they tough it out and beg for another chance. That’s what we’re hoping for: guts and determination. Until last night, though, nobody ever showed enough guts to hunt down and get revenge on the guys we paid to rob them. What you two did was very impressive.’
James and Kerry both smiled.
‘This is all nice and cosy,’ Crazy Joe said bitterly. ‘But what about my stuff?’
‘Yes,’ Keith said. ‘You’ll have to return what you took from Joe.’
‘What about us?’ James said. ‘I’ve lost my best trainers. We both lost our watches and mobiles and stuff.’
‘Joe can return them,’ Keith said.
Joe cleared his throat. ‘Actually, I said the two guys who duffed them up could keep what they took.’
‘OK,’ Keith said. ‘Take five hundred quid out of Joe’s money, that’ll cover it.’
‘That’s a bit steep,’ Joe said tersely. ‘It’s not my fault the brat was wearing expensive trainers.’
Keith repeated himself. ‘Take five hundred quid out of Joe’s money, that’ll cover it.’
He didn’t change his tone or anything, but Joe knew his place and didn’t push the argument. James took five hundred pounds and split it with Kerry. After that, he slid the carrier bags over to Joe.
‘Is that everything you took?’ Keith asked.
James nodded. ‘Everything.’
‘Where’s my Mustang parked?’ Joe asked.
James and Kerry looked awkwardly at each other.
‘We were scared you’d report it stolen and our fingerprints were all over the inside,’ James said.
‘You didn’t clean them off with white spirit, did you?’ Joe asked. ‘White spirit dries out the leather.’
‘No, we didn’t,’ James said. ‘We, erm …’
He didn’t have the bottle to say it.
‘We burned the car out,’ Kerry blurted.
‘You did what?’ Crazy Joe shouted, lunging over the desk and grabbing James by his T-shirt.
‘Let him go,’ Keith said, firmly.
‘I’ll kill these little pricks,’ Joe shouted, dragging James across the desk and trying to get his hands around his throat. James thrashed about, trying to push Joe off.
Joe had ignored Keith’s order, so Keith gave Kelvin the nod. Joe was no match for the powerfully built boxer; Kelvin picked up the fat man like he weighed nothing, banged him against the wall and slapped him around the face. Joe let out a high-pitched yowl that could have come from an eight-year-old girl.
‘That car was my baby,’ he sobbed. ‘I spent months working on her.’
Kelvin backed off with a stunned look on his face. Joe dabbed up tears with the end of his beard.
‘Wasn’t it insured?’ Keith asked.
‘That’s not the point,’ Joe sniffled. ‘I invested love in that car. You’ll never get that back.’
Keith was killing himself laughing. ‘Joe, it’s only a car. Get a grip on yourself.’
‘Those kids should pay damages, or something. They shouldn’t get away with it.’
‘Joe,’ Keith said, looking a little angry. ‘It’s not my fault you let yourself get outwitted by two twelve-year-olds. I’ve done what you wanted, now get out of here before I ask my minder to step inside and knock your head through the wall.’
Joe grabbed his carrier bags and stumbled out of the office. He looked such a shambles James almost felt sorry for him. Keith got up from behind the desk, shaking his head.
‘You know,’ Keith said, as Kelvin helped him into his overcoat, ‘if you two kids stay loyal and work hard, you’re gonna make a lot of money.’
James and Kerry both grinned. The bruises were worth it if they’d earned Keith Moore’s respect.
‘Actually,’ Kerry said, ‘I came along as a favour to James. All your deliveries are done by boys.’
‘I thought girls were soft until I met you,’ Keith said.
‘I can set her up, if you like,’ Kelvin said.
‘These two are really special,’ Keith said, grinning. ‘They’ve got brains and balls. Keep them busy and make sure they’re properly rewarded.’
‘Thanks,’ Kerry said.
‘And James,’ Keith said. ‘If you’re over my house with Junior any time, be sure to stick your snout into my