CHERUB: Class A - Robert Muchamore Page 0,59

wall to News 24. They all concentrated on stuffing their faces until the TV cut to a policeman. The title up on screen said: Superintendent Carlisle, Operation Snort. He started speaking to the camera.
‘We’ve made over one hundred and fifty arrests in the last three days and believe we have taken a major step against illegal drugs in this country…’
A lump of prawn vindaloo smacked Superintendent Carlisle in the forehead and began sliding down the screen.
‘… This represents a giant stride forward in our war against illegal drugs in the UK …’
‘Try and catch me, Superintendent,’ Keith shouted, chucking another prawn.
Keith’s kids joined in, hurling lumps of curry and handfuls of rice until the screen was a blurry mess. Everyone laughed, but it had a hollow ring, like they were really scared by the arrests.
Junior turned around and looked at his dad. ‘Did you ask James about Miami?’
‘No,’ Keith said.
‘Miami?’ James asked.
‘I usually take the boys to my place in Miami for half-term,’ Keith explained. ‘But Ringo says he’s got a lot of homework and doesn’t want to go this year.’
‘He’s having a party,’ April explained. ‘I expect we’ll come home and find this house razed to the ground.’
‘Who says I’m having a party?’ Ringo said defensively.
‘It’ll be boring without Ringo,’ Junior said. ‘And the plane ticket’s paid for, so Dad suggested I take a mate.’
‘Cool,’ James said, bursting into a grin. ‘I’ll have to check with my parents, but it should be OK. Are you going, April?’
‘No,’ April said. ‘Me and Erin are skiing with our mum.’
‘It’s a family tradition,’ Keith explained. ‘We all used to go on holiday together, but I’d always be strangling my wife, Junior and April usually end up rolling around the floor if they’re together for more than a few hours, and Erin …’
‘We think the real Erin was abducted at birth and replaced by an alien from Neptune,’ Junior explained.
‘I’ve been here about ten times and I’ve still never met Erin,’ James said.
Keith shook his head and smiled. ‘That girl may be my daughter, but I haven’t got a clue what goes on inside that little head of hers.’
‘You’ll love Miami,’ Junior said. ‘It’s boiling hot and our house is right on the beach. You can crawl out of bed, run down the beach and be in the sea within thirty seconds.’
‘I’ll ring Zara up now,’ James said.
‘Is Kyle home?’ Ringo asked.
‘Probably,’ James said. ‘Did you want a word with him?’
Ringo gave his dad a mischievous grin as he spoke. ‘Just tell Kyle there’s a big party going down here, Friday after next.’
Keith burst out laughing. James thought Keith was a really cool dad, especially considering the stress he was under.
‘You can have your party,’ Keith said. ‘But Kelvin and a couple of other guys from the boxing club are gonna chaperone it, in case any of your pals decide to start peeing on the carpets or stubbing out ciggies on my Egyptian rug.’
‘What?’ Ringo gasped. ‘I don’t want some crew of muscle-heads bossing my mates around. I’ll be totally embarrassed.’
‘Don’t worry,’ Keith said. ‘I’ll tell them to keep a low profile.’
James gave Zara a call. She was surprised, but she said it was OK to travel.
*
It was already turning dark when James got home. He recognised John Jones’ Toyota on the driveway. He was in the living-room, with Zara, Ewart, Kerry and Kyle.
‘What’s this in aid of?’ James asked.
John Jones explained. ‘As soon as Zara heard about your little holiday, she contacted me and I rushed over here.’
‘Why is me going on holiday such a big deal?’ James asked.
‘Miami is the centre of the world drug trade,’ John explained. ‘It’s no coincidence that Keith Moore has a home there. The saying goes: If you want a gram of cocaine, stand on any street corner. If you want a ton of cocaine, stand on any street corner in Miami.
‘There are twenty smaller gangs snapping at the heels of KMG. Keith has to get his hands on fresh supplies of cocaine and get KMG working again. A lot of his top people have been arrested and he won’t know who he can trust, so he’ll be brokering the deal himself.’
‘So what can I do?’ James asked.
‘We know KMG has a long-standing relationship with a Peruvian drug cartel called Lambayeke,’ John explained. ‘To pay Lambayeke, Keith will have to transfer millions from his overseas bank accounts. If we can find out what bank and country Keith’s money is coming from, we’ll have a lead that