belongs to Hagar?’
James nodded. ‘I’ll bet you that car-wash, and probably half the car-washes in north London, are fronts for Hagar to launder drug money. Maybe they wash fifty cars a day, but if you look at the books, you’ll see cash going through for a hundred or more. Minicab offices are another classic way of laundering money, ’cos everyone pays in cash and half the drivers are illegal immigrants.’
‘But me beating up Fat Tony, surely they’ll be pissed off?’
‘Fat Tony won’t be happy that you caught him off guard. But in Craig’s eyes, my guess is that it’ll just be another sign that you’re someone worth recruiting. The only thing is, Craig’s gonna get worried while you’re holding twenty grand of Hagar’s money and not answering your calls.’
‘I still don’t fancy walking into that cab office,’ Ryan said.
‘I’m with you on that,’ James said. ‘What you need to do is call them. Make it clear that you don’t want to rip them off, but you’ll meet Craig personally and give him the money.’
Ryan sounded wary. ‘He’s a moody bastard. Craig stomped Youssef’s brother because he got chocolate on his favourite chair at The Hangout.’
‘Craig’s Hagar’s number two,’ James said thoughtfully. ‘For that job you need a good head on your shoulders, and a reputation as someone not to be messed with. I wouldn’t expect Hagar to pin a rosette on you or anything, but as long as you’re not too gobby he should be OK.’
‘What if you’re wrong?’ Ryan asked. ‘I mean, I can handle myself, but he’s a hard bastard and he’s likely to have backup.’
‘I grabbed your com unit before I left the house. Wherever Craig wants to meet, I’ll be right outside and I’ll come in with all guns blazing if things get hairy. OK?’
‘I reckon I can live with that,’ Ryan said, as he pulled out the Alcatel. ‘The longer I’m off grid, the angrier Craig will get, so I’ll call right away.’
28. EXCHANGE
Ryan felt his heart thumping as a black Audi limo pulled up alongside a puddled kerb. Craig had insisted on picking him up in a car. Ryan had a tracking device tucked down his briefs so James could follow on his bike while keeping out of sight, but being on the move meant it would be much longer before James could intervene if things turned hairy.
The Audi’s back door opened electronically, revealing a big leather armrest, with Craig on the far side.
‘Get in,’ Craig said.
Ryan stepped in, placing his backpack on the armrest as he checked out the muscle in the driving seat. He was a proper thug, with a chain tattooed around his neck. Ryan knew him from surveillance pictures he’d looked at before the mission and was fairly sure he was named Paul.
‘Drive,’ Craig said, as he glanced over his shoulder out the back window.
Tyres squealed as Ryan got pressed back into his seat. His nostrils were overwhelmed by a mix of damp leather and Craig’s cigarette smoke.
‘So,’ Craig said, giving Ryan his best granite expression. ‘You’re showing some chops saying you’ll only hand the money direct to me. What have you got to say for yourself?’
Ryan clipped his seatbelt into the holder and tried to keep the tension out of his voice. ‘The way I see it, either Fat Tony is ripping you off, or you sent me up to that estate the other night with a bag full of milk powder and an ambush ready and waiting.’
The driver turned and smiled, but then caught himself. He only resumed laughing when Craig cracked a smile.
‘Which is most likely?’ Craig asked.
‘The test,’ Ryan said. ‘Every kid wants a taste of your action and you need a way to know who can really step up and do the job.’
Craig looked suspicious as he grabbed the backpack.
‘Money’s all there,’ Ryan said.
‘No doubt,’ Craig said, as he put the bag on the carpet between his legs. ‘You must be pretty bright.’
The compliment made Ryan feel more confident. ‘I’m clever and I work hard.’
‘You keep your mouth shut about the test,’ Craig said.
Ryan nodded. ‘So you’re not gonna make me go back to the car-wash?’
Craig left Ryan’s question hanging. The car took a corner as Craig reached across, grabbed a lump of Ryan’s cheek and squeezed almost hard enough to be painful.
‘I’m a big fan of common sense,’ Craig said, sounding more aggressive as he pulled Ryan across the armrest by his cheek. ‘Guts and loyalty count for a lot. But over the years,