Read Online Breakdown by Sarah Mussi - Free Book Online Page A

forwards.
    â€˜OK,’ he says, ‘you got them, though they cost us in dogs. Now you choose.’
    And as I’m kneeling there I see the way Careem does it. How he keeps his power over this stinking ghetto. Tarquin didn’t cost them anything. What was one more ganger going to do that twenty of them couldn’t? If they only got three dogs that was all they were going to get. Saving me didn’t cost anyone anything. But Careem doesn’t want Tarquin to get any kind of thanks for getting the shoes. So he makes out he’s a dead weight, keeps him waiting till last.
    And he kills the boy who tried first.
    Tarquin heads straight into the pile – right towards the kids’ shoes. Swiftly he reaches for them, unlaces a pair, stout boys’ boots. He holds them up for Careem to approve. Lenny draws in his breath. Nobody draws a knife. Careem flickers one eye. Tarquin steps out of the pile and backs away.
    â€˜Don’t want none for yourself?’ says Careem.
    Tarquin shrugs. ‘Don’t mind.’
    â€˜But?’ says Careem.
    â€˜If you think I did good then let me keep the girl,’ says Tarquin.
    Everything suddenly goes quiet. The silence is terrible. I can even hear the slight patter of rain on the shoes.
    Immediately Tarquin knows he’s said the wrong thing.
    â€˜Please,’ he adds.
    Nobody moves.
    â€˜Since Ma died,’ Tarquin quickly defends, ‘Lenny ain’t got no one to stay with when we’re out. I take him along on account of this. I need someone to leave him with. Someone who’ll treat him right. So I can stay out longer. Get more swag. And he likes the girl.’
    Lenny’s face lights up.
    But Careem’s doesn’t. Nailey leaps forwards.
    â€˜No,’ I scream. I can’t help myself.
    There’s a terrific whack and a baseball bat cracks clean across Tarquin’s ribs. The blow sends him toppling backwards.
    â€˜I don’t think you was listening,’ says Careem. ‘I said you can have a pair of shoes.’
    Lenny’s hand slips out of mine. He’s trembling. He’s gone whiter than a ghost.
    â€˜You put your foot out of line once more and I’ll sort Lenny out for you. Forever,’ says Careem very softly.

13

    Lenny starts crying. Kaylem moves closer. Lenny shuts his mouth. But it’s me that Kaylem comes for. His hand descends on my coat and I’m hauled up in front of Careem.
    â€˜Girly,’ Careem drawls. ‘Looks like you’ve been making friends already.’
    â€˜And enemies,’ adds Kaylem.
    â€˜Well?’ Careem’s eyes hold a question.
    I don’t answer. I’ve got a feeling it’s best not to be too sparky.
    â€˜You were right about the shoe boat – I don’t want no one saying I ain’t a reasonable man, so you can keep your shoes and your coat. Fair enough?’
    From the corner of my eye I can see Lenny. Keep Careem’s attention. Maybe he’ll forget about Lenny for now. So I focus back on Careem. He seems to be waiting for an answer. And I think I’ve got just the right one for him.
    I’ve figured it out. My card.
    He won’t kill me. He won’t even touch me. He wants to trade me to the General, doesn’t he?
    It’s an ace.
    â€˜Well.’ I raise an eyebrow. ‘Seems you’re pretty handy at flouncing around in a long coat and dealing with dead dogs.’
    There’s a collective intake of breath. I take full advantage. I step up closer to him and daintily wipe my hands on the side of his armchair. I tilt my face to its best angle and look at him. Then I drop my voice. ‘As for me, I like my men a lot more –’ I flick my eyes up, gaze deep into his – ‘potent.’
    He knows what I mean.
You’re no match for me. I’m for the General.
    Kaylem steps up, ready to execute me on the spot. But Careem’s floored. He can’t execute me without what I said