Read Online DEAD & BURIED a gripping crime thriller full of twists by Helen H. Durrant - Free Book Online Page A

come along? Get your back?”
    “It’s best if you keep out of it.”
    “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
    * * *
    By the time Archer reached the meeting place it was dark. He was nervous. He didn’t like waiting and the man was late. Bar one other time, up until tonight they’d only communicated via the pay-as-you-go mobile he’d given him.
    The meet had been the man’s idea, as had the place — under the viaduct. Archer stood in the shadows cast by one of the huge stone pillars, where he couldn’t be seen. For extra reassurance he kept a tight grip on the gun in his pocket. Didn’t know and didn’t trust. If things got heavy he’d get one in first.
    “Archer!” a voice hissed. “You alone?”
    Archer spun around. He couldn’t see him properly. He too was in the shadows. The man was like him — wary. But he could tell that he was older, by a good few years, plus he was wearing a suit.
    “Yeah, as agreed. What d’you want?”
    “I want results.” The man spoke into the darkness between them. “We had an agreement. You haven’t kept to it.”
    “My mate Wayne got shot. It scared the hell out of me. It set us back. We’re now a man down.”
    “What happened to Wayne was unfortunate. But things will settle. Costello won’t win this. He’s losing his edge. You have to keep your nerve. You just make sure everyone understands who’s in charge around here. It’s time you threw your weight about more. You’ll get no arguments from me. Once Costello sees the estate is secure, he’ll back off.”
    “Costello had Wayne shot?” Archer suddenly felt cold.
    “He knows what’s happening. What did you expect him to do?”
    “Wayne didn’t deserve that. Problem is, if the police push him, Wayne will talk. He’ll drop us all in it.”
    “Then get on with the job and stop pissing me about.”
    “What happened to Wayne — it changes things. Makes things too risky. Perhaps you should up the payment.”
    “You’re getting paid too much as it is.”
    “We can’t take on Costello without resources. We need a show of muscle around the estate. More money and I can convince others to join us.”
    “Bad idea. Before we can blink we’ll have a turf war on our hands. We do this quietly. We move in, take the lot and leave Costello wondering what happened. You’ve done everything I told you about the other thing?”
    Archer nodded.
    “Good. Word will have reached Costello by now. It’ll give him something to worry about. Time to drop it. Don’t contact the police again — got it?”
    “I could get my head blown off for what I’ve done.”
    “Keep out of sight. Get the others to do the running.”
    “Getting shot wasn’t in the agreement.”
    The man came a little closer. “Get on with what you’re paid for and don’t cross me, Archer.”
    “What if the police ask questions? They’re bound to after what happened to Wayne.”
    The man grabbed him by the scruff of the neck. “You’re winding me up. Don’t become a liability.”
    “Let me go! I can’t breathe.”
    Archer lowered his eyes. The man had half of his little finger missing on one hand. Archer was gasping but he couldn’t take his eyes off it. How had that happened?
    “So far you’ve done a good job. Keep your mouth shut and your head down, and we’re onto a winner.” Finally the man threw him to the ground.
    “If the police ask questions, what do I tell them?”
    “They know it wasn’t you shot your friend. There’s plenty of talk going round. They know Costello wants to come back and what he’s capable of.”
    Archer took the gun from his pocket. “I don’t want this anymore. If I’m picked up, and the police find it . . .” He pushed the gun towards the man.
    “You need it. It might save your life. Go back to the flat and do what we pay you for.” He handed Archer a couple of notes. “This will keep you going for a while.”
    Archer shook his head and put the gun back in his pocket. Two fifty quid notes. “That