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won’t keep me for long.”
    “Be creative.”
    “I need more. I’ve got to pay Addy.”
    “Don’t wind me up, kid. You don’t want to end up like your friend Wayne.”
    A shiver flew down Archer’s spine.
    “I’ll be in touch tomorrow. You wanted to be part of this. In means exactly that. You can’t pick and choose.” He grabbed hold of Archer again. “It’s quite simple. You follow instructions. If you want to live.”
    And then he was gone. Archer watched him until he disappeared. He took the mobile from his pocket, removed the sim card and threw them both into the river. The man could stuff his plans. Taking on Costello was far too dangerous. After what happened to Wayne, he had no intention of hanging around.
    “What you up to, Archer?”
    It was Mick Garrett.
    “What’re you doing here?”
    “I followed you,” he replied. “You’re up to something. I won’t be sidelined. If there’s a deal going down for the weed, then I’m in.”
    “Not here and not now, mate,” Archer said, squinting into the gloom. “You’ll get your share. We agreed — remember?”
    “What you doing here?”
    “None of your business. This is private stuff.”
    Garrett grabbed Archer’s arm. “If you are going behind my back, I’ll do you.”
    “Don’t be stupid. The bloke I’ve just met will only deal with me.”
    “Is that the bloke who gave you the gun?”
    “Wait in the flat. I’ll come and find you in a while,” said Archer.
    “The police have been all over the estate. They won’t be finished yet.”
    “The shooting wasn’t down to us.”
    “You’ve got a gun, remember?”
    “I didn’t have it then, did I?” Archer hissed.
    “So who shot him?”
    “One of Costello’s lot.”
    “You’re a stupid bastard, Archer. We can’t take him on. The man’s evil. We’ll all end up dead. The police will come looking, but they’re pussycats compared to that one.”
    “Let the police look. We’ll be fine. We didn’t do for Wayne. Don’t talk about the gun to anyone — got it?” Archer cast a furtive glance into the blackness. “I’ll text you later. We’ll meet up.”
    “No way. I’m getting out and so should you. If what happened to Wayne is down to Costello, then we’d be better off with the police on our backs.”
    “Keep your mouth shut, Mick.”
    “A disappearing act needs money.”
    “The weed’s not ready yet. Addy will let me know and I’ll be in touch.”
    “So we’re broke. Where am I supposed to go, Archer?”
    “I don’t know. Use your head.”
    “You’re up to summat. If you’re double-dealing, squeezing me out of what I’ve earned, I’ll make life difficult,” said Garrett.
    “It’s not what you think. The bloke I met has nothing to do with you or Wayne. But he’ll be pissed off if he finds out I’ve spoken to you.”
    “Be careful, Archer. If I find out you’ve dropped me in it, I’ll tell the police everything I know.”
    “Just do one.”
    Archer watched his mate walk away. His figure blended with the shadows for a few seconds and then he was gone.

Chapter 7
    Wednesday
     
    “Oddly quiet, don’t you think, sir?”
    “It’s only eight. Most of the folk on this estate are jobless. They lie in bed all morning sleeping off the night before.”
    Calladine and Rocco were sitting in the snack bar at the Hobfield community centre, drinking tea.
    “Did you see Ruth?”
    “I did as it happens. I took the baby out for a stroll last night so that she could get some rest.”
    “Are you missing her, guv?”
    “Yes, Rocco. Work isn’t the same without her, is it?”
    “She’ll be back before you know it. You know what she’s like — can’t stay away from the job.”
    Calladine shook his head. “Stiff competition, a baby.”
    Rocco smiled. “They do a mean bacon butty here. Just listen to the sizzle coming from behind that counter. Lift anyone’s mood that.”
    Calladine swallowed his tea. “No time. We’ve got to go.” Then he sniffed. The smell