Read Online The Punjabi Pappadum by Robert Newton - Free Book Online Page A

see … We’ve got three suits — nothing fancy. Public service, I’d say. Caucasian and middle-aged — certainly not players.”
    â€œWhat’s a player?” asked Dexter.
    â€œA heavy,” explained Ron, keeping his eyes peeled. “Someone with form. You know, a crim.”
    â€œHow can you tell?”
    â€œYou see the way they walked straight in under the spotlight?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œThey’re stupid. A player would’ve gone round the side or the back, where it’s dark.”
    â€œThey look nervous,” said Sam.
    â€œYou’re clever, too,” chirped Ron.
    Sensing the coast was clear, the smaller, ratty-looking man rapped on the double red doors. Seconds later they opened.
    â€œBingo!” breathed Ron. “It’s my old mate Grubby. Okay everyone, here’s the plan.”
    It was simple, really. Sam was to act as the decoy, positioned in front of Burger Barn — Sector One. If things went wrong, she was to create a diversion using Dexter’s old skateboard and two sachets of tomato sauce. Tacky, but highly effective. Covering Sector Two would be Dexter and Travis. Ron, Veejay and the telescopic camera had Sector Three.
    11.15 pm.
    â€œOkay guys, we’re on,” said Ron. “Do you remember what I told you earlier?”
    â€œWhat, about taking out the tea bag before you put the milk in?” asked Dexter.
    â€œNo. The plan, Dexter, the plan. We need to find out where they’re sitting inside so we can get the camera to the closest window. It’ll be light inside so they shouldn’t be able to see out. Keep a low profile, and stay out of sight. Got it?”
    â€œGot it!”
    Finally, after weeks of inactivity, the call for action had come. They crouched together in a tight circle with their arms around each other’s shoulders. Crime fighters they were now, connected by a silent oath of trust. Veejay broke the silence with a couple of deep breaths, as if inhaling the night air might somehow give him strength.
    â€œPhew!”
    â€œSorry,” said Sam, “I think it’s my shoes again.”
    The group broke into Sectors, then began to move. Slowly they shimmied into position, working the shadows and hiding in dark corners.
    â€œSector Two in position,” whispered Dexter, on the two-way.
    Sam huddled behind a hotted-up ute parked kerbside then followed suit. “Sector One in position.”
    â€œAcknowledged,” replied Ron.
    Peeking through the side windows, it became clear that Sector Three was closest to the action. At the east end of the bar, the three suits were busy backslapping each other over a free beer. Slowly, a figure moved in front of the window at Sector Two. It was Grubby. Dexter quickly killed the two-way and pulled Travis back into the darkness. Just metres away they were now, hidden by a giant elm tree, both completely still. Instinctively they tried shallow breathing like two kids playing a dangerous game of hide-and-seek. But it was impossible. In the stillness of the night it was as if two human vacuum cleaners had started spring cleaning in Sector Two.
    Still at the window, Grubby ran a hand over his tatty goatee. Surely he’d seen them, so why hadn’t he made a move? Then the boys remembered what Ron had said about not being able to see out. Grubby was staring at his reflection. Standing there, he produced a toothpick and went to work on his crooked teeth, picking out bits of food, then sucking them back down his throat. Satisfied, he turned and walked towards the others at the end of the bar. Quietly, Dexter and Travis moved out from the safety of the elm, flashed Sam a thumbs-up on the way past and joined the others at Sector Three.
    â€œWhat happened?” asked Ron. “We lost contact.”
    â€œWe had to kill the two-way,” whispered Travis.
    â€œFair enough. Listen, it looks like this is the best spot. We’ve already got