Adele quickly got ready for bed. It was late and she was tired. As soon as she hit the bed she drifted off to sleep. And by the time she awoke the next day she had forgotten all about her intention to tell Peter about Glynn and Mike’s suspicious conversation.

Chapter 55

It was Saturday, the night of the raids. As he looked around at the fifteen men crowded into his office Peter loosened his collar for the second time. He was feeling the heat but maybe that had as much to do with what they were about to do as it did with the number of people packed into a confined space.

He desperately wanted tonight to run smoothly. Not only did the future of his firm depend on it but he suspected that his leadership of the security business might do, too. He had to be seen to be taking a hard line with rival firms.

Peter had already briefed his men a few nights previously so everyone knew who the drivers were and who was accompanying him and Glynn. Currently they were all waiting for Glynn to come back into the office. There was a buzz of excitement as the men chatted amongst themselves.

Peter saw the office door open, then the crowd of men made way as Glynn walked up to him. ‘The coast’s clear,’ he said once he was standing by Peter’s side.

Peter knew he was referring to Adele as he’d sent him to check whether she was in her office, knowing that she would notice if a large group of men passed by.

‘Right, lads, listen up,’ Peter called over the excited clamour. ‘You’re all going out the back way as planned. Me and Glynn will go out of the front door and meet you at the vans. As far as the staff are concerned, us two are out on business so we have to be seen to be leaving the club. Don’t forget, Jonny is driving the van to Angels, which is the one I’ll be getting in, and Rav is driving the van to Bramleys with Glynn. Now, before we leave, is everyone clear which van you’re in?’

The men muttered their understanding.

‘OK, now don’t forget, keep the noise down as you leave. I don’t want to raise any fuckin’ suspicion. Alright?’

Again the men murmured their agreement.

‘Right, come on then. Let’s go,’ he said, and he and Glynn followed the men as they filed out of the office.

As Peter and Glynn walked down the stairway leading to the club, Peter’s apprehension turned to abject fear. His stomach was fluttering and his hands were moist. He fought to contain it, telling himself not to be stupid. It wasn’t the first time he’d done something like this, after all. He’d had to get heavy with people before so why was tonight any different?