Chapters (60)
Rita exploded, grabbing the smaller one, hugging him, repeating his name. He let her hug him. But he was passive, his body loose, like a stuffed toy for which she’d suddenly discovered a deep and inexpressible love. Meanwhile, the taller of the two looked on with mild contempt.
‘It’s over, Kieron,’ she continued, oblivious to everything. ‘It’s sorted. Your mum’s on her way. You hear me? You’re safe.’
It took about twenty seconds, Joe reckoned. But he couldn’t be sure, because he was busy trying to work out what the bloody hell was going on.
Rita finally loosened her grip on Kieron and looked around.
‘What?’ she asked Joe and Gwyn as she pulled herself together. Then, turning back to the two boys: ‘Who gave you them friggin’ Cornettos?’
‘I thought you didn’t like kids?’ Joe said as they watched Kieron and his friend being escorted to a patrol car.
They were back on the road, which was now closed off and was bustling with police officers. Her face was slightly puffed up.
‘Kieron? Known him since ’e were seven. Every copper round here does. A right little bugger.’
‘I know the type,’ Joe said. ‘You can see it in their eyes.’
‘The pizza? Ice creams? Jesus Christ!’
Inside the building where the boys had been found there were two empty pizza boxes, a cooler bag full of ice creams, plus a couple of Gameboys. All of this, they explained, had been left for them by that nice Maths teacher. She’d told them to stay out of the police’s way for few hours; something to do with damage to a Subaru yesterday, about how she could fix it with the police if Kieron and his mate laid low for a while.
‘And they believed her?’ Joe said.
‘Seems like it. Whatever she said, she got ’em here, and she took us for mugs.’
Joe’s WhatsApp pinged. He studied the screen, took his time, ignoring everything around him.
‘She just sent me the location,’ he said, holding up his phone so Rita could see it.
Rita snorted. ‘Think that’ll make a difference, after what she’s done? She’s going down for kidnapping, an’all.’
Gwyn Merchant bounded up to them.
‘Are you coming? There’s a friggin’ man-hunt going on! I’m off now if you want a lift.’
‘We better go,’ Joe said.
She smiled at him, didn’t move.
‘We’ll give you a lift back to Tong. You can get your car. But you’re being stood down, Joe.’
He closed his eyes.
‘OK. But why did they get you to tell me?’
She waited until he’d opened them again.
‘’Cos it was my decision. Go home, Joe.’