Being moved on became the norm. There were at least six foster homes he could remember which meant different schools too, and over time Pete developed a hard protective shell – his way of coping with change.

From an early age Pete discovered that his fists could get results. Even as a skinny kid, Pete used violence or the threat of it to get what he wanted – from another boy’s dinner money to a pack of cigarettes or whatever he fancied lifting from the local shops. As he grew older and his needs changed, violence and intimidation continued to furnish him with the material things he desired. Pete’s creativity was employed in finding new ways to make money and the prizes became greater.

Kidnapping was a reasonably lucrative enterprise and if he didn’t get greedy, which Pete reckoned he didn’t, it was an easy way to make money with minimal effort. Previous successes increased his confidence but this was the first time someone had the nerve to give him only part of the money and he was making Stone pay for his impudence. And now there was the added dilemma of what to do with the kid.

Pete was always cautious, but the kid had seen him thanks to Sal’s little brat. Could he take the risk that Danny wouldn’t be able to identify him? He intended to move on as soon as he’d got the money – but this was an unexpected and problematic development.

Neil was getting nervous too. When the men first met in the bookies, Neil was bemoaning his mounting debts and a nagging wife. He admitted to liking the horses and told Pete his wife was threatening to leave him and take their son if he didn’t sort himself out. Pete offered an opportunity to make some easy money for little effort, which Neil jumped at. Pete assumed the man’s desperation would keep him in line but now he questioned his initial opinion. His partner was clearly too soft.

How, Pete wondered, would Neil react if he decided to kill the boy? The decision wouldn’t be made until the rest of the money was in their possession which Pete planned to happen in the early morning of the following day.

Pete promised Neil fifteen grand and although she hadn’t done a particularly good job, Sal would expect a few hundred for her trouble. He would then use his share to move on – Pete was tired of Sal and her slovenly ways – there was always another job in another city and another woman. But how could he be sure the kid wouldn’t identify him? There really was only one solution, only one permanent way to ensure his silence.

34

DAY 5