Chapters (96)

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96

‘Fair enough. That’s your side. What about our side? Why should we trust you? When one of you is a traitor? You get us out the doors, you might just lock them behind us.’

‘I don’t think –’

‘Uh-uh, is my turn to talk,’ said Blue. ‘We didn’t get here by being stupid. We’ll send out a top squad, don’t you worry yourself none about that. And you’re sending some of your guys along with us.’

‘Of course, we’ll have to. I was going to say that, otherwise you won’t know what to look for.’

‘The rest of our people stay here. You feed them. You keep them happy. The younger ones you look after, the older ones you put in charge of security.’

‘We have our own security.’

‘Listen, Mister Museum, you’re not getting this. We are making a deal here. As I see it, your guy, Robbie, was supposed to be in charge of security, yeah, only he got himself whacked in a fight, am I right?’

‘We’ve got Jackson,’ said Justin.

‘She’s good,’ said Blue. ‘But she just one girl. You asked downstairs what we’re good at. Well, this is it. We can properly clean out your lower level. Put some systems in place. Make sure there’s no grown-ups within a hundred miles of this place. You show us some trust and we’ll find your medicines for you.’

Justin thought about this for a while, tapping on the tabletop again.

Maxie stared out of one of the windows that ran down the side of the room. There was a view into the central courtyard and, above the buildings, clear blue sky.

‘It’s a deal,’ Justin said at last and Brooke jumped out of her chair, delighted.

‘Cool,’ she said. ‘We’re all on the same side.’

Blue came over to Maxie as she got up from the table.

‘What d’you reckon?’ he said, walking away so as not to be overheard.

‘So you’re in charge now, are you, big man?’ Maxie said, half smiling.

‘You gotta keep up,’ said Blue. ‘Instead of sitting there saying nothing. Nice take-down, though.’

‘Thanks. I felt a bit stupid, to tell you the truth.’

‘He had it coming. Seriously, though, Max, you cool with all this?’

‘I guess so. It’s more of the same. Dirty work.’ She headed over to the door where Justin and Brooke were waiting for them. ‘Just more dirty work.’

Chapter 14