Page 95 of The Impossible Fortune
‘Driving,’ says Ron. ‘Nothing more.’
‘Should I?’ Bogdan asks Elizabeth.
Ron knows full well that Elizabeth will say no.
‘Of course,’ says Elizabeth. ‘You must help.’
Elizabeth is not only sorry; she is angry. Ron can handle that more easily.
‘Don’t tell Donna about Bogdan,’ says Ron.
‘Don’t tell a police officer you’re planning to kill someone?’ says Elizabeth. ‘You boys have really thought everything through.’
‘We’re not going to be dissuaded,’ says Ron. ‘Don’t try.’
‘Wouldn’t dream of it,’ says Elizabeth. ‘You go right ahead. Perhaps they’ll put you all in the same prison? That would make it easier to visit.’
‘No one’s going to prison,’ says Jason.
Elizabeth nods, reassured. ‘I wonder if anyone who ever said that before actually did end up in prison? Surely not.’
‘Elizabeth, you understand revenge as well as anyone.’
‘Can it wait until we’ve solved Holly’s murder?’
‘Somebody shot at me and Kendrick less than two hours ago,’ says Jason.
‘So, no,’ says Ron. ‘The case can wait.’
Elizabeth looks at the three men and takes to her feet again. ‘I shall leave you to it.’
‘Really?’ says Ron. ‘You’re going to leave it to us?’
‘Really,’ says Elizabeth. ‘I trust the three of you to do the right thing, and I want to hear no more about it. Let me know when it’s done. I would ask you to send my love to Suzi, but I suspect she would prefer that I never heard about the whole affair. I will ask one favour though.’
Here we go, thinks Ron. This is where Elizabeth tells him what to do. Tells him he’s being a fool, that he’s letting his male pride and anger get the better of him. Report Danny to the police, let them deal with him.
‘Ron, whatever you do, don’t let Bogdan get shot or arrested,’ says Elizabeth. ‘And, Bogdan, whatever you do, don’t let Ron get shot or arrested. That’s all I ask.’
‘And me?’ says Jason.
‘You’re your own man, Jason,’ says Elizabeth.
‘So am I,’ says Bogdan.
Elizabeth pats him gently on the shoulder and walks to the door. As she opens it, she finds herself face-to-face with Connie Johnson.
‘Goodness, they’re out in force today,’ says Elizabeth.
Connie curtsies to Elizabeth, then looks around her to the three men in the flat.
‘Ibrahim told me about your daughter, Ron,’ she says. ‘I wonder if you had room for one more in your little gang?’
‘God help us all,’ says Elizabeth, and shuts the door on her way out.
‘Okay,’ says Ron. ‘Jason, Bogdan, Connie. Let’s talk.’
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