Page 60 of Thief

His heart went from skipping with elation to pounding with fury when he found nothing within the hole. “Shit! They’re gone.”

“No, they can’t be. Let me look!” Kat pushed him out the way and shoved her hand into the trunk. “Oh God,” she said, delving into the empty space. “Now what?”

“The valet boy. Carlos’s kid who does up the cars. It must be him. I’d bet my life he’s got the diamonds.”

“You reckon? He didn’t look bright enough to find a well-hidden hole like this.”

“He wouldn’t have to be bright, just thorough in his refit. And let’s face it, those cars back there were getting a damn good sort out.” He shut the trunk of his car and locked it. “I’m guessing Carlos doesn’t get his hands dirty in the garage. He’s the organiser, the boss, out hustling up business and looking out for the next car. Which means that dozy kid has my whole damn future stashed away somewhere” He pulled the garage door closed.

“Aren’t you going to take your car now you’ve found it?” Kat asked. “I could drive it for you.”

“I know where it is. When I want it back, I’ll come and get it.” He marched over to the bike, pulled his helmet on, swung his leg over the seat and revved the engine, no longer worried about being quiet. “Are you coming or what?”

“But what’s the plan?”

“We go back to Carlos’s workshop and ruffle up the kid.”

Kat stood rooted to the ground.

“Carlos won’t be there. He’ll be at hospital having his shoulder shoved back into its socket, and it will take a while with all that muscle mass to heave against.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. Now, get on or I’ll leave you here.”

By the time they’d returned to Carlos’ garage, the sky was turning a lighter shade of blue in the east. Once again, John pulled the bike up behind the skip.

Carlos’s workshop appeared deserted. The lights at the windows were off and the thump of rap music had been replaced with silence.

Kat pointed to the row of scruffy, dark terraced houses at the end of the street. “He lives in the end one, doesn’t he? You think he’s in?”

“I’m guessing he’s done his night’s work and hit the sack. But not for much longer. I need a chat with his sorry arse.” John waited until Kat had climbed off the bike and then hoisted himself off. Without bothering to remove his helmet, he strode towards the front door.

“Wait, wait, let’s cover all our bases here.”

John kept on walking.

“Let me talk to him.”

“Why?” John said with a snort as he stopped and turned to look at her. “Why on earth would I do that? I can get more out of him than you can.”

Kat put her hands on her hips and raised her eyebrows. “You reckon…soldier?”

A muscle in his jaw twitched and he turned and continued on his way.

“John. At least listen to me.” Kat ran several quick steps and grabbed his arm. “For crying out loud, stop a minute, will you?”

John blew out a deep sigh and halted.

“Let me go and speak to him while you turn the place over.”

“Why the hell would I do that?”

“Because he’s a kid. He’s much more likely to talk if he is being treated nice than if he’s being bullied by a brute like you.” She frowned as if he was totally stupid not to see her point. “I’ll go and ask himnicelyif he knows where they are, and you look around the place. Check under his mattress, behind pictures, that sort of thing. You can’t push a kid around, even you know that.”

“Alright. But only because I don’t want to thump a teenager. But if you get nothing out of him, he’s all mine…right.”

“Great,” said Kat with a smile. “Back me up, will you, and make sure you keep the noise down.”

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