‘Nothing like that,’ Clint responded confidently, shaking his head.
‘Any issues at work?’
‘Not if I get there on time, so …’
His Dutch paymaster broke into a smile, a flash of gold winking at his companion.
‘Direct as ever, Clint,’ he chuckled.
‘Time is money,’ Clint replied.‘And it doesn’t pay to take unnecessary risks.’
‘My thoughts exactly.’
Visser opened his jacket, delving into the inside pocket.As he did so, Clint caught sight of a vicious-looking knife clamped tothe Dutchman’s belt, a reminder that this guy was no amateur.Silently, Clint watched on as Visser retrieved an envelope, sliding it under the table and pressing it into his hands.Accepting the package, the docker rolled his neck extravagantly, then darted a quick glance at the contents.He wouldn’t count it here, not with other people in the building, but running his finger over the tightly packed notes, he felt assured that the Dutchman had paid in full.He’d never let him down yet.
‘Is our business concluded?’Visser asked genially, draining his glass.
‘For now.You’ll be in touch though, when you need me again?’
His companion chuckled at the urgency, the greed, in his voice.
‘I’ll get a message to you.Just make sure you’re standing by.’
Breaking into a grin, Clint rose to his feet, saluting his comrade.
‘You can be sure of it.See you later, mate.’
With a cursory fist bump, Clint was on his way, his rubber soles protesting as he scurried them across the sticky floor.Pushing through the heavy oak doors, he moved fast away from the pub.Now that this business with Visser was over, it was time to move on to the next phase of his operation and he hurried away down the street.The sooner this cash was out of his hands, his wealth laundered to conceal its origin, the better.Tugging his phone from his pocket, he dialled the number quickly.Moments later, the call was answered.
‘Yeah?’
‘It’s me,’ Clint responded breathlessly.‘We’re on.’
Chapter 27
‘Get out of my shop.’
The angry owner barked the words at Helen, his anger rising.
‘I have customers waiting, you’re wasting my time …’
Helen stood her ground, her expression steely and determined.This was the fourth money transfer outlet she’d visited this morning and the reaction to her arrival had been the same each time.Suspicion, followed by either indifference or outright hostility.
‘Look, it’ll only take a couple of minutes and it’s vitally important,’ Helen stressed, trying to placate her middle-aged combatant.
‘A girl is in trouble, so what?Girls arealwaysin trouble.Trust me, I know …’
Helen’s eyes drifted to his wedding ring, then to the framed photo that nestled at an angle next to his monitor.
‘You’re a father?’
‘Many times over, which is why the bills are high and money is short.So please, move along …’
‘How would you feel if one of your daughters had been attacked then?Beaten with a chain?Bundled into a van?’
He paused, momentarily caught off-guard by these terrible images, before responding brusquely:
‘It would never happen.I would never let it happen!’
