Breaking Out by Janice Nix & Elizabeth Sheppard

Author:Janice Nix & Elizabeth Sheppard [Nix, Janice & Sheppard, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2020-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

MAY 1988

I decided to grow the syndicate’s UK network. That meant getting out of London. It was safer to deal volume away from the city.

I based the new operation up country, in Northampton, Birmingham and Leicester. I worked with Diego, a contact who’d proved to be reliable. To get him sweet, I sold him two ounces of the Captain’s finest flake for £900 each. I knew how much profit he would make. He was on the phone again before the end of the day.

‘Janice? That stuff’s proper. I want anything you’ve got.’

‘I got a ki right now.’

‘Okay. How much?’

‘Thirty-six. I’ll bring it up there.’

The extra six thousand was danger money – covering the chance I would be taking in transporting the goods. Moving merch is the riskiest part of any operation. Every few weeks, I headed up the M1 to meet Diego at Toddington Services. He introduced me to his mate Mank, and I tapped into their network of contacts in the Midlands, West Country and Wales. I travelled down to Bristol to meet up with Mank’s bikers in the Black and White cafe. They were surprised to be dealing with a woman. They struggled to accept that I was capable of handling business on this level.

‘Hey babe. You look sexy. We could have good times,’ they’d always sigh.

‘My name’s Janice, not sexy. You’re here to buy a product. I only want to talk about money and drugs.’

Everyone went quiet.

‘Right then. Let’s do business. Money talk, bullshit walk.’

‘Ah, Mama J, you’re the lady,’ they’d say.

‘I’m not the white lady. I just got the white lady.’ They’d smile, but by now we’d both know who was in charge.

Long ago in Holloway, I’d found my iron will – the will of a boss. I wanted total control – so everything about me sent that message loud and clear. I showed those men no fear, no hesitation, no self-doubt. Control your mind, and your mind controls your face.

I parked outside the house in Northampton at half past nine in the evening. It was the middle of summer and still almost light. I wasn’t expected until ten o’clock, but I was early. I needed to know who was going to show up – and I wanted a look at who they might bring with them.

As the sky slowly turned from deep pink to dark blue and car headlights came on, I sat tight and watched the house. At five to ten, I picked up my phone.

‘Mank? It’s Janice.’

‘Hey Janice – where are you?’

‘Five minutes away. He there yet?’

‘Er, no, actually, he’s not. Any minute, though.’

‘So – the customer’s not arrived?’ I said.

‘Any second now. He’ll be here. Simon is straight with me. He’s a good guy.’

Already I had serious doubts about that.

At two minutes to ten, I got out of the Cosworth. I checked myself over, smoothing down my black Apple Bottom top over my tight leggings. When I was ready, I walked up the garden path and rang the doorbell. Mank answered. I noticed he was acting super-friendly, seeming even more delighted than usual to see me.

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