Thieves! by Dennison Hannah

Author:Dennison, Hannah [Dennison, Hannah]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Penguin Group, Inc.
Published: 2011-01-03T22:00:00+00:00

23

I found the four Barker brothers—or Swamp Dogs, as they preferred to be called—standing in the far corner of the cracked concrete forecourt.

Mickey was drawing in the dirt with a long stick. I heard, “No, that won’t work,” “It’s in the wrong place,” and “We won’t know until Saturday.”

I gave a loud cough. “Hello boys!” All four spun around, guilt etched across their features.

“What the hell do you want?” snarled Mickey.

The boys shuffled closer together, forming a human wall and conveniently hiding Mickey’s handiwork on the ground behind them.

Malcolm pointed a finger at me. “You’re trespassing.”

“Yeah. Clear off,” squeaked Ben, whose voice hadn’t broken yet. Seeing all four stand side by side with their matching outfits, light-brown hair, and blue eyes, the only way to tell them apart was by height and acne damage.

“I was just hoping that Jack Webster wasn’t giving you any trouble,” I said.

“You must be blind,” said Mickey quickly. “He wasn’t here. And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay blind.”

“Yeah, if you know what’s good for you,” the others chorused, slamming fists into palms, trying to look tough.

Their hostile demeanor did not intimidate me. Having been surrounded by real crime families who used to join us for Sunday lunch at home in Newcastle, dealing with these kids was a piece of cake.

“Nice try, boys, but I saw Jack Webster leave just a minute or so ago, and since he’s never been a fan of yours, I wondered what he was up to.”

“None of your business,” said Mickey sullenly. “And, anyway, why should you care?”

“Firstly, it was you, Mickey, who told me that Jack was threatening the gypsies with his billhook,” I pointed out. “Why the change of heart?”

“I made a mistake,” said Mickey defiantly. “We don’t want the gyppos here, destroying the countryside with their litter.”

“Sleeping with our women,” cried Malcolm.

“Stealing from the mouths of babes,” squeaked Ben.

“Blaspheming in the Lord’s house,” declared Brian.

Clearly, Jack had got to them already. “You don’t want to get mixed up with Jack Webster.”

“Why not?” Mickey said.

“I would have thought it obvious.” I gave a benevolent smile. “Jack has called the cops on you boys enough times. Why would he ask for your help now?”

“We’re not helping,” piped up Ben. “We’re being hired.”

“Shut up,” said Mickey. “Idiot!”

“To do what? Burn down their caravans?” I didn’t exactly like the Barker boys, but I would hate to see them get locked up in prison permanently just to satisfy Jack Webster’s agenda.

“Who says it’s about gypsies?” Ben squeaked and was promptly given a swift kick to his ankle. “Ouch. What was that for?”

“I’m sure your parents would like to know about this,” I said.

Mickey scowled. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Please don’t, Ms.” Ben started to snivel. “Dad will kill us.”

“We’re not doing anything, okay?” said Mickey. “And you can’t prove anything. I know my rights.”

“It’s just a friendly warning,” I said. “But since we’re on the subject of theft. I’d like that package back that you stole out of my car yesterday.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” said Mickey.

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