The Stealers by Charles Hall Page B

‘things didn’t turn out quite as I’d planned.’
    Penny, with a puzzled expression on her face, followed him into the kitchen, and as he filled the kettle and put it on, he brought her up to date on the past hours’ events. She stood silent for a moment, watching Crane make a pot of tea, until eventually she said, ‘Are you sure he’s dead?’
    â€˜Oh yes, unless he has aqua diving gear on board.’
    Penny continued with her questions, ‘And you’re sure it was him?’
    â€˜Yeah, the Escort van had a sample of paint all along one side, and the other side still had bits of bracken poking out. Plus the fact I had a good look at his face before he sped off.’
    And pushing a mug towards her said, ‘Tea?’
    As Penny lifted the mug she gave him a steady gaze and remarked, ‘You’re a cool one, Mr Crane.’

    *

    The two thieves had finished their meal in silence. Bradley was now thumbing through a small diary as they were mulling over their next move.
    â€˜We have six left-hand drive classic Yanks containered at Southampton docks. They are due to be shipped to Jacksonville next week; very collectable in the States. And three left-hand drive motorhomes stored at Dover; they need to be taken over one at a time.’
    Ryan was deep in thought; wondering whether now was the time to quit. Underneath it all Crane was beginning to bug him and he reasoned he would not stop until he got his Mustang back. Bradley interrupted his thoughts, ‘It’s a pity that Crane has hastened our departure, I owe him big-time, but in the meanwhile, I’ll make sure that our stock is on its way out of the country before I make it up to him.’
    At that moment a raucous sound reverberated between the two men. Bradley snatched at his jacket pocket, plucked out his mobile phone and looked at the tiny screen. A smile spread across his face as he answered. ‘What have you got Davy?’
    Ryan watched with interest as Bradley’s eyes widened as he listened to the caller until eventually Bradley finished with, ‘Yeah, I’m interested, I’ll call you back later this evening.’ The phone remained clenched in his fist for a while until he broke the silence with, ‘That was Davy Porter.’
    â€˜What’s he got?’
    â€˜Three good un’s.’
    â€˜Really, what are they?’
    Bradley smiled and continued, ‘Late cars – about two years old. A Jag, a Merc, and a Beamer.’
    â€˜Are they hot?’
    â€˜All cold metal, so he says. Cleaned up and ready to ship. I was about ready to suspend things, but this is an offer I can’t refuse.’

    *

    It had been a long tiring day and Penny, feeling totally exhausted, settled down in the same room as Andrew and soon fell into a fitful sleep. The tragic loss of her brother and the dangerous situation of her sister, were scored deeply into her soul and she awoke tearfully several times. Crane, after setting the alarms and locks also turned in – his mind awash with the past few days events; “
Penny’s sister could be dead.
Why did they want young Andrew? As a lever to
get Penny to do their bidding? Or to take him to his mother?”
At present there was no next move. Things mulled around in his mind until eventually he fell asleep.
    He awoke early next morning to find Penny and Andrew up and already dressed. She looked at him, gave a half smile and said, ‘I thought it best to go back to my apartment now I’m not forced to live in that house any more.’
    â€˜Do you think Bradley will go back to the house?’
    â€˜I don’t see why, he only rented the place. I suppose I fitted in to his plans very well, but not any more.’
    Crane suddenly had an idea, but decided to keep it to himself for the time being. It was a long shot, but then he was used to taking long shots; it was what he did.

Chapter Ten
    Crane watched as Penny turned her