The Wolves of London Read Online Free PDF

much does an ounce go for these days? Hundred and fifty?’
    If Candice was surprised by my knowledge she didn’t show it. ‘More like two hundred.’
    ‘So that’s ten grand’s worth of weed your boyfriend had hidden in his flat.’ I could see where this was going. ‘Didn’t he suspect anything?’
    Candice shook her head. ‘Why would he? He’d known Mitch for over a year, and Mitch had always been straight with him. And Dean had built up a client base of about fifty people, which worked out at an ounce per person. Dean said an ounce would last the average user about ten to twelve weeks.’ She shrugged. ‘The maths seemed to add up.’
    ‘But?’ I said.
    ‘But the next day, when Dean was out, his flat was broken into and the entire stash was stolen.’
    I sighed. ‘Did the burglars take anything else?’
    ‘No,’ said Candice in a low voice.
    ‘Sounds like they knew exactly what they were looking for, doesn’t it?’ I muttered.
    Candice was silent for a moment, then she said, ‘Dean reckons the guys who did it were enemies of Mitch’s, that they were from a rival gang.’
    ‘Maybe they were,’ I said, ‘but I’ll bet that when Dean told Mitch what had happened, he didn’t get quite the response he expected.’
    Candice grimaced. ‘Dean rang Mitch straight away. He thought Mitch would be angry about the burglary, but sympathetic to Dean. But Dean said Mitch was really cold. He told Dean that it wasn’t his problem.’
    ‘And that he still wanted his money?’
    Candice’s face flickered with distress, and she swallowed as if trying to hold back tears. When she next spoke her voice was low, strained. ‘Dean was set up, wasn’t he, Dad?’
    I shrugged, but tried to sound sympathetic. ‘Looks like it, sweetheart.’
    ‘But why? Why would Mitch do that? Dean was making money for him.’
    ‘Yeah, but only dribs and drabs. People like Mitch are greedy, Candice – and totally ruthless.’
    ‘But why pick on Dean? He can’t afford to pay Mitch back.’
    ‘Because he’s weak. Because he’s vulnerable. And because if enough pressure is put on him and he gets scared enough, he’ll find that money somehow.’
    Candice looked stricken, like she didn’t know which way to turn. Gently I asked, ‘Is that why you’ve told me all this?’
    She looked surprised. ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘Because you want to know if I can lend you the money? Clear your boyfriend’s debts?’
    Shame and disappointment chased one another briefly across Candice’s face, but they were quickly replaced by hope. ‘Can you?’ she asked. ‘We’d pay you back, Dad, honest.’
    ‘How much does Dean owe altogether? Ten grand?’
    ‘Plus interest. Fifteen in all.’
    I tried not to flinch. ‘And when does he have to pay it by?’
    ‘Mitch gave him two weeks, but that was nine days ago. He’s got till this Friday.’
    ‘Fuck me,’ I murmured, looking down into my empty glass.
    ‘ Can you help us, Dad?’ There was no pretence in Candice’s voice now. Her words were a desperate plea.
    I sighed. ‘I wish I could, sweetheart, but I’m not that plush. I do all right, I make enough to get by, but I haven’t got a lot of savings. I’ve got maybe… six, seven grand in my account. You’re welcome to that if you want it.’
    ‘Could you maybe borrow the rest from the bank?’ Candice suggested. ‘I hate to ask, but… we’re desperate, Dad.’
    I felt a flare of anger – not at Candice, but at Dean, for dragging my daughter into his mess. ‘And tell them what? I can’t just borrow nine grand from the bank without offering an explanation.’
    ‘Can’t you make something up? Tell them Kate needs an operation or something?’
    I scowled. ‘I’m not dragging Kate into this. And I’m not lying for the sake of your boyfriend, Candice – not with my record.’
    She put a trembling hand up to her face. Now she really did look as though she was about to burst into tears. ‘Sorry, Dad,’ she said, her voice so