Life of Crime

by Kimberley Chambers

  ‘No, I bloody well haven’t. And what is this, twenty questions? If you must know, my dad bought the kids their computers. He also put five hundred quid in my bank account each month because Donte told him how much we were struggling. I paid for my gym membership, personal trainer, massages and extensions out of that. Anything else you want to know?’

  ‘You talking to your dad again then?’

  ‘No. Donte keeps in touch with him though. Listen, Jason, beggars can’t be choosers. I despise my father, but I needed that money to put food on the table. You left us with nothing.’

  ‘I know and I’m sorry. Fingers crossed, that all changes today though, eh?’

  ‘Exactly. Good luck. What time do you expect to be home later? You’re not bringing that money back here with you, are you?’

  ‘No. Simon’s gonna put some in his safe and I’ll stash the rest. Not here, mind. I ain’t that stupid. Please God all goes to plan, we’ll go look at that property tomorrow. I shouldn’t be late back. Around teatime, I reckon.’

  ‘I thought we might celebrate. There’s tons of booze left over from the party. Why don’t you invite Simon and his new lady friend over and I’ll invite Tracey and Greg. Simon and Greg have to get to know one another for Toby’s sake, so tonight can be a bit of an ice-breaker. I won’t cook. We’ll get a takeaway.’

  ‘Si’s probably busy, babe, and I can do without an evening in Tracey’s company. She does my head in. Why don’t the two of us go out to celebrate? I’ll book us a table somewhere special.’

  ‘We can celebrate alone after we’ve looked at the house tomorrow. Please, Jase. Do this for me. I worry about Toby. Tracey isn’t the best mother in the world. She tries, but she’s not a natural like me. She’s really serious about Greg and if they are going to start spending all their time together, I want to make sure he’s OK around Toby. If he isn’t, then Simon can intervene.’

  Jason sighed. ‘OK. But on one condition.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Once we move home, I want us to try for a baby of our own. Seeing how you are with Toby makes me all maternal. Is a man allowed to say that?’

  ‘You big softie,’ Melissa laughed.

  Jason took his wife in his arms and rocked her to and fro. ‘Is that a yes then?’

  Melissa grinned. ‘You bet it is.’

  Jason kissed her. ‘I love you.’

  ‘Love you too.’

  The journey to Hatton Garden to collect the key for the storage unit took Jason an hour and twenty minutes. He then headed to West London, glancing in his mirrors all the way to ensure he wasn’t being followed, to collect the painting from the storage unit. It was already wrapped. He’d protected the finish with plastic, then sealed it in Styrofoam and put it inside a cardboard box. Henry had told him what to do, said it was the safest way to avoid any damage.

  Manoeuvring the painting inside the van, Jason made his way to Herongate to pick up Henry. The adrenaline was kicking in now, he was buzzing with anticipation.

  ‘Good afternoon. Beautiful day, isn’t it?’ Henry said as he leapt into the passenger seat with a racket and sports bag.

  The July weather was scorching and Jason couldn’t help but laugh at his pal’s outfit. ‘What you done up like you’ve just come off Centre Court in Wimbledon for?’

  ‘Because it will throw any undesirables off the scent. Put your visor on. Suits you,’ Henry grinned, as he placed a visor on Jason’s head. ‘We will not be pulled up or searched looking like this, I can assure you.’

  ‘Mental, you are,’ Jason chuckled.

  ‘Don’t go that way. Do a right here. We’ll go the back route. Quieter roads where you barely see a soul,’ Henry said.

  ‘Good thinking.’

  The journey took about half an hour and as they neared their destination, Jason’s mouth dried up and so did the conversation. He was edgy now, paranoid something might go wrong. He had waited all his life for what he referred to as ‘The Biggie’ to come off. And this was it. There’d be no more life of crime for him afterwards. He could not wait to go straight.

  ‘Take this left, there’s a dirt track fifty yards or so down on the right. Drive to the bottom of that, Jason.’

  Jason was glad he had Henry with him as no way would he have found this place alone. It was in the middle of bloody nowhere. ‘What do we do now?’ he asked, as they approached a padlocked metal gate.

  ‘We wait. The other side of that gate there is an enormous field. That is where Hans will be landing.’

  Jason looked at his watch. They were early. He took a deep breath. His heart could not beat any faster. It was thumping against his chest like the clappers.

  Melissa tapped on her son’s bedroom door. She was on edge, knowing Jason would either arrive home rich, or he would remain bloody poor. She had waited a long time for this moment. Her husband owed her. To while away the time, Melissa had called Tracey. Greg couldn’t make tonight, so she’d arranged for Tracey to bring him around tomorrow. Same with Simon. She’d spoken to him earlier too, and he and his new lady friend were both free the following evening.

  ‘Donte, you OK, love?’

  ‘Yeah. Come in.’ The last thing Donte wanted or needed was a conversation with his mother, but he had to take his dad’s advice and try to act normal.

  ‘It’s a beautiful day. Not like you to be holed up in your bedroom. Why don’t we go for a drive? We can put some flowers on Nanny and Bobby’s graves, then I’ll treat you to some lunch.’

  Having just murdered someone in cold blood, the last place Donte wanted to go was a graveyard. ‘Nah, you’re all right, Mum. It makes me sad seeing Bobby’s grave and I’m not that hungry at the moment. I’ve been eating crisps all morning,’ Donte lied. He’d actually thrown his breakfast in the bin when his mother had turned her back earlier. His stomach was constantly churning at the thought of being locked up and he was struggling to eat a morsel.

  ‘What about bowling? Do you fancy that? We’ve not been for years.’

  ‘Not really.’

  ‘I know: Monopoly. You used to love a game of Monopoly. How about I take the coffee table out in the garden and we’ll play it out there? I’ll let you have a cold can of lager as well, if you like? I don’t want you drinking behind my back any more, but I know you’re not a little kid either.’

  Remembering Jason’s advice, Donte forced a smile. ‘OK. Monopoly and lager it is.’

  Watching the helicopter land was one of the most exhilarating yet nerve-racking moments of Jason Rampling’s life. Not because it was the first time he’d seen one land up close; it was the two million quid on board that set his pulse racing.

  ‘Come on,’ Henry said, climbing over the fence.

  Jason followed suit and watched two men clamber out the helicopter. One was about fifty, grey and very distinguished-looking. The other was shorter, plump and reminded Jason of Danny DeVito.

  Henry strutted towards the men with a grin on his face. ‘Jason, this is Hans,’ he said, gesturing toward the grey-haired bloke. ‘And this is Raphael, Hans’ partner.’

  ‘Nice to meet you,’ Jason said, shaking both men’s hands. They had firm handshakes and Jason saw that as a good sign. ‘Never trust a man with a limp handshake, boy,’ his nan had always told him.

  Henry and Hans spoke briefly about the journey, then Hans asked where the painting was.

  ‘This way,’ Henry said.

  Starting to panic, Jason grabbed Henry by the arm. ‘Where’s the money?’ he whispered.

  ‘Stop worrying,’ Henry mouthed silently.

  The men unwrapped the painting and checked it over meticulously. Raphael then pulled out a magnifying glass and began mumbling something in Dutch.

  Jason prodded Henry. ‘What’s he saying?’

  Henry put his finger to his lips to urge Jason to be quiet.

  After what seemed like ten hours, but was in fact only ten minutes, Hans turned around and smiled. ‘It seems we have a deal. Raphael, bring the money so the ge
ntlemen can count it.’

  The adrenaline that surged through Jason’s veins when the two suitcases were opened was the biggest high of his life. He stared at the bundles of fifty-pound notes, could barely believe his luck. Finally, he’d cracked it. He’d pulled ‘The Biggie’ off thanks to, of all people, that tosser Mickey Two Wives.

  ‘And this is for you, Henry,’ Hans said, handing Henry an extremely large brown envelope. ‘Thank you once again for thinking of me.’

  ‘You’re very welcome,’ Henry replied, checking his own cash, then flicking through the bundles in the cases. ‘It’s all there,’ he assured Jason.

  ‘We will be going now then. Raphael, grab the other end of the painting.’

  Raphael was busy wrapping the painting up, so Jason held out his hand to Hans. He still could not believe his good fortune. It would take a while to sink in.

  Raphael turned around and shook both Henry and Jason’s hands. ‘A pleasure doing business with you, gentlemen.’

  Jason could not wipe the soppy grin off his face. ‘Likewise, lads. Likewise.’

  ‘You cheat. I wanted to buy Mayfair. How comes you always snap up all the good ones?’ Melissa chuckled. It was hard to concentrate on Monopoly when she was willing her mobile phone to ring to find out if she was a rich woman, but she was trying her damn hardest.

  When the call finally came, Melissa could barely breathe, she felt so nervous. ‘Well?’

  Jason’s response – ‘Sweet as a nut, babe’ – filled Melissa with a joy she thought she’d never feel again. She wanted to dance around the garden, such was her elation, but Donte knew nothing about the painting, so she sat back down and instead bought Fleet Street.

  ‘Who was that, Mum?’ Donte asked suspiciously. His mother had a silly grin on her face.

  ‘Only your father. He said he’ll be home around teatime.’

  ‘I need to use the toilet. Won’t be a minute.’

  When Donte went inside the house, Melissa clapped her hands with glee. Very soon she would have everything she had ever dreamed of. Good things come to those who wait, and she’d waited long enough. Bad things came to those who’d wronged people in life, so she felt no guilt.

  Having received a phone call from Jason to say he was on his way, Simon greeted him on the driveway with a big smile on his face. ‘Well done, mate. I knew you’d pull it off. A millionaire, eh? How’s it feel, Del Boy?’ Simon laughed, grabbing Jason in a playful headlock.

  Jason could not wipe the grin off his face as he hugged then slapped his pal on the back. ‘I can’t believe it came off. Even up to the last minute I was expecting something to go wrong. Over the fucking moon, I am. My shit run of luck has finally changed. I’m buzzing.’

  ‘I bet you bloody are. Come inside and we’ll sort the money out. So chuffed for you and Mel. You both deserve this after all you’ve been through.’

  Jason carried both briefcases inside Simon’s house and clicked one open on the sofa. He counted the bundles of fifty-pound notes and handed Simon two hundred and fifty thousand. ‘That’s my solicitor’s fees, money I’ve borrowed, money you’ve given Mel, and the rest is a drink for you.’

  ‘You sure?’ Simon asked. ‘I wasn’t expecting that much. Take some back.’

  Jason shook his head. ‘No. I insist. Without your help, I don’t know what I’d have done. I really appreciate it.’

  ‘I’m sure you’d do the same for me.’

  ‘Course. Right, let’s get down to business. How much do you want for the house in Upshire? I know we haven’t viewed it yet, but Mel has already fallen in love with it in those photos you emailed us.’

  ‘I was going to put in on the market for eight hundred grand, but if you and Mel want it, it’s yours for seven fifty.’

  Jason clicked the suitcase shut and handed it to Simon. ‘Stick that in your safe then for now. Seven hundred and fifty in there. We’ll view the property tomorrow and I’m ninety-nine per cent sure we will take it. I’ll stash the rest of the dosh somewhere safe after I’ve taken some spending money out. I had to give Henry a hundred grand, so I’ve got nine hundred left to carve my future out with. Exciting times.’

  ‘What do you want to do about a motor? You still want me to put one in my name for you?’

  Jason took another fifty thousand out of the second case. ‘Put that with the other. That’ll buy me and Mel a decent motor each. Put both in your name.’

  ‘Where you going to put it? Whatever you do, don’t leave it indoors.’

  ‘I won’t. That safety-deposit box you kept up the payments for while I was away – I’m going to stash it in there.’

  ‘Wise move.’

  ‘If Mel and I view the house tomorrow, how quickly can we move in?’

  ‘The builders will be finished there in a couple of days. They’re just applying the final touches. There were a couple of issues, nothing major. You can probably move in as early as Saturday if you want? It still needs a bit of decorating though.’

  Jason grinned. ‘We’ll sort that ourselves. I find painting rather therapeutic, believe it or not. Mel and I had a chat earlier. Gonna try for another baby once we’ve moved. Seeing you with Toby has made me want to be a dad again.’

  ‘Great stuff. It’s a brilliant feeling, as you well know. Can’t beat it, fatherhood.’

  ‘I was only a kid myself when Shay was born. I’m sure I would appreciate it even more now.’

  ‘Course you would. And you and Mel will make brilliant parents.’

  ‘Your solicitor pal – can he draw up something legal, sharpish, to say I own the property if we agree to it tomorrow?’

  ‘Yeah. Same goes for the cars when you purchase them.’ Simon took two keys off his keyring and handed them to Jason. ‘As soon as you and Mel have viewed it, let me know if you want it and I’ll have the solicitor draw up the necessary. Don’t get me wrong – anything should happen to you, God forbid, I would put the property in Mel’s name anyway. But it’s better to have it in black and white. We all know where we stand then.’

  ‘Sweet. Right, I best make a move now. I don’t want to hit Hatton Garden in rush hour. Cheers again, Si, for everything.’

  ‘My pleasure, mate. Speak tomorrow.’

  ‘Whatever’s wrong now?’ Melissa asked, as she opened the front door. Tracey Thompson looked a mess. She was holding a bottle of wine, her hair was all over the place and all her mascara had run down her cheeks.

  ‘I can’t stand it no more. He’s messing me about too much, Mel. I reckon I ballsed it up when I gave him a door key and said he was welcome to turn up any time he wanted. He must have thought I was a right desperado,’ Tracey wept.

  ‘You didn’t drive here in this state, did you?’ Melissa asked.

  ‘No. I’ve already had a bottle of wine, so I got a cab. I rung you about ten times, but you weren’t answering your bloody phone.’

  ‘I’ve been busy, Trace. My phone is on charge in the kitchen. What’s Greg done now?’

  ‘Blew me out after I’d got ready tonight. Yesterday, when I asked to see him, he says he was busy. Then this morning he rings, tells me how much he’s missing me and to get glammed up because he’s picking me up at seven and taking me somewhere special. Then at six, I get a text – not even a fucking phone call – saying something’s cropped up and he can’t make it after all. Sick of being messed around, I am. I don’t know where I stand with him at all. He must have a wife or girlfriend tucked away somewhere, I’m telling you. You might not have clocked it with Jason, but I’m not totally stupid.’

  As Melissa turned her back to pour her friend a drink, she couldn’t help but smirk. Her wonderful mother had always told her, ‘Your mate Tracey is not a very nice person, love. One day karma will bite her on the bum.’

  The Farthings lived in a stunning five-bedroom property in Loughton. It was set in a few acres, had its own indoor swimming pool, games and cinema rooms and gym.

  Leaning out of the Land Rover window, Jason pressed the buzzer. The j
ourney to and from Hatton Garden hadn’t taken as long as expected and his windfall was now safely hidden.

  ‘Hello. Who is it?’ asked an Eastern European-sounding woman’s voice.

  ‘Is Felicity or David around?’ Jason enquired.

  ‘No. They are away. Who is asking?’

  ‘Shay Rampling’s father. She’s staying here and I need to speak to her urgently.’

  ‘Ah, OK. Shay and Natasha are sunbathing in the garden. Drive up to the house.’

  Jason pulled up, leapt out of the motor and was met at the door by the housekeeper. ‘Sorry. Your daughter informs me she doesn’t want to see you.’

  ‘Tough luck,’ Jason replied, strutting inside the property. ‘And you want to be careful who you buzz in, ya know. I could’ve been anybody.’

  Shay and Natasha had been firm friends since the age of eleven, so Jason knew the layout of the house well. He marched in the garden. ‘Shay. We need to talk.’

  Dressed in a skimpy white bikini, Shay leapt off the rattan furniture, her eyes glinting with anger. ‘I have nothing to say to you. Fuck off.’

  Jason locked eyes with his defiant daughter. She’d only been a kid when he’d got banged up, but was now a beautiful young woman. She looked like a model – not the type who flashed their tits, the catwalk type. ‘Please, Shay. Come out to the car with me.’

  Shay put her hands on her hips. ‘What’s the point? Unless you’ve decided to give Luke a chance. Nat’s met him, haven’t you, mate? Tell my sergeant major of a father how nice he is. Go on.’

  ‘He is a nice bloke, Jason. You would like him. He’s ever so good to Shay. Only takes her to classy places.’

  ‘I bet he does,’ Jason mumbled, under his breath. He held Shay’s gaze. ‘All I want is the best for you and for you to be happy in life, sweetheart. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. Sixteen years is a hell of an age gap. He’s only six years off of forty. The same fucking age as me, love. I would never dream of having a relationship with a girl your age. It’s not right. It’s wrong.’