Tears cloud his eyes. ‘She’ll hate me.’
‘Oh my God,’ I say. ‘I can’t get involved in this.’
‘No, wait, Nev, please. You’re my only hope. Jo is in danger. The drug dealer has threatened my family, and God knows what Rupert will do if he doesn’t get his money.’
‘I can’t help you. You haven’t paid me, remember?’ I say cynically. ‘You’re supposed to be the rich one with the rich wanker friends. I’m barely scraping by.’
‘I know how to get your money and the money I owe, all while keeping Jo safe, but I need your help to do it. At least listen to what I have to say. I only ask for twenty minutes of your time.’
I hesitate for a second and then sit down again. ‘Ok. What’s your great plan?’ I say.
I’d already decided there was no way I was getting involved in it.
Chapter Seventy-One
Istare at Daniel Neal in disbelief, and then, before I can stop myself, I burst out laughing, loud enough that the people at the nearest table glance over. I wipe the tears from my eyes and look at Daniel. He’s not laughing.
‘You’re seriously asking me to kidnap your wife? Do I look like a kidnapper to you?’ I say quietly.
‘It’s ideal,’ he says earnestly. ‘Donald will pay up.’
‘Two million?’ I whisper. ‘Have you completely lost the plot?’
‘It’s a drop in the ocean to him. You’ll get your money, I’ll clear my debts, and everything will go back to how it used to be. Four days, max, and everything will be back to normal.’
I shake my head in disbelief. ‘Back to normal?’ I scoff. ‘The first thing Joanna will do when we let her go is run straight to the police.’
‘But neither she nor the police will ever know she was held at the house. You blindfold her when you release her. Jo’s working the day shift next week. You’ve already fitted a bathroom in the basement, and I’ll get everything else sorted. She doesn’t evenknow the basement exists. Remember? It’s going to be a surprise gym for her. There’s no way anything can be traced back to us. Trust me, I’ve thought it all through.’
I can’t deny it’s a clever plan. I’m just not thrilled about my part in it.
‘I’ll set up a special dinner to celebrate the tenth anniversary of our meeting. She always walks home through the industrial estate. I’ve spotted a van. I’ll steal it and leave it there the night before. Everything you’ll need will be in the back. All you have to do is grab her, settle her in, and leave the rest to me.’ He looks at me with hope in his eyes.
‘Who’s getting the basement ready? Because it sure as hell isn’t going to be me,’ I say.
‘I’ve got it planned. Managed to get another credit card.’
‘Jesus,’ I mutter.
‘I’ll sort the basement out when she’s on her day shift. I even found a lock-up for your car. You don’t want to be seen leaving the house in it. And don’t use the van for shopping, either. I’ll leave my bike in the garage for you. Here’s the key and the address of the lock-up.’
He slides an envelope across the table. He makes it all sound so simple.
‘The stolen van’s plates will get picked up by the police in no time,’ I say, raining on his parade.
‘I’ve already thought of that. I nicked a set from a scrapyard. Swapping them over will only take five minutes.’
He really has thought of everything.
‘What if she struggles? I don’t want to hurt her.’
‘Jo won’t risk anything. Her priority is Joel.’
I have to pinch myself. Are we seriously talking about kidnapping Joanna Neal?
‘Her parents are loaded. They’ll pay up,’ Daniel says.
I knock back my whisky. I should have left ten minutes ago when I had the chance, but he hands me a folder.
