The Jade Garden (The Barrington Patch Book 2) Emmy Ellis (top books of all time .TXT) š
- Author: Emmy Ellis
Book online Ā«The Jade Garden (The Barrington Patch Book 2) Emmy Ellis (top books of all time .TXT) šĀ». Author Emmy Ellis
Disguise on, he smiled at himself in the rearviewāfucking fit bastard, you are. If any neighbours saw him exiting his car and word got round heād been at Brendaās, he could make out it had been nicked and had no clue who the bearded fella was. Conscious he was creating scenarios that may not even happen, but pleased with himself all the same because it meant he was preparing for every eventuality, he switched his coat for a black hoodie then got going again, ending up in a street a step up from his own where everyone took care of their gardens, not just one or two residents. Mam always tended to theirs, planting flowers in the summer, creating this pretty mass of petals, but it stood out amongst the others with their broken furniture and bags of rubbish cluttering up the over-long grass.
He glanced around, checking for people watching and, convinced he was safe, got out and approached the door. If she wasnāt in, heād have to phone her, arrange to meet round that old boyās place, but heād use a burner, one he kept for making threatening phone calls in Cassieās name so they werenāt aware it was him.
A brisk knock brought Brenda to the door, and she stared at him, frowning.
Chuffed to bits his disguise was top-notch and had her flummoxed, he grinned. āItās me.ā
āFucking hell, what are you playing at?ā Brenda eyed the street, clearly unhappy he was there. āWhat do you want?ā
āIāve got shit on my mind and no one to talk to.ā He hated admitting that. It had him looking weak as eff.
She folded her arms. āSpeak to Cassie. Iām not called Dear Deirdre, you know.ā
What? āWho the hellās that?ā
āDoesnāt matter. Go away. Iām already late for work.ā She went to close the door and paused. āWhy the bloody hell have you got a beard? And whatās with those monster eyebrows? Dennis Healey, anyone?ā
āWho?ā
āGod, forget it, Iām showing my age. Just answer the bloody question.ā
He disliked her ordering him around and had to rein in his temper. āI didnāt want you getting in any shit if people see me.ā
She laughed. āI could say thanks, but you came in your own car, you stupid prat.ā
Jesus, for a minute there, heād thought she was going to say āprickā, and who knew whether heād have managed to keep it together. Who knew if sheād still have been standing there instead of on her hallway floor, a bullet hole in her forehead.
āI know,ā he said. āIāve got excuses for that covered. Just let me in, will you? Sid Watson isnāt going anywhere, not with that Zimmer of his anyroad.ā He pushed past her, shuddering at her leopard-print jeggings, wondering what the hell she thought she looked like. In the kitchen, he paced by the back door, a hand to his mouth, asking himself if he should confide in her after all or muddle through this alone. She hadnāt exactly been receptive so far.
Brenda came in, hands on hips. āThis had better be good.ā
āI need advice, all right?ā He settled on his decision and blabbed everything heād doneāstealing takings from Nathan Abbott, letting Cassie murder the innocent man, getting those kids to do what he wanted, forcing Brett to steal the drugs, Jiang being offed, killing Brettāthen went on to outline his idea about taking over the Barrington, incapacitating Cassie and Francis.
āYouāre playing a fucking dangerous game, son.ā She lowered herself into a chair at the table and fiddled with a ruby pendant hanging over her wrinkly cleavage. āThis has gone too far already. What were you thinking, robbing the Jade? And as for Jiang being slicedā¦ Lord above. Not only do you have Cassie on the case, but Zhang Wei, heāll want something done about this. You know what theyāre like regarding family. One member is murdered, the others will be classed as enemies, too, and theyāll end up dead anā all. Li Jun, heās different, heāll trust Cassie to deal with it, but his brother? What if word gets out you ordered Brett in there? Do you think Zhang Wei will let you get away with that?ā
āNo one knows it was me,ā he said, aware he sounded grumpy, petulant, but it was too late to take the words back now. āGod, do you think Iām thick? I had this beard and whatever on, contacted Brett on a burner that Iāve since got rid of, approached those kids in the park in all black clothing, nowt that stood out.ā He left out the fact heād shown them his gun in the holster, sheād only ridicule him for it. āNo one but you knows it was me, so unless you open your trap, Zhang Wei and Cassie will never find out, will they?ā
Brenda shook her head as if he were a stupid child. āThey wonāt be finding out from me, I can assure you. I mind my own, you know that. But why didnāt you take my advice? Why didnāt you stay in the background, observe, learn a few things before upping your game?ā
āI want it all now. Waiting isnāt an option.ā He came off as sulky this time. A brat.
Brenda traced a scratch on the table, frowning, as if annoyed it was there. āBeing hasty could be your downfall, you do realise that, donāt you?ā
He glared at her. āWhatās that supposed to mean?ā
āExactly that. Youāve rushed it. Cassieās back will be well and truly up at the minute. Have you considered that very few people know thereās drugs to be had in that fridge? You just told me where it was, so clearly you were trusted enough to be informed, but Cassie will have
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