Chapter 41
Jarvey dismissed going anywhere near old haunts or known associates, instead deciding to visit an old friend, Lenny. Now he sat smoking weed while watching the clock crawl round.
Lenny was a large Rastafarian who'd grown up on the Riverside but avoided criminality as a way of life. There had been a little trouble when he was at school but after leaving he'd gone to college. Moving out of the area he was now a post-man by day and played bass in a reggae group by night. Having not seen him in years Jarvey dropped in on the pretence of being in the area.
"I dunno why you still deal with all that my friend, Lenny shook his head, "surely you must be able to stop and do something else, you must have the money by now.
Jarvey shrugged,
"It's all I know innit.
"Well learn something new brother, Lenny looked at him seriously, his face framed by long dreadlocks, "all that shit's no good for you man.
Jarvey nodded,
"You're probably right, but that's the life, I can't walk away can I?
Javey glanced at the clock pushing his hands across his shaven head.
"You seem on edge bro.
"No, it's the weed, Jarvey shrugged, "and I'm worried cause of all that shit on the Riverside.
Lenny didn't know Kelly but had heard about the events.
"Yeah, I imagine it's hot down there at the moment, and you know how Babylon is, they'll lock your black ass up to make a point.
Jarvey grimaced,
"True, true.
In a little while he had to meet Charlene, then a few hours later they'd be off to start their new lives. The child would have to come along but he didn't see that as a problem, a couple of years time and he could pack it off to school somewhere.
Looking back at Lenny Jarvey waived an arm around,
"You aint done bad for yourself you know.
"And I am content, will you ever be?
"One day.
"I hope so.
"Oh I will.
Lenny took a large pull on the joint before passing it,
"So you see much of Dwaine?
Taking the preferred spliff Jarvey inhaled deeply before answering,
"Saw him earlier, but I don't see no-one too much no more, you know how it is.
Lenny nodded,
"He cleaned up didn't he?
Jarvey nodded.
"What's he do now?
Jarvey shrugged,
"Café, gym and watching the world go by from what I can make out.
"How was he about his Mum?
"We aint spoke about it, but he seems okay.
"Probably bottling it up.
"No serious Lenny, Dwaine's changed, Jarvey thought about it, "you know he's quiet, more philosophical and that, but he don't seem to be brooding on nothing.
The rest of the joint was smoked in silence.
The quiet was shattered with a loud popping sound followed by a crash. Jarvey was on his feet and at the window in seconds, just in time to see a hooded figure reaching in through the smashed window of his car and grabbing the leather holdall.
Jarvey flew out the door while Lenny watched from the window.
The thief turned and stared, mouth open revealing a toothless chasm, before sprinting in the opposite direction and turning down an alley. Jarvey hoped the bag would be thrown as the thief made his getaway but turning into the alleyway he was dismayed to see the youth already vaulting a wire mesh fence at the end, stooping down he retrieved the bag and disappeared. By the time Jarvey reached the fence the thief was out of sight.
Cursing he reached for his phone.
Lenny looked at him upon his return,
"He got away yeah?
Jarvey nodded.
"What was in the bag?
"About seventy fucking grand.
Lenny let out a whistle,
"He be in shit then?
Jarvey just stared before turning back to the car and pushing out the remaining pieces of shattered glass.
Then, after touching knuckles with Lenny he departed.
Lenny watched him get in the car,
"You take care bro, more important things in life than money.
A few minutes later he was driving through the rain towards the little bolthole he and Charlene met cursing his luck. Besides the loss of cash the smashed window could attract unwanted attention and that was the last thing he needed. He'd phoned a dealer in the area guessing the thief was an addict, he'd been right, now it was a case of tracking him. Jarvey wasn't confident, once he saw what was in the bag he'd be long gone. The dealer had promised to scout the area and ask about but Jarvey knew it was unlikely he'd see the money again. It was looking like he'd have to risk collecting his drug stash and offloading it.
The flat was in a quiet neighbourhood.
Getting out of the car he pulled up his collars to protect his face from the wet.
A little paranoid he entered the building.
In the hallway, nothing.
He stood for a minute looking at the flat door wishing he'd picked up the gun earlier. Just his luck, so near, but something would happen to fuck it up.
Shaking his head at his own paranoia he inserted the key and turned it.
Inside was gloomy, reaching round he hit the light switch.
As the hall lit up he saw there was nothing different.
Closing the door he quickly checked the other rooms then stood in the hall, leaning against the wall.
The door opened and he jumped erect,
"Charlene.
Seeing her he breathed a sigh of relief.
She turned to him, eyes swollen.
Jarvey's voice became tender,
"What's up, what's happened?
Looking at him she shook her head,
"You know what's up, fucking Kelly, that's what.
