Chapter 19
Leaving the café Jarvey looked calm, inside he was panicking. Kelly Landers being found dead certainly wasn't in his plans for today and he didn't need any trouble at this stage. It would be common knowledge that everyone served up for him. Despite him not dealing directly with his street level dealers it was times like this you could find yourself stitched up.
By the time Jarvey reached the car he was almost running.
Within minutes he was out the Riverside cursing the situation. The first thing he had to do was ditch the gun, being unarmed didn't appeal but he'd have to take the chance. Stopping near a footbridge he jumped from the car and after a quick look round dropped the pistol into the river, watching as the Glock handgun disappeared into the murky water.
Kelly's death meant his plans needed to change, a pull could still turn into a nightmare and he didn't want anything to ruin his plans. The car would have to go, but he couldn't just dump it, people would know something was up. Thinking of an associate who owned a car lot across town he decided to trade it in, the car would be kept out of sight for a few days allowing him some breathing space, it would also mean more cash, which he might now need.
Racking his brains he tried to think of someone he could trust enough to collect his money and offload the quantity of drugs he still had stashed. Before he'd planned to sell it cheap, now he was unsure if it was worth the risk.
The only person he could trust one hundred percent was Dwaine but he wouldn't get involved, especially with the drugs.
Jarvey decided to wait and see how the rest of the day played out before he made any rash decisions. Maybe he'd risk collecting cash himself later but if not, at least there would be a couple of grand from the car on top of another motor. Cursing he thought of the jewellery and other personal possessions back at his flat, but there was no way he was going home.
Pulling up at traffic lights he glanced in the rear view mirror and saw the police a couple of cars behind.
The lights took forever to change.
They turned green and a few roads up Jarvey indicated left, watching in his mirror as the patrol car continued straight. Wiping sweat from his brow he pulled over to focus, gritting his teeth he thumped the dashboard,
"Sort it out.
He felt like he was ten again, it was only a couple of miles from the car lot, but his nerves were shredded.
Ten minutes later he pulled up outside the small port-a-cabin that served as an office.
As he got out of the car a small, wiry man appeared at the door with a grin.
"Long time no see.
"Yeah, you alright Danny, thought I'd pop over, want to trade her in, Jarvey indicated at the car, "thought I'd give you first shout.
"Bit up market for me mate.
The man replied, a knowing look in his pale green eyes.
"It's going cheap, well part exchange.
Danny raised his eyebrows for him to continue.
"It's gotta be kept out of the way for a few days though.
"I gathered that Jarv, 'ow 'ot though, be 'onest mate?
"It aint really hot you know, more that it's mine¦. You get me?
Danny studied him for a minute before nodding his head,
"Drive it round the back, I'll open the garage.
A couple of minutes later they were sat in the office with the blinds pulled while Danny rolled a joint,
"So what's 'appened?
"Nothing really, just hot up on the Riverside and I'm likely to get a pull, I'm keeping me head down for a bit, don't wanna get stitched up, know what I mean."
Danny nodded,
"What d'you want, somethin' a little more discreet?
It wasn't so much a question but Jarvey answered anyway,
"Exactly what I'm looking for.
"Yeah I got a couple that'll be right up your street. 'Ow's everything else?
"Same as it always is, you know how it is.
"Don't I just, which reminds me, I got a big parcel of pills coming next week if you want in on it.
"What they like?
Danny looked offended,
"Jarv, I'm insulted.
"They're okay yeah?
"Yeah meant to be anyway, obviously we'll get someone to test 'em and take it from there.
Passing Jarvey the joint he asked,
"So you still knockin' off Alfie Wilson's girl?
Jarvey nodded.
"Charlene aint it?
Jarvey nodded again.
"What's the old boy make of that then?
"He don't know.
"Cor I bet 'e don't.
Jarvey tutted,
"He don't bother me, he might have been a face once, but he's an old has been¦
"I wouldn't write him off like that Jarv, you got watch that old school crowd, always got their fingers in pies¦ always.
"What pies, setting up a couple of illegal backroom boxing bouts, that's his whack nowadays mate.
"Don't be so sure Jarv, don't be so sure.
Half an hour later a more relaxed Jarvey departed in a family saloon.
He needed hard cash, enough to tie him over for a few weeks at least. It would mean going to a couple of different places but it would be better to go now than later. He also revised meeting his droppers, after all they were careful and unknown. His dealers phoned to arrange to drop the cash off and in turn they were directed to where their next supply was located. It was all cloak and dagger with nobody meeting face to face. There was no way the police would discover their identities and definitely not by that night.
