Chapter 2: Beggars Cant Be Choosers

‘A lot of good that will do,’ Jake said. ‘It’s funny, I thought I’d noticed a difference in Don over the last few days, but we haven’t actually worked together much this last week.’ ‘He’s very embarrassed about what happened to him,’ Danny said, ‘And also about you knowing about it.’

‘When I asked him if I could tell you, I assured him that you wouldn’t ask him about it.’ ‘Of course not,’ Jake said. ‘I can understand that. I just feel proud he’s allowed you to tell me what you have. So, what’s the plan?’ he asked, feeling sure Danny would have one.

‘Don doesn’t want to send him back to prison, except as a last resort.’ Danny told him. ‘So, I thought the three of us would pay a visit to his uncle and check him out. I’m hoping that when we explain the options, that he might see reason.’

‘Don accepts his uncle feels hostile towards him, and if his verbal attack when they meet helps get it out of his uncle’s system, he’s prepared to take it. We will have to judge if we think it’s worked and act accordingly.’ ‘What are our limits?’ Jake asked.

‘If we can’t get a voluntarily result from him that lets Don live in peace, then there are none.’ Danny told him. ‘We can’t rely on Don being unharmed before the police have enough proof to act, so whatever we do has to ensure no harm can befall him.’

‘Well, I’d be happy to break his neck,’ Jake said making it sound like it was an everyday event for him. ‘I thought your military training might come in handy,’ Danny said. ‘But if that happened, I think Don needs to believe he’s just unconscious, not dead.’

‘What about being left with a body?’ Jake asked. ‘Don’t worry about that,’ Danny said, ‘I’ll bring a body bag just in case. But there is an in between option, we’ll just have to play it by ear.’ Somehow, Jake didn’t feel at all surprised that Danny wasn’t bothered about having to get rid of a body.

Danny and Jake discussed a few more things, then Jake and Danny checked their rotas. The first occasion they were both off was Wednesday morning. ‘Don is on duty, but I can arrange a relief for him.’ Jake assured him.

‘I’ll get his uncle’s address tomorrow,’ Danny told him, ‘So if you could pick Don up, and then collect me here for say ten o’clock.’ That being agreed, Danny headed home. On the way he rang Don and told him what he and Jake had agreed.

Later that evening Danny used his special phone and sent a text to the super explaining what he was doing and requesting use of the disposal system, should it prove necessary. He got his reply agreeing to his request an hour later. Because it was out of his area the super was happy to accept Dannys reading of the situation without putting it to the vote.

MONDAY - HOSPITAL RECEPTION DESK

When Don came in to relieve Jake at lunch time, he looked very embarrassed. ‘Hi Don,’ Jake greeted him cheerily, ‘Go and put the kettle on will you.’ Don went into the room behind reception and Jake came in for his coffee.

As he sat down, he smiled at Don and told him, ‘You and me, we don’t just work together, we’re friends. Since the day I met you, we’ve been friends and absolutely nothing has changed that yet. And if I learn anything new on Wednesday, that won’t change it either.’

‘Just remember that I’m always here for you if you need me.’ Don gave him a big smile, he felt so relieved. Jake went off for his lunch and Don manned the desk feeling a lot happier than he had expected to be.

WEDNESDAY - MEETING DONS UNCLE

When Jakes car drew up at the safe house, Danny appeared at the gate carrying two bags. Jake got out and opened the boot, put them in and closed it. He wondered what was in them, but didn’t ask. Danny gave them the address, and they set off.

‘How did you discover his address?’ Don asked. ‘He has to let the police know where he is for the next four years,’ Danny told him, ‘Until his original prison sentence has expired.’ Don wondered how Danny had got the information from the police, but decided perhaps he shouldn’t ask and stayed silent.

Danny told them how they were going to approach the door and told Don not to volunteer any information or respond to anything his uncle said to him unless Danny gave him a nod. ‘Just remember there is nothing he can do to hurt you whilst Jake is with us.’