Choice of Weapon

Chapter 10

  Brian shook his head. ‘I’m not sure about this, Garrett. I know of all of those men that Petrus is talking about. We’re talking about serious players here. Hard men with even harder men working for them. Shit, man. Even the smallest fish that you’re talking about has at least ten or twelve guns under him, the biggest, twenty or more. You do not want to fuck with these dudes. Especially with no proof.’

  ‘I understand, my friend. All I’m asking is that you lend me a few of your guys for backup. I’m willing to pay top dollar for the privilege. Couple of nights.’

  Brian swore under his breath. ‘If these dudes link any of this shit back to me I’m well screwed. All right for you. You can just fuck off back to Scotland. I gotta live here.’

  Garrett said nothing. The silence stretched out. A friend in need. A brother in arms. An unspoken appeal.

  ‘Oh, fuck it,’ said Brian. ‘I’ll ask for a few volunteers. Fifty dollars an hour each. And, Garrett, this is protection only. I don’t want my boys getting me into a war. I can’t afford it. Okay?’

  Garrett nodded. ‘Got you.’

  ‘You’re wasting your time, you know. These fuckers are bog standard criminals. They wouldn’t be involved with child kidnapping. It’s not their thing. Robbery. Protection. Hijacking. That’s their sport. Not kids.’

  ‘Thanks, mate.’

  ‘Yeah. Fucking orphans. Ten to one they’re just running away. Shit, man.’ Brian shook his head in disgust. ‘Waste of fucking time.’