‘What, to hold your hand while we both get killed?’
Scott didn’t answer.
‘Why’d he threaten you anyway?’
‘You hear about his brother Joey?’
‘About him getting sliced and diced? Everyone’s heard.’
‘Ronan blames me for that.’
Barrington laughed even louder now. ‘Sorry, man, but I’m having a hard time picturing that one. Joey Cobb was even more of a psycho than Ronan.’
Again, Scott didn’t answer.
‘Wait. You’re serious? About Joey?’
‘I did what I had to do.’
He decided not to tell Barrington that he wasn’t personally responsible for Joey’s death. He needed Barrington to remain afraid of him.
‘Then I can’t help you,’ Barrington said. ‘You’re a dead man walking.’
‘Yeah, I think that’s what’s going through Ronan’s head too. That’s why I need to hit him before he hits me.’
‘Then hit him. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the opportunity to keep on living, but why do you need me?’
‘Insurance. I’ve got a meeting with him soon. If it goes the way I hope it will, you won’t have to lift a finger. But, like you, I think there’s a good chance Ronan will guess what’s coming and shoot me first. If that happens, I want you to kill him before he can go after my family.’
Barrington shook his head in disbelief. ‘You’re asking a lot, man. Especially being a stranger who’s just attacked me in my own crib. What are you even doing here? I thought you came to rip off my money.’
‘Haven’t you figured it out yet?’
‘Figured what out? I’ve been too busy watching that gun of yours to be working shit out.’
‘Ronan sent me.’
Confusion settled on Barrington’s features. ‘What do you mean?’
‘You’re Ronan’s target, not mine. He sent me to kill you and steal the money.’
Barrington’s mood darkened. ‘Fuck. Knew I couldn’t trust that family. Only reason I worked with his brother was because he came up with the goods. Always thought one of them would stab me in the back one day.’
‘Well that day has arrived. And it’s worse than you think.’
‘How so?’
‘I knew that a white Adidas bag full of money was being dropped here this afternoon. I know it’s supposed to get picked up again at seven. How do I know? Because Ronan told me. How did he know? Because he’s got help on the inside. Maybe it’s whoever gave you the bag. Maybe it’s the guy coming here later to collect it. Point is, you can’t trust anyone now, Barrington. For whatever reason, people have decided you’re dispensable.’
While Barrington mused, Scott checked his watch. Twenty to seven. Time was running out.
‘I need a decision, Barrington. You going to help me or not?’
‘Wasting someone isn’t a thing I like to make snap decisions about. That’s what gets people in jail. Or worse.’ He paused. ‘What if I don’t help you? You really gonna shoot me like you said?’
‘Actually, I don’t need to. I could just take your money and walk out of here, leaving you to explain it to the pick-up guy. How long do you think they’ll let you live after that?’
‘They’ll come after me anyway. If they don’t find me and the money here at seven, I’m still dead. Ronan will be the least of my problems.’
‘That’s why I’m offering you the money too.’
‘What?’
‘You can have it. All of it. All you have to do is cover my back for the next hour, and then you can take all the money. You could get a long way from here with money like that.’
Barrington looked at the bag like a dog eyeing a juicy bone.
‘How do I know I can trust you?’
‘You don’t have to. Say no, and I’ll walk away now with the bag, meet with Ronan, and take my chances. But you’ll be on your own, with no money and a handful of enemies at your door. Your choice, but make it now, because I’m about to leave.’
Scott stood up, hoping to push Barrington into a decision.
‘All right,’ Barrington said. ‘I’ll do it. But there’s something you need to know.’
Scott glanced at his watch again. 6.45. This was getting too tight.
‘What?’ he snapped.
