Free Danny Dempsey and the Unlikely Alliance by Denis Byrne Page B

where it had been, even after Dapper had buttoned up his jacket again.
    â€˜Well, Mr. Casey, are you sufficiently impressed with our Organisation now to reconsider my offer?’ Myles Moran enquired, having given Gerald a few minutes to recover his composure. ‘I assure you, we’re extremely efficient in what we undertake. I’m certain you won’t be disappointed should you change your mind.’
    â€˜It doesn’t look like I’ve got a choice,’ Gerald finally managed, shrugging his shoulders in resignation, consoling himself with the thought of the riches coming his way for his services. ‘But I’ve one favour to ask before we pull this off.’
    â€˜And what might that be, Mr Casey?’ Moran asked him softly.
    â€˜I don’t want Mr. Dawson to know I’d anything to do with this. I want whoever’s carrying out the snatch to make it look like I’m being taken captive just like he is, and that I’m being forced to drive the Merc to wherever you’re planning taking him. Okay?’
    Myles Moran smiled and held out his hand to shake on the deal. ‘It will be as you wish, Mr. Casey. And may I commend you on your loyalty to your employer.’ He stood up and, for a minute, Gerald could have sworn he was going to give a formal bow before he left, but he merely nodded his head in acknowledgement of their coming to terms with each other. ‘Come, Mr. Desmond. We’ve arrangements to make. And we’ll contact you, Mr. Casey, in due course.’
    Gerald didn’t doubt it for a second. He only realised after they’d left that he hadn’t a notion what his fairy godmother’s name was.
    *
    Anna Conway couldn’t believe it had been so easy. Granted, the Boss had made all the prior arrangements for the abduction to be carried out smoothly, but still - - .
    â€˜Trust me, Miss Conway,’ Myles Moran had assured her, ‘They’ll be expecting you.’
    And they were. When she knocked on the Headmistress’s door, Lily already had her coat on over her school uniform. The Headmistress had received a phone call from Lily’s Mother half an hour before Anna Conway parked her BMW beside the row of teacher’s cars in the school grounds.
    â€˜I’m afraid my husband’s been involved in an accident,’ Lily’s Mother had told Miss Rawlings, her voice trembling appropriately to suit the occasion. ‘No, no, I’ve been assured it’s not too serious, but I’m still at my wit’s end.’
    â€˜You poor thing!’ Miss Rawlings commiserated. ‘Is there anything I can do to help? I can bring Lily home myself if - -’.
    â€˜That’s very kind of you, Miss Rawlings, but I won’t be here. I’ve to dash off to the hospital straight away. One of my neighbours will pick her up and mind her until I get home. She’ll be there in about half an hour or so. I’m sorry for taking Lily out in the middle of - -’.
    â€˜Think nothing of it, Mrs. Cartwright. You’ve more important things on your mind right now. I’ll see to it Lily’s ready to leave as soon as the lady arrives. And try not to worry, Mrs Cartwright. I’m sure everything is going to be fine.’
    â€˜I hope so,’ Lily’s Mother replied hesitantly, ‘I sincerely hope so.’
    â€˜Should I say anything to Lily about - -’
    â€˜Oh, no! I don’t want her worrying unnecessarily. Just tell her that her Mommy said to go along with Mrs. Stevens, and stay with her until I get back from – from - -’.
    â€˜I’ll think of something, Mrs. Cartwright,’ Miss Rawlings interrupted her, telling herself the poor woman had enough on her plate right at the moment without having to come up with some excuse to put her daughter’s mind at rest. ‘You run along now and don’t fret yourself any further. Lily’s a very obedient little girl. She’ll do