The Charlie Cobb Series

Chapter 19

19

I’m zipping along easy down the Parkway road. Cutting past traffic and hitting the motorway. The BMW is fast and I see the airport signs already.

This isn’t my first emergency holiday. Probably not my last. And I’ve got a couple of mates at the airport I slip a few quid to.

There are ways to get in and out and bypass customs. Ways to get on a chartered plane rather than one of the regular airlines. Strictly trade secrets.

I turn up the radio. Neil Diamond. Forever In Blue Jeans. Well wouldn't you know it? Must be a good omen. I sing along. Might be the lack of sleep, but I feel as happy as Larry.

Nice car too. It's a 5 Series. Tan leather. Sat nav. Automatic.

I glance across to the passenger seat. Cassie’s sitting right there, in her jeans and jumper. Tugging at a strand of hair.

I jump out of my skin and almost total the Beemer in the central reservation.

I regain control of the wheel. “What are you doing here?” I ask her.

She gives me one of those looks. “You know.”

“Know what?"

“You promised.”

“Look, Cass, I didn't kill the kid.”

“No you just sentenced him to death, that’s all.”

“Come on, what was I supposed to do?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Cassie says, throwing out her arms. “The right thing?”

“You don't know the business, Cass. Options don't come in black and white."

“Watch that car,” she says, pointing ahead.

I turn my eyes to the road. Just in time to undercut a red Punto, driven slow by an old woman who looks like Yoda.

I rejoin the outside lane. Glance across at Cass. She's not letting me off the hook.

"If you're gonna have a go at anyone, have a go at your mum. She's already on the hand shandies again."

“God, you’re like a couple of kids,” Cassie says, shaking her head. “This isn’t about Mum. You made a promise, Dad. And now you’re breaking that promise. So much for your stupid code.”

I look ahead at the airport sign. The exit road coming up fast on the left. I glance at myself in the rear view mirror. I look across at Cassie. Tapping on her phone. Glued to the thing, as usual.

I indicate left and slide the BMW across three lanes into the slip road. I notice a 747 rising into the sky. When I look again at the passenger seat, Cassie’s gone.

Damn, the imaginings seem so real when they happen.

I shake it off and get back to reality. I turn up the radio and sing along. This is the right thing to do. The only thing. No two ways about it.