I get to my feet, cross to the safe, and key in the code.
When I turn back, I’ve got an envelope in my hand.
Jason’s eyes flick to it.
“Go and get your girlfriend,” I say, placing it on the desk and sliding it towards him. “Take her somewhere far from here and don’t look back.”
He stares at the envelope like he can’t quite believe it’s real.
“Make a fresh start,” I add. “And don’t come back, Jason. Because next time, you won’t walk away. Understand?”
He nods quickly, emotion flashing across his face. “Yes, Mr. Carmichael. Thank you. Thank you so much.”
I say nothing. I just watch him go. The second the door closes behind him, Dale looks at me.
“Booth isn’t answering,” he says. “Want me to go and pay him a visit?”
My phone vibrates. I pull it from my pocket and glance down at the screen.
Wynter:I’m not sure how I feel about this black card business.
I frown and shove the phone away.
“Let’s both go pay him a visit,” I say.
Dale looks over, smirking. “The boss is getting his hands dirty for once?”
I ignore him.
By the time we’re in the car and heading back towards the council estate I grew up on, my phone buzzes again.
Wynter: And you paid Holly to hang out with me?
I stare at the message for a second, then lock the screen and toss the phone onto the seat beside me.
I’m not a texter.
And I’ve got no idea what she expects me to say to that.
Dale looks out the window and grimaces. “I hate this shithole.”
“There are good memories here,” I say.
He snorts. “Of us scrapping our way to the top, maybe.”
Despite myself, I almost smile. “Yeah,” I mutter. “We were fucking feral.”
Dale laughs. “Out of control.”
“We had to be.”
Growing up in care together was probably the best thing that had ever happened to either of us. It didn’t make it easy. It just made sure neither of us had to survive it alone.
My phone buzzes again.
Then again.
I grab it with a scowl.
