Crooks - A London Gangsters Tale | COMPLETED

Chapter Fourteen

Rob called Yuri and asked to meet. This wasn't the sort of thing he felt comfortable discussing over the phone. Yuri agreed tersely, and they settled on a local supermarket, which was usually quite busy at this time of day. They met within the hour, both men looking somewhat incongruous as they strode the chilled aisles in their business suits. To add verisimilitude, Yuri pushed a large shopping trolley which contained only a single bag of apples. They walked slowly, in perfect step.

"You have something to discuss?" said Yuri, his gaze fixed dead ahead.

"I think you'll like what I'm going to tell you."

"Then proceed."

"Last night my dad came over for dinner. He told me there's going to be a coup. The board is planning to oust David Carter. He'll be gone by the end of the month. He's made one too many mistakes, lost too much money. He's no longer sustainable."

Yuri Popov's features did not register even the slightest change of expression. To an onlooker, it was as if Rob had not spoken at all. His only remark was: "Please continue."

"Well, you know what that means. They need a replacement. Someone who knows what they're doing. Someone who's not embarrassed themselves in the past, somebody with a bit of nous. Someone who can bring back a bit of what's been lost."

"You're talking about yourself," said Yuri, eyeing a tin of peaches.

"My dad doesn't want the job," said Rob. "He likes being the power behind the throne. But he's asked me if I'd consider it."

"And what was your answer?"

"I told him I'd think about it."

"And?"

"It depends on what you have to say about it. I'd need assurances."

Yuri paused, and for the first time in a few minutes, he glanced sideways at Rob. "What sort of assurances?"

"You back off. You leave me and my family alone. For good. I'll take the job, I won't make waves. It'll be a simple, peaceful transition of power. You put a stop to your operations in East London, and I'll put a stop to ours in West London. Our paths won't cross."

Yuri was silent for another moment. He seemed to be digesting the proposition, but whether or not he found it palatable was impossible to tell. Eventually, he remarked: "You think David Carter will give up so easily?"

"He won't have a choice. He's just one man. At the end of the day, that's all he is. One man."

"And what about his son?"

"Who, Wayne?" Rob gave an involuntary bark of laughter. "I know Wayne. We grew up together. Best mates, we were, back in the old days. Wayne's a good lad, but he's not the brightest bulb in the box. All he was ever good for was kicking a ball about. Now he can't even manage that. It's sad, but in a war there's always casualties. I think Wayne will take whatever we offer him and be grateful."

"He seems to be in love with your wife."

"He... what?" Rob stopped. He looked at Yuri, who remained frustratingly expressionless.

"You know he visited your house yesterday?"

"Who told you that?"

"Nobody. I have seen the photographs for myself." Yuri paused, then said, "I can tell by your silence that you were not aware of this."

"They had a thing when we were kids," said Rob. "That's all. They haven't seen each other for years."

"Until yesterday."