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“You are so lucky that UK police don’t carry guns. You can’t just sneak up on a guy like that.”

“One, you’re not police anymore. Two, I didn’t sneak, I walked. Three, you’re the one sneaking around.”

Andy smacked him in the chest with a paper bag.

“Food.”

Jack ripped it open.

“I take it back. Good to see you, Andy.”

“Yeah, right.”

Jack ate the burger in four mouthfuls, while Andy stared into the darkness and clenched his jaw. As much as he appreciated the food, he wasn’t so cheered about the fact that it likely came with a side order of ‘get your act together, Jack.’

“Look, Jack,” Andy started, before he’d even finished the fries.

Jack held up a hand to stop him.

“Wait, they’re talking.”

He put the monitor on speaker mode. Andy’s eyes were wide.

“You bugged her?”

“No, I bugged my own house. I don’t see any laws against that.”

Andy shook his head.

“You, my friend, are on thin ice.”

Jack shushed him and ignored the glare he got in return.

“This is quite a set-up you have here. You’re full of surprises, Davina. Makes a man wonder what else you’re capable of.” It was a male voice he didn’t recognise, a bit high-pitched and slightly whiny. Jack disliked him instantly.

“I’m trying to keep it professional. This project is important to me; I don’t want to waste a minute.” Davina sounded strained.

“I can see why you need me though, this place is full of amateurs.”

“Yes,” Davina said. “I know. I appreciate your help. We’ll get everything done a lot faster with you on board.”

“Two weeks, you said, then you have to clear out?”

Jack cast a glance at Andy. Now he had his full attention.

“No, I said two weeks until I have to clear all the equipment out. I can’t have it around when my landlord comes to inspect the place, so that has defined the schedule.”

Jack’s heart sped up. He knew it. She was up to something.

“I suppose I can manage two weeks,” said the whiny guy.

“Super,” Davina said. It sounded like she was making a huge effort to be upbeat.

“But, what do I get out of this?”

There was a pause. Jack clenched his jaw. He didn’t like this guy’s tone.

“We went over this, Derek. You will get a cut of all profits. That’s all I can offer. I don’t have any cash right now, but you will get a percentage. And of course it will help you to make more of a name for yourself. Open up doors.”