Breaking East Read Online Free Page A

a table in the window, wasting away the morning. Joe gestured for me to go through to the backroom where all his serious deals went down. ‘It’s also a way for you to earn a good reputation for yourself,’ he said and closed the door behind us.
    That’s what I needed. Nobody ever saw me as Atty, just my parent’s kid. ‘What do I have to do? I hope it gets me out.’
    ‘Not right out of Basley, but it’s based over east. There’s a couple of kids that need keeping an eye on.’
    ‘Babysitting?’
    ‘Not exactly. The boy, Stuart, he’s a year older than you.’
    ‘So what does he need me for?’
    ‘He’s a regular east-side kid,’ said Joe as if it explained everything. It kind of did in a way. Easty kids tended to be a lot less street savvy. If they had a problem, they threw money at it. If that didn’t work they were pretty much snooked. Joe checked the water in the kettle he kept on a tray in the corner. ‘Their mum isn’t around at the moment and he and his little sister have been left home alone. People up high are worried the Law might get twitchy. You know how quick they are to move in on under-occupied houses at the best of times. Two easty kids alone would be really soft targets.’
    ‘What about the dad?’ I asked. ‘And what people up high?’
    ‘The dad’s around but remarried.’
    ‘But he can still look out for them. Besides, what’s so special about these kids to get you involved?’ My imagination was already running ideas around. Either the mum must be taking part in something dodgy somewhere or Joe was on a wind-up and trying to make me feel important.
    Joe sighed. ‘Atty. How many times have I told you? It’s this constant questioning and wanting to know every damn detail which is holding you back. You’re given a task so just go and do it. It’s not your place to question why. And this is a request from very high, directly from the top ― M. Gee, no less. Nobody questions her orders. Ever.’
    He wasn’t wrong there. M. Gee had enough money to run the resistance for many years to come. Not only did she keep the finances in the black but she ran some major projects. A big player. Ruthless but fair according to her reputation. If I wanted promotion, she was the right woman to impress.
    I looked at Joe hard. ‘You’d better not be lying to me.’
    ‘No. I’m not but it’s probably best you don’t know any more than I’ve already told you. Stop you reading too much into nothing.’ He kept a straight face and looked fatally serious. ‘If you get this right you will definitely be on the fast track to some major jobs. Outside.’ He handed me a thin file. Inside were two photos and an address. Both kids looked smelly rich but cute. ‘Get it wrong and you’re in deep, deep shit.’
    I looked into Joe’s eyes, he meant business. He’d listened to me and he’d found me something worth doing. I just needed to get the job done right. ‘Okay, but I need to know what I’m looking out for.’
    ‘You need to make sure Stuart looks after his kid sister and doesn’t get himself into any trouble. Without him knowing you’re there of course. It should be a doddle - yes, safe and cushy, but like I said, if all goes well and the mum gets back to happy kids, M Gee might pick you for all sorts of jobs in the future.’ Joe picked two mugs out of the cupboard to put next to the kettle.
    I put one of the cups away again. ‘Not for me. In a rush.’ I smiled to soften the blow. Joe was ridiculously proud of that urinary tea. ‘But yes, okay. I’ll take the job. Starting right now.’
    ‘You can do this, Atty. Any doubts just come and speak to me, yeah? I want a daily report. And I do want you to do well, you know.’
    Yeah, I knew. I grinned, almost gave him a hug, almost. But we didn’t do hugs.
    I took a casual stroll around the border separating the west from the east. Parts of the cage shone brighter and sharper - newer - from where the Reds had stitched up the holes. I