Ventriloquists Read Online Free

his welcoming grin that Yasser was able to see past his tan-coloured large front teeth, right to the back of his mouth, where the gold was buried.
    ‘Yo, Yass! Usual innit?’
    ‘Safe, man. You okay?’
    ‘When it don’t rain it shine, blood. You’s onions?’
    ‘Nah. Too early for onions.’
    Yasser took a step back from the counter when Snow White turned his concentration to his grill plate. Without looking up while he flipped bacon, Snow White asked Yasser if he wanted a coffee. Yasser lit a smoke and declined politely. Then Snow White added: ‘Woah, boy!’
    ‘What?’
    ‘Them creps, man! They the shit!’ And he pointed his dripping tongs at Yasser’s new footware. ‘You win the Lotto or sumpin?’
    ‘Been saving for a rainy day.’ Yasser smiled, delighted that his investment had been noticed.
    ‘They cost you what?’
    ‘Four ton.’
    Snow White whistled, then revealed his teeth once more. ‘Someone paying you too much, Yass!’ he declared.
    ‘Well it ain’t Wafiq!’ Yasser replied.
    ‘Then who is it?’ said a voice behind Yasser’s left shoulder. Yasser turned. Immediately he felt prickly with anxiety. The face was familiar – more familiar than that of any regular Saturday morning market-haunter.
    ‘You don’t tell me that’s your babysitting money paid for that,’ the man went on.
    ‘...What do you want, Tommy?’ asked Yasser.
    It was the Brazilian, from the camp. Close up, closer than he’d been three mornings earlier, the man held about him the odour of swamp and sweat. He was dressed in the same clothes as he’d worn then.
    ‘I owe you a freebie, son,’ Tommy replied. ‘Never let it be said I don’t honour me word.’
    ‘You owe me nothing,’ Yasser told him. ‘The business is concluded.’
    ‘Can I help you?’ Snow White called from behind a crackling hedge of silver fat fumes.
    Tommy asked Yasser: ‘What is it we drink? You got any petrol, mate?’ he asked Snow White.
    ‘Any what ?’
    ‘I asked you what you wanted, Tommy,’ said Yasser, his voice level but his heart ranting.
    ‘And I told you, boy: I tear strips off poor cunts, and you qualify.’
    ‘The baby’s well, by the way. Eloise.’
    Tommy shrugged. ‘I don’t give a fuck. That was none of my business. You think I ask their permission to scratch me bollocks?’
    ‘No. And there was no petrol on my passenger seat either,’ said Yasser. ‘The smell receded as I drove away. It was the can I could smell.’
    ‘Oh it receded . You college boy...’
    Yasser turned his head by twisting his neck. To Snow White he said: ‘Have you got your camera with you?’ When Snow White nodded, his dreadlocks whipped like horses’ tails. ‘Get a picture of this prick, would you then?’
    Malice leaked through Tommy’s features. ‘You’ll not be taking my photo,’ he stated flatly.
    ‘Then get away from me.’
    ‘Why? I’m here to buy a wheelbarrow,’ Tommy answered. ‘I hear you’re doing em cheaper than Homebase.’
    Yasser shook his head. ‘We reserve the right not to sell to psychopaths. How d’you find me?’
    ‘No, son. How did you find me ? Is the question. See, it had to be here. No other connection.’
    ‘Well, well done, Inspector Morse.’
    ‘You bacon is ready,’ said Snow White.
    ‘Do you sell trowels?’ Tommy asked, grinning.
    ‘Yes. But not to you.’
    ‘We’ll see what your Paki boss thinks about that opinion, so we will.’ Tommy laughed as Yasser took possession of his bacon sandwich. It was wrapped in kitchen roll. ‘That looks good,’ he added. ‘Can I have a bite?’
    ‘Buy your own.’
    ‘Maggie sent me.’
    ‘What? I have work to do, Tommy .’
    ‘Maggie sent me. To retain your skills for finding things. Mainly children.’
    ‘What are you on about?’
    Tommy nodded towards Snow White. ‘Are you sure you want Bob Marley to hear this?’
    ‘Yes. I’d like a witness,’ Yasser answered.
    ‘The only reason she took the white girl is she had her own girl stolen from