Chapter 9
Jack and Charlie's new way of life continued for several weeks, each house becoming a more challenging task then the last. They had to admit that Max seemed to be very capable of choosing appropriate targets to match their skills, there was never a job that they couldn't do much to their disgust. With each successful robbery, Jack began to hate the act more and more.
Max had taken the habit of showing them their target during the light hours so they had a chance of seeing where they would have to go and how they would go about getting in. It was on one of these 'previews' that took them down the 'posh street'. Jack was dubious from the first step towards the street, he view the street as untouchable turf. He didn't think it right to rob the neighbouring houses to Alice, what if word got around and she found out? Or worse still their relationship to each other was discovered due to some mishap on his part? No, the 'posh street' was definitely an unconquerable area.
But Max wasn't one to accept no as an answer and so down the 'posh street' they marched, Jack becoming more agitated the further down they got.
They had gone down the back of the houses to avoid being noticed. Even then Jack could identify which house it was and how far along the street they were probably better then had they been walking past the front entrances.
"That one," Max pointed discreetly, pulling his two apprentices in closer.
Jack looked up holding his breath, why out of all the houses in this street did it have to be that one? Why could it not have been the one next door or the one a few more houses away but this one?
"No, no way…" Jack said impulsively. He could feel his heart racing as the thought of actually breaking into the home of Alice's great uncle who had been nothing but kind and caring to her and Oliver became stronger in his head. How could he do such a thing?
Either Max hadn't heard the comment or suddenly become deaf to certain words for he didn't react at all, not even a slight recognition that anything had been uttered he just continued with what he had to say.
"The Brownlow residence. Rich old gen'lemen, took in his great niece and nephew about a year or so ago. I've heard he's a well behaved boy but they say she's a very feisty girl, could be interesting to see how feisty she can get!"
Jack's blood was boiling as Max spoke, he couldn't stand to hear Alice being talked off in such a manner. In a sort of jerk reaction to his anger, Jack slapped Max round the face. No one gets to speak like that about Alice and get away with it, not while he was around.
"HOW DARE YOU!" Max yelled swivelling to face Jack head on, his knife drawn.
"I'm not robbing that house!" Jack said defiantly.
Max took a step closer to Jack raising the knife so it was level with Jack's chest.
"You'll do as your damn well told or you'll find this goes straight through." Max threatened pushing the point of the blade into chest until it drew a little blood.
Jack tried his upmost to remain composed and not falter under Max's physical threat it was not so easy now that he was face with a life-endangering situation. The anger alone wasn't enough to wrench the horrible gut feeling of being at knife-point.
"I…I don't think Dodger's been feeling too well, p'haps we ought to forget it tonight, I mean we don't wanna get caught because he's being too lax 'cause he aint feeling to good, do we?" Charlie, who had suddenly realised the reason for his friend's distress, tried to help the situation and prevent any conflicts.
"Fine. We'll come back tomorrow." Max resorted, storming off down the street.
Thanking Charlie, Jack attempted to mend his now ripped shirt as they headed towards home, his mind doing somersaults with worry.
Alice would have to be told. Max was a danger to them both now. It would have to be tonight before Max got any more bright ideas.