Chapter 6

"Well done Danny" Mickey said sarcastically after Stacie left.

"It wasn't my fault!" Danny shouted

"You were the one who let her talk to that cop"

"I didn't let her do anything; anyway, she can do what she likes"

"I know" Mickey said, sighing and sitting down in an armchair, "It's just things get so much more difficult when we argue. Especially if there's a cop involved. I'm sorry I blamed you"

"It's okay" Danny said, sliding into the chair next to his, "So what should we do now?"

"She'll come back when she's calmed down a bit. I think we should just wait until Ash and Albert bring back some cash. Then we can work out where to go from there." Danny just nodded, still more than slightly annoyed at himself for hurting Stacie's feelings and very annoyed at Mickey for blaming him. He reached for the remote control and flicked on the TV. Mickey lifted his head and stared at the screen too, but both knew that neither was really watching the chat show. Danny knew he had no interest in hearing about a woman who'd slept with her sister's boyfriend and was pretty sure Mickey wouldn't either, yet neither made any move to change the channel. The TV was just on as a welcome distraction from each other, because they both knew that if they were to engage in any form of communication, it would most likely end in an argument. So they sat in a stony silence until Ash opened the door, ten minutes later. Mickey glanced up as he entered

"How much did you get?"

"Lots" Ash grinned, opening his jacket and watching the money spill out. It was only when he noticed the others' lack of enthusiasm he asked,

"What's up with you two?"

"Nothing" they both answered at once

"Whatever you say. Where's Stacie?" He looked from one to the other. When he received no answer he said, "Oh, so that's why you're in such a bad mood. You've upset Stacie and you're feeling guilty. So what happened?"

"She was outside talking to a cop and Mickey overreacted" Danny explained

"I didn't overreact! She was flirting with him!"

"Right" said Ash with a disbelieving expression on his face, "Anyway, it doesn't matter what Danny and Albert managed to get, I've probably got enough to get us what we need."

"Where is Albert anyway?" Danny asked, looking at his watch, "Shouldn't he have been back by now"

"He'll be fine" Mickey said, "He's probably just lost track of the time." Just as he finished speaking, the phone rang and Ash picked it up.

"Hello?" he answered

"Is this Michael Stone speaking?" a male voice asked

"No, he's busy right now, can I take a message?" Ash said, instantly suspicious of anyone who called Mickey "Michael". And anyway, he and Danny had resumed arguing, so technically he hadn't been lying when he said he was busy. "Hold on a minute" he said into the phone, unable to hear the speaker over the din Mickey and Danny were making, so he walked into the kitchen, shutting the door behind him. Danny and Mickey didn't even notice he'd gone, and continued shouting,

"For the last time, it wasn't my fault!" Danny yelled, speaking about a failed con from a few months back. Just then, Ash, re-entered the room, looking pale,

"We have a problem" he said. Mickey and Danny either ignored him or didn't hear as neither so much as glanced at him

"Then whose fault was it?" Mickey snapped

"Guys" Ash raised his voice slightly

"I don't know, but it wasn't mine" Danny shouted back

"Shut up!" Ash shouted loudly, "Both of you, just shut up and listen for a second, will you?" Mickey and Danny both fell silent, surprised at Ash's sudden outburst. "That was the police on the phone." He began

"It's okay, we know they're watching us" Danny interrupted

"It's not that. They were calling from the hospital."

"Is it Albert?" Mickey asked, fear crossing his face

"No. It's Stacie. She was stabbed while walking in the park. They don't have any suspects, but I think we know who did it"

"Hendon" Mickey said, sinking into a chair, looking ill. Danny was also looking unsteady on his feet.

"Come on, let's find Albert and go to the hospital" Ash said, walking out, Danny and Mickey close on his heels.