The Stealers by Charles Hall Read Free Book Online Page A

that?’
    â€˜I’ve already got it. It’ll be a pleasure.’
    Bradley continued, ‘And after that find the car he is using – he’s probably parked down the road somewhere – stuff him in it. Then one of you guys drive it back to his area and leave him there and I’ll see you both back at the farm, okay?’
    Ryan was in jubilant mood as he paused in his conversation with Bradley. He looked at Stan and said, ‘You can drag him out now.’
    Stan nodded in eager expectation as he flipped on a gas mask and strode towards the Judas door.
    Ryan continued his chat with Bradley, pacing up and down as he did so. His face lit up in wonder when Bradley told him that he would be returning within the hour with a Ferrari.

    *

    Crane managed to stay alert. As soon as he heard approaching footsteps, he drew a deep breath through the knothole and held it as he moved swiftly to the opposite side of the shed, pressing his body against the wall adjacent to the door. Stan flung the door wide open with a clatter and stepped inside. Crane’s balled fist struck him in the neck; leaving him silent and gasping for air. The second blow, a hard punch behind the ear, felled him instantly. Crane ripped off the gas mask and put it on himself. He closed the door and stepped outside into the dull moonless night. It would have been difficult to distinguish anyone’s features – shadowy outlines were the order of the night. Ryan looked towards the approaching figure and ended his phone call.
    â€˜Where’s Crane?’ he began.
    â€˜I’m right here,’ Crane replied. ‘Your friend is having a rest.’
    Ryan stared in disbelief but he recovered quickly enough and gripping the iron bar, moved menacingly towards Crane; who had not quite recovered from the kicking he had received from their last encounter. Crane’s hand dipped into his pocket and holding the pencil-beam torch between forefinger and thumb said, ‘You don’t think I came here unarmed, do you?’
    Ryan stopped dead; eyes straining at Crane’s outstretched hand. All he could make out was an outline of something that could be a gun.
    Crane pushed home the point with venom. ‘Why have you stopped? Come on, give me an excuse to put a nine mil slug in your fat face. Now drop whatever you’re holding and move over to that barn door, and be quick about it.’
    Without taking his eyes off of Crane he walked towards the Judas door. He paused outside for a moment until Crane, by way of motioning him forward, waved the pencil-beam torch a bit too dramatically; and the light came on.
    â€˜A fucking torch,’ was all that Ryan could utter as he picked up the iron bar and charged, like a raging bull, towards Crane. Without hesitation, Crane flung the lamp down, turned and ran, but when Ryan was within arm’s reach, Crane dropped suddenly to the ground and curled up his body. Ryan tumbled helplessly over Crane’s encumbered hulk and crashed heavily to the ground. Within a split-second, Crane sprang up and placed his foot heavily across Ryan’s neck. ‘Don’t move an inch unless you want it broken,’ he hissed. ‘Now, where’s Bradley?’
    By way of reply, all that Ryan could manage was, ‘Agh! I’m choking.’
    Crane kept the pressure on and said, ‘Consider yourself lucky, I usually wear boots. I’m only going to ask one more time and, you’d better tell me – and no bullshit.’
    â€˜He’s on his way here,’ Ryan managed to gasp.
    â€˜When?’
    â€˜In about an hour or so.’
    â€˜Where is my Mustang?’
    â€˜I dunno.’
    Ryan sensed that Crane was about to increase the pressure and in a panic he blurted out, ‘It’s the truth. It’s probably gone out of the country by now.’
    â€˜Keep talking.’
    Ryan was sweating and gasping for air as he spoke, ‘All I know is that Bradley takes