Part 12 (2/2)

'How much do you think Junior knows about his dad's business?'

'He comes out with stuff,' James said. 'He's curious about what his dad does. If any one of Keith's kids knows anything worth knowing, I'd bet on Junior.'

'And the deliveries,' Zara said. 'How are they going?'

'Good,' James said. 'It's mostly nice houses and offices I'm going to. I was worried at first, but it's like having a newspaper round, only with decent wages.'

Ewart spoke. 'The mission briefing mentioned that kids around here aren't just delivering small amounts of drugs to individuals, but are getting deeper into the organisation and delivering in bulk to dealers from other parts of the country. Have you seen any sign of that?'

James shrugged. 'Some kids are making serious money, so it wouldn't surprise me.'

'Your number one job is to find out how they're making that money,' Zara said. 'Make friends, ask questions and keep pestering until you get an answer. Remember to keep safe when you're out on deliveries. If you think a situation is dangerous, pull out and we'll clean up the mess afterwards. We'd rather abandon the whole mission than risk one of you guys getting hurt.'

'Kyle,' Ewart said. 'Your turn.'

'Ringo's a bust if you ask me,' Kyle said. 'He's a straight-up guy, though he smokes a fair bit of cannabis. I'm getting in with his crowd. There are drug dealers at their parties and plenty of kids using all kinds of drugs. I might get some information from one of them, but I'm not hopeful.'

Ewart and Zara looked at each other.

'Just keep trying, Kyle,' Zara said. 'That's all you can do until we think of something else.'

'So,' Ewart said. 'Last but not least, Kerry.'

'Me and Erin can't stand each other,' Kerry said. 'She's weird and immature and her friends sit in a group and don't talk to anyone else.'

'What did you do to try and get in with them?' Ewart asked.

'We're just so different,' Kerry explained. 'I don't think we'll ever get on.'

'The thing is, Kerry,' Ewart said, 'you've been trained to work out what type of person your target is and then act in a way that makes them your friend. If Erin mucks about and upsets teachers, then that's what you should do, even if you think it's silly and immature. If Erin swears and bunks off, you should do that too. I know you can't guarantee forming a friends.h.i.+p with a target, but I don't ever expect to hear a cherub say they're too different from someone to get along.'

Kerry looked angry. 'You'd need a world-cla.s.s psychiatrist to work out Erin. She's part of a weird little clique and they shut everyone else out.'

Zara spoke. 'If you haven't hit it off with Erin by now, I doubt it's ever going to happen. I can't see much reason for you to stay on this mission. We can send you back to campus and say you've moved back to live with your real parents, or something.'

Kerry looked close to crying. 'I don't want to be sent back. I'm trying to get involved with someone else, like it says in the briefing.'

'I can't see much point,' Ewart said. 'If you were a boy, you might be recruited as a courier, but that's all done through the boxing club, which is boys only.'

Zara nodded, agreeing with her husband. 'I'm sorry this mission didn't work out, Kerry, but don't be disappointed. Think of it as a learning experience.'

'Let me stay,' Kerry begged. 'There's a boy in my cla.s.s called Dinesh. I'm getting friendly with him and I think he knows something.'

James put his wrist up to his lips and made a loud smooching noise.

'Grow up, James,' Zara said wearily. 'Kerry, what is it you think Dinesh might know?'

'His dad runs a company that makes microwave meals for supermarkets. When I was talking to him about Erin, he mentioned that his father has dealings with Keith Moore.'

Zara didn't look too impressed. 'Keith is a wealthy man, Kerry. He has business dealings with lots of people.'

'But it's the way Dinesh said it,' Kerry explained. 'It's like Dinesh had a bad taste in his mouth. It might be nothing, but I'd like a chance to dig deeper.'

Ewart and Zara looked at each other.

'Please don't send me back to campus,' Kerry grovelled. 'Just give me a few more days.'

'You're fond of this boy Dinesh, aren't you?' Zara said. 'Is that the real reason you're so keen to stay?'

'I'm a professional,' Kerry stormed. 'It's not because I've fallen for some boy. I've got a hunch and I'm asking you guys to show faith in me.'

'OK, Kerry,' Zara said gently. 'There's no need to get upset. Ewart and I will postpone our decision on sending you back to campus until next week. How does that sound?'

Kerry nodded. 'Thank you.'

'Anything else, before we all go off to bed?' Ewart asked.

'Yeah,' James said. 'It's Lauren's birthday this weekend, is it still OK if she visits?'

'No problem,' Zara said. 'If she meets up with any of the local kids, you'll have to tell them she's your cousin. It'll seem weird if you suddenly have a sister popping out of nowhere.'

'If that's everything,' Ewart said, 'let's all get some shut-eye.'

With only one bathroom, there was a scrum over the toothbrushes. Kerry stayed on the couch sulking and James thought he'd give the others a few minutes to fight it out.

'You're really good at this,' Kerry said, looking at James.

'What?' he asked.

'Missions. You go into a room and everyone likes you. Good old James, even the baby likes you. I study hard and I get some of the best marks on campus, but I'm rubbish out on missions where it really counts.'

'Come on, Kerry,' James said. 'You're being way too hard on yourself. This is your first important mission. n.o.body expects you to be brilliant.'

'And it'll be my last big mission, after this disaster,' Kerry said. 'I'll probably spend the rest of my CHERUB career doing mundane security tests and recruitment work.'

James moved across to the other couch, next to Kerry. 'I've been meaning to talk to you,' he said.

'Talk about what?'

'We haven't been getting on that well since this mission started,' James said. 'But you still like me, don't you?'

'Of course I like you, James,' Kerry said, breaking into a smile. 'You're one of my best friends.'

James decided to be bold and put his arm around Kerry's back. She smiled and rested her head against his shoulder.

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