A family of evil

Chapter 36

It was Shadow Man and he was putting in an order, a large one. Franklin frowned with concentration and tilted his head to one side, listening carefully. When the tape had finished, he said, ‘Was it just me or did I detect a slight accent that time? ’

Mike rewound the taped conversation and hit play again.

‘There, hear it? He’s putting a slightly different accent on one word.’

Mike rewound and played it again. ‘You could be right, but it’s slight. Listen to the rest of it.’ They played the conversation to the end. Mike had kept him on the line for quite a bit longer, emphasising that it was too big an order to expect without a deposit. Shadow Man agreed reluctantly to put 25% into the bank account Mike gave him. Told him that he would get further instructions when the money hit the account.

‘And the franchise? I’m very interested. So interested that I wouldn’t fancy the chances of any competition staying in business long, if you get my meaning.’

Mike had hesitated, surprised at the op