From the Dark

by K. A. Richardson

  Mark shrugged. ‘That’s McPhee through and through unfortunately. I’d hate to ever need to ask him for help. He’s always quite happy taking the glory and never actually doing any of the graft.’

  ‘You’ll never be in a position where you need his help. Anyway, it looks like you might have got your man – probably time me and Ali head back to Mam’s.’

  ‘Okay, Bro. Thanks for coming down both of you. Your input has helped me see a few links I’d missed or thought irrelevant.’

  Alex surprised him by grabbing him in a tight hug, then he and Ali made their way down the rear stairs to the car park.

  23rd December, 1600 hours – Toni’s flat, Harrison Gardens

  Toni was sitting on the floor with her legs crossed. She had laid out three red candles in a row in front of her and had them lit, the flames dancing as she stared at them. She focussed her energy on wanting to speak to Sam. Her guide had been with her for a long time, too long for her to remember a time when he wasn’t there. She knew a bit about Sam: he’d been a medic in the army when he’d been alive and had helped people persistently throughout his life. This had meant when he’d died, killed in action, he’d been selected to act as a guide for those in need.

  She shifted her position, honing her eyes on the flames and thinking of Sam. His face drifted into her mind – kind blue eyes, creases at the sides. A mop of curly, sandy coloured hair. A smile that would have devastated any woman when he’d been alive. Her eyes drifted closed as Toni reached out and allowed him full access to her mind.

  ‘You want to ask me about your vision.’ Sam was matter-of-fact, he already knew what she was looking for.

  ‘I want to know if it was me in the vision or whether my fears are changing existing visions to include me.’

  ‘That’s a difficult one to answer. The future is always unpredictable – you know this.’

  ‘I know. But I need to know. Am I going to die, Sam?’

  ‘Not yet. It’s not your time. Who’s to say when it will happen, though. You wouldn’t really want to know a date and time, I don’t think. I know I wouldn’t have.’

  ‘Wouldn’t it make more sense to know? So, you can plan for your death and live fully until then?’

  ‘Nothing about death is sensible. The good thing about living is you’re alive. Every moment you spend living should be spent doing that regardless of whether you know when you will die.’

  ‘Was it me in the vision?’

  ‘Yes. I don’t know when or how. But that is a situation you will end up in. I’ll be right by your side. You won’t be alone.’

  Toni paused. She wanted to scream and run from Sam – but he was only answering her questions.

  ‘Can Mark save me?’

  ‘Mark already has. You and he have a million strings joining you together. They’ve been there forever. But you already know that. Mark has saved you a hundred times through different lives you’ve lived and I have no doubts he will continue to do so. Or maybe this time, you’ll save him. Who’s to say? I have to leave this place now – just for a short while. I’ll always be with you, Antonia. Remember that.’

  The mist eased and Toni opened her eyes – the flames on the candles danced a little higher then suddenly all three went out, severing any connection with her guide, albeit temporarily.

  She believed Sam when he said he would always be there. But her guide couldn’t stop her getting kidnapped by whoever was intending to do it. He’d said he didn’t know when it would happen, but Toni got the distinct impression it would be soon.

  Prepare yourself then. Be ready. For anything. She nodded once to herself then picked the candles up and put them away, before heading into the bedroom.

  She pulled the shoebox out from under her bed, opened the lid, and removed the small but extremely sharp knife that lay inside. Testing a few different places on her body she could keep it, Toni finally opted to put it inside her sock. No one would ever suspect she had a knife in her sock – and she would only use it if she absolutely had to.

  Toni sent a quick text to Mark telling him she’d meet him outside the flat – he’d already text to tell her he would pick her up at 7pm. They were going to the pictures tonight – they were reshowing Die Hard – one of Toni’s favourite ever Christmas movies. She decided to put her worries aside for the night and enjoy Mark’s company.

  Chapter 20

  23rd December, 1850 hours – Harrison Gardens

  Duke sat inside the warm cab of the van, staring down the street at the communal entrance to the flats where Toni lived.

  His cheek was bruised where Carl had punched him and he opened his mouth, flexing his jaw. Both his shoulders felt sore after his uncle and cousin had forcibly escorted him off South Cantow caravan site. It’s all her fault. His own mother had screamed in his face that he was crazy and not expected him to react?

  He hadn’t been able to stop himself – hadn’t even thought to. He was putting her in her place. That was allowed – all family matters were normally kept in the family. There wasn’t a need to involve anyone else. If Ashleigh hadn’t screamed…

  Duke put his head in his hands. He did feel some shame at what he’d done. It wasn’t that men didn’t hit women in his culture: they did if it was warranted, as it should always be in his opinion, but you never hit your mother. Not ever. It just wasn’t done. And his daughter had been terrified, he’d seen the look in her eyes as she’d opened her mouth and screamed.

  He felt conflicted – part of him was saying what he’d done was be a man and stand up for himself, and the other part was calling himself every name under the sun – Adeline was his mother. And yes, she could be an absolute cow – but that was no excuse. Will she ever forgive me for this?

  The whole incident had set burning anger he was already feeling into overdrive, and he was struggling with control. All he wanted to do now was punch something exceptionally hard. He’d even tried ringing his mother to apologise, but she’d screamed at him down the phone and told him to piss off and never ring her again. That she would finish bringing his children up and that they’d turn out far better than he had. It had pissed him off no end. Who the hell does she think she is? Seriously – she’s a fucking psychopath. His thoughts were contradicting – one minute he was sorry and the next he wanted to punch his mother again for messing everything up.

  Frustrated, he punched the dashboard and the steering wheel hard. The pain spreading up from his knuckles was satisfying – it made him feel alive.

  His senses suddenly went into overdrive as Toni came out of the communal door. Now seemed as good a time as any to get what he wanted. Even if he couldn’t bring her back to the community, he could damn-well make sure he had his fun with her.

  She was fiddling on her phone and hadn’t even noticed the van as she walked towards it. Duke hopped into the back of the van and unclicked the sliding door. Leaning forward he watched her approach and just as she would be alongside the van door, he threw it open, grabbed her and pulled her inside.

  It happened so fast she didn’t even have time to scream.

  Duke drew back his fist and used his full body to throw the punch, which connected with the side of her face, knocking her out. I thought I heard something crack there, but even if I didn’t, there’s always next time.

  He wanted to release some of that pent-up frustration there and then, but he knew that if he started now, feeling the way he was, that he wouldn’t be able to stop. He grabbed the cable ties from the pouch on the back of the driver’s seat and used them to bind Toni’s hands and feet securely. A dirty rag on the floor of the van was stuffed into her mouth.

  Once back in the driver’s seat, he drew in a deep breath and felt his anger start to ebb. Turning the key, he checked his mirrors before pulling out onto the road.

  He knew exactly where he would take Toni. No one knew about the abattoir. It would be the perfect place to get to know Toni properly again. He’d have her turned around from Mark McKay and back in his arms if
it killed him. Or her. He smirked at his own humour as he navigated through the city and back towards Leith.

  23rd December, 1900 hours – Harrison Gardens

  Mark was just driving down the road when he’d spotted Toni coming out of the communal door. She looked amazing, even from this distance he could see her dark hair was twirled up in some kind of knot on top of her head. It just screamed for him to let it down and run his fingers through. He’d been amazed at how soft her hair had been. It smelled faintly of roses and vanilla, and he breathed deeply as his brain let him smell the scent as if she were sat next to him.

  The van was the next thing that caught his attention – white, unmarked – it was parked facing the communal doors as he drove, approaching from behind, and a spark of unease prickled.

  Duke drives a white van. He wouldn’t be stupid enough to approach her in the middle of the street though, surely. He went into her flat and tried it in person so why not?

  His foot pushed a little harder on the accelerator. It was almost instinctive.

  The car pushed forward a little faster just as he noticed Toni disappear from view into the side of the van.

  ‘Fuck!’ Mark floored it, his car gathering speed. The van pulled out two cars ahead of him as if the driver had no care in the world.

  He used voice activation and dialled 999.

  ‘DS Mark McKay – I need urgent assistance to Harrison Gardens heading from there towards the A70. Believed kidnap in progress. Victim is Antonia Baillie. The van I’m following is white, partial reg SK16F… that’s sierra kilo one six foxtrot. I’m in pursuit in my personal vehicle. Van is several vehicles ahead of me currently.’

  The call handler told him to hold while she alerted her supervision – panic clawed at his insides. Be strong, Toni, I’m coming.

  The traffic lights ahead turned orange. The white van drove straight through and turning right, but the cars in front of Mark slowed to a stop. Mark shouted at them – and swung out into the oncoming lane to overtake and follow the van. By the time he got to the junction, the cars from the opposite side of the crossroads had started to move – he hesitated for a minute then sped around the corner after the van, his tyres squealing at the lack of traction on the damp road surface.

  The van was gone. Out of sight completely with any number of turnings that it could have taken. ‘Aarrgghh,’ Mark banged his hand off the steering wheel in frustration before remembering that he was still on the phone to the call handler in the control room.

  ‘I’ve lost sight of the van – it turned right onto the A8 – that’s the last I saw. I need to speak to whoever is going to be dealing with this. Ping the partial off the automated number plate recognition systems and let me know immediately of any hits. I’ll be on this number.’

  Where would you take her, Duke, where would you go?

  He knew from memory that Duke lived at the South Cantow Traveller Site – he also knew from experience that getting any information from the folk that lived there would be extremely hard. He felt himself spiralling – he’s got Toni. His breath caught in his chest, suddenly sticking and feeling the size of a melon. Slow it down – no panic attacks. You will find her – calm the fuck down.

  Knowing he needed all the help he could get, he rang Alex.

  ‘Bro, he’s got her. He’s got Toni – I lost the van. Please. I need help, Bro. I’m on the A8 heading past the city centre – I don’t know where he’s taking her.’

  ‘Woah, slow down, Mark. Who’s got Toni?’

  ‘Duke – at least I think it’s Duke. He’s got a bee in his bonnet about Toni – broke into her apartment last week. He just shoved her in a van – I was right there, Alex, I couldn’t get to her in time.’ Desperation and panic filled his voice. What the hell have I done? He’s got her. Mark felt his heart start to crack – it hadn’t been long enough for him to be in love with her – surely? But there was no denying the aching in his chest.

  ‘Pull over. We’re on our way. Park up near the bingo hall. We’ll be there in a minute. Have you rang it in?’

  ‘For fuck’s sake, of course I have. I can’t pull over – I need to find her, damn it!’

  ‘Mark – listen to me. I know how you feel. Cass was kidnapped, remember, I get it. But you need to calm down – driving around in the state you’re in will cause an accident. You’re neither use nor ornament until you calm down. Pull over. Me and Ali are already on our way. Once we’re there we’ll continue the search. Please.’ Alex’s voice was annoyingly calm. Mark remembered his utter horror when he’d heard Cass, Alex’s wife had been kidnapped by a killer. His brother had barely held it together long enough to find her and now he was in the same position. He knew Alex was right – he did need to calm down. His heart felt like it was going to pound out of his chest – he couldn’t stop shaking even though he was sweating.

  Even now the steering wheel was moving like it had a mind of its own and he swerved slightly on the road. He put his indicators on when the bingo hall came into view, and slowed the car, pulling over.

  Minutes later, his brother pulled up in his people carrier and he, Ali, Joseph and James jumped out of the car.

  Seconds after that, sirens approached. Mark had contacted the control room once he’d parked up and confirmed his location as a rendezvous point so he could speak to the senior investigating officer in person.

  23rd December, 1925 hours – abandoned abattoir, Leith

  Toni felt like her face was on fire – she tried to groan and realised there was something in her mouth. Her eyes sprung open suddenly as the memories of being pulled into a van burst forth. She was on the floor of what looked like a factory. She could hear chains clinking and the stench of mould, death and blood was in the air. All she could see in front of her was a pair of legs – men’s legs. With trainers on. They were faced away from her, standing in front of what looked like a wooden table. She couldn’t see over the table top so didn’t know what he was doing.

  Bending her head, she tried to get a view of the rest of the room. It all seemed vaguely familiar to her. A dull glow emanated from windows far at the other end of the vast room. Cold dread settled in her heart.

  This was where the young men had been killed. The place where they’d swung off chains.

  The place where they’d died.

  Tears pricked her eyes – this was her vision. She was going to die. Sam had said not yet – that implied it could be at any point other than the time she was having the discussion. Like now.

  She hadn’t even told Mark about her conversation with Sam earlier. She’d been intending to mention it tonight. Oh God, Mark! He’ll think I’m ignoring him or something when I don’t come down to him.

  She jerked backwards as the legs in front of her turned around, fear grabbing her with its icy fist. She bent her neck upwards, determined to look her attacker in the eye, knowing it was the only power she could yield trussed up like she was. The plastic ties were cutting into her wrists even as she moved backwards an inch. Anything to get away from him.

  Toni should have been surprised to see Duke as he bent down, grabbing her chin in his hand and staring at her, a gleeful smile on his face. Should have been, but wasn’t. Dull clouds covered his aura, matching the ones she’d seen in the vaults with the young men when they’d met their deaths. It had taken seconds when confronted this time, for her to make the connection to the very same aura that Duke had had when he’d been in her flat, and when he’d stabbed Paul. If I’d only seen it earlier, I might have avoided this mess.

  Berating herself didn’t help – nerves skittered across her skin – making her feel as though a hundred beetles were crawling on her. A deep shudder racked through her.

  Duke didn’t speak – he didn’t have to. She could see from the look in his eyes that he’d lost it completely. His eyes were void of emotion, flat and darkly ominous. He bent down and pulled the horrid tasting rag from her mouth.

  ‘You were my betrothed. You shouldn’t have left me. No one le
aves me and gets away with it. Bette tried – she never tried again. She’s always close by, though.’ He cackled loudly at whatever his private joke was. ‘I remember how you like your spirit stuff. My mum always said you’d inherited the gift of sight from your gran – guessing it’s not working too good now you’re not part of the community. You didn’t see me coming, did you!’

  Toni tensed, sensing that he was going to hit her. When his foot connected with the soft flesh around her stomach, it knocked the wind out of her and she gasped, feeling the burn as she tried to breathe. ‘You don’t have to do this. Please, just let me go. I won’t tell anyone, I swear.’

  ‘Won’t tell anyone? Not even that arsehole cop you’ve been hanging around with? How’s his nose by the way? Bet that smarted. He was too easy a mark. Calling himself a cop is a disgrace.’

  ‘That was you? Why? You didn’t even know him.’

  ‘He was watching someone I know. Opportunity knocked and I answered. Now I know you’ve been shagging him, I’m just sorry I didn’t do more. You’re a whore. My mum was right.’

  Duke kneeled down next to her and put his hands round her throat, squeezing until Toni felt her eyes bug outwards and her chest burn. She couldn’t fight against him – her hands were still secured with the cable ties. She couldn’t get to the knife in her sock – didn’t know if she was strong enough to use it now she was in this position anyway. Toni felt her consciousness start to slip and Duke realised, releasing her throat from his grip.

  ‘That’s way too easy. You’ve ruined everything. It was a cushy plan – kill those men, set Francis up for the fall. I would have got away scot-free, wouldn’t have even been on any radars if it wasn’t for you. You distracted me – you used your feminine wiles to seduce me. You knew I wanted you – even now years later. I had no power to resist your woman magic.’