County Lines Rider

by Samantha Bassett

  Looking up she saw the time and realised she had to start teaching her next lesson in just a few minutes. She grabbed her riding hat and stepped out onto the yard.

  ***

  “I’m gonna take you out later.” Adam smiled.

  “Where?” We were both carrying back saddles and bridles having untacked our horses, we were being very lazy as Emily had offered to clean our tack and groom the horses. ‘Very much like how the other half lives’ I’d joked.

  “Oh, you’ll see…”

  ***

  The phone rang, I knew that it could take time as knowing both of them they would not have their phones with them. Amanda was about to give up when May answered. “May! How are you?”

  “Oh, Amanda…” May’s voice was tight, was she crying?

  “May, what’s wrong?”

  “It’s Annie.”

  “Has there been an accident?”

  “It wasn’t an accident. She’s in hospital. Look she’ll be fine but she’s really shaken up.”

  “What the hell’s happened?”

  “Oh, Amanda…” May gasped. “Annie was attacked on the yard. Two men came in with baseball bats.”

  “Oh shit!”

  “They were asking about you…” May’s voice hardened. “They wanted to know where you were. We told them we didn’t know…”

  “Oh… Look, I can come and…” She stopped.

  “No… I don’t think we need that.” May spoke softly. “Look Annie will be okay, she’s a tough girl. She’s in a bit of a bad way, but she’ll get through it.”

  “Oh May… I’ve caused this… Oh, God… I am so sorry…”

  “Shhh… It happened, we understood what could happen, we were careful, but not careful enough. Please, keep safe.”

  The payphone started to beep, Amanda fumbled with coins but the line had gone dead before she could put in another coin. She took out her mobile and quickly dialled. “Come on, come on… Adam… Shit, voicemail. Okay, look something’s happened. Please, call me as soon as you get this.”

  ***

  “I enjoyed that…” We walked arm in arm out of the cinema, it had been a rom-com which I am sure Adam would not have chosen for himself, however, we spent most of the time cuddling in the back row and had missed most of the flimsy plot.

  Adam had borrowed his sister’s car, having recently passed his test so we were free to go out without a chaperone. We drove back to the yard, the headlights cutting a tunnel through the darkness. When we arrived I suggested that we carry out the late check to save the other girls having to come out. It involved checking each horse to make sure their rugs were secure and that they had hay and water. We split up, I took the back yard and Adam took the top, comfortable that we would get this done in a few minutes and meet up in the tack room which was warm, inviting and, at this time of the night, well away from prying eyes.

  I started checking the boxes, the horses looked up curiously as I peered into their stables, one or two came across to say hello and nuzzle me for mints or other treats. It was not long before I had completed my line of stables.

  I turned to go towards the tack room…

  III

  FATE OR FATAL

  27

  Consequences

  I’d slept fitfully, having not seen or heard from Adam, I had spent most of the night pacing and calling his mobile. He’d gone out with Kate the day before so may well have gone somewhere with her, but I was deeply worried. I jumped at the sudden knocking. Running downstairs I found Emily in tears hammering on the door. She told me to hurry and follow her. Slipping on my boots we ran towards the stables, in the distance, I could see what looked like a pile of rags with Judith knelt beside them. As I got closer my heart sunk as I realised that they were not rags but my brother crumpled on the concrete.

  “Adam!” I rushed to his side, kneeling and feeling for his faint pulse. “Have you called an ambulance?” Emily shook her head. “Well, go and call one!” She fumbled in her pocket and pulled out her phone. “Adam… Oh, God… Are you okay?” He was cold and unresponsive, blood matted in his hair.

  “They’re coming!” Emily called out.

  I comforted him as best I could, waiting what seemed like hours until we heard the approaching sirens of the ambulance. I sent Judith out to show them where we were.

  The paramedics were efficient and polite, quickly assessing Adam and placing him on a trolley. I shouted brief instructions to the girls and got into the back of the ambulance with him.

  ***

  Adam was rushed away, a kindly nurse told me it would be best if I waited in the relative’s room while he was attended to, she showed me in and returned with a vending machine cup of coffee, it was bitter but gave me something to do while I sat waiting. I looked up as the door opened, hoping for news.

  “Miss?” I gasped as a policeman stepped into the room, he was flanked by a female officer.

  “I’m Constable Jackson, this is WPC Ronson. Can we please ask you a few questions?” I nodded.

  “How’s Adam?” I stuttered.

  “I understand that his condition is stable. We would just like to ask if you know what happened to him?”

  “No…” I bit my lip. “Emily, one of my grooms called me and said that she had found him in the yard, we called an ambulance.”

  “When did you last see, Adam…”

  “Yesterday, he was off with his girlfriend Kate, I didn’t see him come back.”

  “Okay, and have you seen Kate since?”

  “The only thing I have done today is to attend to my brother, I haven’t seen Kate.” I paused looking at the two officers. “What’s happened? What are you not telling me?”

  “There’s nothing we’re not telling you. In fact all we are asking you Miss, is what may have happened. Your brother has been badly injured, apparently assaulted with a blunt instrument. The medical staff called us as they were naturally concerned for his welfare and so they have called us to investigate. Had you and your brother argued before he left?”

  “I didn’t hurt Adam… Tell me is he going to be alright?” I stuttered.

  “I’ll ask one of the doctors to give you an update.” The police constable left the room, the WPC remained and sat a couple of seats down from me. After a short while, a doctor came into the room.

  “Hello there, we’ve been treating Mr Bishop. He came in with some pretty serious head injuries it looks as if someone had hit him with something not unlike a baseball bat. Now, we’ve done some x-rays and a CT scan and it seems that he should be okay, he has not sustained any fractures to his skull. He will have a nasty headache and a possible concussion so we will be wanting to keep him in for a day or so. He’s awake if you would like to see him.”

  I leapt up, following the doctor to the cubicle. He drew back the curtain and I saw Adam lying on the crisp white sheets. They had cleaned most of the blood from his face, there was still deep bruising and he was swathed in bandages. I rushed to his side, taking his hand.

  “Adam?”

  “Hi, Sis…” His voice was quiet and rasping. “Sorry…”

  “Don’t you be stupid…” I gulped, trying to choke back tears. “What happened?”

  He shrugged. “It just went dark… How’s Kate?”

  “I don’t know, I came straight here. I’ve not seen her.”

  “Look, I think it will be best if we let him rest.” The doctor put his hand on my arm. “He will need to stay in, at least overnight. Why don’t you come back later once he has had some rest.”

  “Okay…” I was aware of the police officers who, despite stepping back had not really left my side. As I stepped out into the corridor I turned to them. “Look are you going to arrest me?” He started to speak. “If you’re not, please leave me alone.”

  “Do we have your details?”

  I relented and gave them my name and address, telling them that I was as keen as they were to find out who had attacked my brother, however, I had a sinking feeling that I
knew exactly who had been responsible and it didn’t bode well for any of us.

  I walked quickly out of the hospital, not wanting to linger any longer than necessary, I pondered what I could do as I drove back to the stables. Of course, the two girls were near hysterical but had been able to feed and muck out most of the horses, as with all true horse people, no matter what happened in their world, the horses always came first. They bombarded me with questions but I had to admit I knew as little as they did. I asked if they had seen Kate, but they hadn’t so I made my way up to the flat. Her bed had not been slept in as far as I could tell and the same was true in my house where there was no sign of her.

  I calmed the girls down as best I could, telling them to clean tack, just to keep their minds off what was happening. I needed answers. I picked up my phone and dialled a London number, it rang for a moment before a familiar voice answered. “Raj!”

  “Oh goodness, Miss Amanda.”

  “How are you?”

  “Ah… I’ve had a bad time…” Raj went on to tell me that he had been visited by two people who wanted to know where I was. Of course, whereas I called him, he had never known where I was. This had not pleased the two who initially threatened to beat him and then instead had set fire to his shop. He had thankfully been able to get out of the back door to safety, his livelihood had been destroyed. I sat in silence for a moment.

  “Are you there?”

  “Yes… Oh God, that’s terrible Raj, I’m so sorry. Thank goodness you’re safe.” He had chuckled, rather unexpectedly and said he had Allah on his side and this was going to be a blessing in disguise. The shop had been well insured and, for once the insurance company had been prepared to pay out so he had a tidy sum which he was going to use to retire and never have to get up at the crack of dawn or prepare newspapers ever again. I admired his perspective on life, we chatted about the future before he thanked me and wished me well.

  I stared at the phone for a long time after Raj had hung up. It was clear who was after me, they had found Raj and Annie and then Adam. I had a terrible feeling that they would not stop there.

  ***

  I could not wait to get back to see Adam, so packed him a change of clothes and some toiletries and headed back out in the car. I could tell that the grooms were nervous, but I assured them I would be back later and that they could stay in the farmhouse with me tonight if it helped them.

  Kate’s disappearance worried me. She was not on the yard and had not told anyone that she would be going out, her day off had been the day before and she had spent it with Adam. A thought had crossed my mind that, maybe, just maybe she could have done this to him, but I soon dismissed this as nonsense.

  Adam was asleep when I arrived on the ward, he looked so still and peaceful. I slumped into the bedside chair and a combination of the hospital’s warmth and my lack of sleep led me to drift to sleep.

  “Hello…”

  I opened my eyes, Adam was sitting up. I mumbled, shaking my head.

  “You look like how I feel…”

  “Wow! That bad…” I stood up, grabbing hold of his shoulders, hugging him. “Oh, Adam! You scared me.”

  “I was pretty scared myself…” He paused. “How’s Kate?”

  “Oh… How are you?”

  “I feel pretty bruised, I really don’t know what happened. One moment I was checking the horses, the next… Well, the next thing was waking up in the hospital.” He paused. “Sis, what’s happened to Kate.”

  What could I tell him? I sighed. “She’s gone.”

  “Gone?”

  “She’s not on the yard, she isn’t in the flat or the farmhouse. I don’t know where she is.”

  “What are you not telling me?” Adam stared at me. “Amanda, please.”

  I put my head in my hands, telling him about what had happened to Raj’s shop and then to Annie. “They’ve found me.”

  “Or they’ve found Kate and think they have found you.”

  “I don’t know… What are you doing?” Adam had swung his legs out of bed.

  “I am not staying here if there is a risk Kate could be in trouble.”

  “No Adam, you’re not well.”

  “No… If your drug dealer boyfriend has taken my girlfriend I need to do something.” He stopped, I had told Adam everything. He hugged me. “I don’t blame you… For anything.”

  “But what if she’s been hurt, or worse?” I sobbed.

  “Come on, draw the curtain. I need to get out of this place.”

  28

  Darkness

  Pain…

  Darkness…

  Pain…

  Every part of my body hurts. If I try to move my head I am hit with waves of dizzy pain. I cannot move, stuck in stuffy darkness where my limbs are trapped, have I been buried alive?

  Confused…

  Pain…

  Darkness…

  Another thump, the movement is sickening, my head slammed into a wall of solid darkness. I just wish it would stop. Trapped and in agony, I sob, feeling the tears flow down my face but I can’t wipe them away, my hands refusing to work for me. Another movement and my head slammed into the darkness which overtakes me.

  29

  Reunion

  Adam looks unwell, I shouldn’t have allowed him to leave the hospital however he wouldn’t stay once he thought Kate might be in trouble. He’d argued with doctors asking if they could force him to stay, their brief pause was enough for him to demand that he was leaving. They looked at me, but I was in no fit state to argue with the firebrand that was my baby brother. The doctor took me aside, telling me that this was irresponsible madness and that concussion could strike at any time. He reiterated what I should look out for and I told him I was a riding instructor and could tell the signs. He had just said ‘Oh I see. Bloody equestrians’ and walked out of the room.

  Adam had wanted to drive, but I had refused, point-blank to give him the car keys. We sat silently until we left the hospital car park.

  “So…”

  I glanced towards Adam. “I’m sorry, I’ve brought you and Kate into this, I know I should have just run away but now I have caused-.”

  “Shut up!” He snapped at me. “Have you finished your pity party? Good! Okay, shit is happening, but we won’t get anywhere with you apologising and us arguing. You had little or no control over what happened, all I care is that we get Kate back safely.”

  “Thank you… I wish I’d known you sooner you know, you’ve grown up to be an amazing man.” I looked across to see him blushing. “Okay, this can only be Edwin’s people.”

  “I thought he was in prison?”

  “He is, but the money which was taken was from his organisation. Although he was at the top there must have been others who would take charge, and especially others who would want to get that money back. But, what the hell do we do?”

  “Have they killed her?” Adam spoke softly.

  “No!” I pulled the car over. “Look, they need me to tell them where the money is, I bet they think that they have me…”

  “And when they realise they don’t…”

  I took out my phone, after a quick search I dialled a number. As it connected I spoke quickly. “Put me on to whoever wants Edwin’s money.”

  “No!” Adam reached for the phone. I opened the car door and walked round to his side of the vehicle. Wrenching the door open, I pulled him out, dropping him on the pavement.

  “No one else gets hurt!” I leapt back in the car, locking the doors. “Yes, do you have her? No, shut up… Redhead girl, do you?… Oh, that got your attention. She’s the wrong one, you want me, I took his money. You can have me in exchange, but only if you don’t hurt her… I’m coming to you now.” Adam was screaming and slamming his fists on the window. “Sorry…” I glanced quickly in the rear-view mirror and quickly drove away in the car. I could see him standing by the side of the road yelling abuse at me.

  I had one chance, one way to get Kate back and to try to solve the m
ess I had created. Now, as I started the long drive down the motorway to London I knew that this was to be a one-way trip.

  ***

  “Wake up!” The water was flung in her face. Kate cried out as the man slapped her.

  “Who are you?”

  “Kate, Kate Gibbs…” Her voice was broken, croaking as she had not drunk anything for so long. She looked at the blond-haired man before her, desperate to escape but trapped by the rope which lashed her to the hard wooden chair.

  “So, she is the wrong one… Do you think she really will just come to us? Okay. Bye.” Laughing, he put the phone back in his pocket. “Looks like we may have a friend of yours coming to join us.”

  ***

  Adam stood watching Amanda’s car becoming smaller as she accelerated away. She was so bloody-minded. He snarled to himself. But there was nothing he could do.

  ***

  I’d been driving for hours, my eyes were tired but I couldn’t stop. I had crammed my phone onto the dashboard for directions and it showed that I had just one more hour to meet my fate. I was scared. No, I was bloody terrified, but I loved my brother enough to at least try to save his girlfriend and I had hurt so many other people.