Mason

by Lisa Helen Gray

  “Calm the fuck down now, bro. If anyone deserves happiness in their lives it’s you, brother. Denny loves you. She really fucking loves you and she’s going to be in that room scared out of her mind, thinking about coming home to you. She’s relying on you,’’ Myles shouts, tears pooling in his eyes.

  “He’s right Mason. She loves you and she’s going to need you to get your fucking head together. You can’t help her feeling sorry for yourself. None of this is your fault. No one could have predicted this happening,’’ Mav tells me, clapping me on the shoulder.

  “I still think we should go torch the fucker’s house,’’ Max grumbles, looking seriously pissed.

  “You okay?’’ I ask, realising I’m not the only one struggling here.

  A manic laugh leaves his throat, his head thrown back until he drops it forward, his eyes hard and boring into mine.

  “She’s one of my best mates, dude. She’s the only chick apart from Harlow I actually like and not want to stick my dick in her. But worst of all, I hate seeing you so fucking messed that your throwing punches in walls that can’t fight back. You’re being a pussy,’’ he snarks, his sarcastic tone trying to lighten the mood. I give him a small grin, knowing he’s not comfortable with all this touchy, feely shit. He’s never been one to express his feelings, or really show when he’s upset. He only gets happy, over happy, or angry. There’s never really anywhere in between with him.

  “Okaaay,’’ I say slowly before leaning against the kitchen work surface. “What are we going to do? If we can’t go to the police, then what the fuck are we going to do? I’m not risking her or the baby’s life.’’

  “I have an idea,’’ Harlow pipes up, tears still staining her face.

  “Babe, let us try and sort it out,’’ Malik tells her, wrapping his arm around her and bringing her flush against his chest.

  “Fuck off Malik and let me talk. Just cause I’m a girl doesn’t mean my ideas won’t work,’’ she snaps glaring at him. Then she turns to me and gives me a sad smile. “I reckon we call the police-just let me finish please,’’ she begs when I go to interrupt her.

  “Go on,’’ I nod for her to continue.

  “I think we should call the police, explain over the phone about what is happening, and that he must have someone watching us or his house or something for him to know if we do call them. He said he’ll tell us where Denny is if we bring him what he wants. If I write a forged statement giving him everything he wants then it will work.’’

  “No Harlow. He tried to rape you, he can’t get away with this,’’ Malik growls.

  “I know babe, but you’re not getting it. It doesn’t matter what I give him because we’ll be telling the police what it says. We can also call my lawyer and see if there is a clause or something that will get it dismissed. It’s either that or we try to figure out where he has her on that video,’’ she says, pointing to me where her phone is still held in my hand.

  “Let’s call the police first and see what they suggest,’’ my Granddad replies looking tired as hell.

  Mary, Denny’s Nan rushes into the room like her ass is on fire. “I’m so sorry. After bingo we went for a drink and I passed out on the sofa. I didn’t hear my phone. I woke up to get a glass of water,’’ she cries, her hair a wild mess and crinkled clothes loose on her body. “I’m so sorry. What’s happening?’’ she asks and it’s Denny’s dad, Charles who answers.

  “She’s been taken by some thug who’s brother attacked this little one,’’ he says gesturing to Harlow.

  “Yes, Denny told me all about it when we left,’’ she says looking confused.

  “Well the attacker’s older brother has taken Denny so he can blackmail a written statement off Harlow to release his brother from all charges. He won’t tell us where she is until he has what he wants.’’

  “So if we know who he is and why he has her then there is not a thing the courts will do. Give him what he wants because it won’t stand up in court. Harlow only has to stand up in court and tell them it was forced, that Denny was kidnapped and threatened. It won’t get used. Give him that and he gives us Denny…unless…’’

  “Unless what?’’ I ask, staring at the crazy lady with wide eyes. How is it we’ve all been running this around in our heads for the past how many hours and she turns up and makes more sense of it all?

  Like I said, crazy lady.

  “Unless he’s not planning on releasing her,’’ she whispers, holding a hand to her chest.

  “Fuck! Someone call the police again, I’m going to watch this video again and see if I can tell where she is.’’

  “What can I do?’’ Mary says and Joan walks up to her wrapping an arm around her.

  “You can help me make everyone something to eat and drink.’’

  *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

  I’ve replayed the video call of Denny over and over again to the point I had to get Harlow to run over to hers to get her charger.

  A message alert beeps on Harlow’s phone making me jump.

  Unknown number: Meet me by the fishing pond down by Green Day in an hour. Don’t forget, I’ll know if you’ve got the pigs involved.

  “Guys, he’s contacted,’’ I shout, getting everyone’s attention. Harlow wakes up from the sofa. She fell asleep an hour or so ago. Joan fell asleep too, but it seems everyone is now awake.

  After calling the police they told us they were sending someone out, that they were short staffed. After that I told them to fuck off, that my girlfriend and baby’s life are in danger, so if they wouldn’t do their job, I would. We’re still hoping someone makes it here before we leave.

  “What’s he say?’’ Maverick asks walking in from the kitchen. His eyes have a dark shadows under them, he looks as tired as I do.

  “He wants us to meet him at the fishing pond down on Green Day in an hour. Do you really think this will work?’’

  He opens his mouth to reply when banging starts up at the door, stopping all of us in our tracks. We all look to each other before looking back to the door. When it’s clear no one is expecting anyone we all move towards the door.

  Charles is the first one to the door, he opens it looking pale and drawn as the rest of us.

  “Son?’’

  “Dad,’’ Evan nods. The badge on his trousers has me looking up at him wide eyed. I remember him from some of the parties we used to crash at school, but other than that I don’t think we ever really got on. My feelings for Denny had always gone unnoticed by everyone, including Denny, but her brother, Evan, knew and warned me away from her.

  Like that happened.

  “What are you doing here?’’ I ask him impatiently, not having the time. I need to watch the video again, I know I’m missing something and it’s there. I just need more time.

  “Can I come in?’’ he asks and I nod, moving out of the way and directing him into the front room.

  “Take a seat,’’ I gesture, the phone squeezed tightly in my hand.

  “No, I’m good. Look, I know Denny’s missing. I know who has her. The station radioed in a few hours ago saying you called in with more information? I need to know what that is?’’

  “How about you start from the fucking beginning?’’ I growl, stepping forward. “You knew your sister who is fucking pregnant had been kidnapped, and you hadn’t bothered to come and check in?’’

  “Look, I’m not allowed to go into specifics. I can tell you that I’ve been working undercover to bring down the gang that, Carl Davis is involved in. We caught the last gang member today outside watching your house. I’m taking a good guess here in saying he was outside watching to report back to Carl about what’s been going on. All we need now is Carl. I need to know what he gave you in terms of ransom or whatever it is he wants?’’

  “He wants Harlow to give him a signed written statement stating that his brother is innocent and that what he’s saying is the truth. He wants us to meet him in an hour, but we don’t believe that he’s going to give
us, Denny,’’ I tell him, trying hard not to punch him in the face right now.

  “I know you want to punch me right now, but I needed to stay off the grid so I could do my job. I’m not the bad guy here. I’m here to help. If I could have gotten here sooner, I would have. Believe me.’’

  “Does she even know what you do for a living?’’ I ask him before turning to Charles. “Did you even know?’’

  “No, son, I didn’t,’’ Charles answers, turning to look at his son in awe, or maybe hurt? I’m not sure.

  “No she doesn’t, but it doesn’t fucking matter. What matters is getting her back. After talking to my mother at the station I don’t believe we will be getting her back.’’

  “What did the crazy bitch have to say for herself?’’ I ask him, my muscles tensing at the mention of her.

  “She’s completely lost it. She didn’t even know who I was at first. She kept talking about Denny, how she ruined her life, bla bla bla,’’ he snaps. “Dad, is there something I need to know? She honestly didn’t know who the fuck I was, or acknowledge who I was. She kept saying she wasn’t my mother.’’

  “Son, I’ll have this conversation with you another day, but right now, let’s get your sister home,’’ he smiles sadly.

  I watch in fascination as Charles gives Mary a helpless look. Whatever they need to talk about is something I don’t want to be in the same room as when it’s revealed. By the look Mary gives Charles back it can only be bad news.

  “If it’s about her not being my mother, I already know. But you, you I’m not sure about,’’ Evan says like he has all the time in the world to have a family discussion.

  “As interesting as this is, I want to get Denny back,’’ I growl.

  “Yeah, sorry,’’ he nods.

  “I’m going to look over this video one more time, there has to be something on here that I missed. You guys work with Evan a second while I watch this.’’

  “What’s the new plan then? I take it you came with one, otherwise you’re wasting our time,’’ Max bites out, obviously not happy with the new presence in the room.

  “I can’t go to the pond, but I already have men there,’’ he replies, ignoring my brother’s tone.

  “You do?’’ Harlow asks, a bit of colour returning to her cheeks. I didn’t even think how she would be feeling. After all, she would have to be the one to meet up with him to give him the statement.

  “Yeah, we knew something big was going down before he took Denny. We weren’t sure what it was going to be. It’s where they do most of their dealings, thinking no one can see them, but they’re wrong. I have four non-uniformed officers fishing, I’ll have two more using the running trail and then police will be nearby and ready to strike….’’

  He rattles off giving them signal instructions in case the wire they are sticking to her doesn’t work. She’ll be going in alone, but will be surrounded by plenty of officers.

  I start the video again, this time plugging in the headphones so I can block out everyone’s voices in the room.

  The video starts mid-sentence, and I watch, my heart still splitting in to two until I get towards the ending.

  “Harlow… I need you to go to the police and tell them what happened here was a lie. Say that you didn’t know how much trouble he would get in, please. I’m begging you.’’

  I re-watch the scene again; listening to the words, tell them what happened here was a lie.

  “Fuck!’’ I shout, grabbing fistfuls of hair and pulling. “I know where the fuck she is,’’ I shout, yanking the earphones out of my ears and running for the door.

  “Wow bro, hold up,’’ Maverick shouts, grabbing my shirt to pull me back.

  “Get the fuck off me now, I need to go get her,’’ I snap trying to twist his hand off me.

  “Want to clue us in first? What if someone is there with her? This could be dangerous and you might not even be right,’’ he snaps, and I know he’s right, but I’m too concerned about getting to her more than anything else.

  “I don’t know how we missed it,’’ I hiss out, again running my fingers through my hair, my scalp burning from when I pulled at it earlier. “She said in the video where she was. Whether she meant to or not, she said it. If she fucking did mean it then we have been sitting around here like clueless bastards all night.’’

  “Said what, son?’’ Granddad says stepping closer.

  “She said ‘tell them what happened here was a lie.’ What happened here? Here, as in the Old Gunner house. That’s what she was trying to tell us without letting Carl on to it. We need to go,’’ I hiss out, getting ready to bulldoze my way through all of them if they don’t move out of my fucking way.

  “Right, I’ll go with Mason,’’ Evan speaks up. “Maverick you come with us and Malik stay with Harlow. You drive her so it doesn’t look too suspicious. He’ll know something’s up if you let her go on her own.’’

  “I wasn’t planning on it,’’ Mal grunts, looking at Evan like he’s lost his mind.

  “Let’s go. Dad, my partner will be here any second to go over everything with you before you leave. Just make sure you all listen to him. If you fuck this up he’ll only get off scot-free.’’

  We rush out of the door, making a dash for the nearest car which just happens to be Evan’s black Audi A4 S Line.

  Posh git!

  Chapter Nineteen

  DENNY

  Another ten minutes passes before Carl actually leaves. I heard him arguing to either himself or to someone on the phone just before he left. It sounded more like it was to himself, because he was ranting on about no one answering their ‘fucking phones’ (his words) anymore.

  Hope the fucker gets run over by a lorry on his way over to meet Harlow.

  I’d already managed to take stock of everything in the room when I first woke up, but it seems without the lighting over where I know Hannah is lying, there isn’t much I can see now in the room. The place is dark, even with the beams of light streaming through the cracks in the floor above.

  To the left of me where the piss bucket is still stinking the place out, not that the smell from Hannah is any better, I notice a metal pole sticking out of the wall. Maybe if I can reach it, I could use it to whack at the chains and break them. If it doesn’t work then at least I can take Carl by surprise when he comes back and hit him over the head to buy me more time. Hopefully I’ll hit him close enough to me so that when I knock him out I can still reach for the key. Not that I’ve seen him with one.

  It’s just one of my many wild guesses tonight.

  Stretching my leg over, keeping my hands firmly placed on the wall for balance, I try to grab the metal pole with the toe of my foot. It’s loose like I guessed, so I use all the strength I can to wiggle it back and forth to loosen it. It’s difficult when it’s only the toe part of my foot that can reach.

  Finally it clatters to the floor, the sound echoing loudly in the small confided room. It’s then I squeal jumping back.

  “Oh my God, I want a holiday after this,’’ I snap, looking frozen at the woodlice, worms and whatever creepy crawlies slithered out with that pole and onto my foot. Just my luck, the biggest part of the light is shining on bugs.

  I hate woodlice; hate them with a freaking passion. My brother, Evan, he used to stomp on them and the noise, my word that noise when he stomped on them was disgusting, and it made me wince every time. Do you know what I’m on about? That crunch when they press their big feet on them and you hear the woodlice back crunch? Yep, I hate that sound, really bad.

  I’m not even going to mention the ants. I’ve tried to ignore those little fuckers as soon as I realised there were loads of them running around. How something so tiny can scare someone so much bigger is beyond me. It’s not like they can eat me. It’s just that they can get every-fuckin-where.

  And this may or may not have something to do with the ant’s nest I sat in when I went on a school trip. I’m just saying, ants and me don’t have a good experience.<
br />
  “Come on,’’ I growl, trying to use the tip of my toe to roll the pole across, trying to avoid the crawlies, but all I manage to do is push the pole away a little. “Fucksake, please, if anyone can hear me, then please, for heaven’s sake, get me that pole.’’

  Not seeing any other option I slide onto the grubby mattress and slide myself as far as the chains will let me go towards the pole. Once my arm is pulled as far as it will go without popping my shoulder out, I use my left leg to get at the pole. My bare toe touches it and I want to squeal with delight, but then something crawls across my feet and I scream out.

  I grit my teeth knowing it’s either let a little ant or woodlice scare me or be murdered and God knows what else he has planned for me. There’s no question, I need to be brave, suck it up, and get on with it so I can get out of here. Taking in a much needed breath, I push myself to move back into position.

  “They can’t hurt me, they can’t eat me, and as soon as I have the pole all I have to do is shake my leg and they’ll be gone,’’ I grumble to myself.

  My foot touches the cold, metal pole again and this time I manage to bring it towards me some more, making the strain on using my toes relax a little. I work it closer, and closer, till finally I get up out of my position, shake off my legs before brushing everything off with my hands, not wanting to miss a crafty crawly. There’s bound to be one that sticks on through my shake. There always is.

  Reaching down, I lean over and pick up the pole, hoping like hell I didn’t just waste my time and strength getting it. Already I want to fall back to sleep, the little I got last night was not nearly long enough. Plus, I was freezing cold, being held hostage by a rapist and murderer and betrayed by my own mother.

  All in one day.

  Using all my strength I tug at the chains again, hoping to see some kind of weak link, but there isn’t any. It’s tightly bolted to the wall and as much as I need a spanner or screwdriver right now, I’ve only got a metal pole.

  Giving up trying to weaken the chain, I begin to use my last resort and smack the metal pole against the chains bolted on the wall. I try to aim for where it’s attached, but all it does it ricochet off the bolts, pain racing from my hand all the way up my arm from the harsh vibrations of the hit.