For the Sake of the Children: The first Chloe Webster thriller (Chloe Webster Thrillers Book 1)

by Alex Highcliffe

  On arrival she saw Chelsie standing in the ornate surroundings of the reception area. As she headed over, she noticed that Chelsie had obviously made a real effort to look her best.

  ‘Hi Chelsie, I’m glad you could make it. How’re you feeling?’

  ‘A bit nervous, but I’ll be okay.’ She sounded pretty miserable and Chloe could appreciate how hard she was finding this. She smiled at her warmly.

  ‘I think our aim here is just to agree that George will stay at your mum’s for the time being. They won’t let him come home until Mark is safely out of the way, and until you can show that you can provide a safe environment for George on a permanent basis.’

  ‘I wish he could just come home now. I feel like a bit of me is missing, you know?’

  ‘I know. And I appreciate it’s difficult Chelsie, but we do need to think about what is best for George in the long run, and that’s to be with you. We have to play by the rules for now, but he’ll be home soon. We just need to persuade this lot in here.’ Chloe nodded her head towards the main doors that led from the reception into the rest of the building.

  ‘Yeah, I know. I just miss him so much.’ Her eyes glistened as she spoke.

  ‘Come on then, let’s get things moving. I’ll be doing most of the talking, but if they ask you anything, just tell them the truth. We’ve got nothing to hide. Ready? Deep breath…’

  In fact the meeting went as well as they could expect. The local authority was satisfied that George was safe at his grandmother’s house, and agreed to review the matter in another month.

  ‘Thank you Chloe,’ said Chelsie as they walked out into the cold. ‘I don’t know what I’d do without you.’

  ‘Oh, you’re welcome Chelsie, it’s what I’m here for. Now listen, remember that we’re in this for the long haul. You will get George back, but you must look after yourself. I know it’s hard, but keep thinking about the future. And you know he’s happy at your mum’s house. At least you get to see him regularly.’

  As they said goodbye and went their separate ways, the man across the street smiled to himself. Did Chelsie really think she could just walk away? Did she think she could just move on with her life and leave him behind? She was his girl, and if he couldn’t have her, no one would have her. And no posh solicitor bitch could do a damned thing about it.

  48

  ‘Have you heard from Mr T today Mickey?’ Jez was starting to feel the first pangs of anxiety. The Timer was never late. The agreement was that he’d be at the club with the package by ten. That was fifteen minutes ago and still no sign. It did occur to him that the Timer had been unaware of the exact nature of the package. After all, it had always been drugs before. He still hadn’t convinced himself of the real reason why he didn’t give the Timer the full story before he set off. Maybe it was a nagging concern that he wouldn’t have agreed to it? Jez had been confident that once he’d started the job, the Timer would have been honour bound to complete it. But now that confidence was draining fast.

  ‘Nope. Were we expecting him then?’ Mickey was cleaning up the bar area from the night before, arranging clean glasses onto shelves above the bar.

  ‘Yeah, fifteen minutes ago. He was out on a job last night and said he’d be here by now.’

  ‘Drugs is it? He doesn’t usually bring them here…’

  ‘I know Mickey. But this one’s a bit different. You don’t need the details. Give me a shout as soon as he gets here.’ Jez wandered down to the far end of the club, pulling out his phone and redialling the Timer’s number again. Still no answer. He’d already left several messages.

  Shit, where the fuck is he?

  ‘Jez, I need a word.’ Drabble’s voice almost echoed down the empty club. Jez looked up only to see the door of Drabble’s office closing behind him. Instantly concerned, he hurried back up to the bar and followed his boss into the office.

  Drabble was sat behind the desk, immaculately dressed in his usual dark suit. ‘I seem to have confused myself here Jez. I thought you said that Mr T was coming at ten with the package.’

  Jez felt the pit of his stomach lurch.

  ‘You aren’t confused Mr Drabble. He said ten and he’s never late. I’m not sure what’s happening.’

  ‘Of course I’m not fucking confused. I know he’s fucking late. But I do expect you to know what’s happening; that’s what I fucking pay you for.’ His temper was instant and terrifying. Jez was sure he felt one of his legs give way but somehow managed to regain his composure.

  ‘He’s not answering his phone boss.’

  Drabble closed his eyes and placed a finger on his own temple, rubbing it slowly in a small circle. Opening his eyes, he spoke again, much more calmly.

  ‘Jez, the Kirklands are coming here tomorrow to collect the package. They aren’t going to be pleased if we can’t deliver it. Just find the Timer.’ He paused. ‘And Jez?’

  ‘Yes boss?’

  ‘Get the shooters out in the morning. Make sure you and Mickey are tooled up when they arrive if we haven’t got the package by then. I’m not taking any chances with the Kirklands, especially with that maniac Stevie in charge now.’

  ‘Okay boss.’ Jez spoke confidently, trying to sound as if he was relishing the prospect of a tussle with the Kirklands, but nothing could have been further from the truth. ‘You wanted Mr T to go to the solicitors again tomorrow to set a few things up. Do you want me to go instead?’

  ‘Yes, yes. You do that. Go in the morning before the Kirklands get here. And try not to fuck it up. Don’t take any shit from that girl we’re using. Have you sorted her cash yet?’

  ‘Not yet boss. I’ll do it on the way in.’

  Drabble waved his hand and Jez scurried out of the room, hearing a crash behind him as Drabble thumped his fist down hard on the desk.

  49

  It was like a scene from the front of a greeting card as they strolled down the hill to the village pub. The snow still covered the ground here and Chloe had to admit to herself that she was impressed by Ben’s determination to come and see her as planned. Although the covering was only a couple of inches deep, he could easily have called it off due to the weather. Lights shone brightly from every window and although the car park was virtually empty, moving silhouettes told them that it was reasonably busy for a midweek evening.

  Ben opened the door and let Chloe go in first. The low murmur of conversation and gentle music filled their ears and the warmth and the aroma of freshly cooked food welcomed them in like a home from home. The solid oak bar was set directly in front of them and Ben could see there was a good range of ales to choose from.

  ‘I understand why you like it in here; it’s very cosy isn’t it? What can I get you to drink?’

  ‘No, this round is on me,’ declared Chloe. ‘You bought the theatre tickets so I owe you at least one drink.’

  ‘At least one.’ Ben smiled down at her and she returned the gesture.

  ‘So what do you fancy then?’

  ‘I’ll have a pint of that one, I think,’ he said, pointing out a locally brewed golden ale. ‘But that’ll have to be it if I want to drive home.’

  Chloe ordered the drinks, which included a glass of red wine for herself, and chatted to the barman like an old friend. She led Ben over to a small mahogany corner table and sat down. A fire raged nearby underneath a huge stone fireplace, decorated with traditional farming bric-a-brac.

  ‘Cheers,’ said Ben.

  ‘Cheers.’ They clinked glasses and each took a mouthful.

  ‘That’s a lovely pint. Very tasty.’ Ben was impressed with the place and now he’d tasted the beer his assessment was complete. ‘Right, didn’t you want to talk about something at work? Let’s get it out the way shall we?’

  ‘I did. I mean I do.’ Chloe took another sip of wine. ‘I just need to talk things through with someone. I find Ray really difficult to work with. I know he’s good at what he does, I can see that, but why does he have to be so odious?’

  Ben laughed
. ‘I know he’s difficult, but the thing is, he really is good at his job. He goes out of his way to look after his clients, and they love him for it.’

  ‘He seems to have dumped most of them on me.’ Chloe took another mouthful of wine.

  ‘To be fair, the vast majority of those were Simon’s files. You know, the guy I was telling you about last week who was here before you? The one that seemed to lose his way?’

  ‘Oh yes, I suppose I never really thought about that. I just assumed Ray had seen me as an easy target and dumped all his unwanted files on me.’ She drank some more wine, feeling a gentle head rush which served to relax her even more. ‘Ray was quite nasty about him, I thought. And he does seem to have some clients who appear to be a bit dodgy, if that’s the right word. Don’t you think that?’

  ‘I know what you mean, but they’re clients that have been around for quite some time. They provide us with plenty of work. And as for Simon, well he was a pain in the arse to be quite honest. He caused a lot of problems for a lot of people in the firm. He just wasn’t reliable enough.’

  ‘Well things seem to have settled down a bit now. Anyway, let’s not talk about work anymore. What do you think of this place?’ Chloe waved her hand as if introducing something new to him.

  ‘Yeah, it’s great. I love traditional pubs. The atmosphere’s really nice. Is it always so busy?’

  ‘More or less. I guess the snow’s probably kept a few people here who might otherwise have travelled further afield, but it’s never quiet. Perhaps you’ll want to come again one day?’ Chloe looked down at her wine shyly.

  ‘I think I might, yes.’ Ben looked at her as she looked up slowly and they held their gaze for a few moments.

  Gotcha, he thought.

  50

  It had been an efficient and productive morning so far. Chloe had cleared a few urgent matters, and that included a call to the local authority to finalise the arrangements for George to stay at his grandmother’s. It was now late morning and the office staff had gathered around the desk of a colleague to congratulate her on reaching her fiftieth birthday, and as the singsong died down and people made their way back to their own desks, Ray slinked over, standing a little too close as usual. The smell of cheap aftershave stuck in the back of her throat.

  ‘I thought she was pushing sixty to be honest.’

  ‘Ray, don’t you ever say anything nice about anyone?’ Chloe had learned that it was okay to speak her mind where Ray was concerned. He might get angry if she crossed the line, but he always forgot about their arguments just as quickly as they started; she’d actually found something about him that she liked.

  ‘Well, just look at her. She’s hardly been looking after herself has she?’ He kept his eyes on the subject of his criticism a little too long before he turned to Chloe. He didn’t seem to notice her frown. ‘Anyway, I’d like you to see one of my clients. It would have been Mr Crawford, but one of his colleagues is coming instead for some reason. I have dealt with him before on the phone, and you can safely carry out any instructions he gives you, so let’s have none of that nonsense that we had before okay?’

  ‘Ray, is this going to be another of your dodgy deals?’ She stopped, and could tell by the look on his face that the line had been well and truly crossed.

  ‘Chloe, just do it please. I don’t need to hear this crap every time I ask you to do something.’ He threw a file on her desk and walked off.

  Chloe picked it up and looked at the name on the top – Mr Peters. She headed down to reception and approached Gloria without the kind of trepidation she had felt when she first arrived at the firm.

  ‘Hi Gloria. I’m looking for Mr Peters.’

  ‘Hello Chloe. I’ve put him in meeting room two.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  Chloe knew not to push the conversation any further, if it could be called a conversation. She was still working on Gloria, and the fact that she no longer received a scowl told her she was making progress.

  Mr Peters was a smart, lean-looking man in his thirties, clean shaven but for a well-manicured moustache which travelled just a little too far down each side of his chin for Chloe’s liking. She introduced herself and offered her hand, which he squeezed just a little too hard as he told her how pleased he was to meet her.

  What is that on your face?

  ‘Now then, Miss Webster, I want you to listen very carefully to what I am about to say. Very carefully, do you understand?’ He was well spoken with a hint of a Sheffield accent.

  ‘Yes, of course, what can I do…?’ She stopped as he put his finger to his lips in the way that a school teacher might to quieten a five year old.

  ‘Please, don’t speak Miss Webster, just listen. Over the next few weeks I am going to give you instructions to carry out some transactions for me. There are some houses that I want you to buy, and some overseas companies which I want you to set up. There will also be some trusts to create. Money will need to be moved around and other things too, when the time comes.’

  Chloe sat there looking across the table in silence. The calm and control in his voice simply added to the menace that was quickly filling the room and surrounding her. The man smiled and continued.

  ‘I will give you all the details soon. Now you won’t like the nature of some of the things I’m going to ask you to do. You’ll probably think they are the kind of transactions you should report to some authority or other. I’m here to tell you now that you must not do that. I’m not asking you, I’m telling you. If you report these matters, there will be very grave consequences for you and your father.’

  Chloe wondered if she’d misheard that last part.

  Did he just threaten me? Did he just threaten my father?

  Peters seemed to notice the look on her face as the realisation of what was happening sunk in. He was clearly expecting a reaction and continued speaking before she had chance to respond.

  ‘You will of course be shocked by this. I need to know that you understand what I have just said? You are to do what I say, when I say it. Do you understand?’

  Chloe had already started to panic. Her heart was racing and she felt like she had to get out of the room. She glanced at the door next to her. How did they know so much about her? They mentioned her father. Not her mother or her family, just her father. How did they know that?

  ‘Try to relax Miss Webster. Do not move and do not call for help. Just stay where you are.’ Mr Peters remained as calm as he had been since he started talking. His voice was steady and ice cold. Emotion was clearly not his thing,

  Chloe had little choice but to sit still. Fear meant that her legs would probably not do as she commanded in any case, and she sat staring at the man across the table. All she could think about was her father. Was he okay?

  ‘I repeat, Miss Webster, do you understand what I have been saying to you?’

  She managed to calm herself down enough to speak. ‘I understand. Is my father safe?’

  ‘Yes. He’s at home. We can find you whenever we need to, so don’t tell him about any of this. Don’t tell anyone about this. Do you understand?’

  ‘Yes.’ The word only just came out.

  He smiled. ‘Good. Now, we are not unreasonable people. You will be well paid for your work, but we do expect absolute loyalty in return. Welcome to the business, Miss Webster.’ He stood up and took a few steps towards the door. Stopping next to where Chloe was sat, he formed a gun shape with his fingers. She looked up at him and he pushed the figurative weapon against her forehead. She was numb with fear.

  ‘Be under no illusions about what will happen if you don’t comply.’ He removed his hand and left the room.

  Chloe stared at the door as it swung slowly shut under its own weight, and then burst into tears.

  51

  Chloe couldn’t move. She sat in silence staring at the door, with only the gentle ticking of the wall clock for company. How had this happened? Her world had just been devastated by a man she had never even met before.
Images of Crawford and Peters, but also of Ray came to mind. How did he fit into all this? Was he the one who had orchestrated these events? Did he set her up with these people? How could she have left herself so open to this? Feelings of guilt and worry were now gnawing away at her as the questions spun around inside her head. Tears pricked her eyes again as she thought of her father.

  Have I really put his life in danger?

  She folded her arms on the table and rested her head on top of the makeshift pillow. As she took a deep breath her body shivered. She felt cold despite the room being maintained at a comfortable temperature by the automatic heating system. She closed her eyes and tried to get things clear in her thoughts, but she felt exhausted, and drifted into the deep blackness of sleep.

  A gentle tapping at the meeting room door woke her.

  ‘Hello?’ she said softly, a little confused and wondering how long she had slept.

  The door was pushed ajar and Gloria’s face appeared in the gap.

  ‘You’ve been in here for quite a while. I saw Mr Peters leave and wondered if everything was okay?’ She sounded genuinely concerned.

  ‘Oh Gloria, thank you so much. I don’t know what to do.’ The tears came again and Gloria stepped inside the room and pulled the door shut behind her. She passed a tissue over to Chloe.

  ‘Are you okay Chloe? Is there someone I should tell? Shall I go and get Mr Drake?’

  ‘No! No… thank you Gloria. Not Mr Drake. Could you try and find Ben Howson for me and tell him where I am? I really need to speak to him.’ She saw a look of surprise in Gloria’s eyes, but the receptionist simply nodded and left the room.

  Please come, Ben. Please come.

  The door opened again before she had chance to think about things any further. Ben knelt down beside her and put his arm around her shoulders.