Behind the Facade

by Rebecca Heap

  He jerked an eyebrow and asked, “Well do you intend to get out of there, or should I join you?” He eyed her speculatively and she felt her colour rise once again. Boy, she wished she had more sophistication!

  Trying desperately to be cool, or at least give that impression, she rose and held out her hand. “Help me out then, won’t you?”

  It crossed Sebastian’s mind that he’d much rather help her out of that costume, as his eyes raked her. She reminded him of the actress Emma Stone, he thought. A very delectable package. But as that thought crossed his mind on its heels thundered Harry’s warning. “Hands off the merchandise. I mean it!” But surely there was no harm in a little nibble? Just to test the quality?

  Taking her hand, he stood back as she stepped out of the tub but, as soon as she found her feet, he yanked her towards him. She yelped but more in astonishment than objection. “You got me wet already,” he rumbled, “you may as well finish the job.”

  As his mouth seized hers and his hands grabbed her bottom Brenna was at first flattered but then disconcerted, as the kiss and his hold became a little too ruthless for comfort. Laying her hands against his chest she pushed but this had absolutely zero effect. Panicking a little, unable to breathe, she felt herself on the verge of screaming when he finally released her. The smug satisfaction she saw in his face left her cold. It flashed through her head that she may have completely misjudged him… and the situation. Who was there to call on if he took advantage of her?

  However, he must have recognised the alarm in her face and he apologised. “I’m sorry. You’re just so pretty and I found you too hard to resist. I hope I didn’t scare you?” He stroked a conciliatory finger down her cheek.

  She had probably overreacted, she thought. After all, she’d only ever experienced a bit of tame snogging. He was very much a man and was treating her like a grown woman, that was all. He’d think her a baby if she made a fuss. Taking a deep breath and a step back, she said, “You just took me by surprise.”

  “I was meant to give you this, not a kiss,” he confessed, handing her a piece of paper. “You took me by surprise too. I didn’t expect you to be so…...” He eyed her attire and smirked. He looked like a naughty little boy caught out by the teacher. She couldn’t help but take the paper and return his smile.

  “It’s your itinerary for tomorrow,” he explained, “plus some general housekeeping information.” She thanked him and, noticing she was starting to shiver, he passed her the terry-cloth robe from the hook beside the tub. This considerate gesture helped to reassure her. “You’d better get some rest. It’s a busy day tomorrow.” He was making his way out when she called after him. Turning, he queried, “Yes?”

  “Will I see you again?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “Not likely, sweet thing. Harry doesn’t encourage it. He likes his girls to be completely focused on their work.”

  When the door had closed behind him, Sebastian clenched his fists in exasperation. Everyone wanted them young and untouched lately. Couldn’t blame them really. But this girl could be his so easily! Putty in his hands. It was a shame the operation was so snobbish. Breaking them in would have been much more fun. After all, it came down to the same thing didn’t it? Power and control. Ah well, he shrugged. Things could be worse. He was making money in a job he thoroughly enjoyed – there was a lot to be said for the thrill of the con and there was little risk attached to this game.

  And, at least outside the operation, he could have any girl he wanted. One encouraging glance and they were practically wetting themselves. However, as he said this to himself, the image of the boss’s daughter popped into his head to mock him. He scowled. Not exactly “any”. But he was biding his time where that one was concerned. An opportunity might yet come.

  Brenna sighed as Sebastian left the room. He was so handsome! And he’d kissed her like no-one ever had before. Yes, he’d been a little over enthusiastic but now the moment had passed she remembered it with fondness. He’d been so keen to make up for it afterwards. What a gentleman! Well, no point mooning over him. He’d said they were unlikely to meet again. Better concentrate on what she was really here for.

  After securing her wet hair in a towel, she indulged herself with a cappuccino from the luxury coffee-maker installed in her room and then made herself comfortable on the sofa. Reading over her itinerary for the next day excitement washed over her again. Looked to her like she was in for a day of utter pampering, followed by some photo shoots. She sipped her coffee contentedly. Could life get any better?

  CHAPTER 6

  It was 6.30 am in the morning and Harry Pearson was settling down to eat his usual breakfast of eggs and bacon. He’d had an invigorating shower, donned his cashmere dressing gown and poured himself a cup of strong black coffee. He was an ugly man. His black eyes were small in his doughy face and his thinning hair was swept severely back, over his slightly misshapen head. However, when animated, power and vitality radiated from him and transformed his ugliness into a kind of bestial beauty.

  He sat in the heavily soundproofed room he called his office, sipping his hot beverage and gazing doubtfully at the huge screen in front of him that filled an entire wall. The screen showed a satellite image with address, time, date, elevation and geographic co-ordinates displayed along the bottom. The most striking element of this picture was a bright red flashing dot that appeared to be located in the large detached dwelling that took up most of the monitor.

  Harry clicked a button on the pad in front of him and the image refreshed itself but did not change. The expression on his jowly features morphed into one of puzzlement. Despite knowing the technology he was using was faultless, he’d at first assumed that there had been some kind of glitch. There was a tracking device hidden in the locket that his daughter wore and the red dot indicated where she was currently located. The address being shown to him was hundreds of miles away. It was his habit to check her whereabouts every morning but Kate had never before been in any but a habitual or known location.

  He grabbed for his phone and his countenance gradually petrified into something resembling a bad-tempered gargoyle as he failed to get any satisfactory response from the numbers he dialled. Kate's own mobile phone just put him straight through to voicemail. He left a message, trying to keep the anxiety out of his voice. He eventually rang friends of Kate and Robert, whom he knew had been due to attend the same dinner engagement, and his worst suspicions were confirmed. Neither of them had turned up for the party the previous night and no-one had been able to get in touch with them.

  He cogitated for a few moments, tapping the phone agitatedly against his chin, then he dialled a final number. After making the call, Harry poured himself a generous glass of whiskey and threw it hectically down his throat, all the time glaring venomously at the mocking red dot still blinking on the screen. What the hell was she doing in that place? He prayed that there was an innocent explanation. Maybe she was there on some kind of spontaneous romantic tryst with her boyfriend.

  Even though he had never known her not to have the locket on her person, or at least close by, perhaps it had been lost or stolen and it was just an unfortunate coincidence that he was unable to get in touch with her. Had she finally deduced that the locket contained a tracking device and had done this to test her theory or to get back at him? But if something more sinister had happened...his guts clenched tortuously at the thought and the hand on his glass threatened to break it. If something had happened to her, if someone had dared to harm her...they would beg for death before he was finished with them!

  His tormented musings were interrupted by the arrival of the man he had summoned. “I came as quickly as I could, Sir. I am at your disposal and await your instructions.”

  Harry turned to him, still scowling fiercely. A lesser man would have quailed at being fixed by Harry’s mad glare but Sebastian didn’t even flinch, his handsome face remained calm, his dark eyes clear and direct. Harry noticed this and mentally patted himself on the bac
k. He had chosen the right man. What he didn’t know was that Sebastian was actually fighting to keep himself from smiling; he couldn’t believe his luck. It appeared that his boss’s daughter was missing and he knew he would now be assigned to track her down. He had desired Kate ever since meeting her. His infatuation had only been inflamed by her inexplicable antipathy towards him and the knowledge that it was strictly against the rules to have sexual relations with her.

  Harry turned to his desk and picked up a slim, rectangular tablet. He turned back to Sebastian, handing it to him. “This works in the same way as my screen,” he said. “It will show you where the locket is located and presumably my daughter along with it. It incorporates satellite navigation that will guide you to the location.”

  Sebastian took it from him, gazing intently at the red dot that also blinked in the middle of this smaller screen. Sebastian wasn’t the only one to keep something back; thanks to this console Harry would also be able to track Sebastian’s location and progress but he chose not to disclose this.

  “I want regular updates,” he stipulated. “I will continue making enquiries at this end but, for the moment, we have to assume that my daughter is at that location. Your priority is my daughter. No matter what, you find her and bring her back to me.” He paused, his eyes darkening perceptibly, like glittering black diamonds in his adamantine face. “If the unthinkable has happened and someone took her against her will, even if they haven't hurt her, I want the bastard or bastards. And I want them alive. Knock them around a bit by all means but I won’t thank you if they’re dead. You understand?”

  “Yes, Mr. Pearson,” Sebastian affirmed. “You can rely on me.”

  Harry’s eyes narrowed as he again appraised the muscular man in front of him. “I hope so,” he said, “for your sake as well as my daughter’s. Fail me in this and consider yourself redundant.”

  He then turned and placed his left thumb on a sensor panel embedded in a large metal safe behind his desk. After a few seconds an orange light came on. With his right hand he entered a code into a key pad and the safe unlocked. He opened it and selected some keys from the numerous rows of keys glimpsed inside. He also selected two guns, holsters and ammunition.

  He turned back to Sebastian and handed the items to him, starting with the keys.

  “Here are the keys to a new black Range Rover. The tank is full and it has a large boot with rope and anchor points you can use for securing human cargo.” Sebastian accepted them in silence and deposited them in his pocket.

  Harry handed him the chunkier gun and holster saying, “This is the latest type of taser. It can be used at a range of 20 feet. It also has a direct contact stun gun capability. If you have to use force on an adversary stick to using this, if you can.”

  Once Sebastian had affixed the stun device to his person, Harry passed him the gun and the accompanying bullets. “This is a Ruger. I trust you are familiar with this type of semi-automatic?”

  Sebastian’s mouth twitched ever so slightly in pleasure at receiving the more lethal weapon. Harry must have caught this lapse as, before he released his hand from it, he fixed Sebastian with his intimidating gaze and warned, “Remember, corpses are no good to me. This is to be used only in an emergency and only to incapacitate.”

  Harry rubbed his furrowed brow restlessly. “These items are assuming worst case scenario. Let's hope they will be superfluous to requirements.”

  He turned his fervid gaze on Sebastian for the last time. “It should go without saying that you are not to harm my daughter in any way. If this is something she has done voluntarily and she is reluctant to return with you just persuade her to speak to me.”

  Sebastian then left quickly, expertly manoeuvring the car out of the parking garage and following signs to the nearest motorway. He clipped the handheld device to a holder on the car's windscreen and followed the navigation, smiling constantly to himself as he picked up speed.

  It had still been dark when he set out but, as he travelled further, the rising sun gradually began to stain the sky and the surrounding landscape with colour. The symbolism of this made his grin wider; he felt like he was now rising up from out of the darkness to bring life to his long harboured dreams. He was also secretly hoping for some kind of showdown. He enjoyed inflicting pain and would be disappointed if he did not have to use any of the armoury he now had in his possession.

  The destination he was heading for never altered, according to the static red signal on his screen. Harry telephoned him during the journey to inform him that he had discovered from checking police logs that Kate and Robert had visited the Martin de Pores building last night and Kate had reported a possible break in. Although the officer had reported it as a false alarm, it seemed too much of a coincidence. Sebastian was to continue in his quest and Harry was going down to check on the offices and see if there were any clues there.

  Though traffic began to increase, he made good time. He didn't bother stopping for breakfast; he knew that Harry wouldn't want any delay and his hunger to catch up with Kate overrode any desire for food. Despite his satisfactory progress, unbeknownst to him, if he had been just five minutes faster he would have reached the house just as Kate and her kidnapper were leaving. He must have passed them on the way there, but was too intent on reaching his destination and had no cause to be looking for Kate in a passing vehicle.

  His heart started beating faster in anticipation as he cautiously turned up the long driveway towards the house. He discovered a narrow, rutted track, overshadowed with twisted trees, off the main thoroughfare. He parked the Land Rover there, largely concealed from the casual eye. He exited the car with the tracking device, pulled on black leather gloves and, still armed with gun and taser, quietly approached the house. The house was large, stylish and sophisticated in design. It occurred to him that it neither looked like a romantic hideaway or a kidnapper's den. He checked for cameras or observers but could see nothing to concern him.

  He used the tangle of trees and bushes sprawling up the approach to the house as concealment and ran swiftly to the porch. He pressed his body up against the wall as he tried the door handle. He was surprised to find it unlocked but he still pushed it ajar carefully and slid warily into the hallway. There was no-one around and no-one came out to confront him. He could hear a television playing softly somewhere upstairs. He glanced down at the handheld tracking device and it revealed that he was almost on top of the locket in terms of location, which he interpreted as meaning that it, and hopefully Kate, was in the room directly above him.

  He took out the pistol, feeling a lot calmer now he had the familiar reassurance of a gun in his hand. Screw the taser and the apparent innocuous feel of the place; he didn't want to get caught by surprise. He crept soundlessly up the steep stairs and stood still at the top. All the doors were closed. The landing curved away from the stairs in two directions, the noise of the television coming from the right but his device beckoning him to turn left, back towards the front of the house. He followed the signal and stopped in front of the last door, holding his weapon tightly in his hand, listening out for any sounds from within the room. All he could hear was his own heart booming excitedly in his ears.

  This door was also unlocked and he eased it open, ready to spring on any would-be assailant. The room was empty, though the bedclothes were dishevelled and looked recently slept in. He did a quick recce to confirm that no-one was hidden anywhere and then checked out the ensuite bathroom. His eyes immediately lit upon the gold locket lying on the floor. He picked it up, noting that the chain was broken.

  “Fuck,” he swore vehemently. He tried to clamp down on his temper but to suffer such extreme disappointment after the sweet anticipation of immediately finding Kate, the object of his most perverted fantasies for so long, was too much for him. He slammed the hand holding the gun into the large bathroom mirror. The mirror cracked along its entire length and a few shards of glass rained down on to the floor. His hand was protected by his glove but it throbb
ed nonetheless and the pain did nothing to dampen the adrenalin and testosterone now pulsing round his system.

  His eye fell on something red in the bathroom bin and he pulled out Kate's torn dress. He recognised it, despite its sorry condition. This at least was proof positive that she had been here. He held it up to his face. He could still smell her scent on it and this just served to aggravate what had now become a raging hard on. He left the bathroom and stalked back out on to the landing, no longer concerned about being quiet, intent on discovering who was here. There was still a chance it was Kate.

  Angela had fallen asleep in bed whilst watching television. She was awoken by a noise and her hands clenched the bed sheets, her initial reaction one of alarm. Once her mind cleared she relaxed, assuming that Sean and his troublesome sister were still in the house.

  Her peace of mind was short-lived. She jerked upright and shouted out in fright when her door was flung open and a terrifying stranger hurtled into the room. The giant of a man stood there for a moment, his eyes scanning the room. He clearly wasn’t happy with what he saw and he advanced towards the bed.

  “Where is she? Where the fuck is she?” he demanded, his handsome face distorted with fury. Before Angela even had time to reply, he was on top of her, one hand round her throat, the other holding the gun to her head, spitting and cursing into her frightened face. She tried to speak but it just came out as a strangled cry due to the pressure on her windpipe.

  Sebastian eased up a little, relaxing the hand from her throat but keeping the gun trained on her saying, “Kate Pearson has been here. You'd better tell me where the fuck she is now or my face will be the last thing you ever see.”

  “I don't know who you're taking about!” Angela choked out. Sebastian responded to this denial by punching her hard in the face. Her delicate nose, already weakened by plastic surgery, collapsed and she screamed in agony, blood trickling from her nostrils.