The alcohol in my body hid any cause for concern I might have otherwise felt, the street now eerily silent around me, the club a couple of hundred meters to my rear.
A single car drove past me, moving slowly down the road towards the club. I heard it slow further still, the gears changing as it turned back on itself and came towards me. The sound of the engine grew louder at my back, but I thought nothing of it.
The noise suddenly stopped, the sound of wheels rolling on tarmac gone. All I could hear was the light chug of the engine as the car sat parked at the side of the road. My heart beat was now rising steadily as I heard the door click open. I felt an urge to turn around but didn't.
Then there were light footsteps, their pace quickening behind me. I forced myself around as they got closer and saw a cloth come straight for my mouth and nose. I breathed in deep as the cloth was forced on me, a rotten smell inside it. I could feel my knees weakening immediately as my hearing went faint and my vision began to blur.
I could only make out the shape of a man in front of me, his hand strong around my mouth, his body covered in dark clothing with a hood hanging over his head and shrouding his face. I tried to scream but the cloth muffled the sound, only serving to force more of the rotten gas up my nose.
It all happened in a flash: the car, the man, the cloth. Within seconds I felt the world closing in on itself, everything going blank.
Then darkness, nothing, as I fell unconscious.
Chapter 27 - Crash
Crash
The taste of Elle's lips were lingering in my mind as I woke. I wish I could have stayed there with her, but I couldn't.
Duty had called, the demands on my time now growing even more with the development of my new project. I had to attend a dinner meeting with some of my investors, the disappearance of Walter Lithgow still heavy on their minds.
I'd made sure, of course, that his 'disappearance' wouldn't have a major impact on my project moving forward. I'd waited until he'd played his full role before removing him from the picture.
It still stuck at me - his death. I often woke with images of that evening in my head - my hand gripped tightly on the pistol, my finger locked to the trigger, Jones' hand removing the task from my own. It was a guilt that I'd battled with for weeks, and one that might just live with me for my entire life.
The show would go on though, and my life was now dominated by my new casino. Plans were well and truly in progress now, and I was meeting to keep my investors in touch with everything we were doing.
Yet still, rumors of what had happened with Lithgow continued to seep into every meeting, with the conclusion being firmly drawn that he must be dead. I kept my expression flat during these discussions, trying to press on with the business at hand.
No one would suspect me, of course, and I knew Jones will have done a good enough job to ensure that Lithgow was never found. But still, every time I heard his name, every time those memories came flooding back, I felt a heavy pang in my gut.
I lay there now, though, my mind on other things. Dinner tonight with Elle. It would be the first proper date I'd been on in years, ever since I was younger and more innocent. In recent times any time I'd spent with a girl would only lead to one place. Well two places really - my place or hers.
I hadn't had a date in a long time where I genuinely cared for the person, where I wanted to get to know them more and treat them right. The feeling made me quickly realize why Kyle had fought so hard for Alice. I understood that now.
My phone rang loudly on my bedside table and reached quickly for it. I didn't recognize the number. Probably yet another drain on my already limited time.
I picked it up and heard a woman's voice. It was Alice. She sounded worried.
“Crash? It's Alice.”
“Er hey Alice, what's up? Is everything OK?” I'd never gotten a call from her. Something must be up.
“Um, well, probably yeah. I was just calling to see if Elle was there with you?”
I sat up in bed. “Elle, no she's not here. What's going on, is something wrong?”
My pulse began rising.
“I just thought that maybe she went off to see you or something. I wasn't sure.” She paused briefly. “It's just that, well, she never came home last night. She went for some air and I didn't see her after that.”
I real sense of worry was now invading me, tinged with jealousy. Did she go home with a guy?
“Um, was she talking with any guys last night?” The words came out blankly. It almost hurt so say them.
“Not that I saw. She was hanging out with Lexi and Tess mainly. I never saw her with a guy, no.”
An odd feeling of relief and growing concern grew inside me.
“So she didn't go home with anyone?”
“Er, no I don't think so. She wouldn't do that.”
“And she wasn't there when you got back? She hasn't come back yet?”
“No. She went outside and didn't come back. I tried calling her but her phone was off. I thought she'd maybe got a taxi home and just gone to bed, but she wasn't there when I got back.”
My heart rate was increasing with every word.
“Have you tried calling again this morning?”
“Lots. It's off or gone dead or something. I'm kinda worried Crash, I was hoping she was with you.”
Visions began flashing through my head. What if she'd been mugged or something...or worse. I scrunched up my eyes and banished the thought from my mind. Maybe she'd gotten too drunk and passed out somewhere. What if someone had found her and taken her...
My voice was rushed now, the worry taking over me. “Was she drunk? What shape was she in? Tess, Lexi? Do they know anything? Maybe she stayed with one of them?”
“She seemed OK, a bit tipsy maybe. She was dancing most of the night happily, she seemed fine. No, I came home with Tess and I've called Lexi and, well, she doesn't know anything.”
“Look Crash,” she continued, “I think I'm gonna go to the police. We're all really worried something's happened to her. It might be that psycho ex of hers.”
I surge ripped through my body. Brad. No, he wouldn't dare, not after I'd gone to him at the motel. I'd seen the look in his eyes. He was shit-scared, there was no way he'd risk it.
“It can't be him. He's gone back to California.”
“But what if he came back? Like, I know you warned him off and everything, but the guy's a weirdo stalker. He's not in his right mind Crash. He might have come back. I have to go to the police, tell them about it, about Brad.”
“It's too early Alice, they won't listen to you. It hasn't even been 12 hours yet, they wouldn't commit any effort to it, especially after she'd been out drinking.”
No, I had someone far more capable than the police to call upon. Jones would get the job done.
“Look,” I said, “I'll find her Alice. Don't worry about the police, they're fucking incompetent anyway. I'll find her.”
....
My Hummer screeched to a halt in the parking lot outside the motel and I jumped straight out. I paced straight towards the door to room 4 and opened it straight up, storming in. A young couple looked around in shock as they dragged the bed covers over their naked bodies.
“Wrong room,” I said, turning and slamming the door shut.
I walked quickly towards the reception and saw the same old woman as before sitting behind the glass.
“The guy who was here before, has he come back?”
She looked up at me in that same detached away as before. “Who?”
“The guy, that fucking guy I came to see before. Brad. Has he come back?!” My voice was rising, but her expression remained placid.
“I don't know. Maybe.”
I didn't have time for her bullshit.
I slammed my closed fist down hard on the counter, causing the entire thing to shake and rattle. The sound and force of it caused her eyes to widen, some emotion finally etched into them.
“Did he come back,” I gr
owled again, “and don't fucking lie to me.”
She looked fearful now. “No, he didn't.”
I smacked my fist down again and roared. “WELL WHERE THE FUCK DID HE GO.”
I knew she wouldn't know. How could she? But I didn't care. I was venting.
“I don't know,” she said, her voice shaking.
Of course she fucking didn't.
I turned and stormed off to leave the pig to return to her dumb crossword.
“FUCK IT,” I shouted aloud as I thundered back towards my hummer.
I ripped my phone from my pocket and called Jones.
“He's not at the motel. Have you traced his cards.”
“Just done it now. There have been several transactions in California, nothing in this area since you forced him out two weeks ago.”
“So he hasn't been back?”
“Not with any cards in his name. But there is something....”
“YES...”
“He spent over $150 at a gas station in the north of the state.”
My blood boiled. “So he was filling up for a long trip?”
“Looks like it. He could have gotten this far on that, and then some.”
“OK, find out his licence plate and check if his car's been seen on camera anywhere.”
“That might be stretching things a little. Certain contacts of mine have been getting heat for helping me recently.”
“Well then maybe a bit of extra money will help cool them down. I don't care what you have to do Jones, get me that information. Pay them whatever they need.”
I shut the phone off. I didn't care what it cost, what Jones had to do. I wouldn't rest until I found her.
Chapter 28 - Elle
Elle
My eyes slowly opened, my vision coming back into focus. I felt awkward, my body in an unusual position. I felt something rubbing at my wrist - it was rope, my arms securely fastened to the corners of a bed.
My ankles were also tied, my body spread-eagled on a mattress. I pulled and tugged but my body was tied fast. A growing fear enveloped me as I gazed around the room. It was a bedroom, dusty and old fashioned, an old armchair in the corner, the walls covered in flowery wallpaper, worn and peeling.
The air was heavy and warm, much warmer than I'd felt it in a while. Light spilled in through closed curtains, the sunshine bright outside and casting streaks across the room. They crossed my body, the sun's rays hot against me.
I breathed heavily, screaming out for help, the dust in the room causing me to cough and splutter. My eyes ran over my body: I was wearing an old skirt, loose fitted and frayed, and a light blouse. The dress that I'd been wearing the night before was hanging up on the door - someone must have changed my clothes for me.
Memories of the previous night clattered suddenly into my head. The cloth, the man, the rotten smell. I'd been drugged, carted off into a car, and taken away somewhere. I had no idea where I was, no idea who'd taken me. My breathing increased, short breaths rushing into my lungs as I continued to struggle and pull and scream as loud as I could.
Then, suddenly, the door swung open and a figure walked through it. My screaming increased as he quickly rushed towards me, putting his hand to my mouth and muffling the noise.
I looked up into his face as his finger rose to his lips. “Shhhhhh,” he hissed, “no one can hear you but me.”
Brad's eyes looked at me, wide open and filled with a weird happiness. The sight of his odd smile was so unsettling that I wanted to scream more, but his hand stayed locked to my mouth.
“There's no one here but us Elle, no one can hear you.” His words words sent shivers through me. They lacked any emotion at all. “Now be quiet.”
He pulled his hand away and I lay there, silent. My scream had ended as I now stared on at him, my eyes wide with a fear of what he'd do to me.
“Don't look so scared Elle,” he said, “you know I love you.”
He tried to kiss me but I turned my head away, his slithery lips landing on my cheek. He pulled away abruptly, his face growing more angry.
“I gave you the opportunity to take me back Elle. I didn't want things to come to this, but you forced me to do it. Maybe now, here, with me, you'll be able to learn to love me again. Just like you used to.”
I saw his eyes linger on me, moving down my body, my legs spread open by the ropes tied around my ankles. His breathing increased slightly at the sight, a lustful smile creeping over his face.
“It's OK,” he said, “turning his gaze back on me, “you'll be safe here with me.”
A silent tear began rolling down my cheeks, a tear of fear, a tear of desperation. He reached out and brushed it away, rubbing my cheek. “It's OK, don't be scared. I know this is extreme, but I had to make you see how much I loved you, what I'd do for you. Now we can be together, just the two of us, like it always was.”
He leaned in again and kissed me on the forehead as I closed my eyes and willed for him to leave. His lips threatened to slide down my face but pulled off once more.
“You must be tired Elle. Get some more sleep. We'll have a proper talk later.”
He stood and walked out through the door. I heard a key slide into the lock and then a loud click.
Tears began rushing out of my eyes as I pulled and twisted at the ropes once more, chaffing against my skin. I bit my tongue and kept from shouting out despite the urge to do so. I knew if I did it would lure him back in.
But it was no use. I was tied fast, my bounds secure. Physical strength wouldn't make a difference. There was nothing I could do.
Chapter 29 - Crash
Crash
I stormed from one side of my office to the other, unable to sit down, unable to relax, unable to think about anything except Elle.
The door knocked and Kyle came in. “You wanted to see me bro?”
I stopped pacing and looked him direct in the eye. “I need you to take care of the casino,” I said. “And there's a meeting I have with the development team later. You're going to have to fill in for me. Can you get up to speed with things before this afternoon?”
He nodded. “Of course, anything you need.”
I tried to smile but couldn't. I'd had a deep frown on my face for two days now. “Thanks, I'm glad I can count on you Kyle.”
“Crash, go home mate, you look like you haven't slept in days.” I hadn't.
“That's where I'm going.” It was a lie. I wasn't going home.
I stepped towards the door, leaving the casino in Kyle's hands. It was my baby, a business I'd seen flourish for years, but I didn't care about it right now. I didn't care about the new development, or the crucial meeting we had today with the architects and engineers and investors. I didn't care about anything, nothing except finding Elle.
She'd been missing for a couple of days now and I couldn't stop Alice from going to the police. I didn't want to stop her anyway. Anything they could do to help was welcomed.
But I felt sure that their efforts would come to nothing. It would be the local police searching for her, nothing more. She'd gone missing in town, and I doubted they'd involve any wider police force as part of their search.
But I knew she wasn't in the city. I knew she wasn't in the state. Something told me she was back in California. Something told me Brad had her somewhere. It was down to me to find out where.
....
I stood in Jones' office, an envelope in my hand.
“That's everything I have on him. Where he lives, who his family is, his room number at college, the course he's on, the name of his professors, everything.”
“Thanks Jones, I'll never forget this. Never.” He'd done more than I could ever thank him for already and continued to be a huge help.
He nodded his thanks, as was often his way.
I paced straight out of the office and into my Hummer. I had a plane to catch and time was ticking.
I caught glimpse of my face in the mirror as I roared through the streets towards the airport. I looked half de
ad, my eyes deep and dark, heavy shadows gathering beneath them. My skin had gone pale, covered in thick stubble from several days without a shave. My hair was rough, untamed and messy.
I didn't give a shit. How I looked was the least of my worries.
The flight was short, only lasting about two hours.
I could think of nothing but Elle the whole time, my body increasingly restless as I waited in the departure lounge and sat squashed into the seat on the plane. I rarely flew, and when I did I only ever went first class. Not this time, however. I had to take what I could get.
It was early afternoon when the plane touched down, the warmth of the summer sun far more intense than I was used to. I felt weary and drained as I went through the airport and out towards the taxi stand. I needed to sleep. I needed to rest. But I couldn't.
I stepped straight into a cab that was waiting out the front of the airport.
“Where you headed mate?” he asked cheerfully.
I slid the envelope Jones had given me from my bag and took out a sheet. I peered over it quickly, my eyes settling on an address.
“Denver Halls,” I said. “Make it quick and I'll pay you double.”
“Yes sir.”
I've got someone I need to talk to.
Chapter 30 - Elle
Elle
I didn't like the look of Brad's face when he sat on the bed next to me. I didn't like the way his eyes were beginning to drift more and more towards my legs, still tied open on the bed.
I'd begged him to take the ropes off me, pleaded with him that they were chaffing and giving me blisters, but he didn't relent. I then woke, the next day, with a softer fabric around my wrists. It gave me hope that eventually my pleas to be released would be heard.
It must have been a couple of days that I'd been there now, my arms aching above my head. I could hardly sleep at night, my outstretched arms preventing me from rolling over and curling up as I usually would.
CRASH (A Logan Brothers Novel) Page 16
