by Bill Ward
He jumped in the driver’s seat and sped away. After a couple of miles he was sure he wasn’t being followed but he knew he had to ditch the car. The police would already have a description out for the car and the girl. He drove past a taxi rank and decided it was time to change vehicles.
“In the minute I’m going to stop and you are going to get in the front of the car and drive away as fast and as far as you can. Do you understand me?”
There was no response from the back seat. “Do you understand me,” he repeated louder and more threateningly.
“Yes,” came a timid reply.
“What’s your name?”
“Phoebe.”
“Well Phoebe, if you keep driving for at least twenty minutes I won’t have to come looking for you. You don’t want me to come looking for you, do you?”
“No.”
“Okay, so get ready, I’m going to get out in just a minute.”
He made a couple of turns and headed back towards the taxis. He pulled into the side of the road, jumped out and gripping the arm of the girl pushed her into the driver’s seat. “Now drive for twenty minutes,” he shouted and slammed the car door.
She drove away without needing any further encouragement and he walked briskly to the first taxi. The police would have no trouble following his immediate trail but he had sufficient head start and they would soon hit a dead end.
“The station, please,” he instructed the taxi driver once seated. “And I’m in a hurry.”
CHAPTER FORTY ONE
Mara finally returned to Stefan’s house in the afternoon. She had enjoyed her time with Emma and Rebecca but needed to change clothes as much as anything and all her worldly possessions were in the house. She also had nowhere else to stay as she wasn’t willing to waste money on a hotel, when she had a free room at the house. Neither could she expect to stay with the girls. They were a very happy couple and she was strictly a toy for them to enjoy sharing, which suited her fine as she had no wish for any further complications in her life.
As she entered the house she felt strange knowing for the first time ever she would be the only person in the house. Out of curiosity, she went up the stairs to Stefan’s room and though she wasn’t sure what she expected to see different, she was surprised it all seemed very normal, except of course Stefan was in prison. There was half a sandwich on a plate and a cold mug of tea, suggesting he was probably eating when the police stormed the building. She had been downstairs in her room and the police had taken her away before she knew exactly what had happened to Stefan. He had probably not resisted. There would have been little he could do against several burly police officers.
She turned to go back to her room and stood rooted to the spot when she saw Victor standing in the doorway.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” Victor said. “I was beginning to wonder if you were ever coming back.”
“We can’t be having any punters back here at the moment so I was just out and about.” She tried not to show the nervousness she was feeling. “I think I’m going to go home for a visit until things here are sorted out.”
“Probably a good idea. I need to think about how I can help Dimitry and Stefan before finding a new house to operate from, then you can start working again.”
“So where have you been?” Mara asked. “Stefan and Dimitry were really worried about you.”
Victor walked into the room, approached the sink and filled the kettle. “Cup of tea?” he asked.
“No thanks.” Mara didn’t want to spend time in his company.
“Afina tricked me and I ended up in a bloody hospital for crazy people,” he said, putting a teabag in a cup. He poured water from the kettle and added some milk from the fridge, then he carried his finished cup of tea back into the lounge. “Look how English I am becoming,” he laughed. “Before I came to this country I never drank tea.” He took a sip and looked Mara in the eye. “I just have one question for you, Mara. How do you know Powell?”
Mara was taken aback by the question. Her mind was racing, trying to calculate what she could safely say. “What do you mean?” she replied, stalling for time.
“On the phone, when I blamed Powell for my troubles, you asked why I blamed him. It took me a second to realise you shouldn’t have heard of Powell. So I repeat my question, how do you know Powell?”
Mara couldn’t believe she had been so stupid but she’d been shagged out and nursing a hangover so she hadn’t been exactly thinking clearly. “Powell was a punter here. I saw him once but then he became a regular of Afina’s. I didn’t understand what he had to do with anything.”
“He was a regular customer of Afina? That explains a lot. He was also the father of that young police officer Dimitry stabbed. He must have been trying to find out what happened and was working with Afina for revenge.”
“The police officer’s father!” Mara appeared shocked. “Shit!” She was amazed how good an actress she had become. Then again all those fake orgasms showed she could act.
“Have you spoken with Stefan?” Victor asked.
“No. I don’t even know where they have him or how to contact him.”
“Okay. I’m going to have my tea and think. I need to decide what to do next. You can go to your room.”
“Let me know if I can help,” Mara offered and then quickly left. She let out a huge sigh of relief once back in her room.
As she sat on her bed, she realised it was probably only a matter of time before Victor spoke with either Stefan or Dimitry and learned Powell and Danny were the same person. Then the shit would truly hit the fan and he would know she knew more than she was telling.
Next she thought about what Victor had said about finding a new house where they could carry on working. Stefan didn’t actually own the building where she was living, he had rented it. Victor and the others back home would want to quickly get the business back on its feet. They wouldn’t want to go too long without the lucrative income they made. They would probably look to send someone new to carry on the business but that wasn’t necessary. She was already here and understood the business better than any newcomer could. She felt like she had been hit with a bolt of lightning. She’d spent enough time on her back earning a living. Maybe there was a better way to make money from the efforts of other working girls. She would make some phone calls.
CHAPTER FORTY TWO
Powell started the day by driving Afina, plus her mother and sister, to Gatwick airport. Lia, Cosmina and Violette were in a separate taxi, which Powell was following. Afina and Adriana weren’t going to be catching a plane but the rest were all on their way back to Bucharest and Powell was pleased he had been able to help them return home safely. He was also happy his home would no longer feel like he was running a bed and breakfast. In a very short space of time he had gone from living alone to sharing with six females who were almost total strangers. It was an experience he was unlikely to ever forget.
The round trip took a couple of hours and once back at the house, Afina and Adriana packed their possessions into the back of Powell’s car and he drove them to the bar. Until recent events he would have said he was driving them to Bella’s but he had stopped calling the bar by its name. He couldn’t imagine ever renaming the place but for the time being it would be known just simply as the bar.
He’d been annoyed when he heard Victor had disappeared. It almost certainly suggested he had no intention of going away and it was highly possible he was going to be further trouble. He could have returned to Brighton but Mara hadn’t seen him, although it was possible he was laying low in one of the many small hotels. Equally, he may be hiding out with another of his customers for girls in some other part of the country. Powell knew he wouldn’t be able to rest until Victor was located.
Brian had told him the police were trying to get Stefan to reveal more about his operation in return for a lighter sentence but he was saying nothing. The girls Powell had rescued had all made statements, which meant Stefan was facing a ver
y lengthy time in prison but he had hardly said a word since being arrested.
Powell left the girls to unpack and spent some time catching up on admin for the bar. He was pleased to see Neil was doing a decent job with managing stock and takings were at the normal level so perhaps he really wasn’t needed. If that was the case, he might look to change career. He needed some new motivation in his life, which the bar could no longer provide. He had proved recently that the skills he had acquired over many years could be put to better use than just pulling pints. It was certainly something to consider but the immediate issue was still locating and nullifying Victor.
Mara had received a quite positive reaction to the suggestion she made, which she had summarised as being the best option for returning to business as usual, in the shortest possible time. She should be considered a straight swap for Stefan, and then the money would soon start to flow again. She had worked alongside Stefan for two years and knew all the contacts, customers and methods of doing business.
Twenty four hours after placing the first call to her Uncle, she received approval to take over from Stefan for three months on a trial basis. She was elated and had been given some immediate tasks. The three girls who were supposed to be arriving for Danny’s imaginary business were ready to travel plus one other girl. Mara needed to find a new temporary property and arrange with Danny to have them collected immediately after their arrival in Brighton. They wanted all that to happen within a week.
Someone called Radu was travelling with the girls and would become Mara’s muscle. It had been agreed she and Radu should select one of the girls to start working immediately from the new property and the other three would go to Danny.
Mara knew these arrangements presented a significant problem. There was no such person as Danny and Powell would not be paying for any girls. There was also a secondary problem, which was that Radu would no doubt be reporting back on her and may even be destined to take over from her, after he became familiar with the business, if she messed up.
Unlike Afina, Mara could not simply run away from everything. The organisation would hunt her down and she had too much family back home, who she would be putting in danger. She was beginning to regret her ambition. She should have just told Powell that Victor was back at the house and asked him to sort the problem. After all, it was Powell who had caused most of the problems she was now facing. She needed a way of getting rid of Victor and explaining away Danny no longer wanting the girls. Maybe, just maybe she had the inkling of an idea.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Victor knocking on the door to her room. He had taken to regularly coming downstairs for a coffee as he was feeling bored. He was wisely not risking going out and getting spotted. She opened the door and the smell of whisky on his breath hit her in the face as he walked into the room without waiting for an invite.
“I finally tracked down that bloody solicitor,” Victor announced. “He says Stefan is on remand and can have three visits of one hour a week until he goes to trial.”
“Are you going to go see him?” Mara asked, hiding her concern.
“Of course I’m not fucking going,” he swore. “The police are looking for me.”
“I could go,” Mara suggested.
She was pleased Powell had confirmed her life was once again private as he was no longer listening to what was being broadcast from her bedroom. She would return the small transmitter to him the next time she saw Afina. Until then, she had taken the precaution of placing it in a drawer covered with clothes, just in case he changed his mind and decided to have a listen.
“That would probably be best,” Victor agreed. “Speak to the solicitor and arrange a visit for as soon as possible.”
“What do you want me to say to Stefan?”
“We can discuss that later. Right now I’m feeling horny.”
Mara had thought it inevitable he would eventually expect sex and she knew he sure as hell wouldn’t take no for an answer, so she had no choice in the matter.
She put on her acting face, smiled and came close to him. She slithered down his body to her knees and extracted his semi rigid cock. This is the last bloody time I’m doing this for him, or anyone not of my choosing, she was thinking as she took him in her mouth.
CHAPTER FORTY THREE
Afina had worked her first full evening shift in the bar. She felt good about doing an honest job and had enjoyed the interaction with people. She had waited on the tables until they stopped serving food and then spent some time behind the bar learning how to pour a pint of beer. After a bit of practice she was able to pour a pint without too much froth getting in the way.
Powell had spent most of the evening just chatting to customers and making sure everything ran smoothly but more than once she turned in his direction and noticed him watching her. He just gave her an encouraging smile each time. Perhaps he was just checking on his new member of staff. She was uncertain what Powell was truly feeling. She was hugely grateful to him and she found him attractive despite the age difference but she was worried his interest was more paternal and linked to the loss of his daughter. Still, now she was staying in Brighton, there was no rush to complicate their relationship with anything more than friendship, at least for the time being.
Afina’s mother was home safe and Adriana had spent the evening upstairs watching television, trying to improve her English. Powell had left Neil to lock up and headed home after laughing with Afina about how empty his house would feel with everybody finally gone. Afina realised just how tired she was feeling but she was also buzzing with a sense of excitement. She didn’t want to go straight to bed despite it being after Midnight. The only person she knew who would probably still be awake was Mara so she sent her a text asking if she wanted to meet for a drink.
The response was almost immediate and Mara suggested meeting at the bar Emma and Becky had first taken her, which was always open to three in the morning. They both agreed to meet in twenty minutes at the bar.
Afina arrived first but it was only five minutes later she spotted Mara entering. Afina was at the bar buying a bottle of Pinot Grigio for them to share. It was a quiet evening and they easily found a table with a couple of seats. Most people seemed to prefer to stand so they could easily circulate and meet people. A couple of girls smiled at Afina in recognition but the presence of Mara kept them at bay.
“How are you?” Afina asked.
“The better for seeing you?” Mara replied, with a mischievous smile.
“Are you flirting with me?”
“Maybe!”
“Keep your flirting for Emma and Becky,” Afina suggested.
“We are well past flirting.”
“I’m sure you are,” Afina laughed. “Anyway, it is good to see you. Have you heard again from Victor?”
“No, I would have told you if I had. No news is good news. It probably means he is back in Bucharest.”
“Yes, probably,” Afina agreed.
“So tell me all your news. Have you been fucking Powell?”
“Mara, you are terrible… And no I haven’t.”
“So you’ve been saving yourself for me,” Mara joked.
“Maybe,” Afina teased.
“I think I need to get you drunk!”
“You can try.”
Victor had watched Mara enter the bar and was about to follow her in when he noticed the rainbow badge on the door, which signalled it was a gay bar. He had learned the significance of the badge when first coming to Brighton and on a couple of occasions stumbling into a bar, which it quickly became clear was full of gays. Eventually someone had explained the significance of the rainbow badge outside. Now he avoided such places like the plague. He liked to watch two girls playing with each other but the idea of guys was disgusting. If a gay guy tied to hit on him, Victor knew he would beat him to a pulp so it was just better to avoid the gay bars and not risk getting into trouble with the police.
When he’d heard her leaving the house, he’d wondered where sh
e was going so late at night and on an impulse decided to follow her. It had only been a ten minute walk to the bar but he was ready for a drink by the time he arrived. He was surprised Mara should want to visit a gay bar. He was quite certain she wasn’t gay. No one could give blowjobs the way she did and be gay. Was she meeting someone and if so who? Maybe it would be someone who would be up for a threesum. Gay bar or not he needed to take a look inside.
He opened the door and entered, immediately noticing the absence of any men. He felt a bit conspicuous as he glanced around and spotted Mara sitting with Afina drinking wine and laughing. He quickly turned around and left the bar, hardly able to believe what he’d seen. Mara was with that bitch Afina! Maybe they were both gay, or perhaps it was just a convenient place to meet. Whatever the reason, he’d just got very lucky.
He moved further away down the street from the bar, where he still had a good view of anyone leaving but he wasn’t so easily seen. He was grinning at the thought of what lay ahead. He was surprised the stupid bitch hadn’t left the country. He knew where to find Powell and was willing to wait for his revenge but it had been Afina who led him to Powell and he intended to make her pay for the grief she had caused.
Mara wouldn’t take Afina back to the house because he was there so they would have to go somewhere else. For some reason he assumed they would be going somewhere, either to screw or to keep drinking. If he was wrong and they said goodbye at the door it would be more difficult. If Afina was staying at the bar she wouldn’t be walking home, it was too far, so she would be taking a taxi, in which case it was a five minute walk to the nearest taxi rank. He patted his inside jacket pocket and was reminded there was no blade. He felt naked going out without a knife but he hadn’t yet had the opportunity to pick one up since returning to Brighton.
