by David Woods
Van Hagen’s face suddenly drained of colour and he croaked in heavily accented English. “Please stay. Let me explain.”
The girl who ushered them in had disappeared and they could hear her running upstairs. Anna almost dragged Brian out of the office. She shivered and Brian put his arm around her shoulders, as he led her back to the car. They were back in and turning the car around ready to leave when a woman in her late twenties, obviously pregnant, walked quickly across, distraught and out of breath. Brian wound down the window. “Please can I talk to you?” She spoke good English.
Anna had regained her composure. “Yes I suppose so.”
“My husband is very sorry for what happened in the past, and would like to apologise. Please come back to the office.”
Brian looked at Anna. “I think we should listen to what he has to say.”
Anna nodded, “If you think we should.” They left the car and she introduced herself and Brian.
The woman said her name was Caroline and she took Anna’s arm. “I can understand how shocked you must be, but Ben has changed and constantly feels remorse for what has happened.” Caroline led the way back into the office, still holding Anna’s arm. Ben Van Hagen visibly shaken by their appearance after such a long time, leaned against his desk as though needing support. “I am so very sorry. What can I say to you?”
Brian could see the man was genuine and not wanting to prolong his agony any longer, walked over and shook hands followed by Anna, reassured by the presence of Caroline. They sat down and listened to Caroline telling them about Ben’s refusal to go any further than Liege, and that was why the Frenchman took over the chase. She told them about Venk and his obsession with getting even. Ben pulled out a press cutting which covered Venk’s capture and imprisonment, which Anna read out and translated for Brian. They were both pleased they stayed, if only to discover Venk was locked up. Anna told the story of the demolition of Venk’s car, the fight she witnessed, and even had to chuckle when she told of the man hanging by the collar in the tree.
As Brian sat and listened to Anna, he watched the couple in front of him both looking somewhat more relaxed, and he thought what nice people they seem and how different Van Hagen is. At last Ben smiled when Anna told how they reached the safety of Switzerland. He related how when he had picked up the two men from that café, they both looked like drowned rats. Anna was pleased to hear the man had eventually been rescued from the tree.
Time was getting on and Caroline insisted. “We must go out for lunch.” “On us, of course” added Ben.
Anna was already beginning to warm to the couple, and thought Caroline particularly nice, but she wondered how she put up with Ben’s previous life of crime.
Lunch lasted two hours and they talked non stop. Brian asked, “Where’s the man who tied up Anna?”
“That’s Jan de Vere. He’s my business partner. Ben explained how the company started when they returned from that fateful trip. Brian asked, “Did you ever buy that house in the country?”
“No, we moved into a bigger flat which we need in three months’ time.”
They returned to the office about half past three and settled down to business. Ben agreed a special price to deliver the machinery from the factory to the existing Belgium, Dutch, German and French machinery dealers. He also agreed to quote for taking over the delivery of machines and spares to England, with return loads to Belgium. Brian and Anna were delighted with the day’s work, because not only had they met a very nice couple who would be good friends, but they had saved the company a lot of money as well.
They returned to England and agreed to gradually build up both companies until they would run themselves profitably, and more salesmen were taken on to cover all the United Kingdom. They were supported by more office staff, with a new accounts department chief. The stores were expanded to handle more spares and accessories as this side of the business was very profitable. They returned to Belgium regularly, pleased when Ben took over the transporting of goods to England. Profit was up and Brian suggested they should buy a house near the factory to avoid being a burden on Anna’s parents.
The house they decided upon once belonged to a farm manager, and needed improvements, which were carried out within three months. After buying all new furniture, they moved in and had a house warming party. Ben and Caroline with their son, and some of the factory staff were invited. Manfred arrived with his wife, Anna’s parents came, bringing some of their relatives and all had a good time. The last to arrive late in the evening was Jan de Vere. Ben had asked if he could attend because he wanted to apologise to Anna. Brian met him at the door and seeing his flattened nose, recognised him immediately. They shook hands. “I’m sorry about your nose,” said Brian.
Jan grinned. “I am sorry for my part in the abduction. We should never have got involved with Venk and his criminal activities.”
“Well, it’s all in the past now.”
Anna shook hands with Jan, still wary of him, even though he had apologised.
The house and garden were looked after by a couple who were employed at the factory as cleaners, spending time cleaning and gardening before going on to work at the factory. Everything was well organised to give the couple maximum time for work as well as pleasure. A car was always in the garage for either of them to use, in addition to the car they used to drive from England.
Brian and Anna had discussed buying a house near Maidstone, but always came to the same conclusion, the flat was very convenient and they preferred being on the farm at weekends. The kitchen and bathroom had been enlarged since moving in. They had saved enough money from the business to buy a house when they wanted, but chose to invest it instead.
After four years in business, they had reached a very satisfactory situation with a good manager in the Maidstone office. Sales were still increasing with new lines introduced regularly, the offices had been extended and plans were put forward to enlarge the warehouse and stores. They had more time to enjoy themselves, leaving all the day to day business to the managers. They did not talk much about the past, but one day when they were having coffee together Brian said. “We must ask Ben what happened to that Frenchman.”
“What Frenchman?”
“The one we left hanging in a tree.”
“Oh yes, with Venk in prison, he is the only one not accounted for.”
“Yes, and Venk won’t be in prison for ever.”
“But surely the Frenchman will not be any trouble after all this time?” “That depends if he finds out where we are, and tries to blackmail us.”
Chapter Fifteen
Venk was released after four years. The last eighteen months had seen a marked improvement in his mental condition, and the doctors reported a better response to treatment. The visions and dreams stopped tormenting him and when his mind drifted back, they became blurred and weak without really interrupting his sleep. His fellow prisoners were able to hold a short conversation with him, and he was even seen to smile occasionally. The prison authorities helped to prepare him for release, trying to make sure he did not lapse back into mental illness, and they arranged a job working for a painter and decorator.
The owner of the decorating business was a kind man, who often took on ex- offenders to do cleaning, wallpaper stripping and general preparation work. He found them used to doing jobs which did not require much thought, and it helped them get used to normal life without imposing too much stress.
Venk rented a flat in Antwerp, furnishing it sparsely with the minimum of items, despite having a good income from his investments. He bought a small car and after a week settling in to his flat, started work for the decorators. The work was boring, but it paid well and at lunchtime he walked to the nearest café. His evenings were spent reading or walking around the town looking at the shops, and occasionally stopping at a café for coffee or a meal.
About three weeks after starting
work, he had his lunch in a roadside café and just finished when a new lorry pulled in and parked on the forecourt. He read the name on the side and made a note of the address, meeting the driver as he came in. “Do you work for Ben Van Hagen?”
“Yes. What’s it to you?”
“Oh. I just wondered how he is.”
“Fine the last time I saw him.”
The lorry driver was obviously more interested in getting something to eat, and walked up to the counter to order. Venk took the hint and walked out, staring at the lorry as he returned to work.
That evening he drove to the address on the side of the lorry, finding a yard with six lorries neatly parked, and an office block. The area was ringed by a high fence with a pair of padlocked gates, and he stared at the lorries thinking how well the two men had done in four years. He returned to his flat, had a cup of coffee and went to bed. Sleep did not come easy as he could not help thinking of the men’s good luck compared with his own failure. His depression deepened as he remembered that not so long ago these men were working for him, but now they had their own successful business whilst he was scraping paint off door frames and walls. Eventually he drifted off to sleep.
Although he tried over the next few days to forget about these men, he found it virtually impossible. When Saturday morning came he drove again to the haulage yard, parked outside and wondered if he would be recognised. He doubted it because he had lost a lot of weight and his hair was no longer blond, but had turned white during the first year in prison. A boy was cleaning one of the lorries and Venk walked across to him, being careful not to get too close to the office. The boy ceased work as he approached. “The boss is out, can I help you?”
“Yes, perhaps you can. What sort of freight do you transport?”
“All sorts of stuff.”
“And does any of it go abroad?”
“We can take goods anywhere you want.”
They chatted about the lorries, Venk finding the boy very knowledgeable and keen to tell him how big the best lorries were and, how many vehicles the company possessed. He was obviously destined to become a driver. Venk was just about to leave when he asked. “Do you have any special contracts?”
“Oh yes, we take farm machinery all over Europe for one company.”
“And which company is that?”
“Vogler-Wilkins.”
“And where do they come from?”
“I don’t know the address, but we collect every Tuesday morning.”
“Who is the company owned by?”
“I don’t really know, but some of the drivers say it is a young English couple.”
Venk walked back to his car quickly, drove back to the city and sat in his flat thinking about Van Hagen and de Vere. They had built up quite a big company, and now they are transporting for an English couple. That night his dream returned and he awoke in a cold sweat, cursing ‘that animal man’ for tormenting him again.
On Sunday he rose late and tried to think rationally about what the boy had said. It could be any English couple, and in any case, Van Hagen had said the girl was Belgian. After churning the matter over in his mind for some time, he convinced himself it was not worth getting upset about and he must try to forget it. He tried to read a book but concentration became difficult, as his thoughts kept drifting to Van Hagen and the young couple.
The next few days saw him working hard at his job, but at the same time fighting a battle with his mind. His employer noticed the blank expression on his face and asked. “Are you feeling well?”
“Yes, quite well, thank you” was the reply, and he carried on working. Late afternoons were his worst times, as when he became tired his mind would see the two men sitting in their offices being attended by their employees. Then his stomach would turn over as ‘the man with the piercing eyes’ re-appeared again.
He began to win the battle after a week of concentrating on an interesting book in the evenings, and working hard during the day, but the book soon came to an end.
One lunch time he was just leaving a café to go back to work, when a large flat- bedded lorry pulled in to the car park full of freshly painted red farm machines. He took very little notice until he read the name on the driver’s door. He stopped, walked back and looked at the machines, noticing a metal plate screwed to the side of one of the larger items that read Vogler-Wilkins and then the address. He thought about it for a moment, remembering seeing the factory some years ago and that it was not too far away.
The next Saturday he drove to the site, surprised to see it double the size he remembered, and after staring for some time, decided to try and forget it. That night he went to bed early after reading for a while, but awoke in a sweat again after dreaming about ‘that man’. He sat up, churned it over in his mind and in the end got up. He dressed, picked up a torch and went out to his car to drive to the factory again, and this time parked in a lay- by. Having walked to the site, he broke in through a side door by forcing the lock. He then started searching through the offices, but found nothing to indicate who the owners were, and tried the last office on the top floor which was larger than the others. He started looking through the drawers and his torch flashed on to a picture on the wall, which he studied closely. What he saw made his stomach turn over and his hands shake. A picture of a wedding between ‘that man and his girl’ stared down at him. He did not recognise the girl, but there was no mistaking the man. He tore down the photograph, smashing it across the desk and then left the building quickly, driving home in a rage to spend the rest of the night churning the matter over. His anger was directed mainly at Brian, but also at Van Hagen, the man who promised to let him know if he saw the couple again and was now doing business with them. Those terrible visions and thoughts of revenge returned, turning his stomach over and making him feel ill.
Brian and Anna were informed of the break in by Manfred Vulder when they returned to Belgium two days’ later. The police had investigated and concluded it must have been carried out by a vandal, or a disgruntled ex- employee. Nothing had been stolen and the police left saying they would make further enquiries, which meant of course they would do nothing. The couple were upset at finding the picture broken, even though it could easily be replaced, but the fact that someone would want to do it disturbed them.
Venk went to work as usual on Monday morning and tried to get on with his work, but his stomach felt weak and upset. His boss looked at his pale face and sent him home, but instead he visited an old criminal contact and then went on to watch the factory. He returned the following day, saw the couple leave in the early afternoon and followed them at a distance, watching as they turned into their drive and parked outside the house.
Brian left for work after lunch the next day, leaving Anna to follow in her car when she was ready. Half an hour later she heard a knock on the front door. Almost ready for work, she walked quickly from the kitchen and opened the door to be confronted by a man with a gun. He pushed the door open wider, walked in and stared at Anna who tried to scream but could not because she was absolutely stunned. He slammed the door behind him and pushed her against the wall. “If you scream or try to escape I’ll kill you. The only way you are going to stay alive is to do as I say.”
Anna trembled and nodded.
“Lead me to the telephone.”
She walked slowly into the lounge and pointed to the telephone.
“Sit down and ring that animal of a husband of yours.”
Anna began to get over the shock and stared into his bloodshot eyes. “You are Venk.”
This statement seemed to surprise him and he snapped at her. “Sit down and do as I say.”
She rang the office. “Brian, there is a man standing in front of me with a gun pointed at my head.” Her voice was shaky and hoarse. “I think it is Venk.”
Venk snatched the telephone from her. “You will do exactly as I ask. And if you co
ntact the police, your precious girl will die.”
Brian found difficulty controlling himself. “Are you Venk?”
“Yes, I’ll give you one hour to raise two- hundred thousand pounds in cash and then I’ll ring from a call box.”
“I can’t raise that amount in an hour, or anything like it.”
As Venk was not really interested in the money, he settled for fifty thousand. Brian agreed with a warning.
“If my wife is harmed in any way, I’ll hunt you down and kill you.”
Venk slammed the receiver down before Brian could say any more and told Anna to get up. She stared at him. “I should have let him kill you years ago in that wood.”
“Shut up and walk to your car.”
She knew there was no choice when the gun was pointed at her chest. Venk climbed in beside her, issuing instructions to drive slowly that she obeyed, but with thoughts rushing through her mind. How could she escape and what would he do to her?
Brian rang the bank and arranged for the cash to be available, then rang Van Hagen who was horrified.
“We’ll be with you in just over an hour,” he said.
Brian paced up and down the office and then tried ringing home. There was no reply so he had to wait for the next telephone call, and could do nothing more.
When she stopped the car outside the derelict cottage, Anna vividly remembered what had happened before. Venk growled “get out” and they walked across to the broken front door. “Upstairs” he commanded. Her knees were shaking as she climbed up and walked in front of him into that bedroom with the iron beds still there. She turned and looked at him and his bloodshot eyes stared into hers. “Get on that bed.”
When she hesitated he poked her in the ribs with the gun, pushing her backwards and forcing her to sit with her back to the headboard, when he produced a length of cord from his pocket and tied her arms. She was desperate and started to scream but stopped when he slapped her hard across the face, and then slapped her again. Her lip was cut and a trickle of blood ran down to her chin, dripping on to her white blouse. He took out a dirty handkerchief, gagged her, then stood back and looked at her half-sitting half-laid on the bed. He grinned. “I’ll teach that animal to make a fool of me.” He turned and walked down the stairs.
